2017 Official Halloween Havoc Rules

Little League (8U-12U Divisions) and Major League (14U) Rules with the Following modifications:

Player Specific: Ø Players may not turn the age above their designation (i.e. 13 for a 12U tournament) before May 1, 2018. Ø Teams must have a minimum roster size of 10 players and maximum of 15 players. Maximum number of coaches allowed is four (4) to include a scorekeeper. Ø NO METAL SPIKES ALLOWED (8U-12U Divisions) Ø A game may be started with or completed with 8 players.

Game Information Ø : o 8U-12U Divisions - 6 Games o 14U Division – 7 Inning Game

Scoring / Mercy Rule: Ø 8U Division o Six(6) runs scored by the hitting team will constitute the end of an inning with the following exception: o The 6th inning and any subsequent will not be capped provided mercy rules do not come into play. o Mercy Rule in Effect § 15 Runs after 3 complete innings § 12-Runs after 4 complete innings § 10-Runs after 5 complete innings Ø 10U Division o Six(6) runs scored by the hitting team will constitute the end of an inning with the following exception: o The 6th inning and any subsequent extra innings will not be capped provided mercy rules do not come into play. o Mercy Rule in Effect § 15 Runs after 3 complete innings § 12-Runs after 4 complete innings § 10-Runs after 5 complete innings Ø 11U|12U Divisions o Mercy Rule in Effect § 20 Runs after 2 complete innings § 15 Runs after 3 complete innings § 12-Runs after 4 complete innings § 10-Runs after 5 complete innings Ø 14U Division o Mercy Rule in Effect § 20 Runs after 2 complete innings § 15 Runs after 3 complete innings § 12-Runs after 4 complete innings § 10-Runs after 5 complete innings

Baserunning: Ø Stealing o 8U – No leadoffs| No stealing o 10U-12U – No leadoffs | May steal once reaches batter (Umpire discretion) | Stealing of home permitted o 14U – Leadoffs | No Restrictions Ø Courtesy Runners: o A courtesy runner can be used for the CATCHER and of RECORD ONLY at any time. This is not a substitution and is optional. If Roster , the courtesy runner is the player with the last recorded batted (who is not the pitcher or catcher of record). § To clarify – the catcher or pitcher of record would be the individual slated to play that position the following half inning. o In the event a player becomes injured and cannot the bases, the last batted out may serve as a courtesy runner. Ø Sliding: o Avoiding Contact/Sliding Rule- rule will be STRICTLY ENFORCED. The base runner must slide or attempt to avoid contact at a base when a play is being made on him. He cannot interfere with a fielder making a play. Player’s slide must be on a direct line between the bases. On the violation, the ball is dead and the runner and the batter-runner are out. o If an umpire decides a players approach to a base or home plate is malicious the base runner may be ejected from the game and suspended for the following game. If determined to be an egregious incident, the player can be suspended from the entire tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Director(s). o NOTE: This is an umpire’s judgment call. Because it is a judgment call it CANNOT be argued or protested. o Head First Sliding: § 8U – No head first slides § 10U – Head first slides permitted back to the base. • Each team will be given one (1) warning per game for head first sliding. If ANY member of a team slides head first after team’s warning, that player will be called out, the ball will become dead and all runners will be returned to their bases previously occupied at the time of the violation. Any head first slides into home plate will be an automatic out with NO WARNING and it will be a . § 11U|12U – Head first slides permitted. § 14U | No restrictions Batting: Ø Continuous will be in effect and every rostered player on the bench is to bat. If a player arrives late he becomes the last batter in the order. Ø A game may be started with or completed with 8 players. Ø In the event a player is injured during the game and cannot return, the player’s spot in the lineup we be recorded as an out at the player’s next . After that, the lineup will be condensed around that spot and team will not be penalized further. Ø If any player in the lineup leaves a game for any reason not-injury related, the player’s spot in the lineup will be recorded as an out for the remainder of the game. Ø Throwing the bat rule: Each TEAM gets one warning. Every time thereafter a batter on the team that throws a bat they will be called out, with no runners advancing. In flagrant or egregious instances the batter can be called out without a warning being issued at the sole discretion of the umpire. Ø Bunting/Slash Plays o 8U – No bunting | No slash o 10U|11U|12U - Bunting is allowed | No slash o 14U – No restrictions Ø 8U Division o An inning will last until ten (10) batters have batted or three outs, whichever comes first. A six (6) run per inning limit will be enforced. When one of the three above items is met, the inning will be complete. o Batter shall receive 6 pitches or three strikes. A (not caught) on the sixth pitch shall not be counted as a swing. The batter will continue to bat on a sixth pitch foul ball until such time that ball is put into play or the batter swings and misses. The batter will be declared to be out on a that is caught by the catcher for “strike three.”

Fielding: Ø Overthrows that remain within the field of play are live balls. Runners may advance at their own risk. Ø The defensive team will play with following amount of players: o 8U Division - ten (10) players on the field o 10U Division - ten (10) players on the field o 11|12U Division – nine (9) players on the field. o 14U Division – nine (9) players on the field Ø fly rule o 8U – Will Not Be in effect in. o 10U|11U|12U|14U – Infield Fly will be in effect Ø Special Rules o 8U | 10U Division: Ten (10) players maximum on the field defensively. The 4 outfielders must remain in the and cannot play in the infield. Thus, Rovers or “stacking players” is not allowed. Outfielders must start 20 feet beyond the grass border designating the infield and outfield areas. o 8U Division | The player pitcher must keep one foot inside the pitching circle until the ball is & be behind the pitching rubber when the Coach Pitcher pitches the ball. PENALTY: First offense warning by umpire; additional offenses batter awarded an additional pitch or first base in the event the batter hits a fair ball. o 8U Division| Runners may advance on an overthrow one base only at their own risk. If the overthrow results in the baseball leaving the field of play, the play will be ruled dead, and all runners will be granted one additional base. o 8U | A that strikes the coach pitcher shall be considered a “Dead Ball, Foul Ball.” o If a coach pitcher intentionally interferes with a batted ball, the ball is dead and the batter shall be declared out. In either case, no runners shall advance. o All adult must pitch overhand. o Runners must not leave base until the ball is hit. First time warning by umpire – Second time runner is out. o 8U Division – We are playing traditional baseball. There will be no advancement lines the runners must gain while the ball is live. Players should be encouraged to attempt to make defensive plays. Play will only be stopped when a defensive player has full control of the baseball inside pitching circle and is not attempting to make or continue a defensive play. Players are encouraged to put their hands up and request time. If a runner is in the process of advancing to the next base and has not yet achieved it when time is called, they will be sent back – no exceptions. .

Pitching: Ø 10U|11U|12U - Pitchers shall throw no more than 2 innings per game and 10 total innings for the tournament. Coaches are encouraged to protect their players through the incorporating individual pitch counts. Ø 14U – Pitchers shall throw no more than 4 innings per game. Ø 10U|11U|12U - If a pitcher hits two batters within the same inning, they must be replaced. Ø One pitch by a pitcher constitutes an inning pitched. Ø Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, they cannot return to the pitch in the same game. Ø The ball is live between pitches until the pitcher resumes control of the ball, toes the rubber, and prepares to deliver a pitch. Ø 14U - will be called following Major League rules. There will be one warning per pitcher per game, until the elimination tournament begins on Sunday. There will be no warnings once elimination play begins. The warning will be an immediate dead ball. All calls after the warning will be delayed dead balls.

Roster: Ø Rosters will be limited to 15 players Ø 8U-12U - Players must play three (3) defensive innings in the field. Ø All Division - Players on a team’s Halloween Havoc official team roster must participate in two (2) pool play games to be eligible to play on Sunday.

Equipment: Ø All teams must supply helmets, practice , bats, catching gear, uniforms and safety equipment. Ø 8U|10U|11U|12U - Rubber cleats or turf shoes are required for all age groups. Metal spikes are prohibited. Note: If a player is found to wearing metal cleats, that player will be given ample enough time to change into proper footwear, however, the umpires will not stop the game clock for this. Ø 14U – Metal cleats are permitted Ø Bat Restrictions: o 8U|10U|11U|12U - Teams must use traditional wood bats [maple, ash, birch] meeting Little League specifications (2 ¼” diameter barrel). All wood composite bats including Bamboo, Demarini, Baum bats, etc. are deemed illegal for this tournament. Big barrel bats (barrel diameter of 2 ½ ” or greater) are prohibited for these divisions. o 14U - Teams must use traditional wood bats [maple, ash, birch] meeting Major League specifications (2 ½" diameter barrel or smaller). All wood composite bats including Bamboo, Demarini, Baum bats, etc. are deemed illegal for this tournament. o Teams will be supplied two (2) official Halloween Havoc bats that are approved for use in the tournament. Any player intending to use an personal bat must have the back inspected and certified by a tournament official prior to using in a game. The bat will be properly “marked” for use during the remainder of the tournament o Bats will be inspected by the officiating crew prior to each game. If an unapproved or illegal bat is used in a game, the bat will be removed from the game and the coach will be automatically ejected. Any second offense using an illegal or unapproved bat will result in your team forfeiting ALL remaining games and loss of your entire entry fee with no refunds. Ø Jewelry: For safety reasons players are not permitted to wear jewelry during the games. Medical alert and Phiten necklaces will be an exception to this rule. Ø Gameballs: Each team is responsible for providing two (2) game balls.

Coach/Parent/Player Conduct: Ø Sportsmanship code: Promote good sportsmanship both on and off the field and encourage lifelong friendships. Ø Swearing or profanity by any player, parent, or coach will not be tolerated and may result in an immediate ejection from the game and/or tournament. Ø Any player ejected from a game will be suspended from the following two consecutive games. Ø Any coach or parent ejected from a game will be removed from Halloween Havoc facilities premises for the remainder of the tournament, and may not return as a spectator or parent. If the coach or parent refuses to leave, the team will forfeit remaining games and the team’s entry fee in its entirety. Ø Coaches please remind your players to respect the upkeep of the baseball fields, dugouts, and facilities. Ø Coaches have the right, at any time, to call a Director to a field for a rules interpretation (Director Call). This does not include JUDGMENT CALLS made by the umpires. This action is to be taken in lieu of protests. In order to properly handle each Director Call, play must be stopped and the Director must be called BEFORE the next pitch. If the disputed call involves the last play of the game, the protesting team must appeal before the umpires leave the confines of the field. Official appeals/protests must be submitted with payment of a $50 (cash) non-refundable fee to a Tournament Director.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Drug Policy: Ø Alcohol and/or drug use will not be permitted on the premises. Any parent or coach suspected of using or being under the influence of same will be removed from the facility. Ø Tobacco products will not be permitted within the immediate area of the playing fields. Chewing of tobacco by coaches during games is strictly prohibited. Ø Failure to comply with this rule may result in your team being disqualified from the tournament and forfeiture of registration fees. Ø All foul balls must be returned to the umpire.

Forfeits: Ø Forfeits will be recorded as a 10-0 win/loss for the teams involved Ø All rostered players on the winning team will receive credit for participating in one pool play game Ø If a team forfeits two (2) games during the tournament, they will removed from tournament play and all remaining games scheduled for the team will be forfeited. Further, registration fees will not be refunded and forfeited in their entirety.

Coolers/Grills:

Ø Personal coolers and grills will not be allowed on the premises during the tournament. The New Brighton concession stand will be open and have a full menu available throughout the duration of the tournament.

Game time: Ø Teams must be at their assigned field ready to play at a minimum of Forty-five (45) minutes before scheduled game time. Ø Prior to each game field umpires will review the rules and official lineup cards with Ø both head coaches. The home team book is the official game book. Ø Home team will be determined by a coin flip. Ø In the playoffs, home team will be awarded to the higher seeded team involved in the matchup.