PARENTS, PLAYERS AND COACHES IN OUR BANTAM DIVISION (2002-2003) ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ UP ON THE RULES THAT WILL GOVERN THE ‘SEPTEMBER MADNESS’ END OF SEASON TOURNEY THAT BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 5
Welcome to the 2017 end-of-season house league tournament. The following are the rules that will be in force during the Bantam Division (2002-2003) portion of the ‘September Madness’ tournament. All coaches, players and parents must take time to become familiar with the rules.
Innings
Each team will play four games in the round-robin…one against each of the other teams. All round-robin games must be 5 innings, and playoff games will be 6 innings unless tied in which case there will be extra innings. If a round-robin game is still in progress one hour and forty-five after the start time, the inning being played will be completed and the rest of the game will be suspended. However, if the outcome of that completed game would affect the standings and the semi-final match-ups, the rest of the five innings will be completed as soon as possible.
Run Differential
Regardless of the result, the run differential (+/-) after the last complete full inning will be used for purposes of tie-breaking.
Playoffs
At the completion of the round robin there will be a 4th vs 5th seed elimination game, and then the semi-final games and a championship game.
Standings/Seedings
Standings will be determined by the number of points obtained during the round-robin games. There will 3 points awarded for a win and 1 point awarded for a tie. If two or more teams are tied after the round-robin portion of the tournament, the following tie breaking sequence will be used:
1) Head-to-Head points
2) Over-all run differential ( the +/- after the last completed full inning)
3) Total runs against (lower is better)
4) Coin toss.
Mercy Rule
The regular 4 run per half-inning mercy rule will apply throughout the series.
Pitching & Catching
Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 2 innings per game. One thrown pitch constitutes one inning. Should a player step on the rubber at the start of an inning, that player will be required to throw at least the first pitch of the inning. Prior to each half-inning the pitcher will be allowed 6 warm up pitches, during which the fielding players will be allowed warm up balls. When the umpire calls “balls in” warm up balls must be returned to the dugout. Pitchers may be changed during an inning, but a player may not come off the bench to replace a pitcher. A player already playing in that half-inning must take over for a pitcher that is being replaced. In these cases pitchers will be allowed 4 warm up pitches. Catchers can’t catch more than 3 innings per game.
General
All players must wear their house league jersey and hat in order to play. No metal spikes allowed on cleats. No jewelry shall be visible. Exception: Medical Bracelets.
Prior to the start of each game, a player line-up with sweater numbers and names listed must be provided to the official scorekeeper, who will not be a coach from either team. All players will bat in the order as presented to the official scorekeeper prior to the start of each game.
Coaches or players warming up pitchers either on the field between innings or in the “bullpen” must wear a protective mask. The batter shall wear a protective helmet while on deck, at bat or running the bases. The helmet may not be removed until the batter is retired, has crossed home plate or the half inning has been completed. Should the batter/runner remove the helmet while the ball is in play, he/she will be declared out. There shall be only one on-deck batter at any time; additional players out of the dugout may result in automatic outs at the umpires’ discretion.
The tournament conveners have the ultimate authority relating to any matter that requires a ruling or clarification.
To access a PDF copy of the Bantam Division tournament rules, please click on the link below:
If you have any questions, please contact us at tpbaseball@gmail.com.