These are the most common and/or most unique rules being used for this event. Please see "Official Rulebook" for exhaustive list of playing rules. When in conflict, rules written here shall supercede those in the official rulebook.
As a player, you are responsible for knowing all official rules of the game. By participating in the event, you are agreeing that you are aware of all rules associated with the league and the sport, and agree to abide by them at all times.
The following are the rules that coaches have all agreed to for the LeagueJoe tourney. These may differ slightly from USSSA rules or park rules, so umpires may not be aware. Please self-police and enforce these rules for your team!
GOLDEN RULE
This event is intended to be FUN first. We welcome players of ALL SKILL LEVELS to our fields, and therefore set rules that ensure the safety and enjoyment of our skilled players and our novices equally.
Be supportive of one another. Fighting, excessive verbal abuse, and poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated. Event organizers reserve the rights to dismiss any player from the event without refund.
Game Length: 50 minutes, finish the inning. No extra innings in pool play.
Pitch Height: 6'-10' from the ground.
Pitching Gear/Net: Pitchers must either wear an approved helmet and/or utilize the provided pitching net.
Defensive Innings Played: Pool - 2 by the end of the 3rd, 3 by the end of the 5th. Bracket - 1 by the end of the 3rd, 2 by the end of the 5th.
Females on Defense: No more than one female may sit defensively per inning. If a team has less females than the opposing team, they must play all of their females defensively throughout the entire game.
Outfield Throw to First: No batter may be thrown at first following a ball hit into the outfield unless by an infielder brought into the outfield through defensive actions.
Courtesy Foul: No courtesy foul.
Legal Bats: 240 USSSA stamped non-banned bats. Seniors (males: 50+, females: 45+) with a senior wrist band may swing senior bats.
Balls: Balls will be provided. Chase down any balls you hit out of the playing field.
Homeruns: Three plus one. Three homeruns and then you can hit more as long as you don't hit more than one more than the opposing team.
Courtesy Runner: Three courtesy runners per inning. Each runner may only run for one person per inning, but may run for that same person multiple times in the inning.
Male/Female Walk: If a male walks with a female behind him, he automatically gets second base and she has the option to hit or take first base. There are stipulations to this rule, check the rule book for specifics.
These are guidelines and rules for the event that all coaches must acknowledge and follow. Please review all rules carefully.
All decisions for your team come down to you and you alone. You should not invite other players to participate in rule discussions, or allow them to participate in debates over rule disagreements. As coaches, we will at times disagree and may even sometimes get testy with one another, but it is important that we keep these discussions to the back of the house and do not allow rule issues to spill over to the general players. Keep it fun for everyone and don't let the inmates run the asylum!
Win on the field, not in the rulebook.
Rules are made to be enforced, but in our game - things happen. Players get hurt, or they disappear, or they are late, etc. Please always be flexible in dealing with unusual situations. It is much more important to complete a game than it is to take a cheap, easy, rule-forced win. You don't need to put your team at a disadvantage, but at least allow the game to be interesting.
A little trash talk never hurt anyone, but don't be that person yelling "By You!" on every single play. If you see a player struggling, don't instruct your team to intentionally pick on them. Don't tell a player coming up to the plate that they should walk, because the person behind them can't hit (even if it's true). Play to win the game in a manner where you know all players from both teams will be happy to grab beers with their opponents when the dust settles.
The official rules for the sport, which may or may not be from a sanctioning body.
