9 batter format in which all nine position players must be in the batting lineup. 9u – 14u teams also have the

option to bat more than 9. Example: if a 9u - 14u team has 12 players on their roster, they have the ability to bat

9, 10, 11 or their entire lineup. A team in this situation could bat 9 with 3 substitutes; bat 10 with 2 substitutes; bat

are extra hitters (EH) which are considered defensive starters for substitution purposes.

Teams may bat anywhere from 9 players to the whole roster and have the option of using

hitter) for any position player. The number of batters in your lineup must stay the same throughout the game.

and the team has a free defensive substitution for that game. Furthermore, if a player is injured or ejected

during the game in which a team is batting the entire lineup, their spot in the lineup is skipped with no

penalty. Once the spot in the lineup is skipped due to an injury, that player is not eligible to return to the game

in any capacity.

before the game. If a lineup issue is discovered during the game, the ruling will be that the lineup is corrected at

that point for the rest of the game. If it is brought to our staff’s attention after the game, there will be no

penalty.

There will not be a forfeit in this situation since the opposing team is responsible for verifying the other team’s

available, the player that made the last recorded out will take the place of the injured player on the bases.

*In the event that a player will be late to the game, there are two options to utilize the player in the game:

Starters may be reentered once (including the DH for 15u-18u), as long as the player occupies their original

position in the batting order.

pitcher in that game. In other words, as soon as another pitcher throws a warm-up pitch (becoming the new

‘pitcher of record’), the previous pitcher is no longer able to pitch in that game. If a team substitutes for the

pitcher when on offense, but then re-enters the pitcher before going out on defense, that pitcher is still the

‘pitcher of record’ and can continue to pitch in the game.

Pitchers are allowed to wear a protective helmet or head gear. The helmet/headgear can’t be glossy or feature

elements that will distract the batter. The umpire and Tournament Director will determine whether any of the

pitcher’s equipment or clothing is too distracting. This includes, but is not limited to: gloves, sunglasses, long

sleeves, compression sleeves, athletic tape, and two-toned fielder gloves. No metal spikes are allowed on the

complex. If a player is wearing metal cleats while playing in any tournament, they will be asked to remove them

immediately.

Players are permitted to use the c-flaps on their helmets if they choose to do so.

judged to be malicious by the umpire, the player shall be immediately removed from the game. The

Tournament Director will make the final ruling on a possible suspension. NOTE: Malicious contact supersedes

all obstruction and/or interference. On force play situations, the NFHS Slide rule applies (2-30-32). Players

must legally slide or attempt to avoid contact with defensive players and/or interfere with the play. If the

runner chooses to slides it must be legal. It must be directly into the base and inline between the two bases. At

least one leg and one buttock must be on the ground. No rolling, pop-up or cross-body slides are allowed. The

runner shall not kick, slash or make contact with the fielder above his knee. Violation of the “Force Play Slide

Rule” shall result in both the runner and batter runner being declared out. This is interference and the play is

immediately dead.

the time limit has not expired. Pool play games can end in a tie. If the time limit is reached during an inning,

that inning will be the last one of the game. If the home team is winning after the top half of that last inning,

they will be declared the winner of the game and will not hit in the bottom half. If the home team is trailing and

must hit in the bottom half of the last inning, the game will end the moment the home team scores the winning

run or at the moment of their third out. If the time limit is reached during the bottom half of an inning and the

home team is winning at that moment, we will let the current batter complete the at-bat and then the game will

end.

the type of game being played.

Pool Play/Consolation Games – If the score remains tied after regulation play AND the time limit has not been

reached, the top of the next inning and each half inning thereafter will start with a runner on second base until

there is a winner or the time limit is reached. The batter who leads off an inning shall continue to be the batter

who would lead off the inning in the absence of this extra-innings rule. The runner on second base shall be the

inning. *NOTE*: This rule only goes into effect if the game is tied AND the time limit has NOT been reached. If

the time limit is reached, and the score is tied, the game will end in a tie.

Elimination Games – If the score remains tied after regulation play, the top of the next inning and each half

inning thereafter will start with a runner on second base until there is a winner. The batter who leads off an

inning shall continue to be the batter who would lead off the inning in the absence of this extra innings rule.

The runner on second base shall be the player (or substitute for such player) in the batting order immediately

preceding the batter who leads off the inning.

All pool play and elimination games will have 2 umpires, including the championship game, barring unforeseen

circumstances. Certified umpires will be utilized from a professional organization.

Game balls will be provided by Sports Force Parks for every game. Teams are to bring their own balls for

practice and warmups. Water coolers will be provided at each field with ice water and cups. All other baseball

equipment is the responsibility of each team.

*If a team is found to be using an illegal player (i.e. not registered on official roster) the team will forfeit their

current game. A second infraction will result in a team ejection from the tournament*

Cell phones, iPad, and other electronic devices are permitted in the dugout only during the game. A coach,

manager, or scorekeeper is not permitted to have them on the field during the game. Failure to comply may

result in ejection. Electronic Pitch Calling Devices will follow NFHS rules.

for a Sports Force Tournament Official if they feel that a ruling during a game is incorrect (there is a radio or

tournament official at each field for this purpose). A game should never be stopped for umpire judgment

issued for a balk. There will be no warnings issued for 12u and older age groups. Additionally, pitchers are no

longer allowed to step toward 3rd base without making a throw (the fake to 3rd base, throw to 1st base move is

team and never in a negative manner toward the opposing team. Noise makers are not permitted in the

dugouts and if they are used by parents/fans, they must not cause any sort of distraction to the opposing team.

Because the term “distraction” can be subjective, if an issue arises at a field involving noise makers/cheering,

then Sports Force Parks staff will assess the situation and make a decision. If that stipulation is not followed,

the noise makers would be prohibited all together for that team for the remainder of the tournament.

Team music/media players are allowed on-site for pre-game warm ups and walk up songs before at bats.

However, Sports Force Parks reserves the right to remove any outside music/media players from a field at any

call by an umpire, or the game itself. We simply ask the following:

Moreover, even when you’re not at the Sports Force Parks facility, your personal behavior is a reflection on

your team and Sports Force Parks. We expect players, parents, coaches and family members to act in a

positive manner at all times – with respect for people and property throughout our local community.

Sports Force Parks Tournament Directors as well as the umpires working a game have the ability to

confine a manager or coach to the bench. If this step is enacted, that individual will not be able to leave the

bench/ dugout. The only exception that will be allowed is for a manager/coach to attend to an injured player on

the field. If an individual that is confined to the bench violates this stipulation, they will be ejected from that

game and will face further suspension as well

Coaches are responsible for checking all of their player’s bats before playing in the tournament. Please make

sure all bats meet the guidelines below. Sports Force Park uses the NFHS Guidelines for bat certification. The

following is a link to the approved NFHS BBCOR bat list - https://ssl.wsu.edu/approved-bats/. The link also

provides links to the most current updates and information on legal and illegal bats.