TOURNAMENT PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS ADDRESS: 24617 SW 30th Ave., Newberry, FL 32669 www.championsparkfl.com NO pets in the park NO sunflower seeds, Peanuts, or Gum NO skateboards, scooters or bikes Champions Park is a Tobacco Free Complex NO SMOKING (1) One team cooler per Team NO PERSONAL COOLERS NO hitting into fences NO metal cleats allowed Only rubber cleats or tennis shoes NO bleachers in the park Please bring your own chairs NO overnight RV Parking NO air horns or any loud noise makers ENTRY FEE: Spectator gate fee is $5 per day or $8 for the weekend. Kids 12 & under are free. Team rostered players & 3 coaches per team will be permitted for free upon check-in. All coaches must check in at table in front of their quad entrance. Tournament shirts will be for sale at each concession stand for $15 each or (2) two for $25. Relay for Life will be selling Raffle Tickets for a Shot Gun @ the Park. All tips that are taken at the concession stands will be donated to Relay for Life for the weekend. SCORING (ALL DIVISIONS): When any team s fifth run of any inning is scored, the inning shall be considered over, even if the team batting has less than three outs. The game will be considered over if after four innings, the lead is 10 runs or if after five innings, the lead is 6 runs or more. 5 RUNS MAX PER INNING 10 RUN RULE IS IN EFFECT AFTER 4 INNINGS ***THIS RULE APPLIES TO ALL DIVISIONS*** GAME LENGTH (ALL DIVISIONS): Six innings (5 1 2 if the home team is ahead) and no new inning will begin after play has lasted according to the game time limits listed below. Ties stand for all pool play games. Bracket play will include a California Tie-Breaker to determine the winner. An inning will end once three outs are obtained or the offense has scored five runs. At the first call to "Play", the umpire shall note and announce the start time of the game. The home team is the official scorekeeper and should record the official start time. Pool Play: Home team is the 2nd team listed in the matchup on the schedule (also in bold and capital letters). Bracket Play: Home team is the higher seed. Game length for T-Ball, Juniors, and Rookie will be: 1 hour and 30 minutes Game length for Minors and Majors will be: 1 hour and 40 minutes 1
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled game time to ensure all games start on time. Keep in mind some games could extend beyond the scheduled time, which could delay other games. Umpires will do their best to ensure games start on time. DUGOUTS: Manager, three assistant coaches, rostered players and a team MOM may be in the dugout. PROTEST: A judgment call cannot be protested. All protests must be filed with the Tournament Director immediately. Play will be stopped until the protest committee gives a ruling. Only the manager may make a protest. The decision of the protest committee is final. Appeal: The appeal of a missed base is not automatic. The umpire will not rule on a missed base unless the appeal is properly made by the team on the field. RUNNER: A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher if there are 2 outs (keeping game pace up); runner must be whoever made the last out if coach chooses to use a runner. CONTACT RULE: If a runner attempting to reach home plate intentionally and maliciously runs into a defensive player in the area of home plate, he will be called out on the play and ejected from the game. The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for crashing the defensive player, rather than trying to reach home plate. NO HEAD FIRST SLIDING INTO HOME. BATS: The bat may not exceed 33 in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 ¼ in diameter. Only 2 ¼ barrel non-wood bats marked BFF 1.15 will be allowed. Wood 2 ¼ barrel bats are allowed. If any bat in Cal Ripken Baseball or Babe Ruth Baseball cannot be clearly identified for its make and model to determine the barrel composition, then the bat should be removed from the game. Any cracked or flat bats must be removed from the game. No big barrel bats allowed. PENALTY: If the illegal bat is discovered prior to a batter completing his at bat, the bat is simply removed from play and the at bat continues. A player who uses an illegal bat or non-conforming barrel dimension and hits a fair ball will be ruled out. No advancement on the bases will be allowed, and any outs during the play shall stand. This is an appeal play. The at bat will be considered legal once a pitch is thrown to the next batter. Any bat discovered prior to the game that does not conform to the above rule shall be directed to be removed immediately and not be allowed for use during the game. FAKE BUNT (Slash Bunt) A batter is out for illegal action when the player fakes a bunt and then takes a full swing, thus eliminating a player from fake bunting the ball. Penalty: Batter is out, the ball is dead, no runners may advance. 2
JEWELRY: Jewelry is prohibited. Players shall not wear jewelry. Medical alert and religious bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry. If worn, they must be taped to the body so as to remain invisible. Wireless communication devices are not allowed. SPORTSMANSHIP/FAN BEHAVIOR: No arguing or harassing of the opposing players, coaches or umpires is permitted by anyone including fans. Anyone using profanity and/or displaying excessive temper will be ejected from the facility. Managers are responsible for the actions of their team and fans before, during, and after the game. Fans are not to enter the playing field at any time for any reason and are to display a positive attitude to all teams, players, umpires and officials. EJECTIONS: Any player ejected will be required to sit out the following game. Coaches/managers that are ejected will only be required to sit out the remainder of the current game. An ejected player/coach may not stay around the field area; they must go to the parking lot area. GAME SCORES: After the completion of each game, both head coaches will sign the umpire s scorecard verifying the result of the game. Please verify the accuracy of the score before signing the scorecard, that game score will be reported to the tournament director. If you see an incorrect score on the bracket please report the error to the tournament director immediately following your game. All scores will be posted on the website. Bracket seeding is determined by: 1. Total Record (wins/losses) 2. Runs differential 3. Head to Head (If applicable) 4. Coin Flip by the tournament director TIE GAMES: No Tie during pool play games (Saturday). In Bracket play (Sunday), and games that go to extra innings or past game time limit will use The California Tie-Breaker Rule. The California Tie Breaker will come into play until a winner is determined. California Tie Breaker: runner placed at second base at the start of every half inning with no outs. Runner must be the last out of previous inning. UMPIRES: T-Ball, Juniors, Rookie, and Minors will all have one umpire each per game. Each team will pay $20 each ($40 total) for these divisions. All Majors games will have two umpires and each team will pay $40 per game. Umpire fees will be paid at the plate before the start of the game (during the pre-game coaches meeting). During the game, the umpires are in control of the playing field. TEAM POST-GAME MEETING: After teams conduct the post game handshake with each other, teams are to immediately depart the fields and dugouts upon the conclusion of games. This includes removing all equipment and trash. No team is to conduct a post-game meeting with their players within the fenced playing field area. This is to help prevent any games from getting delayed from the scheduled start time. 3
** DIVISION RULES ** T-BALL RULES: 1. T-Ball Batting: All rostered players will be presented in a complete batting order, and that list will be presented to the umpire at the start of each game. A strike shall be called if the bat hits the tee without hitting the ball. A batted ball that does not reach the 25' line marked in front of home plate and is not fielded by a defensive player is considered a dead ball and considered a foul ball. If a defensive player touches a batted ball before it crosses the 25' line and before the umpire declares the ball dead, it becomes a live ball. Coaches will set the Tee for the batters and assist with Tee when necessary. An offensive coach will be allowed to assist the positioning of the batter. A BATTER HAS 4 ATTEMPTS TO PUT THE BALL INTO PLAY. The umpire will place the ball on the tee, which will indicate all players are ready. 2. Fielding: Maximum Ten players will play in the field (six infielders - 3B, SS, 2B, 1B, pitcher & catcher and four outfielders). All outfielders must be on the outfield grass. The minimum players allowed without taking an out is 8 players. A team can play with 7 players, but must take an out for the 8th batter (THIS ONLY APPLIES TO TBALL). Other divisions must have minimum 8 players to play. 3. Equipment: Teams may use a Tee of their own while at bat. All players are required to wear approved batting helmets while batting. Catcher s equipment is optional. 4. Defensive Substitutions: Coaches may freely substitute their players defensively. 5. Time Out/ Dead Ball: **Only one base on an overthrow at first base**. All other bases, players may advance as many bases as possible, until the play is called dead by the umpire or when the ball is returned to the pitcher and action has ceased and the umpire has declared the play over. 6. Participation: Any player who arrives late to a game may be entered into the lineup as long as he is on the official team roster. 7. Stealing: Stealing is not permitted and all base runners must remain in contact with the base until the ball is hit. 8. Infield Fly Rule: There will be no infield fly rule. 9. Coaches positions: Two defensive coaches will be allowed on the field in foul territory. One coach in left field out of play & one coach in right field out of play. COACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE FIELD IN FAIR TERRITORY. It will be the responsibility of the offensive coach behind home plate to remove the tee and bat when a play may occur at home plate. 4
JUNIORS AND ROOKIE RULES: 1. Defense: Ten defensive players are permitted on the field, with a minimum of eight players. The extra player should be in the outfield. Before the pitch, the player playing the pitching position should align next to, but not in front of, the pitching machine (either side). Helmet is optional for pitcher. The catcher will catch the pitch from the pitching machine. PITCHER AND CATCHER ARE MANDATORY. Only rostered players may play. 2. Playing Rules - Continuous Batting Order: In Juniors and Rookie, continuous batting order is required, which means each rostered player is in the batting order. This permits free substitution on defense. The manager is required to put all rostered players on the official lineup given to the umpire and may denote any absent players at that time. 3. Playing Rules - Number of players: The minimum number of players is eight to play, but teams will take an out for the 9th batter. There is no penalty for teams playing with 9 players. Forfeit time is ten minutes after scheduled start time. 4. Time Out/ Dead Ball: Play will stop when the defensive team stops the advancement of the base runner, or when a dead ball is ruled. 5. Field Dimension (JUNIORS): Standard youth base lengths of 60 feet. The pitching machine should be placed so that the front of the machine is 38 feet from home plate. The speed of the machine is 34 mph for Juniors. 6. Field Dimension (ROOKIE): Standard youth base lengths of 60 feet. The pitching machine should be placed so that the front of the machine is 46 feet from home plate. The speed of the machine is 42mph for ROOKIE. 7. Live ball hits pitching machine: In the case a live ball hits the pitching machine or the coach operating the pitching machine, it is considered a dead ball. All runners advance one base on dead ball hits. 8. Pitching machine adjustment: The pitching machine should only be adjusted between half innings. Fine adjustments up or down, i.e. in the vertical direction only can be made between pitches, provided that "check pitches" are not required. (A "check pitch" is one where the batter is taken out of the batter's box.) The speed at which the pitching machine delivers the ball shall be constant and unchanged throughout the game. Coaches will operate the machine during game play. 9. Stealing: Each runner must stay in contact with his base until the ball is hit. Stealing is not permitted. 10. Infield fly rule: There is no infield fly rule. 5
11. Batting (JUNIORS): Each batter receives five pitches from the pitching machine (NO TEE FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY). The batter has five attempts to put the ball into play. If the batter fouls the fifth pitch off the machine, the batter will receive more pitches as necessary until they miss or put the ball in play. Bunting is permitted off the pitching machine. There are no walks. A player hit by pitch shall be awarded first base. There is no T-Ball Arc in the Junior Division. 12. Batting (ROOKIE): Each batter receives five pitches or three swinging strikes whichever comes first. If the batter fouls the fifth pitch, the batter will receive more pitches as necessary until they miss or put the ball in play. Bunting is permitted. There are no walks. A player hit by pitch shall be awarded first base. MINORS AND MAJORS RULES: 1. Pitching Rules (MINORS/MAJORS): The new pitch count rule WILL NOT be in effect for this tournament. Tournament will be based of innings pitched. **HOWEVER, EVERY COACH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN TEAM AND PITCHERS SO PLEASE MONITOR EACH PLAYERS PITCH COUNT FOR PLAYER SAFETY** The maximum innings pitched for a player will be 8 innings (24 outs) total for the entire tournament. Maximum innings pitched in one day is 6 innings. Maximum innings pitched on Saturday to be allowed to pitch on Sunday is 3 innings. Examples: If Johnny pitches 3 innings on Saturday, he can only pitch 5 innings on Sunday If Johnny pitches 2 innings on Saturday, he can only pitch 6 innings on Sunday If Johnny pitches 1 inning on Saturday, he can only pitch 6 innings on Sunday If Johnny pitches 0 innings on Saturday, he can only pitch 6 innings on Sunday. If Johnny pitches 4 innings or more on Saturday, he is ineligible to pitch on Sunday. All pitchers will be recorded and put on the Champions Park website after Saturday s games. **Umpires will have scorecards that indicate the game score and innings pitched by each pitcher recorded per game. Both head coaches and the umpire must sign each scorecard after the completion of each game** 2. Pitcher Re-entry: Each game in which a pitcher pitches is considered one (1) assignment. Therefore, a pitcher in the same game may start out as a pitcher, play another position, and return to the mound as long as the pitcher has innings pitched eligibility left. 3. Trips to the mound (All divisions): Refer to Official Baseball Rule 8.06 with the following exception: the second trip in the same inning to the same pitcher shall automatically result in the removal of that pitcher from the game as a pitcher only. 4. Balks (MINORS): No leadoffs. There is no penalty for balks in Minors when 60 ft base and 46 ft rubber distances are used. The umpire will still call a balk and explain his call to the pitcher, but the 6
result of the play is a "no play". This approach is instructional and amounts to giving the pitcher a "warning" of what is an illegal maneuver. Stealing: For Minors, runners cannot leave (steal) until the ball reaches the plate. This is in accordance with Cal Ripken Baseball Division's Special Base Running Rule (page 11, 2006). The umpire has additional responsibilities and judgments to make because of this rule. Dropped Third Strike: For Minors, batter is out when a third strike is caught or not caught by the catcher. 5. Balks (MAJORS): Leadoffs are allowed. When 70 ft base and 50 ft rubber distances are used, play permits leadoffs. The first balk for a team will result in a warning to the team. Any subsequent balk for any pitcher from that team will result in the conventional penalties (e.g. each runner advances one base). Stealing: For Majors, runners can leave (steal) at any time, at their own peril. Dropped Third Strike: For Majors, batter becomes a runner on a dropped third strike, when the pitch is not caught by the catcher, providing (1) first base is unoccupied, or (2) first base is occupied with two outs (i.e. in accordance with 6.09(b) but subject to 6.05(c)). 6. Warming up a pitcher: Anyone (including coaches) warming up a pitcher at any location must wear protective headgear. A pitcher warming up may only throw at maximum 5 warm-up pitches in between innings. A new pitcher may throw a maximum 8 warm-up pitches. 7. Intentional walk: An intentional base on balls may be given by the defensive team by having its catcher or coach request the umpire to award the batter first base. This may be done before pitching to the batter or on any ball and strike count. The ball shall be declared dead before making the award. 8. Playing Rules (Number of players): The minimum number of players is eight. In the event a player is hurt or absent, his bat can be skipped without penalty, provided the minimum number of batters are present (9). When eight batters are present, then an out is called each time the ninth batter is up. Teams forfeit time is ten minutes after scheduled start time. Teams can option to use player substitution or continuous batting order. If player substitution is being utilized, it must be noted on the lineup card and the umpire informed when a player subs into play. Teams can bat 10 players using the substitution rule: 9 fielders and 1 (EH) extra hitter. All rostered players must play a minimum one inning per game. **Player substitution rule only applies to Minors and Majors, all other divisions must use the continuous batting order** HAVE A GREAT TOURNAMENT! 7