Extra Hitter (EH) is allowed at the coaches’ discretion in all age
divisions. The EH can be substituted, the same way as a position player.
.
A courtesy runner is allowed for the pitcher and catcher at anytime.
Courtesy runner can only be a player that is not currently in the
batting line up. The same player cannot run for the pitcher and catcher
in the same inning. A courtesy runner cannot bat until he has played an
inning of defense.
The contact rule is in effect at all times in all age groups.
Runner(s) must either slide or try to avoid the tag.
HOME TEAM
The home team will be determined by coin toss. The home team scorekeeper will be the
official score keeper and must record the starting time in their scorebook.
The home team scorekeeper must verify the final score of the game with
the Mississippi Select Baseball scoreboard operator. Both teams
must have a representative sign the official score and pitching report.
Both teams are responsible for reviewing the score and pitching report
for accuracy of the final score and pitching records and
signing/approving the document. Unsigned records may result in a pitcher in
question becoming ineligible to pitch in the remainder of tournament.DURING
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND HIGHER SEED IS HOME TEAM,SEMI FINAL
ROUND.CHAMPIONSHIP GM WE COIN TOSS FOR HOME TEAM.
GAME TIE BREAKERS
During the initial round of pool/divisional play games, at the end of
regulation time limit, if the score is tied, the game will end in a tie.
During the single elimination championship rounds extra innings will be
played until a winner is determined. *
*EXCEPTIONS: District, State, Regional and World Series tie games
will be governed by the sanctioning host tournament guidelines.
DIVISIONAL / POOL PLAY TIE BREAKERS
At the end of divisional/pool play, teams may be tied going into the
final championship rounds with the same won/loss record. The following
tiebreakers will determine which team advances and in what order of
finish:
1. Head to head competition
2. Fewest runs allowed in all games
3. Run Differential (Runs scored minus Runs allowed) (Max +/- 8 Runs Per
Game)
4. USSSA Point System
5. Coin Toss
In the event of a forfeit in divisional / pool play, the
non-forfeiting teams will be credited with a 1 run differential victory.
The runs allowed in the forfeited game will be the average of runs
allowed by the non-forfeiting team in all pool play games actually
played.
Example:
Team A gets a forfeit win from Team B. Team A has allowed 10 runs in
their other (2) two pool play games. Therefore, the average runs allowed
by Team A would be 5 runs. The credited score for their forfeit win
against Team B would be 6-5.
*EXCEPTIONS: District, State, Regional and World Series
divisional/pool play tie breakers will be governed by the sanctioning
host tournament guidelines.
SPORTSMANSHIP
By players, coaches and fans are expected at all times. The
Tournament Director will handle any rule misinterpretations at the
request of the game umpire (no judgment calls will be addressed)
immediately and finally. Coaches will be
responsible for their own fans behavior. Razzing, heckling, chanting or
making disparaging remarks towards opponents, in any manner, is
prohibited.
*EXCEPTIONS: Protest may be allowed in all District, State, Regional
and World Series tournament play. Check with Tournament Director(s) for
protest guidelines prior to each respective tournament.
TEAM CHECK IN
Teams must check in at the designated tournament location 30 minutes
to 1 hour
before commencing play in their first game. Please be prepared to
produce all tournament documentation, i.e. certificate of insurance,
sanction # (if required), roster (if required), etc. Failure to check in
will result in a delay in starting your first game.
LINE-UP CARDS
Each manager must prepare a minimum of 3 written copies of his
line-up, listing first and last names, and numbers of all players and
substitutes prior to each game. Line-ups must be provided to the plate
umpire, opposing manager, A game shall not start until this is completed. Should a
coach omit a player from his written line-up, that player cannot
participate in that game only. Managers are responsible for providing
their own line-up cards.
PREGAME WARMUP
All team pre-game warm-ups will only be allowed in designated warm up
areas. Absolutely NO Soft Toss
(including plastic balls) allowed into any fencing within complex.
GAME BALLS
Each team must provide Game Balls for the games in which they play.
Team ages 6 – 8: (1) new or good condition baseball per game
Team ages 9 – 14: (2) new or good condition baseballs per game
Team ages 15 & up: (3) new or good condition baseballs per game
AWARDS
Awards will vary depending on the tournament event. However, awards
will always be presented to the top two finishing teams. Team and player
awards will vary by tournament.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT ALTERATIONS
USSSA Baseball reserves the right to
alter, change or abbreviate tournament formats, when necessary, in order
to complete the tournament.
GATE ADMISSIONS
All Horn Lake Sports USSSA Baseball events will have
an admission charge for all persons age 6 or over. Children ages 5 or
younger and players will always be admitted free. Gate fees will vary
depending on event (i.e., State Championships, World Series).THERE
ARE NO REFUNDS ON GATE FEES EVEN IF IT RAINS OUT.ONCE YOU HAVE PAID TO
ENTER,WHETHER YOU PLAY OR NOT THE GATE FEES ARE NON REFUNDABLE.
TOBACCO
Use of tobacco products is prohibited on all fields and in the
dugouts during games.ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING
FOOD / BEVERAGES / PETS
No food or beverages or personal coolers* are allowed to be brought
into the ballpark. ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL BEVERAGES ALLOWED. No pets are
allowed.
*EXCEPTIONS: Team / individual water coolers for players will be
allowed. However, they must be kept in the dugout.
FINAL NOTE
Teams are expected to pick up trash and debris in the dugout before
departure from all games. Your assistance in keeping these facilities in
shape would be greatly appreciated. Please urge your coaches, players
and fans to use all trash receptacles provided.
COACH PITCH SPECIFIC RULES
Coach pitches to his own batter.
Defensive player listed as the pitcher must stay inside pitcher's
circle until the ball is hit; pitcher may straddle the line.
Each batter will be allowed 5 pitches or 3 missed strikes. Note: If
fifth is fouled, batter is not out, unless a defensive player catches
the ball in the air. If third strike is bunted foul, batter is out.
The adult pitcher is to stand near the pitchers mound. He is allowed
to stand in front of the circle, up to the 20' line. Pitcher may not
straddle the line.
The catcher will wear catcher's equipment, if possible. A facemask is
required at all times.
A batter that throws or slings his bat is automatically out after one
warning to the team. This is a judgment call made by the umpire.
Maximum # of players - 10 with 4 in the outfield. It is up to the
head coach’s discretion whether he chooses to bat all players on his
roster or just bat the 10 players that are in the lineup. If his
decision is to bat all players, that decision does not force the
opposing team to bat all of their players.
Regular baseball ground rules apply.
The umpire will call the play dead based upon his judgment of the
forward progress of the baserunners.
Ball must travel 20 feet to be a fair ball. If a hit ball is untouched
by defensive team and the spin on ball brings it back inside 20-foot
arc, it is a fair ball unless it crosses the foul line.
No infield fly rule.
On overthrows, runners may advance until umpire calls the play dead.
Overthrows into dugouts, over fences, etc., will be covered by the rules
of baseball.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Good Sportsmanship is a vital part of youth sports. For the most
part, coaches and fans act appropriately. However, whenever there is
pressure and the temperature rises, unfortunately tempers rise as well.
Coaches and Umpires alike are expected to keep their tempers in check
and set the proper example for the players at all times.
Our umpires are instructed not to talk to fans during or after the
game. The umpires are in charge of the game until they reach their
dressing room. Any inappropriate conduct immediately after the game can
result in a game ejection for the coach in his next game. The tournament
director will be available to talk to the head coach only (no parents or
assistant coaches) about a rule interpretation before, during or
immediately after any game.
All ejections of coaches will result in banishment from that game
plus the following game. Remember – rule interpretations may be disputed
– not judgment calls, especially balls and strikes. Coaches are also
responsible for the actions of their fans. Inappropriate conduct by fans
can result in a coach ejection.
Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.
