Tournament Rules

RULES
  • Each starting/new pitcher gets ONE (1) minute or EIGHT (8) warm up pitches, whichever comes first. There will be ONE (1) min or FIVE (5) warm up pitches between EACH half inning, whichever comes first. Time starts from the completion of each third (3rd) out.
  • No new inning will start within 10 minutes of expiration of game time. (EXAMPLE: 1hr 45min game, no new inning after 1hr 35mins)
  • Pool play games will end in a tie.

Thefeint 3rd to first pick off move is no longer a legal move in Dynasty Sports Tournaments and will be a balk.

Home Team 

A coin will be flipped between two teams to determine the home team for each pool play game.  For bracket play games the highest seed is home team, unless higher seed team prefers to be visitor, excluding the championship and “if” game when a coin will be flipped to determine the home team. 

Batting 
• Teams can bat a 9-player lineup, a 10-player lineup using an extra hitter (EH), or roster bat all present uniformed players.  The lineup must be declared before the start of the game and used the entire game. 

Example: When a team shows up with 15 players ready to play the coach has the option to bat 9, 10, or all 15 players. The coach cannot bat 13 players with 2 subs.  If the coach chooses to roster bat he must bat all legal players at the game.  

• Extra hitters (EH) can move freely in defensive positions. 
•  If a team chooses to roster bat, then all players other than the 9 defensive position players are extra hitters and can move freely in defensive positions. 

Example: If a player has to leave the lineup during the game due to illness or injury and the team has no subs left or the team is roster batting, then no out will be recorded for the injured/ill 
player’s at bat.  The Player is skipped in the lineup.  If this incidence occurs, it must be reported to the umpires and the opposing team. Once a player has left the game due to illness or injury, he or she may not return. 
• If eligible, a courtesy runner can be used any time for the pitcher or catcher of record.  A courtesy runner is defined as a player not currently active in the lineup.  If roster batting, the courtesy runner is the player with the last recorded out. 
• For teams that are not roster batting, the starting players can withdraw and re-enter once, provided that they re-enter in their original position in the batting lineup.  Once a pitcher is removed from the pitching position, he or she cannot return to the pitching position during a game, but can re-enter to any other position. 
• Teams can play an official game with an 8-player lineup. If a team plays with an 8-player lineup, an out is declared for the ninth position in the batting lineup at each turn at bat.  The team with only 8 players is the visiting team. 
• Teams must have a minimum of 8 players to start a game. Any number less than 8 and the game is declared a suspended game and is not rescheduled.  The suspended game is then ruled a forfeit by the tournament director.  Umpires have no authority to forfeit a game.   
• If a team has a ninth player arrive after the game has started, the player is announced to both the plate umpire and the opposing team and is placed in the ninth spot in the batting order. The game resumes as if he or she was there at the start of the game. 
• If roster batting, player(s) arriving after the game has started are added to the bottom of the batting lineup.  If batting nine, or ten with an EH, players arriving after the game has started are added to the lineup as legal substitutes. 
• If a team drops below 9-players due to illness or injury, no automatic out is recorded. 
• If a team drops below 9 eligible players due to an ejection or any reason other than illness or injury and leaves the game, an automatic out is declared in the batting order position of the player that left the game unless there is an eligible substitute. 
• If a team drops below 8-players for any reason, the game is ruled a forfeit and is not rescheduled. 
• In all live pitch divisions, an intentional walk is granted upon request. 
• A legal slide can be either feet first or head first.  If a runner slides feet first, at least one leg and buttock must be on the ground.  If a runner slides, he or she must slide within the reach of the base with either a hand or a foot. 
• Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal. 
• If a tag play is imminent, the runner should slide or seek to avoid contact. Jumping over a player is not considered an act of avoidance. 
• No player can initiate malicious contact.  It is the umpire’s judgment call that determines whether the contact is malicious. 


Penalty: The player initiating malicious contact is removed from the game. 

Note: There can be a collision where both players go head over heels that is not considered malicious contact.  The key for malicious contact is intent.  Umpires must ask themselves when making the call, “Did the runner deliberately or intentionally run into the fielder to break up the play or cause harm to the fielder?”  If the answer is yes, then there is malicious contact. If the answer is no, then it is a clean play without malicious contact.  Umpires must be careful when making this call to avoid ejecting players if the intent is not malicious.  Keep in mind that younger players are just learning the game. Sometimes unintentional contact is made between a runner who does not slide and a defensive player. Remember, the key word is intent



• If a defensive player is obstructing the runner (judgment call by the umpire), contact by the runner is not illegal unless it is malicious. 
• For a six (6) inning games, if a game is called due to weather or other hazardous conditions, it is ruled an official game provided two and one half innings have been completed if the home team is ahead, or three innings if the home team is behind. For seven (7) inning games, it is ruled an official game 
provided three and one half innings have been completed if the home team is ahead or four innings if the home team is behind.  
• All games stopped by an event official for weather or other reasons before the game is declared official are suspended games. 


Time Limit 

• A regulation game consists of 6 innings for age divisions 12 and below unless the game is shortened due to time limit, mercy rule, or extended by extra innings due to a tie. 
 • If a game continues to be tied beyond regulation time or regulation innings, the game will continue under International Tie Breaker. (Bracket play ONLY.) Pool Play will end in tie


Mercy Rules 

• Mercy rules for all 6 and 7 inning games include: 

15 runs after 3 innings or 2 ½ innings if the home team  is ahead.  

10 runs after 4 innings or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead. 

8 runs after 5 innings or 4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead. 



Pitching Rules and Limitations 

Table below describes the maximum number of innings a pitcher can pitch in one (1) day and the maximum number of innings a pitcher can pitch in 3 days:

Age Division   1 Day      3 Days

7U-12U                      6               9
13U-14U                    7              10
HS                              UNLIMITED

 • Maximum innings in any 1 day: This is the maximum number of innings a player can legally pitch in one (1) day.  Example: In the 7U – 12U age divisions, a player may legally pitch a maximum of six (6) innings in one (1) day 
• Maximum innings in 3 days: This is the maximum number of innings a player can legally pitch in three 
(3) consecutive days.  Example: In the 7U – 12U age divisions, a player may legally pitch a maximum of nine (9) innings in three (3) consecutive days 
• Any pitcher in the 15U or younger divisions that has pitched three (3) days in a row must rest the 4th day regardless of innings recorded. 
• For all cumulative totals in these rules, one (1) out equals one-third (1/3) of an inning, two (2) outs equals two-thirds (2/3) of an inning and three (3) out equals one (1) full inning.  A pitcher that pitches in a game and records no outs is not charged with any innings pitched.   


Example: A pitcher pitches the 1st inning and records 3 outs, then returns to the mound in the 2nd inning and records 1 out, and is then removed from pitching.  This pitcher would have accumulated 1 1/3 innings pitched for that game. 

• Once a pitcher is removed from the pitching position, he or she cannot return to the pitching position during that game, but can re-enter to any other position. 
• When a pitcher takes his or her position at the beginning of each inning or when he or she relieves another pitcher, he or she is permitted warm-up pitches, not to exceed eight (8) preparatory pitches to the catcher or coach. 
• Pitching limitations stop for the day when play has stopped and the park is closed for the night. 
• When a game is suspended and continued the next day, pitching limitations are split between the two days of game play.  Note: All outs recorded in a given day, count for out totals on the day they were recorded regardless if it is continuation of play of a suspended game from a previous day. 
• For purposes of pitching limitations rules, a pitcher is in violation of the rule if he records any out above the legal pitching limits pursuant to these rules. 


Penalty: It shall be the responsibility of each team manager to challenge pitching violations by notifying the tournament director or site director and then filing a protest.  A protest may be filed at any point after the pitcher in violation records an out beyond his or her 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. Violation of the pitching limitation shall result in immediate forfeiture of the game.

Note:Exception: In the case of a double or triple play, there is no penalty for exceeding outs recorded. 

• It is the duty of each team’s manager to protest pitching violations by contacting the tournament director or site director.   
• Any outs recorded during a game once it is ruled a forfeit count toward the pitcher’s recorded outs. 
• A second visit to the same pitcher in the same inning causes the pitcher’s automatic removal from the mound (not the game). 


Balks 

• In age divisions 11U – 18U, balks shall be strictly enforced without warning. In age divisions 10U and below, balks are not enforced strictly unless a persistent violation of the balk rule occurs. 
• NFHS rules for balks.  A balk is a dead ball once called. 


Tie- Breaker Rules 

The following rules determine which teams advance to higher seed or position: 

• Once a tie is broken with three (3) or more teams, teams advance to the next tie breaker rule until the tie is broken. 

• Tie breakers 

1. Win-Loss Record 

2. Head to Head (2 teams only) 

3. Fewest Runs Allowed 

4. Runs Scored

5. Coin Flip 

• When three or more teams are tied, fewest runs allowed in all pool play games are used in determining all three places.  If there is still a three-way tie, the highest run differential is used to determine who advances. 
• When a three-way tie is broken, and the remaining two teams are tied with runs allowed, the next tie-breaker is highest run differential in all games. If the teams are still tied, a coin is flipped. 

Bat Regulations:

13u and under are open to use bats of their choice. 14u must use drop -5 or -3. 15/HS -3

8U Players Pitch Guidelines and Regulations

A. There are nine (9) defensive players on the field. 

B. 8U player pitch is closed bases 

• No balks are enforced or called 
• No lead-offs until the ball crosses the plate 
• Runners must stay on the base when the pitcher is in the pitching position and the catcher is in the catching position.  If a runner leaves the base early, the umpire places the runner back on the last base occupied unless the runner was called out.  This is not a play that can be appealed.  If forced, the runner advances one (1) base ahead of the batter or runner.   

C. The infield fly rule is in effect. 

D. There is no advancement on dropped third (3rd) strikes. 

E. The runner cannot steal home. The only way the runner can advance from third to home is if batted or forced home. 


7U & 8U Coach Pitch Rules 

A. There is a pitching plate or line 40-feet from the tip of home plate, with a 10' pitching circle. The coach pitcher must pitch from and remain in the circle until the ball is hit.

B. The 10' circle is a safety area for the player in the pitching position.  The defensive player listed as the pitcher cannot leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit. 

C. Teams can use either nine (9) or ten (10) defensive players. One (1) player must be a pitcher and one (1) player must be a catcher. 

D. Each batter is allowed five (5) pitches or three (3) strikes.  If a batter hits a foul ball on the fifth (5th) pitch, he or she is allowed to continue batting until he or she either does not make contact with the ball or puts the ball in play. 

E. There are a maximum of five (5) runs or three (3) outs per inning. 

F.  A fair batted ball hitting a coach pitcher is declared a dead ball if the umpire rules that the coach pitcher’s contact with the ball was unintentional. If, by the umpire’s judgment, a coach pitcher intentionally makes contact with a batted ball, the batter is out, and no runner can advance. 

G. Umpires call time after every play and declare the ball dead. Time should be called as soon as all three of the following occur: 

• The lead runner stops attempting to advance. 
• The ball is in the possession of a fielder in the infield. 
•  No defensive play is imminent. 

Time does not have to be called by the defense for the purpose of this rule. 

H. Teams must have a minimum of eight players to start and finish a game but must take an out for the ninth player. With less than eight players, the game is declared a suspended game and is not rescheduled. The suspended game is then ruled a forfeit by the tournament or league director. 
Umpires have no authority to forfeit a game. 

I. The catcher must be located in the catcher’s box, no more than four (4) feet behind home plate. 

J. In 7U & 8U coach pitch, there are no: 

• Base stealing 
• Lead offs 
• Bunting (player must take full swing) 
• Base on balls 
• Awarding a base for hit by pitcher 
• Infield fly rule 
• Intentional walks 


Note: If a player bunts or takes a half-swing, it is a foul ball. 

K. Courtesy runners are allowed for the catcher only.  The Courtesy runner should be the last batted out. 

L. A coach that is in the pitching position is prohibited from coaching runners while in that position either physically or verbally. 

M. Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases.  A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or before it reaches home plate. 

N. Games will be 1hr 30mins with the 6th inning ONLY being an open inning. (Meaning: If time is up in any inning other than the 6th, that inning will not be open. If there is time remaining at the conclusion of the bottom of the 5th inning, the 6th inning would be open.)


8U   Modified Stealing Rules 

A. All rules apply except for base stealing. 

B. Bases are at 65 feet. 

• There is a 10-foot hash mark placed off first (1st), second (2nd) and third (3rd) base. C. The runner can take a lead, but cannot cross the ten (10) foot hash mark until the ball cross home plate. • The runner can steal when the ball crosses home plate. 

D. If the runner gets a running start in an attempt to steal before the ball crosses home plate: 

• The runner is placed back on the base. 
• If the runner is put out on the play, the runner is out. 
• If the ball is put in play, the runner is only allowed a base if forced up by the batter/runner. 
• If it is a passed ball or wild pitch, the runner does not have to return. 


Protest 
A. Protest fee is $100 in cash. If a team protests, the manager must notify the home plate umpire. That umpire summons the tournament director that is on-site to the field to address the protest. The protest fee is returned if the protest is ruled in favor of the protesting team. Note: Judgment calls cannot protested. 

B. Protests must be made verbally with the umpire by the offended team at the time of the play and before the next pitch. 


Ejections 

A. When a manager, assistant coach, player, or scorekeeper is ejected from the game, he or she can take no further part of the game. The individual must leave the field of play. 

B. The tournament director assesses the length of the suspension following the ejection based upon the incidents of the ejection. 

Dynasty Baseball encourages good sportsmanship on and off the field.  It should be the primary responsibility of every adult to be positive role models while teaching your children this great game.  Young players are impressionable, watching every move and listening to every word from coaches, officials, & parents. Please remember to be a positive participant in all Dynasty Baseball events. 

Suspension and Dismissal 
A. Any player competing under an assumed name or illegal birth certificate  may receive a suspension or permanent dismissal.  This rule also applies to coaches and managers who have previous knowledge of such infraction. 

B. Submitting an insufficient check to an event director or league official can result in suspension or dismissal of the team if payment cannot be settled within a reasonable time frame
.

9U (Modified)

Base length: 65  Feet

Pitching distance: 46 Feeet

Recommended Fence Distance: 180-200 Feet              

Game length: Six (6) innings              
Time limit: 1 hour 45 mins

Cleats: No metal cleats 

Lead-offs: Will be allowed.  

Playing off base: Players can play off base up to ten (10) feet.  A ten (10) foot mark will be placed off first, second and third base.

Leading off base: 
The base runner can take a lead, but cannot cross the ten (10) foot mark until the ball cross home plate. 

Stealing base: The base runner may steal or advance any base after the ball crosses home plate. 

Running start: If a runner gets a running start in an attempt to steal before the ball crosses the plate the runner is out

Balks: Balks are not enforced. 


9U/10U (Open Base)

Base Length: 65 Feet 

Pitching distance: 46 Feet 

Preferred fence distance: 200 Feet 

Game length: (6) innings Time limit: 1 hour 45 mins. Cleats: NO metal cleats Lead-Offs: Will be allowed.

Balks: Only Major balks will be enforced.


11U

Base Length: 70 Feet 

Pitching distance: 50 Feet 

Preferred fence distance: 200-250 Feet 

Game length: (6) innings Time limit: 1 hour 45 mins. 

Cleats: NO metal cleats 

Lead-Offs: Will be allowed 

Balks: Will be enforced


12U

Base Length: 70 Feet 

Pitching distance: 50 Feet 

Preferred fence distance: 225-250 Feet 

Game length: (6) innings Time limit: 1 hour 45 mins. 

Cleats: NO metal cleats 

Lead-Offs: Will be allowed

Balks: Will be enforced