2004 North Carolina USSSA State Rules

2006 Maryland USSSA State Rules

1. All USSSA official rules from the 2006 USSSA Rule Book will be used for all USSSA sanctioned events.

2. TEAM REGISTRATION: A $20.00 sanction fee must be paid prior to playing in the first tournament of each adult program. Each team will be assigned a 9 digit ID number, by entering your roster on line, each team will always have their ID number. Teams may register on line at www.usssa.com for a fee of $25.00. To enter roster on line you need each players FIRST and LAST NAME and BIRTH DATE. Teams must register for each program they participate.

NOTE: Teams must register in MD before playing out of State, teams must also register in the different programs they play, (example, Men’s D team that also plays corporate or Black American must re-register in that program to receive their proper points.

3. ENTRY FEES: MUST be paid prior to a team's first game in a tournament. MONEY ORDER, CASH, OR CERTIFIED CHECK ONLY! (Unless approved by the tournament director) Note: Entry fee may change if Tournament format changes. Teams must be registered to participate in a USSSA event.

4. NO SHOW/DROP OUT POLICY: Teams that do not show up for tournaments once entered will be required to pay the full entry fee for that particular tournament before they will be allowed to play in another MD USSSA tournament. Teams will be considered in a tournament once the draw is made and they receive their game time. All fees must be paid 5 days after the tournament is completed or teams will be suspended for any future events.

5. PROFANITY AND TAUNTING RULE: Any team using profanity, Abusive language or Taunting of Umpires, Directors, players or teams, may cause their team to receive one warning. Warnings are a courtesy, and players can be ejected without a warning. If ever a third player is ejected from one team it will cause the game to be a forfeit. Any team member after being ejected, who continues to use profanity will be ejected from the tournament, further abusive language could lead to suspension from future USSSA sanctioned events. When a player, coach, or anyone affiliated with a team is ejected, that individual should immediately leave the field and get out of SIGHT and SOUND or the team risks forfeiture of the game. NOTE: Use of profane or abusive language or taunting WILL NOT be tolerated. Violation of this rule could result in suspension and/or disbarment. This rule will be enforced before, during, and after a tournament. Any player, coach or other team member physically abusing an Umpire or Tournament/League official will be suspended immediately.

6. LEAVING BENCH AREA: No player shall leave the bench area and cross the foul lines of the playing field, in any unsportsman like manner. Failure to comply with this rule, it will result in an immediate ejection from the game.

7. BAT PROTEST: Any team wanting to protest another teams bat, the protest fee will be $400.00. If protest is won the money will be returned if not team forfeits money.

8. JERSEYS AND NUMBERS: As of June 1, 2006, all teams must have the same color jersey with a number on the back. The reason for this rule is to identify players and for team safety.

9. RUN RULE and FLIP/FLOP RULE: At the State Program level (other than Men’s “A”) a predetermined Run Rule may be adopted. Tournament directors may change the run rule at their discretion. Run Rule is in effect for ALL games, including championship finals. The FLIP/FLOP Rule takes effect in the inning when the Run Rule for that particular program is exceeded and the home team is losing, the home team will remain at bat and become the visiting team. If the team (new visiting team) does not score enough runs to reduce the run difference below the Run Rule the game is over. If they reduce the run difference to below the Run Rule then the new home team will bat. If they subsequently score enough runs to exceed the Run Rule the game will be over. If they do not, the game will continue under that format. If the situation reverses, the teams would flip/flop again. SEE USSSA RULE 4., SECTION 3., PARA F. for the table that shows the run rule and when the flip/flop rule takes effect. State Run Rule will be the following: 20-run rule in effect after 3 innings and 15-run rule in effect after 4 innings and 10-run rule in effect after 5 innings.

10. FORFEITS: Teams who forfeit tournament games and leave the complex without notifying the tournament director will be subject to a $75 fine payable prior to their next tournament appearance. This applies especially to bracket tournaments. Failure to pay fines will result in forfeiture of championship berths, travel awards, and may result in a USSSA suspension.

11. ROSTERS: Rosters MUST be entered on line at www.usssa.com, printed off and brought to the tournament and turned in before the first game. (All rosters due on line by MAY 1 each calendar year) We can enter your roster for you for a $10.00 fee. Rosters MUST be on line to play in the State Tournament or to receive a berth to a National or World Tournament! (I will help any team needing help to get their roster on line. All that is needed is names and Birthday’s, Driver License or Social Security numbers are no longer needed). Managers are responsible for installing team rosters on-line and must understand their team is not eligible for a tournament if it takes the field without their roster being on-line. No more than 20 players are allowed on a roster.

12. FROZEN ROSTERS: Starting MAY 1, 2006 (unless team wins an NIT prior to MAY 1, 2006). All rosters become frozen when a team WINS a tournament. When a team qualifies for a State, National, or World Berth their roster becomes frozen, whether the team accepts the berth or not. Players are bound to this roster unless released with the proper release form, players moving up a class still must get the proper release form. All other rosters become frozen on AUGUST 1, 2006. Any team being re-classed to a lower class will have its roster frozen at that time. Appeals for classification, Contact: Bob Holland @ 410-641-3404

FROZEN ROSTER ADD ON'S AND PLAYER RELEASES: See Rule Book Article III Section 5 Pages 76-77

13. STATE HOME RUN RULES: Any player that hits an untouched ball over the fence will be declared an out after the team has hit their total amount of home runs per class.

Men’s: Class A – 8 Home Runs Per Game; Class B – 6; Class C – 4; Class D – 2; and Class E - 0. In the Men’s Class E Program, any fair, untouched ball that goes over the fence in fair territory will be declared an out. Each subsequent time that position in the line-up is due to bat, the batter shall automatically be declared out. That player may play defense but that spot in the batting order is now an out for the remainder of the game. This also applies to any substitute in that batting position. (EXCEPTION: Any fence under 300 feet it is only an out).

Women’s: Class A and B – Unlimited; Class C – 3; Class D and E - 0. In the Women’s Class “E” Program, any fair, untouched ball that goes over the fence in fair territory will be declared an out. Each subsequent time that position in the line-up is due to bat, the batter shall automatically be declared out. That player may play defense but that spot in the batting order is now an out for the remainder of the game. This also applies to any substitute in that batting position.

Mixed: Class A-(Male 8-Female Unlimited); Class B (Male- 4 Female Unlimited); Class C- (M&F)-2; Class D- (M&F)-0; Class E- (M&F)- 0. In the Mixed E Program, any fair, untouched ball that goes over the fence in fair territory will be declared an out. Each subsequent time that position in the line-up is due to bat, the batter shall automatically be declared out. That player may play defense but that spot in the batting order is now an out for the remainder of the game. This also applies to any substitute in that batting position.

NOTE: All other programs will follow the USSSA RULE BOOK (See USSSA Rule 4 Section 8). Home Run rules for NIT and Nationals/Worlds will also follow the USSSA Rule Book.

14. TIE BREAKER RULES: For bracket play, the following criteria will be used to determine seeding:

1. Overall Record

2. Head-to-Head Competition

3. Run Differential

4. Least Runs Allowed

5. Total Runs Scored

6. Coin Toss

15. PROTESTS: No protest will be allowed on umpire judgment calls. Any protest regarding application or interpretation of either official printed playing rules or ground rules or adopted ground rules must come from team manager or coach. Any protest regarding eligibility will require a $75.00 protest fee. Fee will be refunded if protest upheld. All players participating in adult USSSA tournament play shall have a photo ID available, failure to do so results in Rule 4, section 11-5 being applied. (The offending team loses the game, is ejected from the tournament and forfeits all awards and berths)

16. BALLS: Unless otherwise posted, teams will hit their own ball during MD USSSA weekend tournament play (i.e., team hitting will hit the ball they supplied. If the ball is hit out of play, the hitting team must supply another ball). EFFECTIVE MAY 15, 2005, BALLS MUST BE STAMPED “DISTANCE” (OLD .47 COR BALL), or “ELITE” (OLD .44 COR BALL). Each team must start the game with a new ball. WORTH is the official ball of MD USSSA. Ball may be changed when fouled out of play, or between innings, or at umpire's discretion. Umpires control changing of ball.

In The Following Programs These Balls will only be Allowed:

Men’s B 44 Elite Only

Men’s C 47 Distance 44 Elite

Men’s D 47 Distance 44 Elite

Men’s E 44 Elite Only

Women’s 11 inch 47 Distance Optic Yellow

Mixed Men’s 12 inch 44 Elite Optic Yellow

Mixed Women’s 11 inch 47 Distance Optic Yellow

Military 47 Distance 44 Elite

17. BAD CHECKS: Anyone submitting a bad check will be suspended until the matter is taken care of. Each member of the team will be individually liable for an equal portion of the debt and will be suspended until the debt is paid in full. A $25.00 bad check charge will be applied to all bad checks.

18. NUMBER OF PLAYERS: In all adult programs a minimum of 9 players can start a game. (In the Mixed program it must be 5 female, 4 male). These players MUST be present at the field. The tenth spot in the lineup must be listed, and an out is recorded each time that spot comes up. Batters may be walked to reach that spot. The tenth player can be added any time before the end of the game. A team that starts with 9 or 10 players may never add the 11th player. Any team that starts with 10 or 11 players may drop to a minimum of 9 players to finish a game; however, all vacant spots in the lineup will be declared an out. If a player is EJECTED from the game for any reason, there must be an available substitute to replace the ejected player or that team will forfeit the game.

19. EQUALIZER RULE: When classes are combined during the 2006 season we will be using an equalizer rule to try to promote fair play within the classes of participation. In an attempt to further balance out the fair play, the home team will automatically be the team that is spotting the runs. In all programs, the Home Run rule for the highest class team will be used.

MEN’S Equalizer Rule:

Class B plays Class C – Class C will receive 6 runs.

Class B plays Class D – Class D will receive 12 runs.

Class C plays Class D – Class D will receive 6 runs.

Class C plays Class E – Class E will receive 12 runs.

Class D plays Class E – Class E will receive 6 runs.

Women’s and Mixed Program:

Class B plays Class C – Class C will receive 4 runs.

Class B plays Class D – Class D will receive 8 runs.

Class C plays Class D – Class D will receive 4 runs.

Class C plays Class E – Class E will receive 8 runs.

Class D plays Class E – Class E will receive 4 runs.

20. STATE TOURNAMENTS: All teams winning a berth to a National or World Tournament are REQUIRED to play in their respective program's State Tournament, provided one is held. Teams earning a World Berth must play in their State and National Tournaments or forfeit their berth. (Men’s Teams must play in at least 2 instate, MD, tournaments to be eligible to play in the State tournament, unless approved by the State Director or have won an NIT with a World Berth, with which the requirement is to play in the State to keep the World Berth). Any exceptions must be approved by the State Director.

21. PROCEDURE FOR TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS: Game Time, Pairings and Format are at the tournament director's discretion. In the event of inclement weather, the tournament format may be changed. Example: Eliminate loser's bracket, one pitch, etc. It is the MANAGER/COACH'S responsibility to read the bracket board and to know his/her teams next game time and location. The 3 Ball 2 Strike count will be used in all programs except the youth. Home team will be determined by coin toss, unless tournament is an equalizer format, in that case the team spotting runs will be the home team. When no official scorekeeper is present, the home team will furnish the official scorekeeper.

22. ROUND ROBIN OR BRACKET TOURNAMENTS: All teams whenever possible will be guaranteed four games. Forfeits and/or byes count as games.

23. DROP-DOWN or HIGH/LOW TOURN: This tourn. format may be used at the Tournament and/or State Director discretion in order to ensure the tournament will make. This format is normally held when Class B and C teams are combined but can also be used to combine C and D or D and E. These tourn. will carry a minimum of a three game guarantee. ALL Teams are seeded in the first round in a single elimination bracket with the winners remaining in the “upper bracket” and all losers dropping into the “lower” bracket. Normally only the top two teams will be “locked” into the upper bracket and the winner and loser of that game will place first and second. The losing teams in the “lower” bracket will play a double elimination schedule with the winner and loser of that bracket awarded third and fourth place. Top two teams in each bracket receive unpaid State Berths in their respective classification. All byes count as games played. Lower Class teams will receive double points.