The Fort Dodge Baseball Association, volunteers, and representative are not responsible for any injuries, accidents, and lost or stolen items. Teams are responsible for their own insurance. Associated insurance coverage's, as provided by USSSA membership fees, will also be recognized.

The official rules for all age divisions of USSSA youth baseball program shall be the “National High School Federation Rules" except where supplemented or modified below.

ELIGIBILITY

Only players born on or after May 1, 1997 will be able to play in the 8 and under division and each a corresponding date and age following through the 14 year old division.

Any player competing in the USSSA Youth Baseball program must remain in the same age division throughout Association competition. A player may play in an older division; i.e. a 9 year old could play in the 10 and under division, but never in a younger division, such as a 10 year old in the 9 and under division. Coaches are responsible to see that their team meets all eligibility requirements.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Registration:
Registration with USSSA, copy of birth certificate, will be on ballpark site at least 1 hour prior to first game. Teams must report to the tournament table 1 hour prior to first game.

Base length:

1. Base length will be 65 feet. Pitcher's mound will be set at 46 feet for ages 9-10, 8-(40')
2. Base length will be 70 feet. Pitcher's mound will be set at 50 feet for age 11 & 12
3. Base length will be 90 feet. Pitcher's mound will be set at 60 feet for age 13
4. Base length will be 90 feet. Pitcher's mound will be set at 60' feet 6" for age 14

Game Length:

1. Games will be 6 innings in length for ages 8-12. 7 innings for ages 13 &14
2. No inning may begin 1 hour 45 minutes after the start of the game. In the case of a tie, additional innings will be played as necessary to declare a winner. There will be no suspension of time for any reason. This limit is necessary to assure that all games are completed within the established time frame. Every effort should be made by al involved to speed games along.
3. The games will end after 3 1/2 innings if the home team is winning by 10 runs or more. Games will end after 2 ½ innings if home team is ahead by 15 runs or more. The game will end after 4 innings if the visiting team is winning by 10 runs or more. The game will end after 3 innings if visiting team is winning by 15 runs or more.
4. The bottom half of the last inning will not be played to completion solely for tiebreaker purposes.
5. An umpire may suspend a game, but not declare the game complete, until the tournament official confirms the game should be called. (rain or lightening concerns) for safety.
6. Coaches must meet with umpire just prior to the start of each game for any of these rules, interpretation or with the tournament director.

General Information:

1. Each team will carry a Tournament Pitcher's Record. This record will be given to the home plate umpire following the game for his approval and signature.
2. Thirty minutes prior to scheduled game time, the enclosed batting order sheet must be completed and exchanged with the opposing team.
3. Home team will be determined by coin flip prior to each game. The home team will occupy the third base dugout.
4. Prior to each game, a meeting at home plate will be held involving coaches and umpires to review ground rules and answer questions.
5. Normal substitution rules per High School rules.
6. Pool Play tiebreaker determination: 1) Team records. 2) Head to Head won/loss 3) Total runs allowed. 4) Coin flip
7. At the end of each game, please have the players police the dugout, so it will be clean for the next team. Thanks for your anticipated help and cooperation.

Coaches:

1. Adults may coach bases.
2. Teams are limited to 2 coaches on the field. A third adult will be allowed to stay in the dugout to maintain order.
3. When visiting the pitcher, the coach may go to the mound.
4. Coaches do not need to be in uniform, but should be in proper attire.
5. Coaches will be held responsible for the actions of their players and fans.
1. 1. Due to the tight schedule, it may not always be possible to hold infield practice.
2. Permission to take batting, or fielding practice, on another field in the complex may be requested from the tournament director.
4. Soft toss batting practice against a backstop or fence is prohibited.
5. Any player who throws equipment (bat, helmet, glove) will be at least issued a warning by the umpire. Upon the second occurrence, the player may be ejected.
6. Protests are subject to verbal communication to the umpire and payment of $100 fee before the next pitch. The umpires may, but are not required to, call for a tournament official. Of course, judgment calls may not be protested.
7. With respect to ejection of a manager, coach, or players, the first occurrence results in suspension for the game in which ejection occurs and the next game. The second occurrence during the tournament results in suspension for the remainder of the tournament as well as possible imposition of further sanctions subject of the review of an AAU tournament official.
8. As with any tournament, unsportsman-like conduct will not be tolerated.

OFFENSE

Batters:

1. The designated hitter or EP rule may be used.
2. Aluminum baseball bats of any size are allowed.
3. Batters may advance to first base on a dropped third strike. (Ages 9 to 14)

Runners:

1. Runners must avoid contact on close plays when the fielder, or catcher, is waiting with the ball. If a runner knocks over a player with the ball in hand, he shall be called out and will be ejected from the game, if such actions are considered flagrant. This sliding rule is a judgment call and may not be protested. Please have your runners slide if in doubt.
2. A runner may not slide headfirst at home only. For ages 8 through 10.
3. Runners missing a base may be called out when the ball is dead, upon appeal to umpire.
4. A courtesy runner is allowed for the catcher only.

DEFENSE

Pitchers:

1. Age 8 - may pitch 4 innings in a day. Maximum of 6 innings for the tournament
2. Age 9 & 10 – may pitch 6 innings in a day. Maximum of 8 innings for the tournament.
3. Age 11 & 12 – may pitch 6 innings in a day. Maximum of 9 innings for the tournament
4. Age 13 & 14 – may pitch 7 innings in a day. Maximum of 11 innings for tournament.

Each team is allowed 3 charged conferences in a 6 inning game when on defense (a conference is not charged when the pitcher is removed). One additional conference is allowed for each extra inning.

One out constitutes 1/3rd of an inning. Two outs – 2/3 of an inning. Three outs – a full inning. If a pitcher does not record an out, no partial inning will be charged.

GENERAL RULES

1. Balk is in effect for ages 9 - 14. One warning per pitcher for ages 9 & 10.
2. Stealing home is allowed, except age 8.
3. Leading off base is allowed in ages 9-14.
4. Dropped 3rd strike, the batter may advance in ages 9-14. Batter is out in age 8.
5. A courtesy runner for the catcher when two (2) outs. Runner must be player not in the game.
6. Each team is allowed one offensive time out per inning.