RULES & REGULATIONS FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY
BABE RUTH / CAL RIPKEN
1. The re-entry rule is always
a problem in tourneys. It simply states
that any of the 9 starting players, regardless of position, may withdraw from
and re-enter once, provided such player occupies the same batting position when
he is in the lineup. A substitute who is
withdrawn may not re-enter. Remember the
starter and his substitute cannot be in the game at the same time. The starting pitcher is governed by the
provisions of Official Baseball Rule 3.05 if withdrawn while on the mound
pitching. The starting pitcher withdrawn
while a batter or baserunner may re-enter the game immediately. (PINCH/RUNNER/PINCH HITTER)
2. Babe Ruth Baseball will
allow re-entry of already used players if all substitutes have been used and an
injury occurs. Selection of this
substitute must be made by the opposing manager. This type of re-entry can only take place
when an injury prevents a player from continuing in the game. The injured player, once removed from the
game can not re-enter. If a player is
ejected from the game and all other players have been used as substitutes, Babe
Ruth Baseball will allow re-entry of already used players rather than have a
game forfeited. Selection of this substitute must be made by the opposing manager. This type of re-entry will take place to
eliminate a forfeited game.
3. Concerning the re-entry
rule, if a player re-enters illegally either on defense or as a base runner,
there is no penalty, except that he must be removed from the game immediately
when discovered. If he re-enters
illegally as a batter, such illegal re-entry is penalized according to Official
Baseball Rule 6.07, batting out of order.
4. Babe Ruth: No pitcher in tournament play shall be allowed to pitch in more than
7 innings in any 2 successive tournament games with the same tourney
level. For example, a pitcher could
pitch 4 innings, 3 innings, 4 innings, etc. This is not true in the 16-18
year-old division of Babe Ruth.
5. Cal
Ripken: 12 and under division. No pitcher in tournament play shall be
allowed to pitch in more than 6 innings in any 2 successive tournament games
with the same tourney level. For example, a pitcher could pitch 4 innings, 2
innings, 4 innings, etc.
6. Games in which an ineligible
pitcher has been used shall be forfeited.
7. Trips to the mound by a
manager or coach may not exceed one trip per pitcher in any one inning. The second trip shall automatically result in
the removal of the pitcher from the game as a pitcher. He may only re-entry as
a non-pitcher if needed as a player.
8. All players and coaches must
be in complete uniform, no exceptions.
Only 15 players, two coaches, a manager and a batboy (all in uniform) on
the field or in the dugout. No
exceptions. No one, including the
tourney directors, has the authority to wave this ruling. It must be followed as written. (18 players
in the 16-18 year-old division)
9. Tourney directors have been
instructed to use the following time schedule:
(1) home team takes infield 30 minutes before game; (2) visiting team
takes infield 20 minutes before game; (3) last 10 minutes used for
ground-keeping work. All players and
coaches will be introduced at game time, lining up along infield foul lines. Playing of the National Anthem and reading of
the Babe Ruth Code.
10. A flip of a coin is
necessary to determine home team for each tourney game.
11. Be prepared to present
starting lineups—batting order—to official scorekeeper, chief umpire
and to the opposing manager. It is
suggested that copies of your tourney team roster be made for the official
scorekeeper so that your official team roster will not be lost.
12. No game shall start without
the tourney director or his designated representative present. This person shall make himself or herself
known to the team managers and the umpires.
No game shall start unless a Protest Committee has been appointed and is
in place. The protest committee shall
consist of three members. A working
umpire may not be a member of the protest committee. The tourney director may serve as a member of
the committee. The protest committee
must be present during the entire game.
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13. A protest must be made
immediately by the team manager, and shall only be made on a rule violation,
never on an umpire’s judgement call.
Play shall be suspended until the protest committee has made their
decision and that decision shall be final.
14. Only the maximum roster
players, 3 coaches and a batboy will be admitted to the tourney free of
charge. Please pass this information
along to your fans.
15. Smoking and alcoholic
beverages are not permitted on the playing field or the benches by anyone. Violation of this rule shall be immediate
expulsion from the playing field. There
will be no deliberate unsportsmanlike conduct by anyone on the field at
anytime. Anyone conducting himself
contrary to good sportsmanlike conduct is to be ejected from the game by the
umpires. There will be no hooting,
deriding, etc., from the dugouts directed toward any individual.
16. Protective head gear shall
be worn at bat and while a base runner. Each helmet must cover the top of the
head and have extended ear flaps, which cover both ears, and properly fit the
player wearing it. Penalty: if a player “refuses” to wear head gear, he
shall be removed from the game.
17. The catcher must wear a
protective cup, a supporter, as well as protective head gear. Penalty:
if a catcher “refuses” to comply, he shall be removed from the game.
18. At least 2 umpires will be
assigned for all tourney games. The
authority of the game is in the umpires’ hands once the first pitch is thrown.
19. The District Commissioner
shall meet with the tourney team representatives at least 7 days prior to the
first game of district tournaments and shall verify the following for each
tournament team:
¨
Tourney team roster signed by league president
¨
Birth documents or records as specified by Babe Ruth Baseball Rule
0.04, paragraph 1, for each of the tourney team players
¨
Copy of league team accident & liability insurance policy
¨
League letter of eligibility signed by
the state commissioner
20. The State Commissioner or
his designated representative shall be solely responsible for calling or
suspending a game. Any Babe Ruth Baseball district, state or regional
tournament game must be terminated once becoming regulation if one team is
ahead by ten (10) or more run and has equal times at bat, or the home team is
leading. See Playing Rules 11.05-0.
21. All tourney players must
wear the official Babe Ruth shoulder patch, (left arm) and this includes
coaches. Teams not producing proof of
patches at the pre-tourney meeting must purchase patches at this time or they
will not complete the requirements to receive the State Commissioner’s letter
of eligibility.
22. No player can wear any
jewelry, earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
23. Fans CANNOT bring a cooler
into the gaming area/ballpark.
24. Water and drinks for
players: the manager/coaches are required to see that liquids are available for
their players through host tournament director as needed.
25. Admission fees will be
required at all District, State and
BRL TOURNEY RULES 2006 REV 2-07
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