2012
Texas District 8
Tournament
Rules Clinic
Hosted by
West Dallas LL
June 24, 2012
Agenda / Objectives
Emphasis on select regular season rules
Differences between regular season and
tournament rules
Presentation will focus on the 9-10, 10-11, Little
League and Junior League Baseball/Softball
Divisions of the International Tournament
Q/A period at end of presentation
Why are we doing this?
There are certain rules that league officials and/or
umpires are guilty of not enforcing during the regular
season.
Little League is aware of this and we as the District Staff
are aware of this.
The International Tournament will be played in
accordance with Little League Tournament Rules.
Be assured that these rules will be enforced by the
tournament umpires.
Tournament Rules
Except where noted in the Tournament Rules and Guidelines, the
Little League Baseball/Softball Official Playing Rules will be used
in all levels of Tournament play.
No agreements shall be made between managers and/or
Tournament Directors and/or umpires contrary to Tournament
Rules.
Any player, manager, coach or official who is involved in a
physical altercation at a game site, could be suspended or
removed from tournament play by the Tournament Committee.
New 2012 Tournament Rule
The “dropped third strike” (Playing Rule 6.05 (b) and 6.09 (b)) was
new in 2012 (when into effect in 2011 for Softball)
Will apply in tournament to all divisions EXCEPT 9-10 Baseball
and Softball! (TR-3 (Note))
A batter becomes a runner when “The third strike called by the
umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied or (2)
first base is occupied with two out. (NOTE: A batter forfeits
his/her opportunity to advance to first base when he/she enters
the dugout or other dead ball area).
New 2012 Tournament Rule
Baseball Playing Rule 6.06 (d)
A batter is out for illegal action if batter enters the batter’s box
with one or both feet entirely on the ground with an illegal bat or
is discovered having used an illegal bat prior to the next player
entering the batter’s box.
For the first violation, the offensive team will lose one eligible
adult base coach for the duration of the game.
For the second violation, the manager of the team will be ejected
from the game, and a designated manager named. For
subsequent violations, the designated manager will be ejected.
Roster/Dugout
Only players and the manager/coaches listed on the affidavit
may occupy a bench or dugout during a game.
If a manager/coach is unable to attend a game, the
Tournament/Game Director may approve a temporary
replacement. Temporary Managers/Coaches CANNOT be used
to replace an ejected Manager or Coach
Base coaches may be players, a player and an adult
manager/coach or two adult coaches
Because of restricted dugout size at some of our fields, the
umpires may choose to allow two of the manager/coaches to
occupy the “dog path” directly outside and directly in front of
the dugout.
Roster Size
9-10 Division through Junior League Division - Max 14 players
Coaches – 1 Manager and Two Assistant Coaches
If a team reports with 13 or more players eligible to play at game time
– mandatory play is three (3) consecutive outs and bat at least one (1)
time.
If a team reports to a game with 12 or less players eligible to play at
game time – mandatory play is six (6) consecutive outs and bat at least
one (1) time.
The number of players is set at game time. A player arriving late or a
player leaving the game does not affect the number of players set at
game time.
Mandatory Play
Requirement (MPR)
9-10 Division thru Junior Division
Players MUST complete one time at bat and at least three
consecutive defensive outs during the game (If less than 13 players
eligible players, six consecutive outs and one at bat.)
Time at bat – Player enters the batters box with no count, completes that
time at bat by being put out or reaching base safely.
Consecutive outs – Enters field of play in one of nine defensive position
and occupies that position while consecutive defensive outs are made.
Protestable and game may be forfeited unless game is shorten for
any reason. (This includes the 10 run mercy rule)
Failure to meet – Automatic 2 game suspension for manager. Game
may be subject to forfeiture, Team may be disqualified
Curfew
9-10 Division through Little League Division
No new inning start after 12:00 AM
Junior Division
No new inning start after 12:30 AM
Playing Equipment
All playing equipment will be inspected by the umpires prior to
the start of a game.
Have the following equipment laid out in front of your dugouts when
you get to the game site. This includes equipment in Players Bags
Bats
Helmets
Catchers gear – All Sets
Any equipment that is not in compliance must be removed from
the dugout. (not put back in the players bag)
Batting Donuts are prohibited from being used at any time.
Regular season rules that are not specifically addressed by the
Tournament rules will be followed.
Playing Equipment
All equipment will be inspected by the umpires. (any equipment that is
disqualified must be removed from the field prior to the game.
9-10 Division through Little League Division
No Metal Cleats
6 NOCSAE Batting Helmets
Long model catchers vest, short model for females
Catcher's shin guards
Catcher’s Helmet w/ dangling throat guard
This includes the hockey style masks
Throat guard must dangle, not rigid to mask.
Playing Equipment
Junior League Division
Metal Cleats are allowed
7 NOCSAE Batting Helmets
Short or Long model catchers vest,
Catcher's shin guards
Catcher’s Helmet w/ dangling throat guard
This includes the hockey style masks
Throat guard must dangle, not rigid to mask.
Playing Equipment
All divisions
Batting Helmets. No Cracks in helmet.
All paint must have been done by the manufacturer
Only Stickers allowed:
League Designator on front of helmet
Player’s number
No other stickers will be allowed. Stickers are to be removed or
helmet will be disqualified.
Umpires decision is final and will not be argued with.
Playing Equipment
Mr. Lucky’s Pet Peeves
Catchers will wear their catcher’s helmets during all infield, outfield,
warm-ups and game situations! NO EXCEPTIONS!
NO ONE but players are allowed to warm-up any pitcher!
Playing Equipment - Bats
For 9-10, 10-11 and Little League Baseball Divisions
MUST NOT be a softball bat
Metal or Wood
2 ¼ in diameter – 33 in length maximum
Non-wood bats MUST be labeled with a BPF of 1.15 or less
Bats will be inspected at all games. Any bat that is
disqualified by the umpire will be removed from the
field.
All composite barrel bats must be on the Approved
Composite Bat list.
Playing Equipment - Bats
Junior Division Baseball
Metal or Wood
2 5/8 in diameter –
Junior - 34 in length maximum
Bats will be inspected at all games. Any bat that is disqualified
by the umpire will be removed from the field.
All composite barrel bats must meet BBCOR performance
standards and be labeled with the certification mark.
Playing Equipment - Bats
All Baseball Divisions
Bat barrels made of wood, metal or metal alloy are okay to
use.
Bat handles may be made with a wood, metal, metal alloy or
composite material.
ALL bats MUST meet the specifications of Rule 1.10 for the
specified division.
Playing Equipment - Bats
For Softball Divisions
Metal, Wood or Composite SOFTBALL bats
2 ¼ in diameter – 33” in length maximum (34” for Juniors)
Bats will be inspected at all games. Any bat that is
disqualified by the umpire will be removed from the
field.
Uniforms - Baseball
Conventional Baseball Uniform
Pants
Shirt
Stockings
Cap
LL Patch on left shoulder
 Regular Season uniforms are okay, except you
CANNOT have any duplicate uniform numbers.
Uniforms - Softball
Conventional Softball Uniform
Pants / Shorts
Shirt / Vest with LL patch
Stockings
Cap / Visors – optional during defensive play.
 Regular Season uniforms are okay, except you
CANNOT have any duplicate uniform numbers.
Pitching Rules - Baseball
Are the same as regular season pitching regulations.
Violation of these pitching rules is subject for protest and action
by the Tournament Committee in Williamsport if protested before
the Umpires leave the field.
Pitch Count - Baseball
Maximum pitches a pitcher can throw per day
League age 9 -10
75 per day
League age 11-12
85 per day
League age 13-14
95 per day
9-10 through Little League Division: Can only pitch in one game
per day.
Junior League Division: Pitcher can pitch in more than one game
per day provided he has not pitched more than 30 pitches in he
first game.
Pitching Rest - Baseball
League Age 9 through 14
1 - 20 pitches
No Rest Required.
21 - 35 pitches
One (1) calendar day of rest.
36 – 50 pitches
Two (2) calendar days of rest.
51 – 65 pitches
Three (3) calendar days of rest.
>65 pitches
Four (4) calendar days of rest.
Pitching Rules - Softball
International Tournament Pitching Rules are slightly different
than Regular Season.
Violation of these pitching rules is subject for protest and action
by the Tournament Committee in Williamsport if protested before
the Umpires leave the field.
Pitching Rules - Softball
Maximum of seven (7) innings in a day for 9-10.
Maximum of nine (9) innings in a day for 10-11 and LL.
Maximum of ten (10) innings in Junior League.
One calendar days rest if three (3) or more innings pitched in a
day – 9-10, 10-11 and Little League. Less than three (3), no days
rest.
One calendar days if five (5) innings or more innings pitched in a
day – Junior League. Less than five (5), no rest.
Pitcher Returned to Mound
9-10 Division through Little League Baseball Division
Removed from mound – May not return as a pitcher
Junior Division Baseball
A pitcher remaining in the game but moving to a different position can return
as a pitcher any time in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.
TR 10(c) Note 2 – A player who has met the mandatory play requirements, and
is a pitcher at the time he/she is removed, may be removed for a substitute
batter and re-enter the game as a pitcher once, provided the pitcher was not
physically replaced on the mound. (The player used as a substitute batter
MUST have met MPR.)
Be careful: TR 10c also states when a substitute is entered for the first time in
either the offensive or defensive, they must stay in until their MPR is satisfied.
Pitcher to Catcher - Catcher to Pitcher - Baseball
A pitcher who has thrown 41 pitches in a game may not be place in the
position of catcher on that day
A catcher who has caught 4 innings in a game may not be moved from Catcher
to Pitcher. (Note catching one pitch in an inning constitutes an “inning”.
Pitcher Returned to Mound
9-10 Division through Junior League Softball
Division
A pitcher remaining in the game but moving to a
different position can return as a pitcher any time
in the remainder of the game, but only once per
game.
TR 10(c) Note 2 – A player who has met the mandatory play
requirements, and is a pitcher at the time he/she is
removed, may be removed for a substitute batter and reenter the game as a pitcher once, provided the pitcher was
not physically replaced on the mound. (The player used as a
substitute batter MUST have met MPR.)
Be careful: TR 10c also states when a substitute is entered
for the first time in either the offensive or defensive, they
must stay in until their MPR is satisfied.
Intentional Base on Balls
All Divisions of Baseball and Softball
If a pitcher wishes to intentionally walk a batter, the pitchers
may do so by throwing four pitches outside the strike zone, not
struck at by the batter, and are called “balls” by the umpire.
These pitches will count in determining that pitchers pitch
count.
Player Re-Entry
9-10 Division though Junior Division Baseball and Softball
Any player who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter
the game at any time in the SAME position in the batting order
provided:
Player being removed has met his/her Mandatory Play
Requirement (MPR).
Starters may be removed prior to their MPR but must complete it.
Once MPR is met, starter/substitutes may reenter any time
Starter – sub may not be in the game at the same time.
Conferences
Offensive – One per inning
Defensive –
Two visits in an inning, pitcher must be removed on
third visit in inning.
Three visits in a game for the same pitcher, that
pitcher must be removed from mound on fourth visit
in a game.
Starts over when pitcher is replaced.
Ten-Run Rule
If at the end of a regulation game one team has a lead of
ten (10) or more runs, the manager of the team with the
least runs shall concede the victory.
9-10 Division through Little League Division
(3 ½ if the Home Team is ahead)
4 innings
Junior Division through Big League Division
(4 ½ if the Home Team is ahead)
5 innings
On Deck Batter Position
9-10 Division through Little League Division
Not permitted – Only the leadoff batter permitted outside the
dugout between half innings
Junior Division
Allowed in Designated area.
Special Pinch Runner
Playing Rule 7.14 (special pinch runner) may be used in
Tournament Play.
Once each inning a team may utilize a player who is not in
the batting order as a special pinch runner for any offensive
player on base.
A player may only be removed for a special pinch runner one
time during a game
Protest
All officials, including all managers, coaches, scorekeepers,
umpires, Tournament Directors, District Administrators,
etc., should make every effort to prevent a situation that
may result in the forfeiture of a game or suspension of
tournament privileges.
However, failure by any party to prevent such situations
shall not affect the validity of a protest.
Protest
All Divisions
Playing rule – Before next pitch / Play / attempted play
Improper substitution – Allowed after next pitch or play,
Situation corrected. Not a forfeitable situation
Ineligible pitcher or Mandatory Play – Before umpires leave
the playing field.
Ineligible player – As soon as facts become known to
complainant, but in any event before the next game for either
team
Protest
Once a formal (verbal) protest is made to the umpire-inchief.
At this point, no play is permitted until protest is resolved.
If the protest is not resolved referred to the
Game/Tournament Director
If not resolved, protest referred to District Tournament
director (District Administrator).
If not resolved, protest referred to Regional Director.
Protest
If the protest is not resolved by the Regional Director, the
protest may be referred to the Tournament Committee in
Williamsport. The decision of the Tournament Committee is
final and binding.
Ejections
As in regular season, any manager, coach or player ejected from
a game will be suspended for the next physically played game.
Ejections shall be noted in the tournament team’s affidavit on
the Team Note page and will include member’s name and date
ejected, and be signed by the tournament director.
In addition, any ejection will be reported by the umpires to the
District Umpire Consultant, who will then inform the District
Administrator.
Ejections
If a Manager or Coach is ejected, they may not be replaced on
the affidavit.
The ejection will be reported to both the league president of the
ejected person and the league president of that team’s next
opponent, to ensure that the suspension is served.
The suspended individual will not be allowed to attend the next
game even as a spectator.
Suspended Games
Any game in which a winner cannot be determined in accordance
with the playing rules shall be resumed from the exact point it
was suspended.
The only exception is if the first inning of a suspended game was
not completed, that game shall be replayed from the beginning
and all records, including pitching, disregarded.
A game in which a winner can be determined in accordance to
the playing rules, but halted due to unnatural occurrences (light
failure, sprinkler malfunction, locally imposed light curfew, etc.)
will be considered suspended.
A game in which a winner can be determined, terminated
because of weather, darkness or curfew, must be resumed if the
visitors tie the game or takes the lead in their half inning and the
home team does not complete their time at bat or take the lead
in an incomplete inning.
Additional Notes Etc…..
During tournament play, there are certain pre-game activities, such
as announcing players, playing the national anthem, etc.
Be aware that the umpires for that game will have the option of
holding the pre-game plate meeting prior to the start of these
activities.
Catchers are required to wear head gear during pre-game infield
and warming up the pitchers.
At no time may anyone besides a player warm up the pitcher.
Additional Notes Etc…..
Feedback regarding officiating
Tournament Directors, Managers and Coaches
Please provide via email for documentation purposes.
Juniors/Senior Baseball – jrw.plano@verizon.net
All others – Rickie.Williams@dps.texas.gov
Favorable and unfavorable is welcome. This is for
internal use only. Do not give this address to parents
of players as I will not respond to emails from parents.
Additional Notes Etc…..
Michael Lucky
texas8da@verizon.net
TX District 8 Web site
www.texasdistrict8.org
A copy of the Tournament Rules
A copy of this Presentation
There will be links to download a Tournament Rules Summary,
separate ones for Baseball and Softball.
Additional Notes Etc…..
• Now, what do you, as a manager or a coach, do when we arrive at
the game site.
• First, as a manager, you find the game director to let him/her
know that you have arrived.
• Once both managers are present, the game director will do a
coin flip to determine which team will be home or visitors. The
manger who wins the coin flip has his/her choice.
• Home team will occupy the first base dugout, the visiting team
will occupy the third base dugouts. ALWAYS!!!
Additional Notes Etc…..
• Once it your dugouts, please lay out all of your bats, batting
helmets and all catchers gear (mask, shin guards and chest
protectors) for the umpires to inspect.
• Please fill out your lineup cards completely (starting lineup and
available subs, plus those who will miss the game). Please be
sure to include uniform numbers and starting positions!
• Turn your lineup card, complete affidavit and $40 check/cash to
the game director. The $40 check/cash is your share of the
umpire fees.
• The game will not be allowed to start without a team paying this
fee!
Additional Notes Etc…..
• DO NOT turn in any of your documentation…but, bring your
documentation to every game. If there is a protest on any of your
players, I will need to get my hands on these documents that
evening.
• DO NOT allow ANYONE to view this documentation. If I need
something, I will phone you and let you know who is approved to
review/collect the documentation.
• You have no right to view another team’s affidavit or
documentation. If you wish to see who is not eligible to pitch for
the other team, ask the scorekeeper or game director.
Additional Notes Etc…..
• Typical game scenario;
30 minutes prior to game time Visitors Infield
20 minutes prior to game time Home Infield
10 minutes prior to game time Pre-Game Ceremonies
• If you need to take a catchers helmet to do infield before umpire
inspection, do so. The umpires will check it later on.
• Most of the umpires will have their plate meeting before the pregame ceremonies start.
Additional Notes Etc…..
• Once the game is over, please review the pitching record with
the game director and sign the pitching record.
• Please note: once that pitching record leaves the game site, that
pitching record is official! So, be sure of your pitch
counts/innings pitched before you leave.
• Please do not call me with game results! That is the
responsibility of the game director.
• Brackets and next game sites will be posted on the website the
next morning. If you have a question, please contact your league
president. If that person does not have the answer, they will
contact me.
Questions/Answers
• Please ask questions based on tournament play only.
• NO “What If” questions!
Affidavit Pickup
• You MUST be a manager/coach listed on the affidavit.
• Picture ID will be required to pickup an affidavit.
• Yes, we’re hard nosed about this, but we do it to protect the kids.
Good Luck
Play Ball!