Baseball Factory Tournament - Official Rules:

1. Games: ALL teams will play the allotted number of tournament games, weather permitting

2. Rosters: Your roster may not exceed 25 players. Players MAY NOT play on more than one roster. Your roster becomes official after first pitch thrown.

3. Age Restrictions for the 2023 Season (January 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023):

14U/2027 and younger: Born on or after 12/31/2008

15U/2026 and younger: Born on or after 12/31/2007

16U/2025 and younger: Born on or after 12/31/2006

17U/2024 and younger: Born on or after 12/31/2004

4. Roster Changes: Teams may change their rosters up until they start their first game. All players should be listed on the official roster. After that time there will be no roster changes. If a player is listed on more than one roster, the player listed will make a decision as to which roster he is legally on. This decision is up to the individual player. No player can appear in a tournament game for more than one team.

• The team’s manager is responsible for all aspects of the eligibility of the players on his team and that they meet the requirements
• A player who is in violation of the age eligibility shall be considered an illegal player.
• If anytime during a tournament game, a player is discovered illegal due to an age violation or participating on more than one team in the same tournament, the team is subject to forfeit. The first team a player participates for is their official team.  *This does not apply to Pitch Smart violations.
• Participating players shall have photocopies of their original birth certificates (US) or passports (International) in the possession of their team manager. Electronic copies of ID documents are accepted. Failure to have a copy of a birth certificate, in the event of a protest, could result in suspension for the remainder of the event until such document can be produced. Driver’s License is permitted. For events classified by graduation year, transcripts from a players most recent academic semester shall be in the possession of their team manager.

5. Game Rules: National Federation Safety rules will be enforced. Playing rules are National Federation Rules with Local modifications.

6. Game Length/Mercy Rule: Games shall be seven (7) innings in length or 1 hour and 50min, whichever comes first.

7. Mercy Rules: 15 after 3, 12 after 4, 8 after 5. If a team is losing by 8 or more runs after having batting in at least five innings, the game is ended at that point.

8. Pool Play: All Pool Play games will be played with a strict 1 hour and 50 min. No inning can start after 1hr 50min. Time will be kept by the home plate umpire. For each team's pool games the home team will be predetermined. All pool games that are tied after 7 innings or the 1hr and 50min time limit will be recorded a tie. A tie is equal to a ½ win and ½ loss for each team.

9. Championship Round/Playoffs: 1 hour 50 min, no new inning after 1hr 50m will be used in all games including the Championship games. In the Semi-finals and Championship game will adhere to tie-breaker rules. The home team in Championship Play will be the higher seed. Tie Breaker: If after 8 innings the two teams are still tied the following tie breaker rules will go into effect:
Top 9th Inning
• Last hitter from previous inning @ 2nd Base
• The hitting team will start the inning with one out.
Top 10th Inning
• Last two hitters from previous inning @ 2nd Base and 3rd base
• The hitting team will start the inning with one out.
• Play continues until one team is ahead at the end of an inning.

10. In case of rain: All rain out games may not be made up depending on time constraints. In case of scheduling changes it is the team's responsibility, not the tournament committee, to make sure they are aware of the new schedule or any scheduling changes. This information will be posted at the site and tournament webpage when it becomes available. Note: No special requests will be honored if rescheduling becomes necessary. All coaches should make sure they have the tournament phone numbers to call for information.

11. Break in Play: If a game is stopped, the game must start within 1 hour of the stop in play. If games are not resumed, they will become suspended or called official. Games called by umpires that cannot be resumed within 1 hour will be considered an official game, if 5 innings have been completed, or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead. After 5 complete innings, the score will revert back to the last full inning of play after 4 1/2 innings played.. The tournament director can extend the 1 hour if there are extenuating circumstances, i.e. lightning detector, working on fields, etc. A suspended game will resume where the game was halted. In the event play is stopped for any reason before or during the Championship round, first place, second place, third place, etc. will be awarded based on Seeding and Tie Breaker Rules.

12. Scoring: We recommend that all teams (home and visitor) keep a scorebook. The actual score will be kept by the home plate umpire.

13. Bat Specifications: Please check each individual tournament page for bat specs. 

14. Pitching: Team One Baseball will strictly adhere to MLB's Pitch Smart Guidelines. Pitch Smart Guidelines

Ages 13 to 18: (Typically 60' Pitching Distance)

• Players can begin using breaking pitches after developing consistent fastball and changeup
• Do not exceed 100 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period
• Take at least 4 months off from competitive pitching every year, including at least 2-3 continuous months off from all overhead throwing
• Make sure to properly warm up before pitching
• Set and follow pitch-count limits and required rest periods
• Avoid playing for multiple teams at the same time
• Avoid playing catcher while not pitching
• Avoid pitching in multiple games on the same day
• Make sure to follow guidelines across leagues, tournaments and showcases
• Monitor for other signs of fatigue
• A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game

15. Hitting lineup: Can consist of 9, 10, or 11 batters. The lineup must stay with the same number of batters for the entire game. The 10th and 11th hitter if used will be designated as an EH and XH on the lineup card. The EH and XH is the same as any position on the field as far as substitutions are concerned. The starting pitcher is allowed to DH for himself. You may utilize an (EH) extra hitter and (DH) designated hitter in your lineup. Free defensive substitution.

16. Runners: Courtesy runner for both the pitcher and the catcher may be used at any time. Courtesy runner has to be someone not presently in the line-up. The same player cannot run for both the pitcher and catcher in the same inning.

17. Clean out your dugout immediately after your game is complete.

18. Game Balls are provided but you must PLEASE have your players and parents chase foul balls.

19. NO SOFT TOSS into fencing. Minor League Batting Cages are open for your use.

20. Any participant (player, coach, spectator, etc.) ejected from a game shall have the circumstances of his/her ejection reviewed by the Tournament Director, Site Supervisor, and Chief Umpire. A decision will then be made what additional penalty, if any, shall be applied to that person. The additional penalty may include suspension from a subsequent game(s) or suspension from the tournament all together.

21. Player Code of Conduct: I will treat all players, coaches, umpires, parents, and spectators with dignity and respect, as I would like to be treated, using appropriate language in appropriate tones when interacting with them. I will win and lose graciously, demonstrating good sportsmanship throughout games. I will be honest and take responsibility for my actions and results. I will not use any form of intimidation or bullying against another player, coach or umpire. I will show respect for all players, coaches, spectators, umpires, and tournament officials.   I will respect the integrity and judgment of the game umpires, understand that they are doing their best to help promote the youth baseball athletes, and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public.
     
Seeding and Tie Breaker Rules:

Tie Breakers Within Pools
    1. Win-loss record
    2. Head to Head winner
    3. If three teams are tied – If one team has defeated both other teams, that team advances. If not go to #4.
    4. Total runs allowed in pool play.
    5. Total runs scored in pool play
    6. Run differential
    7. Coin flip

Tie Breakers Within Divisions
    1. Pool Place
    2. Win-loss record
    3. Head to Head winner
    4. If three teams are tied – If one team has defeated both other teams, that team advances. If not go to #4.
    5. Total runs allowed in pool play.
    6. Total runs scored in pool play
    7. Run differential
    8. Coin flip

22. Not covered in the Rules: In the event any item is not covered in the rules, the tournament committee will make the fairest possible ruling and that ruling will be final!

Tournament Mission
•    To provide a substantial number of games for each team within a balanced schedule.
•    To allow a competitive tournament format with opportunities to advance within the tournament.
•    To provide a pleasant and exciting baseball tournament while allowing for social activities within the area.
•    To develop the tournament into an exciting annual event that teams from all across the USA work toward throughout the year.
•    To scout and recruit the best tournament participants for Team ONE Showcases and Baseball Factory All America Game.