PITCHING RULES • It is a if the , while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw: may still feint a throw to second.

• A second (2nd) visit to the same pitcher in the same will cause this pitcher’s automatic removal from the .

• A player removed from the pitching position (starting pitcher or subsequent relief pitcher) may not return to the pitching position for the remainder of the game. The defensive team may correct this rules infraction at any time by substituting a legal pitcher without penalty.

• The maximum number of a player can legally in one (1) day and still pitch the next day is three (3). If the player pitches three and one-third (3-1/3) or more innings in one (1) day, the player can not legally pitch the next day.

• The maximum number of innings a player can legally pitch in one (1) day is six (6). Similarly, in the 13u/14u age divisions, a player may legally pitch a maximum of seven (7) innings in one (1) day.

• The maximum number of innings a player can legally pitch in three (3) consecutive days is eight (8) innings.

• A player that pitches more than three (3) innings in one day MUST rest the next day.

• A player that pitches eight (8) innings in two (2) consecutive days MUST rest the next day.

• A player that pitches three (3) consecutive days (regardless of total quantity of innings pitched) MUST rest the next day.

• For all cumulative totals in this rule, one (1) equals one-third (1/3) of an inning, two (2) outs equals two- thirds (2/3) of an inning and three (3) outs equals one (1) full inning.

• A pitcher that pitches in a game and records no outs is not charged with any innings pitched.

• Outs recorded during a game that ends in forfeit shall towards a pitchers’ innings limits.

• Exception: Exceeding the maximum innings allowed in the case of a or play shall not be counted against the pitcher.

• Penalty: It shall be the responsibility of each team manager to challenge pitching violations by notifying the Umpire-in-Chief and then filing a Protest with the Tournament Director. A protest may be filed at any point after the pitcher in violation records an out beyond his legal limit AND while the pitcher in violation is in the game and in the pitching position. If such violation is the last recorded out of the game, the protest MUST be filed prior to the umpires and the protesting team leaving the field of play.

• Any violation of these Rules shall result in immediate forfeiture of the game. If such violation occurs during Pool Play, the team in violation of the rule may not advance to the championship bracket regardless of record. The International World will be governed by the USSSA National Baseball Bylaws and Rules unless noted differently below. USSSA Rosters will be the official roster at the International World Series. USSSA Baseball reserves the right to alter, change, or abbreviate the tournament format when necessary to complete the tournament due to weather.

1. All playing rules will be governed by the USSSA handbook and the rules for .

2. Pitching rules will be by the USSSA National Rule Book and are different from the USSSA Southern California pitching rules. (6U plays Coach or Machine Pitch with standard So Cal USSSA rules as shown on this website)

3. USSSA uses a May 1 cutoff for age qualification. 2016 ages will be used in this tournament.

4. All bases distances and pitching distances will be according to the USSSA Rule Book.

5. All players must be fully uniformed, which includes the following: pants, socks, cap, and team shirt with numbers that are non-duplicating and at least 3 inches in height. Protests on uniforms will not be allowed. There is no changing of numbers in a tournament other than for the “infectious disease“ rule. This change must be reported to the tournament director. If a player changes numbers for any other reason, he and the manager will be ejected from the game.

6. Managers and coaches must be properly dressed but are not required to wear uniforms.

7. While in the field as a defensive player, hats must be worn.

8. Metal spikes are prohibited in all divisions younger than 13u.

9. A full-use helmet which covers the top and back of the head and the side of the face must be worn by every player while in the on-deck circle, when and while on the bases.

10. The catcher must wear all appropriate protective gear.

11. Games will be 5 innings in the 6u Division, 6 innings for 7u-12u and 7 innings for 13u/14u.

12. Players may play with only one team in the tournament.

13. Time limits will be 1:15 for 6u, 1:30 for 7u/8u, 1:45 for 9u-12u and 2:00 for 13u/14u. There will be no time limit in the Championship Games.

14. USSSA 2016 Bat Rules are in effect. RULES OF CONDUCT: It is the purpose of the Unites States Specialty Sports Association to administer the best possible tournaments. To achieve this objective, USSSA must have the cooperation of each player, manager, coach and sponsor. We are guests in the City of Perris, Chino Hills, West Covina, Mira Loma and Riverside and nothing should occur that would reflect adversely on your team, players, our host city, or the United States Specialty Sports Association. Therefore, it is required that all teams in the tournament comply with the following rules:

• Team managers must have full control of their players at all times. This means “on” and “off” the field.

• In case of disputed play or decision, team managers or captains may consult the game officials. The other players and coaches or sponsors are to be kept out of the discussion.

• Managers, coaches, and players are not to fraternize with spectators while participating in an event. At no time will any participant be allowed to smoke while participating in any USSSA event.

• At no time will participants be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages nor have in their possession any alcoholic beverage while participating in any USSSA event.

• Managers are to report any unsportsmanlike or derogatory acts by players or spectators to the Tournament Director. The purpose here is to prevent any serious situation developing that would be harmful to the tournament.

• Managers, coaches, players, sponsors, and teams my be suspended by the Tournament Director for violation of any of these rules. This could mean suspension for one or more tournament games, the duration of the tournament, or in the most extreme cases, a longer duration.

• A player, coach, manager or sponsor may be suspended for fighting, abusive tactics, or unbecoming acts that are detrimental and not in the best interest of the United States Specialty Sports Association and tournament play.

• The hotels hosting tournament teams will report any occurrence of destruction of property or abuse of hotel property attributed to a team staying in the hotel. All reports from the hotels will be dealt with very sternly. Team managers please note that this is your only notice. Also, failure to pay hotel bills can result in team and its manager being disbarred from future USSSA play.

• Any teams submitting bad checks to USSSA will be subject to disbarment. 6 & UNDER SPECIFIC RULES PLAYING FIELDS • Pitching Distance: 35 feet (Machine Pitch OR Coach Pitch) you must play the game the way you started

• Distance between bases: 50 Feet

• The recommended homerun fence distances: Lines: 125 ft - 150 ft. Centerfield: 150 ft - 175 ft.

• A 2-foot vertical line will be drawn halfway between each base to the umpire in determining where to place the runner when a is dead. Player must have both feet completely over this line to be entitled to the next base.

• Ten foot horizontal lines will be drawn 15 feet from the base lines and second base to determine where the begins and the ends.

EQUIPMENT • Catchers are required and must wear full gear (Mask w/Throat Guard, Chest Protector and Shin Guards). No Exceptions!

• The ball shall not weigh less than 5 ounces or more than 5 1/4 ounces & measure not less than 9 inches or more than 9-1/4 inches in circumference.

TOURNAMENT PITCHING (Machine Pitch OR Coach Pitch) • The player fielding the pitcher’s position shall take a position five (5) feet to the rear of the and 3 feet to the left or right. A 2 foot line will be drawn at this position. The player must keep at least one foot on this line until the start of the pitch. If the other foot is free it will be on the side of the line extending away from the pitching machine.

• If a batted ball strikes the coach pitcher, the ball is dead, the pitch counts as a strike and no runners shall advance.(PENALTY) The coach pitcher shall be warned once and if a second infraction occurs the coach pitcher must be removed for the remainder of the game and a new coach pitcher put in his/her place.

• If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and remains in fair territory, the ball is in play.

• If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and goes into foul territory, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners advance one base.

• The coach who is feeding the pitching machine shall not give coaching instructions to batters after they the ball or to base runners. They may not in any way interfere with the defensive players.

PLAYING RULES • Game length shall be five (5) innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes unless the score is tied. In this event the game will be played to its conclusion.

• All players listed on the Affidavit will bat. Once the is submitted to the scorekeeper it will not be changed, except for injury, illness or .

• A batted ball becomes dead when an infielder has control of the ball in the infield or at a base, has possession of the ball and holds the ball over their head.

• Defensive and Offensive Substitutions: Minimum of nine players shall be used defensively with a maximum of ten. There will be free defensive substitutions. There shall be a maximum of four outfielders, stationed not less than 15 feet behind the baseline when the coach pitches the ball. •Offensive coaches will be stationed in the coach’s boxes and as a coach feeding the pitching machine. The fourth coach will be in the or designated area. One defensive coach will be behind the catcher or designated area as directed by the umpire and/or Tournament Director.

BATTERS •Are not permitted to . (PENALTY) The batter shall be called back to the plate, the swing is a foul-strike, the ball is dead and no runners may advance.

•The batter is out if failing to hit a fair ball after a maximum of five (5) pitches or after 3 strikes from the coach pitcher feeding the machine.

•A batter is not out on a , foul strike, and/or unless it is the fifth pitch.

RUNNERS •Runners are not permitted to steal or lead-off, and shall remain in contact with the base until the ball crosses the plate.(PENALTY) Runner is out.

•On a batted ball runners may advance until an infielder has control of the ball in the infield or at a base and holds the ball up. Once the ball becomes dead and in the judgment of the umpire the runner has not gone entirely beyond the halfway point between the bases, the runner will be required to return to the base in which they are coming from.

•No .

MERCY RULES •15 runs after 3 innings or 10 runs after 4 innings.

•Maximum five (5) runs per half inning.

•No maximum runs apply in the 5th and all subsequent innings, however the inning is complete once you bat through your lineup.