Top Notch Tournaments - Impact Baseball Youth Rules

1 Top Notch Tournaments - Impact Baseball Youth Rules National Federation High School Rules will be used with the following notations. If there are conflicts with the printed NFHS Rules, the Impact Baseball Youth Rules listed herein shall govern play. Top Notch Tournaments reserves the right to change the format or schedule of an event as needed to accommodate weather or other causes beyond our control.. Table of Contents: 1) Player Requirements 2) Team Requirements 3) Pool Play & Tie Breaker Regulations 4) Game Length - Run Rules 5) Starting A Game 6) Delaying A Game 7) Batting Order 8) Pitching Limitations 9) Balks 10) Courtesy Runners 11) Bat Rules 12) 7&8U Coach Pitch Rules 13) 9U Modified & Open Base Rules 14) Filed Dimensions 15) Catchers Helmet 16) Ejections 17) Protests

2 Player Requirements Team managers must have in their possession a Birth Certificate for each active player on roster. The controlling date for all age divisions is May 01, 2017. See guidelines that follow; 8U Division: A player may not turn 9 years old before May 01, 2017 9U Division: A player may not turn 10 years old before May 01, 2017 10U Division: A player may not turn 11 years old before May 01, 2017 11U Division: A player may not turn 12 years old before May 01, 2017 12U Division: A player may not turn 13 years before May 01, 2017 Scholastic Divisions: Team managers must have in their possession a Birth Certificate for each active player on roster. 13U Division: Players who turn 14 prior to May 01, 2017 are not eligible unless they are in 7th grade. Team Manager must have copy of current report card. 14U Division: Players who turn 15 prior to May 01, 2017 are not eligible unless they are in 8th grade.team Manager must have copy of current report card. 15U Division: Players who turn 16 prior to May 01, 2017 are not eligible unless they are in 9th grade. Team Manager must have copy of current report card. 16U Division: Players who turn 17 prior to May 01, 2017 are not eligible unless they are in 10th grade. Team Manager must have copy of current report card. 17U Division: Players who turn 18 prior to May 01, 2017 are not eligible unless they are in 11th grade. Team Manager must have copy of current report card. 18U Division: Players who turn 19 prior to May 01, 2017 are not eligible unless they are in 12th grade. Team Manager must have copy of current report card. 2) Team Requirements Roster Rules: It is the sole responsibility of the team manager or team administrator to make certain their player (s) are of legal age. Teams must register and create a team on our registration platform (Exposure Events) and add all players to their online roster prior to their first scheduled game of an event and submit a hard copy to the tournament director prior to first game. 7u to 18u Rosters may not exceed 25 players. Players may only play in one age division per tournament. For example, a kid can not play on a 10 year old team and a 111 year old team in the same tournament. Once a team takes the field for its first game of an event, players may not be added to their team roster - no exceptions.

3 Illegal Players: Important: If your team roster is challenged and you do not have in your possession a birth record for each player it will be difficult to validate a player's eligibility. In addition to this, you will need a current report card for scholastic division 13U-18U for any player meeting the grade exception. To avoid potential forfeit or removal from the event PLEASE have these documents with you at all times and make sure your online and printed rosters are up to date. If you have reason to believe that a team is using an illegal player you must make it known to the tournament staff immediately. We cannot assist you with any challenge once the event is completed. If it is discovered that a team is using an illegal player(s), the team shall be subject to discipline ranging from; manager and player ejection, forfeiting a game, or, ejection from the tournament..if it is discovered that a player who meets the age limit standard is not listed on the team roster he/she shall be disqualified for the remainder of the event. Unless the team has a legal substitute for this player an automatic out would be charged for each missed at bat. Team Insurance All teams must provide team insurance with Impact Baseball, PO Box 47, Sedalia, NC 27342 & EC NATIONS - Top Notch Tournaments 3002 Graham Drive Kinston NC 28504 listed as additional insured. All insurance certificates must be emailed or uploaded t 2 days prior to the start of the tournament. Please be sure to note in the subject line team/program name and tournament name. 3) Pool Play & Tie Breaker Regulations The following determine how teams advance from pool play. Once a tie is broken with 3 teams or more, remaining teams advance to the next tie breaker until all ties are resolved 1. Win-Loss Record 2. Head to Head Play * 3. Fewest Runs Allowed 4. Highest Total run Differential ** 5. Coin Toss * Head to head is considered only when 2 teams are tied. When 3 teams are tied head to head play is skipped in order as listed above until the tie is broken. ** The maximum run differential per game is +8 or -8. The total run differential is the sum of each game s differential.

4 NOTE: When pool play is affected by adverse weather conditions and teams in an age group or specific pool did not play equal games we revert to winning percentage to determine seeding for bracket play. 4) Game Length - Run Rules Time Limits For Pool & Bracket Play 8U: No new inning after 1hr 30 mins or 6 innings. Once day tournament time limit is 1hr and 30 minutes in all games including Championship. 9U-12U:No new inning after 1hr 45mins or 6 innings. One day tournament time limit is 1hr and 30mins in all games including Championship. 13U-18U: No new inning after 1hr and 50mins or 7 innings. One day tournament time limit is 1hr 40mins in all games including Championship. Championship Games There are no time limits in 2 day Championship Games unless it is necessary due to weather or lighting issues. Run rules are in effect for all Impact Baseball Youth Championship Games regardless of age group. See above for 1 day tournament time limits. Run Rules In all age divisions the following run rules are used: 20 runs after 2 innings, 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings and 8 runs after 5 innings. Official Game Status 6 Inning Games: 2 ½ or 3 innings 7 Inning Games: 3 ½ or 4 innings. Tie Breaker When time or innings have expired in pool or bracket play a modified International Tie Breaker shall be used until a winner can be determined. The new inning will begin with the last out of record from the previous inning being placed on 2nd base with no outs. NOTE: When teams remain tied at the completion of 2 extra innings, the 3rd extra inning and any innings thereafter will begin with the last out of record being placed on 3rd base with no outs. Play will continue until a winner is determined. 5) Starting A Game Start time is forfeit time, unless delay is created by Top Notch Tournaments or natural causes such as weather. Time starts at completion of plate meeting. Teams should be prepared to start up to 45 minutes before posted start time. A coin toss will determine Home - Visitors in all pool play games. After pool play, all bracket and championship games are determined by the higher seed.

5 In all age divisions, a team may begin a game with 8 players. An automatic out will be charged in the 9th spot of the batting order. If a team drops below 8 players, the game shall be suspended and then declared a forfeit by the tournament director. 6) Delaying A Game Intentionally delaying a game is unsportsmanlike and will not be tolerated. Our umpires as well as the tournament coordinator reserves the right to eject players and/or coaches who intentionally delay a game. In extreme cases, Top Notch Tournaments - Impact Baseball reserves the right to declare a forfeit to the responsible team. 7) The Batting Order A team may continuously bat it s entire batting order (roster batting) and have free defensive substitutions. When roster batting, and a player leaves the game for any reason an out will be charged for each missed at bat. Exception: Any player, coach, or umpire who is visibly bleeding must leave the field of play to stop the bleeding. When the bleeding has stopped and the injury is bandaged (if necessary), the player may return. No penalty applies to any missed at bats. A team may elect to bat 9 players and use legal subs at the manager's discretion. In age divisions 9U and above, a team may elect to bat 10 players using the EH or DH The use of both an EH and DH is not allowed in any age divisions. LATE ARRIVAL - players arriving late to a game may be added to the bottom of the batting order if roster batting or they may be used as a legal sub if not roster batting. NOTE: The on deck batter may position themselves in the safest on deck area, even opposite of his/her dug out. 8) Pitching Limits 9U through 12U Divisions: A player may record a maximum of 27 outs over 3 days. The maximum daily limit is 18 outs. 13U and 14U Divisions:A player may record a maximum of 30 outs over 3 days. The maximum daily limit is 21 outs. A subsequent double play will not be charged against a pitcher should the second out take a pitcher over his limit for the day or the event. 15U and above there are no pitching limitations. Illegal Pitcher: It is the duty of each team s manager to protest pitching violations by contacting the event director prior to the start of the next game of the team in possible violation. Any outs recorded during a game once it is ruled a forfeit count toward the pitcher s recorded outs. A violation of the pitching limitation is determined when the pitcher has delivered a pitch to the next batter after reaching his pitching limit. If the limit is reached at the end of an inning, it shall be a violation if the pitcher toes the rubber to begin a new inning. If the

6 pitcher is protested after reaching their limitation after delivering a pitch to the next batter after reaching his pitching limit and prior to recording an additional out exceeding their pitching limit, the pitcher shall be ejected from the game. If the pitcher records an additional out or outs exceeding their pitching limitation, the game shall be ruled a forfeit. A illegal pitcher can be protested anytime during the game. Once the game has ended, the official scorecard has been signed and the umpires have left the field, the game will be considered official & a protest for pitching violation shall not be allowed. Additional penalties, including suspensions and ejection from the event may apply Visits to the mound A manager or coach has one free trip per inning / per pitcher. If a second mound visit is made to the same pitcher in the same inning he must remove the pitcher from the mound. Once a pitcher is removed from the mound (even a starter) he may not return to pitch for the remainder of the game but he can maintain his place in the batting order and play a defensive position. 9) Balks Balks are not enforced in age divisions 8U and younger. There is ONE warning per pitcher each game in 9U Division if open base play Balks are not enforced in 9U Modified steal. There are no warnings issued and Balks will be enforced in 10U Divisions and up. 10) Courtesy Runners Courtesy Runners for both the pitcher and catcher may be used at anytime. A Courtesy Runner can be a legal sub or the last out. A Courtesy Runner may not run for the pitcher and catcher in the same inning. All age divisions: A Courtesy Runner is mandatory for the catcher when there are 2 outs. 11) Bat Rules There are no bat restrictions for age divisions 9U-13U 14U divisions must use -5 or heavier. 15U and up must use BBCOR -3 Bats must be certified by the manufacturer to meet a Bat Performance Factor of 1.15 or less. Penalty the bat will be removed from the playing field by the umpire and the manager of the team will be warned against further use. If the illegal bat is discovered after the end of the play, and the play results in the batter/runner safely reaching first base, the batter/runner will be declared out and all runners must return to the last base legally occupied prior to the play. No run may score on this play. Any out that results on the play will stand. On a second offense, the above penalties will apply and the manager of the

7 offending team will be removed from the field and will be prohibited from managing for the remainder of the game. 12) 7U & 8U Coach Pitch Rules A. There shall be a thirty (30) foot safety arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is hit. B. There is a pitching plate or line 40-feet from the tip of home plate from which the coach must pitch. C. There is a circle drawn with a 10 diameter with the pitching rubber or line in the middle. This is a safety area for the player in the pitching position. The defensive player listed as the pitcher cannot leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit. 1. Note: In bunt situations only, the player pitcher and defensive players may enter the safety arc before the ball is batted to defend the bunt. 2. Fake Bunt / Swing : Is not allowed and any batter who attempts such will be declared out. The ball shall be declared dead and no runner may advance. D.Teams can use either nine (9) or ten (10) defensive players. One (1) player must be a pitcher and one (1) player must be a catcher. E. All teams must roster bat. Because teams must roster bat, there is free substitution on defense. The batting order must remain the same. The batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order. All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the top of the batting order. F. Each batter is allowed six (6) pitches or three (3) strikes. If a batter hits a foul ball on the sixth (6th) pitch, he or she is allowed to continue batting until he or she either does not make contact with the ball or puts the ball in play. G. Scoring Runs : Each team may score a maximum of 5 runs in the first inning of play. Thereafter in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings, the team that is leading may score a maximum of 5 runs per inning and the team that is behind may even up the score and score 5 additional runs. In the 6th inning or any additional innings thereafter teams may score unlimited runs. H. A fair batted ball hitting a coach pitcher is declared a foul ball if the umpire rules that the coach pitcher s contact with the ball was unintentional. If, by the umpire s judgment, a coach pitcher intentionally makes contact with a batted ball, the batter is out, and no runner can advance. I. Umpires call time after every play and declare the ball dead. Time should be called as soon as all three of the following occur: The lead runner stops attempting to advance. The ball is in

8 the possession of a fielder in the infield. No defensive play is imminent. Time does not have to be called by the defense for the purpose of this rule. J. Teams must have a minimum of eight players to start and finish a game but must take an out for the ninth player. With less than eight players, the game is declared a suspended game and is not rescheduled. The suspended game is then ruled a forfeit by the tournament or league director. Umpires have no authority to forfeit a game. K. The catcher must be located in the catcher s box, no more than four (4) feet behind home plate. L. In 7U & 8U coach pitch, there are no: Base stealing Lead offs Base on balls Awarding a base for hit by pitcher Infield fly rule Intentional walks M. Courtesy runners are allowed for the catcher only. The Courtesy runner should be the last batted out. N. A coach that is in the pitching position is prohibited from coaching while in that position either physically or verbally. O. Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or before it reaches home plate. 13) 9U Modified Rules (check with director prior to signin g up for each tournament) Lead-offs: Will be allowed. Playing off base: Players can play off base up to ten (10) feet. A ten (10) foot mark will be placed off first, second and third base. Leading off base: The base runner can take a lead, but cannot cross the ten (10) foot mark until the ball cross home plate. Stealing base: The base runner may steal or advance any base after the ball crosses home plate. Running start: If a runner gets a running start in an attempt to steal before the ball crosses the plate; (1) The runner is placed back on base. (2) If the runner is out on the play, the runner is out. (3) If the ball is put in play, the runner is only allowed a base if forced up by the batter/runner. (4) If it is a passed ball or wild pitch, the runner does not have to return. Dropped 3rd strike: Dropped 3rd strike is a live ball and the batter and runners can advance at their own risk. Balks: Balks are not enforced.

9 14) Field Dimensions 8U: 60 ft bases / 40 ff pitching distance. 9U & 10U: 65 ft bases / 46 foot pitching distance. 11U & 12U: 70 ft bases / 50 foot pitching distance 13u & Above: 90 ft bases / 60 ft 6in pitching distance. 15) Catcher's Helmet In all age groups, the catcher's helmet should cover and protect both ears. Skull caps are not to be used. 16) Ejections Once a player is ejected, he/she must remain in the dugout for the duration of the game. We do not confine coaches to the bench, once ejected, a coach must leave the playing area. Depending on the conduct of the manager, player, or coach, additional penalties can occur. The tournament official assesses the length of the suspension following the ejection based upon the incidents of the ejection. Should a parent, fan or spectator be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct they will not be allowed to return to the tournament. 17) Protests Judgement Calls; ball, strike, safe, out, fair, foul cannot be protested. If a team wishes to protest, they must notify the umpire to summon tournament director or his agent to the field. A $100 protest fee must be presented before the protest will be reviewed.