• Tournament rules are generally based on USSSA rules with the following adaptations.  When the interpretation of a rule is in dispute, the Tournament Director will have the final say.
• Bat Regulation follow USSSA guidelines
• Divisions are based upon player’s ages as of September 1^st, 2014.   For example, to play with 13 years olds, a player must not turn 14 before the September 1^st 2014 deadline.
• Players may only play on one team in the tournament.

• Birth Certificates:  Coaches are required to have copies of birth certificates for all players in their possession at all games.
• One new and one old ball will be provided each game.  Teams are responsible for the retrieval of foul balls.  It is the responsibility of each to provide extra balls if necessary.
• For a weekend tournament, a schedule will be posted on Wednesday night before the tournament date.  Each team must re-check the schedule up until one day before the scheduled event because things may change.  Brackets will be emailed to all coaches.  It is the coach’s responsibility to confirm that they received brackets via email.
• If there are not enough teams in single age divisions, Elings reserves the right to create mixed age divisions of 9/10U, 11/12U and 13/14U; 10U will NOT include 8U teams.

• Pitching restrictions for 2014 tournaments are as follows:

7U, 8dU 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U: 6 in a day, 9 in the tournament
13U, 14U: 7 innings in a day, 10 in the tournament.
15U & up: no pitching restrictions

It is the responsibility of both teams to report their pitching log to the tournament director after each game.  One pitch equals one inning. If a player picks up the game ball and is near the pitching rubber, he has pitched one pitch/inning.

• Extra Inning- No additional innings will be issued to a pitcher if extra inning occur in pool or bracket play. One addition inning will be issued to pitcher only if the championship game goes into extra inning or a California Tie Breaker.  A pitcher will not be granted another inning if he/she has already pitch the max innings in a day.

•  Distances:   8U – 42ft (mound)/60ft (b/65 ft (bases); 11U & 12U – 50/70; 13U -54/80 or 60/90 at the discretion of the tournament director; 14U division then 60/90.   There are no lead offs for 8U.
• If a pitcher hits 2 batters in an inning or 3 in a game, the umpire at his discretion may require that a pitcher be removed from pitching.
• Teams may elect to bat 9 players AND OR bat 10 players with the 10th player being an EH.  The EH is considered a defensive player and may switch in and out defensively.  Teams may also use a DH (designated hitter) when an out is recorded each time the injured player’s spot comes up.
• Starters may re-enter one time only in their original spot.
• Teams may play with 8 players with an out being taken for each time the 9th spot comes up. 9th player may be added any time during the game.
• Teams may bat 10 players with an Extra Hitter.  The EH may change defensive positions just like any other player.

• Length of game: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 year old divisions will play 6 innings with no new inning after 1:45 hrs.  13 and above will play 7 innings with no new inning after 2:00 hours. Extra innings are played if there is still time on clock. If time expires in a tie game in pool play, game is called a tie. Once an inning begins, it must be completed.  There will be no time limit on championship games.  Every effort will be made to finish tournament but in case of rain, darkness or other acts of God, Director reserves the right to shorten games or modify schedules in order to finish event. Rainout policy is as follows. No games played- 100% refund or credit. 1 Game played- 50% off future tournament. 2 games played- no refunds.

• Mercy rules:  12 runs after 3 innings; 10 after 4 innings; 8 after 5 innings

• Home team will be determined by a coin flip. In playoffs, higher seeded team will be home team. In the event, two teams have the same seeding, the home team will be determined by a coin flip.  Each team will provide a scorekeeper with all changes going through home plate umpire.
• Seeding rules during the tournament will be defined on the Tournament Bracket document.
• Protest must be filed immediately and will be decided upon immediately.
• A protest fee of $200 will be collected prior to investigation.

Any team forfeiting a game without play may not advance to playoff round.

• For 8U, no lead off until ball crosses the plate.  Bunting and stealing is allowed for 8U.
• 8U division will have a 5 run per inning rule.
• Courtesy runners will be allowed for the pitcher or catcher at any time.  The courtesy runner will be someone not currently in the lineup. A courtesy runner may only run one time per inning. If both teams bat their entire lineup and do not have any subs, they may use the last out as a courtesy runner for the catcher or the pitcher only.  It is the base runner’s responsibility to avoid contact with the fielder when he has the ball. Slide or avoid is in effect at all times when fielder is in possession of ball. Intentionally running into a fielder who is in possession of the ball is grounds for ejection from the tournament. 
• Metal cleats are allowed for 10U and older teams.
• All conversations with an umpire should be conducted after a time out has been called and be held in a calm and professional manner.  Verbal abuse of the umpire will not be tolerated and may result in ejection from the game or tournament.

• Any player, manager or coach ejected from the game will sit out the follow game.  Managers are responsible for the conduct of his/her players and fans. Managers who are ejected must also leave the park until they are allowed to coach again. Elings Park has a “No Poor Sports” policy.  Umpires are instructed to throw out any coach, parent, player, or fan who exemplifies a “Poor Sport.”
• A “Poor Sport,” is anyone who wishes, attempts, or performs malicious acts either physically and/or verbally towards an opponent. We must remember we are at a youth event, and setting a good example for the kids is a priority for the Park. It is the responsibility of the manager to control the parents, players, and lastly himself/herself.

• To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base.  No pitches are thrown.

• Any team using illegal players shall be subject to discipline ranging from forfeiting a game to ejection from tournament.

• Mechanical noise makers are not allowed.

• Visits to the Mound:  You must remove a pitcher for the second trip to the mound in an inning.  In the umpire’s discretion, a mound visit may be charged if a coach gives an instruction to another player and that player goes and talks to the pitcher.