All play shall be governed by current National Federation of State High School Association's (NFHS) Official Regulations and Playing Rules for play, unless otherwise amended under the following "Rules of Play" listed below:

 

"RULES OF PLAY" - Version 1.0

  1. Tournament Committee: A representative of the Tournament Committee will be on-site at all times.  The on-site representative will be responsible for interpreting tournament specific and facility rules, including, but not limited to, making decisions regarding the weather/playing conditions before the game has commenced. All decisions made by coordinators are final.

Note: Upon completion of the "home/visitor coin-flip determination", the Umpires will be officially in-charge of the playing field, and, from that moment forth, they shall have sole authority to determine when a game shall be called or suspended on account of adverse weather or poor/unsafe playing conditions. The Umpires and Tournament Committee representative will work together in resuming play. All decisions made by the Umpires and Tournament Committee representative will be final.

  1. Inclement Weather Policy: As each Division is scheduled to be completed in a weekend, every attempt will be made to play all games as scheduled and within reason.  Advanced notice of postponements will be provided to the teams when possible...we may, however, "hold-off" postponement notices if there is a chance of weather and field conditions changing.  If no postponements are received, teams should report to the field and consult with the on-site Tournament Committee representative. Postponed games will be rescheduled at the discretion of the Tournament Committee, as available fields, times, etc. permit. 

Please note, it is essential that each team furnish the Tournament Committee with a valid mobile phone number for text alerts regarding weather and other delays.

  1. Tournament Lightning Rule:  As soon as lightning is visible ALL GAMES must be stopped. Play may continue after a 20-minute delay from the last visible lightning sighting. If the delay exceeds 50-minutes, the Tournament Committee will make a decision as to resume play, continue the delay, or suspend those particular games.

Please note, once one game is stopped, due to adverse weather conditions, all fields are to suspend playing action. Any decisions made by the umpires and/or tournament committee will be final.

Please use common sense as it relates to seeking shelter....please note, the primary playing field at W.R.H.S. are at elevated levels.

  1. Suspended Games: Once a Tournament game commences and is subsequently suspended (for any reason), the game must be replayed from its point of interruption. Please note, if a suspended game does not complete one (1) full inning, that particular game will be re-played in its entirety.

  2. Team Insurance: Each team is required to carry its own insurance (no exceptions to this Tournament specific rule will be permitted).

  3. Rosters: Team rosters must be submitted to the Tournament Committee prior to a team’s first game in the Tournament. Players may only be on one roster per age division and may not change teams in the same age division during the course of the Tournament. Rosters will be available for all team managers to view, upon request to the Tournament Director and by that team’s manager. No player may be added to the roster for any reason once the tournament has commenced. A team using a player an ineligible player (i.e.: not listed the Tournament Roster) will be subject to team's forfeiture of that game.

  4. Number of Players: There are no roster limits for the Strike Zone Summer Series Tournament events.

  5. Coaches/ Players Dress Code:

Coaches are not required to wear uniforms; however, Coaches are encouraged to be dressed appropriately while on the field of play or in the dugouts.  Meaning, Coaches should wear team related clothing that distinguishes them from other parents and spectators.  Coaches that fail to comply with this policy will be restricted from the field of play or in the dugout areas.

Players are all expected to be in matching uniforms with uniform numbers.  Players who do not have a matching jersey with number will not be permitted to participate, unless authorized by the Tournament Committee or Tournament Director. 

Please note: players or coaches ARE NOT PERMITTED to stand outside the dugout at anytime during the game unless they are coaching first or third base while on offense (this does not apply to the on-deck batter; see “On-deck Batter” for further explanation).

  1. Lineup Cards: Each team must provide their own line-up cards.  A copy MUST be given to the opposing team, as well as, the umpire prior to each game. Lineup cards must include all rostered players name and uniform number. This policy will be STRICTLY ENFORCED,  as the umpires will be in-charge of keeping the official line-up cards.  Teams must report all line-up changes (offensive and defensive) through the Umpire-in-Chief (Home Plate umpire).

  2. Lineups ALL Divisions (Team managers may use the following options when choosing line-ups):

I.    A team may use a nine (9) player line-up

II.   A team may use a nine (9) player line-up, with the option of batting a designated hitter (DH). The DH may bat for anyone in the line-up and will be considered a starter for re-entry purposes.

III.   A team may use a ten (10) player line-up, with the tenth batter being utilized as an extra-hitter (EH). The EH may change position and/or rotate from EH to the field at the coach’s discretion.

IV.  A team may use an eleven (11) player line-up, with the 10th & 11th batters being utilized as extra hitters (EH’s).  EH’s may change positions and/or rotate from EH to the field at the coach’s discretion.

Comments: Line-ups MUST be given to the home plate umpire before each game. Once line-ups are exchanged, they will be official throughout the game and if any player in that said line-up gets injured, ejected or removed from the game for any other reason, and no substitute is available, an out will be recorded each time that position in the batting order is reached. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.

  1. Re-entry Rule: Starters may re-enter the batting order once after being removed from the game and must re-enter in the same line-up position. Please note, if a starting pitcher is removed from the line-up, that starting pitcher may re-enter to any other position other than pitcher during the game and must return to the original line-up spot.

A pitcher may change to another position only once during the same inning while on defense (i.e.: the pitcher will not be allowed to assume a position other than a pitcher more than once in the same inning). Once a pitcher is removed from the game as a pitcher, he/she may not return to the pitcher's position at any point throughout the rest of the game.

Substitutes will not be available for re-entry.

  1. Determining Home and Visiting Team:  In tournament pool play and play-offs, home and visitor teams will be decided by a coin flip/toss.  The team traveling the furthest distance will be provided the courtesy of calling the coin flip/toss.

  2. Pitching distance – Base length:

10&U: 46’ pitching – 60’ bases (no open bases and/or leading)

11&U and 12&U: 50’ pitching – 65’ bases

13&U, 14&U and 15/16&U: 60-’6’ pitching – 90’ bases

  1. Official Regulation Game Procedures (10&U - 12&U will play six (6) innings and 13&U - 14&U will play seven (7) innings):

If a game is called, it is a regulation game when the following occurs:

I.   In the 10&U – 12&U Divisions: When three (3) innings have been completed or the visiting team has completed three (3) at bat innings and the home team is ahead.

II.  In the 13&U, 14&U and 15/6&U Divisions:  When four (4) innings have been completed or the visiting team has completed four (4) at bat innings and the home team is ahead.

Exception note: Playoff and Championship games must be played in its entirety and will be considered a suspended game, with the game resuming from the point of interruption.

  1. Time Limit: All POOL PLAY games are played under the following time limits:

In all Divisions, there is a two (2) hour time limit. The time of game will start once the home plate umpire calls play and notifies the home team (official scorebook) of the start time. No inning may start after the time limit elapses, or seven innings are completed.

In all Divisions, if a pool play game is tied after the time limit expires, that game will end in a tie.

Comments: The official time will be kept on the field by the umpires. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.

  1. Between Innings: Pitchers are permitted to throw 8 warm-up pitches in there first inning of work and 5 in each inning there-after.  If a catcher is putting his/her gear on, it is expected that another player (wearing mask) will warm-up the pitcher.  Coaches are also permitted to warm up the pitcher (it is not mandatory that coaches wear a mask for warm-ups, however, they do this at their own risk).  Pitchers that enter game due to an injury will receive unlimited warm-up pitches.

  2. Intentional Delays: Intentionally delaying a game is unsportsmanlike and will not be tolerated. The umpire as well as the tournament coordinator reserves the right to eject players and/or coaches due to intentional delay.  In extreme cases, the Tournament Coordinator / Director reserves the right to declare a forfeit to the responsible team.

  3. Official Scorebook: The home team will be responsible for keeping the official scorebook. Verify the game score at the end of every inning with the other team. If a discrepancy occurs, bring it to the attention of the Umpire-in-Chief immediately.

  4. MANDATORY SCORE REPORTING:  After each game the Home Team will be responsible for reporting the game scores to the Tournament Coordinator / Concession stand staff.

  5. Mercy Rule:

In 10&U - 12&U Divisions: 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4 (teams will be four innings of equal at-bats, minimum. Once the mercy rule is reached after four equal at-bats, the game will end and be considered complete).

In 13&U, 14&U and 15/6&U Divisions: 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 after 5 (teams will be five innings of equal at-bats, minimum. Once the mercy rule is reached after five equal at-bats, the game will end and be considered complete).

Please note, the Mercy Rule applies to all games, including Playoffs and Championships.

  1. Intentional Forfeits: Forfeits will be handled on a case by case basis, but will always be marked as a 7-0 score.  Intentional forfeits are grounds for team suspensions from future Strike Zone events.  Please keep in mind that teams are paying to play their games, not to take forfeits.  Forfeits jeopardize the integrity of the tournament, as well as the team that is forfeiting.  In the event that an intentional forfeit plays a role in playoff seeding or playoff entry the Tournament Director reserves a right to make judgment on which team advances.

  2. Determining Standings and Advancement to Championship Game: In pool play games, if the score is tied at the completion of 6 innings (10&U - 12&U) or 7 innings (13&U - 15/16&U), or, the time limit has elapsed, the game will end in a tie.he following system will be used for advancing and seeding out of pool play:

The following system will be used for advancing and seeding out of pool play

We use a Traditional Scoring System for tournament play...teams will receive:

●   3 Points for a Win

●   1 Point for a Tie

●   0 Points for a loss

In cases of a points tie, ties will be broken as follows (in order until the tie is broken):

I.    If two teams are tied, head-to-head result shall determine the team to advance.  If still tied, move to "III".

II.   If three teams are tied and one team has defeated the other two teams, that team shall advances.  If not move to "III".

III.   Least total runs allowed in pool play shall determine the team to advance.

IV.  Most total runs scored in pool play shall determine the team to advance.

V.  Total runs allowed subtracting game with most runs allowed in pool play.

VI.  If still tied, total runs allowed minus two games with most runs allowed in pool play.

VII. If still tied, runs scored inning by inning starting with first game until one team has more runs after a complete inning starting with pool games.

VIII.   If still tied, a coin flip will determine the team to advance.

  1. Baseballs/ Equipment: During tournament play each team is required to furnish three ( 3 ) new, AAU approved age-appropriate baseball per game.  The balls are to be presented to the Umpire-in-chief (i.e.: the Home Plate Umpire) prior to the start of each game.  We request each team to designate a coach responsible for the retrieval of all balls hit out of play on their side of the playing field.

  2. Foul Balls: Multiple games may be played at the same time during the tournament. We ask for all players, coaches, parents & spectators to be aware of foul balls at all times. We also request your assistance in returning all foul balls to their proper fields.

  3. Bat Restrictions:

In the 10&U – 12&U Divisions, there are no bat restrictions.

In the 13&U, 14&U and 15/6&U Divisions, the barrel may not exceed 2-5/8 inches. MIAA Bat Regulations will be in effect, please reference the MIAA web-site for further information.

MIAA Bat clarification: www.miaa.net/Rule-65-4-baseball-bat-clarification.pdf

  1. Umpires: All tournament games will be played with 2 umpires.  During the course of each game, the Umpire-in-chief shall have absolute discretion for rule interpretations and judgment calls.  We strongly enforce the principal of disputes with umpires over calls of balls or strikes, fair or foul, and out or safe are impermissible.  Only the Team Manager may calmly speak with the Umpire, and, even then, it should be limited to rule interpretations and/or clarifications.  Any serious disputes about rule interpretations, that are not settled through a brief and civil discussion with the Umpire-in-chief, can be considered after the game by the Tournament Committee, if a proper protest is made during the game.

  2. Protests: All protests should be presented to the the Tournament Director and will be decided at the game site/field. No protests regarding judgment calls/decisions by the Umpire(s) will be considered/allowed.

  3. Avoiding Contact/Sliding Rule: At all levels of play, contact must be avoided.  If contact is not avoided, the base runner will be called out.  If an umpire decides a players approach to a base or home plate is malicious, the base runner may be ejected from the game.

  4. "Must Slide Rule" (10&U - 12&U Divisions Only):

In the 10&U - 12&U Divisions, there will be NO HEAD FIRST SLIDING, unless it’s back to a base. Each team will be given one (1) warning per game for head first sliding. If ANY member of a team slides head first, after teams warning, that player will be called out, the ball will become dead and all runners will be returned to their bases occupied at time of violation.

In the 10&U - 12&U Divisions, a runner MUST SLIDE when a play is being made on them at home plate. PENALTY: Runner will be called out and all runners will return to their bases occupied at time of violation.

  1. On-deck Batter: All on-deck batters must stay in their team’s designated on deck location.

  2. Pitching Restrictions: The Strike Zone Summer Series Tournament does not enforce any pitching restrictions for tournament play.

  3. Trips to Mound: The pitcher must be replaced on the second (2nd) trip to the mound in any inning.

  4. Cleats: Rubber cleats and/or turf shoes are required for ages 10&U – 12&U Divisions (no metal cleats).  Metal cleats may be worn by in the 13&U, 14&U and 15/6&U Divisions: only.

  5. Suspension: Any player, coach, parent or spectator that is ejected from a game, will be subject to a further suspension by the Tournament Committee. The tournament Committee reserves the right to remove/eject any person from the facility and/or its off-site locations for unsportsmanlike behavior. Any player, coach, parent or spectator that is ejected for the second time, during the same tournament, will be eliminated for the remainder of the tournament.

  6. Courtesy Runner: A team may choose to use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher only. The courtesy runner must be the last batted out. Available substitutes may not be used as a courtesy runner, unless officially entering the game as a substitute.

  7. Intentional Walk: All ages must throw four (4) balls for an intentional walk.

  8. Infield Fly Rule: The infield fly rule will be in effect for all age groups.

  1. Balk:

In the 10&U Division (65 ft bases), one balk warning per pitcher will be given. Please note, if a balk warning is called, the ball will become dead immediately.

In 11&U - 15/16&U Divisions, balks will be called with no warnings given.

  1. Jewelry: For safety reasons players are not permitted to wear jewelry during the games. Medical alert jewelry will be an exception.

  2. Coolers/Grills/Concessions: Coolers for the Team / Bench will be allowed at the facilities. All other coolers and grills will not be allowed within the facilities and parking lot areas.  Limtied concessions will be available during Tournament play.

  3. No Alcohol or Tobacco Products: Please refrain from consuming alcohol or the use of tobacco products on any of the tournament facilities/grounds.  Failure to comply with this Tournament specific request will result in removal from the tournament facilities/grounds. 

In the event any item is not covered in the rules, the Tournament Committee will make the final decision.

The Strike Zone and Tournament Committee reserves the right to amend any of the aforementioned tournament specific rules in order to provide the best possible experience for the players.  If this occurs,  we will note the rule(s) changes online. Please be sure to review the website rules, as this will be the "official" rules for the Tournament.