LOCAL TOURNAMENT RULES

TOURNAMENT/LEAGUE GAMES WILL FOLLOW USSSA NATIONAL RULES EXCEPT FOR THE RULES LISTED BELOW.  

 IF NOT COVERED IN THE USSSA NATIONAL RULES WE WILL FOLLOW THE NFHS RULES AND NOT MLB RULES.  

 QUESTIONS EMAIL westtexasyouthbaseball@gmail.com or call ROB @ 806-670-3164  

 BALK RULE: 7.05.D IT IS A BALK IF THE PITCHER, WHILE TOUCHING HIS PLATE, FEINTS A THROW TO FIRST OR THIRD BASE AND FAILS TO COMPLETE THE THROW: PITCHERS MAY STILL FEINT A THROW TO SECOND. SINCE MLB HAS CHANGED THIS RULE AND ALL OTHER EVENTS WILL ENFORCE, WE FEEL IT’S NECESSARY TO DO THE SAME. NFHS/COLLEGE IS STILL NOT CALLING IT A BALK, BUT WE ANTICIPATE IT TO CHANGE SOON. 

 IT IS THE TEAM'S RESPONSIBILITY TO READ AND FOLLOW OUR WEATHER PROCEDURE WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT TEXASPANHANDLEYOUTHSPORTS.ORG UNDER RULES AT TOP OF THE PAGE.  

UMPIRES RESPONSIBILITY ON RULE PROTEST: WHEN THE HEAD COACH ASKS FOR A RULE INTERPRETATION FROM SITE DIRECTOR, YOU MUST GET THE $100.00 CASH DEPOSIT. AT THAT POINT STOP THE CLOCK, AND CALL THE SITE DIRECTOR FROM YOUR PHONE. THE UMPIRE HANDLING THE PROTEST AND SITE DIRECTOR DISCUSSES THE RULE BY THEMSELVES. ONCE A DECISION IS MADE CALL OVER THE COACHES AND EXPLAIN THE RULE. IF THE COACH WAS RIGHT RETURN HIS DEPOSIT. IF HE WAS WRONG HE FORFEITS THE DEPOSIT. AT NO TIME DO YOU DENY THE COACH HIS RIGHT TO PROTEST A RULE INTERPRETATION. NO PROTEST IS ALLOWED IF ANY PLAY HAS HAPPENED AFTER RULE IN QUESTION. IF RULE IN QUESTION HAPPENS DURING FINAL PLAY OF THE GAME, A PROTEST MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE UMPIRES LEAVE THE FIELD AREA.  

REFUNDS ARE NOT GIVEN ONCE DEADLINE TO ENTER HAS PASSED OR BRACKETS ARE POSTED. THE DEADLINE TO ENTER AN EVENT IS MIDNIGHT ON THE MONDAY BEFORE THE EVENT.  IN THE EVENT OF A RAIN OUT OR INCLEMENT WEATHER SITUATION THERE IS A $75.00 NON REFUNDABLE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FOR REGULAR WEEKEND EVENTS AND $125.00 FOR POST SEASON EVENTS. IF ONE GAME IS STARTED THERE IS A 50% REFUND. TWO GAMES STARTED THERE IS A 25% REFUND. IF A TEAM HAS MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO PAY AT CHECK-IN, THEY WILL STILL OWE THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE IF CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER. IF A TOURNAMENT HAS TO BE CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER AFTER POOL GAMES HAVE BEEN PLAYED, AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN BASED ON HOW FAR INTO BRACKET THEY GOT OR SEEDING AFTER POOL PLAY. THERE IS NO WAY A TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR COULD RUN EVENTS WITHOUT THIS TYPE OF POLICY. THERE IS A LOT OF NON REFUNDABLE EXPENSE INVOLVED IN SETTING UP A TOURNAMENT. ANY TEAM THAT WITHDRAWS BEFORE THE DEADLINE WILL BE GIVEN A FULL REFUND. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND GIVEN IN ANY EVENT ONCE THE DEADLINE IS PASSED IF A TEAM WITHDRAWS. THE DEADLINE TO ENTER OR WITHDRAW FROM A TOURNAMENT IS MONDAY AT MIDNIGHT BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS (10 DAYS PRIOR IF THE EVENT IS FULL).  

 ALL PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW EACH CITIES PARK RULES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE RULES PLEASE EMAIL WESTTEXASYOUTHBASEBALL@GMAIL.COM  

ALL TEAMS MUST CHECK IN AT THE COMPLEX THEY PLAY THEIR 1ST GAME AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF THEIR GAME. WE DO NOT REQUIRE PLAYERS TO ATTEND AS WE DEAL WITH AGE PROTEST ON THE FIELD. EACH TEAM MUST HAVE COPIES OF OFFICIAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES IN CASE OF AN AGE PROTEST, AN OFFICIAL USSSA ROSTER (NO EXCEPTIONS) , AND A COPY OF THEIR TEAM INSURANCE. NO TEAM WILL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY WITHOUT THESE-NO EXCEPTIONS.  

TEAMS MUST BE READY FOR PLAY NO LATER THE 15 MINUTES BEFORE THEIR SCHEDULED GAME TIME. IF GAMES ARE RUNNING BEHIND, TEAMS MUST BE READY TO TAKE THE FIELD READY FOR PLAY 5 MINUTES AFTER COMPLETION OF PREVIOUS GAME. MAKE SURE BOTH TEAMS FOR NEXT GAME HAVE LINE-UPS TURNED IN TO SCORE KEEPER AND OPPOSING TEAM.  

THE HOME TEAM IS THE OFFICIAL BOOK FOR ALL GAMES, AND UMPIRE IS OFFICIAL CLOCK.  

A COACH AND/OR PLAYER EJECTION IS FOR REMAINDER OF GAME AND POSSIBLY THE FOLLOWING GAME DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY AND IS AT THE DIRECTOR'S DISCRETION.  

FAN EJECTION IS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TOURNAMENT AND NO GATE REFUND WILL BE GIVEN. THE RULE IS "OUT OF SIGHT AND SOUND" FOR COACHES WHO GET EJECTED. A PLAYER CAN STAY IN DUGOUT IF THEY BEHAVE BUT COULD BE ASKED TO LEAVE IF PARENT IS AVAILABLE.  

EACH TEAM MUST PROVIDE 2 BASEBALLS TO PLATE UMPIRE BEFORE EACH GAME. THEY MUST ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL BASEBALLS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. ALL BASEBALLS MAY BE ANY BRAND BUT MUST BE USSSA STAMPED. WE HAVE SOME AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.  

A FLIP OF THE COIN BETWEEN THE TWO MANAGERS WILL DETERMINE THE HOME TEAM BEFORE EACH POOL GAME.  

HIGHER SEED WILL BE HOME TEAM DURING ELIMINATION PLAY  GAME TIMES: 7U- 8U 75 MINUTES OR 6 INNINGS, 9U-12U 90 MINUTES OR 6 INNINGS, 13U-18U 105 MINUTES OR 7 INNINGS.  

TIME LIMITS AND RUN RULES ARE IN EFFECT FOR ALL GAMES INCLUDING THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.  

COACHES UPON COMPLETION OF YOUR GAME PLEASE SHAKE HANDS WITH YOUR OPPONENTS AND VACATE YOUR DUGOUT TO ALLOW FOR NEXT GAME TO START. YOUR TEAM MEETINGS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED OFF THE FIELD.  

RUN RULES: 20 AFTER 1, 15 AFTER 2 ,12 AFTER 3, 10 AFTER 4, AND 8 AFTER 5 

There is no run rule in coach pitch until the 3rd inning and it is the following: 15 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5.  

IN ELIMINATION GAMES IF THE GAME IS TIED AFTER COMPLETION OF REGULATION TIME, WE WILL PROCEED AS FOLLOWS: THE LAST OUT OF TEAMS PRIOR INNING WILL BE PLACED ON SECOND BASE WITH NO OUTS AND PROCEED UNTIL TIE IS BROKE.  

SPEED UP RULE A COURTESY RUNNER IS MANDATORY FOR CATCHERS WITH TWO OUTS. COURTESY RUNNERS ARE OPTIONAL WITH LESS THAN TWO OUTS. THE COURTESY RUNNER MUST BE A SUBSTITUTE OR THE LAST RECORDED OUT IF ROSTER BATTING. A COURTESY RUNNER IS ALLOWED FOR THE PITCHER AND CATCHER OF RECORD FROM LAST DEFENSIVE INNING ONLY.   

WE COULD USE SEVERAL METHODS TO REDUCE GAME TIMES TO GET THE GAMES IN.  

WEATHER OPTIONS (WHEN APPLICABLE)  

REDUCE GAME TIMES  

ALL BATTERS START WITH 2-1 COUNT 

LAST OUT OF PRIOR INNING STARTS ON SECOND BASE  

EVENTS COULD SEED SUNDAY BASED ON POWER RATING GOING INTO THE TOURNAMENT. IF WE HAVE TO USE THIS OPTION TO GET THE EVENT COMPLETED, WE WILL REFUND BASED ON THE ABOVE POLICY FOR GAMES STARTED.  

THE DIRECTOR WILL DETERMINE WHICH METHOD WILL BE USED.  

WEATHER OPTIONS (WHEN APPLICABLE) DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER SITUATIONS THAT PREVENT TOURNAMENT FROM BEING FINISHED.  

DECLARE FINAL STANDINGS BASED ON RESULTS FROM POOL IF BRACKET CAN’T BE STARTED.  

DECLARE FINAL STANDINGS BASED ON HOW FAR TEAMS ADVANCE IN BRACKET PLAY.  

IF UNABLE TO COMPLETE BRACKET, WE WILL USE SEEDING FROM SATURDAY FOR TEAMS LEFT IN THE EVENT. IF 2 TEAMS HAVE THE SAME SEED AFTER POOL WE WILL USE A COIN FLIP TO DETERMINE THEIR PLACE SETTING. 

POSITIVE CHATTER IS ALLOWED, BUT IS LIMITED TO PLAYERS SUPPORTING THEIR OWN TEAMMATES.  

NO NOISE MAKERS ALLOWED.  

NO RADIOS ALLOWED AT THE FIELD EXCEPT LOW WERE OTHER FIELDS CAN’T HEAR DURING WARMUPS. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH PEOPLES CHOICE OF MUSIC PLUS IT’S JUST A DISTRACTION IF LOUD ENOUGH FOR OTHER FIELDS TO HEAR.  

ABSOLUTELY NO POUNDING ON THE FENCES, OR OTHER OBJECTS AROUND THE FIELD.  

NO INFIELD PRACTICE BEFORE OR BETWEEN GAMES. WE TRY TO KEEP THE SURFACE AS FRESH AS POSSIBLE WITH THE LITTLE TIME ALLOWED BETWEEN GAMES AND INFIELD PRACTICE JUST MAKES THAT DIFFICULT.  

NO PITCHER CAN RE-ENTER THE GAME AS THE PITCHER ONCE THEY LEAVE THE POSITION.  

YOU MUST DECLARE WHICH BATTING ORDER YOU WILL USE (BATTING 9, 10 WITH AN EH, OR ROSTER BATTING.)   

IF ROSTER BATTING AND A PLAYER LEAVES THE GAME DUE TO INJURY OR PLAYER COMMITMENT, THAT SPOT IN THE LINEUP WILL BE SKIPPED WITH NO OUT GIVEN UNLESS THE LINEUP DROPS BELOW 9 (INCLUDING COACH PITCH) IF A PLAYER HAS TO LEAVE FOR A COMMITMENT, COACH MUST DECLARE THIS AT THE PLATE MEETING OR IT IS AN OUT.  

LINEUP CHANGES MUST BE GIVEN TO THE UMPIRE AND BOTH SCOREKEEPERS. PLEASE LIST ALL PLAYERS ON YOUR LINEUP CARD WITH NUMBER AND BOTH FIRST AND LAST NAME TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR IDENTIFICATION.  

REMEMBER THE SAFETY RULE ON SLIDING. IF A RUNNER CHOOSES TO COME INTO A BAG WHEN A PLAY IS BEING MADE ON THEM AND DOESN’T SLIDE CAUSING CONTACT, THEY WILL BE DECLARED OUT AND COULD BE EJECTED IF THE UMPIRE FEELS THE RUNNER HAD EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CHANCE TO AVOID CONTACT. IF IN THE UMPIRE’S OPINION IT WAS MALICIOUS IT WILL BE AN EJECTION FOR THE REMAINDER OF EVENT AND POSSIBLE FURTHER SUSPENSION. THERE IS NOT A MANDATORY SLIDE RULE. THEY CAN GIVE UP, GO BACK, AVOID CONTACT, OR SLIDE IF GOING IN TO AVOID CONTACT. IF FIELDER IS BLOCKING BASE AND NOT RECEIVING THE BALL, THE RUNNER WILL BE RULED SAFE EVEN IF TAGGED OUT. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A CHANCE OF INCIDENTAL CONTACT AND THAT’S AN UMPIRE CALL THAT CAN’T BE ARGUED. ALL UMPIRES TRY TO MAKE THESE CALLS RIGHT BUT IT’S A JUDGMENT CALL. 

ALL COACHES, PLAYERS, AND SPECTATORS MUST FOLLOW OUR CODE OF CONDUCT RULES AT ALL TIMES. DUE TO THE INCREASE OF BAD CONDUCT, UMPIRES AND SITE DIRECTORS WILL BE MUCH QUICKER TO EJECT SO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WATCHING THE KIDS PLAY BUT WATCH HOW YOU ACT AND MAKE SURE YOUR FANS KNOW TO DO THE SAME.  

ALL ON DECK BATTERS MUST TAKE THEIR POSITION BEHIND THE BATTER AT THE PLATE TO AVOID INJURY BY FOUL BATTED BALL.    

NO 2 PIECE HELMETS ALLOWED IN ANY AGE/DIVISION.  

 ALL PLAYERS MUST BE PROPERLY EQUIPPED AND COACH MUST SIGN GAME CARD AT PLATE MEETING STATING THEY ARE.  

ALL BATS MUST ADHERE TO THE USSSA NATIONAL BAT RULE.  

ONLY 2 COACHES ALLOWED ON THE FIELD WHEN TEAM IS ON OFFENSE AND 1 COACH ALLOWED ON BUCKET (BUT MUST BE IN CONTACT WITH DUGOUT AREA), WHEN TEAM IS ON DEFENSE.  

ALL PLAYERS MUST STAY IN THE DUGOUT WHEN NOT PLAYING DEFENSE, ON DECK, BATTING, OR A BASE RUNNER. THEY CAN’T BE STANDING IN THE DOOR OF THE DUGOUT.  

ABSOLUTELY NO SLASH BUNTING ALLOWED AT ANY AGE. IF A PLAYER SLASHES BUNTS, HE WILL BE CALLED OUT AND THE 3RD BASE COACH WILL BE EJECTED.  

ALL 13 AND UP TEAMS NEED TO MAKE SURE THEIR PITCHERS HAVE NON METAL CLEATS OR TURF SHOES IF PITCHING OFF OF PORTABLE MOUNDS. NO METAL CLEATS ALLOWED ON PORTABLE MOUNDS.  

ALL TOURNAMENTS WILL FOLLOW “TEXAS SAFETY RULES” THIS RULE ONLY APPLIES WHEN THE RUNNER AT THIRD BREAKS FOR HOME PLATE SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE DELIVERY OF THE PITCH: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BATTER MUST EITHER 1) LET THE PITCH TRAVEL TO THE CATCHER WITHOUT SWINGING OR 2) MAKE A MOVEMENT CONSISTENT WITH BUNTING THE BALL. IF THE BATTER MAKES A MOVEMENT INTERPRETED AS SWINGING OR SLASH BUNTING AT THE PITCH, THE BATTER IS AUTOMATICALLY OUT. FURTHERMORE THE PITCH WILL BE RULED A “DEAD BALL” WITH THE RUNNER RETURNING TO THIRD BASE AND THE THIRD BASE COACH WILL BE EJECTED FROM THE GAME. EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE OCCURS ONLY WHEN THERE ARE TWO OUTS AND THE BATTER COUNT IS FULL (3-2): IN THIS CASE RUNNER AT THIRD MUST PROCEED TO HOME PLATE CLEARLY IN FOUL TERRITORY.  

NO BAT BOYS/GIRLS ALLOWED.  

BASE COACHES MUST BE 18 OR OLDER 

ANY TEAM THAT WITHDRAWS AFTER ENTERING AN EVENT BEFORE THE DEADLINE WILL BE GIVEN A FULL REFUND. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND GIVEN IN ANY EVENT ONCE THE DEADLINE IS PASSED IF A TEAM WITHDRAWS. THE DEADLINE TO ENTER OR WITHDRAW FROM A TOURNAMENT IS MONDAY AT MIDNIGHT BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS. IF THE EVENT IS FULL THE DEADLINE IS AT THE TIME IT HIT THE MAX ENTRIES.  

FORFEITS: ANY TEAM THAT FORFEITS A POOL GAME WILL BE PLACED LAST IN THE POOL STANDINGS. EACH PLAYER ON THE ROSTER WILL BE CHARGED WITH 9 OUTS PITCHING FOR THAT GAME. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN. THE GAME WILL BE RECORDED AS A 1-0 SCORE FOR BRACKETING PURPOSES.  

GAME REQUESTS CAN ONLY BE MADE BY EMAIL BUT ARE NOT GUARANTEED AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LESS THAN ONE WEEK FROM START DATE.   

TOURNAMENT PITCHING RULES: A PITCHER GETS A TOTAL OF 24 OUTS FOR ALL TOURNAMENTS FOR ALL AGE DIVISIONS. HE CAN PITCH 9 OUTS IN A DAY, AND STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE NEXT DAY. HE CAN PITCH A MAXIMUM OF 18 OUTS IN THE 9U-12U DIVISIONS AND 21 OUTS IN THE 13U AND OLDER DIVISIONS PER DAY. HE CAN PITCH THESE TOTALS IN ANY COMBINATION FOR THE DAY. REMEMBER IF YOU WANT TO USE A PITCHER THE NEXT DAY, HE MUST NOT PITCH MORE THAN 9 OUTS IN THE PREVIOUS DAY.  

COACHES MUST SIGN THE SCORE CARD @ THE END OF EACH GAME. THE CARD BECOMES OFFICIAL ONCE THE UMPIRE LEAVES THE FIELD SO MAKE SURE A COACH DOUBLE CHECKS THE CARD. WE CAN ONLY PUT DOWN WHAT IS ON THE CARD AND MISTAKES WILL BE MADE. ALSO AS WE POST SCORES RIGHT AFTER GAMES ARE COMPLETED PLEASE CHECK SCORES/PITCHING INFO ONLINE AFTER GAME AND REPORT ANY ERRORS BY TEXTING TO 806-670-3164.  

YOU CAN PROTEST A PITCHER'S ELIGIBILITY, BUT IT IS A REGULAR PROTEST. IF HE IS NOT ILLEGAL YOU WILL FORFEIT YOUR DEPOSIT. IF YOU WANT TO CHECK A PITCHERS COUNT, YOU CAN GO ONLINE OR GET WITH THE SITE DIRECTOR. REMEMBER MISTAKES HAPPEN WHILE ENTERING DATA SO ALWAYS CHECK GAME CARD IMMEDIATELY AFTER GAME BEFORE THE UMPIRE LEAVES THE FIELD AND NOTIFY US AFTER CHECKING ONLINE IF AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED.  

THE HOME TEAM IS THE OFFICIAL SCOREBOOK AND THE UMPIRE HAS OFFICIAL GAME TIME UNLESS WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE PAID SCOREKEEPERS. 

ABSOLUTELY NO PETS, BIKES, SCOOTERS, SKATES, ROLLERBLADES, SKATEBOARDS, ALCOHOL, TOBACCO PRODUCTS ETC. ARE ALLOWED IN OR AROUND THE COMPLEXES. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT PER CITY ORDINANCE THERE CAN BE NO ALCOHOL AT A YOUTH EVENT AND THIS INCLUDES THE PARKING LOT AREA. WE WILL ALSO BE CHECKING CUPS TO TRY AND PREVENT PEOPLE BRINGING ALCOHOL INTO COMPLEX. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE AND IT’S FOR ENTIRE EVENT. PLEASE SEE WT UNIVERSITY RULES BELOW.  

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE NUMBER OF MAX ENTRIES AS OTHER DIVISIONS FILL AND FIELD SITUATIONS CHANGE. WE WILL SEPARATE TEAMS BY CLASS IF THERE'S ENOUGH IN EACH DIVISION TO DO SO. IF THERE'S NOT ENOUGH IN ONE CLASS WE WILL COMBINE THE CLASSES AND COULD HAVE A SPLIT BRACKET WHEN THERE’S 8 OR MORE TEAMS FOR ELIMINATION ROUND. WE WILL NEVER REMOVE A TEAM ONCE ENTERED UNLESS A MISTAKE WAS MADE IN THE SYSTEM ALLOWING MORE THAN STATED MAX ENTRIES OR IT IS A LOCAL TEAM THAT DOESN’T PLAY IN OUR LEAGUE AND THERE IS AN OUT OF TOWN OR LEAGUE TEAM WANTING IN AND IT’S FULL. LOCAL LEAGUE TEAMS AND OUT OF TOWN TEAMS HAVE PRIORITY FOR THE ENTRY SPOTS SO IF NEEDED AND THERE IS A LOCAL NON LEAGUE TEAM SIGNED UP THEY WILL BE TAKEN OUT TO MAKE ROOM. TEAMS WHO ARE ENTERED HAVE UNTIL ENTRY DEADLINE TO BACK OUT OF EVENT, BUT MUST DO SO BY EMAILING WESTTEXASYOUTHBASEBALL@GMAIL.COM AND CALLING AND TEXTING TO BE REMOVED FROM THE EVENT TO 806-670-3164. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENTRY FEE IF ANOTHER TEAM DOESN'T TAKE THE SPOT. IF NOT PAID WITHIN 72 HRS OF EVENT YOU WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM FUTURE EVENTS 

WT A & M UNIVERSITY ADDITIONAL RULES. 1. ABSOLUTELY NO SUNFLOWER SEEDS AT THE WEST TEXAS A & M FIELDS. 2. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS AT THE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL TEAMS COMPLEX