All games will be played by Cal Ripken Rules with the following exceptions

General

• Players must play in half of the team's games in order to be eligible for the tournament.

• Coaches may only put players who are present in their scorebook. Coaches must be diligent in making sure they note players who have played in the game.

No Walk League

• Each batter will face a Player pitcher. No walks will be allowed.

• If a pitcher throws 4 balls (not in strike zone) to a batter, the batter will then receive up to 3 additional pitches thrown by an offensive Coach. The batter will assume the count of strikes previously thrown by the pitcher. The batter will then have only 3 additional pitches to put the ball into play. Once the coach pitches, a batter can only strike out swinging.

• A batter cannot end their at bat on a foul ball unless the defense catches it in the air for an out.

• Coach pitchers must keep both feet in the pitching circle when delivering a pitch. Coach pitchers do not have to pitch from the mound, they must start in the circle and may step over the line as they deliver the pitch.

• Coach pitcher will not coach from the pitching circle except to position batter before pitch. Two warnings will be given then the lead runner will be called out.

• Batters who are struck by a pitch from a Player pitcher without swinging at the ball shall be awarded 1st base. If the batter is struck by a pitch from the Coach pitcher, they will not be awarded 1st base and the pitch is just counted as 1 of the 3 allowed pitches.

• A batted ball which strikes the Coach pitcher before it is touched by a defensive player is ruled a dead ball and the pitch will be replayed as a no pitch. A batted ball that strikes a Coach pitcher after it is touched by a defensive player, will remain a live ball.

• Bunting is only allowed when the pitch is delivered by a Player pitcher. The infield fly rule does not apply.

• Stealing is allowed, except for stealing home, only when a Player pitcher is pitching.

Pitching

• Umpires will be lenient on balks and illegal pitches. The only balks to be called (in baseball) will be for quick pitches with runners on base.

  • Baseball: While base runners are not allowed to lead off or steal, it is still important to teach the pitchers that they must come to a complete stop while in the set position with runners on base.

• A pitcher may pitch 6 innings per calendar week (Sunday-Sunday), where 1 pitch = 1 inning

• Once a pitcher is removed from the game, they will not be allowed to re-enter the game at the pitching position. They may re-enter at any other position.

Batting

• Coaches has the option to bat their roster. They must declare this at the Umpire meeting and it must stay the same throughout the entire game.

• If a player cannot take their turn at bat due to illness, injury, etc., their spot will be skipped and the next batter in the lineup will bat. No automatic outs will be assessed, unless it is due to player ejection.

• The batter is out on the third strike, even if the catcher drops the ball.

• Batting is complete at 6 runs or 3 outs – whichever comes first.

Base Running

• Base runners are not allowed to lead off.

• Base runners must stay on base until the ball is at or has passed the catcher. A runner may only steal one base per pitch, regardless of overthrow, etc. Runners may not steal home.

• The batter is out on the third strike even if the catcher drops the ball. All other base runners may advance with liability to be put out.

• Courtesy runners are encouraged, for the pitcher and catcher only, and must be the player who made the last out.

Defense

• Number of Defensive Players: 10 (4 outfielders)

• Every defensive half inning, all players who did not participate defensively in the previous half inning must enter the game defensively for this half inning.

• Overthrow: If the defensive team make a play on an offensive base runner and an overthrow results, all runner can advance one base. Should the defensive team throw to the pitcher, all runners must stop and return to the last base touched. It is the responsibility of the base runners to reach the base safety, as runners can be thrown out. Umpire should call "time" once the ball leaves the hand of the defensive player with a throw towards the pitcher's mound.

Time Limit / End of Game

• 6 innings played / 75 minute time limit. No new inning shall begin with 5 minutes or less remaining in the 75 minute time limit.

• Regulation games ending in a tie will have up to 2 extra inning played. If the score remains tied after 2 extra inning, the game will end in a tie.

• Mercy Rule: 15 runs after 3 innings / 10 runs after 4 innings

Playing Field

• The diamond shall have 60 foot base lines.

• The pitching distance shall be 46 feet.

• Pitchers will not be pitching off a mound in the tournament.