SoNV USSSA Tournament Rules

15U - 18U

GAMES

• 7 innings with no new inning after 2:00. In pool play a game can end in a tie.

• If a game is called due to rain, Weather, light failure, or other acts of Nature and cannot be resumed it is a regulation game if:

• For a seven (7) inning game, if four (4) innings have been played or if the home team has scored more runs after three and one half (3 1/2) innings the game shall be declared a complete game.

• All games that for any reason cannot be declared a regulation game pursuant to USSSA Rule 7.03.C shall be a suspended game. A suspended game when resumed, shall resume from the exact point of suspension.

• Mercy Rule 15 after 3 innings, 12 after 4 innings and 8 after 5 innings.

• Tie Breakers:  1. Winning Percentage 2. Number of Wins 3.  Number of Loses 4. Tied Teams (vs each other) Winning Percentage (Not valid if all teams have not played each other)   5.  Avg Points Allowed 6.  Avg Run Differential with a max of 8 7.  USSSA Points 8.  Date Team Entered USSSA Database.  (Once advanced past on tie breaker, you don't go back to a previous tie breaker).

• Championship Day:  For all playoff and championship games.  If a game is still tied at the end of regulation innings, or any inning starting after time has expired, the last batter to complete their at-bat, will be placed on second base to start the following inning(s) until there is a winner.  Also, there is no time limit in the championship game.

• There will only be 1 Manager and 3 coaches allowed in the dugout at SoNV USSSA games. All assistant coaches must be listed on your team's online roster on www.usssa.com under the "Coaches Listing" option. In addition, no one other than official coaches and players are allowed in the dugout at any time.

Pitching

• There are no pitching restrictions.

Batting

• Teams may play an official game with an eight (8) player line-up. If a team plays with an eight (8) player line-up, an out shall be declared for the ninth (9th) position in the batting line-up each turn at bat.

• Any player(s) arriving after the start of the game, shall be added to the bottom of the line-up.

• A team that must shorten their line-up do to the lack of eligible players, an out shall be recorded every time that spot in the line-up comes up.

• Teams may elect to bat nine (9) players, or nine (9) players with a DH, or nine (9) players with an EH, or nine (9) players with an EH and DH, or a continuous line-up of all present, eligible, uniformed players.  The use of the EH, DH or a continuous line-up must be declared before the start of the game and used the entire game.

• Starters may re-enter one time only in their original spot.

• The DH may bat for any defensive player.

• A starting defensive player cannot be listed as the DH

• A DH for said player shall be selected prior to the start of the game, and his name shall be included on the line-up cards presented to the umpire-in-chief and to the official scorer.

• The DH that bats for a defensive player or any of that player's substitutes are locked into that batting slot.  No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting order.

• The player who was the DH may re-enter as the DH under the re-entry rule.

• If a pinch hitter or pinch runner for the DH is used, that player becomes the new DH.

• A subbed DH can re-enter the game one time since he was considered a starter.  The defensive player being hit for can also re-enter the game one time if subbed for. Both must always stay in the same batting spot.

• The role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game when: (1) The defensive player, or any previous defensive player for whom the DH batted, subsequently bats, pinch hits, or runs for the DH; (2) The DH or any previous designated DH assumes a defensive position.

 Runner

• A runner who jumps over a player will be called out whether or not contact is made with the defensive player.

• The Force Play Slide Rule:  A runner may legally slide directly into a base or in any direction away from the fielder to avoid contact or altering the play of the fielder or avoid by peeling off away from the player making the play.  Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal.  Legal Slide means a headfirst slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground before the base.  If interference is called and the batter/runner is also called out.

• Illegal slide: a slide is illegal if it includes: raising a foot higher than the fielders knee, sliding past a base,  making an intentional act while sliding such as throwing arms, kicking, slashing, or a roll block.

• Interference: if a runner makes an illegal slide and makes contact with a fielder, or alters the play, it is considered interference. Ball is dead, runner is out. On a force slide play the batter/runner shall also be called out.

• Malicious contact: runner called out and EJECTED

• Courtesy Runner - At any time, the offensive team may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher of record from the previous inning on defense.  The courtesy runner must be a player not presently in the line-up.  If no players not presently in the line-up are available, the courtesy runner shall be the player making the last batted out.  The re-entry status of the courtesy runner, pitcher, and catcher shall not be affected by this rule.  If at any time, a courtesy runner is determined to be ineligible, a proper replacement pursuant to these rules (if available) shall be used without penalty.

• A.R. - If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases.

 EQUIPMENT

• NO METAL CLEATS will be allowed on artificial mounds and fields designated by SN USSSA baseball.

• All bats for 15u thru 18u divisions must be a BBCOR or wood bat limitations including a length to weight ratio no greater than negative three (-3) ounces.

SPORTSMANSHIP and EJECTIONS

• All players, coaches, managers, sponsors and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanship manner at all times. The Tournament Director/Staff has the authority to remove anyone from the event at any time for unsportsmanship conduct.

• Additional penalties may be assessed at the discretion of the Tournament Director/Staff.

• ITEMS NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED IN POLICY'S OR TOURNAMENT RULES SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE  TOURNAMENT  DIRECTOR/STAFF FOR RESOLUTION.

Version - V11425