To print these rules, go back to the tournament quick facts page and click on "Documents/Print Packet"
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. 8 Yr. Old Rules posted at the end of this page.
1. Age Requirement: May 1st will be the designated date to determine ages. Photocopies of birth certificates will be required and should be kept in managers possession the entire tournament in case of challenges.
2. Roster: May not exceed 20 players during the tournament and may not be added to during the tournament.
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 during the home plate meeting.
5. Home Team: Determined by coin flip. Choice of dugout will be given to visiting team. Home team is required to keep the official book. Higher seed is awarded the home team in playoffs and championship games. If records are tied and there was not head to head play, we will use a coin flip.
6. Player Minimum: A team must start with a minimum of 9 players but can finish with less, taking outs in the vacant batting order positions.
7. Championship Games: No time limit. Run rule is still in effect.
8. Pitching Rules (Innings per Tournament):
8's,9's and 10's = 6 innings, 11's and 12's = 6 innings, 13's and 14's = 7, 15's thru 18's = 8 One inning can be added in each game after your 4th game (5th game)
*Scorecards must be signed by both team managers after the game to verify the score and pitching (Managers, please help us out)
*No limit on the number of appearances.
*One pitch will be considered an inning pitched.
*Eight warm-ups to start, five thereafter.
*If pitching rules are violated and the infraction is detected, the situation will be reviewed and consequences may include elimination of team from the event and suspension for the following year, coach and/or player ejection.
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. Please bring two new balls per game. (Diamond, Rawlings, or other acceptable.) Balls are returned after the game.
11. Metal cleats allowed in ages 11 and up.
12. High School bat-weight/length differential rule is waived for ages up to and including 14 year olds.
13. Uniforms: Numbers necessary, matching uniforms recommended. Players must use the same uniform number throughout the tournament to help maintain accurate pitching charts
14. Adverse Weather: The Triple Crown Baseball Tournament could be played in adverse weather conditions. The format may be changed and may include lesser time limits or fewer innings to complete the tournament. Coaches and players accept these conditions when entering the tournament.
15. Decisions: Tournment 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 possibly banned from future Triple Crown events.
17. Refund Policy: There will be a $50 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: Used only in playoff or Championship games. If the game (playoff or championship) is tied after all innings have been completed, the "California" tie breaker rule will go into effect. Each team puts the batter who is scheduled to bat last in that respective 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 following season.
20. All age groups can have an EH (Extra Hitter) if they choose to bat 10. Both a DH and EH may be used at the same time. Teams in the 9 through 12 age brackets may choose to bat their entire lineup and have free substitution. If this option is chosen, there will be no courtesy runners. Ages 13 and up must only bat 9 or 10 with the DH and EH rules.
21. Courtesy Runners: (not used if batting entire line-up) A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher. However, The courtesy runner must be a substitute player that has not been in the game. He may run for the pitchers spot every time it comes up in the game. A different substitute must run for the catchers spot. If there are no substitutes available, there will be no courtesy runner allowed.
23. Visits to the mound: Each team is allowed three charged visits to the mound within a game. A charged visit is a trip in which the manager or coach does not remove the pitcher. After the three charged visits are used, every trip to the mound after that will result in the pitcher being removed. An uncharged visit is when the manager removes the pitcher from the mound. This visit will not be a charged visit. Remember, charged visits are cumulative for the entire game. No restrictions on visits per inning.
****TRIPLE CROWN WILL PLAY THESE DIMENSIONS AND RUN RULES****
9's, 10's**46' pitching**60 or 65' bases**1 hr 30 min**6 innings**10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings. 9's, 10's Semi's and 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**10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings. 11's, 12's Semi's and Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
13's, 14's**54' pitching**80' bases**1 hr 45 min**7 innings**10 runs after 5 innings or 8 runs after 6 innings. 13's,1 4's Semi's and Championship game no time limit, No Tie-Breaker and run rules are still in effect.
15's, 16's, 18's**60'6" pitching**90' bases**1 hrs 45 min**7 innings 10 runs after 5 innings. 15's, 16's, 18's Semi's and 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*********
8 Year Old Rules:
*6 innings or 1:15 min. No new inning starts after time has expired unless the game is tied. Calif tie breaker is in effect. *6 innings per tournament allowed for each pitcher. 1 additional inning added for every game after 4. * 40 ft. pitching, 60 ft. bases *No lead offs, no stealing home. Runner may not leave the base until ball crosses the plate. Runner may advance to home only on hit ball or when forced in by a walk. Bunting is allowed. The ball is dead when pitcher has the ball in the area of the mound. *Batter may not run to first on dropped third strike. *Entire lineup may bat. Last out may courtesy run for pitcher or catcher only. *Mercy rules are 20 runs after 2 complete innings, 15 after 3, and 8 after 4.
