USSSA SANCTION EVENTS

Every tournament will have a General Rule Sheet associated with that tournament. Any rule not covered in the General Rule Sheet will be covered by USSSA and MLB rules.

Tournament Rules

We insist that all teams, players, coaches, and parents play in a sportsmanship manner and respect everyone that is involved during our tournament or actions can be taken by those in charge.  Thanks for your assistance with this. 

On Sunday all teams enter single elimination playoff round.  Seeding is based on the following criteria:  Head-to-head, W-L record, RA, RS, RD.  If more than 2 teams finish with identical records, head-to-head cannot be used for seeding.

-          Time limit will be in effect with no “new” inning beginning after 1 hour 50 minutes of play.  Time limits are subject to change, and could become “drop dead” time limits, meaning the game is called the moment time expires.  For all games after the first game each day, the hurry up rule will be in effect, so teams must be at the field and ready to play at least one hour before their original start time. Note: There will be no time limit for the championship game.

 -          Mercy rules are 15 after 3 innings, 12 after 4 innings, or 8 runs after 5 innings. 

-          Base path and pitching distance will be compliant with USSSA rules for that age group. 

 -        Balks are called with no warning. 

-    Pool play games can end in a tie if time limit is reached 

-        International Tie Breaker will be in effect for playoff games only. The championship game will be straight baseball.  If teams are tied after 6 innings(for 12 and under) and 7 innings(for 13 and above) and the time limit has not been reached, then play continues as normal in extra innings (straight baseball). 

-          USSSA pitching rules will be strictly adhered to (see chart).  Each team must submit an official pitching form after every game, listing which players pitched in the games and how many innings. 

-          An extra hitter (EH) and/or designated hitter (DH) will be allowed.  IF the starting EH or the starting DH is removed from the game and re-enter, then he must re-enter in the same spot in the batting order, unless it is an injury substitution.  An EH can play defense or offense, but a DH is only an offensive player. 

-          Each team must declare its lineup prior to the start of the game: 

                 -Bat the entire lineup with free substitution.  IF a player leaves the game 

                   for any reason, an out will be recorded in their batting position. 

                 -Straight nine: Re-entry rule below applies to substitutions.

                 -Designated hitter (DH): RE-entry rule below applies to substitutions. 

                 -Extra hitter (EH): Bat 10 players.  Unlimited substitutions allowed for EH. 

                 -DH and EH. See above fore substitution rules.

       RE-entry rule:  A starter who is substituted for may return to his original spot in

       the batting order once per game.  Once a substitution is removed from the batting

       order he is no longer eligible to return to the game (unless it becomes necessary to

       prevent a forfeit).

 -          Courtesy runners will be permitted and encouraged for pitchers and catchers only with any number of outs.  If not batting the entire lineup, the courtesy runner must be the player not in the lineup.  Or, if batting the entire lineup, the courtesy runner must be the player who recorded the last offensive out. If in the first inning with no outs recorded the the player batting in the last position in the line up will be the runner, 

 -          Home Team will be awarded to teams winning coin flip prior to each game.  For playoff and Championship Rounds, highest seeded team has choice of Home or Visitor.  No time limit on championship rounds.