10U Age Division - Tournament Rules
Players must be 10 years old or under as of April 30 (coaches should carry birth certificates if needed).
Each game consists of 6 innings or time limit. Bases to be set at 60’, and pitching distance set at 44’.
In all pool play games, a coin flip will determine the home team. For all bracket games the higher seed will be the home team.
1 hour 40 minute time limit for every game in the tournament. Full extra innings will be allowed for tied games until the time limit has expired. In pool play if the game is still tied when the time limit expires, a tie game will be declared and reflected as such in the standings. For all bracket games still tied when the time limit expires, each half inning thereafter will start with the bases loaded and 1 out (the runners will be the last 3 outs from the previous inning). The game will continue as such until a winner has been determined. For time limit purposes, the timer starts on the first warmup pitch of the game and a new inning starts immediately when the last out of the previous inning is made.
Bracket Play Tie-Breaker. If a game is tied after all innings have been completed (or after the time limit), the "California Tie-Breaker” rule will go into effect (Bases loaded - 1 out). Each team puts the last 3 batters, from the previous inning, in order on the bases (last batter starting on 1st base, 2nd to last on 2nd, etc.) with one out and will play out a full inning. This format continues until the tie is broken and the game is complete.
A minimum of 8 players is needed to start a game (if playing with 8 players, an automatic out must be taken).
Mercy rules are 12 runs after 3 innings, and 8 runs after 4 innings and in effect for all games including the championship game.
A game is official after 4 innings if called because of bad weather. If called before that, it will be considered a suspended game and play will resume at that point. Tournament officials reserve the right to alter the format of the tournament due to weather, darkness, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
The home team will have the official book. All line-up changes must be reported to the opponent’s scorebook. Each team’s scorekeeper should check with the other to confirm the score at the end of every inning.
No lineup restrictions. Each team can bat any number of players they choose, or bat their entire lineup. If a team is batting the entire lineup and a player is injured, that player’s spot in the batting lineup will be skipped and not counted as an out. Free defensive substitutions (except pitcher) for any player that is in the batting lineup.
If using re-entry with subs, starters will be allowed to re-enter one time to the position in the batting order they left. Pitchers may not return to the mound after being removed.
Designated hitters will NOT be allowed.
There are NO pitching restrictions in the tournament, coaches please handle your young pitchers in a responsible manner.
Dropped third strike is in effect.
Balk and infield fly rules are not in effect.
Stealing is allowed, including stealing home but runners are not allowed to leave the base until the pitch reaches home plate.
No length/weight restrictions or barrel limitations on bats, all bats must have a USSSA, USA, or BBCOR stamp.
Courtesy runners will be allowed and encouraged for catchers only (last batted out if batting the entire lineup).
Metal cleats will NOT be allowed.
The umpire’s rulings are final. Protests will not be allowed. Please support the umpires.
Please have teams warmed up and ready to go at least 15 minutes prior to your listed game time. Games may start early if your scheduled field is open and umpires are ready. Infield practice will only be allowed as time permits.
Pool play seeding tiebreakers: 1) Best record 2) Head to head (if only 2 teams are tied) 3) Least runs allowed 4) Most runs scored 5) Coin flip
Any situation not covered here will be governed by the IESA rulebook.