Games are 7 innings or 2 hours, whichever occurs first. No new inning will be started after 1:45. If the 2 hour limit is reached, the score will revert to the previous complete inning.
Games are considered official after 5 full innings of baseball (in the event of weather or darkness).
In the event a game is called due to weather or darkness, the following will occur:
- If the game is called in the bottom half of an inning with the home team winning or tied, any runs scored during the bottom half will count towards the final score if the game cannot continue.
- If the game is called in the top half of an inning, the score will revert back to the last full completed inning.
- If the home team is winning at the end of the top half and the game is called in the middle of the bottom half, the game will end where it is called.
Games can end in a tie during pool play. In the Championship game, if the game is tied after 7 innings, a California tiebreaker will be used for each subsequent inning (last batted out will be placed at second base).
Run Rules — 15 runs after 4 innings of play OR 10 runs after 5 innings of play. Run rules do apply to the Championship game.
Courtesy Runners allowed at any time for the catcher and/or pitcher (if he is hitting). The runner must be a player that has not previously entered the game, or the last batted out.
Home Team is determined by a coin flip (or coach's mutual decision before the game).
When in doubt, National Association (HS) rules apply. This is with regard to slide rules at each base, pickoffs and balks, etc.
Tie Breakers (In Order)
- Head to head (if 3 or more teams tie for the best record, head to head is only used if 1 of the teams beat each of the other teams with the same record. Otherwise, head to head is thrown out and we move to the 2nd tie breaker.)
- Total runs allowed during pool play
- Run differential in pool play
- Total runs scored during pool play
- Coin toss
Forfeit Games & Scoring
In the result of a forfeited game, the following will take place regarding standings and score:
- If forfeit occurs prior to the start of the game, the final score will be 1–0 in favor of the team that was ready to play. The run, however, will NOT count towards tie breakers.
- If forfeit occurs once the game has started (due to injury), the final score will be whatever the game result was. If the losing team received the forfeit, the win/loss result will be switched but the score remains the same for tie breakers.
Time Limits
No new inning after 1:45, with a drop-dead time of 2 hours (unless otherwise noted due to weather or darkness).
Tournament Format
- 2 pools of 4 teams in each pool
- Each team plays other teams in the same pool 1 time (3 games)
- Championship game for pool winners
- Consolation game for 2nd place finishers