Maple Shade Summer Classic - 8U Tournament Rules

Update July 2023

(Utilizes same rules as Cal Ripken 8U Tourney Rules)

1. Rain Policy

In the event of rain, we will do all we can to stay on. However, because of limited field availability we may have to deviate from the released schedule.

2. Refund Policy

If no games have been played and the tournament is cancelled due to Weather/field conditions and cannot be rescheduled -- teams will receive a refund of their entry fee minus $100 for administrative fees. After the tournament has started, any team that has completed at least one game is not entitled to any refund of their entry fee. Maple Shade Baseball reserves the right to change the Tournament format based on weather or other conditions. There will be no refund of entry fees due to changes in the tournament format.

3. Time Limits and Innings

Games for all age groups are designed to go 6 innings. Hard drop-dead time of 1 Hours and 45 Minutes.  No new inning may be played, and the game results go back to the previous completed inning played.  Umpire is to keep track of this time limit at all times.  Managers from both teams will agree with the umpire on the official start time of the game.

No time limits are in place for championship games.

4. Rosters and Players info Ineligible player(s)

A player must be on a team's official roster. Players can be rostered on two (2) teams, as long as they are not in the same age bracket. Example: An 11U player can be rostered for another 12U team. Players CANNOT play down. Players cannot be added to a roster once the tournament begins.

1. Player ages 8, players may not reach age 9 by May 1st.

2. Rosters may consist of 12 - 15 league eligible players

3. Please bring copies of birth certificate and rosters to all games

4. Field dimensions used shall be the standard 46/60 configuration.

Playing Rules: Normal youth baseball rules are applied with the following exceptions:

5. Continuous batting orders will be used

a. Maximum of 5 runs per half inning or 3 outs, whichever comes first. The maximum run rule is waived in the last inning and whenever a batter hits a home run over the fence.

b. Should a player become sick, injured or otherwise leave the game, an automatic out shall not be recorded when that batting order position is due up.

c. Once a player leaves the game, defined as not taking his place at bat in the order, he may not re-enter that game.

6. A 15 run rule after 3 innings, 10 run rule after 4 innings, 8 run after 5 innings will be in effect.

7. Free defensive substitutions are allowed Note: all players will always remain in the same batting order position due to continuous batting order rule.

8. Pitching Limitation: Pitchers may not pitch more than 2 innings in any one game. Hitting batter clarification is 2 hit batters in 1 inning or 3 in a game, pitcher must be removed at that point.  

9. Infield Fly rule shall NOT be in affect

10. Bunting is allowed; however, fake bunting is prohibited. Should a player offer to bunt, then pull the bat back and swing at the pitch, the batter will be called out by the umpire.

11. USA Stamped Bats Only

Bat Restrictions: 7U-8U: Only USA Approved bats are allowed in the tournament. Bats from previous years are not permitted under any circumstances. Any player caught using an illegal bat and reaches base will be recorded as out. Teams will receive a warning for their first altercation. A second altercation will force the offending team to forfeit their game. T-BALL bats are not permitted and viewed as illegal. These parameters are by Cal Ripken Rules. Please familiarize yourselves with this information. https://usabat.com/.

13. When a pitcher is not in contact with the pitcher mound but does have the ball: base runners may not jump back and forth while on a base to attempt to draw the defense into making a play.

14. When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher mound and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher box ready to receive delivery of the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached home plate.

15. Base stealing is allowed, with the exception of stealing home. A player must be forced in from 3rd base by a batted ball or a walk. This includes if a runner is stealing third and ball is overthrown by catcher attempting to throw runner out. The base runner may not advance on overthrow when stealing 3rd base.

4. Tie Breakers

For seeding purposes, in the event of a tie in win/loss record:

1st tie Breaker- Head-to-head

2nd Tie Breaker- Runs Allowed

3rd Tie Breaker Run Differential

4th Coin Flip

5. Insurance

Insurance coverage is the responsibility of the individual teams entered into the tournament. A copy of the insurance policy must be submitted together with the team roster, and coaches must bring copy to all games.

6.HOME TEAM:

The home team will be decided by a coin flip 15 minutes prior to the game.

1) If only one team is present for the coin flip, that team will elect home or visitor.

2) The manager or coach may represent the team at the coin flip.

3) Home teams will occupy the first base dugout.

4) In playoff bracket, highest seed chooses home or away

7. CHAMPIONSHIP and PLAYOFF GAMES

1) Time limit and Mercy Rule in effect for Playoff games.

2) No Time limit in Championship game, however Mercy Rule is in effect

8. Protests

No protests of judgment calls. A protest for a rule violation must be settled prior to the next pitched ball.

9. Reporting Scores

The winning team must report scores to the field representative immediately following a game. Include age, teams and score.

10. FIELD 5 FOUL TERRITORY - 1st base side is from the end of the fence straight down.  Catch and Carry rule is in effect here.  Should a runner be on base, that runner is at will and can be thrown out should the runner tag up.  On 3rd base side, it is the fence line.  Any ball comes in contact with the tress, it is called as a dead ball.

Conduct:

• No manager or coach may come on the playing field once the game has begun until he has requested time and permission is granted by the umpire.
  
• Any manager, coach, scorekeeper or parent ejected from any game will be expelled from any remaining games in the tournament. This is not open for discussion.
  
• Any team or their supporters that initiates, causes or continues any problems will cause that team to be expelled from the tournament without refund of the entrance fee.
  
• Any player who throws bats, helmets, gloves or other equipment may be, at the umpire's discretion, ejected from the game.
  
• After 1 bench warning for a thrown bat by a player the next player from that team that throws a bat is ejected from the game.
  
• The use of profanity will result in the ejection of that manager, coach or player from that game and will require that individual to leave the complex.
  
• PARKING AT THE COMPLEX IS AT YOUR OWN RISK! The Maple Shade baseball program will not be held liable to balls batted foul which may cause damage to vehicles. Please advise your teams of this rule.

Maple Shade Baseball reserves the right to change the tournament format based on weather or other conditions. There will be no refund of entry fees due to changes in the tournament format.

Tournament Contacts:

Danny Juckett (Tournament Director 609-744-6167)

End of game results

Greg Taylor - 1-609-820-4584

GOOD LUCK & ENJOY THE TOURNAMENT

CLOSING:

The tournament should prove to be exciting for all players and family alike. We would encourage all involved to play competitively, but at all times, maintain integrity and sportsmanship, simply stated, is to have fun, play safely and respect teammates, competitors and officials. We strongly encourage that you pass this message on to your players and supporters.