2009 Columbus Day Tournament

Tournament Rules

· MSBL National Tournament Rules will apply except where noted below. http://www.msblnational.com/main.aspx?action=doc&doc_id=4

· All games are 9 innings unless time limit is reached. The final score will be recorded after a complete inning prior to time limit being exceeded and will stand as the final score.

· 25+ Bracket Winners and One Wild Card will advance to single elimination playoff games. 35+ Bracket Winners and Runner Ups will advance to single elimination playoff games. 45+ Bracket Winners and Runner Ups will advance to single elimination playoff games.

· No new innings will begin after 2 hours-45 minutes to allow for travel between fields.  Game stop will occur after 3 hours so as not to back up following games. 

· Standings will be determined based on point system (Win = 2 pt, Loss = 0 pt, Tie = 1 pt).

· Tie Breakers based upon the following criteria:

1. Head-to-Head Competition
2. Runs Allowed
3. Runs Scored
4. Coin Toss
• Round-Robin Slaughter Rule is 12 runs after 5 innings or 10 runs after 7 innings.
• Playoff and Championship games have no slaughter rule and game will be played until a winner is decided (i.e. no ties).
• Wood and Aluminum Bats are permitted. Bats no more than -3 weight-to-length ratio.
• First time offense with an illegal bat will result in a recorded out. Subsequent violations will result in the next batter from that team with an illegal bat being ejected and an out recorded.
• Ejected players are expelled from the tournament—No Exceptions.
• Pitchers cannot re-enter the game as a pitcher once they have been removed, but may play other defensive positions.
• Unlimited Defensive Substitutions is permitted.
• Adding players to the bottom of the line-up at any point is permitted. However, if a player is injured or is unable to bat in the line-up when batter is due up and there is no substitute who is not already in the hitting line-up to replace the batter, an out will be recorded.
• A/B line-ups are permitted beginning at the ten-spot in the hitting line-up.
• All Hitters, On-Deck Batters and Base Coaches are required to wear batting helmets.
• Teams are NOT required to bat 10 batters.
• Alcohol and/or any Tobacco Product use are not permitted at any facility.
• "Soft-Toss" against fencing is prohibited at each facility.
• Participating teams are responsible for retrieving all foul and home run baseballs. Only 4 baseballs per game will be provided. Additional baseballs must be provided by the participating teams.
• Both Team Managers must call in Final Score to Tournament Director immediately upon completion of game to 410-980-2096.
• Failure to follow these rules could result in expulsion from tournament with forfeiture of all tournament fees.
• Team Managers are responsible to ensure each player is familiar with and abides by these rules.