Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks Region 4 Baseball Play-Off/Tournament Rules 2017
1. All scheduled game times are forfeit times 2. No new inning will start after 2 hours of playing time, unless the game is tied. If a 7-8 or 9-10 game is tied the game will be extended a half hour, with the winner determined at the end of the first full inning. 3. If a forfeit occurs, the forfeiting team Is required to pay the entire umpire fee. If a team wins by a forfeit, they must field a starting team for one pitch. IF a team forfeits after the draw and before the tournament begins, the opposing team does not have to show up and throw the first pitch. 4. In the process of the game, if rain occurs or darkness and the game is cancelled, it will be considered a complete game if 4 innings have been completed (except for championship games). The final score will be determined by the last completed full inning. If less than four innings were completed, the game will be re-scheduled and resumed. Championship games will also resume when stopped. 5. The home team will be determined by the higher seed. For championship games, home team is determined by the team coming from the winner’s bracket. 6. Each team will supply one new ball for each game. 7. No batting practice will be allowed on the fields before, between or during games (soft toss, hitting sticks, etc.) at any tournament sites. This includes even open adjacent fields. This applies to any individual or team batting practice before, during or between games. ALL BATTING PRACTICE IS PROHIBITED AT TOURNAMENT SITES and failure to comply will result in forfeit of your next game. NO EXCEPTIONS! 8. The “Ten Run Rule” will be in effect for all games except the Championship game or games. It will be in effect after the 4th inning in 6 inning games and after the 5th inning in 7 inning games. 9. The protest fee is $50 cash. The protest must be paid on site within 5 minutes of registering the protest to the tournament official (hosting chairperson), the Region 4 Age Group Coordinator, or Region 4 Baseball Board Member. 10. The protest committee will consist of the Baseball Board. Any decision will be made as quickly as possible. 11. The “Code of Conduct” will be enforced during play-offs. 12. Two (2) umpires will be used for the championship game(s). The host council will pay the cost of the second umpire as necessary. 13. Use of an illegal player will result in the team being ejected from the play-offs. 14. Any player, manager, coach, or scorekeeper ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct will be terminated from that game and the next game. The baseball Board will have the final decision if exigent circumstances are present. 15. Pitchers may pitch a total of 15 innings for the entire play-offs. One pitch is considered 1 full inning. If a player pitches 3 innings or less in a single game, no rest required. If a player pitches 4 innings or more in a single game, one game of rest s required. Pitching cards will be utilized and signed after each game by both managers and the umpire. A record of all pitchers and innings pitches will be posted at the concession stand or with
the Baseball Chairperson. The pitcher cannot re-enter the game as a pitcher if removed from pitching, but can re-enter at any other position. a. All 15 year olds combined 2 innings per game max, 10 innings per tournament max. b. No premier players may pitch at all in any age group. 16. The Host Council will be available throughout the play-offs to handle any questions, concerns, or complaints. 17. Due to the amount of rain outs in past seasons, the play-offs could take as many as ten days to complete. 18. All teams will shake hands after each game. 19. Bats: All 7-8 & 9-10 bats must be of one-piece construction and not have a barrel
greater than 2.25” must be marked with “Little League”. No wooden or composite bats are allowed. For 11-12 age group: Bats may be up to a 2.75 barrel, as long as the bat meets the diameter of requirements. No wooden or composite bats. All bats must say “Little League Baseball” or ”Official Baseball”. For 13-15 age group: Bats must be a 2.75 barrel. Thirteen year olds will be identified and can use any bat that is not wooden or composite. Bats must be marked “Little League Baseball” or ”Official Baseball”. Fourteen and Fifteen year olds must use bats that are BBCOR drop 3. Can be any material or multiple materials. A 13 year old may choose to use a BBCOR bat without restriction. 20. The 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 age groups are to use “little league” level official balls. The 1315 age group is to use “pony league” or higher. 21. All age groups having 12 or less players – each player must play 3 innings in the field. Teams having 13 or more – each player must play 2 innings in the field. 22. Rules for 7-8 teams only: One coach is allowed on the outfield and must stay in the outfield grass. When the pitching coach takes the mound, he cannot coach any players in any capacity. He is there to pitch only. Outfielders must stay in the outfield grass until the ball is hit. 23. Any infielder with the ball on the infield can call timeout. 24. Only head coaches can address the umpire. 25. Coaches must be in the coaches Box: 6’ from the foul line – 8’ wide x 4’ deep
TROPHIES • • • • •
One 1st place team trophy, plus 15 individuals One 2nd place team trophy, plus 15 individuals One 3rd place team trophy, plus 15 individuals Small trophies will be awarded to everyone participating in the Region 4 League that does not receive a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place Trophy Two MVP Trophies: One for each team in the Championship Game