RULES & REGULATIONS

Tournament length is 7 days, Sunday - Saturday

ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES WILL BE REQUESTED AT OPENING CEREMONY

1. Time Limits
1

If time has expired, the inning shall be completed.

 

Age Duration
7U - 10U 1 hour, 30 minutes /6 innings
11U - 12U 1 hour, 45 minutes/6 innings
13U - 14U 1 hour, 50 minutes /7 innings
2 If the score is tied, time has expired and the current inning is completed, the game is declared a tie.
3

If the maximum number of innings has been played and the score is tied, the game is declared a tie. (Seeding games only)
4 A game called on account of weather or other reasons by the umpire is considered a complete game when four (4) complete innings have expired.
5 No inning may start after time has expired. If time expires in the middle of the inning, the inning will be completed.
6 When the game has ended, both teams should immediately clean out their dugout, rake the field and leave the field.
7 Under no circumstance should the game continue if the Umpire has declared the game over.
8

Tie-Breaker System (Playoffs only): In case a game continues to be tied after playing all innings, the "California" tie-breaker rule will be applied for the purpose of completing the game. California tie-breaker: Each team puts their batter who is scheduled to bat last, in that respective half of the inning, on second base, and plays out a full inning until the tie is broken and the game is complete.
9

Championship games have no time limits.
10 Games-Official: If game suspended after 2.5 - 3 innings for any reason, for 8U-12U, 3.5-4 innings for 13U - 14U. If game suspended (other than for time-limit) before becoming an "Official game", game will continue as a make-up from the point of cutting.
11 When game tied, additional innings may be necessary until one team leads, or time limit goes into effect. Ties must be completed in championship round. All games (including championship games), shall have a run rule of 20 after 1 inning, 12 after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings, and 8 after 5 innings.
12 Game Starting Time:Teams/team players not present at scheduled game starting time will forfeit unless delay is caused by WBA.Estimated arrival time: one (1) hour prior to the game.
2. Weather
1 Dangerous weather conditions may postpone scheduled game dates. Game time or inning rules might be adjusted for the purpose of completing a tournament under adverse weather.
3. Minimum/Maximum Players
1 Teams must start the game with a minimum amount of 9 (nine) players, but can finish the game with less. If a player leaves the game for any reason other than a game related injury the team receives an out every time it is that player´s turn to bat.If a player leaves the game with a game related injury and there are only eight players left, the team receives an out when it is that player´s turn to bat. Player Limit: Amount of team players may not exceed 15 players (20 for 16U) during the tournament.
4. Batting Order
1 If the team does not have nine players then the "9th batter" is called out at each turn of bat.
5. Extra Hitters
0

Extra hitters (EH) & (DH) are allowed for all age groups; if the 10 bat, the 10 must finish the game, or take outs for empty batting positions. At the beginning of the game the number of EH must be disclosed–the amount of hitters cannot be amended once the games begin.
6. Bats
1 Bats may not have any attachments or alterations.
2

8U - 15U Aluminum bats are allowed / 16U & up divisions NO Aluminum bats, only wood bats are allowed.

7. Cleats
1 No metal cleats may be worn for 7, 8, 9, & 10-year olds.
8. Baseballs
1 All baseballs necessary for playing tournament games will be provided by WBA. Leather balls will be provided.
9. Protective Gear
1 Players must wear protective headgear when batting, on deck, on base, and at all times while out of the dugout. All catchers are required to wear some type of throat protection and protective cups. All players must wear protective cups.
10. Uniforms
1 It is recommended that all players uniforms match, and every player must have a uniform labeled with a unique player number.
11. Dugout
1 Both teams must clean their dugouts after the game and leave the dugout immediately after the game to make room for the next team.
12. Pitching Rules
1 Eight warm-ups to start, five thereafter.
2 No limits on the amount of innings pitched; at the discretion of the coach.
3 NO limit on the amount of a pitcher appearance.
4 If current pitcher is changed to a defensive position, or removed from the line-up, he may not return to the field to pitch.
5

Coach is allowed to make a visit per Inning. Second visit will require pitchers removal.
13. Score keeping
1 Each team is responsible for furnishing a scorekeeper. Both scorekeepers should verify the results before the game reports are finalized to eliminate any discrepancies. Coaches of both teams are responsible for having the game reports signed immediately after the completed game before the umpire leaves the field in order to ensure accurate and timely team standings.
14. Fake Bunt
1

Batter may never show bunt and then swing at the ball. Once a batter steps into the batter´s box and shows bunt, he is no longer allowed to swing at the next delivered pitch, unless time is called and the batter steps back out of the batter´s box before the pitch is delivered. If a batter shows bunt and then swings at the pitch, the batter is called out and any runners that may have advanced on the pitch, must go back to the previously occupied base.
15. Base and Pitching Distances
1
Age Bases Pitchin
7U 60´ 40´
8U 60´ 40´
9U 65´ 44´
10U 65´ 44´
11U 70´ 48´
Age Bases Pitchin
12U 70´ 48´
13U 80´ 54´
14U 90´ 60´ 6"
15U 90´ 60´ 6"
16U 90´ 60´ 6"
16. 7U Leagues Only
1 The batter is out after five (5) pitches or three (3) strikes at bat. If a foul ball occurs on the 5th pitch or third swing then the batter gets another pitch, until the ball is hit in fair territory or it is swinging strike. If the batter doesn´t swing on the 5th pitch or additional pitches due to foul tips then it is considered a strike and the batter is out.
2 Two coaches are allowed in the outfield when playing defense, and they may not touch the ball. No coach is allowed to be behind the catcher during play. When the ball is put in play the pitching coach needs to get out of the way. The pitching coach needs to get off the infield if the ball is hit into the outfield. He/she at that time may go behind home plate to get the bat out of the way of the catcher and runners.
3 Teams must start the game with a minimum amount of 9 (nine) players, but can finish the game with less. If a player leaves the game for any reason other than a game related injury the team receives an out every time it is that player´s turn to bat. If a player leaves the game with a game related injury and there are only eight players left, the team receives an out when it is that player´s turn to bat. Player Limit: Amount of team players may not exceed 15 players (20 for 16U) during the tournament.
4 Base stealing and lead offs are not permitted. Runner is out if runner left the base before the ball is hit. Bunting is NOT allowed.
5 First and third basemen shall start each play no further than ten (10) feet from their base. Shortstop and second baseman must be no closer toward home plate than their base paths. Pitcher must start each play in the regular pitching position, on the rubber. Infielders must start play within the area marked as the infield. No outfielder may start play in the infield area.
6 Pitcher must start each play on either the first or third base side of the pitching rubber and must be within 5 feet of the pitching rubber. The coach cannot field the ball once the ball is in play. If a hit ball hits the pitching coach before being touched by a player, then the play is dead an d a pitch is counted for the batter as a foul ball. If the coach hits the ball and it is deemed intentional by the umpire then the batter is out.
17. 8U Leagues Only
1

Ten (10) defensive players shall play in the field.
2 Base stealing and lead offs are permitted but home stealing is not permitted.
3 Bunting is not allowed when there is a player in third base.
4 Balk rules shall not apply.
5 A batter is automatically out on a dropped / missed third (3rd) strike by the catcher.
6 Runners shall not advance from third (3rd) base to home unless the runner is batted home or forced by a base on balls, hit batsman, or award from the umpire. Runners shall not advance from third (3rd) base to home on passed balls, wild pitches or dropped / missed third (3rd) strikes by the catcher.
18. Other Rules
18

6 inning games – 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.

7 inning games – 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings.

*Teams can only add players if they have been previously accepted by WBF.

*Those players being added cannot be part of the roster of any other team participating at the tournament. Also, the total amount of players must remain the same (number of players being added = number of players out of the team´s roster.