Complete Tournament Rules
Subscribe to our Newsletter2023 May Mashers Tournament Rules
MAY MASHERS BASEBALL TOURNAMENT (2023)
OFFICIAL RULES
-UPDATED 5/19/23-
ROSTERS & INSURANCE:
All teams are required to submit a copy and it is strongly encouraged to carry with them at all times a copy of their official roster, a copy of each player’s birth certificates and a copy of their insurance. Please have the following name listed as additional insured.
Sandy Spring Athletic Association, Inc.
PO Box 362
Olney, MD 20832
ROSTERS: All rosters must be emailed to the tournament director by 8pm on May 18, 2023. 15 player max roster. In the event of a player’s age challenge, each team must show the player’s birth certificate. If a player is found to be to ineligible the player will be removed from the tournament, the head coach will be ejected from the remainder of the tournament. There will be NO FORFEITS because of an ineligible player. All challenges must be made prior to the start of the second inning to avoid intentional end of game delays.
A player may appear on ONLY one roster within a given age group. Any player found to be participating with more than one team within a given age group shall result in the second team’s disqualification, and suspension of the player for the remainder of the tournament. For example, a player can be on both a 10U roster and 11U roster as long as he qualifies based on age requirements and the teams are not competing in the same bracket.
EXPECTED BEHAVIOR / EJECTIONS:
Negative behavior and bad sportsmanship is not acceptable by players, coaches, or fans. Umpires or the tournament/site director will eject anyone they deem as not living up to expected behavior. They may issue warnings at their discretion. Anyone ejected from a game will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament. Coaches and fans must leave the premises immediately upon ejection. Ejected players must leave the field and dugout area but may stay with the fans. Ejection is not appealable, but suspensions for remainder of tournament may be appealed to the tournament director or his delegate.
§ Use of noise makers are not allowed during the tournament.
§ Abusive statements towards anyone will not be tolerated.
§ Excessive profanity will not be tolerated.
§ Alcohol and all tobacco products are not allowed during the tournament.
MUSIC:
Teams are welcome to play music while warming up or between innings. However, please keep all music clean and turn it off during game play. Elicit lyrics are not appropriate for this environment.
All games will be played under NFHS rules and amended as follows:
Any rule controversy will be handled at the discretion of the head umpire and tournament director.
PRE-GAME WARMUPS:
No warmup on the infield before games. Teams may warmup in the outfield or in foul territory once the previous game ends. Batting cages may be used on a first come basis where available.
GAME LENGTH:
· All Games all levels will be 6 inning games.
· No extra innings for pool play. Games can end in a TIE.
· For all age groups, all games except for the Sunday championship game, no new inning will start after 1 hour and 45 minutes. A new inning begins when the final out of the previous inning is recorded.
· For all age groups, all games excluding the Sunday championship game will have a 2 hour drop dead time limit unless the home team is batting with the winning run on-base or at bat. If bottom of inning cannot be completed and home team is losing, score will revert to last complete inning.
· Championship Games can be shortened for darkness.
· In elimination play, after the time limit is reached, international rules will be used to decide tied games. The last batted out from the previous inning will be placed on 2nd base for each team.
· An official start time is to be announced by the umpire and documented by both home and away scorekeepers. The official start time is the conclusion of the pre-game coaches conference.
· All Games: If the game must end early for weather, darkness, or other extenuating circumstances, first pitch thrown constitutes a game for the purposes of refunds.
· Be ready to play up to 30 minutes prior to game time should field and umpire be ready to start.
RUN LIMITS
· No maximum run limits per inning 9U and up.
· 8U 5 run max per inning in Pool Play for first 3 innings. No Max per inning on Sunday.
MERCY RULES
· 8U-12U: Twelve (12) runs after three (3) innings. Ten (10) runs after four (4) innings. Eight (8) runs after five (5) innings.
· 13U and above: Twelve (12) runs after three (3) innings. Ten (10) runs after four (4) innings. Eight (8) runs after five (5) innings.
INFIELD FLY RULE:
There will be NO infield fly rule for 8U – 9U. There will be infield fly rule for 10U and above.
STEALING:
Stealing is allowed for ALL age groups. Leading allowed for 11U and up.
FOR 8U - 10U ONLY: No Leads and the runner can’t steal until the ball crosses home plate. One warning per team per game. After warning, the runner will be called out for leaving early and the pitch will not be allowed.
FOR 8U ONLY: No stealing home on pass ball. You may run at your own risk on overthrow of pitcher.
SLASH BUNTING:
A slash bunt is defined as a player showing bunt at any time during the pitch and then swinging at that same pitch.
· 8U-12U: The slash bunt is illegal, and the player will be called out if this play is attempted.
· 13U and above: Slash bunting is allowed.
BAT RESTRICTIONS:
8U/9U/10U/11U/12U/13U: All bats must have either the BPF 1.15, USABat, USSSA or BBCOR designation displayed on the bat. No other weight or size restrictions.
14U and above: must have BBCOR stamp for all players, including younger players playing up.
CLEATS:
8U-12U: No metal cleats.
13U and Above: Metal cleats allowed.
FIELD DIMENSIONS
· 8U - 60' base paths. 42’ mound distance.
· 9U – 60’ base paths. 46’ mound distance.
· 10U - 65’ base paths. 46’ mound distance.
· 11U-12U 70’base paths. 50’ mound distance.
· 13U and above - 90' base paths. 60.5' mound distance.
HOME VS. AWAY
· During pool play games, home and away will be determined by coin flip prior to the start of the game.
· During the elimination rounds, the team with the higher seed is the home team.
LINEUPS/OFFENSE (ALL AGE GROUPS):
All teams have the option of the following lineups:
· Teams may bat 9 batters, the entire roster or any number in between.
· If you start with an (EH) you must finish with an (EH), or take an out at that at-bat.
· Teams may bat entire roster. When batting entire lineup, if a player is unable to bat at any time solely due to an on-field injury, then no out will be called but the player is no longer eligible to play in the rest of the game offensively or defensively.
· If a player arrives late, he may be added to the bottom of the order with no penalty.
· If the batter is skipped due to any other reason other than injury, the team will take one out the first time that players bat returns in the lineup. No out will be called thereafter.
NOTE: ***Each team must announce their options when exchanging line-ups with other team at pregame conference with umpire.
Injuries/Substitutions when batting the entire roster:
If a player is injured and no substitute is available, that spot in the lineup will be skipped with no penalty. If an injury occurs defensively or during an at-bat and the player can’t continue the at-bat, the next batter in the lineup will take over that at-bat and assume the count. If an injury occurs while on the base paths and there are no substitutes available, the player that made the last recorded out will take the place of the injured player on the bases.
Substitutions when batting less than the entire roster:
A substitute is anyone not placed in the original batting order. Once a substitution bats, runs or fields for a player, the sub and the original starter are locked into that batting position and either one may bat or run in that position ONLY. These players are in other words married to one another offensively.
Courtesy runner for Pitcher/Catcher
Teams are allowed a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher without regard to outs. The courtesy runner is not considered a substitute. However, only a substitute can be used as a courtesy runner if you have a substitute available. If you DO NOT have a substitute available, then you must use the player who made the last batted out. REMINDER: Married players can hit or run at any time.
RE-ENTRY RULE/DEFENSE:
ALL DIVISIONS: Teams may substitute for defensive positions (except pitcher) as many times as they wish, as long as the batting order remains the same. A player does not have to play the field in order to bat. Conversely, a player does not have to bat to play the field. Offense and defense are separate. The only exception is the pitcher position where a player may not return to the mound after another player becomes the pitcher of record.
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BAT THROWING:
11u and 13u - If a batter throws his or her bat during an at bat after his follow through or after contact with a pitched ball, the umpire will provide ONE team warning. If this occurs again, the batter will be called out in each instance it occurs. If the same batter throws his or her bat twice in the same game, the umpire has the right to eject the player from the game. No additional penalties will be incurred in subsequent games.
8u thru 10u – Same rules apply as seen above with two exceptions, each player will receive one warning. If the player throws his bat again, the player is to be called out. No players can be ejected in these age groups for throwing a bat during an official swing.
PITCHING:
We will not impose pitching limits on teams. It is the manager’s discretion. It is the 
responsibility of the manager, coaching staff and parents/guardians to monitor the pitch counts and mechanics of players to ensure they are pitching safely. There is a significant number of resources available to all that provide recommendations on pitch limits and rest periods across all age groups. We highly recommends all teams and parents review those recommendations and follow them for the safety of all.
BALKS:
· 8U/9U/10U: No balks.
· 11U/12U: One warning per pitcher per game. Immediate dead ball.
· 13U/14U: No warnings. Immediate dead ball.
CATCHER DROP 3RD STRIKE:
8U – 10U the batter is automatically out, no dropped 3rd strike. 11u & older regular baseball rules apply.
INTENTIONAL WALKS:
A pitcher is NOT required to throw to a hitter during an intentional walk situation. In other words you CAN declare your intent and automatically give the batter 1st base at any time during the game.
INTENTIONAL DELAYS:
The umpires, field directors and/or tournament director reserves the right to eject any player, coach or fan for intentionally delaying a game. A forfeit may be enforced at the Tournament Director’s discretion.
PROTESTS:
No protests!! Judgment calls are final. A coach may politely ask the umpire who made the call to clarify a rule interpretation. The umpires on the field will make a final decision on the field.
SCOREBOOKS:
The home team will be the official scorebook. The visiting team is encouraged to maintain a book also.
AVOID CONTACT RULE (SLIDING):
On any force play except for 1st base, the runner must slide AND slide directly to the base or remove himself from the play in such a matter as to not interfere, intentional or unintentional, with the fielder making a play. In addition, the runner cannot interfere with a fielder’s ability to throw the ball in any way.
A runner is out when he does not slide and his not sliding creates illegal contact and/or illegally alters the actions of a fielder in the immediate act of making a play, or on a force play, does not slide in a direct line between the bases. Unfortunately, this is true even when the runner did not intend to cause contact because intent is not easily discernable by umpires. In the case of potential double play, not only is the runner who created the violation is out, but also the other runner trying to be doubled up on the play. In other words, try and avoid contact.
If, in an umpire’s judgment, there is intentional contact, that umpire may call the runner out on that play. If the contact is judged as intentional and malicious, that umpire can eject the player from the game. If a player is ejected for this reason, they may face suspension for them and/or their team’s next game with the possibility of further sanctions as well. The Tournament Director will make the final ruling on a possible suspension.
Head first sliding is allowed at all bases.
DUGOUTS:
During pool play, the dugouts are first come first choice. Teams playing a doubleheader and staying at same field will stay in same dugout for both games.
During tournament play, the higher seeded team will be the home team and occupy the third base line or the side of choice. In any case, if a team is playing multiple games at the same field, that team will stay in the same dugout regardless of seeding.
START OF GAME:
All teams are expected to be at fields ready to play 30 minutes prior to game time. Please be prepared to start games early if field, umpires and teams are ready to play. Teams must have 8 players to start game. (No out taken for vacant spot in lineup). Teams may finish with 8 players (no out taken for vacant spot in lineup). If a team starts with 8, the batting order is fixed at 8 but teams can add only 1 batter at any point upon arrival of the 9th player. Additional players the join the game will be treated as substitutes that can also be married to batters in the lineup.
REPORTING SCORES:
As the home team is the official scorekeeper, at the completion of the game they will verify with opposing coach/scorekeeper the correct score. During Pool play both teams are responsible for texting the score to:
301-873-1677 & 202-316-0598
Age Group, Team names, and Score.
Example:
10u Division
Baltimore Bombers – 5
Louisville Sluggers – 4
REFUND POLICY:
We make every effort to get as many games played for our participating teams as possible. Unfortunately, weather conditions beyond our control occasionally conspire against us. In the event that the tournament is abbreviated, the following refund policy will apply:
· NO GAMES PLAYED: Tournament Fee refund minus $100 admin fee if all games are cancelled due to inclement weather or other conditions outside of our control (bank fees excluded);
· 1 GAME PLAYED: 50% refund if only one game is played;
· 2 OR MORE GAMES PLAYED:
o If your 2nd game is started but not considered complete at the time of the postponement you will receive a no more than 40% or $250, whichever is lower.
WHAT IF THE TOURNAMENT IS CANCELED AFTER THE POOL PLAY GAME HAVE BEEN COMPLETED?
If all pool play games are played and the tournament is canceled due to weather or other perimeters outside the tournament director’s control, $150 credits will be issued for a future registration. However, the #1 seed will be deemed the champion and will be rewarded the tournament champion trophy. The #2 seed will be deemed the runner-up and will be rewarded the tournament runner-up medals.
SEEDING:
Seeding for bracket based in order on:
1. win/loss/tie record
2. head to head results (if only two teams have the same record)
3. Total runs allowed.
4. Run differential.
5. coin flip
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKETS: (subject to change)
8U: Gold- Seeds 1-5, Silver- Seeds 7-9
9U: Gold- Seeds 1-7, Silver- Seeds 8-11
10U: Gold- Seeds 1-7, Silver- Seeds 8-11
11U: Gold- Seeds 1-8, Silver- Seeds 9-16
12U: Gold- Seeds 1-7
13U: Gold- Seeds 1-9, Silver- Seeds 10-17
14U: Gold- Seeds 1-8, Silver- Seeds 9-16
15/16U: Gold- Seeds 1-8, Silver- Seeds 9-14
USABL WORLD SERIES QUALIFIER
All gold bracket winners will earn a FREE ENTRY into the USABL World Series this summer (2023).
More information on the USABL can be found at https://www.usabl.com/.
DISCLAIMER: There is no obligation associated with this offer! Our organization does not receive any monitary compensation for partnering with USABL. We have done this with the sole intent to provide additional benefit to the teams participating in our tournament.
The Tournament Director has the final say on all rules. If there is the need to modify a rule prior to the start of the tournament, ANY and ALL modifications will be communicated both to the coaches and updated online with a date stamp on each page. Please ensure you have a copy of the most current rules.
