BLUE SPRINGS BASEBALL TOURNAMENT RULES

GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: 105 NE Brizendine, Blue Springs, MO 64014
Web Site: www.bluespringsbaseball.org
Rainout Hot Line: 816-470-0105
Schedule and Results: Web Site Tournament Page
FACILITY RULES
• NO Animals. BSB does not allow any animals at our facility. Species, age, size, or breed
does not matter. Exception: Any service animal that is individually trained to do
work or perform tasks that benefit an individual with a disability are allowed.
• NO skate boards, skate shoes, rollerblades, or bikes allowed.
• NO outside food or drink. Personal food/drink coolers are prohibited. Team water coolers
are allowed.
• NO firearms. Firearms are prohibited.
• NO Trespassing on Property West of the facility, it is Private property.
• NO swinging bats outside of fields. This includes Hit Sticks and soft toss into nets.
• Tournament Director reserves the right to refuse admittance or require individuals who
have displayed un-sportsman like conduct to leave the facility.
GAME RULES
• Rules will follow USSSA most recent rule book unless otherwise noted in this document.
• Coin toss will determine home team during pool play. Home team will be official book.
Higher seed is home team during bracket play.
• Time Limits (Time starts upon completion of plate conference):
8U MP 1 hour 35 minutes
9U–14U 1 hour 45 minutes
15U-18U 2 hours.
• Innings:
MP-12U 6 innings
13U-18U 7 innings
• Mercy rules:
8U-12U: 15 runs/3 innings, 8 runs/4 innings
13U-18U 15 runs/3 innings, 12 runs/4 innings, 8 runs/5 innings
• Pitching will be Managers discretion.
• Tie breaker will be used for all age groups. In the event of a tie after time limit or
regulation innings, Defense starts with one out and offense begins with last out from
previous inning on second base. Tie breaker for championship game will not take effect
until after regulations innings have been completed regardless of time.
• No full infield warm up, batting practice from the batter’s box, or pitching from the
mound will be allowed before game time. Teams may take ground balls in foul territory
of the infield before the game starts.
 BLUE SPRINGS BASEBALL TOURNAMENT RULES (CON’T)

• Seeding Procedures:
1. Winning Percentage - Descending
2. Number Wins - Descending
3. Number Losses - Ascending
4. Tied Teams (vs. each other) Winning Pct. – Descending (more than 2 teams tied,
skip this tie breaker
5. Avg. Runs Allowed - Ascending
6. Avg. Run Differential with a maximum of (8) – Descending
7. USSSA Points
8. Coin Flip
EQUIPMENT
• Bats must conform to the USSSA rules. Therefore, if the bat is not a wood bat it must
have the USSSA marks permanently applied by the manufacturer or be a qualified
BBCOR bat.
• Any bat that is cracked, broken, or altered in any way, will be deemed ILLEGAL.
SPECIAL RULES AND CLARIFICATIONS
• All Ages:
- When a tag play is evident, runners must slide or seek to avoid contact with the
fielder.
- Malicious contact shall supersede all obstruction penalties and may result in ejection.
- Courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher at any time. Runner must be
someone not presently in the lineup. The same runner may not run for both positions
in the same inning. Last batted out if batting entire lineup.
- EH will be allowed in all age groups. Teams will not be penalized if they are forced to
shrink their line up due to injury or illness. Teams can bat their entire lineup, bat 9,
or bat 9 + EH. If a player is removed due to injury or illness he may not return. High
School Division may play a DH if announced at plate meeting.
- Ages 9-14 starting players may re-enter once, but must re-enter in their original
position in the batting order. Non-starters are not allowed to re-enter.
- In age division 10 and below, pitcher will be allowed some leniency in regards to
balks. Pitchers will be called for major violations and warned for minor violations that
do not affect the outcome of a play. All other divisions, balks will be called without
warnings.
- Managers are responsible for the conduct of their players, coaches, and
parents. Manager/Coaches may be ejected if parents are not controlled.
- Any spectator or coach that is ejected from a game will not be allowed at
the next game. Further disciplinary action may be taken at the discretion of
the Tournament Director.
- Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated and will result in immediate ejection.
- Any coach, player or parent ejected in a Championship game will not be allowed to
participate in the awards ceremony.
- Trophies are awarded to 1st and 2nd place finishers.
- Any rule not covered by USSSA National rules or noted above will be covered by the
Official Baseball Rules.
 BLUE SPRINGS BASEBALL TOURNAMENT RULES (CON’T)

- Rain Out Policy

0 Games played: Refund less $25 processing fee or full amount toward future
tournament.
1 game completed: 50% refund.
2 games completed: No refund, trophies will be awarded.
• 8U Machine Pitch
- Fair Ball Arc: A batted ball must go past the 20 arc to be a fair ball. This includes
bunts.
- Infielders must remain at least 30 feet from home plate until the ball is hit. This will
be judged by the umpire.
- Pitcher must remain behind the machine and in the general vicinity (umpires
judgment) until the ball is hit. Penalty: Play continues. After the play has ended, the
offense has the option of taking the results of the play or no-pitch. First offense per
pitcher is a warning; second offense player will be removed from pitching position for
the remainder of game.
- Defensive coaches are not allowed on field and shall coach from dugout.
- The Infield Fly rule shall not apply.
- Runners shall not lead off or steal bases. Runner is out for leaving the base before
the ball is hit or reaches the plate. Offensive coach shall feed the machine for their
players. However, that coach may not instruct any players while on the field. Once
pitching machine is set it may only be adjusted by the Umpire if needed.
- Batted ball that hits the machine is dead. Runner awarded first, runners advance
only if pushed.
- Play is dead if the ball is under machine. No runners advance unless pushed.
- The Batter shall receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes.
- Umpire shall call “Time” and play is stopped after every play. “Time” shall be called
as soon as all runners are not attempting to advance. Comment: When a runner
stands off a base and “jukes” or “feints” back and forth, this is interpreted as “not
attempting to advance” and “Time” shall be called.
- Dropped third strike will be an out, batter and runners do not advance.
- No bunting or fake bunting. Batter will be out if attempted.
- A player may only be intentionally walked once per game.
- Courtesy runner for catcher is allowed. Runner shall be the player who made the
previous out.
- Defense may play 4 outfielders. All outfielders, including the extra, must start pitch
in the grass.
- 7 runs max per inning