Special Notes:
 > Concessions will be available
> Soft Toss against the fence is also NOT allowed.    
> NO SEEDS, GUM, OR METAL SPIKES on TURF FIELDS.  at The Seminole Sports Complex: NO METAL SPIKES ON ANY FIELDS, TURF OR GRASS.
> Gate Fee:   EZ-Gates/Waiver.  Varies Per Event
> 4GG events during pool play there will be one umpire. Bracket play we will have 2 umpires. 
>Greater Florida Baseball does allow dual roster players for different age divisions within the same tournament. Dual roster players can only pitch in one age division.   Players are not allowed to play on 2 teams in the same age division.   
>8U-9U will have a 4 run rule per inning including the last inning. (9U in pool play only). 
>8U/9U hybrid division will have a 4 run rule both Sat and Sunday.
> Rosters must be updated online prior to the first game of each event.  This is the manager/coach responsibility to make sure the roster is updated prior to event.  
  
 
GREATER FLORIDA BASEBALL
Tournament Rules updated Aug 2019
 
GOVERNING RULES
Greater Florida Baseball events follows NFHS rules with modifications. See modifications below:
 
2019 BAT RULES
13u   -5  
14u-HS BBCOR .50 -3 or wood bat
 no restrictions on 8u-12u as long as bats are not modified or damaged
 
 
 
   
PITCHING
Pitching limits are at the Head Coaches discretion.   Greater Florida Baseball considers the safety and health of our players to be a high priority and we ask that coaches and parents be mindful of the number of pitches a player throws throughout the weekend.
Any Pitcher is allowed back in the game unless they were removed due to limited visits. Pitchers are allowed 1 visit per inning, on the 2nd visit the Pitcher must be removed. Removing a pitcher does not count as a visit. (Per NFHS rules.)  The coach is permitted to come to the mound for a conference with the pitcher three times during the game.  If the pitcher is removed, the conference does not count against this limit of three. After the three conferences have been used, the coach can still come out for a fourth, but the pitcher must be removed from the mound. It is considered a conference as soon as the coach walks across one of the foul lines. During extra-inning games, one conference is permitted in each additional inning. These extra conferences cannot be saved and used in later innings.
Turbo events will only allow 18 outs per player.
 
TIME LIMITS
Varies Per Event
 
(Texas Tie breaker will be used if time limit is up in Bracket play and Championship Game)
 
Texas Tie breaker:  In the event of a tie in Bracket play or the Championship game and regulation time has expired, a Texas tie breaker will be used.   The inning will begin with no outs and the last batted out on 2nd base. This will be used until a winner is determined.
 
Championship Game: Typical 2 hours (9u-18U), but can vary per event
7u and 8u MP Championship and Underdawg games : 1 hour 15minutes time limits.
8u kid pitch Championship 1 hour 30 min/ underdawg game will be 1 hour 15 minutes
8u/9u hybrid division 1 hour 40 min for Championship and Underdawg game
Underdawg Championships will remain at 1 hour and 40 minutes (9u-14u) and 1 hour and 50 minutes (16u-18U)
 
UMPIRE FEES,  Paid Online - See EZ-Umps Menu Bar For Each Event
FOUR GAME GUARANTEE EVENTS:
Saturday Pool Play- One umpire. Typical Fees (can vary per event)
7u-8u/8u kid pitch  $15 for each team
8u/9u hybrid division $20 each team
9u-12u $30 (varies per event) for each team
13u-18u $30 (varies per event) for each team
Sunday- Two umpires. Typical Fees (can vary per event)
7u-8u/8u kid pitch $15 for each team (one umpire/two for kid pitch when available)
8u kid pitch $30 each team if two umpires available
8u/9u hybrid division $40 for each team
9u-12u $50 for each team
13u-18u $50 for each team
Umpire fees should be paid online before the game starts.  Failure to pay umpire fee could result in a forfeit by the non-paying team. 
 
 MERCY RULES
Games shall be declared complete games and ended upon fulfillment of any of the following mercy rule criteria. Mercy Rules do not apply when a run rule is in place.
 15 runs after 3 innings (losing team must have had 3 at bats)
10 runs after 4 innings (losing team must have had 4 at bats)
 8 runs after 5 innings (losing team must have had 5 at bats)
 
Run Rules do NOT apply in 8u machine or kid pitch.  The game will be played to time limit.   Run rules do NOT apply on Saturday only in the 9u division.  The game will be played to time limit.
 
TIE BREAKERS
A. The first tie breaker if only 2 teams are tied will be head to head.  If three or more teams are tied, the following tie breakers apply in the following order,  teams will advance to the next tie breaker rule until the tie is broken.
 B.Tie breakers
       1.Win-Loss Record 
       2.Highest Run Differential*
       3.Fewest Runs Allowed (actual runs)
       4.Runs scored
       5.Coin Flip
   *Note: This calculation is determined by taking total runs scored minus total runs allowed. The maximum run differential per game is +8 or –8.  Our system auto defaults to an 8 run differential:  example if you win 17 to 2 the score will reflect  10-2. 
 C.When three or more teams are tied, highest run differential in all pool play games is used in determining all three places. If there is still a three-way tie, the fewest runs allowed is used to determine who advances.
 D.When a three-way tie is broken, and the remaining two teams are tied with run differential, the next tie breaker is actual runs allowed in all games. If the teams are still tied, a coin is flipped.
**wins, loses and ties are on a point system.   Example,  a win is 2 points, a loss is zero points, and a tie is 1 point.  The Win/Loss record is determined by this system.
 
BATTING ORDER
Extra Hitters (EH) are allowed in Greater Orlando Baseball events. Consequently, a team may choose to bat 10, 11, or more players by listing the additional players as EHs. Further, if a team chooses to bat their entire lineup, they may then utilize free defensive substitutions.
FORFEITS
In the event of a forfeit, the forfeit will be recorded at an 8-0 score.
A team may start a game with 8 players and take an out for the 9th player until a player is available at which time the 9th player may enter the game.
 
Greater Florida Baseball will not forfieit a team due to rule violations.  Players may be removed from the game and the coach is subject to ejection from the tournament.  A  $100 protest fee must be presented in order to review the alleged violation at the time of occurence.   The tournament director shall have final discretion on penalty.
 
Designated Hitter-
Greater Florida Baseball allows a DH in all age divisions (except MP) as per high school rules.
COURTESY RUNNERS
Teams may utilize courtesy runners for the catcher or pitcher. Courtesy runners must first come from the pool of eligible substitutes in the dugout. If a team has no eligible substitutes, the player who was the last recorded out shall become the courtesy runner. 
 It is not necessary for the same substitute player to courtesy run for the pitcher or catcher each time a courtesy runner is utilized; however, if a courtesy runner is used for the pitcher or catcher more then once in the same inning, the same runner must be re-used. 
 
Election of  Home Team
During pool play the home team will be decided by coin flip.  Dugouts are on a first come, first serve basis.
The higher seed has the election of being home team until the championship game.
Championship game:  The home team will be decided by coin flip. 
 
CLEATS
Metal cleats are NOT allowed for the 8u-12u divisions.    Molded Cleats or Turf shoes must be worn by all divisions, including 13u-18u when playing on turf fields at select complexes.
 
BALKS
In 8u and 9u, balks will not be called.
  
INJURIES INVOLVING BLOOD
A player or coach who is bleeding or who has an open wound shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment has been administered. If medical care or treatment can be administered in a reasonable amount of time, the individual would not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is according to the umpire’s judgment. The reentry rule would not apply to players in case of a bleeding injury. If there is an excessive amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before that individual may participate.
 
LAST HALF INNING
The bottom half of the last inning will not be completed solely for tie-breaker purposes once the home team has more runs than the visiting team in that inning.
 
RAIN OUTS
In the event the tournament, or any part of it, is canceled due to rain, fees paid for the tournament shall be treated as follows:
 1.     If team finishes 2 full games, no refunds or credits shall be issued.
2.     If team finishes 1 full game, team shall be issued a credit to the next Greater USSSA baseball/ Greater Orlando Baseball event they choose to attend. They must provide the email that was sent showing credit.
3.     If event is completely rained out, tournament fee shall be refunded.
 SUSPENDED / REGULATION GAMES POLICY
Games that do not make it to regulation (4 complete innings for a 6 inning game or 5 complete innings for a 7 inning game) due to weather / darkness will be considered a suspended game and will be resumed (if possible) from the point of suspension at the earliest time available. If there is not enough time to resume a suspended game, it will be considered complete and official at the end of the last complete inning. Below are some further points to help illustrate this policy:
Pool play / Consolation games:
If a game is suspended prior to being official and there is not enough time to resume – the game would be considered complete at the end of the last complete inning.  If tied at the end of the last complete inning – the game would stand as a tie.
Elimination games:
 A) If one inning hasn’t been completed and the game is suspended and there is not enough time to resume - the higher seed would advance to the next round.
B) If tied at the end of the last complete inning – the higher seed would advance
C) If tied at the end of the last complete inning and the two teams are the same seed from different divisions entering the game – we would revert back to the tie-breaking system in place
D) If the championship game starts and is not able to complete due to weather/darkness and there is no time to resume – the game would be considered official at the end of the last complete inning.
E) If tied at the end of the last complete inning – both teams will be named co-champions.
 
 
Game guarantee:  Top seeded teams could end up with a "bye' in bracket play.  This "bye" is counted as a game for the purposes of the minumum game guarantee.
 
 
AGE CHART
 
9U:
 Player cannot turn 10 before May 1st,
The following calender year 
10U:
 Player cannot turn 11 before May 1st, 
The following calender year 
11U:
 Player cannot turn 12 before May 1st, 
The following calender year 
12U:
 Player cannot turn 13 before May 1st,The following calender year 
13U:
 Player cannot turn 14 before May 1st, 
The following calender year 
14U:
 Player cannot turn 15 before May 1st, 
The following calender year 
16U:
 Player cannot turn 17 before May1st, 
The following calender year
18U:
 Player cannot turn 20 before May 1st, 
The following calender year 
TEAM COOLERS
Each team will be allowed 1 team cooler, brought in by a coach that may contain bottled water, ice packs, wrap, etc. Please do not bring other drinks or food to the facilities.
 
MACHINE PITCH
Greater Florida Baseball Machine Pitch Specific Rules –
8.07.A Fair Ball Arc: There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. A batted ball must go past this line to be a fair ball.
8.07.B Safety Arc: There shall be a thirty (30) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is hit.
8.07.C Pitching Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot diameter circle with the front edge set at forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate.
8.07.D Pitching Machine: The front leg(s) shall be set at a distance of forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate.
8.07.E Recommeded machine speeds for electric machines:
8.07.E.1 36 M.P.H. – 39 M.P.H. for the 7U age division.
8.07.E.2 39 M.P.H. – 42 M.P.H. for the 8U age division.
8.07.E.3  When using the Blue Flame manual machine, it should remain at a setting of 9 at all times.
8.07.F Ten (10) defensive players shall play in the field with four (4) outfielders. The fourth (4th) outfielder shall not
assume an infield position. All outfielders shall stay behind the baselines.
8.07.G The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit.
Rule 8.07.G Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking
the result of the play or no-pitch.
Rule 8.07.G Additional Penalty: First Offense: Warning; Second Offense: Removal of player from the pitching
position for the remainder of the game.
8.07.H Defensive coaches shall not allowed on the field of play and shall coach from the dugout.
8.07.I The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time.
8.07.J The batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster at the beginning of the game. Late arrivals shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order. All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the top of the batting order.
8.07.J.1 Teams may start a game with eight (8) players. The ninth (9th) position in the batting order will be declared an out each turn at bat.  There is no penalty for not having a 10th player.
Rule 8.07.J.1 Approved Ruling: A ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) player and all subsequent players may
be added to the bottom of the batting line-up as soon as they become available.
8.07.K Teams may use free substitution on defense but the batting order shall remain the same.
8.07.L Teams may bunt a maximum of two (2) times per inning.
8.07.L.1 Fake bunts shall be prohibited. A batter that “shows” bunt is committed to an attempt to bunt or take
the pitch.
Rule 8.07.L.1 Penalty: A batter who swings after “showing” bunt shall be called out and no runners
may advance.
8.07.M The batter shall receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes.
Rule 8.07.M Comment: A batter that has received less than six (6) pitches and has a count of two (2) swinging
strikes shall have his turn at bat extended on foul balls up to the six (6) pitch limit.
8.07.N A player may only be Intentionally Walked once per game by announcement from the defensive team.
8.07.O Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or reaches homeplate.
8.07.P A courtesy runner for catcher of record only the previous inning may be used. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the
previous batter not on base.
8.07.Q A team may score a maximum of Four (4) runs per inning, including the last inning or record three (3) outs.
8.07.R Umpires shall call “Time” after every play and declare the ball dead. “Time” shall be called as soon as the lead
runner is not attempting to advance. “Time” does not have to be called by the defense for the purpose of this rule.
Rule 8.07.R Comment: When a runner stands off a base and “jukes” or “feints” back and forth, this is to be
interpreted as “not attempting to advance” and “Time” shall be called.
8.07.S When a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first (1st) base and all runners shall advance one (1) base.
 
8U KID PITCH SPECIFIC RULES: AT THE 8U LEVEL ONLY:
  1. Pitching distance is 42 feet.
  2. Time limit is 1 hour 15 minutes. Except championship game will be 1 hour 30 minutes, still using 4 runs per inning.  Games will play to time.  Run rules do NOT apply.  The game will be played to time limit.
  3. No leadoffs.
  4. No stealing home -- a runner, starting a play at 3rd Base may only advance home on a batted ball or when forced home by a walk, hit batter, or other force play (bases loaded).
  5. For 8u, note that a walk is considered a ""Dead Ball"" situation -- the batter may only take 1st Base and any forced runners may only advance one base.
  6. Runners shall not advance when the pitcher is on the pitching rubber with the ball in his possession and the catcher is in position to receive a pitch. On a base on balls, the batter may attempt to steal second prior to the pitcher and catcher coming set at his own risk, but if a runner is on third, he may not advance home even if the defense attempts to throw the runner out at second base.
  7. A runner starting from 1st or 2nd Base may advance home as a batted ball continuation of a play (there is not a mandatory ""red light"" at 3rd Base for a play in motion). A RUNNER STEALING FROM 2ND TO THIRD BASE MAY NOT ADVANCE TO HOME ON AN OVERTHROW BY THE CATCHER. HE MUST STAY AT 3RD BASE.
  8. Runners must stay on the base when the pitcher is in the pitching position and the catcher is in the catching position. If the runner leaves the base early, the umpire places the runner back on the last base occupied unless the runner was put out. This is not an appealable play. If forced, the runner advances one base ahead of the batter-runner. If the ball is put into play, the defense has the option of taking the play or placing the runner or runners back on base and the batter back in the batter’s box.
  9. 8U is closed bases meaning a batter may not run on dropped 3rd strike, the batter will be automatically out on a dropped 3rd strike.
  10. Bunting is allowed.  But no Slash bunting, meaning a batter cannot square to bunt then pull back and swing.
  11. 4 runs an inning no matter what inning or game.  This holds true for Saturday and Sunday games.
  12. The infield fly rule applies.
8u/9u Hybrid division will play 9u rules with a 44' pitching distance and a four run rule per inning all weekend.
 
9u Rules:
1.  9U is a closed based division.   If both teams agree at the plate meeting to play open bases, this is allowed, however, if either team prefers closed bases, then the game will be played at closed bases.
2.  There is a maximum of 4 runs per inning on Saturday only.  Sunday will be unlimited runs.  On Saturday, there is no run rule, the game will play until time expires.  On Sunday a run rule will be in effect.
3.   A batter may not run on dropped 3rd strike, the batter will be automatically out on a dropped 3rd strike.
4.  A batter may run home on a passed ball.
5.  There are no lead offs, a batter may not steal until the ball crosses the plate.
 

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