BASEBALL RULES
United States Tournament of Champions
Tournament Rules
PRINT OUR RULES -- WORD FILE / PDF FILE
TOURNAMENT ADMISSIONS -- FOR 2012 -- NO ADMISSIONS AND/OR GATE FEES AT ANY USTOC BASEBALL EVENTS
ALL WORLD SPORTS -- All USTOC events are All World Sports sanctioned -- all teams must be All World Sports registered.
All World Sports Registration -- Get Registered
INSURANCE -- Get All World Sports Insurance
SPECIAL UPDATES FOR 2012-- Rainedout.com and Facebook
*We will have "text" messages sent for purposes of weather and tournament updates. In order to sign up for the text (or e-mail) notifications, please go to http://www.rainedout.com and search for USTOC Sports. At that page, you can sign up for "free" to receive "text" messages or e-mail alerts. Coaches, players, parents and fans, we ask that you sign up for this special opportunity to stay fully informed throughout the tournament.
* USTOC Sports has a Facebook page, where you can become a "fan" to obtain USTOC Sports Tournament updates throughout the summer season.
OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGE
* No outside food and/or beverage is permitted within the facilities that provide concessions. Please request that your fans comply with this rule.
o NOTE: If a facility does not have concessions, then you may bring in outside food and/or beverages. Please check with the facility.
* NOTE: NO ALCOHOL PERMITTED IN THE PARKS AT ANY TIME.
TEAM ROSTER
* The Official USTOC Sports Roster/Waiver/Release Form must be completed and brought to the Team Registration. The form must have all necessary signatures. Please note that the Waiver/Release Form is different than the "Team Roster". Coaches -- you will be unable to start a game, or have any players who do not have parent signatures start a game, without a fully completed Waiver/Release Roster. In addition, this becomes your "official" tournament roster for the event.
* Each team, however, must complete (in advance of the tournament), the on-line Team Roster.
* Teams may have up to twenty (20) players eligible to participate in any USTOC Sports tournament. Only those players on the roster and attending the event are eligible to receive awards. Roster must clearly set forth the following information: full name (family and first name), date of birth, full mailing address, telephone number, position played, bat/throw, height/weight, uniform number. Note -- Even though 20 are permitted on the roster, USTOC only prepares awards for "15" players. Most teams have 15 or less players.
* NOTE: The Official USTOC Sports Roster/Waiver/Release Form must be completed in full. No team will be permitted to start any game of this tournament without the form fully completed in advance. These forms must be submitted at check-in.
TEAM REGISTRATION / CHECK-IN
* Teams must check-in one (1) hour prior to their first game at the location where that game is being played. No team will be permitted to start play without completing the "check-in procedure."
* All teams must bring all required information to check-in. No team shall be permitted to start tournament play without all information being completed at check-in. Coaches -- If your team fails to comply with check-in prior to the start of the first game, your game may be a forfeit.
* It is mandatory that all teams participating in the tournament register their team before their first game. The Tournament Committee shall meet with the team delegate from each participating team. The team delegate, at registration, should be prepared to present the following information: In order for a team to be officially "check-in", the following procedure must be fully completed:
1. TEAM ROSTER: The original copy of the Approved Roster duly signed by the team coach. This form must contain all of the information listed above under the section Team Roster. All information must be complete and the form must be signed by the player (if 18 years of age) or his parent/legal guardian. NO PLAYER WILL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY WITHOUT A VALID SIGNATURE ON THE MEDICAL WAIVER FORM. NOTE -- There are actually two (2) rosters you must complete -- the on-line roster -- and the Official USTOC Sports Roster/Waiver/Release Form
2. INSURANCE VERIFICATION: All teams must submit proof of insurance for each team participating in this event. NO TEAM IS PERMITTED TO PLAY WITHOUT PROOF OF INSURANCE - You must leave a copy of your Proof of Insurance with USTOC for "our records."
3. TOURNAMENT HOUSING FORM: Each coach must turn in the Tournament Housing Form. This form must be fully completed before the team will be allowed to play their opening game.
a. Emergency Contact Number. Each team must have, at least, one (1) emergency contact number where they can be easily reached during this event.
4. BIRTH CERTIFICATE/PASSPORT: The team delegate must present a copy of the birth certificate, driver’s license or an original passport for each player listed on the approved roster form. The tournament technical committee will check each document against the roster. A copy of each player's birth certificate will be held by the USTOC SPORTS officials during the event. Upon completion of play, you may request a return of said copies. You must pick up the copies, as the USTOC SPORTS will not mail them to you. Additionally, please do not submit "original" birth certificates -- as the USTOC SPORTS will not be responsible for any loss of birth certificates.
5. RECEIPT OF TOURNAMENT INFORMATION: A team is not completed for "check-in" until each and every item herein has been completed AND that they have received their Tournament information and have reviewed the same.
a. Acknowledgement Of Review Of Rules And Schedule. Each team will be required to sign a form acknowledging that they have fully reviewed the Tournament Rules and Tournament Schedule. In the event there are any changes and/or modifications of the Rules and/or Schedule, the Rules and Schedule delivered to the teams at check-in will control this tournament.
b. Change in Tournament Format. Due to any last minute changes in teams, weather or any other reasons, the Tournament Director reserves the right to modify the format of this event. Any changes of the format will be posted as soon as possible on-line, given directly to the team representative or announced to the teams during the event.
Failure to produce proper documentation at the game site will result in game forfeiture. ANY TEAM FOUND TO BE USING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND FORFEIT ALL GAMES.
AGE DEADLINES
* All players must be of the proper age as of May 1st of each year. Age groups are determined by the players age before the first day of May of the current season.
* For purposes of this event, USTOC Sports allows one (1) age exception in the high school divisions only (for purposes of high school divisions, they include the 15U, 16U, 17U and 18U divisions). In order to be given an age exception, you must meet the following:
1. The player cannot be more than one (1) year older than the age division in which he is competing.
2. The player must be grade level -- for example, if a player just completed the 9th grade (usually a 15U player) than he would be grade level.
3. The player must be identified prior to the start of the Tournament at check-in.
* Note -- If you fail to announce your exception at "check-in" and submit proof of grade eligibility (most recent report card), then a team CANNOT use an exception for this event.
* No other exceptions to the age rule -- please do not ask.
* Following verification of the athletes by the technical committee there will be no changes of roster permitted under any circumstances for the duration of the tournament.
ALL TOURNAMENT TEAMS FOR CORPORATE EVENTS
* PLEASE NOTICE -- At all "corporate events," an All Tournament Team will be announced and posted on the USTOC Sports website following this event. All Tournament Team Selections shall be eligible for the following:
o Camp/Showcase -- Open to all 15U - 18U athletes.
o Eligible to be considered for participation on the TEAM MIDWEST, which will travel to 3 to 4 fall tournaments and/or Showcases. TEAM MIDWEST will have teams in the 14U, 16U and 18U Divisions. TEAM MIDWEST will participate in "wooden bat" events to the degree they are available.
o Names shall be posted on the USTOC Sports "ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM" Listing for this event.
o Discounted purchases, through USTOC Sports of certain key lines of baseball equipment and supplies
GENERAL USTOC SPORTS BASEBALL RULES -- Coaches please review and know these rules prior to your first game. ALL TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW AND FOLLOW THE TOURNAMENT RULES.
* Unless otherwise noted, USTOC SPORTS Baseball Tournaments will be governed by National Federation of High Schools Rules. The Following exceptions to National Federation rules apply:
1. Game time is forfeit time -- unless the delay is caused by the tournament. (Note -- Enforcement of this rule is up to the sound discretion of the Tournament Director. It is the goal of the event to have all teams play all games; if possible).
2. Game time starts on delivery of first pitch -- Home team will be determined by coin flip only during the Pool Play games. During the Championship and/or Elimination Rounds, the "home" team will always be the higher seed. If both teams are the same seed, then a coin flip will be taken (unless the teams have previously played and, if so, "head-to-head" tie-breaker shall be used for the "home team") . The umpires do not need to be present for the coin flip.
3. Baseballs -- All teams must provide two (2) new baseballs to the home plate umpire prior to the start of the game. The baseballs should be have high school baseball quality. Each team must provide used baseballs as needed during the course of the game. Coaches please see that each team retrieves foul balls on their respective sides.
4. Player minimum -- A team must start with nine (9) players, however, may finish a game (if due to injury or ejection) with 8 players. Penalty: game forfeiture. Team will remain eligible for Championship / Consolation play.
5. Championship game -- The championship game in each age division will have no time limit.
6. Run Rule -- Run rule remains in effect for the Championship game. Run rule is "15" after 3 / "12" after 4 / "10" after 5.
7. Infield warm-up -- There will be no pre-game practice allowed on the game field. Teams may use any non-tournament field and batting tunnels (if available) to warm-up prior to games. However, please check with Tournament Director prior to using any field.
8. On-Deck Batters -- In order to keep the games moving, on deck batters must retrieve all balls that go back to the screen. Coaches, please see that a player or fan is responsible for retrieving all balls hit outside of the field on their respective areas, prior to the start of each game.
9. Steel Cleats -- 10 & under, 11 & under and 12 & under are not allowed to wear steel cleats.
10. Bat Rule -- High school bat weight/length differential rule is waived in the 9U - 14U divisions only! No waiver of the bat rule in the high school divisions.
11. Adverse weather or rain -- USTOC Sports Baseball Tournaments may be played in adverse weather conditions. REMINDER -- Get signed up for RAINEDOUT.COM for weather and tournament updates.
12. Weather conditions -- In the event of rain or other matters beyond the control of the Tournament Director, the Tournament Director reserves the right to change the tournament format as he sees fit in order to complete the tournament in the scheduled time period.
13. Tiebreaker - No game will end in a tie. If a game is "tied" at the completion of the time limitation for that age division, then the below-noted tie-breaker shall take effect. Until such time, however, each team shall play the game until the tie is broken.
The tiebreaker format (once the time limit has expired for that age division) shall be as follows: ** If, after the completion of the time limit, the score is tied, the following tiebreaker will be played to determine a winning team. Starting with the top of the next inning and each half-inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who made the last out the previous inning being placed on second base.
14. Speed-up rule -- A "courtesy runner" shall be mandatory to run for the catcher when he reaches base with two outs or is on base when the second out of an inning is made. The runner should be someone that is not previously in the line-up. If this is not possible, then the courtesy runner shall be the last batted out. Prior to 2 outs, the courtesy runner is permissible for the catcher only.
15. Protests -- Protests are permitted at time of incident only, with $150.00 to be posted. Game will not continue under protest. Protest committee will rule immediately on all protests. If the protest is not upheld, the $150.00 fee will be forfeited. (Protest Committee shall consist of Tournament Director, Assistant Tournament Director and Head Umpire)
16. Coach or Player Ejected -- Any player or coach ejected from a game will automatically be suspended for the next game.
17. Suspension -- Any player or coach ejected from a second game, shall be suspended for the remainder of the tournament. These penalties are for ordinary ejections. The tournament committee reserves the right to hand out stiffer penalties for extraordinary circumstances i.e. Fighting, contact with umpire, etc.
18. Physical confrontation -- PLEASE BE WARNED -- This tournament has "zero tolerance" for any physical confrontations by players, coaches, fans or anyone else. Upon the first violation, the violating party shall be removed from the facility and the tournament. Once again, absolutely no physical confrontations will be permitted, tolerated and/or found to be acceptable.
19. Team Forfeiture -- In the event an ejection is made and the ejected party refuses to leave the playing facility, the Tournament Director, at his sole discretion, may elect to declare a forfeiture of the game and/or tournament.
20. Questions -- The tournament director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
21. Final Interpretation -- The Tournament Committee's interpretation of the aforementioned rules and regulations shall be final and reserves the right to decide all tournament matters.
DESIGNATED HITTERS (DH) AND EXTRA HITTERS (EH)
* A team may use a designated hitter for any player in the line-up. The designated hitter must be declared prior to the game and listed on the line-up card. Once the D-H takes a defensive position, or when the defensive player steps in the batter’s box, the D-H is thereafter eliminated from the game. When the D-H is eliminated from the game, the player removed may not re-enter in any other capacity. NOTE -- If both coaches -- during pool play only -- agree to use a DH/EH and/or both, that is up to the coaches and teams. However, please report that to the Head Umpire prior to the start of the game.
The DH may only be used in 15U through 18U divisions.
EH -- Extra Hitter -- is permitted in the 9U -- 14U Divisions.
PITCHING DISTANCES/BASE DIMENSIONS/RUN RULES
* INNINGS PER GAME -- The 9U through 12U divisions will play six (6) innings, whereas the 13U through 18U divisions will play seven (7) innings. The games may be shorter based upon "mercy rules", time limitations and/or weather.
* Time Limit is defined as no new inning may start after the time limit expires. Should an inning begin before the end of the time period and carry beyond the time limit, the inning will be played in its entirety.
* NEW INNING -- A new inning begins upon the last out of the previous inning.
* SPEED UP RULES ON TIES -- If a game is tied and the time limit has not expired, then the game will be played as any normal game. However, once the game time has expired, at the next new inning, the teams will go to the following "speed up rule" -- last batted out will go to 2nd base without any outs. Once the game goes into the eight (8th) inning (and the time limit has expired), then the "speed up rule" shall be the last batted out at 3rd base, with one (1) out and one (1) strike on the batter.
* TIES IN POOL PLAY GAMES ONLY -- In pool play games only, if the game is tied at the time that the next scheduled game is to begin, then the game will immediately terminate and the winner will be designated by going back to the last inning, where there was a team in the lead. For example, after 3 innings, Team "A" was leading 3 - 1. Then Team A is the winner. If, however, there was no inning where a team was leading at the end of a particular inning, the the game shall be a "tie."
Complete game: Ages: 9U through 12U (4 innings) / Ages 13 - 18 - 5 innings (except in rain shortened games -- please review those rules) -- NOTE -- In rain situations, the Tournament Director has the sole discretion to call a game due to rain at any point in the game.
RAIN DELAY / RAIN INFORMATION
* Each team will be provided with a "rain" information number at check-in. We recommend this number be given to managers only. Please do not give this number to team families as this can cause an excess of calls - and managers may be unable to get through as needed. Please check with Tournament Director about "rain" information for this event.
o As a general rule, USTOC Sports will use http://www.rainedout.com (search for USTOC Sports and sign up on that page) for purposes of circulating text and/or e-mail messages to teams about any weather issues.
* Each team is required to provide the Tournament Director with a telephone number(s) where each team can be reached during their participation in this event.
* At certain events, USTOC Sports is able to post "rain" information on the website. So, please attempt to access "rain information" via the website as well.
*We will have text (and/or e-mail) updates about weather conditions and rain delays. You need to go to http://www.rainedout.com and search for USTOC Sports. Once at that page, you can sign up for text message and/or e-mail alerts for any of our tournaments.
* Rain -- "Drop Dead" Time Limit -- In any situation, where weather (or something else) has caused the tournament scheduled to be delayed, at the Tournament Director's "sole discretion" the "drop dead" time limit may be invoked. The "drop dead" time limit shall be set by the Tournament Director, which means that at the end of the specific "time limit" ALL play shall stop -- regardless of the inning, as to who is batting, number of outs, etc. At that point, we will look to the last completed inning where one team was leading and that team shall be declared the "winner." In the event there is no leader -- for example, the game might be "0" to "0", or both teams scored the same number of runs in the last completed inning, then that particular inning shall be played to the end of the inning. Note -- if the home team is winning at the time of the time limit, or takes the lead at the end of the inning in the event of a tie, then the home team shall be declared the "winner." In the event the game is played through the inning and still a tie, then the teams shall go to the "California Tie Breaker Rule," where the batter, who made the last batted out from the previous inning, shall go to second base with one (1) out in the inning.
o COACHES -- If you do not understand our rules on this issue or any other issue, please contact the On-Site Coordinator for further explanation, if necessary.
SUSPENDED OR INCOMPLETE GAMES
* A game shall be ruled as official and complete if it is called by umpires or the tournament director due to rain, inclement weather, lighting failure, or other reasons beyond our control, provided 4 innings have been completed. A game may be called as official if the home team is leading after the visitors have played 4 complete innings. If four innings have not been completed, the game shall be suspended, and resumed from that point, when safe play can be resumed. As to whether a game is called as complete or not, shall be left to the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.
POOL SEEDINGS / TIE BREAKERS
* All ties and "seeding" for Championship Round shall be settled as follows (in order):
o Head to head competition
o Run differential (teams shall be awarded up to a plus "10" runs for victories and up to a minus "10" runs for any loss. For example, if Team "A" beats Team "B" by "7" runs. Team "A" shall have a plus "7", whereas Team B shall have a minus "7"
** PLEASE NOTE -- If "3" or more teams are tied, the tie-breaker shall no longer be "head-to-head", but shall start with "run differential" -- NOTE -- Once a there are three (3) or more teams tied with the same "won-loss" record, the tie breaker shall be a) run differential (plus or minus runs with a max of "10" plus or minus), b) fewest runs allowed, c) runs scored -- NEVER WILL THE TIE BREAKER GO BACK TO HEAD-TO-HEAD.
o Fewest runs allowed
o Runs Scored
o Coin Flip
o NOTE -- Forfeits count as "5" (for the winning team) and "0" (for the team who forfeits)
o SEEDING OF TEAMS -- WHEN NOT ALL TEAMS PLAY ALL GAMES WITHIN THE POOL
** NOTE -- When seeding teams into a championship and/or consolation round, teams will be seeded based upon the last round completed by all teams. (For example, if a team has only played 2 games of 3 games within a pool, no matter what the other teams have played in the way of games, if 2 games was played by all teams in the pool -- then the seeding will be based upon the first 2 games that everyone played.)
ENTRY FEE REFUNDS
* The following Refund Policy applies:
1. Written Notice more than 30 days prior to an event -- In all cases, a team must provide written notice to the USTOC Sports about their intent to withdraw from an event. If this notice is received by USTOC Sports, at least 31 days prior to an event, USTOC Sports will refund the entry fee less a Fifty Dollars ($ 50.00) administrative fee, which is non-refundable. Any refund payment, however, will not be processed until the end of the regular baseball season.
2. Withdraw less than 30 days prior to an event -- There are NO refunds for any withdrawal within thirty (30) days of a scheduled USTOC Sports event.
3. Cancellation of age division -- In the event an age division is cancelled, then the team shall have the right to play in a higher division, or to have the amount of the entry applied to another USTOC Sports event within twelve (12) months of the event. On some occasions, USTOC is required to merge divisions. The merging of a division is NOT grounds for a team to pull from an event and/or otherwise receive a "refund" of any amount. In the past, USTOC has merged the following divisions (on occasions): 9U/10U, 11U/12U, 13U, 14U/15U, 15U/16U and normally plays a merged 17U/18U Division.
4. Rain and/or weather shortened events -- In the event rain and/or some other weather condition causes the event to be shortened, the refund policy is as follows:
a. One game played -- 50% Refund
b. 2nd Game -- As soon as the 2nd game of the event is started, there are no further refunds permitted. However, if a team elects, a team may attend another USTOC Sports event during the same season and receive a 50% discount from the entry fee of that event.
RIGHT TO MODIFY AND AMEND
* USTOC SPORTS retains exclusive right to modify and/or amend these Rules and Regulations for USTOC Sports Baseball events. Each team is required to review the Rules and Regulations prior to attending this event, then to review the Rules and Regulations given to the teams at check-in. Each team will be required to follow the Rules and Regulations submitted at check-in, as those Rules and Regulations will contain any subsequent modification of these Rules and Regulations. It is anticipated that the USTOC Sports will make another modification of these Rules and Regulations prior to the start of the upcoming USTOC Sports Baseball season, which starts April 1st. Please check back prior to the event you are attending for any modifications and/or amendments.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF USTOC SPORTS BASEBALL