12U Rules

 
 

Tournament Format and General Information

Please understand the rules prior to the tournament start.  Questions and clarifications prior, will be addressed.  Once play begins rule discussion will not occur.  Tournament site director’s judgment is final. As Jonny loved the game and took great joy in being on the field with his teammates the goal of this tournament is getting the most participation as possible. Winning is fun but we believe that our youth need to participate and be a part of every game. Our rules reflect the idea that the more kids who play the better they will feel about the game.

 
 
 

Tournament Format

  1. Three Game Guarantee (Weather Permitting) 

  2. Two Umpires (Subject to change if shortages or cancellations exist)

  3. Game balls will be provided

  4. No gate fees

  5. Concessions where available

 
 

General Tournament Information

  1. Players must not reach the next higher age prior to May 1, of the current year.

  2. Game duration is 7 innings with an official game being 4 innings or when a time limit of 1 hour 45 minutes is reached.  No new inning may start after limit is reached.  NO time limit in the championship game.

  3. Team roster and proof of insurance must be turned in prior to your first game.  Copies of birth certificates must be available for review at any time during the tournament. Please email roster and insurance prior to tournament.

  4. See refund policy on registration form.  In the event of the championship games being rained out, awards will be given to the top two highest seeds (according to the tie-breaker rules).

  5. Tournament Director has the right to modify rules at their discretion – especially if needed due to weather.

  6. No pre-game infield or batting practice on the field.

  7. Free defensive substitutions.

  8. Courtesy runner will be allowed for the catcher/pitcher (last batted out).

  9. Unlimited runs per inning. 

  10. Mercy rule 15 after 3 Innings, 10 after 4 innings, 8 after 5 Innings

  11. Home team will be determined by coin flip prior to game in pool play. Higher seed will be home team in bracket play. Coin Flip for home team in Championship game.

  12. All participants are competing at their own risk and by participating agree to hold all tournament officials harmless.  Any coach or parent/fan whose conduct is unbecoming or abusive will at a minimum be warned and may be removed from the playing field or stands at the direction of the tournament officials or the umpires.  Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated.

Pool Play Tie-Breaker Rules:

  1. Overall points, Two for a win and One for a tie

  2. Head to Head competition

  3. Fewest runs allowed

  4. Run differential (Max of 10)

  5. Runs scored

  6. Coin flip

 
 

Pitching Regulations

  1. No pitcher may pitch over 7 innings per day, 10 per tournament. One pitch constitutes an inning.

  2. PITCHER CANNOT RE-ENTER THE SAME GAME TO PITCH

  3. Balk Rule-One warning per pitcher

 
 

Base Running Rules

  1. Lead offs from all bases 

  2. Runners can score on pass balls 

  3. Dropped 3rd strikes are live balls 

  4. Courtesy runners for the pitcher or catcher will be the last batted out.

 
 

Game Format

  1. Round Robin format for pool play or pool and seeded based on number of teams. 3 games guaranteed.

  2. Tie games will play one extra inning using International rules (Runner on 2nd (last batted out from previous inning) with one out). 

  3. All players bat, If a player is injured and unable to bat, that player will not be counted as an out, but will not be able to return to the lineup for any reason for the remainder of that game.

  4. Game time is forfeit time, unless caused by tournament.

  5. Game time starts with 1st pitch. 1 Hour and 45 Minute Time Limit 

  6. During pool play, ties will not be played out once time has expired. If time limit permits, international tiebreaker rules will be used until winner is declared or time limit had been reached. In bracket play two innings of international rules will be used and if still tied at the end of those 2 innings the winner will be declared by following the tournament tiebreaker rules.

 
 

Equipment

  1. 10U through 14U - Official stamped 2 3/4”, 2 5/8” and 2 1/4” USA, USSSA, or BBCOR-3 bats will be allowed, 13/14U maximum drop 8 (-8) or a certified 2 5/8 drop 3 (-3) BBCOR bat, Wood bats no larger than 2 5/8 inches in diameter, nor more than 42 inches in length are considered legal.

  2. Bats may be checked by the umpire prior to the start of a game.

  3. Team caught using an illegal bat once a game starts shall incur an automatic out for the offending team. The illegal bat must be removed from the field of play. Coaches please make sure all bats conform.