Tournament Rules
Unless noted prior to the event, National Federation High School Rules will be used with the following notations. Triple Crown reserves the right to enforce particular invitational tournament rules. Franchisees may offer rule variations.
1. Age Requirement: May 1 will be the designated date to determine ages. Photocopies of birth certificates will be required.
Age Cutoff information for events starting 2018:
8u Division – Player turning 9 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 2nd Grade
Player turning 10 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
9u Division – Player turning 10 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 3rd Grade
Player turning 11 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
10u Division – Player turning 11 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 4th Grade
Player turning 12 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
11u Division – Player turning 12 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 5th Grade
Player turning 13 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
12u Division – Player turning 13 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 6th Grade
Player turning 14 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
13u Division – Player turning 14 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 7th Grade
Player turning 15 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
14u Division – Player turning 15 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 8th Grade
Player turning 16 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
2. Roster rules are as follows: 9u to 14u – Rosters may not exceed 20 players during the course of the season. 15u to 18u – Rosters may not exceed 25 players during the course of the season.
3. Protest Fee: $100 cash (on rule interpretation only).
4. Game Time: Starting time is forfeit time, unless delay is created by Triple Crown. Game time starts at completion of coin toss.
5. Home Team: Determined by coin flip in pool play, in playoff rounds the better seeded team will be given choice of home/visitor. Home team is required to keep the official book.
6. Player Minimum: A team must start with a minimum of 9 players but can finish with less, taking outs in vacated batting positions.
7. Championship Games: No time limit and no "California Tie Breaker” – run rules are still in effect.
8. Pitching Rules (Innings per Tournament): 8s(Kid Pitch) = 6 innings 9s = 6 innings 10s = 6 innings 11s = 6 innings 12s = 6 innings 13s = 7 innings 14s = 7innings 15s = 8 innings 16s = 8 innings 18s = 8 innings ****One additional inning per game, per player starting in a team’s 5th game played**** *Scorecards must be signed by both team managers to eliminate inning validation problems. (Managers, please help with this process.) *No limit on the number of appearances. *One pitch will be considered an inning pitched. *Eight warm-ups to start, five thereafter. *Mound: 14s and younger may throw on flat surfaces depending on field availability. *If pitching rules are violated and the infraction is detected, the situation will be reviewed and consequences will be determined by the tournament director. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following: coach and/or player ejections, game forfeiture, removal of team from the tournament, suspension from additional tournaments.
9. Infield Warm-Ups: All teams are encouraged to warm-up as much as possible before game time. No pre-game infield.
10. Baseballs: Teams must provide all game balls. Baseballs need to be NFHS certified. (Typically two new balls and one used ball per game are sufficient.)
11. No steel cleats in the following age groups: 10u and younger.
12. Bat Restrictions are as Follows: 13u and Younger: All bats must be stamped BPF 1.15 USSSA OR USA Baseball. Must be a baseball bat – no restriction on weight or length as long as bat has “BPF 1.15 OR USA Baseball” stamp. 14u and Older: -3 weight/length ratio only. All bats must be stamped BBCOR. Wood bats allowed. Bat rules apply to the age division you are playing in (not the age of the player or team). Penalties for illegal bats will be assessed as per the NFHS rule book.
13. Uniforms: Numbers mandatory, matching uniforms recommended.
14. Adverse Weather: The Triple Crown Baseball Tournament will be played in adverse weather conditions. The format may be changed to lesser time limits or fewer innings to complete the tournament. Coaches and players accept these conditions when entering the tournament.
15. Decisions: The Tournament Director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
16. Hotels/Motels/Condos: Teams that leave unpaid bills or damages will be removed from the tournament and reported to their respective leagues.
17. Weather Refund Policy: There will be a 20% administration fee charged for complete rain outs; 1 game played = 50% of entry fee; 2 or more games played = no refund.
18. Tie-Breaker System: If a game is tied after all innings have been completed (or at time limit), the "California Tie-Breaker" will go into effect. Each team puts the batter who is scheduled to bat last in their offensive half of the inning on second base and plays out a full inning. This happens until the tie is broken and the game is complete.
19. No Show: Teams that no-show will forfeit their entry fee and may be subject to suspension from competition in Triple Crown events for the remainder of the season.
20. Teams may bat any number of players and retain subs but must remain at the same total number of batters they started with throughout the game: Example 11 batters and 3 subs must finish with 11 batters. Batters not listed defensively will be extra hitters (EP or EH) and may rotate anywhere on the field like any other starter. If a team finishes the game with less players than they started, the team must take outs in the vacant positions (NO EXCEPTIONS).
21. Courtesy Runners must be a legal substitute to run for the pitcher and catcher. However, the last batter out can run for the catcher ONLY at any time. 22. Along with the older age groups 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U brackets play “real baseball” leading, stealing, dropped 3rd strike, pitchers holding runners…….
****TRIPLE CROWN WILL PLAY THESE DIMENSIONS AND RUN RULES****
8 Year Old Rules: * 40 ft. pitching, 60 ft. bases *6 innings or 1:45 min. *Mercy rules are 20 runs after 2 complete innings, 15 after 3, 10 after 4 or 8 after 5
9's, 10's**46' pitching**65' bases**1 hr 45 min**6 innings** 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings. 9's, 10's Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
11's, 12's**50' pitching**70' bases**1 hr 45 min**6 innings** 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings. 11's, 12's Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
13's, 14's**60'6' pitching**90' bases**2 hrs**7 innings** 15 runs after 4 innings, 10 runs after 5 innings or 8 runs after 6 innings. 13's, 14's Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
15's **60'6' pitching**90' bases**2 hrs 10 min**7 innings** 15 runs after 4 innings,10 runs after 5 innings or 8 runs after 6 innings. 15's Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
*********All ages have a 20 run rule after 2 completed innings*********
8u Specific rules At the 8u Kid pitch ONLY. No leadoffs, no stealing home -- a runner *starting a play* at 3rd Base may *only* advance home on a batted ball or when *forced* home by a walk, hit batter, or other force play (bases loaded). For 8u, note that a walk is considered a "Dead Ball" situation -- the batter may only take 1st Base and any forced runners may only advance one base. A runner starting from 1st or 2nd Base may advance home as a continuation of a play (there is not a mandatory red light at 3rd Base for a play in motion). Runner may leave base only after ball crosses plate: 1st Offense = Dead Ball / warning; 2nd Offense = Dead Ball / offending runner is called out, other runners return to previously occupied bases, no ball/strike charged to batter). Batter may not run on dropped 3rd strike ... bunting is allowed. No balks. *Entire lineup may bat but is not mandatory. If bat-the-lineup is chosen then courtesy runners for pitcher/catcher aren't allowed. 3 outfielders, 4 infielders and pitcher/catcher on defense. No maximum runs per inning. Infield fly rule still in tact.
1. Age Requirement: May 1 will be the designated date to determine ages. Photocopies of birth certificates will be required.
Age Cutoff information for events starting 2018:
8u Division – Player turning 9 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 2nd Grade
Player turning 10 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
9u Division – Player turning 10 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 3rd Grade
Player turning 11 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
10u Division – Player turning 11 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 4th Grade
Player turning 12 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
11u Division – Player turning 12 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 5th Grade
Player turning 13 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
12u Division – Player turning 13 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 6th Grade
Player turning 14 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
13u Division – Player turning 14 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 7th Grade
Player turning 15 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
14u Division – Player turning 15 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE, unless player is in 8th Grade
Player turning 16 prior to May 1 of current year is NOT ELIGIBLE
2. Roster rules are as follows: 9u to 14u – Rosters may not exceed 20 players during the course of the season. 15u to 18u – Rosters may not exceed 25 players during the course of the season.
3. Protest Fee: $100 cash (on rule interpretation only).
4. Game Time: Starting time is forfeit time, unless delay is created by Triple Crown. Game time starts at completion of coin toss.
5. Home Team: Determined by coin flip in pool play, in playoff rounds the better seeded team will be given choice of home/visitor. Home team is required to keep the official book.
6. Player Minimum: A team must start with a minimum of 9 players but can finish with less, taking outs in vacated batting positions.
7. Championship Games: No time limit and no "California Tie Breaker” – run rules are still in effect.
8. Pitching Rules (Innings per Tournament): 8s(Kid Pitch) = 6 innings 9s = 6 innings 10s = 6 innings 11s = 6 innings 12s = 6 innings 13s = 7 innings 14s = 7innings 15s = 8 innings 16s = 8 innings 18s = 8 innings ****One additional inning per game, per player starting in a team’s 5th game played**** *Scorecards must be signed by both team managers to eliminate inning validation problems. (Managers, please help with this process.) *No limit on the number of appearances. *One pitch will be considered an inning pitched. *Eight warm-ups to start, five thereafter. *Mound: 14s and younger may throw on flat surfaces depending on field availability. *If pitching rules are violated and the infraction is detected, the situation will be reviewed and consequences will be determined by the tournament director. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following: coach and/or player ejections, game forfeiture, removal of team from the tournament, suspension from additional tournaments.
9. Infield Warm-Ups: All teams are encouraged to warm-up as much as possible before game time. No pre-game infield.
10. Baseballs: Teams must provide all game balls. Baseballs need to be NFHS certified. (Typically two new balls and one used ball per game are sufficient.)
11. No steel cleats in the following age groups: 10u and younger.
12. Bat Restrictions are as Follows: 13u and Younger: All bats must be stamped BPF 1.15 USSSA OR USA Baseball. Must be a baseball bat – no restriction on weight or length as long as bat has “BPF 1.15 OR USA Baseball” stamp. 14u and Older: -3 weight/length ratio only. All bats must be stamped BBCOR. Wood bats allowed. Bat rules apply to the age division you are playing in (not the age of the player or team). Penalties for illegal bats will be assessed as per the NFHS rule book.
13. Uniforms: Numbers mandatory, matching uniforms recommended.
14. Adverse Weather: The Triple Crown Baseball Tournament will be played in adverse weather conditions. The format may be changed to lesser time limits or fewer innings to complete the tournament. Coaches and players accept these conditions when entering the tournament.
15. Decisions: The Tournament Director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
16. Hotels/Motels/Condos: Teams that leave unpaid bills or damages will be removed from the tournament and reported to their respective leagues.
17. Weather Refund Policy: There will be a 20% administration fee charged for complete rain outs; 1 game played = 50% of entry fee; 2 or more games played = no refund.
18. Tie-Breaker System: If a game is tied after all innings have been completed (or at time limit), the "California Tie-Breaker" will go into effect. Each team puts the batter who is scheduled to bat last in their offensive half of the inning on second base and plays out a full inning. This happens until the tie is broken and the game is complete.
19. No Show: Teams that no-show will forfeit their entry fee and may be subject to suspension from competition in Triple Crown events for the remainder of the season.
20. Teams may bat any number of players and retain subs but must remain at the same total number of batters they started with throughout the game: Example 11 batters and 3 subs must finish with 11 batters. Batters not listed defensively will be extra hitters (EP or EH) and may rotate anywhere on the field like any other starter. If a team finishes the game with less players than they started, the team must take outs in the vacant positions (NO EXCEPTIONS).
21. Courtesy Runners must be a legal substitute to run for the pitcher and catcher. However, the last batter out can run for the catcher ONLY at any time. 22. Along with the older age groups 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U brackets play “real baseball” leading, stealing, dropped 3rd strike, pitchers holding runners…….
****TRIPLE CROWN WILL PLAY THESE DIMENSIONS AND RUN RULES****
8 Year Old Rules: * 40 ft. pitching, 60 ft. bases *6 innings or 1:45 min. *Mercy rules are 20 runs after 2 complete innings, 15 after 3, 10 after 4 or 8 after 5
9's, 10's**46' pitching**65' bases**1 hr 45 min**6 innings** 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings. 9's, 10's Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
11's, 12's**50' pitching**70' bases**1 hr 45 min**6 innings** 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings. 11's, 12's Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
13's, 14's**60'6' pitching**90' bases**2 hrs**7 innings** 15 runs after 4 innings, 10 runs after 5 innings or 8 runs after 6 innings. 13's, 14's Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
15's **60'6' pitching**90' bases**2 hrs 10 min**7 innings** 15 runs after 4 innings,10 runs after 5 innings or 8 runs after 6 innings. 15's Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
*********All ages have a 20 run rule after 2 completed innings*********
8u Specific rules At the 8u Kid pitch ONLY. No leadoffs, no stealing home -- a runner *starting a play* at 3rd Base may *only* advance home on a batted ball or when *forced* home by a walk, hit batter, or other force play (bases loaded). For 8u, note that a walk is considered a "Dead Ball" situation -- the batter may only take 1st Base and any forced runners may only advance one base. A runner starting from 1st or 2nd Base may advance home as a continuation of a play (there is not a mandatory red light at 3rd Base for a play in motion). Runner may leave base only after ball crosses plate: 1st Offense = Dead Ball / warning; 2nd Offense = Dead Ball / offending runner is called out, other runners return to previously occupied bases, no ball/strike charged to batter). Batter may not run on dropped 3rd strike ... bunting is allowed. No balks. *Entire lineup may bat but is not mandatory. If bat-the-lineup is chosen then courtesy runners for pitcher/catcher aren't allowed. 3 outfielders, 4 infielders and pitcher/catcher on defense. No maximum runs per inning. Infield fly rule still in tact.
