District 34 Invitational

2010 Tournament Information and Rules

Baseball and Softball

1.    Rosters

       The maximum number of players is fourteen (14).  Only players on the roster will be allowed to play.  (There are no alternates).

        All rosters and birth certificates must be submitted 30 minutes prior to your first game.  Williamsport teams do not need to

        submit birth certificates unless you are adding or replacing players in which case you will need a birth certificate for those players.

        Before each game your affidavit must be submitted to the tournament director and remain with the Tournament Director until the

        end of the game when the manager/coach signs out.  Failure to submit a roster can be cause for forfeit.  If an ineligible player is

        used, the manager will be removed from the tournament.  If there is a second infraction, or ANY infraction during the

        medal rounds,  the team will be removed.       

2.    Must Play Rule

        Each team will submit a batting order for every game that will consist of every player that is present for that game.  Players will bat

        in that order for the entire game.  Each player must also play in the field for six defensive outs.  If a player in the original batting order

        gets injured and must be removed from the game, he will be replaced by the next batter who will assume the injured players count if

        he is at bat at the time the injury occurs.  the injured player will be skipped over in the batting order for the entire game and will not be

        allowed to return.  No outs will be charged for the injured player, or for any other player who leaves the game early AND

        leaves the complex.  He cannot leave the game early and remain in the complex.

3.    Late Players

        Players arriving late may be added to the end of the batting order.  Exception: No player may enter the game once the team has

        gone thru the batting order once.

4.    Game Time Limits

         Every game will have a time limit imposed.  No inning may start after two hours from the game starting time.  (Umpire's Watch). 

         Once an inning starts, it must be completed.  A new inning starts as soon as the last out is made.  Exceptions:  In the event the

         game is tied or is not yet a legal game upon reaching the time limit, the game will continue until either the tie has been broken or it

         becomes a legal game.  Exception: There will be no time limits imposed on medal round games in the 10, 11 and 12 year

         old divisions of Baseball and the Major division of Softball.    8s and 9s and Minor Softball will still have a time limit.

         Championship games in the 8s, 9s and Minors will play to completion.   Mercy rule still applies to all divisions.

5.    Number of Players

        A team must have at least nine (9) players to be eligible to start the game and continue to play the game.  All forfeits will be determined

        by the Tournament Committee.

6.    Adding Players

        Adding players to a roster during the tournament is at the sole discretion of the Tournament Committee.  Any players added after the

        start of the tournament cannot pitch.  No players will be added during the medal rounds.

7.    Occupants of Dugout

        No one except the players, one manager and two coaches listed on the affidavit shall occupy the bench or dugout during a game.

        Managers and coaches must wear distinctive league shirts identifying them as part of the team in the dugout.  Teams may forfeit

        the game if managers and coaches do not have league shirts.  The manager must keep all players away from the

        dugout opening.  All teams are responsible for cleaning the dugout before they leave. 

8.    Base Coaches

        In ALL LEVELS OF PLAY both base coaches may be adults as long as there is an adult manager or coach in the dugout.  

9.    On-Deck Batters

        The only player on a team that may pick up a bat is the player that is coming up to bat.  All other players may not have a bat in their hand.

10.  Infield Fly Rule

        In effect for all divisions.  EXCEPTION:  8 Year Old Baseball.

11.  Mercy Rule

        A mandatory "mercy" rule will apply at all levels of play.  If at the end of 4 innings (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead) one team has a lead

        of ten (10) runs or more, the game is officially over.  The manager of the losing team shall have no discretion to continue the game at

         this point.  In order for the "mercy" rule to be declared, each team must have equal times at bat.

12.  Pitching Rules - A To J Apply To All Levels in Baseball and Softball

        A.  Managers cannot warm up pitchers.  All teams must have two sets of catchers equipment so that a substitute can warm up the

              pitcher while the catcher gets ready.

        B.  Any player on a team may pitch.  Exception:  A player who is added after the first game.

        C.  There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.

        D.  A pitcher must be removed from a game if he/she hits three (3) batters in an inning or four (4) in a game.

        E.  A third trip to a pitcher in any inning, or a fourth trip to the same pitcher during the game will result in the pitcher's removal from the mound.

        F.  Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers in the same game.  Exception:  All levels of softball

        G.  When a pitcher is removed, the manager must notify the Umpire.

        H.  If any of the tournament pitching rules, or any pitching rules in the Little League rule book are violated and it is not caught before the

             infraction incurs, this will not be grounds for a forfeit or replay of the game.  If an illegal or ineligible pitcher is used, the he/she will be

             removed from the mound and a legal pitcher will take his/her place.  The score or play will stand and the manager of the offending team

             will be suspended.  A 2nd infraction by the same manager will result in his removal as manager.

        I.   During the game, pitchers can only warm up on the mound.  Penalty:  Pitcher warming up will not be permitted to pitch.

       J.   In a game suspended by darkness, weather or other causes and resumed the following calendar day, the pitcher of record at the time

             the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of the remaining eligibility for that game.

        Baseball Pitching Rules

        A.  The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below.  Pitcher may

             remain in the game at another position.

                                                League Age:            11-12                 85 pitches per day

                                                                                9-10                  75 pitches per day

                                                                                8s                     50 pitches per day

              Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed above for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to

              pitch until that batter reaches base or is put out.

              Intentional Walk:   The pitcher must pitch all 4 balls to the batter.  4 Pitches must be counted in the pitch count.

         Baseball Rest Rules

         A.  Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following requirements:

                    1.  If a player pitches 46 or more pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days rest must be observed.

                    2.  If a player pitches 21 to 45 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.

                    3.  If a player pitches 1 to 20 pitches in a day, no rest is required.

         B.   A player may not pitch in consecutive games.  Exception:  A player mat pitch in consecutive games

                if less than 21 pitches

               were pitched in the previous game.

        C.    Each team must carry a pitch counter to every game and supply an adult to act as pitch counter.

        Minor & Major Softball Pitching Rules

        A.    Minors:  A player may not pitch in more than 6 innings in a game.

        B.    Majors:  A player may not pitch in more than 9 innings in a game.

        C.    A player may not pitch on consecutive calendar days or in consecutive games. 

                Exception:  A player may pitch on consecutive calendar days and in consecutive games if

                only one (1) inning was pitched on the previous day or in the previous game.

      Junior & Senior Softball  

        A.    A player may not pitch in more than 10 innings in a day.

        B.    If a player pitches in less than five (5) innings in a calendar day, NO rest is required. 

        C.    If a player pitches in five (5) or more innings in a calendar day, one day's rest is required.

13.  Forfeits

         All forfeits will be determined by the Tournament Committee.  If a team forfeits any games during pool play

         which can adversely affect the seedings in round two, the Tournament Committee reserves the right to

        remove the offending team from the tournament.

14.  Bunting

         Bunting will be allowed in all divisions except 8 Year Old Baseball.

15.  Stealing

         There will be no stealing in 8 or 9 Year Old Baseball.  Runners cannot leave base until the ball is hit.

16.  Conduct

         Players and spectators are allowed to cheer for their own teammates.  No chanting or verbal harassment of any kind by players or

         spectators will be allowed.  Managers and Coaches will be guided by the District 34 Code of Ethics which will be strictly enforced.

         Managers and Coaches are also responsible for the conduct of their fans and they must keep them under control at all times.

         Managers and Coaches are requested to settle any disputed rules as discreetly as possible.  If you keep control of any situations

         that arise, the children will enjoy a better tournament.

17.  Protests

         No protests are allowed.  All disputes will be handled immediately.  Any manager not satisfied with a rule interpretation only, will

         request a clarification of that rule from the tournament committee before the next pitch.  Their decision will be final.

18.  Home Team

         The home team for every game will be determined by a flip of a coin.  The team who selects to be the home team must occupy the

         the first base dugout.  Exception:  During the medal round, the team with the higher seed will have choice of being home or away.

19.  Called Games

         If a game is called before it has become a regulation game, but after one (1) or more innings have been played, it shall be resumed

         exactly where it left off.  All records, including pitching, shall be counted.  If four (4) full innings, five (5) in Junior softball, have been

         played (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead, 4 1/2 in Junior Softball), the game will be considered official.  Exception:  Medal round

         games will be played to completion with the exception of 8 & 9 Year Old Baseball and Minor Softball.

20.  Checking In & Out of Games

A.     Managers must present their pitching affidavits to the Tournament Director before the start of the game.  Failure to produce your

         affidavit at a game will result in forfeiting your right to flip for home and away.

B.     At the end of the game, either the manager, coach or scorekeeper must check out with the Tournament Director immediately after

         the game is over.  If you do not check out immediately and their is a discrepancy in the score or the pitch count, the opponents

         score and pitch count will be used.

C.     Manager or Coach must confirm next game, date and time.

21.  Injuries

        Any player that sustains a head injury MUST be removed from the game and sent for Medical Evaluation.  He or she will not be permitted

        to re-enter the game or any subsequent games without written clearance from a Doctor.  Players removed from the game for any other

        injury cannot return to the lineup.

                                               
22.  Pre Game

         There will be no batting by anyone (coach or player) anywhere in any complex.  this includes Soft Toss prior to the game.  If there is time

         between games, each team will have 5 minutes infield prior to the game at which time the manager or coach ONLY can hit to the players.

23.  Tie Breakers

         Head to Head

         Least Runs Allowed

         Most Runs Scored

         If there is a tie between three or more teams, each time the tie is broken, we will revert back to the highest tie breaker possible.        

24.  Any rule not covered in these tournament rules will be covered as found in the Little League Rule Book.

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A GREAT TOURNAMENT!!!!