Tournament Rules

General Rules and Game Length

All games will be governed by WIAA high school rules, except where modified below.
There is no pitch-count restriction.
Games will be seven innings.
The game clock begins at the conclusion of the home plate meeting.
A 1-hour, 45-minute time limit applies. No new inning may begin after the time limit expires.
- A new inning begins immediately when the third out of the previous inning is recorded.
The time limit applies to all games except championship games.
Run rules apply to all games, including championship games:
- 15 runs after three innings
- 10 runs after four innings
- 8 runs after five innings
Games may begin up to 30 minutes before their scheduled start time. Teams should be onsite and prepared to play at least 30 minutes early.
The tournament director reserves the right to modify the number of games, game length, or time limit due to weather, field conditions, or other scheduling issues.

Tied Games and California Rules

When California Rules are used, each half-inning will begin as follows:

Each batter starts with a 1-1 count.
The last batted out starts on second base.
The inning starts with zero outs.

Pool Play

Pool play games may end in a tie.

If the game is tied when the time limit expires, the inning in progress will be completed. If the game remains tied after the inning is completed, the game will end in a tie.
For example, if time expires during the top of the sixth inning while the game is tied, the sixth inning will still be completed.
If seven innings have been completed and time remains, California Rules will be used for each additional half-inning until a winner is determined or the time limit expires.

Bracket Play

Ties are not permitted during bracket play.

If a bracket game remains tied when the time limit expires, California Rules will be used for each additional half-inning until a winner is determined.

Pool Play Tiebreakers and Bracket Seeding

Pool play results will determine final bracket seeding. The higher-seeded team will be the home team during bracket play.

If teams are tied in the standings, the following tiebreakers will be applied in order:

Overall record
Head-to-head result, if only two teams are tied
- If three or more teams are tied, this step will be skipped.
Run differential
Fewest runs allowed
Total runs scored
Coin flip

Rosters, Batting Orders, and Substitutions

Minimum Players and Forfeits

A team must have at least nine players to begin a game.
If a team cannot field nine players at the start of the game, the game will be recorded as a 7-0 forfeit victory for the opposing team.

Batting-Order Options

Teams may use any of the following batting-order options:

Bat nine players with or without a designated hitter.
Use one extra hitter and bat 10 players, with or without a designated hitter.
Use one extra hitter and one additional hitter and bat 11 players, with or without a designated hitter.
Use a continuous batting order that includes the entire roster present at the game.

Courtesy Runners

Courtesy runners may be used at any time for the pitcher and catcher of record.
When using a continuous batting order, the courtesy runner will be the last batted out.
- If legal substitutes are available on the bench, the team must designate one courtesy runner for the pitcher and another for the catcher.

Injuries

If a player is injured and unable to continue, the player’s spot in the batting order may be skipped without recording an out.
The injury and removal must be reported to the umpire and opposing coach.
Once a player misses an at-bat because of an injury, that player may not return for the remainder of the game.

Bat Restrictions

8U–12U

Bats must have a 1.15 BPF stamp or USA Baseball stamp.
No other restrictions apply.

13U

Bats must have a 1.15 BPF stamp.
Maximum drop: -8

14U

Bats must have a 1.15 BPF stamp.
Maximum drop: -5
BBCOR bats are also allowed

15U–17U

BBCOR bats are required.

Age and Roster Restrictions

15U and Older

Player eligibility may be determined by either:

High school graduation year, or
Player age as of May 1 of the current year

14U and Younger

Player eligibility is determined by the player’s age as of May 1 of the current year.

Tournament Rosters

All players must be listed on the team roster with a waiver filled out before the first pitch of the game in which they participate.
A player may not appear in a tournament game for more than one team within the same division.
A non-rostered player will be removed from the game and may not participate.
If a team uses multiple non-rostered players in a game, that game will be recorded as a 7-0 forfeit victory for the opposing team.

Ejections and Suspensions

An ejected coach must leave the current game and will also be suspended for the team’s next game.
An ejected player must leave the current game and will also be suspended for the team’s next game.
If a team is using a continuous batting order or has no available substitutes, the ejected player’s spot will remain in the batting order. An out will be recorded each time that position is due to bat for the remainder of the game.
The tournament director reserves the right to suspend a coach or player for the remainder of the tournament.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Tournament Cancellation

If no games are played, teams will receive a full refund or credit.
If one or more games are played, no refund will be issued.

Team Cancellation

If a team cancels within 30 days of the tournament, no refund will be issued.
If a team cancels more than 30 days before the tournament, the team will receive a full refund or credit.