Rules apply to the Eastmont Classic and Eastmont Apple Capital tournaments.

PARKING: Double parking is allowed. Double park only on the park side of Georgia Street. Please park only behind vehicles that you know the owner.

EQUIPMENT:

• All players must be fully uniformed with numbers that are non-duplicating.
• Wood bats are allowed. Bats are to have a maximum diameter of 2 1/4".
• Metal cleats are prohibited. Cleats shall be molded rubber or plastic.
• A full batting helmet which covers the top, back, and sides of the head must be worn by every player while on deck, at bat, and while running bases. All bat boys/girls will wear a full batting helmet when outside the dugout.
• Catchers must wear appropriate protective gear including a protective cup.

GAME RECORD : Home team shall be responsible for turning in game records immediately following the game. Game record cards and/or the pitching record must be completed and signed by both coaches. Turn them in to the President or Tournament Director at the top level of the "crow's nest" above the playing fields at the completion of your game.

USE OF FIELD :

• No soft toss into chain link fencing.
• Teams may warm up in the outfield grass before their game if time permits. No formal infield/outfield practice is allowed on the field prior to the game.
• Teams must remove all trash and debris in the dugout promptly following the game and yield the dugout to the next team.
• All players and coaches will be expected to behave in a sportsman-like manner.
• Noisemakers of any kind are not allowed.
• Razzing, heckling, chanting, or making disparaging remarks towards the opponents in any manner is prohibited.
• Any coach, player, parent, or fan whose conduct is unbecoming or abusive may be removed from the playing field or stands at the discretion of tournament officials or the umpires.
• Any coach, player, parent, or fan ejected from the game must leave the park and may not return for any reason until the next scheduled game. If the same person is ejected a second time, he or she will not be allowed in the park for the remainder of the tournament. Failure to comply with this rule will result in forfeiture of the game.

• A coin flip between coaches and administered by an umpire will determine the home team for all games during pool play. The team traveling the furthest shall call the toss or defer to the other coach.
• There is no distinction between the home and visitor dugouts. Choice of dugouts shall be on a first come basis by a manager or team coach.
• Playing rules not specifically covered below shall follow the 2008 rules for Babe Ruth League Inc/Cal Ripken Book, 2008 edition.
• Slug bunts are not allowed. The batter shall be called out if he turns to bunt and then swings away.
• Head first slides are not allowed unless returning to a base previously occupied.
• Pitchers must be removed upon a second visit to the mound by any coach in the same inning. If any coach crosses the foul line to confer with any player after the first pitch in that inning, it shall be considered a trip to the mound.
• If the runner attempting to reach home plate intentionally and maliciously runs into a defensive player in the area of home plate, he will be called out on the play and ejected from the game. This is a judgment call by the umpire and the umpire's judgment is final. If this rule is enacted, the ball is considered dead and runners must return to the last base touched at the time of collision. Runners may slide into, jump over, or go around the catcher to reach home plate.
• A player judged by the umpire as throwing the bat after successfully hitting the ball will be warned once. A second offense by the player will result in the player being called out and the play considered dead. A third offense by any player on the same team will be considered out.
• For 11U and lower divisions, when the pitcher in on the mound, in contact with the rubber, and in possession of the ball, runners are not allowed to leave the base until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. At any time the pitcher is not in contact with the rubber and time has not been called on the field by an umpire, runners may advance at their own risk.
• Intentional walks must result from exchanges between the pitcher and catcher. The catcher must be in the catcher's box before the pitch is delivered.
• Umpires will work to settle all problems on the field. Protests will be allowed for pitching violations or rule interpretations only. Protests must be declared to the tournament director or umpire-in-chief or acting representative before the next pitch following the dispute. No protests will be allowed after the game except for pitching violations relating to eligibility. Tournament officials and/or umpire-in-chief will rule on all protests, and their decision will be final.
• A game shall be ruled as official and complete if it is called by umpires or the tournament director due to rain, inclement weather, or other reason beyond our control, provided 4 innings have been completed. If 4 innings have not been completed, the game shall be suspended and resumed from that point when safe play can be resumed.
• No new inning may start after 1 hour 45 minutes. An inning started prior to the time limit may be played to completion.
• Tie games will be decided by Kansas City tie breaker.
• There will be no time limit or Kansas City tie breaker for the championship game.
• Complete games shall consist of 6 innings.
• 10 Run Rule: A ten run rule will be in effect. If the home team has a 10 run lead after 3 1/2 innings, or the visiting team has a 10 run lead after 4 innings, the game shall be terminated.

• Pitchers are allowed 6 preparatory pitches per inning. 8 pitches are allowed for a new pitcher.
• Only the starting pitcher may return to that position after being removed unless the starting pitcher is removed as the result of a second visit to the mound by a coach in the same inning.
• Pitchers can pitch a maximum of 6 innings every two consecutive games. If a game is tied after 6 innings, the 7th inning counts as part of the game for innings pitched.
• The first pitch in any inning shall be considered an inning pitched.
• There is no limit to innings pitched per day or for the tournament.
• Penalty for violation of the pitching limitations will result in forfeiture of the game.

• Teams must declare which lineup they desire before the game and must be used for the entire game.
• Teams will be allowed a choice of:
  1. Batting the entire lineup: Teams will be allowed free substitutions and are not subject to re-entry rules. Teams are subject to pitching limitations. Any player unable to bat in their designated spot for any reason during the game shall be called out and the next player in the order shall come to bat.
  2. EH -- extra hitter with a 10-player lineup: The EH position will be considered a defensive position for substitution purposes. Team will be subject to re-entry rules. If no substitutes are available and the team is unable to continue a 10-player lineup for any reason, that spot will be an out.
  3. 9-player lineup: Team will be subject to re-entry rules. If no substitutes are available and the team is unable to continue a 9-player lineup for any reason, that spot will be an out.
• Re-entry rules for 9 and 10 batter lineups
  • Starting players may withdraw and re-enter once provided the player occupies the batting position whenever he is in the lineup. When a starter re-enters, the substitute player must be taken out and may re-enter during the remainder of the game.
  • If an illegal substitution is caught before the illegal player comes to bat, the proper player will be inserted into the lineup.
  • If an illegal substitution is caught after the illegal player comes to bat but before a pitch is thrown to the following batter, the illegal player is out and the proper player will be inserted into the lineup following batting out of order rules.
  • If the illegal substitution is caught after the illegal players comes to bat and after the first pitch is thrown to the following batter, the illegal player is now considered legal.
  • In the event of a disabling injury, and all eligible substitutes have already entered the game, an already used player must be selected as a replacement by the opposing manager. The injured player may not re-enter at any time during the remainder of the game. If a team loses a player due to ejection after all eligible substitutes have entered the game, that team may finish the game with 8 players. The ejected player will be called out when his position in the batting order comes up.
  • Courtesy runners: No player in the game shall be permitted to act as a courtesy for another member of his team unless there is a disabling injury.

   

• Determining which teams advance out of pool play will be as follows, listed by priority:
  1. win-loss record
  2. head to head
  3. fewest runs allowed
  4. run differential between allowed and scored
  5. coin toss