Rules for the 6th Annual Cherry Blossom Blast
*****No Coaches Meeting****
There is no coaches meeting. Teams should come to the site of their first scheduled game to begin play on 3/29/08.

No Shows and Forfeits
Teams that are no shows for a game will be subject to immediate disqualification from the tournament and will forfeit 100% their entry fees. Coaches should contact the Tournament Director ASAP if there is a conflict so she may attempt to reschedule. The TD will attempt to keep all games on schedule. The team may be reported to state and national sanctioning bodies and tournament directors for additional review and potential penalties.

Team Rosters
All teams and players must be registered through AAU in order to be eligible for this tournament. Teams should have proof of AAU membership.  All teams are required to have birth certificates, as well as, a liability waiver when checking in with the TD director. No new players will be added to any team's roster after 6pm 3/28/2008.

Teams that are forced to forfeit a game in progress because of too few players to continue or other rules infractions will be allowed to complete the event but will not be permitted to compete in the championship game. TEAMS MUST PLAY 3 INNINGS in 9U-12U and 4 INNINGS in 13U-14U (Visitors must have 3 at-bats at 9U-12U and 4 at-bats at 13U-14) TO COMPLETE A GAME.

Sportsmanship
A coach that is ejected from a game will be suspended from that game and at least the next game. If the umpire deems it appropriate the coach could be suspended for the remainder of the tournament. A player that is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended from that game and possibly the next game if deemed appropriate by the umpire and TD. All ejections will be reported to the tournament director. Competition can be fun if we remember that it the game is supposed to be fun.

Tournament Rules
Unless modified, play in all divisions will be governed by the current year AAU Rules Book (unless modified by local rules). On-site tournament director reserves the right to modify rules and game schedules as needed in the best interest of the event.

Regulation Game:
6 innings in 12U and 7 innings for 13U-14U (leads, dropped third strike in all age groups.) Official games will be 4 innings 12U and 5 innings 13U-14U, games maybe limited to "official games" due to inclement weather and for the best interest of the tournament at the discretion of the TD and game umpires.


TIME LIMIT:
One hour forty-five, (1:45) for 12U and Two hours (2:00) for 13U-14U.

An inning started prior to expiration of the time limit will be completed. No new inning may be started once the time limit expires. (This rule is subject to change by the umpire in the event of rain delays and would become a "drop dead" time limit, meaning the game is called the moment time expires.) If a game is tied when the time limit expires, the International Rule for Extra Innings described below applies to any new inning started after time expires.

HOME AND VISITORS:
Home/Visitor team is determined by coin toss. Coin toss winner has choice of Home or Visiting team and the Visitors has choice of the third base dugout. Higher seeded team has choice of HOME team in Championship round 12U-14U.

EXTRA INNINGS:
The International Rule for extra inning games is in effect. The rule applies as follows: To start on extra inning, the visiting team places the last batter to complete an at bat in the previous inning at second base. Play resumes until three outs are recorded. To complete the extra inning, the home team places the last batter to complete an at bat in the previous inning at second base. Play resumes until three outs are recorded or the home team takes the lead.

MERCY RULE:
12U = 10 runs after 4 complete innings (or 3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead); 15 runs after 3 innings (or 2 1/2 innings). VISITORS MUST HAVE 3 at-bats 12U.

13U/14U = 10 runs after 5 complete innings (or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead); 15 runs after 4 innings (or 3 1/2 innings). VISITORS MUST HAVE 4 at-bats 13U-14U.

PITCHING LIMITATIONS:
Definition of an “inning pitched”: If a player throws one pitch to a batter during an inning, he will be charged with pitching one (1) inning. 12U - No player can pitch more than 9 total innings for the tournament. A pitcher who pitches 6 innings in a day must rest the following day but if he pitches 4 or less innings in a day he may pitch a total of 5 more innings the following day(s) in the tournament and no rest between days is required. 13U-14U - No player can pitch more than 11 total innings for the tournament. A pitcher who pitches 7 innings in a day must rest the following day but if he pitches 5 or less innings in a day he may pitch a total of 6 more innings the following day(s) in the tournament and no rest between days is required. Penalty: Game forfeited when discovered. Each team must turn in their pitcher's innings to the “official scorer” and the tournament director (at the concession table) after each game.

SUBSTITUTIONS :
Starting players may re-enter game one time, but must be re-inserted in the same spot in the batting order. The exception is a starter re-entering the game to replace an injured player in which case they will bat in place of the injured player. The injured player can not return to the game. Reserve players once removed from the game can not re-enter.

BATTING LINE UP:
A team may elect to bat the whole lineup which will allow for free substations throughout the game but this must be declared at the beginning of the game and if a player leaves the game for any reason an out will be recorded in their batting position.

EXTRA PLAYER OR DESIGNATED HITTER:
An extra player (EP) and/or designated hitter (DH) will be allowed if declared on the starting roster. If the EP or DH is pulled from the game and re-enters he/she must re-enter in the same position in the batting order unless it is an injury substitution. An EP can play defense or offense but a DH is only an offensive player.

Line-Ups: Choose one of the following prior to each game:
1. Straight nine: Re-entry rule below applies to substitutions.
2. Designated hitter (DH): Re-entry rule below applies to substitutions.
3. Extra hitter (EH): Bat 10 players. Unlimited substitutions allowed for the EH.
4. Extra hitter and designated hitter, see 2. and 3. for substitution rules.
5. Bat the lineup with free subs.

Re-Entry Rule: A starter who is substituted for may return to his original spot in the batting order once per game. Once a substitute is removed from the batting order he is no longer eligible to return to the game.

COURTESY RUNNERS:
Courtesy runners are permitted for pitchers and catchers only. 

12U, 13U and 14U age groups base runners are permitted to take leads and balks will be called without a warning.

PROTESTS:
The on site tournament director has the final authority to settle all disputes. All dispute resolutions will be final and a $100 protest fee (fee must be paid at time of protest) will be assessed on all failed protests.

OFFICIAL SCORER:
The home team score book is the official book. Home team scorekeeper should confirm score with visiting team scorekeeper after each inning and notify umpire of score. The home team scorekeeper must report the final score and innings pitched to the tournament director within 20 minutes after the game. The visiting team must also submit their pitching form to the tournament director at the end of each game. All tournament results will be posted at the concession table. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR AGE GROUP ON YOUR PITCHING FORM.

PRE-GAME INFIELD:
No pre-game infield practice is permitted with the exception of the first game of the day for each team in which case the team will be given 10 minutes to warm up prior to game time, IF TIME ALLOWS. All teams must be at the field ready to play at least thirty minutes before the scheduled game. If a preceding game ends early due to the mercy rule the Tournament Director may elect to start the next game up to 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.

FIELD DIMENSIONS: 

12U: 50’ mound, 70’ bases (leads).
13U 60' mound, 90' bases (leads).
14U 60' mound, 90' bases (leads).

TOURNAMENT REFUND/ POLICY (RAIN/SNOW):
The refund policy is as follows:

0 games played, 75% refund
1 game played, 50% refund
2 or more games played, no refund
The Tournament Director and umpires will do everything possible to play games through inclement weather but will not play games in conditions that are determined to be a hazard to the safety of the players.

No refunds will be provided for cancellations of less than 4 weeks before tournament start date.

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR INFORMATION:
The tournament director will have final authority on all disputes. The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify rules and game schedules in the best interest of the tournament.

Tournament Directors: Judy Hall (vamother03@aol.com). 703 878-0942 or 571 217-2580.

A tournament hot line will be given to the managers when the final schedules are distributed.

MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES:
All teams must be at the field 60 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. Game times may be adjusted up to 30 minutes earlier due to forfeits and mercy rules. AAU team registration, proof of age/eligibility and appropriate insurance waivers must be presented to the tournament directors at check-in (time/location will be sent with the schedule). These items must be kept with your team at all times. If your team is protested and you don’t have the proof there will be a penalty (could result in game forfeit).

OTHER MISC. ITEMS:
Hotel information will be posted on the website.
Bats: Restrictions on bat weight to length differential are waived.

Cleats: No metal-cleated baseball shoes shall be worn by players 12 and under.
Metal cleats allowed 13U-14U
Seeding order tie breaks will be determined by the following:
1.Best Head to Head Record
2.Runs allowed (given up)
3.Runs earned (scored)
4.Coin Toss

Age Group Cutoff Dates (or put another way, the oldest a player could play on a team in the 2008 season which began Sept. 1, 2007):
12U: Born on or after May 1, 1995
13U: Born on or after May 1, 1994                                                                             14U: Born on or after May 1, 1993
Check your coach's packet or with the tournament director for any rule changes or modifications. 

12U schedule for Cherry Blossom Blast

** If there is a mercy rule situation, the games may start up to 30 minutes early.

13U schedule

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14U Schedule