2010 Mississippi Select Baseball Rules

 

MISSISSIPPI SELECT BASEBALL adopts the USSSA National Bylaws, with EXCEPTIONS below, as the primary rulebook governing tournament play. Rules not covered in the USSSA Baseball National Bylaws or the EXCEPTIONS will be governed by the rules of Major League Baseball.

 

EXCEPTIONS:

 

TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES:

Tournament entries are only guaranteed after receipt of the entry fee. Mail to:

Mississippi Select Sports; P.O. Box 239; Baldwyn, MS 38824.

 

TEAM INSURANCE:

All teams are required to provide proof of team insurance. A copy of the teams certificate of insurance must be provided at the team check-in (or mailed or faxed) to Mississippi Select Baseball prior to a teams participation in any Mississippi Select Baseball USSSA BASEBALL tournament event.

Mail to: Mississippi Select Baseball; P.O. Box 239; Baldwyn, MS 38824.

 

PROOF OF AGE:

It is the Head Coaches responsibility to have his players proof of age in his possession and be able to produce on demand his players’ CERTIFIED birth certificates or legally accepted proof of age in the case of any question regarding the age of his players.

 

 

GAME TIME LIMITS AND RAINOUTS:

Full game in Age Division Time Limit Length event of rainout 7-8 1 hour 20 minutes 6 innings 3 innings 9-10 1 hour 35 minutes 6 innings 3 innings 11-12 1 hour 35 minutes 6 innings 3 innings 13-14 1 hour 45 minutes 7 innings 4 innings 15-16 2 hour 7 innings 4 innings 17-18 2 hour 7 innings 4 innings Full refund if no games are begun; 2/3 refund if 1 game is started; 1/3 refund if 2nd game begins but is not completed. No refund once second game ends. No gate refunds, or rain checks at any time. Tell your players and fans, if play is in doubt due to inclement weather or rain to wait until play begins to enter park.

 

HOME TEAM:

The home team will be determined by coin toss. The home team scorekeeper will be the official score keeper and must record the starting time in their scorebook. The home team scorekeeper must verify the final score of the game with the Mississippi Select Baseball scoreboard operator. Both teams must have a representative sign the official score and pitching report. Both teams are responsible for reviewing the score and pitching report for accuracy of the final score and pitching records and signing/approving the document. Unsigned records may result in a pitcher in question becoming ineligible to pitch in the remainder of tournament.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

By players, coaches and fans are expected at all times. The Tournament Director will handle any rule misinterpretations at the request of the game umpire (no judgment calls will be addressed) immediately and finally. There will be no protest*. Coaches will be responsible for their own fans behavior. Razzing, heckling, chanting or making disparaging remarks towards opponents, in any manner, is prohibited.

*EXCEPTIONS: Protest may be allowed in all District, State, Regional and World Series tournament play. Check with Tournament Director(s) for protest guidelines prior to each respective tournament.

 

TEAM CHECK IN:

Teams must check in at the designated tournament location 30 minutes to 1 hour before commencing play in their first game. Please be prepared to produce all tournament documentation, i.e. certificate of insurance, sanction # (if required), roster (if required), etc. Failure to check in will result in a delay in starting your first game.

LINE-UP CARDS:

Each manager must prepare a minimum of 3 written copies of his line-up, listing first and last names, and numbers of all players and substitutes prior to each game. Line-ups must be provided to the plate umpire, opposing manager, and Mississippi Select Baseball scorekeeper. A game shall not start until this is completed. Should a coach omit a player from his written line-up, that player cannot participate in that game only. Managers are responsible for providing their own line-up cards.

PREGAME WARMUP:

All team pre-game warm-ups will only be allowed in designated warm up areas. Absolutely NO Soft Toss (including plastic balls) allowed into any fencing within complex.

GAME BALLS:

Mississippi Select Sports will supply 4 game baseballs.

AWARDS:

Awards will vary depending on the tournament event. However, awards will always be presented to the top two finishing teams. Team and player awards will vary by tournament.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT ALTERATIONS:

Mississippi Select Baseball & USSSA Baseball reserves the right to alter, change or abbreviate tournament formats, when necessary, in order to complete the tournament.

GATE ADMISSIONS:

All Mississippi Select Baseball USSSA Baseball events will have an admission charge for all persons age 6 or over. Children ages 5 or younger and players will always be admitted free. Gate fees will vary depending on event (i.e., State Championships, World Series).

TOBACCO:

Use of tobacco products is prohibited on all fields and in the dugouts during games.

FOOD / BEVERAGES / PETS:

No food or beverages or personal coolers* are allowed to be brought into the ballpark. ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL BEVERAGES ALLOWED. No pets are allowed.

*EXCEPTIONS: Team / individual water coolers for players will be allowed. However, they must be kept in the dugout.

 

 

FINAL NOTE:

Teams are expected to pick up trash and debris in the dugout before departure from all games. Your assistance in keeping these facilities in shape would be greatly appreciated. Please urge your coaches, players and fans to use all trash receptacles provided.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

Good Sportsmanship is a vital part of youth sports. For the most part, coaches and fans act appropriately. However, whenever there is pressure and the temperature rises, unfortunately tempers rise as well.

Coaches and Umpires alike are expected to keep their tempers in check and set the proper example for the players at all times.

Our umpires are instructed not to talk to fans during or after the game. The umpires are in charge of the game until they reach their dressing room. Any inappropriate conduct immediately after the game can result in a game ejection for the coach in his next game. The tournament director will be available to talk to the head coach only (no parents or assistant coaches) about a rule interpretation before, during or immediately after any game.

All ejections of coaches will result in banishment from that game plus the following game. Remember – rule interpretations may be disputed – not judgment calls, especially balls and strikes. Coaches are also responsible for the actions of their fans. Inappropriate conduct by fans can result in a coach ejection.

Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.