USSSA Rules
LB21/USSSA Tournament Rules
Divisions are based upon a player's age as of the 2012 League Age date (April 30th, 2012). Players may play up in age but may not play down. The 2011-2012 season runs from Aug. 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012.
Players are permitted to play on only one team during a weekend tournament. This rule applies no matter where the USSSA tournament is located.
Any team knowingly using an illegal player shall be subject to discipline ranging from forfeiting a game, ejection from tournament, and suspension from all USSSA sanctioned leagues and tournaments for a one year period.
Metal cleats are prohibited for teams 12U and below.
Pitching
Pitching restrictions for 2012 tournaments are as follows:
• 7U, 8U 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U: 6 innings in a day, 8 in the tournament
Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, he may not pitch again in that game.
Pitching Distances for all USSSA baseball tournaments are as follows:
7U – 8U: 40 ft mound, 60 foot bases
9U: 46 ft mound, 65 ft bases
10U: 46 feet mound 65 ft bases,
11U – 12U: 50 ft mound 70 ft bases
13U: 54 ft mound 80 ft bases (Some 14Us will play 54x80)
14U & up – 60.6 ft. mound 90 ft bases
To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base. No pitches are thrown.
Length of Game
Extra innings are played if there is still time on clock. Once an inning begins, it must be completed. However, if the home team is ahead and batting when time expires, the game is over and the inning is not completed. If time expires in a tie game during pool play, the game is called a tie. A tie counts as 1/2 a win and 1/2 a loss in pool play. Sunday Games will continue playing until there is a winner, Texas Tie Breaker Rule Applies (1 out with bases loaded).
USSSA reserves the right to modify the length of games due to issues involving limited visibility or park curfew. Every effort will be made to finish the tournament but in cases of rain, darkness or other acts of God, the tournament director reserves the right to shorten games or modify schedules in order to finish the event.
Requirements for a Mercy rule are as follows:
7 inning game:
• 15 run lead after 3 innings
• 12 run lead after 4 innings
• 8 run lead after 5 innings
6 inning game:
• 15 run lead after 3 innings
• 8 run lead after 4 innings
Protest
To protest a game, the umpire must be immediately informed that the game is being played under protest. In order to protest, the protesting team must pay $100 (cash) and if ruling is in favor of protesting team they will be refunded their $100. Do not continue the game under any circumstances until the tournament director has made his ruling. Once the next pitch is thrown, both teams have lost the right to protest.
ENTRY FEE PAYMENT POLICY
ALL tournament entry fees are required to be pre-paid UNLESS arrangements are made with an individual tournament director. If you are NOT PAID, you will not be included in the brackets.
REFUND POLICY
If you have paid your tournament entry fee and the tournament is canceled due to weather or lack of teams, you will receive your FULL refund minus a $50 administration fee.
If you pull out of a tournament BEFORE the brackets have been posted, you will receive a FULL refund.
If you pull out of a tournament AFTER the brackets have been posted, but prior to the start day, you will receive NO refund. (Please note, if you had made arrangements with tournament director to pay the weekend of tournament you will STILL be required to pay FULL entry fee. Your team (to include all individual players) will be suspended from ALL USSSA events/venues until tournament director receives payment in full.
If you pull out of the tournament on the start day or are a "no show" you will receive NO refund and your games will be listed as a FORFEIT even if brackets have been redone.
Those teams who make arrangements with an individual tournament director and are allowed to bring their entry fee with them and they back out of that tournament will be billed for their tournament fee and not allowed to compete in another USSSA tournament until the bill is paid.
RAIN OUT REFUND POLICY
If a tournament has been canceled or rained out, the following guidelines will be used regarding refunds: (For those teams who have pre-paid)
If you’re TEAM has played:
NO games - FULL REFUND minus $50 administration fee
ONE game – 2/3 Refund Credit towards a future LB21 Tournament
TWO games – 1/3 Refund Credit towards a future LB21 Tournament
It is the team Managers responsibility to contact the tournament director for rain out information. Information should be posted on our website. The tournament director cannot be expected to contact each team if a tournament is rain out.
We reserve the right to change any or all of these rules at any time. Please review the tournament rules posted at each tournament for any additions, deletion or changes.
Refund Policy:
REFUND/RAINOUT POLICY
LB21 Tournaments would like to play each tournament from beginning to end. However, due to certian instances beyond our control, like Mother Nature, a tournament may have to be shortened, postponed or cancelled.
Prior to any tournament officially being cancelled, every opportunity will be made to reschedule or resume play at the first chance, as dictated by venue management and/or sanctioning body. All tournament updates will be posted on our website, including any cancellation or adjustments.
In the event a tournament must be cancelled, teams will be refunded their entry fee according to the amount of games played.
0 games played- full refund minus $50 Administration Fee
1 games played - 1/2 refund minus $50 Administration Fee
2 games or more played - NO REFUND
Ex, If your entry fee was $300 and you played 1 game you would receive a refund of 1/2 minus $50 administration fee (your refund would be $100).
PLEASE NOTE, ONCE A TOURNAMENT BRACKET HAS BEEN POSTED THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF ENTRY FEE. IF A TEAM DROPS OUT OF TOURNAMENT AFTER A BRACKET IS POSTED THE TEAM WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE FULL ENTRY FEE. YOUR TEAM WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM ALL USSSA EVENTS/VENUES UNTIL YOUR TEAM SUBMITS FULL PAYMENT TO LB21 TOURNAMENTS.
