Special Notes:
> Concessions will be available
> Coolers are not
allowed except for the team cooler. Please respect the rules of the
individual parks by not bringing coolers, alcohol, and pets. Soft
Toss against the fence is also NOT allowed.
> NO SEEDS, GUM, OR METAL SPIKES on TURF FIELDS.
> Please only one team cooler per team. Thank You!!!!!
> Gate Fee: $8.00 per day/$12.00 for weekend pass
> During pool play there will be one umpire. Bracket play we will have 2 umpires.
>Nations of Greater Orlando does allow dual roster players for different age divisions within the
same tournament. Dual
roster players can only pitch in one age division. Players are not
allowed to play on 2 teams in the same age division.
>8U-9U will have a 4 run rule per inning including the last inning. (9U in pool play only).
>8U/9U hybrid division will have a 4 run rule both Sat and Sunday.
> Rosters should be
turned in prior to the first game at the head table or the roster
should be maintained online prior to first game. This is the
manager/coach responsibility to make sure the roster is updated prior
to event or a hard copy turned in prior to first game.
NATIONS BASEBALL OF GREATER ORLANDO
Tournament Rules 2016/2017
GOVERNING RULES
Nations Baseball of Greater Orlando events follows NFHS rules with modifications. See modifications below:
PITCHING
Pitching limits are at
the Head Coaches discretion. Nations of Greater Orlando considers the
safety and health of our players to be a high priority and we ask that
coaches and parents be mindful of the number of pitches a player throws
throughout the weekend.
Any Pitcher is allowed
back in the game unless they were removed due to limited visits.
Pitchers are allowed 1 visit per inning, on the 2nd visit the Pitcher
must be removed. Removing a pitcher does not count as a visit. (Per NFHS
rules.) The coach is permitted to come to the mound for a conference
with the pitcher three times during the game. If the pitcher is
removed, the conference does not count against this limit of three.
After the three conferences have been used, the coach can still come out
for a fourth, but the pitcher must be removed from the mound. It is
considered a conference as soon as the coach walks across one of the
foul lines. During extra-inning games, one conference is permitted in
each additional inning. These extra conferences cannot be saved and used
in later innings.
Turbo events will only allow 18 outs per player.
TIME LIMITS
Pool Play and Bracket
play: (7u-8u ) 1 hour and 15minutes. (8U/9u hybrid, 9u-14u) 1 hour and
40 minutes time limit (16u-18u) 1 hour and 50 minute’s time
limit (Texas Tie breaker will be used if time limit is up in Bracket
play and Championship Game)
Texas Tie breaker: In
the event of a tie in Bracket play or the Championship game and
regular time has expired, a Texas tie breaker will be used. The inning
will begin with no outs and the last batted out on 2nd base. This will
be used until a winner is determined.
Championship Game: 2 hour and 15 min. time limit (9u-18U)
7u and 8uMP Championship and Underdawg games : 1 hour 15minutes time limits.
8u kid pitch Championship 1 hour 30 min/ underdawg game will be 1 hour 15 minutes
8u/9u hybrid division 1 hour 40 min for Championship and Underdawg game
Underdawg Championships will remain at 1 hour and 40 minutes (9u-14u) and 1 hour and 50 minutes (16u-18U)
UMPIRE FEES
Saturday Pool Play- One umpire
7u-8u/8u kid pitch $15 for each team
8u/9u hybrid division $20 each team
9u-12u $20 for each team
13u-18u $25 for each team
Sunday- Two umpires
7u-8u/8u kid pitch $15 for each team (one umpire)
8u kid pitch $30 each team if two umpires available
8u/9u hybrid division $40 for each team
9u-12u $40 for each team
13u-18u $45 for each team
Umpire fees should be
paid at the plate meeting before the game starts. Failure to pay
umpire fee will result in a forfeit by the non-paying team.
MERCY RULES
Games shall be
declared complete games and ended upon fulfillment of any of the
following mercy rule criteria. Mercy Rules do not apply when a run rule
is in place.
15 runs after 3 innings (losing team must have had 3 at bats)
10 runs after 4 innings (losing team must have had 4 at bats)
8 runs after 5 innings (losing team must have had 5 at bats)
Run Rules do NOT apply
in 8u machine or kid pitch. The game will be played to time limit.
Run rules do NOT apply on Saturday only in the 9u division. The game
will be played to time limit.
TIE BREAKERS
A. Once a tie is broken with three or more teams, teams advance to the next tie breaker rule until the tie is broken.
B.Tie breakers
1.Win-Loss Record
2.Highest Run Differential*
3.Fewest Runs Allowed (actual runs)
4.Runs scored
5.Coin Flip
*Note: This
calculation is determined by taking total runs scored minus total runs
allowed. The maximum run differential per game is +8 or –8. Our system
auto defaults to an 8 run differential: example if you win 17 to 2 the
score will reflect 10-2.
C.When three or more
teams are tied, highest run differential in all pool play games is used
in determining all three places. If there is still a three-way tie, the
fewest runs allowed is used to determine who advances.
D.When a three-way tie
is broken, and the remaining two teams are tied with run differential,
the next tie breaker is actual runs allowed in all games. If the teams
are still tied, a coin is flipped.
BATTING ORDER
Extra Hitters (EH) are
allowed in Nations of Greater Orlando Baseball events. Consequently, a
team may choose to bat 10, 11, or more players by listing the
additional players as EHs. Further, if a team chooses to bat their
entire lineup, they may then utilize free defensive substitutions.
FORFIETS
In the event of a forfiet, the forfiet will be recorded at an 8-0 score.
Designated Hitter-
Nations of Greater Orlando allows a DH in all age divisions (except MP) as per high school rules.
COURTESY RUNNERS
Teams may utilize
courtesy runners for the catcher or pitcher. Courtesy runners must
first come from the pool of eligible substitutes in the dugout. If a
team has no eligible substitutes, the player who was the last recorded
out shall become the courtesy runner.
It is not necessary
for the same substitute player to courtesy run for the pitcher or
catcher each time a courtesy runner is utilized; however, if a courtesy
runner is used for the pitcher or catcher more then once in the same
inning, the same runner must be re-used.
Election of Home Team
During pool play the home team will be decided by coin flip. Dugouts are on a first come, first serve basis.
The higher seed has the election of being home team until the championship game.
Championship game: The home team will be decided by coin flip.
CLEATS
Metal cleats are NOT
allowed for the 8u-12u divisions. Molded Cleats or Turf shoes must
be worn by all divisions, including 13u-18u when playing on turf fields
at select complexes.
BALKS
In 8u and 9u, balks will not be called.
BAT SIZE
The 8u through 14u age
groups shall not be limited by the High School Baseball Rules published
by the National Federation of State High Schools (NFHS) regarding bat
specifications. However, 15u and older must follow the current NFHS bat
specifications, including the use of BBCOR bats.
INJURIES INVOLVING BLOOD
A player or coach who
is bleeding or who has an open wound shall be prohibited from
participating further in the game until appropriate treatment has been
administered. If medical care or treatment can be administered in a
reasonable amount of time, the individual would not have to leave the
game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is according to
the umpire’s judgment. The reentry rule would not apply
to players in case of a bleeding injury. If there is an excessive
amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before that
individual may participate.
LAST HALF INNING
The bottom half of the last inning will not be completed solely for tie-breaker purposes once the home team has more runs than the visiting team in that inning.
RAIN OUTS
In the event the
tournament, or any part of it, is canceled due to rain, fees paid for
the tournament shall be treated as follows:
1. If team finishes 2 full games, no refunds/credits shall be issued.
2. If team finishes
1 full game, team shall be issued a credit to the next Nations of
Greater Orlando event they choose to attend. They must provide the
email that was sent showing credit.
3. If event is completely rained out, tournament fee shall be refunded.
SUSPENDED / REGULATION GAMES POLICY
Games that do not make it to regulation (4 complete innings for a 6 inning game or 5 complete innings for a 7 inning game) due
to weather / darkness will be considered a suspended game and will be
resumed (if possible) from the point of suspension at the earliest time
available. If there is not enough time to resume a suspended game, it
will be considered complete and official at the end of the last complete
inning. Below are some further points to help illustrate this policy:
Pool play / Consolation games:
If a game is suspended
prior to being official and there is not enough time to resume – the
game would be considered complete at the end of the last complete
inning. If tied at the end of the last complete inning – the game would
stand as a tie.
Elimination games:
A) If one inning
hasn’t been completed and the game is suspended and there is not enough
time to resume - the higher seed would advance to the next round.
B) If tied at the end of the last complete inning – the higher seed would advance
C) If tied at the end
of the last complete inning and the two teams are the same seed from
different divisions entering the game – we would revert back to the
tie-breaking system in place
D) If the championship
game starts and is not able to complete due to weather/darkness and
there is no time to resume – the game would be considered official at
the end of the last complete inning.
E) If tied at the end of the last complete inning – both teams will be named co-champions.
AGE CHART
9U:
|
Player cannot turn 10 before May 1st,
The following calender year (same as LL,BRuth,AAU, USSSA)
|
10U:
|
Player cannot turn 11 before May 1st, The following calender year (same as LL,BRuth,AAU, USSSA)
|
11U:
|
Player cannot turn 12 before May 1st, The following calender year (same as LL,BRuth,AAU, USSSA)
|
12U:
|
Player cannot turn 13 before May 1st,The following calender year (same as LL,BRuth,AAU, USSSA)
|
13U:
|
Player cannot turn 14 before May 1st, The following calender year (same as LL,BRuth,AAU, USSSA)
|
14U:
|
Player cannot turn 15 before May 1st, The following calender year (same as LL,BRuth,AAU, USSSA)
|
16U:
|
Player cannot turn 17 before May1st, The following calender year (same as LL,BRuth,AAU, USSSA)
|
18U:
|
Player cannot turn 20 before May 1st, The following calender year (same as LL,BRuth,AAU, USSSA)
|
TEAM COOLERS
Each team will be allowed 1 team
cooler, brought in by a coach that may contain bottled water, ice
packs, wrap, etc. Please do not bring other drinks or food to the
facilities.
MACHINE PITCH
Nations of Greater Orlando Orlando Machine Pitch Specific Rules –
8.07.A Fair
Ball Arc: There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc drawn from first (1st)
baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. A batted ball
must go past this line to be a fair ball.
8.07.B Safety
Arc: There shall be a thirty (30) foot arc drawn from first (1st)
baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. Infielders must
stay behind this line until the ball is hit.
8.07.C Pitching
Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot diameter circle with the front
edge set at forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate.
8.07.D Pitching Machine: The front leg(s) shall be set at a distance of forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate.
8.07.E Recommeded machine speeds for electric machines:
8.07.E.1 36 M.P.H. – 39 M.P.H. for the 7U age division.
8.07.E.2 39 M.P.H. – 42 M.P.H. for the 8U age division.
8.07.E.3 When using the Blue Flame manual machine, it should remain at a setting of 9 at all times.
8.07.F Ten (10) defensive players shall play in the field with four (4) outfielders. The fourth (4th) outfielder shall not
assume an infield position. All outfielders shall stay behind the baselines.
8.07.G The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit.
Rule 8.07.G Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking
the result of the play or no-pitch.
Rule 8.07.G Additional Penalty: First Offense: Warning; Second Offense: Removal of player from the pitching
position for the remainder of the game.
8.07.H Defensive coaches shall not allowed on the field of play and shall coach from the dugout.
8.07.I The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time.
8.07.J The
batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster
at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals shall be inserted at the
bottom of the batting order. All players on the roster shall bat before
returning to the top of the batting order.
8.07.J.1 Teams
may start a game with eight (8) players. The ninth (9th) position in
the batting order will be declared an out each turn at bat. There is no
penalty for not having a 10th player.
Rule 8.07.J.1 Approved Ruling: A ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) player and all subsequent players may
be added to the bottom of the batting line-up as soon as they become available.
8.07.K Teams may use free substitution on defense but the batting order shall remain the same.
8.07.L Teams may bunt a maximum of two (2) times per inning.
8.07.L.1 Fake bunts shall be prohibited. A batter that “shows” bunt is committed to an attempt to bunt or take
the pitch.
Rule 8.07.L.1 Penalty: A batter who swings after “showing” bunt shall be called out and no runners
may advance.
8.07.M The batter shall receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes.
Rule 8.07.M Comment: A batter that has received less than six (6) pitches and has a count of two (2) swinging
strikes shall have his turn at bat extended on foul balls up to the six (6) pitch limit.
8.07.N A player may only be Intentionally Walked once per game by announcement from the defensive team.
8.07.O Runners
shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base
before the ball is hit or reaches homeplate.
8.07.P A
courtesy runner for catcher of record only the previous inning may be
used. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous
out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner
shall be the
previous batter not on base.
8.07.Q A team may score a maximum of Four (4) runs per inning, including the last inning or record three (3) outs.
8.07.R Umpires shall call “Time” after every play and declare the ball dead. “Time” shall be called as soon as the lead
runner is not attempting to advance. “Time” does not have to be called by the defense for the purpose of this rule.
Rule 8.07.R Comment: When a runner stands off a base and “jukes” or “feints” back and forth, this is to be
interpreted as “not attempting to advance” and “Time” shall be called.
8.07.S When
a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball is dead, the batter
is awarded first (1st) base and all runners shall advance one (1) base.
8U KID PITCH SPECIFIC RULES: AT THE 8U LEVEL ONLY:
- Pitching distance is 42 feet.
- Time
limit is 1 hour 15 minutes. Except championship game will be 1 hour 40
minutes, still using 4 runs per inning. Games will play to time. Run
rules do NOT apply. The game will be played to time limit.
- No leadoffs.
- No
stealing home -- a runner, starting a play at 3rd Base may only advance
home on a batted ball or when forced home by a walk, hit batter, or
other force play (bases loaded).
- For
8u, note that a walk is considered a ""Dead Ball"" situation -- the
batter may only take 1st Base and any forced runners may only advance
one base.
- Runners
shall not advance when the pitcher is on the pitching rubber with the
ball in his possession and the catcher is in position to receive a
pitch. On a base on balls, the batter may attempt to steal second prior
to the pitcher and catcher coming set at his own risk, but if a runner
is on third, he may not advance home even if the defense attempts to
throw the runner out at second base.
- A
runner starting from 1st or 2nd Base may advance home as a batted ball
continuation of a play (there is not a mandatory ""red light"" at 3rd
Base for a play in motion). A RUNNER STEALING FROM 2ND TO THIRD BASE
MAY NOT ADVANCE TO HOME ON AN OVERTHROW BY THE CATCHER. HE MUST STAY AT
3RD BASE.
- Runners
must stay on the base when the pitcher is in the pitching position and
the catcher is in the catching position. If the runner leaves the base
early, the umpire places the runner back on the last base occupied
unless the runner was put out. This is not an appealable play. If
forced, the runner advances one base ahead of the batter-runner. If the
ball is put into play, the defense has the option of taking the play or
placing the runner or runners back on base and the batter back in the
batter’s box.
- 8U is closed bases meaning a batter may not run on dropped 3rd strike, the batter will be automatically out on a dropped 3rd strike.
- Bunting is allowed. But no Slash bunting, meaning a batter cannot square to bunt then pull back and swing.
- 4 runs an inning no matter what inning or game. This holds true for Saturday and Sunday games.
- The infield fly rule applies.
8u/9u Hybrid division will play 9u rules with a 44' pitching distance
and a four run rule per inning all weekend.