TEAM INSURANCE/WAIVER

Each team is required to carry its own insurance and submit a certificate of insurance to the Tournament Director prior to the beginning of the tournament.  No team will be allowed to play until we have that information and it is verified. ALL TEAMS need listed as an ‘additional insured’ in the certificate holder section of the standard certificate of liability form. Oxford Athletic Association 1024 Hickory Hill Road, Oxford PA 19363. This can be obtained by simply calling your insurance company and asking them to list that on the certificate. 

 WAIVER/ROSTER & PROOF OF AGE  http://www.leaguelineup.com/miscinfo.asp?menuid=30&url=oxfordoutlaws&sid=805529749

Players age determined by their age as of April 30,2014

Each team is required to complete and turn in the waiver form to the Tournament Director prior to the start of the tournament.  The waiver will also serve as your official roster.  Rosters are limited to 15 players and 4 coaches.  Each player can only be listed on 1 roster for each tournament.  (Players can’t play on two different teams during the same tournament, even if they are eligible for more than 1 age group.  Birth certificates do not need to be turned in, however they must be on hand for each game in the event that the opposing team challenges a players age.  If there is a challenge, and the coach cannot provide the players birth certificate, or it is determined that the player is in eligible due to their age, then the player will be removed from the game and an out will be recorded each time their spot comes up in the batting order.  The manager will also be ejected from all remaining games in the tournament.  

 

GAMES/REFUNDS

Games: 3 games minimum(unless weather or unforseable issue occurs)
Weather related or lack of team interest Refund policy: if tournament is cancelled refund minus $100 administration fee or full credit towards next tournament.
Play one game : $150 refund
Play two games : $100 credit towards future tournament
2 pool play games: Teams will be reseeded after pool play games. The number of teams advancing to elimination rounds will be dependant on number of teams entered. Remaining teams will play 1 consolation game
Elimination rounds may be changed if scheduling conflict occurs. I.E. first round games may be changed to only four teams advancing or only top two seeds play championship game.

 

SITE/FIELD INFORMATION  

ALL FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES FOR ALL AGE GROUPS WILL BE PLAYED AT THE OAA FIELDS 1024 Hickory Hill rd.

The street address for the Oxford Athletic Association, Old Gold & Butch Dean fields, is 1024 Hickory Hill Road, Oxford PA 19363.
Sheldon field address is 900 Locust st. Oxford, Pa. 19363 9u teams
Elk Ridge field 200 Wickersham rd Oxford, Pa. 19363 10u teams

Concessions are available, only @ OAA field, and will typically open during the 1st game of each day.  The stand usually shuts down shortly after the final game(s) of the day begin. 

OAA has 2 Fields with lights.  Old Gold is the field closest to the Concessions.  Butch Dean is the lower field.  Both fields are fenced and have a full dirt infield.  Portable pitching mounds are used for our tournaments.  
Sheldon field has all dirt infield with fence. Permanent mound
Elk Ridge is all dirt infield with portable fence & mound

 

UMPIRES

For age groups 11u & 12u, we will generally schedule two umpires per game.  If unforeseen circumstances arise on game day and only one umpire is available, games will be played with 1 umpire.  If two games have the same start time, and only 3 umpires are on site, elimination round games will have priority over consolation games when deciding which game(s) will have 2 umpires.  In all cases, the decision will be made by the Tournament Director. Umpires will default to Babe Ruth Rulebook.

 

 

DUGOUTS & HOME / VISITING TEAM

Home/Away teams will be decided in pool play by a coin toss.  The team traveling the farthest (total miles) will call the toss.  Home/Away in elimination and consolation games will be decided by the higher seed.   Dugouts are first come, first serve.

 

LINEUPS: ROSTERS ARE LOCKED ONCE TEAMS FIRST GAME STARTS. PLAYERS CAN NOT BE ADDED AFTER GAME STARTS

Free defensive substitutions. Any player listed on roster may play on defense whether in batting lineup or not. Furthermore, if a player is injured during the game in which a team is batting the entire lineup, their spot in the lineup is skipped with no penalty. Once the spot in the lineup is skipped due to an injury, that player is not eligible to return to the game in any capacity.  If a player is ejected during the game in which a team is batting the entire lineup, their spot in the lineup will be recorded as an out for the remainder of the game. 

Batting at least 9-  Teams have the option to bat anywhere from 9 players to the entire lineup.  If you have 14 players, you can bat 9 of them and have 5 subs, bat 10 with 4 subs, bat 11 with 3 subs, etc.  If a team does not bat the entire lineup and substitutes are available, we use the standard NFHS re-entry rule. Starters may be re-entered once, as long as the player occupies their original position in the batting order. Furthermore, if a player is injured during the game in which a team is not batting the entire lineup, a substitute must be entered for the injured player.  If all substitutes have already been used, (whether still in the lineup or on the bench) the opposing team will decide which player may be re-entered.  If a player is ejected during the game in which a team is not batting the entire lineup, their spot in the lineup will be recorded as an out for the remainder of the game, unless a sub (who has not previously been in the lineup) is available.

 

It is the responsibility of the coaching staff for each team to verify the accuracy of the other team’s lineup prior to the start of each game.   Line-up cards with names, numbers and subs must be exchanged before the start of each game.  If a team’s uniform includes a players’ name and/or number on the front, back, side, etc. of the jersey, that’s the name and/or number that should be recorded on the lineup card that is submitted to the opposing team prior to each game.  (ie.  If the players’ jersey says “ROSE” # 14, don’t submit a lineup card that says PETE # 14.  Managers must bring any issues to the attention of the Tournament Director before the game.  If either team feels that an illegal substitution has been made, they should appeal to the umpire after at least one pitch has been thrown to the batter.  Once the appeal has been requested, if the umpire and/or Tournament Director decide that an illegal substitution has been made, the batter will be called out automatically.  Once the batter is called out, he will then be deemed to be officially in the lineup.  If no appeal is made and the batter is walked, HBP, reaches base safely or is put out, then he is deemed to be in the lineup.  

 

INJURIES / SUBSTITUTIONS

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 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 no substitute is available, the player that made the last recorded out will take the place of the injured player on the bases.

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. In other words, as soon as another pitcher throws a pitch to a batter (becoming the new ‘pitcher of record’), the previous pitcher is no longer able to pitch 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.

PITCHER’S EQUIPMENT

Pitchers are allowed to wear a protective helmet or head gear. The helmet/head gear can’t be glossy nor have anything else on it that can be deemed distracting to the batter (umpire’s discretion). It is the umpire and tournament director’s discretion to deem whether any other equipment or clothing that the pitcher is wearing is distracting to the opposing batter. This includes but is not limited to: Batting gloves, sunglasses, long sleeves, compression sleeves, athletic tape on wrist/arm, and two-toned fielder gloves.

AVOID CONTACT RULE

Players must attempt to avoid contact with other players in tag-out situations. 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 may also eject the player from the game. If a player is ejected for this reason, they may face suspension for their team’s next game with the possibility of further sanctions as well. The Tournament Director on-site will make the final ruling on a possible suspension. On force out situations, if the runner slides, they must slide directly into the base. A slide that is not directly into the base is grounds for an interference call (umpire’s judgment) and the runner could be declared out. In this instance, the batter/runner could also be declared out if the fielder was attempting to make a play on that batter/runner. It is important to note that if the runner makes a legal slide directly into the base and contact is made with the fielder, interference will not be called.

 

TIME LIMIT

No new inning may start after the time limit elapses. The standard time limit for all age groups is 1 hour and 45 minutes from the time of the first pitch of the game to the last out of an inning. Games can go into extra innings as long as the time limit has not expired. Pool play games can end in a tie. If the time limit is reached during an inning, that inning will be the last one of the game. If the home team is winning after the top half of that last inning, they will be declared the winner of the game and will not hit in the bottom half. If the home team is trailing and must hit in the bottom half of the last inning, the game will end at the moment the home team scores the winning run or at the moment of their third out. If the time limit is reached during the bottom half of an inning and the home team is winning at that moment, we will let the current batter complete the at-bat and then the game will end.
Elimination games – elimination games will have a 2 hour time limit. If an elimination game is tied after time has expired we will use a tie breaker. Starting with the top of the next inning, after time has expired, each team will start their at bat with the batter that made the last out of the previous inning on second base & start with 1 out.
Championship games will NOT have a time limit but will adhere to mercey rule. 

Even if you are playing the last game of the day, the game is still subject to the time limit.  Keep in mind that all other games before yours were bound by the time limit so that your game could start as close to the scheduled time as possible.  The game can end in a tie.  We can’t bend the rules for the final game of the day because the outcome will not only effect seeding for the teams playing the last game, but all of the other teams.

 

Our expectation is that teams will take 2 minutes in between innings. Pitchers are permitted to throw 8 warm-up pitches in their first inning of work or 5 warm-up pitches every other inning. If a catcher is still getting dressed, a coach should be ready to warm-up the pitcher.  Fielders should be heading directly to their positions once the 3rd out has been made.

INTENTIONAL DELAYS

Intentionally delaying a game to achieve a victory through the time limit is unsportsmanlike conduct and will not be tolerated.  The umpires and/or tournament officials at the game reserve the right to eject a coach or player for intentionally delaying a game and possibly declare a forfeit to that team.

 

 

TIE GAMES IN POOL PLAY

Pool play games can end in a tie. A tie game in pool play equals ½ of a win and ½ of a loss for both teams toward their overall record and/or winning percentage. Therefore, a team that is 2-0-1 would have a winning percentage of .833 and a team that is 2-1-0 would have a winning percentage of .667. In other words, the 2-0-1 record is better than the 2-1-0 record.

BALKS

We follow Major League Baseball rules pertaining to balks.
11u will have 1 warning per pitcher. Each additional balk will be enforced.
12u will have NO warning.
"Gorilla Arm" is not considered a balk.
Facking third & going to first IS considered a balk

 

MERCY RULE

For all games – 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings.  If the home team is winning, then the game will be over after 2 ½, 3 ½, or 4 ½ innings respectively.

GENERAL FAIR PLAY / SPORTMANSHIP

Intentional disregard for the stated rules (or the spirit in which those rules exist) as well as obvious unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated and will place the individuals and/or teams involved at risk for a possible forfeit or banishment from any future Oxford Outlaws Baseball tournaments.

ON-DECK BATTER

All on deck batters will remain off of the field of play.

SLASH BUNT

For 9u and 10u age groups, a slash bunt (aka butcher boy) is illegal and the player will be called out if this play is attempted. A slash bunt is defined as a player showing bunt at any time during the pitch and then swinging at that same pitch.

 

FORFEITS

If a team chooses to forfeit a pool play game, they are not eligible for the championship round and face suspension in future Oxford Outlaws Baseball tournaments. The final score of the forfeited game will be based on the team giving up a run per inning for a complete game (e.g. for a 6 inning game the score would be 6-0; for a 7 inning game the score would be 7-0). 

Ø If a team chooses to forfeit a consolation or elimination game, they face suspension in future Oxford Outlaws Baseball tournaments. 

Ø If a team chooses to forfeit a championship game, they are not eligible for tournament awards 

Ø Oxford Outlaws Baseball will attempt to replace a forfeited team in an elimination game if possible. 

Ø If a game becomes a forfeit after it has started due to a team having less than the required 7 available players, the official score of that game still follows the guidelines above no matter what the score was at the time of the forfeit. 

 

PROTESTS

It is the responsibility of the manager and/or coach of a team to stop the game at the time of the play and ask for a Oxford Outlaws Tournament Official if they feel that a ruling during a game is incorrect. A game should never be stopped for umpire judgment calls as those cannot be protested. Our staff will do everything possible to resolve issues as they occur.

 

 

 

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

Negative behavior/bad sportsmanship at youth sporting events has become a major issue. Oxford Outlaws Baseball Tournaments are not immune as we still see coaches and parents that choose to act in a negative manner toward the opposing team or an umpire from time to time. Please remember that the games are for the kids, not the adults, and we expect each adult to set a positive example for the players through their words and actions.

 

PROPER CHEERING / NOISE MAKERS

All individuals (players, coaches, parents, and fans) are expected to cheer in a positive manner for their own team and never in a negative manner toward the opposing team. Noise makers are not permitted in the dugouts and if they are used by parents/fans, they must not cause any sort of distraction to the opposing team. Because the term “distraction” can be subjective, if an issue arises at a field involving noise makers, then Oxford Outlaws Baseball staff may mandate that they not be used during moments of game play. They would only be permitted to be used when the ball is dead or in between innings. If that stipulation is not followed, the noise makers would be prohibited all together for that team for the remainder of the tournament.

 

BATS RESTRICTIONS

Coaches are responsible for checking all of their player’s bats before playing in the tournament. Please make sure all bats meet the guidelines below. 

Ø 9u – 12u: All bats must have either the BPF 1.15 or BBCOR designation displayed on the bat. Max. diameter 2 3/4
No other weight or size restrictions for these age groups. 

 

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. 

 

EJECTION / SUSPENSION POLICY: 

Ø Managers/Coaches: Managers or coaches (or scorekeepers or anyone else that is in the dugout or on the field during a game) that are ejected from a game (either by an umpire or by a Oxford Outlaws Baseball Official) must leave the facility immediately and will automatically be suspended for 1 additional game. The Tournament Director may also lengthen the suspension to more games or expulsion from the facility for a period of time. 

 

If a manager or coach is ejected from a game twice during the same tournament, they will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament. 

Ø Players: If a player is ejected from a game they may face further suspension. 

Ø Parents / Fans: If a fan or parent is ejected from a game (either by an umpire or an Oxford Outlaws Baseball Official), they must leave the facility immediately and will be suspended for the remainder of the event. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIE BREAKER SYSTEM

 1) Record 

 2) Head to Head (if applicable) 
           -if more than 2 teams are tied and they have not all played each other than head to head is not applicable
           -if all tied teams have played each other and 1 team has defeated the other two that team is the higher seed & the other two will revert to head to head
                                 - if team A has defeated team B & C team A is the higher seed and the winner of head to head of team B & C is the higher seed of those two
           -if one team has not defeated the other two we will revert to runs against as the tie breaker
                                  -if team A defeated team B & team B defeated team C & team C defeated team A then there is no clear head to head winner and head to head is not applicable & we will revert to runs against

3) Least runs allowed

4) Lowest single game runs allowed 

5) Each subsequent lowest single game runs allowed (2nd lowest for each team, 3rd lowest, etc.) 

6) Highest average run differential per games played 

7) Highest single game run differential 

8) Each subsequent highest single game run differential (2nd highest for each team, 3rd highest, etc.) 

9) Coin flip 

Age specific rules 

9u & 10u
46'/60' field
Leads/steals-ball MUST cross plate first:
                         first offence is team warning. every subsuquent offense runner is declared out.
No dropped third strike
Infield fly rule IS in effect
9U ONLY Walks-once batter is walked batter may NOT advance past 1st base. All other runners may advance at their own risk.
No slash bunts
Rubber cleas only
No head first slides
Bats Up to 2 3/4 must be BPF 1.15 or BBCOR

11u & 12u
50'/70' field
leads/steals allowed
Infield fly rule IS in effect
Rubber cleats only
No head first slides
11u 1 balk warning per pitcher
12u no balk warning

 dropped 3rd stike is in effect
Bats Up to 2 3/4 must be BPF 1.15 or BBCOR
 

 Rosters are locked once a team’s first game begins. 

Re-entry Starters may be re-entered once, including the DH, as long as the player occupies the same position in the  batting order. Starting pitchers may be re-entered, but not as pitchers*  *If a pitcher is removed from the mound and goes to another defensive position, they may not return as a pitcher in that game 

Courtesy runners No courtesy runners

On-deck batter All on-deck batters must stay near their dugout and off of the field of play

Mound visits Pitcher must be removed on second mound visit in the same inning (all ages). 

Intentional walk The pitcher must throw to a hitter during an intentional walk situation (all ages) 

Ejections If a manager, coach, or scorekeeper is ejected from a game, they automatically suspended for the next game with further sanctions possible. If a player is ejected from a game, and there is no substitute available, that spot in the lineup will be recorded as an out. If a fan or parent is ejected from a game, they will not be allowed back for the rest of the event.