Classic Fall Circuit Rules

2. PONY rules apply except where otherwise stated. This is especially important in the 10U AGE GROUP since full stealing is now allowed.

3. RUN AHEAD RULE: The 7 run rule after 5 innings will be in effect. There is a 10 run rule after 3 innings.

4. Teams may bat 10 players. There is unlimited defensive substitution. Only batting order changes need to be reported to the umpires. Additionally, during Round Robin play only, teams may play with only 8 players if necessary. However, during Double Elimination play, teams must have at least 9 players.

5. COURTESY RUNNER AND CATCHER SPEED UP: A player that is not in the batting order may be utilized as a Courtesy Runner. The Courtesy Runner must be a player who is not in the batting order. The Courtesy Runner may be inserted for the pitcher or catcher when they are on base. Any time the catcher is on base you can use the courtesy runner. However, when there are two outs it is mandatory to put in a courtesy runner. NOTE: If the team only has 10 players and all are in the batting order, then the team does not have a courtesy runner. However, when the catcher is on base with two outs, if there is no courtesy runner available, the last out can be used as catcher speed up.

6. Uniforms do not need to be matching. Duplicate numbers are allowed. Just make a note on the line-up sheet that you have duplicate numbers.

7. Protest fee is $100 payable at the time of protest to the Tournament Director or Umpire in Chief. This fee will be refunded only if protest is ruled in favor.

8. No infield or pitching warm-up will be allowed on the fields at any time. Teams may warm-up in the designated warm-up areas only.

9. Please assist in keeping the dugouts clean for the next team, by picking up your trash after the game and placing it in the receptacle provided in the dugout.

10. TIES AND INTERNATIONAL TIEBREAKER RULE: During Round Robin play, ties will stand. During the Double Elimination Championship play, the International tiebreaker will be used for games that are tied at the end of time limit or seven innings. The last out from the previous inning will be placed at 2nd base to start tiebreaker innings.

11. GAME TIMES: Games have an one hour and 20 minutes time limit. Game time is forfeit time. Lineups need to be available to the umpires 10 minutes before game time. Game slots are 1 hour and 30 minutes. DROP DEAD RULE: During round robin pool play only, when time expires, the game is over immediately. The score reverts back to the last complete inning; however, if the home team is ahead or has tied the game, the score does not revert back. During Championship play, the inning will play out. The Championship game will be 7 innings, not time limit.

12. No glass containers, no pets, and no alcoholic beverages at the parks. No smoking on the fields or in the dugouts or in the spectator stands. Please move away from spectators if you are smoking.

13. Pitchers will be allowed to take 5 warm up pitches at the beginning of the game and only 3 pitches between innings. A new pitcher entering the game receives only 5 warm up pitches.

14. GAME BALL RULE: Umpires are provided with 2 game balls at the beginning of the game. If balls go out of play, it is the teams’ responsibility to return the game ball. At the end of the game, if the umpire does not have 2 game balls, each team will be required to provide a used ball from their dugout to the umpire. The purpose of this rule is to encourage the teams to retrieve foul balls so the tournament does not run out of balls. Many game balls walk out of the tournament in teams’ buckets, and we need to get the used balls back.

15. DUGOUT DESIGNATION: Team listed first during round robin play or on the top arm of the game bracket during elimination play gets the first base dugout. Exception: a team playing back to back games will not be required to change dugouts.

16. Home team is determined by coin toss. Home team will be official scorebook (no separate scorebook). (See Score Reporting Rule #27).

17. In case of uncontrollable circumstances or interruptions due to weather, the Tournament Director reserves the right to alter the tournament format in any way necessary to reach a conclusion. NOTE: Partial game "rainouts" that cannot be concluded will revert to the last complete inning for the final result. Total game "rainouts" may be rescheduled the following off weekend if possible. All teams must sign up for Closing Alerts. This is an automated notification system that will text message team members when there are weather cancellations or interruptions. Go to www.closingalerts.com to sign up.

18. It is the responsibility of the coaches and managers to know their field assignments, times, etc.

19. The parks is guarded by a Thor-Guard Lightning Detection System that detects lightning and/or lightning conducive conditions within a 10 mile radius of the park. If lightning or lightning conducive conditions occur, the alarm will sound. All players, coaches, and spectators must leave the area and take shelter in their cars or other secure place until the all clear is given. Please cooperate.

20. Managers are responsible for their conduct and that of their players and spectators. Abusive language and/or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Any manager or coach who is ejected from a game will not be able to return until after the next complete game (in other words it is a two game suspension...the current game and the next game even if the next game is on another day). A coach who is ejected must leave the park. Ejections will be reviewed by the Tournament Director and the Umpire in Chief, and penalties may be extended depending on severity of infraction.

21. Jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces, and rings of any kind, are not allowed. However, subject to the umpires discretion, the presence of posts in ears will be allowed as long as the posts are covered by tape. No dangly or protruding earrings are allowed. NOTE: Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry, but must be taped.

23. If your team is unable to compete on a certain weekend, you must advise the tournament director at risingstarsevents@aol.com as far in advance as possible. A team MAY be disqualified from the rest of the tournament for the following reasons: team does not advise us of their scheduling issue and it results in a forfeit situation; or a team does not show up for a scheduled game which results in a forfeit situation.

25. FORMAT: Pool play is the format for first 4 Sundays, then Double Elimination for the final weekend of play. Game scheduling is at the discretion of the tournament director. a) During Pool play, weaker teams may not be required to play stronger teams and vice versa. The objective is to make the games as competitive as possible. Teams will not be scheduled against other teams from their same program unless necessary. Teams that have the longest travel distance may be given special consideration in scheduling. b) During Double Elimination play, once a team has lost 2 games, they are eliminated.

26. TEAM INSURANCE RULE: Any team that does not have team insurance MUST purchase team insurance from a company that sells team insurance. Team insurance is not expensive and it protects the girls during practice, games and travel to and from. There are many companies that offer team insurance, such as American Sports Insurance Group listed on the Rising Stars web site. Once the insurance is purchased, the team will receive a certificate of insurance, and a copy must be provided to the Tournament/Town of Davie in advance.

27. TOURNAMENT DESK INFORMATION: The Tournament Desk will be located by "TBA". It is not necessary for teams to check-in at the tournament desk prior to playing since we already have all paperwork and payments in advance. Schedules, brackets, and rules are all posted on the web site. Scores are reported via email. However, since the park is large, and you may have a problem on the day of play, we will provide all teams with a Tournament Desk contact cell phone number for each Sunday. There will be tournament staff at the tournament desk all day.

28. OFFICIAL ROSTER/WAIVER RULE: Your Official Waiver form acts as your "official roster". If your roster changes from week to week, and you bring a new player who was not on your original waiver (official roster), you must submit that player on a separate waiver with that player's name and parent signature on it. The waiver form is available on the web site and can be delivered to the Town of Davie or it can be faxed to Patti Shotwell at 954-445-4478 or emailed to her at villellaj@mac.com. If you do not submit a signed waiver for that new player by Friday prior to the date of play, that player is ineligible to play, and is NOT ALLOWED to play. (See Player Eligibility Rule #24). If the player is a temporary pick-up player who is currently on another team that is in the tournament, and had signed the waiver for that team, then a separate waiver is not necessary.