TRIPLE CROWN BASEBALL
- ONE DAY EVENT RULES
Unless noted prior to the event, National Federation High School Rules will be used with the following notations. Triple Crown reserves the right to enforce particular invitational tournament rules.
1. Roster: May not exceed 20 players during the tournament and may not be added to during the tournament.
2. Game Time: 4 Innings or 70 minutes (no new inning). Starting time is forfeit time unless delay is created by Triple Crown. Game time starts during the home plate meeting. 8u thru 11u will have 1 man umpire crews. 12u thru 14u will have 2 man
3. Home Team: Determined by coin flip. Home team is required to keep the official book. Higher seed is awarded the home team in playoffs and championship games. If records are tied and there was not head to head play, we will use a coin flip.
4. Player Minimum: A team must start with a minimum of 9 players but can finish with less, taking outs in the vacant batting order positions.
5. Run rule is still in effect.
20 runs after 2, 15 runs after 3, 10 runs after 4 or 8 after 5.
6. Pitching Rules (Innings per Tournament):
8's,9's and 10's = 6 innings, 11's and 12's = 6 innings, 13's and 14's = 7, 15's thru 18's = 8 One inning can be added in each game after your 4th game (5th game)*
*Each player on the roster gets (1) additional inning per game played starting in a team’s 5th game played. (Example: During a 12u team’s 7th game, each player can have a max of 9 innings pitched.)
- Violation of these pitching rules will cause the Pitcher in question as well as the Manager to be thrown out for the rest of that game.
*Scorecards must be signed by both team managers after the game to verify the score and pitching (Managers, please help us out)
*No limit on the number of appearances.
*One pitch will be considered an inning pitched.
*Eight warm-ups to start, five thereafter.
*If pitching rules are violated and the infraction is detected, the situation will be reviewed and consequences may include elimination of team from the event and suspension for the following year, coach and/or player ejection.
7. Infield Warm-Ups: All teams are encouraged to warm-up as much as possible before game time. No pre-game infield.
8. Baseballs: TCS will provide 2 new baseballs per game, not per team. Please have used ones to be put into play when needed.
9. Metal cleats allowed in ages 11 and up.
10. See bat rules online for complete rules
11. Uniforms: Numbers necessary, matching uniforms recommended. Players must use the same uniform number throughout the tournament to help maintain accurate pitching charts
12. Adverse Weather: The Triple Crown Baseball Tournament could be played in adverse weather conditions. The format may be changed and may include lesser time limits or fewer innings to complete the tournament. Coaches and players accept these conditions when entering the tournament.
13. Decisions: Tournament Director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
16. Hotels/Motels/Condos: Teams that leave unpaid bills or damages will be removed from the tournament and possibly banned from future Triple Crown events.
14. Refund Policy: There will be a $50 administration fee charged for complete rain outs; 1 game played = 50% of entry fee; 2 or more games played = no refund.
15. Tie-Breaker System:Not used
16. No Show: Teams that no-show will forfeit their entry fee and may be subject to suspension from competition in Triple Crown events for the following season.
17. Batting Order: Teams may bat any number of players and retain subs but must remain at the same total number of batters they started with throughout the game: Example 11 batters and three subs must finish with 11 batters. Batters not listed defensively will be extra hitters (EP or EH) and may rotate anywhere on the field like any other starter. DH may also be used
18. Courtesy Runners are allowed for the pitcher and catcher only. The courtesy runner must be either the last batted out or a legal substitute from your bench not having played in the game. The same legal substitute may run for both the pitcher and the catcher.
19. Visits to the mound: Each team is allowed TWO charged visits to the mound within a game. A charged visit is a trip in which the manager or coach does not remove the pitcher. After the two charged visits are used, every trip to the mound after that will result in the pitcher being removed. An uncharged visit is when the manager removes the pitcher from the mound. This visit will not be a charged visit. Remember, charged visits are cumulative for the entire game. No restrictions on visits per inning.
7 & 8 YEAR OLD RULES:
Pitching distance shall be 40 feet. Base length shall be 60 feet. Bunting is allowed. Pitching restrictions: Each player may pitch 6 innings for the entire tournament. A player will gain an additional inning for each game played after a minimum of 4 games played. 1 pitch delivered to a batter is considered an inning. Once a pitcher is removed from mound, he may not return to pitch in that game. Illegal pitches will result in a dead ball The batter is considered out on a dropped third strike. No lead-offs. Players cannot leave base until after ball crosses home plate. Stealing is allowed. Runners may advance once the ball is passed home plate at their own risk. If a player leaves early he is out. If ball is hit, it is a dead ball and batter returns and hits again unless there were already 2 outs (inning is over). Stealing home is not allowed. Runner may advance to home only on hit ball, when forced in by a walk, or when hit by pitch. The ball is considered dead once the pitcher has possession of the ball near the mound area. 8 & Under has a 10 run max per inning until the last designated inning. No new inning after 1 hr and 30 minutes. Each game shall be considered an official game regardless of the number of innings played. Mercy rule: 20 runs after 2 innings, 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings. Intentional walks: Coach or fielder just needs to inform umpire and point to first base. No pitches need to be thrown. The Infield Fly Rule does not apply in the division. Coach Pitch Bats not allowed in Kid pitch divisions. 1 Umpire for these games.
6 YEAR OLD RULES:
1. PLAYING FIELDS:
A. Pitching Distance: 35 feet (Machine Pitch OR Coach Pitch) you must play the game the way you started
B. Distance between bases: 50 Feet
C. The recommended homerun fence distances:
1) Foul Line: 125 ft minimum to 150 ft maximum
2) Centerfield: 125 ft minimum to 150 ft maximum
D. A 2-foot vertical line will be drawn halfway between each base to assist the umpire in determining where to place the runner when a batted ball is dead. Player must have both feet completely over this line to be entitled to the next base.
E. Ten foot horizontal lines will be drawn 15 feet from the base lines and second base to determine where the outfield begins and the infield ends.
2. EQUIPMENT:
A. Catchers must wear full catchers gear (Mask, Chest Protector, Shin Guards & Protective Cup) No Exceptions
B. The ball should weigh not less than 5 or more than 5 1/4 ounces & measure not less than 9 or more than 9 1/4 inches in circumference.
3. TOURNAMENT PITCHING:
A. Machine Pitch OR Coach Pitch
B. The player fielding the pitcher’s position shall take a position five (5) feet to the rear of the pitching machine and 3 feet to the left or right. A 2 foot line will be drawn at this position. The player must keep at least one foot on this line until the start of the pitch. If the other foot is free it will be on the side of the line extending away from the pitching machine.
C. If a batted ball strikes the coach pitcher, the ball is dead, the pitch counts as a strike and no runners shall advance.
(PENALTY): The coach pitcher shall be warned once and if a second infraction occurs the coach pitcher must be removed for the remainder of the game and a new coach pitcher put in his/her place.
D. If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and remains in fair territory, the ball is in play.
E. If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and goes into foul territory, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners advance one base.
F. The coach who is feeding the pitching machine shall not give coaching instructions to batters after they hit the ball or to base runners. They may not in any way interfere with the defensive players.
4. PLAYING RULES:
A. Game length shall be five (5) innings or 1 hour and 20 minutes unless the score is tied. In this event the game will be played to its conclusion.
B. All players listed on the Affidavit will bat. Once the batting order is submitted to the scorekeeper it will not be changed, except for injury, illness or ejection.
C. A batted ball becomes dead when an infielder has control of the ball in the infield or at a base, has possession of the ball and holds the ball over their head.
D. Defensive and Offensive Substitutions:
1) Minimum of nine players shall be used defensively with a maximum of ten. There will be free defensive substitutions.
2) There shall be a maximum of four outfielders, stationed not less than 15 feet behind the baseline when the coach pitches the ball.
E. Offensive coaches will be stationed in the coach’s boxes and as a coach feeding the pitching machine. The fourth coach will be in the dugout or designated area. One defensive coach will be behind the catcher or designated area as directed by the umpire and/or Tournament Director.
5. BATTERS:
A. Are not permitted to bunt. (Penalty: The batter shall be called back to the plate, the swing is a foul-strike, the ball is dead and no runners may advance).
B. The batter is out if failing to hit a fair ball after a maximum of five (5) pitches or after 3 strikes from the coach pitcher feeding the machine.
C. A batter is not out on a foul ball, foul strike, and/or foul tip unless it is the fifth pitch.
6. RUNNERS:
A. Runners are not permitted to steal or lead-off, and shall remain in contact with the base until the ball crosses the plate.(Penalty: Runner is out and the ball is immediately dead).
B. On a batted ball runners may advance until an infielder has control of the ball in the infield
or at a base and holds the ball up. Once the ball becomes dead and in the judgment of the umpire the runner has not gone entirely beyond the halfway point between the bases, the runner will be required to return to the base in which they are comingfrom.
C. No infield fly rule.
7. MERCY RULES:
A. 15 runs after 3 innings or 10 runs after 4 innings
B. Maximum five (5) runs per half inning. Maximum five (5) runs per half inning.
(1) No maximum runs apply in the 5th and all subsequent innings.
Bat Restrictions: There are no bat restrictions in the 6u division
1 Umpire for these games.
- ONE DAY EVENT RULES
Unless noted prior to the event, National Federation High School Rules will be used with the following notations. Triple Crown reserves the right to enforce particular invitational tournament rules.
1. Roster: May not exceed 20 players during the tournament and may not be added to during the tournament.
2. Game Time: 4 Innings or 70 minutes (no new inning). Starting time is forfeit time unless delay is created by Triple Crown. Game time starts during the home plate meeting. 8u thru 11u will have 1 man umpire crews. 12u thru 14u will have 2 man
3. Home Team: Determined by coin flip. Home team is required to keep the official book. Higher seed is awarded the home team in playoffs and championship games. If records are tied and there was not head to head play, we will use a coin flip.
- Team listed 1st on the schedule will occupy the 1st base dugout.
- If a team is already occupying a dugout from a previously played game, they may remain in that same dugout.
4. Player Minimum: A team must start with a minimum of 9 players but can finish with less, taking outs in the vacant batting order positions.
5. Run rule is still in effect.
20 runs after 2, 15 runs after 3, 10 runs after 4 or 8 after 5.
6. Pitching Rules (Innings per Tournament):
8's,9's and 10's = 6 innings, 11's and 12's = 6 innings, 13's and 14's = 7, 15's thru 18's = 8 One inning can be added in each game after your 4th game (5th game)*
*Each player on the roster gets (1) additional inning per game played starting in a team’s 5th game played. (Example: During a 12u team’s 7th game, each player can have a max of 9 innings pitched.)
- Violation of these pitching rules will cause the Pitcher in question as well as the Manager to be thrown out for the rest of that game.
*Scorecards must be signed by both team managers after the game to verify the score and pitching (Managers, please help us out)
*No limit on the number of appearances.
*One pitch will be considered an inning pitched.
*Eight warm-ups to start, five thereafter.
*If pitching rules are violated and the infraction is detected, the situation will be reviewed and consequences may include elimination of team from the event and suspension for the following year, coach and/or player ejection.
7. Infield Warm-Ups: All teams are encouraged to warm-up as much as possible before game time. No pre-game infield.
8. Baseballs: TCS will provide 2 new baseballs per game, not per team. Please have used ones to be put into play when needed.
9. Metal cleats allowed in ages 11 and up.
10. See bat rules online for complete rules
11. Uniforms: Numbers necessary, matching uniforms recommended. Players must use the same uniform number throughout the tournament to help maintain accurate pitching charts
12. Adverse Weather: The Triple Crown Baseball Tournament could be played in adverse weather conditions. The format may be changed and may include lesser time limits or fewer innings to complete the tournament. Coaches and players accept these conditions when entering the tournament.
13. Decisions: Tournament Director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
16. Hotels/Motels/Condos: Teams that leave unpaid bills or damages will be removed from the tournament and possibly banned from future Triple Crown events.
14. Refund Policy: There will be a $50 administration fee charged for complete rain outs; 1 game played = 50% of entry fee; 2 or more games played = no refund.
15. Tie-Breaker System:Not used
16. No Show: Teams that no-show will forfeit their entry fee and may be subject to suspension from competition in Triple Crown events for the following season.
17. Batting Order: Teams may bat any number of players and retain subs but must remain at the same total number of batters they started with throughout the game: Example 11 batters and three subs must finish with 11 batters. Batters not listed defensively will be extra hitters (EP or EH) and may rotate anywhere on the field like any other starter. DH may also be used
18. Courtesy Runners are allowed for the pitcher and catcher only. The courtesy runner must be either the last batted out or a legal substitute from your bench not having played in the game. The same legal substitute may run for both the pitcher and the catcher.
19. Visits to the mound: Each team is allowed TWO charged visits to the mound within a game. A charged visit is a trip in which the manager or coach does not remove the pitcher. After the two charged visits are used, every trip to the mound after that will result in the pitcher being removed. An uncharged visit is when the manager removes the pitcher from the mound. This visit will not be a charged visit. Remember, charged visits are cumulative for the entire game. No restrictions on visits per inning.
7 & 8 YEAR OLD RULES:
Pitching distance shall be 40 feet. Base length shall be 60 feet. Bunting is allowed. Pitching restrictions: Each player may pitch 6 innings for the entire tournament. A player will gain an additional inning for each game played after a minimum of 4 games played. 1 pitch delivered to a batter is considered an inning. Once a pitcher is removed from mound, he may not return to pitch in that game. Illegal pitches will result in a dead ball The batter is considered out on a dropped third strike. No lead-offs. Players cannot leave base until after ball crosses home plate. Stealing is allowed. Runners may advance once the ball is passed home plate at their own risk. If a player leaves early he is out. If ball is hit, it is a dead ball and batter returns and hits again unless there were already 2 outs (inning is over). Stealing home is not allowed. Runner may advance to home only on hit ball, when forced in by a walk, or when hit by pitch. The ball is considered dead once the pitcher has possession of the ball near the mound area. 8 & Under has a 10 run max per inning until the last designated inning. No new inning after 1 hr and 30 minutes. Each game shall be considered an official game regardless of the number of innings played. Mercy rule: 20 runs after 2 innings, 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings. Intentional walks: Coach or fielder just needs to inform umpire and point to first base. No pitches need to be thrown. The Infield Fly Rule does not apply in the division. Coach Pitch Bats not allowed in Kid pitch divisions. 1 Umpire for these games.
6 YEAR OLD RULES:
1. PLAYING FIELDS:
A. Pitching Distance: 35 feet (Machine Pitch OR Coach Pitch) you must play the game the way you started
B. Distance between bases: 50 Feet
C. The recommended homerun fence distances:
1) Foul Line: 125 ft minimum to 150 ft maximum
2) Centerfield: 125 ft minimum to 150 ft maximum
D. A 2-foot vertical line will be drawn halfway between each base to assist the umpire in determining where to place the runner when a batted ball is dead. Player must have both feet completely over this line to be entitled to the next base.
E. Ten foot horizontal lines will be drawn 15 feet from the base lines and second base to determine where the outfield begins and the infield ends.
2. EQUIPMENT:
A. Catchers must wear full catchers gear (Mask, Chest Protector, Shin Guards & Protective Cup) No Exceptions
B. The ball should weigh not less than 5 or more than 5 1/4 ounces & measure not less than 9 or more than 9 1/4 inches in circumference.
3. TOURNAMENT PITCHING:
A. Machine Pitch OR Coach Pitch
B. The player fielding the pitcher’s position shall take a position five (5) feet to the rear of the pitching machine and 3 feet to the left or right. A 2 foot line will be drawn at this position. The player must keep at least one foot on this line until the start of the pitch. If the other foot is free it will be on the side of the line extending away from the pitching machine.
C. If a batted ball strikes the coach pitcher, the ball is dead, the pitch counts as a strike and no runners shall advance.
(PENALTY): The coach pitcher shall be warned once and if a second infraction occurs the coach pitcher must be removed for the remainder of the game and a new coach pitcher put in his/her place.
D. If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and remains in fair territory, the ball is in play.
E. If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and goes into foul territory, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners advance one base.
F. The coach who is feeding the pitching machine shall not give coaching instructions to batters after they hit the ball or to base runners. They may not in any way interfere with the defensive players.
4. PLAYING RULES:
A. Game length shall be five (5) innings or 1 hour and 20 minutes unless the score is tied. In this event the game will be played to its conclusion.
B. All players listed on the Affidavit will bat. Once the batting order is submitted to the scorekeeper it will not be changed, except for injury, illness or ejection.
C. A batted ball becomes dead when an infielder has control of the ball in the infield or at a base, has possession of the ball and holds the ball over their head.
D. Defensive and Offensive Substitutions:
1) Minimum of nine players shall be used defensively with a maximum of ten. There will be free defensive substitutions.
2) There shall be a maximum of four outfielders, stationed not less than 15 feet behind the baseline when the coach pitches the ball.
E. Offensive coaches will be stationed in the coach’s boxes and as a coach feeding the pitching machine. The fourth coach will be in the dugout or designated area. One defensive coach will be behind the catcher or designated area as directed by the umpire and/or Tournament Director.
5. BATTERS:
A. Are not permitted to bunt. (Penalty: The batter shall be called back to the plate, the swing is a foul-strike, the ball is dead and no runners may advance).
B. The batter is out if failing to hit a fair ball after a maximum of five (5) pitches or after 3 strikes from the coach pitcher feeding the machine.
C. A batter is not out on a foul ball, foul strike, and/or foul tip unless it is the fifth pitch.
6. RUNNERS:
A. Runners are not permitted to steal or lead-off, and shall remain in contact with the base until the ball crosses the plate.(Penalty: Runner is out and the ball is immediately dead).
B. On a batted ball runners may advance until an infielder has control of the ball in the infield
or at a base and holds the ball up. Once the ball becomes dead and in the judgment of the umpire the runner has not gone entirely beyond the halfway point between the bases, the runner will be required to return to the base in which they are comingfrom.
C. No infield fly rule.
7. MERCY RULES:
A. 15 runs after 3 innings or 10 runs after 4 innings
B. Maximum five (5) runs per half inning. Maximum five (5) runs per half inning.
(1) No maximum runs apply in the 5th and all subsequent innings.
Bat Restrictions: There are no bat restrictions in the 6u division
1 Umpire for these games.
