Tournament Rules and Format

Download a printable, signable version of the Tournament Rules and Format. (PDF)

AGE RESTRICTIONS

The age cut off is May 1, 2011. Example: if a player turns 11 on April 30, he must play as an 11U player. If a player turns 11 on May 1, he may play as a 10U player or an 11U player.

Teams must have a minimum roster size of 11 players and a minimum of 2 coaches.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

GENERAL RULES

  • An official roster must be filled out on our web site at the time of on-line registration.
  • All games will be officially scored by American Legends Park Staff.
  • Game times are as follows:
    • 7:30 a.m.
    • 9:35 a.m.
    • 11:40 a.m.
    • 1:45 p.m.
    • 3:50 p.m.
    • 5:55 p.m.
    • 8:00 p.m.
  • All games are SEVEN innings
  • MERCY RULES: eight (8) runs after five (5) innings and twelve (12) runs after four (4) innings.
  • All pool games, as well as the first round and the second round of the single elimination brackets, will have a 1 hour and 50 minute time limit. Single elimination brackets semi-final games and the championship games will not have a time limit.
  • Distances:
    • 9U: mound = 46 feet : bases = 65 feet
    • 10U: mound = 46 feet : bases = 65 feet
    • 11U: mound = 50 feet : bases = 70 feet
    • 12U: mound = 50 feet : bases = 70 feet
  • No lead offs for 9U.
  • Steals for 9U are allowed after the ball crosses home plate.
  • Lead offs and steals are allowed for ages 10U, 11U, 12U.
  • No pitching restrictions. It is the responsibility of the head coach to keep the health and well being of all players their top priority.
    ALP Recommendation: ALP staff recommends the following guidelines…
    9U & 10U:
    • A pitcher should not exceed 70 total pitches in one day. If he does, he should have 1 full day rest.
    • A pitcher should not exceed 80 total pitches in two consecutive days. If he does, he should have 1 full day rest.
    • A pitcher should not exceed 100 total pitches in three consecutive days. If he does, he should have 1 full day rest.
    11U & 12U:
    • A pitcher should not exceed 80 total pitches in one day. If he does, he should have 1 full day rest.
    • A pitcher should not exceed 100 total pitches in two consecutive days. If he does, he should have 1 full day rest.
    • A pitcher should not exceed 120 total pitches in three consecutive days. If he does, he should have 1 full day rest.
  • BALKS

    No Balks will be called for 9U.

    10U will receive one warning per pitcher, per inning until the single elimination brackets begin. The warning will be an immediate dead ball. All balk calls after the warning will be a dead ball, and runners will advance one base as MLB rules specify.

    11U, 12U will not receive any warnings for balks.

  • Re-entry rule: Starters may re-enter the game but must return to their original spot in the lineup. Starters may only re-enter the game one time. If a starter is pulled in the 2nd inning, re-entered in the 4th inning, pulled in the 6th inning, he cannot return to the game.
  • Additional Hitter: An “AH” may be used in all age divisions. This will give a team a ten (10) player line-up that must be declared before the start of the game and used the remainder of the game. The player in the “AH” position, while not actually playing a defensive position, will be treated as such for substitution purposes. The re-entry rule applies for the “AH” in all age divisions. EXAMPLE: Bob is the “AH” and batting 2nd. Charles is the catcher and batting 3rd. Bob can become the catcher and Charles the “AH”. Both players would remain in their original batting position in the batting order. All players can move freely in defensive positions - the “AH” is considered a defensive position.
  • No use of the Designated Hitter allowed.
  • No bat restrictions.
  • Courtesy runner can be used for the catcher only, at any time. The courtesy runner must be a player NOT currently in the line-up. If you do not use a courtesy runner for the catcher, a coach or a player with a catcher's mask must warm up the pitcher the next inning if the catcher is on base when the 3rd out occurs.
  • Intentional walks will be granted without any pitches being thrown.
  • All teams must provide their own equipment (e.g. bats, helmets, catcher's gear, uniforms etc.)
  • American Legends Park will provide all game balls.
  • Must slide or avoid contact rule: A player must slide or attempt to avoid contact on ALL close plays (umpire discretion).
  • Pre-game infield/outfield is NOT permitted before any game on the fields. You may prepare your team prior to your game in the designated practice areas located throughout the park.
  • ALL team equipment must stay inside the dugouts.
  • In the event of a tie in pool play to determine a pool winner or final pool seeding, (1st) tie-breaker is head to head, (2nd) lowest runs allowed, (3rd) run differential, maximum +8, -8 per game, (4th) least amount of offensive strikeouts, (5th) most defensive strikeouts (6th) coin flip.
  • Extra inning games can only occur within the time limit. A game can end in a tie once the time limit has expired.
  • In the event of any rain delay, all teams must remain in their dugouts until play resumes or the game is canceled and coaches are notified by a representative of American Legends Park. Text notifications will be sent to your cell phones to update you on any changes to the schedule.
  • Each team must bring one national or state certified umpire.
  • HUSTLE ON AND OFF THE FIELD AT ALL TIMES. RESPECT THE GAME.

DRESS CODE

  • All coaches must wear some type of team identifying attire to include at least a team hat and a team top (e.g. team pullover, team polo, team t-shirt, team jacket, team jersey etc.).
  • All players must wear matching uniforms with matching color schemes. Players without matching uniforms and matching color schemes will not be permitted to participate. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • No jewelry of any kind may be worn during game play.
  • No metal spikes are permitted for any age group.

COACHES, PLAYERS AND PARENTS CONDUCT

  • Tobacco products are strictly prohibited in the confines of the baseball field including dugouts and fan viewing areas. Designated smoking areas are available throughout the park.
  • Coaches represent their families, their city, their league, their team/organization and themselves. Do not embarrass yourself or those you represent. Conduct yourself with class and respect for all those involved with the tournament.
  • Any coach ejected from a game will be removed from American Legends Park for the remainder of the tournament and may not return as a spectator or parent. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO APPEALS.
  • Any player ejected from a game will be suspended from the following game.
  • Coaches: It is your responsibility to have your team clean the dugout at the conclusion of each game and have your players respect the quality of the fields by not allowing them to damage the field in any way.
  • Profanity is strictly prohibited by players, coaches and fans. Ejections can occur for use of profanity.
  • Parents: Your job is to simply, have fun and cheer on you team. American Legends Park has a NO TOLERANCE POLICY regarding any verbal or physical abuse towards umpires, players, coaches and opposing fans. If ANY type of verbal or physical altercation does arise you will be removed from the park and banned from entering the park for the duration of the tournament.
  • At the conclusion of each game coaches and players must shake hands in a show of good sportsmanship.