OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES

Select Baseball Tournaments of Texas

Official Rules

1- TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE

 

  1. All Tournaments are listed as “OPEN TOURNAMENTS” and will group all teams of the same age within pool play.  Teams are assigned to elimination bracket play based on their seeding in pool play.

 

2- TOURNAMENT SEASONS

 

  1. SBT OF TEXAS have two distinct seasons per year and are independent of one another..
  1. Spring/Summer Season
  2. Fall Season

 

3- WHEN TEAM AGE CHANGES

 

  1. All teams move up in age when the spring-summer season concludes.

 

4- TOURNAMENT TEAM REGISTRATION

 

  1. Teams are permitted one (1)  team name change per year without having to re-register.
  2. The new year starts with the start of the Fall season.
  3. All teams competing in SBT OF TEXAS events must have excess accident/medical coverage and general liability insurance in effect.  Required coverage limits are a minimum of $100,000 excess accident/medical, and a minimum of $2,000,000 general liability which includes participant legal liability. The team has the right to purchase its insurance from any reputable company.

 

5- GENERAL ROSTER RULES

 

  1. For insurance purposes, any person that comes in contact with the playing field (including the dugout area) must be listed in the online roster.  This includes players, coaches, team mom/dad and bat boy/girl.
  2. All rosters are “OPEN ROSTERS” with unlimited additions and subtractions per team throughout the season.
  3. When entering player names, managers are required to use the legal first and last name of the player as it appears on the certificate of birth.  Nicknames, middle names and suffixes such as “Jr.” or combined middle and last names are not permitted.
    1. Please note that jersey numbers are not required, but recommended to be added to roster.  There is no penalty for missing or inaccurate jersey numbers.
  4. It is the responsibility of the team manager to ensure that all player data is absolutely accurate.
    • PENALTY: Any roster found to have inaccurate, missing or falsified player information, whether intentionally or accidently, shall result in forfeit of protested game and disqualification team manager and player for rest of tournament.
  5. The team manager, upon request, must provide a copy of any player’s birth certificate to the tournament director.  The dates on the birth certificate and the dates on the SBT OF TEXAS roster must match identically, or the player and team manager are subject to disqualification.
  6. A player may “play up” in age, but under no circumstance shall a player be permitted to “play down” in age.  Any player found to be playing down in age shall be ruled illegal.  
    • PENALTY: Forfeit of protested game and disqualification of player and team manager for rest of tournament.
    • In the event age divisions are combined, it is assumed that the younger age is playing up with the older age.
  7. Due to federal C.O.P.A. laws, no roster information including player’s personal data, or the roster access ID or password will be provided to any individual except the manager of record listed on the registration.  All requests for roster ID or password must come from the same email address that appears on the team registration.  We cannot, and will not, furnish such information to assistant coaches, team moms, or team business managers.
  8. In all SBT OF TEXAS, awards are presented only to roster players who are present and have participated in the tournament.  (Exception: if a player has been injured during the tournament and is receiving medical assistance, an award will be presented.)

 

6-       ROSTER CHANGES

 

  1. All teams have unlimited roster changes (additions and deletions) throughout the season.
  2. All roster changes must be made online via the SBT OF TEXAS online Team Management System.
  3. Team Managers may make changes to their online roster BEFORE the scheduled start or actual start time (whichever happens first) of their first Pool Play Game.
  4. Once a team has begun its first tournament game absolutely no player adds are permitted.
    1. PENALTY: Forfeit of protested game and disqualification of player and team manager for rest of tournament.
  5. The SBT OF TEXAS Team Management System TIME & DATE STAMPS every roster move.

 

7- SBT OF TEXAS GAME RULES

7.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS:

SBT OF TEXAS Baseball takes pride in using the OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES, with these exceptions, as our basis for all tournament play.  Our primary exceptions are:

 

  1. Starting players may be removed and re-enter the game one time in their original batting position.
  2. Missed bases require an appeal play.

 

7.2 BATS

 

7.2A BAT SIZES

  1. All bats in all age divisions may not exceed 34” in length, and 2 ¾” in barrel diameter.

 

7.2B PROHIBITED BATS

  1. All bats labeled “Not for Use with Real Baseballs” are prohibited from play.
  2. SBT OF TEXAS may prohibit or ban any bat at any time during the season which are identified to be non-compliant with our rules.
  3. Any bat that is altered in any manner is prohibited for play.

 

7.2C BAT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

  1. SBT OF TEXAS will only permit aluminum and composite bats which bear the “BPF 1.15” OR “BBCOR” manufacturer’s branding, label, or stamp in ages 14U and under.  Wood bats may also be used.
  2. 14U Division cannot use bats with greater than a -5 drop.

 

7.2D PENALTIES FOR USE OF ILLEGAL BAT:

  1. If the ball is hit fair or foul.
    1. Penalty: The batter is out.  Team manager is ejected for rest of game.  All runners return to previous bases unless play resulted in 3rd out.

 

7.3 GAME PRELIMINARIES:

  1. A coin flip shall determine the home teams in all pool play games.
  2. The highest seed will be home team in all bracket games.
  3. Coin toss will be used to decide home team when two teams have same seed.  Ie A1 vs. B1.
  4. In double elimination brackets is being used undefeated team is home team in championship game.  Should “if” game be needed coin flip will determine home team.
  5. Dugouts are first come first serve.

 

7.4 TIE BREAKING CRITERIA FOR SEEDING:

  1. Win – Loss Record
  2. Head to Head (Used when two teams are tied.  Not used when 3 or more teams are tied)
  3. Runs Allowed in all games the team have played
  4. Runs Scored in all games the team has played
  5. Coin Flip within online scoring system
    1. Actual coin flip if online system is unavailable.

 

7.5 BASE AND PITCHING DISTANCES (RECOMMENDED DISTANCES*)

 

Age

Bases

Pitching

9U, 10U

65’

46’

11U, 12U

70’

50’

13U

80’

54’

 

7.6 TOURNAMENT TIME LIMITS:

  1. In ALL games, the Official game time starts when UIC announces the game time.
  2. The local tournament director may impose game times as deemed necessary.  No new inning may start after time or innings have expired, except when a game is tied.  In all tournaments, to help keep the event on schedule, pool play games may end in a tie.  Pool play is used for seeding purposes only.

 

“RECOMMENDED” TIME LIMITS

 

AGE

POOL

BRACKET

CHAMPIONSHIP

INNINGS

6U, 7U, 8U

60 MIN

75 MIN

ADD 15 MIN

6

9U, 10U

75 MIN

90 MIN

ADD 15 MIN

6

11U, 12U

90 MIN

90 MIN

ADD 15 MIN

6

13U&14U 7th Grader

90 MIN

90 MIN

ADD 15 MIN

6

 

7.7 EXTRA INNINGS (BRACKET PLAY ONLY):

  1. Extra innings begin once the maximum time limit or innings have been reached and the score is still tied.
  2. Last two batters from previous inning on 2nd and 3rd base with one (1) out; No count on the batter.  Continue this format until a winner is determined. Courtesy Runners for pitcher and catcher may be used.

 

7.8 SUBSTITUTIONS:

  1. Starters may re-enter one time in their original batting position.  Substitutes removed from a game are ineligible to return.  All substitutions shall be reported to the home plate umpire, who will inform scorekeepers.  Any pitchers removed from the mound may not return to pitch again in the same game.  Any unreported substitution shall result in the ejection of the team manager for that game only.

 

7.9 BATTING and PLAYER OPTIONS

  1. A team may bat 9 players, 10 players, or their entire line-up.
  2. An out will be taken for each batting spot lost during a game.
  3. A player arriving late may be inserted at the bottom of the batting lineup unless the team has chosen to take an out in the player’s original batting spot until they arrive.
  4. DESIGNATED HITTER:
    1. All teams may utilize a Designated Hitter.
    2. The role of the DH is terminated for the game when:
      1. The defensive player, for whom the DH batted, subsequently bats, pinch hits, or runs for the DH.
      2. The DH, or any previous DH, assumes a defensive position.

 

  1. Extra Hitters may also be used. 
  2. Both DH and EH may be used at the same time.

 

7.10 INTENTIONAL WALK:

  1.  “Put them on” rules will not be in effect. A team must deliver 4 balls before a base will be awarded.

 

7.11 COURTESY RUNNERS:

  1. Courtesy runners may only be used at anytime for the pitcher and/or catcher of record from previous inning.
  2. Any player may be used as a courtesy runner.
  3. In the event that a courtesy runner is due to bat, he will be called out.

 

7.12 RUN (MERCY) RULE:

  1. 20 after 1 inning
  2. 15 after 2 innings
  3. 10 after 3 innings
  4. 8 after 4 innings
  5. 8 after 5 innings

 

7.13 TIME OUTS:

  1. Defensive team may have two (2) timeouts per ½ inning
  2. Offensive team may have one (1)  timeout per ½ inning

 

7.14 BETWEEN INNINGS:

  1. A maximum of 90 seconds, or 5 warm up pitches, will be permitted between innings with time started upon the 3rd out.  The umpire shall keep time.  Automatic strikes may be called on an offensive team not ready to bat, and automatic balls may be called on a defensive team not ready after umpires have directed teams to play.  If an injury requires an emergency pitching change, the new pitcher will have 10 minutes max for warm up, during which time the game clock shall be stopped.

7.15 EJECTIONS & CONDUCT:

  1. Any Ejections of coaches, players, and fans, based upon unsportsmanlike conduct, malicious contact, verbally abusing tournament officials, or throwing anything at another individual or onto the playing field, will result in an immediate ejection, AND REMOVAL FROM PARK FACILITY. A team can incur a maximum of three ejections total in any tournament. Upon the 3rd cumulative ejection to any team (including ejections to the manager, coaches, players, parents, or fans) the team is disqualified from the event.
  2. Within any tournament, upon the first ejection (for unsportsmanlike conduct or malicious contact) for any player, manager, coach or fan of the team, the person ejected is required to immediately leave the park premises, and shall also be ineligible for attendance or participation in the team’s next tournament game.
  3. Within any tournament, upon the second ejection of any player, manager, coach or fan of the team, the person ejected be required to immediately leave the park premises, and shall also be ineligible for attendance or participation in the team’s next TWO tournament games.
  4. Within any tournament, upon the third ejection of any player, manager, coach or fan of the team, the entire team is immediately disqualified from further participation in that tournament. All members of the team are also prohibited from attending any remaining games in the event as fans or spectators. The team is also subject to permanent disqualification, or suspension, from future SBT OF TEXAS participation, at the discretion of the national office.
  5. If any individual is ejected for a second time at any event, he or she will not be permitted into the park for the remainder of the tournament. Failure to comply with this rule will result in immediate disqualification of the team. The person is also subject to possible permanent suspension from SBT OF TEXAS.
  6. If it becomes necessary, by an umpire or tournament director, to call security, due to an unruly coach, player, parent, or fan; or if a person refuses to leave the park after being ejected, the entire team is immediately disqualified effective when the call for assistance is initiated. No fees, admissions, nor travel expenses will be refunded.
  7. Post-Game Misconduct: If any team, or any member of a team, (including manager, coach, player, parent, or fan) displays misconduct or poor sportsmanship AFTER a game has concluded, or issues verbal assaults, trashes or damages park property, or physically threatens, or makes a physical assault against another person, the team shall be permanently disqualified from further participation within SBT OF TEXAS, and all guilty parties will be subject to arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
  8. Use of profanity by coaches, players, parents or fans is considered unsportsmanlike conduct and may result in ejection, upon the decision of the SBT OF TEXAS official or tournament director. Our events are for children, and SBT OF TEXAS does not believe profanity is appropriate, nor acceptable, whatsoever, in our environment.
  9.  A manager or coach may not remove his team from the field, or refuse to continue play, due to a dispute with game officials.
    1. PENALTY: The game is immediately forfeited, and the team is disqualified from further participation in the tournament. The manager or coach is subject to indefinite suspension by SBT OF TEXAS.
  10. No coach, player, or team shall, at any time, whether from the bench, coaching box, or playing field, attempt to incite by word or sign, any unsportsmanlike conduct or demonstration by spectators.
  11. Assistant coaches may not leave their field position, dugout, or bullpen area to appeal any play on the field.
    • PENALTY: Ejection after one warning
  12. Razzing, heckling, chanting, or making disparaging remarks towards opponents, in any manner, is prohibited. Umpires are instructed to call time, and eject the fan or spectator.
  13. Any person making physical contact with a game official, park official, tournament administrator, or an organization representative of SBT OF TEXAS, shall be immediately disqualified from further participation and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Making physical contact with athletic officials is a felony criminal offense in many states, and charges will be filed.

 

7.16 COLLISION AVOIDANCE RULE:

  1. All calls regarding malicious contact shall be judgment calls of the umpires.
  2. All malicious contact, will result in the runner being declared out, and ejected from the game, plus (1) one additional (next) game.

 

7.17 BASEBALL CLEATS:

  1. Metal cleats are permitted in 12U and above age divisions.
  2. Some tournaments may have park rules which prohibit metal cleats on portable mounds.  Managers should inquire about local tournament rules regarding this or other rules regarding metal cleats.

 

7.19 SUSPENDED/ COMPLETE GAMES:

  1. A game shall be ruled as official and complete if it is called by umpires or the tournament director due to rain, inclement weather, lighting failure, or other reasons beyond our control, provided 3 innings or half of the scheduled game time have been completed. If three innings or half of the scheduled game time have not been completed, the game shall be suspended, and resumed from that point, when safe play can be resumed. Elapsed game time shall be recorded, and any remaining game time limit shall also be resumed from the point of suspension.

 

7.20 DUGOUTS:

  1. Teams will occupy dugouts on a first come first serve basis.
  2. All individuals inside the playing field fence, or in the dugout, MUST be on the printed team roster. Anyone inside the fence or dugout who is NOT on the roster will be removed from the playing field. A second violation will disqualify the team from the tournament and the manager may face suspension from SBT OF TEXAS.
  3. Absolutely no glass items are permitted in the dugouts. Team water coolers are permitted, unless provided by the tournament site. Teams must pick up trash and debris in the dugout before departure from all games.  Only ONE PLAYER – the on-deck batter – is permitted outside of the dugout. Unless the local park has a specific safety rule altering this rule: the on-deck batter must remain on his own dugout side.
  4. Coaches are permitted to stand outside the dugout, as long as in the judgment of the umpire, they do not interfere with the game on the field.  At any time the umpire feels a coach is interfering with the game on the field, he may choose to confine one or all coaches to the dugout.

 

7.21 WARM UPS:

  1. All team pre-game warm-ups will be done in specified warm up areas, or in the outfield of a ball field.
  2. No infield practice permitted on any infield at any time.
  3. No pitching practice permitted on any ball field mound.

 

7.22 GAME BALLS:

  1. “Regulation” leather covered baseballs are required for all tournament games.
  2. For 9U and above games, each team shall supply to the umpire, two new or like new game balls per game.
  3. For 6U, 7U & 8U games, each team shall supply their own baseball while on offense.

7.23 LINE UP CARDS:

  1. Each manager must prepare three (3) written copies of his lineup, with names and numbers, of all players and substitutes, prior to each game. Line-ups must be provided to the plate umpire, opposing manager, and opposing scorekeeper. Managers are responsible for providing their own line-up cards.
  2. ALL LINE-UP CHANGES AND SUBSTITUTIONS MUST BE REPORTED by the team manager to the home plate umpire before any substitute takes his offensive or defensive position in the game.
  3. If a team manager accidentally omits a player from the line-up card, the player may still participate in the game, provided the player is on the official SBT OF TEXAS roster management system online.
  4. A late arriving player may still play as long as they are listed on the official SBT OF TEXAS team roster.  If the team has chosen to roster bat, the late arriving player may be inserted at the end of the lineup unless an out has been taken while they were absent.

 

7.24 DISORDERLY CONDUCT:

  1. Any disorderly conduct, threat of, or act of violence, shall result in the removal and arrest of the responsible individual(s). Any person on the premises, who is intoxicated, shall also be removed from the complex by security personnel. Any person(s) removed under these circumstances, shall be prohibited from entering park grounds, including the parking lots, for the duration of the tournament. Upon such ejections, refunds will not be given to any such individuals. Should any ejected individual refuse to leave the park, the tournament director may impose a forfeit. If the game has already concluded, such forfeit would apply to the team’s NEXT game.

 

7.25 FIGHTING:

  1. Should any player, coach, or team member take part in any fighting, those individuals shall be ejected from the tournament on the first occurrence. Should any member of the team subsequently become involved in a second incident of fighting, the entire team shall be ejected from all further participation in the tournament.

7.26 TOBACCO & ALCOHOL:

  1. Use of tobacco products is prohibited on all fields and in the dugouts during games.
  2. The illegal sale, or consumption, of alcoholic beverages on the park premises, or in the facility parking lots, is strictly prohibited at all SBT OF TEXAS events.
  3. Anyone who appears intoxicated, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, shall be ejected, from the ball park.

 

7.27 PROTESTS:

  1. All protests will be resolved immediately. Only managers may protest. Judgment calls by umpires may not be protested. Upon a protest, a manager shall remit $250 cash protest fee. If the protest is upheld, the $250 shall be immediately refunded. If the protest is denied, the deposit shall be forfeited. Protests shall be resolved by the tournament director and his designees, in consultation with the umpires of the game.  Game clock will stop during the filing of an applicable and official protest.

 

7.28 FORMAT ALTERATIONS:

  1. All SBT OF TEXAS Tournament Directors reserve the right to alter, change, or abbreviate tournament formats, when necessary due to weather conditions beyond their control, OR if a team fails to show for a scheduled game, in order to complete the tournament.

 

7.29 NO SHOW/ SURRENDER:

  1. Any team that no shows will be responsible for full payment of registration fee and gate fee.  NO REFUNDS, NO EXCEPTIONS!
  2. Any team that fails to show for a scheduled SBT OF TEXAS tournament game, unless a team medical emergency can be immediately verified and documented, shall be disqualified from further participation in any tournament. Teams are not permitted to “surrender” during the course of any tournament game. All games must be played to completion per tournament rules. Should a team remove its team from the field, or quit, prior to completion of any tournament game, that team is disqualified from all further participation in the tournament.

 

7.30 UNIFORMS/ EQUIPMENT:

  1. All players must be in a baseball uniform to play in the ball game and be distinguishable from other team mates.
  2. Protests on uniforms will not be permitted. Violators of the uniform rule shall be allowed to conform, or will be removed from the game.
  3. Managers and coaches are not required to wear uniforms.
  4. If player names are included on the back of jerseys, the name displayed must match the identity of the player. Teams cannot switch uniforms (containing names) to confuse opponents. PENALTY: Team manager is ejected.
  5. If a player is added to a team, and needs to use another player’s jersey with an inaccurate name, the inaccurate name must be covered with tape, and the umpire and opposing coach must be verbally notified about the situation prior to commencement of the game. If a player enters the game without prior notification, the player is ruled an ineligible player and is ejected immediately along with team manager.
  6. All players must be properly equipped while playing.
  7. “Skull Caps” worn by catchers are prohibited in all divisions.  Ears and throat must be protected at all times.  *It is recommended that catchers wear the new hockey style mask for maximum protection. (Rule 7.30G will become effective Fall 2015 Season)

 

7.31 CASTS, SPLINTS or BRACES

  1. All casts, splints and braces must be padded with at least ½-inch of closed cell, slow recovery rubber or other material of the same minimum thickness and having similar physical properties. No protective equipment shall have any exposed metal or other hard material. Note: A pitcher cannot wear any casts, splints or braces of any kind.

 

7.32 BAT BOYS/ GIRLS

  1. All bat boys / girls must wear a double-ear batting helmet at all times when outside the dugout.

 

8-       ELIGIBILITY

 

Accountability for player eligibility is a responsibility of both managers and parents. Managers and parents are responsible to ensure that players meet eligibility requirements including, proper age; and that players are not currently registered to another team in the same age division.

 

8.1 AGE CUTOFF:

  1. SBT OF TEXAS will adhere to the age cutoff date of May 1st for all ages.
    1. To determine your team’s age in Spring-Summer seasons:
      1. Determine the age of your OLDEST player as of April 30th of the current calendar Year.
    2. To determine your team’s age in Fall-Winter seasons:
      • Determine the age of your OLDEST player as of April 30th of the next calendar year.

 

Age Based with Grade Exception Rules (For all players playing under the grade exception rule coach must have a current year report card for proof of grade player is in.)
         

 

              

7U Division Players who turn 8 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

8u Division Players who turn 9 prior to May 1 of the currert season are not eligible.

9U Division Players who turn 10 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

10U Division Players who turn 11 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

11U Division Players who turn 12 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

12U Division Players who turn 13 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

13U Division Players who turn 14 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

14U Division Players who turn 15 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible.

 

 

 

 

8.2 ALTERED BIRTH CERTIFICATES:

  1. Anytime a registered player’s certificate of birth is found to have been altered or changed, the player and team manager shall be disqualified from tournament. Altering an official certificate of birth is against the law in most states.
  2. The team manager is responsible for attesting to the accurate age of his team players.  Any manager using over-age players shall be disqualified from further participation within SBT OF TEXAS.
  3. (It is highly recommended that all team managers require their parents to show them an original certificate of birth before accepting a player onto the team.)

 

8.3 PROOF OF AGE:

  1. All managers must carry, and provide upon request by a tournament director, birth certificates for all players. Failure to produce a certificate of birth upon request by a tournament official, shall result in disqualification of the player and team manager in that event, and forfeit of protested game.

 

8.4 GUEST PLAYERS:

  1. SBT OF TEXAS does not have, nor permit, “Guest” players. Any registered player, found participating with another SBT OF TEXAS team in the same event shall be subject to possible suspension for at least one full year for the first offense, and permanently disqualified for a subsequent offense

 

8.5 IMPROPER PLAYER ADDITIONS:

  1. In all tournaments, NO PLAYER may be added to the team once the team has commenced tournament play.
    1. PENALTY: Immediate player and team manager disqualification from tournament and game forfeit.

 

8.6 RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION:

  1. All teams, individuals, patrons, spectators, officials, and players, attending or participating in SBT OF TEXAS events, are subject to the approval, and at the discretion, of SBT OF TEXAS. SBT OF TEXAS, as a privately owned companies, retains the right to prohibit attendance or participation of any team which, or individual who, displays improper conduct, character, integrity, sportsmanship, or issues any threats of harm, violence, legal action or disruption, towards SBT OF TEXAS,  its officials, or administrators.

 

8.7 FINANCIAL FRAUD:

  1. Any team, or individual, failing to remit payment for money owed to an SBT OF TEXAS event, for fees due, or products purchased, shall be suspended from further participation, and subject to prosecution to the full extent of the law. Checks returned due to insufficient funds, or stopped payments, shall be submitted to the local district attorney for collection. Fraudulent credit card charge-backs will be remanded to federal banking authorities. Fraudulent insurance claims are a felony, and will be prosecuted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refund Policy

SBT of Texas Tournaments has a NO REFUND policy if the tournament is played.

 

Our tournament makes preparations including cooks, hotel crew, field crew & ordering food which cannot be returned due to a team backing out at the last minute.  

 

Tournament Fees will be returned if:

1. Team plays no more than 6 defensive outs in a tournament.

2. The tournament can not get enough teams to complete the bracket.

 

For no other reason will the funds be returned.

 

Meal Tickets, RV Parking, Guest Parking:

Are non-refundable and non-transferable.

 

Hotels & Lodging

Are not tied to any tournament fees & are non-refundable.