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 Tournament Rules |
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Cherry Blossom Blast Tournament Rules
Rules for the 3rd 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 3/18/05 and/or 3/19/05.
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. The team will be reported to state and national sanctioning bodies and tournament directors for additional review and potential penalties.
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 round.
Tournament Rules
Unless modified, play in all divisions will be governed by the current year NFHS Rules Book. On-site tournament director reserves the right to modify rules and game schedules as needed in the best interest of the event.
Regulation Game:
9U Division: 6 innings (No Leads, no dropped third strike.)
10U-11U Division: 6 innings (Leads, dropped third strike.)
12U-14U Division: 7 innings (Leads, dropped third strike.)
2005
THIRD ANNUAL CHERRY BLOSSOM BLAST
9U, 10U, 11U
USSSA World Series Qualifier
TOURNAMENT RULES
Unless modified, play in all divisions will be governed by the current year NFHS Rules Book. On-site tournament director reserves the right to modify rules and game schedules as needed in the best interest of the event.
REGULATION GAME:
9U, 10U & 11U Division: 6 innings
TIME LIMIT:
One hour forty-five, (1:45) all age groups.
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 use the third base dugout. This will be true until Sunday's championship round where the "higher" seed will have the choice of home or visitor. Seeding will be determined by 1)Best overall record, 2)Runs allowed, 3)Runs earned, 4)If still tied then a coin toss.
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:
10 runs after 5 innings (or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead); 15 runs after 4 innings (or 3 1/2 innings).
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. No player can pitch more than 6 total innings for the tournament. Penalty: Game forfeited when discovered. Each team must turn in their pitchers 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. The starting pitcher can return to the pitcher’s position during the same game as long as he has not been replaced on the field.
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 subdtitution 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.
LEAVING BASE EARLY:
In the 9U age group base runners can NOT leave the base until the ball has crossed the plate. If the runner leaves early he/she will have to return to the base. If the ball is hit it will be declared a “dead ball” and the batter will be charged a strike. In the 10U and 11U age groups base runners are permitted to take leads and balks will be called.
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 should report the final score and innings pitched to the site director within 20 minutes after the game. All tournament results will be posted at the concession table.
PRE-GAME INFIELD:
No pre-game infield practice is permitted with the exception of the first game of the day in which each team will be given 10 minutes to warm up prior to game time. 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:
9U: 46' mound, 60' bases (No leads).
10U: 46' mound, 65' bases (leads).
11U: 50’ mound, 70’ 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)
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 slaughter rules. USSSA team registration, proof of age/eligibility and appropriate insurance waivers must be presented to the tournament directors at the managers meeting (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:
No restrictions on bat differential
No metal cleats
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.
Seeding order will be determined by the following:
1.Best overall record
2.Runs allowed (given up)
3.Runs earned (scored)
4.Coin Toss
Tie Breakers:
1-Best overall record
2-Fewest Runs allowed-Revert to #1 if two are tied.
3-Most Runs Scored-Revert to #1 if two are tied.
4- Coin Toss
Age Group Cutoff Dates (or put another way, the youngest team a player could play on in 2005 season which begins Sept. 1, 2004):
10U: Born on or after Aug. 1, 1994
11U: Born on or after Aug. 1, 1993
13U: Born on or after Aug. 1, 1991
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