District 12 Little League Baseball Tournament Information

District 12 Little League Baseball Tournament Information

Points of Emphasis District Administrator is responsible for scheduling and supervising all district tournament games All International Tournaments are authorized by the International Board of Directors of Little League Leagues opting to participate must do so with full understanding of the rules and regulations 2

Observe Baseball s Cardinal Rules District official administers the game Umpires officiate the game Coaches coach the game Players play the game Concentrate on your area of the game 3

What You Should Bring to the Game Minimum of 3 Wilson A1074 SST baseballs with the RS-T (Regular Season and Tournament) designation; Alternate is MacGregor 76C with RST designation. Minimum of 3 Wilson A1072 BSST baseballs with the RST designation. They should read Senior Little League Alternate is MacGregor 73C Minimum of six (Little League and below) or seven (Intermediate and above) NOCSAE approved batting helmets with warning labels No stickers/paint permitted on helmets other than single letter/logo without written manufacturer approval. Face guards must also be NOCSAE certified 4

What You Should Bring to the Game $40 per game for umpire fees. $60 for semifinal, championship, and If games. $20 show-up fee is payable should game be cancelled after scheduled start but not officially started. Once games starts full fee is required. Should game be continued on a subsequent day new umpires will be assigned and another full fee will be due. Original affidavit with yellow sheet attached. 5

Uniform Requirements Managers and coaches must adhere to District 12 and NJ dress code. They may wear shorts if all wear shorts. All players must have the official Little League patch on the uniform All teams must carry a blood uniform 6

Safety Lightning and Thunder Policy If you see it - flee it, if you hear it - clear it The field is cleared at the first sign of lightning or thunder Each delay is a minimum of 30 minutes Subsequent lightning or thunder resets the clock Players MUST stay in dugout or protected area 7

Safety Catchers must wear a NOCSAE approved helmet/mask with a dangling throat guard Skullcaps are not permitted Male catchers must wear a cup Catchers must wear a helmet/mask during infield warm-ups Players warming up pitchers between innings or in the bullpen must wear a helmet/mask Coaches can not warm up any player 8

Safety There is NO on-deck circle in Little League baseball and softball Only one batter allowed on field between innings Holding a bat in the dugout is not permitted Batting donuts are not permitted No on-field team meetings between innings. Meetings must be held in dead-ball territory Little League Baseball Bats must have the USA Bat stamp. 9

Safety The on-deck position is permitted in the Intermediate Division Intermediate Division bats (2 5/8 ) Bats must have a USA Bat stamp or BBCOR stamp 10

Safety Any time a team is warming up, pre-game or between innings, the other team must be in a protected area Jewelry is not permitted to be worn. This includes, but is not limited to: Earrings Necklaces, including the popular titanium magnetic necklaces Bracelets, including metal, string, leather, cloth or the popular Livestrong and similar types of rubber band bracelets Exception: Jewelry that alerts medical personnel to a specific condition is permissible (must be secured in some manner) 11

Safety Slash bunting is permitted Please teach your players how to defend themselves. Umpires will inspect all bats and helmets before the game. No other bats are to be brought into the dugouts. Please line up bats and helmets in front of the dugout before team introductions. 12

Safety Umpires are inspecting bats looking for USA Bat stamp, cracks, dents, burrs, rattles. 50-70 bats must have USA Bat stamp or BBCOR stamp. When inspecting helmets they are looking for cracks, missing padding or painted helmets. All must have NOCSAE stamp and may have league logo and player number. Face guards must be NOCSAE certified. 13

Regulation Game Each tournament game must be played to the point of being an official game Regulation games are of four or more innings in which one team has scored more runs than the other (3 1/2) if the home team is ahead. Intermediate regulation game is five or more innings. Regulation games (when a winner can be determined) terminated because of weather, darkness or curfew must NOT be resumed. This does not mean games suspended or delayed by weather that may still be resumed before darkness or curfew on the same day If two games are scheduled for the same site, no time limit may be imposed on the first game 14

Regulation Game Mercy Rule If at the end of three innings (2 ½ if the Home team is winning), one team has a lead of 15 runs or more, or, if at the end of four innings (3 ½ if the Home team is winning), one team has a lead of 10 runs or more, the manager of the team with fewer runs shall concede the victory to the opponent For Intermediate, it is 15 run lead after 4, and 10 run lead after 5 15

Regulation Game Curfew No new inning may start after midnight (12:30 am for Intermediate Division Games stopped due to weather, darkness, curfew, etc., but are not yet official, will be considered a suspended game 16

Pre-game Activities Home/Away is determined by coin toss before each game (except if game) Coin toss will take place one hour before scheduled game time whether or not team has arrived at the game site Team which travels furthest calls flip Winner gets choice of home/away Home team takes 1 st base dugout Away team takes 3 rd base dugout 17

Pre-game Activities Official line-up (form provided) shall be given to the Game Director at least 20 minutes prior to game time, who will distribute to: Opposing team Chief umpire Press box The line up shall include: Starting player s full name, number, and position Substitutes full name and number Manager and coaches full names Names of ineligible pitchers 18

Pre-game Activities (cont d) 19

Pre-game Activities At the discretion of the Game Director and time permitting, teams will be permitted up to15 minutes of infield/outfield prior to game time Home team 45 min. prior to game time Visiting team 30 min. prior to game time Infield/Outfield warm-ups may take place on the game field or a designated warm-up area On field warm-ups are not guaranteed. 20

Who s Allowed in the Dugout Manager and two coaches * Must be named on the affidavit including any temporary replacement Only the rostered manager and coaches are allowed in the dugout or on the playing field before or during the game At least one coach must be in the dugout at all times 21

Who s Allowed in the Dugout Scorekeepers, unless they are a rostered coach, are not permitted in the dugout or have contact with coaches, players, or umpires and must sit at the far end of the bleachers Cell phones (text/voice) are not permitted to be used Electronic scorecards are permitted 22

Game/On-field Conduct All coaches (except while coaching bases) must remain in the dugout area (dead ball territory) at all times. Do not stand or sit outside the fenced area of the dugout. Base coaches must remain in the dugout until the defensive team has completed their preparatory pitches/infield warm-up and the umpire gives permission to leave the dugout 23

Game/On-field Conduct Managers and coaches shall not: Address or mingle with spectators Sit in the stands Warm-up players on the field at any time Leave the bench or dugout area except to confer with a player or umpire You must have permission from an umpire to leave the bench or dugout area Players shall be in the dugout and on their bench at all times except when at bat or in the field 24

Mandatory Play Requirements - UPDATED If team has 13+ players all players shall participate in the game for a minimum of 1 at bat. If team has 12 or fewer players all players must play defensively at least 6 consecutive outs and bat at least once. Three 6 consecutive defensive outs is defined as: A player enters the field in one of the nine defensive positions when his/her team is on defense and occupies such position while 6 consecutive outs are made Bat at least one (1) time is defined as: A player enters the batters box with no count and completes that time at bat by being put out or by reaching base safely 25

Mandatory Play Requirements - UPDATED There is NO exception to the mandatory play rule unless the game is shortened for any reason (10 run rule, rain, darkness, curfew, etc.) A game is not considered shortened if the home team does not complete the offensive half of the sixth (or any extra inning) due to winning the game Violation of the mandatory play rule if protested or brought to the attention of the tournament committee may result in the manager being removed from his position 26

Mandatory Play Requirements - UPDATED Prior to the start of play in the top of the fourth inning (Intermediate: fifth inning), the umpire-in-chief or other individual designated by the game Tournament Director in consultation with the official scorekeeper, shall advise both team managers of their obligation to insert all players who have not completed their mandatory play requirement into the line-up as outlined below. A manager s failure/refusal to insert players into the line-up as outlined below shall result in immediate ejection of the manager and removal for the remainder of the International Tournament. 27

Mandatory Play Requirements - UPDATED 1. If a team has 12 or fewer players in uniform at the start of a game, and is: a. Visiting Team: Any player(s) who has yet to enter the game to meet the defensive requirement of mandatory play must be inserted prior to the first pitch or play in the bottom half of the fourth inning (Intermediate/Junior: fifth inning) into a position in the line-up that will ensure all requirements of mandatory play will be satisfied, absent a shortened game, including one at-bat. b. Home Team: Any player(s) who has yet to enter the game to meet the defensive requirement of mandatory play must be inserted prior to the first pitch or play in the top half of the fifth inning (Intermediate/Junior: sixth inning) into a position in the lineup that will ensure all requirements of mandatory play will be satisfied, absent a shortened game, including one at-bat. 28

Mandatory Play Requirements - UPDATED 2. If a team has 13 or more players in uniform at the start of a game, players must be inserted into the line-up to bat offensively during the: a. Visiting Team: fourth or fifth inning, or as one of the first three batters in the sixth inning (Intermediate/Junior: fifth or sixth inning, or as one of the first three batters in the seventh inning), that will allow their one at-bat to be satisfied. b. Home Team: fourth inning or as one of the first three batters in the fifth inning (Intermediate/Junior: fifth inning or as one of the first three batters in sixth inning), that will allow their one at-bat to be satisfied. 29

Pitching Rules Defensive Conferences (Updated) Trips to the mound (1-2-3 rule) One per inning Second per inning is removal Third in a game is removal Offensive Conference One offensive time-out per inning 30

Pitching Rules Baseball Only Pitch count limits Ages 13-14; 95 pitches per day Ages 11-12; 85 pitches per day Ages 9-10; 75 pitches per day Age 8; 50 pitches per day If a pitcher has reached his pitch count limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until one of the following: The batter reaches base The batter is retired The third out is made to complete the half-inning 31

Pitching Rules Baseball Only An intentional walk may be executed by the manager asking for, and receiving, time out from the umpire, then indicating they wish to walk the batter. No pitches need to be thrown. Four pitches shall be added to the pitch count. 32

Pitching Rules Baseball Only Pitchers must observe mandatory rest: Pitches Mandatory Rest 1-20 No rest 21-35 1 calendar day 36-50 2 calendar days 51-65 3 calendar days 66+ 4 calendar days Threshold: The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar days of rest for the threshold reached, providing that pitcher is removed before delivering a pitch to another batter. 33

Pitching Rules Baseball Only A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game can not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. (No threshold exceptions) Players who have played the position of catcher for four or more innings may not pitch on that calendar day. (One pitch = inning) Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers. Intermediate Division: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher but only once per game 34

Pitching Rules Baseball Only Pitching in suspended games resumed next day: If fewer than 20 pitches; may continue with zero pitch count 21-40 pitches; pitch count picks up from previous game. 41+ pitches; not eligible Pitching when game intervenes: see Rule 4(h) Pitchers may pitch to the extent of their eligibility if they pitched in another game. 35

Pitching Rules Pitching in consecutive games is permitted subject to rest requirements Players may NOT pitch on three consecutive days A tournament pitcher may not pitch in Little League regular season or special games while the team is still participating in the tournament Violation of pitching rules if protested or brought to the attention of the tournament committee may result in a 2 game suspension for the manager 36

Substitution Defensive: Must be made as team takes the field Offensive: Must be made as player comes to bat, or while player is on base. Refer to uniform number, not name 37

Substitution Any player who has been removed for a sub may re-enter in the same batting position provided the sub has met the mandatory play requirements. A sub entering the game for the first time may not be removed prior to completion of his/her mandatory play requirements. A starting player may be removed from the game before completing the mandatory play requirements The starter and sub may not be in the game at the same time 38

Substitution If illness, injury or the ejection of a player prevents a team from legally fielding nine (9) players, a player previously used in the lineup may be inserted, but only if there are no other eligible substitutes available. The opposing team manager shall select the player to re-enter the lineup A player ejected from the game is not eligible for re-entry 39

Special Pinch Runner Once per inning, but not more than twice per game, any player not currently in the game may be used as a special pinch runner for any offensive player A player may only be removed for a special pinch runner once per game 40

Stay In Box rule Batters MUST keep one foot in the batter s box during their at bat, with the following exceptions: On a swing, slap, or check swing When forced out of the box by a pitch. When the batter attempts a drag bunt in Baseball [or attempts a slap or slap bunt in Softball] When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball. When a play has been attempted. When time has been called. When the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher s plate after receiving the ball or the catcher leaves the catcher s box. On a three ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball. 41

Dropped Third Strike 8-10 Tournament: Batter is out 9-11, 10-12, Intermediate Tournaments: Batter is out if first base is occupied with less than two outs. If first base is not occupied or there are two outs, batter becomes runner and defense must put him/her out. 42

Appeals Know how to make a proper appeal An appeal should be clearly intended as an appeal A verbal request by a player to the umpire An act that unmistakably indicates an appeal to the umpire Appeals must be made while the ball is live 43

Appeals An appeal may be made by the defense in any of the following ways: By touching the runner they believe committed a base running infraction By touching the base they believe was missed while the runner was advancing By touching the original base that a runner left before a fly ball was caught 44

Appeals The defense loses their right to appeal when any of the following actions occur: A pitch is made to the next batter An illegal pitch is committed before or as part of an appeal attempt When the throw made in an appeal attempt goes into dead ball territory During an appeal, the ball is live and runners may advance 45

Protests Protests are considered only when based on: Misinterpretation of the playing rules Use of an ineligible pitcher Use of an ineligible player Violation of mandatory play requirements Umpire judgment (ball, strike, safe, out, fair, foul) can not be protested 46

Protests Misinterpretation of Playing Rules Do not let the game continue if you think a rule has been violated Formal verbal protest must be made to Umpire-in-Chief at the time of the dispute before next pitch or play A protest on the last play of the game must be made before the umpires leave the field Umpire-in-chief calls conference with umpires If unresolved, Umpire-in-Chief must consult with Tournament Director or District Administrator If still unresolved, a call must be made to Regional Director If still unresolved, Regional Director must call Tournament Committee for a decision. The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final and binding 47

Protests Use of an Ineligible Pitcher Verbal protest must be made as soon as facts are known but before either teams next game. Umpire-in-chief must consult with Tournament Director or District Administrator Call must be made to Regional Director Regional Director must call the Tournament Committee in Williamsport The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final and binding 48

Protests Use of an Ineligible Player (Prior to or following Game) Written protest must be made as soon as facts are known. Complainant presents matter to Tournament Director and/or District Administrator Matter shall be resolved with Regional Director and Tournament Committee before the first pitch of the game The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final and binding 49

Protests Use of an Ineligible Player (During the Game) Protest may be lodged by the manager or coach with Umpire-in-Chief who shall consult with Tournament Director or District Administrator Tournament Director or District Administrator shall contact Regional Director, who shall contact the Tournament Committee in Williamsport for a decision. The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final and binding 50

Protests Use of an Ineligible Player NOTE: Disqualification of team, players and/or forfeiture of games is the sole decision of the Tournament Committee in Williamsport. 51

Protests All officials, including all managers, coaches, scorekeepers, umpires, Tournament Directors, District Administrators, etc., should make every effort to prevent a situation that may result in the forfeiture of a game or suspension of tournament privileges. However, failure by any party to prevent such situations shall not affect the validity of a protest. 52

Altercations / Ejections Altercations - Any player, manager, coach or official who is involved in a physical or verbal altercation at the game site could be suspended or removed from tournament play by the Tournament Committee Ejections - Any manager, coach or player ejected from a game will be suspended for the next physically played game (See Rule 4.07). Ejections shall be noted in the tournament team s affidavit in the Record of Ejections on page 4. Entry should include member s name and date ejected and signed by the Tournament Director or District Administrator 53

Post-game Activities A manager/coach must be present when players are interviewed by the press Don t leave the game site without YOUR affidavit and signed pitching log Affidavits are usually kept at site of finals Know where and when your next game will be played 54

Questions 55