Tournament Rules
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.
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. Pool play games may end in a tie, no extra innings regardless of time. Championship Games: No time limit and no "Tie Breaker” – run rules are still in effect.
8. Pitching Rules (Innings per Tournament):
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*
A "game played" DOES NOT include games won by forfeit. Two teams must take the field for the game to be considered a "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. These actions will be determined based upon how the infraction affected the game.
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. NFHS certified baseballs. (Two new balls and one used ball per game are sufficient.)
11. Cleats: No steel cleats 10u and younger.
12. Bat Restrictions are as Follows: 12u division NO Big Barrels.13u and Younger: All bats -5 or greater must be stamped BPF 1.15. Must be a baseball bat – no restriction on weight or length as long as bat has “BPF 1.15” stamp. All -3 bats must be stamped BBCOR. Wood bats must be made of a single piece of wood. All other bats such as bamboo or two piece must meet the BBCOR standards and have the BBCOR stamp. 14u: -3 weight/length ratio ONLY; all -3 bats must be stamped BBCOR; Wood bats must be made of a single piece of wood. All other bats such as bamboo or two piece must meet the BBCOR standards and have the BBCOR stamp. 15u: Wood Bat! To be considered a wood bat , a bat must be made of a single piece of wood. All other bats such as bamboo or two piece must meet the BBCOR standards and have the BBCOR stamp. 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, reported to their respective leagues and possibly banned from future Triple Crown events.
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. *Rule Clarification: Tie Breaker System does not apply to pool play games, pool play games may end in a tie; Tie-Breaker System applies to non-championship playoff games only.
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. All age groups can have EH's (Extra Hitter) if they choose to bat 10 or more. Both a DH and EH may be used at the same time. Teams 14u and younger have the OPTION to bat any number of players. If you bat every player on your roster, and a player is unable to continue playing, you take outs in the vacant positions. Ages 15 and up can only bat 9 (regular order) or 10 (with an EH).
21. Courtesy Runners: As per NFHS rules, a courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher. The courtesy runner must be a substitute player that has not been in the game. A courtesy runner may run for either the pitcher or catcher, but not both. Two courtesy runners (one for pitcher, one for catcher) may be used if the team has eligible substitutes for both roles. However, there's an optional (not mandatory) allowance for the catcher only- if the team doesn't meet the NFHS rule (eligible substitute), the last batted out may run for the catcher.
22. Along with the older age groups 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U brackets play “real baseball” leading, stealing, dropped 3rd strike, pitchers holding runners…etc. ****TRIPLE CROWN WILL PLAY THESE DIMENSIONS AND RUN RULES****
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 however, 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 however, 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 however, run rules are still in effect.
15's, 16's,18'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. 15's, 16's, 18'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*********
23. New age Cutoff information for 13u & 14u teams:
*13U Division Players who turn 14 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 7th grade. Also, any player turning 15 prior to May 1 will not be eligible.
*14U Division Players who turn 15 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 8th grade. Also, any player turning 16 prior to May 1 will not be eligible.
**Additional verification will be needed for these players.
1. Age Requirement: May 1 will be the designated date to determine ages. Photocopies of birth certificates will be required.
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. Pool play games may end in a tie, no extra innings regardless of time. Championship Games: No time limit and no "Tie Breaker” – run rules are still in effect.
8. Pitching Rules (Innings per Tournament):
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*
A "game played" DOES NOT include games won by forfeit. Two teams must take the field for the game to be considered a "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. These actions will be determined based upon how the infraction affected the game.
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. NFHS certified baseballs. (Two new balls and one used ball per game are sufficient.)
11. Cleats: No steel cleats 10u and younger.
12. Bat Restrictions are as Follows: 12u division NO Big Barrels.13u and Younger: All bats -5 or greater must be stamped BPF 1.15. Must be a baseball bat – no restriction on weight or length as long as bat has “BPF 1.15” stamp. All -3 bats must be stamped BBCOR. Wood bats must be made of a single piece of wood. All other bats such as bamboo or two piece must meet the BBCOR standards and have the BBCOR stamp. 14u: -3 weight/length ratio ONLY; all -3 bats must be stamped BBCOR; Wood bats must be made of a single piece of wood. All other bats such as bamboo or two piece must meet the BBCOR standards and have the BBCOR stamp. 15u: Wood Bat! To be considered a wood bat , a bat must be made of a single piece of wood. All other bats such as bamboo or two piece must meet the BBCOR standards and have the BBCOR stamp. 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, reported to their respective leagues and possibly banned from future Triple Crown events.
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. *Rule Clarification: Tie Breaker System does not apply to pool play games, pool play games may end in a tie; Tie-Breaker System applies to non-championship playoff games only.
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. All age groups can have EH's (Extra Hitter) if they choose to bat 10 or more. Both a DH and EH may be used at the same time. Teams 14u and younger have the OPTION to bat any number of players. If you bat every player on your roster, and a player is unable to continue playing, you take outs in the vacant positions. Ages 15 and up can only bat 9 (regular order) or 10 (with an EH).
21. Courtesy Runners: As per NFHS rules, a courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher. The courtesy runner must be a substitute player that has not been in the game. A courtesy runner may run for either the pitcher or catcher, but not both. Two courtesy runners (one for pitcher, one for catcher) may be used if the team has eligible substitutes for both roles. However, there's an optional (not mandatory) allowance for the catcher only- if the team doesn't meet the NFHS rule (eligible substitute), the last batted out may run for the catcher.
22. Along with the older age groups 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U brackets play “real baseball” leading, stealing, dropped 3rd strike, pitchers holding runners…etc. ****TRIPLE CROWN WILL PLAY THESE DIMENSIONS AND RUN RULES****
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 however, 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 however, 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 however, run rules are still in effect.
15's, 16's,18'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. 15's, 16's, 18'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*********
23. New age Cutoff information for 13u & 14u teams:
*13U Division Players who turn 14 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 7th grade. Also, any player turning 15 prior to May 1 will not be eligible.
*14U Division Players who turn 15 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 8th grade. Also, any player turning 16 prior to May 1 will not be eligible.
**Additional verification will be needed for these players.
