2017 Kimberly Sunset Summer Classic 8U Year Old Baseball Tournament Rules (revised 12-17-16, subject to change) 1. Tournament Rules Standard Little League rules will apply for any rules not described, or not satisfied by this document. 2. Run Limit / Mercy Rule Six (6) run rule per inning, except the 6 th inning, which will be unlimited. Mercy Rule shall be fifteen (15) runs after 3 innings, ten (10) runs after 4 innings. Mercy Rule shall be in effect for all games. (Championship games excluded) 3. Pitching Machine Rules Pitching will be done by a spring-release pitching machine (Louisville Slugger Blue Flame) set on Pitching Height = 4 and Speed = 4. The pitching machine will be set up on the first pitching rubber (approximately 43 ). Batting team coach releasing the pitch must ensure everyone is ready before starting the ball in play. The pitching coach cannot field the ball. If the coach or the pitching machine is hit by the ball, the play is dead and is counted as a single and runners can advance one (1) base if forced to the next base. Batter will receive five (5) pitches, unless he / she strikes out swinging. NO TEES WILL BE USED. If after five (5) pitches the batter has not hit the ball, he / she will be considered out. If the batter fouls off the 5 th pitch, it will be considered a foul ball and he / she will get another pitch from the machine. All players on the roster will bat in the lineup, with late arrivals being added to the bottom of the lineup. One warning for a thrown bat, a second thrown bat by an individual will result in an out for the team. Helmets must be worn from the time a player leaves the dugout until they return.
4. Time Limit The game start time shall begin with the first warm up pitch. The home plate umpire or base umpire shall monitor the official time, and it is preferred that the time be announced publically to minimize confusion later. All games shall have a 55 minute time limit, except the Championship Game. Expiration of the time limit shall be ruled upon at the moment the final out in a half inning is recorded. An inning may be finished, but a new inning cannot be started after the time limit expires. If the home team is ahead when the time limit is reached, the game is over: (a) Immediately after the top half of the inning is finished or (b) At the moment the time limit is reached and the home team is ahead in the bottom half of the inning. Regulation innings are six (6) innings. The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify time limits in the event of weather or scheduling issues. 5. Extra innings and Tie Games If a game ends in a tie due to either six (6) innings being completed or the time limit expiring, the game will be recorded as a tie. (Championship Games will be played until a winner is declared) Likewise, if weather or darkness prevents a tie game from being completed, then the game shall be recorded as a tie. 6. Age Limit Eligible players must be of the respective tournament age as of April 30th. Proof of age may be required. Exceptions only prior to 1st game must be approved by Tournament Director.
7. Game Called Due to Weather or Field Conditions: A game will be considered complete if weather, darkness or field conditions prevent the game from being completed: 6-inning game = 3 innings or 2 ½ if home team is leading, will constitute a completed game. If a game is not official as described above, the Tournament Director will either: (a) Suspend the game and arrange to have it resumed where it left off, or (b) Cancel the game such that it does not count toward tournament standings. Should a Championship Game be interrupted by weather, darkness or unplayable field conditions, and is not an official game per the above Rule, then the Championship team will be determined by the score at the end of the last full completed inning. If the score was tied at the end of the last completed inning or if the first inning of the game is not completed, the higher seed shall be named Champion. 8. Scorebook Home team is determined by a coin flip for every game. The home team is the official score keeper for the game and is responsible for any game discrepancies. 9. Rosters Team rosters must be turned in to the tournament director ½ hour before your 1st game at the main concession stand. Line-ups must be turned in to the official scorer 15 minutes prior to the start of each game. Teams are limited to 15 players who compete in the same program. NO AAU or TRAVELING SELECT TEAMS. 10. Sliding All runners must slide when a play is being made or attempted on them. The umpire shall call a runner out if they fail to slide or veer out of the base path. (Umpires Discretion) Head first sliding will not be allowed- player will be ruled out except when returning to the base. Metal spikes are not allowed. 11. Protests There are no protests. The umpires decisions are final. If runners miss touching a base the umpire shall call them out at the end of the play. No appeals are allowed.
12. Ineligible Player If an ineligible player (example age or too many innings pitched) is discovered, his team shall forfeit the game or games in which he participated illegally. Games in which an ineligible player is used will be declared a forfeit. Forfeited games will be scored 7-0. 13. Base Running Runners may advance as many bases as they can at their own risk on an overthrow. If an overthrow leaves the field of play, runners get ONE base to advance. NO STEALING. NO LEADING OFF UNTIL THE BALL CROSSES THE PLATE. Runners leaving early will be called out. No runner may advance when the pitcher has control of the ball. The pitcher is defined as a PLAYER not the pitching coach. 14. Substitutions and Defense Maximum of 10 players on the field. Games may be played with 8 players with the 9 th and 10 th spot in the order being an out. All players MUST play at least 2 innings in the field. Players must stay in the same position for the entire inning. The pitcher must stay near the pitching rubber and within 5 ft to the left or right of the rubber. Infield needs to be in the regular fielding positions. The outfield (4 players) must be on the outfield grass. Catchers must wear complete protection, including catcher s mask, chest protector, and shin guards. Up to two (2) coaches will be allowed on the field for defense. A coach must either be in the outfield grass or near the backstop area on the infield.
15. Tie Breaker Rule If a tiebreaker is needed to determine playoff teams (wildcards, etc.), the following tiebreakers shall be used: a) Overall Won-Loss record b) Head to Head c) Least number of runs allowed d) Total runs scored e) Coin Flip 16. Awards Trophies will be awarded for 1 st and 2 nd place and metals for 3rd place. Awards will be provided for up to 15 players. 17. Conduct Unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind by players, coaches or spectators will not be tolerated. Anyone displaying such misconduct may be asked to leave the game and/or the park. We expect you as coaches to closely monitor your players and parents and deal with any situation before it interferes with the game. Please NO CARRY- INS. As you all know as coaches, concession sales are the primary sources of funding for our programs. Please encourage your parents to observe this rule. Thank You for choosing to play in Kimberly! Enjoy Your Tournament!!!