BFA NATIONALS RULES 2023

TOURNAMENT RULES

Unless otherwise stated in this handbook, the rules shall be those of Major League Baseball.

Age Cut-off

April 30, 2023 is the age cut-off date.

Bat Restrictions

USABat standards apply.

All divisions 12u and under must use bats that bear the USA Baseball mark. Wood bats must be single piece and can be used with or without the USA Baseball Certification Mark. There is no weight/length ratio limit.

The 14u and 16u must use BBCOR or USABat certified bats. There is no weight/length ratio limit. Wood bats, must be single piece, can be used with or without the USA Baseball Certification Mark.

More details on USABat standards: https://www.usabaseball.com/bats/guidelines

Pitching Restrictions

Pitch counts will be strictly enforced. Staff members of the Ripken Experience Elizabethtown will be keeping an official pitch count throughout the tournament.

Pitching Distances

10U: 60 ft. base paths, 46 ft. pitching distance

12U MAJORS: 70 ft. base paths, 50 ft. pitching distance

MINORS: 60 ft. base paths, 46 ft. pitching distance

14U: 80 ft. base paths, 54 ft. pitching distance

16U: 90 ft. base paths, 60’6’’ ft. pitching distance

18U: 90 ft. base paths, 60’6’’ ft. pitching distance

Coach Visits to the Mound

The pitcher must be removed when the manager makes a second trip to the mound in the same inning (three in a game). Umpire discretion on trips for injury.

Player Contact/Sliding

All runners must attempt to avoid contact with a fielder on ALL Plays. Failure to do so will result in the player being called out and could result in an ejection from the game. The umpire has final say as to whether the runner made sufficient effort to avoid a collision. When in doubt players should SLIDE.

Headfirst slides into all bases/home are allowed ONLY in 14U-18U divisions.

Substitutions/Extra Hitter

Teams can bat 9, 10(EH) or bat entire lineup. If teams bat the entire lineup, there is free substitution. The Extra Hitter can play anywhere on the field.

Players re-entering the game must go back in the same spot in the batting order that they left. Subs cannot re-enter game.

Scorekeeping
Ripken staff will keep the final score via Tourney Machine. The final score must be verified by the umpire prior to reporting score to the Tournament Official after the game.

Protests

No game will be played under protest. The umpires on the field will decide all questions of rule interpretations, with final judgment made by Tournament Official or delegate.

Pregame
No infield practice before the game is permitted. Teams must be ready to play 15 minutes after completion of previous game. Games are subject to start early to make up time.

UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

Players Uniforms

Hats
Official BFA Nationals hats should be worn on-field during all games, and during any off-field activities that require players to be in uniform.

Shoes

Metal cleats are NOT allowed at the Ripken Experience in Elizabethtown. All players must wear rubber cleats, turf shoes, or sneakers when playing at the complex.

Coach Uniform

Coaches may be in full uniform or in matching athletic gear (i.e. collared shirts with logo, dri-fit team shirts, etc.). No jeans or open-toed shoes. Coaches must wear BFA hat provided when on the field.

Penalty: Coach may not be eligible to compete until in compliance. Whether a coach’s attire is deemed appropriate is solely determined by Tournament Official and may not be appealed.

Catcher’s Helmet

Players 12 and under must wear a helmet that meets NOCSAE standard. Helmet/mask must cover both ears and include a throat protector.

Players 14 and older must meet MLB standards for catcher’s helmet and mask.

Players without required equipment will not be allowed to participate in the game.

Penalty: Failure by a player to wear proper equipment after being so ordered by the umpire, shall result in an ejection of the Team Coach.

HOME TEAM, GAME TIME, SEEDING, PACE OF PLAY, AND MERCY RULES

Home Team

Home team will be pre-determined in the schedule in pool play, in bracket games the better seeded team will be given choice of home/visitor.

Complete Game

10U-12U: Six innings (5 ½ if home team is ahead)

14U-18U: Seven Innings (6 ½ if home team is ahead)

Time Limits

Pool Play
10U-12U: No new inning shall begin after 1 hour and 45 minutes. Immediate drop dead at 2:05. If the inning is not finished, the score reverts back to the last completed inning.

14U-18U: No new inning shall begin after 2 hours. Immediate drop dead at 2:20. If the inning is not finished, the score reverts back to the last completed inning.

Games can end in a tie.

Playoff Games
10U-12U: No new inning shall begin after 1 hour and 45 min. If the game is tied after regulation time has expired, international tiebreaker will go into effect.

14U-18U: No new inning shall begin after 2 hours. If the game is tied after regulation time has expired, international tiebreaker will go into effect.

International Tie-Breaker: Extra-Inning Rule

If the game remains tied after the completion of six (10U-12U) or seven innings (14U-18U), the following procedures will be implemented during extra innings:

Each team will begin their extra inning (and any subsequent necessary extra innings) with a player on first and second, no outs.
The lineup will continue as in any other inning. For example, if the 7^th inning ends with the #8 hitter having the last plate appearance (PA), the 8^th inning begins with the #9 hitter at bat and 2B runner is the #7 hitter, and 1B runner is the #8 hitter in the lineup.
With the exception of beginning the inning with runners on 1B and 2B with no one out, all other Baseball For All rules and regulations will remain in effect during the extra innings required to determine a winner.
The traditional system of the visiting team hitting in the top of the inning and the home team hitting in the bottom of the inning (if needed) will remain in effect until a winner is determined.

Medal Game
If the score is tied at the end of regulation or reaches its time limit, extra innings will be played using the international tie breaker.

Pace of Play

Batter’s Box Rule

Hitters must keep one foot in the box during their time at bat.

Pitches Between Innings

10U-12U: 5 pitches for the 1^st time pitching and 3 pitches for every consecutive warm-up.

14U-18U: 8 pitches for the 1^st time pitching and 5 pitches for every consecutive warm-up.

Courtesy Runner: Catchers & Pitchers

When on the base paths, catchers, coming in to start the next half inning, must have a courtesy runner when there are 2 outs. Catchers may choose to have a courtesy runner with no outs or one out. Pitchers may have a courtesy runner with 2 outs. Courtesy runner is the last out.

Mercy Rules

Inning Mercy Rule: Pool Play & Playoffs

10U-12U: 5 runs per half inning, plus the runs that finish the play. No run limit in the last inning.

14U-18U: 8 runs per half inning, plus the runs that finish the play. No run limit in the last inning.

Inning Mercy Rule: Medal Games

No inning-based mercy rule applies for any division during medal games.

All Divisions: All Games

10-run rule shall apply after 5 innings (4 ½ innings if the home team is winning)

15-run rule shall apply after 4 innings (3 ½ if the home team is ahead.

Game-based mercy rules apply in all games.

Seeding
Seeding will be based on the following:

Best Record

Head to Head

Least Runs Given Up (Runs Allowed)

Coin Flip

PITCH COUNTS

Pitch counts will be enforced in all games and will follow the WBSC World Cup Pitch Counts. Staff members from Ripken Experience Elizabethtown will keep track and have the official counts. Counts will be shared with coaches.

Pitch Count Limit for 10U and 12U (Majors & Minors)

Each pitcher must observe a day(s) rest as follows:

Number of Pitches // Rest Days

1 – 30 pitches | No rest

31 – 45 pitches | 1 day

46 – 60 pitches | 2 days

61 – 75 pitches | 3 days

85 pitches (max) | 4 days

Note: Pitchers may not exceed 85 pitches in one day.

Pitch Count for 14U (Majors & Minors)

Each pitcher must observe a day(s) rest as follows:

Number of Pitches // Rest Days

1 – 35 pitches | No rest

36 – 50 pitches | 1 day

51 – 65 pitches | 2 days

66 – 80 pitches | 3 days

95 pitches (max) | 4 days

Note: Pitchers may not exceed 95 pitches in one day.

Pitch Count for 16U & 18U (Majors & Minors)

Each pitcher must observe a day(s) rest as follows:

Number of pitches // Rest days

1 – 49 pitches | No rest

50 – 104 pitches | 1 day

105 pitches (max) | 4 days

Note: Pitchers may not exceed 105 pitches in one day.

FOR ALL DIVISIONS:

The Tournament Director will determine the accurate pitch count by using all the information gathered from the official Ripken scorers plus his own work and render any final decisions on protests.

If a pitcher reaches the maximum number of pitches during an active at bat, the pitcher may be removed or she may finish the same batter.

NOTE: Violating pitch count rules will cause the violating team to forfeit the game.

RAIN/LIGHTNING POLICY

If rain and/or lightning occurs during a game, the game will be suspended at the discretion of the Umpire and/or Tournament Director and picked up from that point if the game has not reached official status.

If game has reached official status, see Official Status (Regulation Game) and note below:

1. Official Status (Regulation Game)

For 10U-12U, four full innings have been played or the home team has scored an equal or greater number of runs in three, or three and a fraction, turns at bat than the visiting team has scored in four turns at bat.

For 14U-18U, five full innings have been played or the home team has scored an equal or greater number of runs in four, or four and a fraction, turns at bat than the visiting team has scored in five turns at bat.

If the game is suspended when the teams have not had an equal number of completed times at bat, the score shall be the same as it was at the end of the last completed inning; except that if the home team in its half of the incomplete inning, scores a run (or runs) which equals or exceeds the opponent’s score, the final score shall be as recorded when the game is called.

For all divisions, the umpire may suspend a game, but not declare the game complete, to hold discussions with BFA tournament officials.

2. In the event of extended inclement weather, the Tournament Official may deem it necessary to alter the tournament format by shortening either the time limit for games and/or reducing the number of innings that will constitute an official game, or any means necessary to complete the tournament within the published dates.

3. No refund will be given on account of rain or other inclement weather.

4. In the event that bracket play cannot continue due to inclement weather (as determined solely by the Tournament Official), final tournament standings will be determined by taking the remaining non-eliminated teams and choosing final standings based on the seeds prior to the beginning of bracket play.

CONDUCT & RESPONSIBILITIES

Coach Responsibilities

Managers are responsible for the conduct of their team and parents.

Minors who are coaching on the base paths MUST wear a helmet. (Helmets are optional for adult coaches.)

All coaches must agree to the Baseball For All Coach Pledge (see addendum), submit a background check, and complete USA Baseball’s online course, Abuse Awareness for Adults.

Coaching Requirements
All teams must have at least one woman on their coaching staff present at BFA Nationals. Teams may have a maximum of four coaches. Only those who have submitted all necessary paperwork and have been approved by BFA are permitted in the dugout.

Participant and Spectator Conduct

Baseball For All does not tolerate unsportsmanlike conduct—on or off the field. Any Player, Coach, Manager, or spectator who acts in an unsportsmanlike manner on or off the field may be removed from participation in any current or future Baseball For All events.

On-Field Conduct

Any Player, Coach, Manager, or spectator who acts in an unsportsmanlike manner will be warned once by the umpire or a Tournament Official. The second time, that person will be ejected. If in the judgment of the umpire or Tournament Official, the offense is of a more serious nature, that person may be ejected from the game without being issued a warning and may be suspended from all further tournament play or participation, subject to the Tournament Official’s discretion. In the event of illegal activity, law enforcement will be called.

Off-Field Conduct

“Unsportsmanlike conduct” off the field pertains to any hate speech, bullying, harassment, discrimination, threats of violence, and the like on platforms that include, but are not limited to: digital communications, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, LinkedIn, and emails.

Player & Coach Ejections

The first occurrence of unsportsmanlike conduct will result in suspension for the remainder of the game (removal from game site) during which the ejection occurred, as well as for the next scheduled game.

The second occurrence will result in suspension for the remainder of the tournament as well as possible further sanctions subject to the review of Baseball For All.

If all coaches listed on the team’s tournament roster are ejected during a game, then the team may continue if the players decide to take charge of their team.

Spectator Ejections

The second occurrence will result in suspension for the remainder of the tournament as well as possible further sanctions subject to the review of Baseball For All.

Any spectator who participates in a fight, brawl, or altercation shall be immediately ejected from the facility. At the discretion of a BFA staff member, the spectator may also be refused future entry into the complex for the remainder of the tournament and future Baseball For All events.

Alcohol & Tobacco Policy

Alcohol is not allowed at BFA Nationals tournament events. Violators will be asked to leave the park. A coach, player, participant, or spectator may not use tobacco or tobacco-like products or e-cigarettes within the confines of the field.

Music Policy

Only event personnel can play music during games and practices on Baseball For All sites.

Team Insurance

All teams must show proof of Certificate Liability of Insurance, listing Baseball For All as a certificate holder.

DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES

10U Division

Players may step off the base when the ball crosses home plate.
Stealing of any base is allowed only after the ball crosses the plate or on a passed ball. If a player leaves the base early, it will be a delayed dead ball and the infracting runner will returned to their base unless the infracted runner is out on the play. All other runners will return to their original base.
Runner may not steal home plate. Runner may NOT advance to home on a passed ball or wild pitch.
If 9 players are not available, teams may play with as few as 7 players.
If teams run out of pitching, BFA staff can be consulted about using coach-pitch.

12U Majors Division: 50/70

Baserunners can leadoff and steal a base any time the umpire has placed the ball in play.
Dropped third strike is in effect.
Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base. No pitches are to be thrown.
Balk rules will be enforced, there will be one warning given to each pitcher.

12U Minors Division: 46/60

Players may lead off the base when the ball crosses home plate.
Stealing of any base is allowed only after the ball crosses the plate or on a passed ball. If a player leaves the base early, it will be a dead ball and the runner will be called out.
Runner may not steal home plate. Runner may advance to home on a passed ball or wild pitch.
Runner may advance to home on a passed ball or wild pitch.

14U Division

Baserunners can leadoff and steal a base any time the umpire has placed the ball in play.
Dropped third strike is in effect.
Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base. No pitches are to be thrown.
Balk rules will be enforced, there will be one warning given to each pitcher.

16U -18U Division

To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base. No pitches are to be thrown.
Balk rules will be enforced.