ESA Tournament Rules     -NFHS rules will be used unless noted below:   -Home Team will be determined by coin toss for pool play. Bracket play is  determined by seeding. The higher seed has the option to be home or visitor. Home Team  is required to keep the official book.   -Seeding will be based on best record first then head to head, runs allowed, runs scored then coin flip.   -Game time starts at the completion of the coin toss. Umpires clock will be the official game clock.   -Time limits: 9U to 15U 1:30 pool and bracket. Pool games can end in tie. Bracket games can only end in a tie due to weather or park restrictions.   -Any bracket game that is tied after regulation will start the next inning with the last batted out on 2nd base.   -If a tournament cannot be completed due to weather, placements will be determined by the last completed games and how the teams are seeded in the bracket. ESA reserves the right to change game times based on weather conditions.   -Run Rules: 15 after 3, 10 after 4 and 8 after 5   -Teams may carry up to 15 players on their roster. A player may not play on more than 1 team on the same weekend. All players must have a number on their jersey.   -A team can start a game with 8 players but must take an OUT in the 9th  spot of the batting order. Once the 9th player arrives they can be written in to that spot.   -All age groups can use an EH and DH. 8U to 14U can bat the entire roster and have free defensive substitution. If batting entire roster, last completed at bat will be the courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher. If you have subs they must be used as courtesy runner. Courtesy runner must be declared before the next batter has completed their at bat.   -Each team is allowed three charged mound visits per game. A charged visit is a trip to the mound in which the coach does not remove the pitcher. After three charged visits, each additional visit will require the pitcher be removed from the mound. Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, he may not re-enter the game as pitcher.   -Innings allowed for pitchers: 9U to 12U – 7 innings per day, 10 innings per weekend. 13U and up – None. It is up to the coach and parents to limit how many pitches their player/child throws. Winning a tournament or game is not worth injuring a players arm!   -If pitching rules are violated, it could result in coach being ejected, game forfeiture, removal of team from tournament.   -Pitchers may not wear Metal cleats on any portable mound. 11U and younger are not allowed to wear Metal cleats at any time.   -Bat rules: 12U and younger must have BPF 1.15 stamp. 13U  -3 bbcor, -5 if not bbcor and must be stamped BPF 1.15. 14U and up -3 bbcor or wood. Any bat that has been banned/outlawed or altered in any way are not allowed. Any player or team found using an illegal or altered bat will be removed from the tournament.   -Any team forfeiting a game prior to the game being played will incur a 15-0 loss. Any team forfeiting during a game will thereby award their opponent with 15 additional runs.   -Protest Fee: $200 cash.   -ESA will supply 1 dozen baseballs per age group.   -Every team is responsible for having a copy of each players Birth Certificate.   -INDIVIDUAL PLAYER & TEAM ELIGIBILITY AGE BASED WITH GRADE EXCEPTIONS:   8U: Players who turn 9 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in 2nd grade. Any player turning 10 prior May 1st will not be eligible. 9U:  Players who turn 10 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in 3rd grade. Any player turning 11 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. 10U: Players who turn 11 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in 4th grade. Any player turning 12 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. 11U: Players who turn 12 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in 5th grade. Any player turning 13 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. 12U: Players who turn 13 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in 6th grade. Any player turning 14 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. 13U: Players who turn 14 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in 7th grade. Any player turning 15 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. 14U: Players who turn 15 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in 8th grade. Any player turning 16 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. 15U: Players who turn 16 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in 9th grade. Any player turning 17 prior to May 1st will not be eligible.   -8U Wheel and Coach Pitch Rules   -No Bunting or stealing   -No infield fly rule   -Run rule: 12 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5   -Pool play : 7 runs per inning until last inning( unlimited inning begins 10 minutes before time limit expires or the 6th inning)   -Bracket: Unlimited runs   -1 hour finish the inning time limit for pool and bracket play.   -Courtesy runner for catcher only.   Time is called only by the umpire once all base runners have stopped