Tournament Rules
EQUIPMENT
Bat Diameter: No big barrel bats are allowed. Bats are to be Little League approved or 2.25 inch diameter.
Metal Spikes: No metal spikes are allowed. Cleats must be molded rubber or plastic.
Catcher’s Gear: The catcher must wear all appropriate protective gear, which includes a protective helmet/mask that fully covers both ears, chest protector, shin guards, protective cup and throat guard.
USE OF THE PARK
Teams may warm-up in the outfield grass before their game if time permits. No formal infield/outfield is allowed prior to the game. No soft-toss into the chain link fence is allowed. Teams may use one of the batting cages (Badger Mt only) prior to their game but will not be permitted during their game.
Cage Schedule:
| Field 1 |
- |
Cages 3 & 4 |
Field 2 |
- |
Cages 1 & 2 |
Field 3 |
- |
Cages 5 & 6 |
No practice swings outside of cages. Areas will be crowded and we want to preserve a safe environment.
On Deck Players must remain in the dugout prior to their at bat. There is no "on-deck circle".
Actions by any person(s) on the premises must be conductive to promoting a family atmosphere.
Playing of music audible to the players during game play is prohibited.
Shade Shelters (easy-ups, tarps, etc.) are permitted on grass areas only. For viewing enjoyment, shelters may not be used over bleachers or other paved areas.
GAME RULES
Playing rules not specifically covered shall follow the 2010 rules for Little League Inc.
Players are allowed to play on only one tournament team roster; forfeiture will be enforced on this rule.
Slug bunts are not allowed. The batter shall be called out if he turns to bunt and swings away.
Head-first slides are not allowed. Runners may dive head-first when going back to a base.
If a runner attempting to reach home plate intentionally and maliciously runs into a defensive player in the area of home plate, he will be called out and ejected from the game. This is a judgment call by the umpire and it is final. Players return to the base last touched at the time of the collision.
A runner may be called out by the umpire if he does not slide and disrupts the fielder's attempt to make the play. The runner is NOT automatically out for failing to slide.
Courtesy runner for the catcher is allowed and required with 2 outs in an inning.
Coaches are encouraged to warm up pitchers between innings to speed up games.
Teams will bat their entire roster.
A player judged by the umpire as throwing the bat after successfully hitting the ball will be warned once. A second offense by the same player will result in an out. The third offense by any player on the team will result in an out.
Divisions are set by age, a player wishing to move up an age division is allowed but no player may move down in age.
When a pitcher is on the mound, in contact with the pitching rubber, and in possession of the ball, and the catcher is behind the plate and in position to receive the pitch, base runners are not to leave the base until the ball has been delivered and reaches the batter.
At any time the pitcher is not on the rubber and the catcher is not down and ready to receive the pitch and time has not been called by the umpire, players may run at their own risk.
An intentional walk may take place by announcement by the catcher and /or pitcher without the requirement to deliver any pitches.
STARTING AND ENDING THE GAME
Per the schedule, during the first three round robin games, teams are assigned as home and visitor. Home team will occupy the 3rd base line. For the championship game, home and visitor will be decided by coin toss. The team traveling the farthest shall call the toss or defer to the opposing manager.
All teams must pick up trash and debris following completion of their game. No sunflower seeds are allowed in the dugout.
Except for the championship games, there will be a 2 hour and 15 minute time limit on each game. In the event of a tie after time has expired,, the score at the end of the preceding inning(s) will determine the winner. If no winner can be decided by the preceding innings, then the winner will be decided by coin toss. Home team will call the toss.
A game shall be ruled official and complete if it is called by umpires or the Tournament Director due to rain, inclement weather or other reasons beyond our control, provided four innings have been completed. If four innings have not been completed, the game shall be suspended and resumed from that point when safe play can be resumed.
If the home team has a 10-run lead after 31/2 innings, or the visitor is ahead by 10 runs after four complete innings, the game shall be terminated. The 10-run rule will be waived during the championship rounds; however, the losing coach has the option to call the game.
TIE BREAKER
The following tie breaker formula will be used:
- Number of wins
- Fewest runs allowed
- Total runs scored
(max. 10/game applied) - Coin toss
SUBSTITUTION
Free defensive substitution will be in effect for the duration of the tournament. Teams will bat their entire line-up. If a player is unable to bat due to injury, he will be removed for the remainder of the game and this will not count as an out. A player will be called out each time he does not come up to bat for any reason other than injury. All players will be required to play in the field for at least 3 defensive outs. A team roster shall be submitted to the Tournament Director prior to the first game. No player may be added to the roster after the initial roster has been submitted.
PITCHING
Pitchers are allowed no more than 3 innings per game and no more than 6 innings per day. A pitcher may pitch no more than 12 innings for the tournament.
One pitch constitutes an inning.
Once the pitcher is removed from the mound, he may NOT re-enter as a pitcher.
A pitcher must be removed from the mound upon the 2nd visit by the coach/manager during a game. If a coach calls time to confer with another player and crosses the foul line, this is considered a trip to the mound.
Violation of the pitching rules will result in forfeiture of the game.
Pitchers will be allowed 6 warm up pitches between innings. New pitchers entering the game will be allowed 8 warm up pitches.
The new 2009 Little League Regulation IV, exception will NOT be enforced. A player who delivers one or more pitches will be allowed to play the position of catcher that game and for the remainder of that day.
UMPIRES
The umpires will settle all problems on the field. Protests on the basis of violation of roster, pitching eligibility, etc., must be declared to the Tournament Director within 1 hour of the completion of the game. The Tournament Director and Umpire-in-Chief will rule on all protests and their decisions are final.
SPORTSMANSHIP
All players, coachers and fans will be expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Razzing, heckling, taunting and making disparaging remarks to the opposing team and umpires will not be tolerated. Any player, coach or fan whose conduct is unbecoming or abusive will, at a minimum, be removed from the premises at the discretion of the Tournament Director, Umpire-in-Chief and umpires. Any individual ejected from the game will not be allowed to return until the next scheduled game. If the same person is ejected for a 2nd time, he is suspended for the remainder of the tournament. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the game.
Downloadable PDF - Tournament Rules
Tournament Info
- May 22 - May 24, 2009
350 Keene Road
Richland, Washington
Tournament Director
- Chad Eder
For questions and information, please send an email message to: