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Last updated
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O'Fallon Local Weather
Saint Clair Sting Baseball Club
stclairsting@yahoo.com
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O'Fallon, Illinois
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USSSA Baseball Tournament in St. Louis, MO: St. Clair Sting 2012 USSSA Tournament Rules
Friday, November 14
St. Clair Sting 2012 USSSA Tournaments
 

Check-in

All coaches need to check in with Tournament Director 1 hour prior to the start of their first game.

2012-NO METAL SPIKES ALLOWED ON PORTABLE PITCHING MOUNDS AND ONLY ALLOWED FOR 13U AND OLDER FOR FIELD PLAY!

Form

All teams must be registered on-line with the USSSA. Go to www.USSSAil.com to register your team. All teams must turn in a completed USSSA Roster/Waiver and Release of Liability form signed by both players and parents. All teams will need copies of players' birth certificates at check-in, which will be checked and returned to the coach/manager.

Insurance

All teams need proof of insurance before participating in the tournament.

Refund Policy

Any team that drops out prior to the start of the tournament will be refunded 50% of the tournament fee. Refunds for unplayable games are as follows:

3-game Guarantee

ü 0 games played – Full refund less $25 administrative fee

ü 1 game played – 50%

ü 2 games played or started- No refund

NO REFUNDS TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO START OF TOURNAMENT.

Gate Fees

There are no gate fees.

Rainouts

We will do everything we can to try to play all games but in the event of inclement weather, we reserve the right to alter the format of the tournament including reduction of age groups.

Tournament Format

Tournaments are a combination of pool play and single elimination bracket play. After pool play, teams will be seeded and bracket play begins.

We reserve the right to change the format of the tournament at anytime. Updates to the tournament will be posted on the website www.eteamz.com/saintclairsting. All games are considered completed after 2½ innings. We will revert back to the last full inning if the visiting team is at bat or the home team has not completed their at bat.

Pool Play Tie Breakers

Teams that complete their pool play will be seeded based on the following tie breakers:

ü 1 – Winning Percentage (Win/Loss record)

ü 2 – Head to head (when only two teams are tied that have played against each other)

ü 3 – Runs allowed (versus all teams played)

ü 4 – Run differential (maximum +/- 8 runs per game versus all teams played)

ü 5 – Coin flip

Age Cutoff

May 1 per USSSA. Teams will consist of no more than 20 players that meet the maximum age requirement in your age group.

Bat Restrictions

   2012 USSSA Bat Rules Apply

Pitching Restrictions

The end of the day for the pitching limitation rules is the time of day or night when the ballpark is shut down and the teams go home for the night break. Games that for any reason extend past midnight (12:00 AM) or start late at night past midnight (12:00 AM) and are completed before the teams take the night break will count as being played on the scheduled day. A game not completed before the night break pursuant to the following USSSA Rules shall be a suspended game. Suspended games, when resumed the next day or another day, shall count as being played on two different days. The outs recorded during the portion of the game played prior to suspension shall count as being played on the regularly scheduled day and the outs recorded during the portion of the game played once resumed shall count as being played on the resumed day.

Pitching Restrictions (cont.)

Age 1-Day Maximum to 1-Day 3-Day

Division            Pitch the Next Day    Maximum    Maximum

7U – 12U                       3                            6                     8

13U – 14U                     3                            7                     8   

1-day Maximum to Pitch the Next Day – The maximum number of innings a player can legally pitch in 1 day and still pitch the next. Example: In the 7U – 14U age divisions, a player may legally pitch a maximum of 3 innings in 1 day and still legally pitch the next day. If the player pitches 3 1/3 or more innings in 1 day, the player cannot legally pitch the next day.

1-day Maximum – The maximum number of innings a player can legally pitch in 1 day. Example: In the 7U – 12U age divisions, a player may legally pitch a maximum of 6 innings in 1 day. The player would be ineligible to pitch the next day. Similarly, in the 13U – 14U age divisions, a player may legally pitch a maximum of 7 innings in 1 day. The player would be ineligible to legally pitch the next day.

3-Day Maximum – The maximum number of innings a player can legally pitch in 3 consecutive days. Example: In the 7U – 14U age divisions, a player may legally pitch a maximum of 8 innings in 3 consecutive days. This is to be interpreted as a player may legally pitch any combination of innings to equal 8 innings in 2 days as long as the player does not pitch more than 3 innings the first day. Similarly, a player may legally pitch any combination of innings to equal 8 innings in 3 days as long as the player does not pitch more than 3 innings the first or second days.

Mandatory Days of Rest

1. A player that pitches more than 3 innings in 1 day MUST rest the next day.

2. A player that pitches 8 innings in 2 consecutive days MUST rest the next day.

3. A player that pitches 8 innings in 3 consecutive days MUST rest the next day.

4. A player that pitches 3 consecutive days (regardless of total quantity of innings pitched) MUST rest the next day.

Pitching Restrictions (cont.)

For all cumulative totals in this rule, 1 out equals 1/3 of an inning, 2 outs equals 2/3 of an inning, and 3 outs equals 1 full inning. A pitcher that pitches in a game and records no outs is not charged with any innings pitched.

Outs recorded during a game that ends in forfeit shall count toward a pitcher's inning limits.

For the purpose of pitching limitation rules, a pitcher is in violation of the rule if he records any out above the legal pitching limits pursuant to these rules.

Exception: Exceeding the maximum innings allowed in the case of a double or triple play shall not be counted against the pitcher.

Penalty: It shall be the responsibility of each team manager to challenge pitching violations by notifying the Umpire-in-Chief and then filing a Protest with the Tournament Director. A protest may be filed at any point after the pitcher in violation records an out beyond his legal limit AND while the pitcher in violation is in the game and in the pitching position. If such violation is the last recorded out of the game, the protest MUST be filed prior to the umpires and the protesting team leaving the field of play. Any violation of the above USSSA pitching rules shall result in immediate forfeiture of the game. If such violation occurs during Pool Play, the team in violation of the rule may not advance in the championship bracket regardless of record.

We will use ONE balk warning per team on 9u-11u.  All balks will be called in 12u-14u.

Distances

Age                 Pitching (ft)                    Bases (ft)

14U                        60' 6"                             90

13U                        54                                   80

12U                        50                                   70

11U                        50                                   70

10U                        46                                   65

9U                          46                                   65

Metal Spikes

Allowed for 13 and older only. Not allowed on portable pitching mounds.

Sportsmanship

There will be no tolerance whatsoever of coaches, players, or fans questioning an umpire's judgment in regard to balls and strikes calls. Anyone ejected from a game must leave the park immediately. Failure to do so will result in an immediate forfeiture of the game. Anytime a parent is removed from the stands, the head coach is also removed for the remainder of that game only. St. Clair Sting reserves the right to remove any team, manager, or parent from the tournament with no refunds. As you see, these rules indicate we will not tolerate disorderly conduct and it will be taken seriously. Please keep in mind kids are watching what you do.

Tournament Rules

Rules not covered under this section will be conducted under the rules of the USSSA as published in the USSSA Baseball National By-Laws.

Pre-Game/Infield Practice

Coaches are allowed to hit ground balls to the players behind the first, second, and third bases.

Pitching Mounds

Portable pitching mounds will be used in all divisions.

Disrespect for the Game

Any team that conspires with another to determine the outcome of any game or any team that makes a mockery of the game by intentionally failing to play to the best of its ability or any team that intentionally, by its play, attempts to limit the score or lose a game that could affect other teams and standings shall be immediately disqualified and will be prohibited from further competition in the event.

Protests

Other than roster challenges and innings pitched, there will be no protests. A coach may challenge an illegal player at anytime. To protest a player's eligibility, the coach must put up a $100 cash protest fee. At that time, tournament officials will request to see the birth certificate of the player in question. If it is determined that the player is eligible, the $100 protest fee will be forfeited.

Outside Food and Drinks

No outside food or beverages in the complex (exception – team water jug). Full concessions will be available throughout the tournament.

Dugouts

Teams must pick up trash and debris in the dugout prior to departure from any game.

Communication

We will do our best to update the bracket board located by the concession stand and the tournament website, but it is the coach's responsibility to be ready to play at the start of the scheduled game time.

Hotel

Drury Inn and Suites is the official hotel of the tournament.

Game Time is Forfeit Time

Forfeit score 7-0.

Score Cards

Each coach must complete the scorecard provided by the site supervisor or umpire, listing players name, number, position, and batting order. Umpire will keep scorecard during the game and fill in score each inning. Scorecard must be approved and signed by both coaches at end of game and this becomes the official score. Be sure you are signing the correct scorecard. Only 1 scorecard is provided for each game.

Coin Flip

In pool play, home team is determined by a coin flip. The team that travels the furthest calls the flip. After pool play and teams are seeded, the higher seeded team will be the home team. The home team will be the official book and will record game starting time when announced by the umpire. Scores will be compared each inning with opponent's scorekeeper and will be given to umpire to write on scorecard.

Game Balls

Provided by the St. Clair Sting

Time Limits

All games in the tournament will be conducted under a time limit. Inclement weather could force time limits to be modified. All ages – 1 hr 40 minutes. All 13U and 14U will be 7-inning games; 12U and below will be 6-inning games.

In pool games if the game is tied at the end of regulation number of innings or at the end of the time limit, the game will end as a tie. If there is still time left on the clock, extra innings will be played until time has run out. If in bracket play, the game is tied and there is no time left in the game, extra innings will be played to decide a winner.

For the purpose of interpreting the time limit, the next inning will begin when the third out of the previous inning is recorded. Thus, if there is any time remaining when the third out of the previous inning is recorded, the next inning will be started and completed in its entirety unless the home team is batting and ahead in the score.

In bracket play elimination games, we will use the "International Tie Breaker Rule" after expiration of time or innings.  Each team starts with the last batted out at 2nd base and one out. 

Run Rules

   All games   

ü 15 runs by start of 3rd inning

ü 10 runs by start of 4th inning

ü 8 runs by start of 5th inning

Intentional Walks

No pitches need to be thrown.

Slide Rule

Whenever a tag play is evident, a runner must slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder and/or catcher. Attempting to jump, leap, or dive over the fielder and/or catcher is not interpreted as seeking to avoid contact. Malicious contact shall supersede all obstruction penalties.

Penalty: The runner shall be called out and may be ejected from the game at the umpire's discretion.

Comment: When enforcing this rule, the umpire should judge the runner's intent. If the umpire feels the contact was unintentional, then the runner should only be declared out. If the umpire feels the contact was intentional and/or malicious, then the runner should be declared out and ejected.

Batting Lineups

Approved Team Lineups

Teams may bat a 9-player lineup, 10-player lineup using an Extra Hitter (EH), or continuous lineup of all present, eligible, uniformed players. Such lineup must be declared before the start of the game and used the entire game.

If a team uses a lineup that contains substitute players, all starting players may be removed and re-enter the game once, but must re-enter in their original position in the batting order. Non-starters are not allowed to re-enter. When a starter re-enters, the player in the starter's batting position in the batting order must be removed from the game and is ineligible for the remainder of the game.

Approved Ruling: Baker is batting second. In the fourth inning, Charles enters the game in the second batting position, removing Baker from the game. In the sixth inning, Baker re-enters the game but must replace Charles so as to remain in the second batting position. Charles is ineligible for the remainder of the game.

Batting Lineups (cont.)

If a team uses a lineup that contains 10 players, the player in the EH position, while not actually playing a defensive position, will be treated as such for substitution purposes.

Approved Ruling: Baker is the EH and batting second. Charles is the catcher and batting third. Baker can become the catcher and Charles the EH. Both players would remain in their original batting position in the batting order. When using the EH, all players in the lineup may move freely in defensive positions with the exception of the pitching position.

If a team uses a continuous lineup, all players other than the 9 defensive position players are EHs and may move freely in defensive positions with the exception of the pitching position.

Approved Ruling: Any player(s) arriving after the game has begun shall be added to the bottom of the batting lineup.

Teams may play an official game with an 8-player lineup. If a team plays with an 8-player lineup, an out shall be declared for the ninth position in the batting lineup each turn at bat.

Approved Ruling: A ninth player and all subsequent players may be added to the bottom of the batting lineup as soon as they become available.

A team may continue a game with a minimum of 8 eligible players. A player who has left a game for any reason cannot return to the game.

If the player leaving the game is a runner and no legal substitutes are available, the runner is declared out.

Exception: If the player is leaving the game for Communicable Disease Procedure reasons, the player whom recorded the previous out assumes the runner's position on base.

Batting Lineups (cont.)

When a player who has left the game is scheduled to bat and no legal substitutes are available, an out shall be declared for each turn at bat.

Exception: If the player left the game for Communicable Disease Procedure reasons, the player's turn in the batting order shall be omitted for the remainder of the game without penalty.

Courtesy Runners

At any time, the offensive team may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher of record the previous inning on defense. The courtesy runner must be a player not presently in the lineup. If no players not presently in the lineup are available, the courtesy runner shall be the player making the last batted out.

Comment: The re-entry status of the courtesy runner, pitcher, and catcher shall not be affected by this rule. If at any time a courtesy runner is determined to be ineligible, a proper replacement pursuant to these rules (if available) will be used without penalty.

Malicious Contact

Malicious contact will result in the player being called out and ejected from the game. Umpire decision is final.




 
 
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