RSC Athletics Tournaments

• 3-Game Guarantee
• Awards
  • 1st Place - Individual Rings & Team Award
  • 2nd Place - Individual Rings
• Pay Umpires at the Plate (1 Umpire $50/team; 2 Umpires $65/team)
• Parking - $10/day PER CAR (LOAD EM UP!!!) (Coach’s Car with Spectators - $5)

1. General Tournament Rules

1.1 Team Eligibility

Age Divisions

10U, 12U, 14U. Age is determined by the player's age as of April 30 of the current year.

Roster Requirements

Maximum of 20 players per roster. Rosters must be submitted online 7 days before the tournament begins.

Check-In

Teams must check in at the tournament headquarters.

1.2 Game Format

Game Length

Mercy Rule

• 15 runs after 3 innings
• 10 runs after 4 innings
• 8 runs after 5 innings

Pool Play and Bracket Play

Tournaments will use pool play to seed teams for bracket play. Tiebreakers include record, head-to-head, runs allowed, run differential, and coin flip.

Field Dimensions

Official Schedules

Available online no later than one week before the tournament. Teams must print their own rule sheets, as extras are not provided at the venue.

1.3 Conduct and Sportsmanship

Code of Conduct

Players, coaches, and spectators must exhibit sportsmanlike behavior. Ejections result in a one-game suspension; severe infractions may lead to tournament expulsion.

Protests

Only rule interpretations may be protested (not judgment calls). Protests must be made at the time of the incident and resolved before the next pitch.

2. Gameplay Rules

2.1 Batting and Lineup

Batting Order

Teams may choose to bat the entire lineup or use a standard 9-player lineup with substitutes. Extra Hitters (EH) or Designated Hitters (DH) are allowed.

Courtesy Runners

Allowed for pitchers and catchers anytime; mandatory with 2 outs, using the last batted out or a player not in the lineup.

2.2 Pitching Rules

Balks

Pitch Smart Guidelines

RSC Athletics follows MLB Pitch Smart Guidelines to ensure player safety and development. Please review the guidelines at mlb.com/pitch-smart/pitching-guidelines

Ages 9-12 Pitch Count Guidelines

Ages 13-14 Pitch Count Guidelines

2.3 Base Running

Lead-offs and Stealing

Full base running per high school rules.

Slide Rule

Players must slide or avoid contact on close plays. Malicious contact results in ejection.

2.4 Tie Games

Pool Play – Ties Permitted

Bracket Play – Tie Breaker Rules

If a BRACKET PLAY game is tied after regulation innings or time expires, the International Tie Breaker (ITB) rule is applied to determine a winner. The last scheduled hitter from the previous inning is placed on 2nd base with one out, continuing until a winner is decided

3. Equipment Rules

3.1 Bats

Bats must comply with USSSA, USA Baseball, or Nations/Five Tool standards.

General Requirements

• Must bear an approved marking
• Must not be altered or modified
• Any bat deemed illegal will result in automatic out and potential ejection

Age-Specific Bat Requirements

3.2 Protective Gear

Helmets

All batters and base runners must wear NOCSAE-approved batting helmets with chin straps fastened. Helmets must have dual ear flaps for players 13U and below.

Catcher's Equipment

Catchers must wear a full set of catcher's gear including helmet with mask, chest protector, shin guards, and throat protector. A protective cup is required for male catchers.

3.3 Uniforms

Team Uniforms

All players must wear matching uniforms with visible numbers on the back. No duplicate numbers are allowed on the same team.

Cleats

Metal cleats are only allowed for 13U and 14U age divisions (EXCEPT ON PORTABLE MOUND). All other divisions must use rubber or molded cleats.

4. Weather and Safety

4.1 Weather Delays and Cancellations

Lightning Policy

Play will be suspended immediately when lightning is detected within 10 miles. A 30-minute delay will commence after the last detected lightning strike.

Rain Delays

Tournament directors will make rain delay decisions. Games may be shortened, rescheduled, or cancelled based on field conditions and tournament schedule.

Official Game

A game is considered official after 4 complete innings (3.5 if home team is ahead). If a game is not official when suspended, it will be resumed from the point of interruption.