Tournament Fee & Registration:

The tournament cost will be $800 per team. A deposit of $400 per team will be required by August 1, 2024, to secure your team’s spot. The remaining balance will be due no later than September 15, 2024.

 

In order to participate in the tournament, each player is required to register and e-sign the insurance waiver at www.granitestatebaseball.com.

 

Pool Play: Saturday, October 12, 2024

All teams will play two pool play games, weather permitting

Points will be awarded as follows:

• Win: 2 points
• Tie: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points

Playoffs/Consolation Games: Sunday, October 13, 2024

Based on the results of the pool play, the 4 top overall teams will play in the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will play in the Championship Game at Robbie Mills

 

Teams that finished outside of the top 4 will play a consolation game (3^rd guaranteed game) on Sunday

 

Seeding for Sunday will be determined by the following tiebreakers:

1. Record (Points)
2. Head-to-Head (if applicable)
3. Run Differential (maximum of 10 runs per game)
4. Runs Allowed
5. Runs Scored
6. Coin Flip

Tournament Rules:

To ensure timely reporting of scores, all teams are required to send a text message with their score to Aaron at 603-860-2147 within 30 minutes after each game.

 

Sportsmanship:

In this tournament, we value both competition and fair play. It is important for all participants to adhere to the accepted code of conduct and general rules of baseball as they apply on the field. However, there are specific rules below that serve as exceptions to encourage greater participation.

 

Players:

To be eligible to participate, players must be at least 35 years old or older by December 31 of the current calendar year. 2 34-year-olds are allowed per team, but only one of them is permitted to pitch.

 

Teams and tourney officials have the right to challenge any player during a game or the tournament. If a player is challenged, they must provide a valid ID to verify their eligibility. Failure to do so will result in the player being disqualified from the game and an automatic game protest will be initiated. The requesting team must then report the player’s name and the name of home plate umpire to the tournament officials, who will make a ruling on the protest.

 

To ensure fair competition, players are restricted to participating for only one team during the tournament. This prevents any potential advantage that may arise from players switching teams during the tournament.

 

Teams are allowed to roster 21 players for the tournament, manager included in that number.

 

Furthermore, it is important to note that no player can be added to a team’s roster at any point in the tournament. This rule ensures that all teams have a consistent roster throughout the competition and prevents any last-minute additions that could potentially disrupt the balance and integrity of the game.

 

Substitution:

To provide managers with more flexibility to involve additional players in the game, all teams will have the freedom to make defensive substitutions at any time. However, there are certain restrictions for pitchers. Once a pitcher is removed from the game, they cannot return as a pitcher unless they have remained in the game at another fielding position. If a pitcher is removed and not in the starting batting order, they can return to any fielding position as a regular substitute and bat in the spot of the player they replaced.

In case of late arrivals, they can be added to the end of the line-up. Teams are allowed to have up to 12 lineups spots. A/B slots are also allowed.

 

Pitchers:

Automatic intentional walks. No balk warnings will be issued. Any clothing or equipment that may distract the batter must be removed.

 

Relief Pitchers:

In the case of relief pitchers, a fielding position player will have an option to pitch.

A hitter or defensive player who has been substituted for or batted previously, but not currently listed in the batting order, will have the opportunity to enter the game as a relief pitcher. However, it is important to understand that this player will not be able to be added to the current batting order, move to any other defensive position, or re-enter the game at any time. Once this player is relieved, they will be considered out of the game.

 

Courtesy Runners:

Teams have the option to use one courtesy runner in a game, and this information must be denoted on the starting lineup card. It is important to note that the courtesy runner can only run for one player in a shared (A/B) spot, not both. The player who made the last “batted” out will be designated as the courtesy runner, unless there are no batted outs in the game, in which case the last spot in lineup will be designated as the courtesy runner.

 

Additionally, teams have the option to use an additional courtesy for the catcher. It is highly recommended that teams use a courtesy runner for the catcher when there are two outs. It is important to ensure the courtesy runners are prepared to enter the game. Lastly, it is mandatory for hitters and base runners to wear helmets, and it is suggested for base coaches as well.

 

Games:

Games will be 7-innings long and will be considered official after 4 ½ innings have been completed. However, in the event of inclement weather, the tournament officials reserve the right to adjust the schedule, and the number of innings played.

 

Additionally, all 7-inning games have a mandatory time limit of 2 hours. No new innings may start once the time limit has been reached. It is important to note that the home team, if trailing, must have their last at-bat. If a game is tied after the time limit, each team will be awarded 1 point.

 

The time limit is waived in the semifinals and championship games. This allows these important games to be played without any time constraints and completed until a winner is determined.

 

If tied after 7 full innings and before the time limit expires, one extra inning will be played. During the extra inning, the batting team will start with a runner placed on second base. The runner will be chosen from the previous inning’s last batted out. If available, a pinch runner can be used. 

 

Mercy Rule:

The mercy rule is applied to determine when a game is considered final. If a team holds a 10-run lead any time after 5 innings, the game will be declared over. It’s important to note that this rule does not apply during the Finals. The purpose of the Mercy Rule is to prevent excessively lopsided games from continuing and to save time.

 

Collisions:

According to the “Must Slide or Avoid” Rule, any deliberate collision in the base paths will result in a game ejection. If the umpire determines that a runner intentionally collides, knocks, kicks, or strikes the ball out of a fielder’s glove or hand, the runner will be called out. In the case of attempted take-out slides on a double play, both runner and batter will be called out. It is important to adhere to this rule to ensure fair play and player safety.

 

Baseballs:

In tournament play, each team will be given a dozen baseballs before their first game. For every game played, each team will provide 4 balls to the umpire. It is important to use only the baseballs supplied by the tournament. Additionally, it is the responsibility of the players to retrieve any foul balls that are hit out of play.

 

Bats:

Only bats that adhere to MLB standards are permitted. This includes wood composite bats, which must meet the BBCOR standard and display the appropriate BBCOR logo.

 

Altercations:

Engaging in any physical altercation or making threats of physical harm towards officials, umpires, players or spectators of the tournament may lead to a team suspension from the current tournament. Additionally, after thorough review, the team may also be excluded from future invitations to participate in the tournament.

 

Safety:

There are no fake tags. Umpire will give a one-time warning, and if repeated, an ejection from the game.

 

Home Team:

In pool play, the home team will be the team listed second on the schedule. In the playoff round, the team with the higher seed will automatically be designated as the home team.

 

Field Use:

Please adhere to the rules, regulations and instruction provided by the field and facility representatives. Kindly ensure to clean up your bench after each game. We are guests at these facilities, and their generosity in allowing us to use them is what makes this event possible. Please note that smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.

 

Tournament Cancellation/Refund Policy:

In the event weather impacts the tournament, the tournament officials reserve the right to adjust the schedule to get the tournament in.

            1. In the event of cancellation, tournament officials we will refund most fees to the participating teams (less prepaid costs).

            2. If tournament has to be shortened, teams will be refunded pro-rated amount of their dues (less prepaid costs).