9U / 10U / 11U / 12U

Tournament Rules

• NOTICE: CRUSH Tournaments are open events but are best suited for AA/Minors/D3 teams.  If you are a AAA/Majors/D2/D1 caliber team, please request to play up 1 age division.
• Refund Policy: Refunds are credits towards future events.  If team drops 2+ weeks prior to event = full event credit.  If team drops within 14 days of event = 50% credit.  If team drops within 7 days of event while schedule is posting then not eligible for event credit.
• Due at Check-In: (1) Team Roster with First Name, Last Name, Jersey Number, Grade, Date of Birth, (2) Copy of Insurance, (3) Entry Fee in Full before scheduling (Venmo or Zelle). Please also have copies of Birth Certificates for each player on hand in case of player disputes.  Rosters are frozen after pool play begins.  Rosters and insurance must be sent to TD prior to first pool game.  Park waivers may also be required.
• Player Eligibility - CRUSH Tournaments are open format and will follow the same Age Based guidelines that are listed on NCS website rules (May 1st Cutoff).  Grade Based exceptions are discouraged and limited to only three max per team.  Grade Based exception players must be pre-approved by TD and highlighted on Roster with a copy of Birth Certificate plus Proof of Grade Enrollment (report card or other). 
• Illegal Players - A player that is proven to be illegal due to an age or grade violation during a tournament game shall result in the player and head coach being ejected from the tournament and forfeit of protested game.
• Teams will consist of no more than 15 players; and only 12 Awards per team will be provided. There will be a Head Coach and a maximum of 3 assistant coaches (the Max Allowed is 4 Coaches). 
• Awards for 1st Place and 2nd Place.  12 Awards per Team.  1 MVP Award for 1st Place.
• Pitching & Base Distances. 9U/10U uses 46' pitching and 65' bases.  11U/12U uses 50' pitching and 70' bases.
• 1-Day Fall/Winter Tournaments (3GG) - Game Times & Innings:
  
  • All games will be 75 minutes, Finish the Inning (5 Min Rule applies), and 7 runs max per half inning.  No coin flip.  Higher seed is Home Team.
• 2-Day Spring/Summer Tournaments (3GG) - Game Times & Innings: 
  • Pool games will be 75 minutes, Finish the Inning (*2 Min Rule applies), and 7 runs max per half inning & will be used for seeding bracket.  No coin flip.  Each team will have 1 Home & 1 Away.
  • Bracket games will be 75 minutes, Finish the Inning (*2 Min Rule applies), Unlimited runs per half inning. No coin flip.  Higher seed is Home Team.
  • *5 Minute Rule may apply at umpire discretion in order to stay on schedule.  
• The game will continue until the allotted time expires, with the current inning being completed if necessary. Coaches are advised to confirm the start time and game duration with the umpire during the plate meeting prior to the game.  The 2 Minute Rule will be enforced by umpires and apply to all Games in order for fields to stay on schedule.  No new inning will start if less than 2 minutes on game clock.  *5 Minute Rule may be enforced if games are behind schedule.
• Make sure teams are prepared and ready to play 15 min prior to scheduled start time. We will start games early if previous game finishes early!
• If games are running more than 30 minutes behind schedule, TD and umpires will enforce 5 Minute Rule on all games; and have discretion to move to Drop Dead for Pool Play.
• Seeding is Automatically Calculated by the Quick Scores system based on teams Pool Play Record & Winning Percentage.  No challenges accepted.  If two or more teams are tied in the Standings, the following tie breakers will be applied in order by the Quick Scores system:   (1) Head to Head Ranking via QS Logic if applicable, (2) Runs Allowed, (3) Runs Scored, (4) Auto Coin Flip by Quick Scores system. 
• Run Rule = 15 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5
• Tie Breaker (Extra Innings) – Runners at 2^nd and 3^rd with 1 Out.  Runners will be the last 2 batted outs from previous inning.
• In pool games, the game is over when the opposing team is mathematically eliminated from scoring enough runs to win or tie the game after time expires. 
• In pool games, the home team is not allowed to continue running up score after winning game after time expires, regardless of impact on seeding.  Runs Allowed is priority over Runs Scored.
• Batting Order - Coaches will have the following 2 options that must be declared at beginning of game:
  • Option 1 – Bat Entire Roster with Free Defensive Substitution.
  • Option 2 – Bat Straight 9 with at Least 1 Substitute.  NFHS substitute rules apply.  
  • Option 3 – Bat 9 with a DH with at Least 1 Substitute.  NFHS substitute rules apply.
  • Option 4 – Bat 10 with an EH with at Least 1 Substitute.  NFHS substitute rules apply.
• NFHS Substitute Rules Apply.  9 or more players make a full batting roster.  A team can begin a game with 8 or more players. If you are playing with 8 players at any time for any reason, when the 9th batting spot comes up and there is not a player in that spot (empty), an automatic out will be charged. Any player that arrives after the game begins will be added to the bottom of the batting order. If at any time the lineup falls below 8 players, either by ejection, injury or illness, the game results in a forfeit.  If a player is lost due to injury or illness, during the game, then the lineup is compressed without an out being recorded (no penalty) unless it drops team to 8 players which would then still result in out being taken for 9^th batting spot that is empty. When Batting the Roster there is free defensive substitution (except for pitcher).
• If a team Bats Out of Order, it is best for the opposing team to wait and appeal the result of play immediately after the improper batter has put ball in play and reached base.  It must be challenged immediately after the play.  Once the next batter takes a pitch, then no challenge will be accepted. 
  • Improper batter still at bat – (1) Replace improper batter with proper batter, (2) Proper batter assumes existing count, (3) No Penalty
  • Improper batter on base, but no pitch yet to next batter – (1) Umpire to send improper batter on base back to dugout, (2) Nullify all action from improper at-bat, (3) Identify the proper batter and call him out, (4) Next batter is player following the proper batter identified on lineup that was just called out.
  • Improper batter on base and pitch made to next batter – No challenge/appeal accepted. Play stands.
• Courtesy Runners - A courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or catcher of record may be used once they reach first base. A courtesy runner will not be allowed if a pitch has been made to the next batter. The courtesy runner must be a legal substitute currently not in the game.  When batting entire roster, the courtesy runner shall be the player that was the last batted out.  If no outs, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base, or the last batter in the lineup.
• Pitch Limit Rules & Required Rest:  CRUSH Tournaments will generally follow Pitch Smart Guidelines per age group.  Our official tournament rules are shown below:  

• 1 Day Tournament:  1 Day Events will Follow Daily Max Rules
  • 9U/10U = 75 Pitches Daily Max. A pitcher may appear in max 2 games per day.
  • 11U/12U = 85 Pitches Daily Max.  A pitcher may appear in max 2 games per day.
• 2 Day Tournament:  2 Day Events will Follow Event Max Rules.  This is the combined total of pitches from Day 1 + Day 2 (if eligible) = Event Max
  • 9U/10U = 75 Pitches Event Max.
    • 30 Pitches Max on Day 1 to be Eligible to Pitch on Day 2.  Pitcher can finish the batter once 30 pitch threshold is met, but must be immediately removed after batter retired to stay eligible to pitch on Day 2.  Ineligible pitchers from Day 1 will be recorded by umpires with TD and are not allowed to pitch on Day 2.
  • 11U/12U = 85 Pitches Event Max. 
    • 30 Pitches Max on Day 1 to be Eligible to Pitch on Day 2.  Pitcher can finish the batter once 30 pitch threshold is met, but must be immediately removed after batter retired to stay eligible to pitch on Day 2.  Ineligible pitchers from Day 1 will be recorded by umpires with TD and are not allowed to pitch on Day 2.
• Once Daily Max is hit and batter complete, head coach must call time and remove pitcher from the game.  In addition, opposing coach can also call time to have umps verify pitch count to have pitcher removed.  Player arm safety should be top priority.
• Penalty - Immediate removal of pitcher from mound.  Pitcher is still eligible to play other positions.  Head coach is removed from the game and subject to additional ejection if violation deemed obvious, blatant and/or negligent by head umpire, UIC or tournament director.  Refusal to comply with Penalty results in team Forfeit.
• Protest - Opposing team must notify plate ump immediately during game play once there is a violation of the pitching rules listed above.  Once the game has concluded, then the game stands as is and no protest allowed.
• #1 focus for youth pitching is keeping the players’ best interest and arm health a top priority.  Head coaches and Parents are ultimately responsible for monitoring and record keeping of pitch counts for their players arm health & safety.
• Pitching Mound Visits – Awarded 2 per inning, with a second visit to same pitcher in same inning resulting in pitcher change.  Once a pitcher is removed from the game, he cannot re-enter for any reason.
• Balks – 9U/10U pitchers may receive 1 warning for both pool play and bracket play at umpire discretion.  11U/12U pitchers may receive 1 warning for pool play only.  Balks will be immediate dead ball with runners advancing 1 base.
• Intentional Walk – A team may choose to intentionally walk a batter anytime (no pitches are required).
• Slide Rule – Any player may be called out at umpire discretion when the runner does not slide or makes no attempt to avoid a defensive player while in position of the ball. All players are required to avoid collision with another player while running the bases. If, in the judgement of the umpire, the runner does not make an effort to avoid collision, he may be declared out. If in the judgement of the umpire the act is deemed to be malicious, the runner may be ejected from the game.
• Double Plays – A runner may not hinder a fielder’s ability to complete the play in the case of a potential double play.  For safety reasons, runners must either slide into second base or veer out of the base path early to avoid injury or contact during the play.  Contact is not required.  Call is at discretion of Umpires.
• Slash Bunts – For the safety of all players 9U-13U, absolutely no slash bunting/hitting is allowed; Penalty for slash bunt attempt will result in batter being called out and head coach warning.  No contact with the ball is required for an out to be called.  Second offense will result in batter being called out and head coach ejection. 
• Batter Interference – A batter may not interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by leaning over home plate, stepping out of the batter’s box, or making any movement that hinders the catcher’s play.  Batter does not own the box, but does have the right to their established position in the box and catcher must work around.  Umpire discretion on call.
• Obstruction Calls are at the sole discretion of Umpires.  
• Umpire Challenges.  Head coach should call time and calmly speak to umpire that made the call.  Respectful request can be made to "ask for help" to allow both umpires to discuss.  Once decision made, the call is final.
• In game protests should be directed to the Head Umpire during the game who may consult with Field Director (if available) for interpretation of rules.  No game protests to head umpire, field director or TD granted after conclusion of game.  All game results are final.  
• Absolutely no aggressive behavior, gestures, or profanity from or directed towards umpires, coaches, players, parents, or fans will be tolerated.  Ejection and removal from the ball-park by security or police will be used if needed.
• Runners can lead-off and steal bases (including home) at-will and at their own risk.  Pitchers can pick-off.
• First to Third Move (Yo-Yo) - With runners on first and third, a pitcher may disengage the rubber by stepping toward third base. After this move, the pitcher can attempt to put out the runner advancing to second or the runner at third but is not required to make a throw, provided the disengagement is properly executed.
• Dropped Third Strike - Batters may run on dropped third strike.  All other runners may advance at their own risk as well.  If first base is occupied before the pitch that results in the dropped third strike then the batter is out, but all other runners may advance at their own risk. This rule does not apply when there are 2 outs in the inning. With 2 outs the dropped 3rd strike rule is still in play even if first base is occupied.
• Uniforms – Matching uniforms preferred and must have unique numbers on back.  1 blank uniform can be recorded as #0 or #00.  No duplicate numbers allowed unless reported and approved by both home plate umpire and opponent before game during home plate meeting.  All players wear cap when playing the field.
• Equipment – No metal cleats.  Catchers should wear cup and full “hockey-style” helmet for protection.  Pitchers may wear necklaces and sunglasses (if no glare), but cannot wear anything reflective that is distracting to the batters.  Umpire discretion will be used here to make equipment decisions.
• Walk-Up Songs & Speakers - Team batting can play music and portable speakers may be used for walk-up songs and between innings.  No music during game play.  All walk-up songs and music played must be clean version with no profanity or explicit content.  Complaints from guests with children will be respected and music will prohibited at discretion of head umpire and/or tournament director.
• Noise Makers - No artificial noise makers (horns, drums, rattlers, etc.) that interfere with fair game play or sportsmanship.  Umpire to issue 1 warning so head coach can address fans.  Next violation will result in head coach ejection. 
• Bat Limitations – No illegal or altered bats of any kind will be allowed.  No T-ball only marked bats.  All bats must be marked 1.15bpf, BBCOR, or USSSA / USA stamped.  No weight restriction.  The penalty is bat removal from tournament and batter out once pitch thrown.
• All other rules not listed above will generally follow same guidelines listed on NCS.
• Crush Tournaments powered by Texas Quality Umpires (TQU); Eugene Andrews UIC/Owner

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• Any rain delay or rain out information will be communicated by the Tournament Director via text message to head coach and/or posted on the Crush Tournaments Facebook page.  Please have all parents and attendees Follow this page for event updates and alerts.  
• In most situations where there are significant delays or field closures, the Tournament Director will look first to condense the schedule by moving games to shorter time limits.  Pool play games will be shorter time and finish the batter aka "drop dead."  Bracket play will be shorter games but still remain finish the inning.  Pool game minimum time limit is 55 min drop dead.  Bracket game play minimum is 65 min finish the inning (2 min rule applies).
• In rare situations where it cannot be avoided, Tournament Director may be forced to cut 1 pool game out of schedule in order to continue event.  This would then make event a 2GG vs 3GG.  $50 refund will be issued to all teams that only get 2 games of play in this situation.
• There may be times where we will continue to play baseball during light to moderate rains. However we will also delay games ~30 minutes if there is lightning detected within 6 miles.  We use Flash AI & Red Cross recommendations for lightning detection and safety protocols.
• In the event games are delayed due to lightning we do ask that teams leave the field and seek shelter from the rain somewhere other than the dugouts, as the dugouts are at more risk of being struck by lightning. 
• Any game that is delayed due to weather will be resumed from where the game left off once it is considered safe to return to play.
• Any game that is cancelled due to weather will be made up if possible from the beginning if no innings were completed.
• Any game that makes it past 1 complete inning of play will result to the last completed innings score and the winner will be determined as the team in the lead after the last completed inning.

• A game started is considered a game played based on our refund policy. 
• Rain out policy for 3 GG tournament with $195 entry fees are:
• If no games are played, you will receive a full $195 event credit if you paid in advance.
• If only 1 game is played, you will receive $100 event credit and no awards given out.
• If 2 games are played, you will receive $50 event credit and no awards given out.
• Once bracket play begins, there are no event credits given out.
• Scheduled teams that drop event prior to rain-out cancellation will forfeit the $195 entry.