RULES, INFORMATION & POLICIES

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

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• Teams competing in tournaments 8U-12U will be subject to 6 innings or 1 hour and 50-minute time limit (no inning can start after 1:50 time limit). Pool play games may end in a tie, see pool pay rules for more detail. Tie break rules will be used in the elimination round if games end in a tie and we need a winner to move on to the next game.
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• Teams competing in tournaments 13U-17+ will be subject to 7 innings or 1 hour and 50-minute time limit (no inning can start after 1:50 time limit). Pool play games may end in a tie, see pool play rules for more detail. Tie break rules will be used in the elimination round if games end in a tie and we need a winner to move on to the next game.
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• Tie Break Rules: We use this format to quickly get a winner when we have a game that ends in a tie, and we need to determine a winner to keep the tournament moving toward a Champion. We start a clean inning with the second to last batter to have completed a plate appearance in the previous inning on 3rd Base and the last batter to have completed a plate appearance in the previous inning on 2nd base with 1 out. The visiting team and home team will start their half of the inning with this format. We play until we have a winner.
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• Championship game will not have a time limit; however, the Mercy Rule is in effect. No Tie Break rules unless umpire requires it to finish game due to Rain or darkness.
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• All 2-day weekend tournaments will have a 3-game minimum format. You will have the possibility of playing up to 5 games. 2 games will be played on Saturday and at least 1 game on Sunday in most cases.
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• Teams should be prepared to play 45 mins ahead of your scheduled time (except for the first game of the day) in the event the tournament is running ahead of schedule. Please check in with the umpires assigned to your field to let them know you have arrived and they will inform you of an approximate start time.
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• Baseballs will be provided by ESTB.
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• Any discrepancies with regard to scoring will be resolved by the home team physical paper book. If the home team does not have a physical paper book, we will look to the visitor's physical paper book. We will not recognize an electronic scoring app like Game Changer as an official book, (unless neither team has a physical paper book, then we will allow the use of Home Team electronic scoring app).
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• Awards will be presented to the championship and runner-up teams.
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POOL PLAY RULES

• Pool Play Games can end in a tie.

• If an inning starts and the 1:50 time limit comes into play and the Home Team is winning the Home Team WILL NOT bat in the bottom half of that inning. If the Visiting Team scores during the partial inning their runs will count. The Home Team needs to get 3 outs to end the top half of the inning and the game will be over and the score at that time will be recorded. If an inning starts before 1:50 play will continue until the inning is finished or a winner is determined. If the 1:50 has been met and the Home Team takes the lead in the bottom half of the inning the game is immediately over. If a game is tied and reaches extra innings before the 1:50 time limit is reached the game will go into extra innings but the 1:50 time limit for starting a new inning will still be in effect.

• If tied at the end of 6 innings (8u-12u)/7 innings (13u-17+) and time limit has not expired, we will use Tie Breaker Rules until we have a winner or time expires. No new inning after time expires. If still tied game will end in a tie.

• In the case of inclement weather or other major delays, the time limit for a day’s remaining games may be reduced to 1:40 or 1:30 solely at the discretion of the tournament director. Non-elimination games can end in a tie. That is, Pool Play on Saturday can end in a tie. If the game that is being played is an elimination game and is tied at the end of regulation, we will go directly into Tiebreaker Rules.

• In the event a game is stopped before it is completed (weather, darkness, or unforeseen reason), we will try to resume the game but if it's not possible, 1 inning played will constitute a game. We will revert to the score of the last completed inning for a winner. For example- if you play 1inning and the score is 0-0 the game will be recorded as a tie.

• Seeding - Criteria is as follows:

Record

Runs Allowed

Runs Scored

Coin Toss

GENERAL FAIR PLAY / SPORTSMANSHIP

Intentional disregard for the stated rules and obvious unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated and will place the individuals and/ or teams involved at risk for banishment from any additional ESTB Tournaments.

SUSPENDED/ REGULATION GAMES POLICY

• Games that do not make it to regulation (3 complete innings for a 6-inning game or 4 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 time to resume the game, it will be considered a complete game at the end of the last complete inning and the team that is winning at that point will be the winner. Listed below are a few examples based on what type of game is suspended:
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• Pool Play Games - If the game is suspended prior to being official (3 or 4 innings) and there is not enough time to resume- the game would be considered complete at the end of the last complete inning. If the game is tied at the end of the last complete inning- the game would stand as a tie. During pool play games, a winner can be determined after 1 inning due to seeding for single elimination Sunday.
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• If the Championship Game Starts and is not able to be completed due to weather/darkness and there is not time to resume- the game would be considered complete at the end of the last complete inning.
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• If tied at the end of the last complete inning- (6/7 innings respectfully) Tie Break Rules will apply. The batting order remains the same and follows the last completed inning.
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• Lightning/Thunder Delay Policy: Umpires and Tournament Directors can call a Lightning and or Thunder Delay. The game will stop and all players and coaches must take shelter in the dugout or a safe area. We will stop the game clock for 30 minutes and assess the weather conditions. If a 2nd delay is called the clock starts and if time runs out the game is over and the score at the end of the last completed inning is posted.
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REFUND POLICY

General Refund Policy

• If a paid team backs out of a tournament 45+ days before event they receive a full refund.
• If they back out 44-30 days before the tourney they get a credit for another ESTB tournament.
• If the team backs out within less than 30 days of the event there is NO refund.
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WEATHER REFUND POLICY Spring/Summer/Fall Weekend Tournaments: 3 or 4 game minimum tournaments

• One pitch is thrown by either team it is considered a game.
• 1. Play 0 Games= Full Credit for one full year to a future ESTB Tournament of the same value.
• 2. Play 1 Game= Full Credit minus $125 for one full year to a future ESTB Tournament of the same value.
• 3. Play 2 Games=NO Refund
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Field Dimensions

• Teams 9U-10U will compete on 46'-60' dimensions. Rubber Cleats.
• Teams 11U - 12U will compete on 50' - 70' dimensions. Rubber cleats.
• Teams 13U – 17+ will compete on 60' - 90' dimensions. Metal cleats allowed. (NO Metal cleats on turf fields. Also, NO Gum and NO Seeds on turf fields) 

Age Determination

• We use April 30th as the age cut off.
• The player must not exceed the age of his/her age bracket as of April 30th, 2024. i.e., Bill is 11 years old on April 30, 2024, then he would be eligible to play 11U. If he turns 12 on or before April 29, 2024, he must play in the 12U age group.
• *All teams move "up" in their age group on September 1st, 2024. Fall tournament will use the age brackets for the upcoming spring. For example, the 10U team (all players) become and will compete against 11U teams on September 1st, 2024.

Pregame Infield Practice

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• Unless otherwise noted by a Tournament Director, NO infield practice will be allowed prior to the start of any game.
• Teams will be permitted to take ground/fly balls in the outfield or down the outfield lines prior to the start of their game.
• Please remind your players and coaches NOT to use the infield prior to the game.
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ROSTERS/ Birth Certificates/ Insurance

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• Teams are not required to post their rosters on our website. However, we do require copies of birth certificates and proof of your team's insurance with Eastern Shore Tournament Baseball listed as an additionally insured on your team's policy.
• ROSTERS: All team rosters are weekend to weekend rosters and may be changed from week to week at the discretion of the organization. Once a team has started a tournament, players may be added to their roster provided the player is of legal age (Legal Age is based on age as of April 30th) and has not played for another team of the same age bracket during said tournament. 
• PENALTY: An ineligible player, due to roster rules, shall be removed from the game at the time of notification and that spot in the lineup will become an automatic out. At the discretion of the Tournament Director, the team using an ineligible player may be required to forfeit the game. No new players can be added to the roster once POOL PLAY has been completed. A Coach must sign the COACHES Liability Waiver Form and the Team Representative will turn them in at Registration. Proof of Insurance and Waiver forms must be given to Field Director at check-in before 1st game.

ACTUAL GAME RULES

LINE UP/ Offensive/ Defensive

We want to let the coach play as many players as he/she wants. The only information needed regarding a Starting Lineup is the number of batters. We do not care who plays in the field.

Offensive: Team may bat as many players as they want. However, if fewer than nine batters are in the lineup the open spots will be recorded as outs. Once the number of batters is determined, it must remain for the entire game except that late-arriving players may be added up to the ninth spot in the lineup. An ineligible player or ejection will result in an out when their spot in the lineup comes up. Once a substitution bats or runs for a player (other than the case of a courtesy runner for a pitcher or catcher), the sub and the original starter are locked into that batting position and either one may bat or run in that position ONLY. If a team is batting ten or more players and has no substitutes, that is, they are batting their entire available roster, a player lost to injury or illness will not result in an automatic out when their spot in the lineup comes up. That

spot in the lineup will simply be skipped.

Defensive: Any player on the roster may play in any defensive position at any time (other than pitching restrictions – explained below), regardless of being in the batting order. Example: A team may have 18 players: Bat 9 of them and play the other 9 in the field. No one player in a game can assume more than one offensive position.

Designated Hitter: None- Offensive Rule takes care of the DH.

Re-Entry - Starter may re-enter, in their original batting position, for all age divisions.

Courtesy Runner: A courtesy runner can be used for the Pitcher or Catcher at any time. However, it is not required. A courtesy runner must 1st be a player not in the lineup. If everyone is in the lineup, then the courtesy runner must be the last batted out (if last batted out is the pitcher or catcher you may use the next last batted out). A courtesy runner does not count as a substitute and is not married in the lineup with the player they ran for.

Sliding: Headfirst slides are permitted at all bases. A runner must attempt to avoid contact on all close plays. A player may not run over anyone at any time or place on the field. (Umpire's Discretion)

Catcher’s Gear – 12U and under must use a one-piece hockey goalie style mask. 13U and above can wear a two-piece mask and hat if preferred.

Base Coaches – Base Coaches are not required to wear helmets while coaching the bases.

Bat Guidelines:

• 8U-13U- USSSA BPF 1.15, USA Baseball, or BBCOR designation must be displayed on the bat (no other weight or diameter restrictions).
• 14U-17+ - the bat must have a BBCOR -3 or be wood.

PENALTY FOR USE OF AN ILLEGAL BAT: If the umpire discovers that a batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat, the batter will be called out (even if a pitch has not been thrown). If the illegal bat is discovered after the ball is put into play (but before the next pitch is thrown to the next batter), the defensive team will have the choice of the result of play or the batter being called out and all runners returning to the base occupied before the pitch. An appeal on the legality of the bat must be made prior to the next pitch thrown to the next batter or the result of the previous at-bat will stand. SECOND Offense – If a team is found in violation of this rule a second time (either in the same game or in any other game throughout the tournament), in addition to the previous penalty, the manager will be immediately ejected and could face further suspension.

ALTERED BATS – Altered bats (shaved, rolled, or in any other way altered to increase performance) are not permitted in any way. Any player using an altered bat will be ejected from the game and their at bat and subsequent turns in the lineup will be recorded as an out. All runners will go back to the base they occupied when the batter put the ball in play. The player ejected for use of an altered bat may also face further suspension. WOOD BATS – Wood bats are permitted in all tournaments. Composite bats are also legal.

Intentional Walks - In an effort to waste less time, a hitter will be granted first base if the defensive team lets the Home Plate Umpire know that it is their desire to intentionally walk the batter. The pitcher doesn't need to throw 4 pitches.

Base on Balls - 9U/10U - There will be no advancing to second after a base on balls. Once the batter reaches first the play is dead until the pitcher addresses the rubber for the next pitch. All forced baserunners will advance one base.

Leads/Stealing -9U/10U– Closed Bases (No Leads). Baserunner can steal when the pitch crosses Home Plate.

Dropped 3rd Strike – 9U/10U – If the catcher drops the 3rd Strike the batter is out and any baserunner can attempt to advance to the next base.

Protests: No protest will be allowed for judgment calls. Protests will be allowed for rules only and must be decided before restart of play. A $100.00 payment must accompany protest and will be returned if the protest is upheld. A Protest is only "official" if accompanied with a $100.00 fee and done before the next pitch. The same fee will apply for protests of age and Birth Certificates. The Burden of Proof will lie with the protesting coach.

Pitching Restrictions

• Pitcher Re-Entry: If a pitcher is removed from the mound and goes to another defensive position, they may not return as a pitcher in that game. If a team substitutes for the pitcher when on offense, but then re-enters the pitcher before going out on defense, that pitcher is still the pitcher of record and can continue to pitch in the game.
• ESTB tournaments do NOT have a mandatory pitching limit on the number of innings or pitches thrown.
• HOWEVER, please remember that you are responsible for these young men and the futures that they may have.
• BE SMART!

Fake Bunting/Swing

The act of faking a bunt, then pulling back and swinging will not be allowed in 8U, 9U 10U, 11U and 12U. The result of this act will be a dead ball and the batter being out.

Coach/Teammate Contact with Runner

Although a runner cannot be physically assisted or redirected by a coach or teammate touching them while running the bases, in the case of a home run that has cleared the fence or a ground-rule double the batter and any other runners will not be penalized if either a coach or teammate makes contact with them in an obvious congratulatory handshake, high five, or other gesture.

Umpire In Chief

Jim Grove/Jim Ryan

Dugout

All Dugout selection is based upon a first come first serve basis; any disputes will be determined by the tournament director.

All Teams must keep their Dugouts clean – Please do not leave your trash all over the dugout for the next team. Once your game is over, if another game is scheduled on the same field, please do not have a postgame team conference in the dugout or on the field (unless your team is playing in the next game on the same field). Rather, please pack up and leave the dugout and playing field in a timely manner so that the next team can have the dugout and field to warm up and prepare for their game. If you want to have a postgame team conference, please do so outside of the fenced-in area.

Time in-between innings: Two Minute Rule! We expect teams will take no more than two minutes in-between innings. Pitchers are permitted eight warm-up pitches in their first inning of work or five warm-up pitches every other inning that they pitch in that game. If a catcher needs to put gear on, another player/ coach in gear should be ready to warm up the pitcher.

COACHES OUTSIDE OF THE DUGOUT

At no time can coaches on the field intentionally interfere with a player or ball. If, while on defense coaches wish to be just outside of the dugout for any purpose such as calling pitchers (including while sitting on a bucket) or communicating with their players this is allowed. However, if, while in play an  errant throw hits a coach or their bucket, it will be treated as if the ball went into the dugout, with a dead ball being called and each base runner being entitled to the next base. While on offense, teams should ensure that any buckets are returned to the dugout. If a bucket belonging to an offensive team is left on the field and it is hit by an errant throw the runner(s) will not be entitled to the next base.