Coaches:

·         Teams should report in to the tournament director or team sign in table 1 hour before the start of their first game, letting the director know that they have arrived and to receive any last minute instructions.

·         Teams/Coaches will be required to pay the tournament entrance fee according to their age division prior to their first scheduled game.

·         Teams/Coaches will be required to turn in a tournament roster at team sign in prior to first game. This roster will include player first name, last name and date of birth. This roster is recommended to not include more than 13 players because Ponca City Junior Baseball will only provide awards for up to 13 players.

·         Each coach shall receive 3 coach passes in their tournament packet.

·         Forfeit time is game time; however, the director’s discretion may be used if unique circumstances warrant otherwise.

·         It is recommended that Head Coaches have all players’ birth certificates available at all times. If a player’s birth certificate cannot be produced to the tournament director upon request the player will be ruled ineligible.

General Rules:

·         Teams should fill first and third base dugouts on a first come, first served basis, irrespective of home and away designation.

·         Game times will be listed with each age division. Tournament officials will make every attempt to start games on time with the posted schedule. If games are completed early the next game will begin 15 minutes following that game. This is to ensure teams have time to warm up and early game times will offset games that could finish behind schedule.

·         Ponca City Junior Baseball tournament games will follow the “5 Minute Rule”. This is not starting a new inning with less than 5 minutes left in regulation play. This is to attempt to keep games on schedule.

·         Each team shall furnish (2) quality tournament game balls for each game they play. Teams are expected to retrieve foul and home run balls so they can be available for the umpire to insert them in play when needed.  

·         Team and Individual awards are available for 1st and 2nd place. Some events may have additional awards. In the event of rain and cancellations, awards are only awarded if Championship Game teams have been established. Awards are only awarded at the park. Under no circumstances will awards be shipped.

·         Championship teams will be awarded an MVP ball with tournament information to hand to an MVP player from the winning championship team. This MVP ball is handed out at the discretion of the winning head coach to his/her team.

·         Teams may start and finish games with eight (8) uniformed and roster players. If a team plays with eight (8) players, the ninth spot in the batting order is an automatic out. If the ninth uniformed and roster player arrives, that player may be interested into the ninth spot of the batting order and the automatic out shall stop. If a team has seven (7) or less uniformed and roster players to start a game, or at any point during the game, the game shall be declared a forfeit and scored 8-0 for seeding purposes.

·         Teams may bat a nine (9) player line-up, or a nine (9) player line-up with a Designated Hitter (DH), or a ten (10) player line-up with an Extra Hitter (EH), or a 10 player line-up up with a DH and EH, or a continuous line-up of all present, eligible, uniformed players. Such line-up must be declared before the start of the game and used the entire game. A Designated Hitter (DH) can be used for ages 9u thru 14/15u.

·         The home team for pool games shall be determined by a coin flip, and will keep the official scorebook. Either an umpire or a member of the tournament staff must be present for the flip. For bracket play the higher seeded team will be the home team, if both teams equal seed, then home team will be determined by coin flip.

·         No infield practice will be allowed. Teams are allowed to play catch in the outfield and take ground balls in foul territory, if time allows. No team shall do hitting warm up/practice into the fences.

·         No metal cleats for 6u to 12u age divisions. 14/15u may wear metal cleats on field.

·         NO METAL CLEATS ON MOUNDS

·         Both head coaches must sign the yellow official scorecard. It is the responsibility of both teams to verify the score on the yellow official scorecard with the home book, umpires, and coaches prior to the umpires leaving the field of play.

·         The Tournament Director may modify the number or length of games when necessary due to weather, field conditions, or scheduling issues. This includes modifying the time limit if games get backed up.

·         Any team that forfeits in pool play may result in team not advancing to championship bracket.

·         All teams are required to adhere to local park policies, rules and ordinances. Alcohol, tobacco, and coolers shall not be brought into the confines of the tournament venue. Personal water jugs for players are acceptable. The Head Coach shall be ultimately responsible and accountable for the conduct of the team’s players, assistant coaches and spectators.

·         Umpires shall work to settle all situations on the field. Protests shall be allowed for age and pitching violations only. Uniform numbers cannot be protested. Protests must be declared to the Umpire-in-Chief or to the League / Tournament
Director before the next pitch following the dispute. If a call to be protested is the last recorded out of a game or on a game ending play, the protest MUST be filed prior to the Umpires and the protesting team leaving the field of play. No protest shall be allowed following the game. League / Tournament officials shall rule on all protests and their decisions shall be final. The Protest fee shall be $100.00 CASH. The fee shall be returned only if the protest is upheld.

·         All players, coaches, managers, sponsors and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. The league/tournament director has the authority to remove anyone from the event at any time for unsportsmanlike conduct. Any player, coach, manager, sponsor or spectator whose conduct is unbecoming or abusive shall at a minimum be reprimanded with a warning. If
warranted, the offending party shall be ejected from the game at the discretion of the Umpires and / or the League / Tournament Director.

·         Any player, coach, manager, sponsor or spectator leaving their position or base, in the field, on the bench, in the dugout area or
grandstands to participate in a fight, brawl or altercation shall be immediately ejected from the game and may be disbarred / suspended.

·         Any coach, manager, sponsor or spectator ejected from a game shall immediately remove themselves from the vicinity of the playing field and / or grandstands for the remainder of the game. Any player ejected from a game shall either immediately remove them self from the vicinity of the playing field for the remainder of the game or be confined to the dugout area for the remainder of the game at the discretion of the League / Tournament Director. Additional penalties may be assessed at the discretion of the League / Tournament Director.

·         If necessary, a team may be forced to forfeit a game and / or be removed from the league / tournament.

·         Ponca City Junior Baseball reserves the right to deny admission to or eject any person/team who, in its sole discretion, determines poses a risk to the health and safety of other participants, officials, or spectators and/or whose conduct violates any applicable code of conduct, or whose conduct is otherwise disruptive or disorderly.

·         All ejections from a Ponca City Junior Baseball complex will be subject to ejection rules posted by Ponca City Junior Baseball in tournament packets.

 

 

 

6u Modified T-Ball Division:

·         1 Hour game time.  No new inning after 55 minutes.

·         60’ base paths and 47’ to the pitching rubber or center of pitching circle.

·         A maximum of 7 runs may be scored per inning or 3 recorded outs.

·         Run Rule 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.

·         Defensive coaches shall not be allowed on the field of play and shall coach from the dugout.

·         Four (4) offensive coaches shall be allowed on the field. Pitcher, 1^st base, 3^rd base, and catcher.

·         A batter shall receive a maximum of four (4) live pitches from their own coach to put the ball in play, if the fourth (4^th) live pitch is fouled the at bat will continue with the ball being placed on the tee. The batter will then have two (2) swings to put the ball in play. No additional swings shall be awarded on foul balls.

·         Runners shall not lead off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit.

·         The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time.

·         Bunting and Intentional Walks shall be prohibited.

·         Fair Ball Arc: There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc from the first (1st) baseline to the third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. A batted ball must advance to this line to be judged as fair.

·         Safety Arc: There shall be a thirty (30) foot arc drawn from (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is hit.

·         Pitching Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot diameter circle with the front edge at forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate.

·         Pitcher’s Line: There shall be a line drawn from the pitcher’s circle to the safety arc.
The pitching coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher’s line. The Coach can pitch anywhere in-between the 30’ Safety Arc and the Pitching Circle.

·         The pitching coach may verbally coach while in the pitching position, once the pitch has been delivered the coach must make every effort to exit the field of play when a ball has been put in play.

·         The pitching coach shall position himself as not to be an obstruction to the defensive team on any possible play once the ball has been hit.

§  Penalty: If a coach violates this rule after the ball is pitched, obstruction shall be called.

§  Additional Penalty: If a coach violates this rule before the ball is pitched.

§   First Offense: Warning;

§  Second Offense: Removal of coach as the pitcher for the remainder of the game.

·         Teams shall provide a catcher, he or she shall wear a dual earflap catcher’s helmet with mask and it is recommended that the player wear chest protector and shin guards.

·         Ten (10) defensive players shall play in the field with four (4) outfielders. The fourth (4th) outfielder shall not assume an infield position. All outfielders shall stay behind the baselines.

·         The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit.

§  Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking the result of the play or no-pitch.

§  If it is the player’s First Offense, a warning shall be issued.

§  If it is the player’s Second Offense, the player shall be removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game.

·         The batting order shall constitute all present, properly uniformed players on the team roster at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order.

·         Teams may start a game with eight (8) players. The ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) positions in the batting order shall be declared an out each turn at bat.

 

§   Ruling: The ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) player and all subsequent late arriving players shall be added to the bottom of the batting order as soon as they become available.

 

·         Umpires shall call “Time” after every play and declare the ball dead. “Time” shall be called as soon as the lead runner is not attempting to advance. When a runner stands off a base and “jukes” or “feints” back and forth, this is to be interpreted as “not attempting to advance” and “Time” shall be called.

·         In the event of a tie during tournament play the “International Tie‐Breaker” will be utilized. Starting at the end of regulation time, and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with [1] one recorded out and with the player who recorded the last out in the previous at bat being placed on second base. This will continue until a winner is declared.

 

 

 

8u Division:

·         Time Limit: 75 minutes no new inning after 70 minutes.

·         6-Inning max

·         A team may score a maximum of seven (7) runs per inning.

·         Run Rule 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 inning

·         Ten (10) defensive players shall play in the field with four (4) outfielders. The fourth (4th) outfielder shall not assume an infield position. All outfielders shall stay behind the baseline.

·         The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit.

§  Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking the result of the play or no-pitch.

§  If it is the player’s First Offense, a warning shall be issued.

§  If it is the player’s Second Offense, the player shall be removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game.

·         Defensive coaches shall not be allowed on the field of play and shall coach from the dugout.

·         The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time.

·         The batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order. All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the top of the batting order.

·         Teams may start a game with eight (8) players. The ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) positions in the batting order shall be declared an out each turn at bat.  Approved Ruling: A ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) player and all subsequent players may be added to the bottom of the batting line-up as soon as they become available.

·         Teams may use free substitution on defense, but the batting order shall remain the same.

·         Bunting shall not be allowed.

·         The batter shall receive a maximum of five (5) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes.  

·         Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or reaches home plate.

·         The game is over, when the opposing team is mathematically eliminated from scoring enough runs to win or tie the game. (Run Rules still apply)

·         Umpires shall call “Time” after every play and declare the ball dead. “Time” shall be called as soon as the all runners are not attempting to advance. “Time” does not have to be called by the defense for the purpose of this rule. Comment: When a runner stands off a base and “jukes” or “feints” back and forth, this is to be interpreted as “not attempting to advance” and “Time” shall be called.

·         When a batted ball hits the Pitching Coach, the following shall apply:

o   If in the Umpire’s judgment, the coach did not make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact, the batter is declared out and no runners shall advance.

o    If in the Umpire’s judgment, the coach did make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact, the ball becomes dead and a no-pitch is declared.

·         Fair Ball Arc: There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. A batted ball must go past this line to be a fair ball.

·         Safety Arc: There shall be a thirty (30) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is hit.

·         Pitching Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot diameter circle with the front edge at forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate.

·         Pitcher’s Line: There shall be a line drawn from the pitcher’s circle to the safety arc.

·         The pitching coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher’s line. The Coach can pitch anywhere in-between the 30’ Safety Arc and the 42’ Pitching Circle.

·         The pitching coach may verbally coach while in the pitching position, once the pitch has been delivered the coach must make every effort to exit the field of play when a ball has been put in play.

·         The pitching coach shall position himself as not to be an obstruction to the defensive team on any possible play once the ball has been hit.  

§  Penalty: If a coach violates this rule after the ball is pitched, obstruction shall be called.  

§  Additional Penalty: If a coach violates this rule before the ball is pitched, First Offense: Warning; Second Offense: Removal of coach as the pitcher for the remainder of the game.

 

 

 

10u Division:

·         46 Feet Pitching Distance 65’ base path distance.

·          Time Limit: 75 Minutes, no new inning after 70 minutes

·         6-Inning Max

·         A team may score a maximum of seven (7) runs per inning.

·         Run Rule 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.

·         Pitching totals (1 out) equals 1/3 inning, (2 outs) equals 2/3 inning, and (3 outs) equals full inning.

·         PCJB tournaments will follow USSSA Baseball Pitching Rules and USSSA Baseball rules unless specified in PCJB Tournament General Rules.

 

12u Division:

·         50 Feet Pitching Distance 70’ base path distance.

·          Time Limit: 75 Minutes, no new inning after 70 minutes

·         6-Inning Max

·         Run Rule 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.

·         Pitching totals (1 out) equals 1/3 inning, (2 outs) equals 2/3 inning, and (3 outs) equals full inning.

·         PCJB tournaments will follow USSSA Baseball Pitching Rules and USSSA Baseball rules unless specified in PCJB Tournament General Rules.

 

14/15u Division:

·         60’ 6” Feet Pitching Distance 90 Feet base path distance.

·         Drop 3 (-3) bats only.

·          Time Limit: 75 Minutes, no new inning after 70 minutes

·         7-Inning Max

·         Run Rule 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.

·         PCJB tournaments will follow USSSA Baseball rules unless specified in PCJB Tournament General Rules.