Tournament Rules

Atlantic Coast Baseball Tournaments follow NFHS Rules for all Tournaments unless otherwise specified below.

Revised 09/30/2022

Registration
All teams registered for any Atlantic Coast Baseball tournament must submit a completed roster form and provide verification of proof of insurance that list Atlantic Coast Baseball as additional insured with the following address. Atlantic Coast Baseball, LLC dba AC Sports, PO Box 87, Trafford, PA 15085

Special Start Requests
Before entering a tournament, make sure your team has no other conflicts on the listed Tournament Dates. ACB cannot accommodate any special game time requests! Teams need to be prepared to start as early as 8 AM.

***Forfeit Note: Forfeit Time is Scheduled Game Time. Any Team that forfeits CAN NOT advance to the Championship Rounds and are not eligible for any refund. At the discretion of the Tournament Director that team may also be removed for the remainder of the tournament. Games will be scored 5-0. GAMES CAN START WITH 6 PLAYERS***

Hotels
Hotel registration information can be found on the specific Tournament page or the Hotels page. All teams are required (traveling more than 75 miles) to stay in one of our AC Approved Hotels and book through T1 Housing.

Eligibility
Age cutoff is April 30 for all teams. Players cannot be double rostered in the same age division. Each team is responsible to keep a copy of the official state-issued birth certificate for each player on the Coach at all times. If any player does not have his birth certificate, he/she cannot participate in the Tournament. *Names on roster must match birth certificate, no nicknames, middle names, etc. If a team caught using a player that is older than the cutoff for the division, that team will forfeit every game that player has played in and the Team will be removed from the Tournament. If there are multiple divisions within an age group (Elite & Open) a player may be double rostered on a team in the Elite and a Team in the Open. Player may also “Play Up” on another team as long as he is on the Official Roster of both teams submitted prior to the tournament.  To figure out your appropriate Age Division, please Click Here.

Special Exceptions Regarding Age Cutoff (Teams MUST provide BOTH Birth Certificate & Latest Report Card stating Grad Year):

15U – 2027 Graduate or Younger
16U – 2026 Graduate or Younger
17U – 2025 Graduate or Younger
18U – 2024 Graduate or Younger

FOR SOUTHERN EVENTS ONLY; Events in North Carolina, Kentucky or further south:

7U Division Players who turn 8 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 1st grade. Also, any player turning 9 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 7u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

8U Division Players who turn 9 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 2nd grade. Also, any player turning 10 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 8u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

9U Division Players who turn 10 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 3rd grade. Also, any player turning 11 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 9u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

10U Division Players who turn 11 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 4th grade. Also, any player turning 12 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 10u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

11U Division Players who turn 12 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 5th grade. Also, any player turning 13 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 11u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

12U Division Players who turn 13 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 6th grade. Also, any player turning 14 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 12u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

13U Division Players who turn 14 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 7th grade. Also, any player turning 15 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 13u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

14U Division Players who turn 15 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 8th grade. Also, any player turning 16 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 14u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

15U Division Players who turn 16 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 9th grade. Also, any player turning 17 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 15u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

16U Division Players who turn 17 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 10th grade. Also, any player turning 18 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 16u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

17U Division Players who turn 18 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 11th grade. Also, any player turning 19 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 17u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

18U Division Players who turn 19 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 12th grade. Also, any player turning 20 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 18u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.

Official Tournament Roster
All teams must submit an official tournament roster online prior to the first game of the tournament. Any player not found on the online roster will be ineligible to play in that tournament, and any game that said player is found to have played in will result in a Team Forfeit (game will be scored 5-0)! **Roster/Waiver link will be sent to all Team Coaches**Roster/Waiver link will be sent to all Team Coaches.

Time Limit
All Tournament games in pool play and playoffs will have a time limit. Time begins as soon as the plate meeting ends. Championship games will not. The time limits are as follows :

  • 07U-12U: 1 hour and 45 minutes
  • 13U-19U: 2 hours
  • (Exception: 07U-18U Shipyard: 1 hour and 45 minutes)
  • 13U-18U/HS playing in a wood bat tournament will be no new inning after 1:50
  • Affiliate Tournaments 13U : 1 hour and 45 minutes
  • Affiliate Tournaments 14U and above : 1 hour and 50 minutes

No new inning can start after the time limit. If a new inning has started prior to the time limit, then that inning will finish. If the home team is winning after the top half of inning and the time limit occurs, the game is over (even if it is the middle of an inning). If both teams are tied at the end of regulation, and the Time Limit has not expired, proceed to extra innings. If games are tied after the Time Limit expires, they will be recorded as a tie. (This includes Consolation Games and Consolation Brackets)

If both teams are tied at the end of regulation, and the Time Limit has not expired, proceed to extra innings. If games are tied after the Time Limit expires in Playoff Games (Championship Bracket) we will use the California Tie Breaker. Each Team will start the inning with their last batted out on 2nd base and the batters will have an 0-0 count. Each Inning will proceed this way until the tie is broken. No Tie-Breakers or Time Limit in Championship Games.

***TIME LIMITS & INNING LIMITS MAY CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER AND/OR TOURNAMENT FORMAT***

Playoffs/Tie Breakers
Seeding results will be available on the Atlantic Coast Baseball website once Pool Play Games have been completed for your age division.
In the event that teams are tied after pool play, the following process will be followed:

  • Head to Head (only if 2 teams are tied. 3 or more, go to next tie breaker)
  • Fewest Runs Allowed (may be averaged if there is an uneven amount of games played)
  • Run Differential (capped at +8/-8)
  • Coin Flip
  • In the event there is an uneven amount of Pool Play games between teams due to rain, there is a possibility we could seed based off of Win %.
  • Please note: there will be no re-seeding in the playoff brackets

 

Pitching

Responsibility lies with the Coaching Staff! 1 Pitch = 1 Inning. Once a player is removed from the mound, he/she cannot return to the mound in the same game. Second trip to the mound in the same inning results in removal of the pitcher.

Tournament management will not be involved in counting pitches or regulating pitching during tournament events. The ultimate responsibility of managing pitch counts rests with each team’s Head Coach.

Atlantic Coast Baseball endorses the Pitch Smart program, developed by USA Baseball and Major League Baseball. This program is a series of practical, age appropriate guidelines to help parents, players, and coaches avoid overuse injuries and foster long, healthy careers for youth pitchers.

About Pitch Smart: USA Baseball and MLB teamed up to help young players reduce arm injuries by providing a comprehensive resource for safe pitching practices.

Risk Factors: Some factors that increase the risk of arm injury include:

  • Pitching while fatigued
  • Not taking enough time off from baseball every year
  • Throwing too many pitches and not getting enough rest
  • Pitching on consecutive days
  • Playing for multiple teams at the same time
  • Throwing breaking pitches at a young age

Recommended Pitch Count Limits and Recommended Rest:

Age Daily Max 0 Days 1 Day 2 Days 3 Days 4 Days
7-8 50 1-20 21-35 36-50
9-10 75 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+
11-12 85 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+
13-14 95 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+
15-16 95 1-20 31-45 46-60 61-75 76+
17-18 105 1-20 31-45 46-60 61-75 76+

Balks
There will be no warnings on balk calls. Umpire discretion may be used on younger ages.

Re-entry
Defensive: Free substitution. A player DOES NOT have to be in the batting order to play the field.

Offensive: You may bat nine players, your entire lineup, or anywhere in between. After the start of the game you cannot change the number of batters you have, it must remain the same for the whole game. If you bat your entire lineup and a player should get thrown out, or injured, and no substitute (a player not in the batting order) remains then you must take an out in that spot. This is the risk you take with Roster Batting!

If you are NOT Roster Batting, regular substitution rules apply (see NFHS Rules). Games can start with 6 Players. Players can be added to the batting order in the order they arrive. Batting Spots 7-9 will each be outs until enough players arrive.

Home Team
In pool play, the Home Team will be determined by a coin flip. Whoever wins the Coin Flip, has the choice to be Home or Away. In Playoffs and the Championship the higher seed will have their choice to be home or away. If two teams should have the same seed, then a coin flip will determine home team.

Scorekeeping

  • Each team’s manager must prepare 1 written copy of his lineup listing first and last names and numbers of all players and substitutes prior to each game.
  • A copy of the teams lineup card must be kept and be available for the umpire upon request.
  • The Official Scorebook is to be kept by the home team. Both teams are to confer after each inning to confirm the score.
  • A completed Scorecard (kept by the umpire) must be filled out and signed by THE SCOREBOOK KEEPER from each team AFTER each game. Please make sure to double check the game score! This is done so that we can make sure we stay on top of the scores, and post the results accurately ASAP. A signed Scorecard by the Scorebook Keeper/Coach is deemed a verified score!
  • In the event of a rain delay, please write down the Entire Situation, including: INNING, SCORE, BATTER, COUNT, RUNNER’S, TIME OF DELAY and both scorekeepers must email that information to [email protected].

 

Contact Rule
In the event of a close play the runner must avoid contact. All close plays and slides are at the umpire’s discretion. We default to NFHS rules.

Baseball Cleats/Sunflower Seeds/Gum/Candy/ Tobacco Policy

Forfeit Rule: Any team found in violation of this rule by an AC Representative, Umpire, or Field Official after their first violation will automatically forfeit all games, and fined $300, payable to the Field Owner. No exceptions!

Metal spikes are allowed ONLY in division’s 13U and older. Molded Cleats, Turf Shoes, Running Shoes are acceptable for any playing surface. For a complete Field List, including information on our fields of play, please Click Here.

**No metal spikes allowed at ANY park using a Portable Turf Mound OR TURF FIELD**
**There is a Strict NO SUNFLOWER SEEDS/GUM/CANDY Policy on ANY park or field that has TURF**
**Atlantic Coast tournaments have a strict NO TOBACCO policy for any: Player, Coach, Parent, Official, or Tournament Manager!**

Bat Restrictions – **13U CHANGES FOR 2020**

PENALTY FOR BAT VIOLATION: PLAYER EJECTION & HEAD COACH EJECTION
  • 7U-8U Coach Pitch: USA and USSSA Stamped bats are permitted and must meet the BPF of 1.15. However these bats cannot exceed a 2 5/8″ Barrel (regardless of USA or USSSA Stamp).
  • 8U Kid Pitch – 13U (54′ 80′ events): All bats -5 or greater must be stamped BPF 1.15 USSSA or USA Baseball. There are no bat size restrictions on weight or length as long as bat has “BPF 1.15” stamp.
  • All 60′ 90′ events*: will follow NFHS Rules and use a BBCOR certified bat.
  • *Exception: 13U playing 60’/90’ are allowed to use -3/-5/-8
  • Wood Bat Tournaments: To be considered a wood bat, a bat must be made of a single piece of wood. No Bamboo Bats or Bamboo Composite Bats. Any other bat composed of Wood and/or Wood Composite bats are allowed. Also, 13U-18U/HS will be no new inning after 1:50

 

Catcher’s Mask
All Catcher’s must be NOCSAE certified (safety approval) at all ages. Otherwise they will not be permitted to play.

Protests

ANY PROTEST MUST HAPPEN AT THAT POINT IN THE GAME! THE PROTESTING COACH MUST TELL THE UMPIRE, THE OPPOSING TEAM MANAGER, AND A TOURNAMENT OFFICIAL, THAT HE IS GOING TO PROTEST. THE PROTEST MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY $100 CASH AT THAT POINT IN TIME!
  • Judgment calls by the umpire cannot be protested, RULES ONLY.
  • Protests include questioning a player’s age and/or Official Roster
  • A $100 cash protest fee must be presented to the Site Director at the time of protest. If a Site Director is not available, please call 866-6-PLAYAC.
  • A protest is only “Official” if accompanied by the $100 and done before the next pitch.
  • If the protest is upheld, then the $100 will be refunded and the game will be replayed from the point of the protest.
  • Burden of Proof lies with the Protestor

 

Entry Refunds

A non-refundable $150 deposit is due at the time of registration.

Within 90 days of the start date of an event: There will be no entry refunds for withdrawal from a tournament within 90 days of the start of that particular event.

Outside 90 days of the start date of an event: If a team registers, pays, and then drops out prior to the 90 days, they can either transfer their entry, or receive a refund less a $150 administrative fee. If you withdraw (outside 90 days) from an Age Division that is FULL you will not receive a refund until/if your spot is replaced by another team! ($150 Admin Fee still applies).

If a tournament is not able to be completed, refunds will be calculated by the number of games played. If payment was made with a Credit Card, the payment will be refunded minus the Processing Fee.

Please Note: If you withdraw from an Age Division that is FULL you will not receive a refund until/if your spot is replaced by another team! ($150 Admin Fee still applies).

Weather related refunds will go as follows:

  • 0 games played: Entry fee minus a $150 administrative fee
  • 1 game played: 50% Refund
  • 2 games played: No Refund

Any registrations received after April 1st 2020, if an event is canceled due to an act of God (or by a government agency) teams will receive a credit for a future event.

***Specialty Tournaments refund policies***

Louisville Slugger Wood Bat W.S.
Below refunds will be calculated based on the entry minus $150 for bats (Slugger) for 5 Game Guarantees.

  • 0 games played: Entry fee minus a $150 administrative fee (If bats received, entry fee less admin fee plus $150 for bats)
  • 1 game played: 50% Refund
  • 2 games played: 25% Refund
  • 3 games played: $100 credit
  • 4 games played: no refund

 

Dugouts
Please help keep the tournament fields and common areas clean. Please be sure to pick up all your team’s trash after the game. Only 3 coaches and scorekeeper, or 4 total coaches, are allowed in the dugout at any time. Head coach is the only one allowed to discuss issues with the umpire.

Shipyard Park
Coaches: The coach that goes to the meeting at home plate before the game will be considered the head coach for that game. The head coach is the only coach that can talk to an umpire about a call during the game.

(For 9U-12U) While on defense, only one coach is allowed to be outside the dugout. This coach may sit on a bucket, but that coach must not allow himself or the bucket to interfere with any play. If, in the umpire’s judgement, a play is interfered with, the umpire can place runners or assess out(s) based on the interference. The umpire will also restrict that coach to the dugout for the remainder of the game.

(For 13U & above) While on defense, all coaches must remain in the dugout, per NFHS rules.

(In all age groups) While on offense, only two coaches are allowed out of the dugout and must be in their respective coach’s box on the first and third baselines.

Ejections

  • NO WARNINGS will be given to Coaches, Players, or Fans for unsportsmanlike or unruly behavior.
  • Upon ejection, the Coach, Player, or Fan must completely leave the premises. Failure to comply will result in a team forfeit.
  • Any Player ejected from more than one game will not be permitted on the premises for the rest of the tournament.
  • COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FANS. IF A FAN IS EJECTED FROM ANY GAME, THE HEAD COACH WILL BE EJECTED FOR THAT GAME ONLY

Should a Coach, OR FAN, be ejected from 1 game, they will not be permitted to participate in the rest of the Tournament as a Coach, or a Fan, and will not be permitted on any Tournament Game Site for the duration of the Tournament. If the Coach or Fan does not completely leave the premises (this includes the parking lot) the team will forfeit that game.

Official Game
All games are official after the completion of the 1st inning. If a game should be called due to darkness, weather, etc. and it is the middle of an inning, then the game will revert back to the score from the previous inning if the first inning has been completed (unless the Home Team is winning). If there are ample game slots left, the game may be re-scheduled to resume!!!

Format Alterations
Atlantic Coast Baseball reserves the right to alter, change, or abbreviate Tournament Formats and Rules, when necessary. This includes, but not limited to, shortening times limits in order to maintain the game schedule and to ensure all games are played.

Intentional Walk
Coach must notify the home plate umpire and the hitter will be granted 1st base.

Baseballs
Three baseballs will be provided to the umpires per each game. The AC Logoed Wilson A1030, A1020, A1010 (varies by tournament and age) will be the Official Ball of AC Baseball Tournaments. Teams are responsible for retrieving foul balls!! If you would like to purchase more call or text 866-675-2922.

  • Affiliate Series Events: Teams are required to supply their own baseballs for each Affiliate Series event.
    • Equivalent to Wilson 1030, 1074, 1075, AD Starr 200 or better.  Nothing lower.  Teams can purchase the ACB Wilson 1030 for $64.20/doz after tax.
    • There will also be a $200 per team gate fee per event.  The gate fee will be discounted to $99 if paid from October 1-December 31.  The gate fee will continue to be discounted to $150 if paid between January 1-March 31.  After April 1, the full gate fee will be charged.  This will have to be paid before the event starts. We will not be accepting cash on site.

Courtesy Runners
Courtesy Runners for Pitcher and Catcher AT ANY TIME. If not roster batting: Must be a Player off the Bench/Player not in the Batting Order. You cannot use the same player to run for both the Pitcher and Catcher in the same inning! If you are batting your entire lineup, then you may use the LAST BATTED OUT. Please remember the purpose is to SPEED UP THE GAME! If the Courtesy Runner is not ready with his helmet and at the entrance to the field at the time the Batter reaches the base, the Umpire reserves the right to refuse the Courtesy Runner option if it slows the speed of the game. Please have a Coach or Player ready to warm up the Pitcher.

Umpires
If there is not a Tournament Representative on site, the Umpires will serve as the on-site Tournament Representatives. There will be 2 umpires at every age group.

Infield/Outfield
Games may start early! Please be prepared to play 30 minutes prior to scheduled start time!
There will be no infield/outfield practice prior to tournament games.
Hitting whiffle balls, or any type of ball, into nets, FENCES, etc. is not allowed on any part of any field!!! Please hit outside the FENCES!!

Alcohol & Tobacco Policy
Many of our tournaments are hosted on College & High School Campuses, & Community Parks. These locations do NOT permit their players, parents, or fans to consume ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, CHEW TOBACCO, or SMOKE on the premises OF ANY OF OUR SITES and we will enforce those policies at our events as well. Please remind your fans and players to respect these policies, as improper conduct will be dealt with as needed. ACB has a Zero Tolerance and Law Enforcement Officials will be called. Ejection may take place for the remainder of the game or tournament at the Tournament Director’s discretion.

Wearable Technology
Wearable technology is permitted for use in game play.

Division Rules
8U will play Little League Rules and 3 Outfielders. Kid Pitch. No Stealing Home. No Leading. Steals are allowed after the ball crosses the plate. Runners cannot advance on a dropped 3rd Strike. Infield Fly Rule IS in effect. If a player is on 2nd base and attempts to steal 3rd, he cannot advance home on an overthrow. (Applies to steal attempts only)
9U and older will play leads and steals.

Coach Pitch Rules

8U 9U & 10U 11U & 12U 13U (Cap PGH) 13U (Cap NC & FL) 14U & Up
65′ bases** 65′ bases* 70′ bases** 80′ bases**** 90′ bases 90′ bases
40-43′ mound*** 46′ mound***** 50′ mound*** 54′ mound**** 60′ 6″ mound 60′ 6″ mound
6 inning game 6 inning game 6 inning game 7 inning game 7 inning game 7 inning game
1 Hour 45 Min. Time Limit * 1 Hour 45 Min. Time Limit * 1 Hour 45 Min. Time Limit * 2 Hour Time Limit *

1 Hour 50 Min. Wood Bat

2 Hour Time Limit *

1 Hour 50 Min. Wood Bat

2 Hour Time Limit *

1 Hour 50 Min. Wood Bat

Mercy Rule
20 after 1 20 after 1 20 after 1 20 after 1 20 after 1 20 after 1
15 after 2 15 after 2 15 after 2 15 after 2 15 after 2 15 after 2
12 after 3 12 after 3 12 after 3 12 after 3 12 after 3 12 after 3
10 after 4 10 after 4 10 after 4 10 after 4 10 after 4 10 after 4
8 after 5 8 after 5 8 after 5 8 after 5 8 after 5 8 after 5
Run Rules apply to all games. Championship Games – No 8 Run Rule. Must be 20, 15, 12, or 10.
* Can be 60′ or 70′ bases depending on Tournament and field availability
** Can be 65′ bases depending on Tournament and field availability
*** Can be 46′ to 50′ mound depending on Tournament and field availability
**** Can be 60′ mound and/or 90′ bases depending on Tournament and field availability
***** Can be 40′-43′ mound depending on Tournament and field availability
** 8U – Little League Rules. Kid Pitch. No Stealing Home. No Leading. Steals are allowed after the ball crosses the plate. Runners cannot advance on a dropped 3rd Strike. Infield Fly Rule IS in effect.
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