Bigler Sports tournament staff will make every effort to treat all teams with fairness. If questions or disputes arise about policies and procedures, coaches shall bring them to the attention of the Tournament Director or Bigler Sports staff to be dealt with.
Any interpretation and decision of the Tournament Director or Site Coordinators shall be final. Certified umpires have been assigned to each game. Coaches should treat them with respect. Concerning on-field calls, the decision of the umpires shall be final.
Pre tournament instructions (including roster, insurance form, waiver forms, etc.) will be emailed to coaches 14 days before the start of the tournament.
All teams will be required to have its own medical first aid kit and ice bags.
Both teams shall report the final score to the Tournament Director or Site Coordinator assigned to the field. Since tiebreakers often come into play, accurate score reporting is critical. Teams who fail to turn in a score within 1 hour from the conclusion of a game may be subject to the score turned in by the opposing team. Scores can also be texted to the tournament director, (Please refer to the tournament welcome letter for the tournament director’s contact info.)
There will be spectator admission fees for some events. Once spectator admission fees are paid, there will be no refunds.
Teams shall arrive on site 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, as games may start prior to published times. Teams may start and finish games with eight (8) uniformed and roster players. If a team has to play with eight (8) players, the ninth spot in the batting order is an automatic out. If a ninth uniformed and roster player arrives, that player may be inserted into the ninth spot in the batting order, and the automatic out shall stop. If a team has seven (7) or less uniformed and roster players to start a game, or at any point during the game, the game shall be declared a forfeit. The forfeit score shall be 6-0 for tiebreaker purposes.
A coin flip shall determine the home teams for pool games. The team that has traveled the greatest distance will call the flip. Either an umpire or a member of tournament staff must be present for the flip. If there is a playoff round, the higher seed based upon the original seeding will have the option to be the home and visiting team.
Teams should fill first and third base dugouts on a first come, first served basis. If a team has back-to-back games on the same field, they should always remain in the same dugout, to avoid the extra time involved in moving bags, etc.
There will be no infield practice. Teams are allowed to play catch in the outfield area if the time allows.
The Tournament Director may modify the number or length of games when necessary due to weather, field conditions, or scheduling issues. This includes modifying the time limit if games get backed up.
All teams are required to adhere to local park policies and ordinances. The Head Coach shall be ultimately responsible and accountable for the conduct of his players, assistant coaches, and spectators.
Rosters and Birth Dates:
Team rosters contain personal information such as player date of birth, email addresses, and coach’s personal information. In the interest of protecting player and coach privacy, rosters can only be viewed by Bigler Sports staff. Only a Head Coach may ask the Tournament Director about players listed and if they meet the age and/or roster qualifications. The birthday age cutoff is April 30. Each Head Coach shall have copies of player birth certificates on hand at every game and shall be prepared to present them to the Tournament Director upon request.
Protests:
Any Head Coach that would like to formally challenge the eligibility of a player shall make this known to the Tournament Director at least one (1) hour prior to the player’s next game. A $100 cash challenge fee should be posted at the time of the challenge. The purpose of the fee is to minimize unsubstantiated challenges. Provided this process is followed, the Tournament Director or his/her designee will investigate. If the player is ruled eligible, the $100 cash challenge fee shall be forfeited. In the instance of an age challenge, if the birth certificate cannot be produced before game time, the player in question is ineligible to play for that game. If the birth certificate shows the player is over age, the team must forfeit all games the player in question participated in. The forfeit score shall be 6-0 for tiebreaker purposes. If any player eligibility challenge is valid and upheld, the $100 cash challenge fee shall be promptly returned.
Playing Rules:
The official playing rules for the tournament shall be the NFHS (high school) rules with the following exceptions:
Length of Game:
∙ All ages will play six (6) innings
Batting Order and Extra Players:
In the 7U-14U Age Divisions, teams have the following three (3) options about the batting order and extra players:
∙ Straight Nine: Nine (9) players in the batting order and listed on the lineup card. No designated hitter. All other players are substitutes, subject to the NFHS substitution rules (starter can re-enter into his original spot once, etc.)
∙ Extra Hitter: Ten (10) players in the batting order and listed on the lineup card. No designated hitter. Free substitution (defensive players) among the ten (10) players listed on the batting order. All other players are substitutes and subject to the NFHS substitution rules (starter can re-enter into his original spot once, etc.)
∙ Continuous batting order: All players in uniform (unless injured) in the batting order and listed on the lineup card. If a late player arrives after the lineup cards are exchanged, then the player must be entered into the last spot in the batting order. Free defensive substitution for all players throughout the game.
The Head Coach shall declare his choice to the opposing coach and the umpire(s) during the plate meeting before each game. Once a declaration is made, it cannot be changed for that game.
Bats:
There is no restriction on a bats weight to length ratio nor bat diameter for the ages of U8 thru U14. For U15 thru U18, bats must follow the NFHS and USA baseball codes for bat restrictions.
Equipment:
Every member of the team must wear a conventional uniform, which includes a shirt, pants, socks, and cap. Each team must have NOCSAE approved safety helmets with warning labels. The batter, all base runners, on-deck batter, and player base coaches must wear approved helmets.
• Cheek and Jaw Protector (C-Flaps)
a) If the helmet has the NOCSAE stamp on it and the c-flap was installed at the time of manufacture, it is legal to wear
b) If the helmet with pre-drilled holes may attach a C-Flap if the same manufacturer makes the helmet and the c-flap. Such as, Under Armour helmet, Under Armour c-flap
c) If the helmet doesn’t have pre-drilled holes and if holes were drilled to allow for a c-flap, the helmet is illegal and will be removed from the game
d) Any helmet that has a c-flap discovered to be loose on the helmet, the helmet is illegal and will be removed from the game
• All male players must wear athletic supporters. Catchers (male) must wear the metal, fibre, or plastic-type cup.
• Catchers must wear a mask with (NOCSAE) approved catchers helmet. Skull caps and masks are not acceptable. All catchers must wear an approved chest protector and shin guards. Catchers must wear approved long or short model chest protectors.
Pitching:
Bigler Sports uses the recording of outs.
- U7 through U12 will be allowed to pitch up to 9 outs per game, 18 outs per day, and 21 outs per weekend.
- U13 & U14 are allowed to pitch up to 18 outs per game, 21 outs per day, and 27 outs per weekend.
- U15 through U18: USA Pitch Smart Guidlines: Bigler Sports will not police these, they are simply guidelines to take care of your pitchers arms.
Daily Max 1051-30 0 Days Rest31-45 1 Day Rest46-60 2 Days Rest61-75 3 Days Rest76+ 4 Days Rest
Coaches need to track and record all outs during the entire tournament. Upon discovery, any inquiries must be handled immediately to the umpire, tournament director or site coordinator. If it’s been determined that the team exceeded the limit, the penalty is immediate forfeit. The forfeit score shall be 6-0 for tiebreaker purposes. The tournament director and site coordinator will make the final decision.
Balks:
• U7-U10 Divisions: No balks will be called
• U11 & U12 Divisions: Umpires shall issue one balk warning per TEAM before enforcing any balk penalty.
• U13 & Older Divisions: No balk warning will be issued
Time Limits:
The game start time shall begin with the first warm-up pitch. The plate umpire or base umpire shall monitor the official time, and it is expected that the time is announced publicly to minimize confusion later. All games shall have a 1 hour and 45-minute time limit, except the championship game. Expiration of the time limit shall be ruled upon at the moment the final out in a half inning is recorded.
An inning may be finished, but a new inning cannot be started after the time limit expires. If the home team is ahead when the time limit is reached, the game is over
∙ Immediately after the top half of the inning is finished
∙ At the moment the time limit is reached, and the home team is ahead in the bottom half of the inning.
The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify time limits in the event of weather or scheduling issues.
Mercy Rules:
Mercy rules shall be fifteen (15) runs after three innings, ten (10) runs after four innings, and eight (8) runs after five innings. Mercy rules shall be in effect for all games, including the championship game.
Base Distances and Field Dimensions:
Every effort will be made to make sure base distances, pitching distances, and field dimensions are accurate. Since Bigler Sports works with many different public and private facilities, dimensions are sometimes slightly off. So long as the field dimensions are reasonable and the same for both teams, play shall not be stopped to reinstall bases or pitching rubbers.
Metal Spikes and Footwear for Synthetic Turf Events:
Metal spikes are not allowed in age groups 8U-12U. Likewise, metal spikes are generally prohibited for all ages on fields with synthetic turf, and/or fields with portable pitching mounds. Any athlete that may play on a synthetic turf field and/or be called to pitch on a portable pitching mound must be prepared with non-metal footwear (varies by facility). If games are being played at Brookfield Central High School, no metal spikes will not be allowed. Acceptable footwear in these cases includes turf shoes, plastic cleats, molded cleats, or gym shoes.
Leadoffs and Steals:
U8 Division: There will be no leadoffs, and stealing will be permitted only after the ball crosses the plate. There will be no dropped third strike, and a runner may only score from third base on:
- A batted ball
- A walk
- A hit by pitch
- If played upon by the pitcher or catcher. This includes the situation of runners on 1st and 3rd, and the first initial throw goes past the pitcher plate
U9 Division: There will be no leadoffs, and stealing will be permitted only after the ball crosses the plate. A runner may only score from third base on:
- A batted ball
- A walk
- A hit by pitch
- If played upon by the pitcher or catcher. This includes the situation of runners on 1st and 3rd, and the first initial throw goes past the pitcher plate
U10 (B&C) Division: There will be no leadoffs, and stealing will be permitted only after the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
U10 (A) and Older Division: Leadoffs are permitted.
Extra Innings and Tie Games:
If a game is tied after the time limit expires or when the regulation innings have been completed, the following Bigler Sports tiebreaker will be used. In the first extra inning and every 1/2 inning thereafter, each team will start with a man on second base and 0 out. The base runner will be the last batted out from the previous inning. Each batter will start with a 0-0 count. If a winner is not determined after one extra inning, the game shall be recorded as a tie. Likewise, if weather or darkness prevents a tie game from being completed, then the game shall be recorded as a tie.
Intentional Walks:
There will be no pitches thrown to intentionally walk a batter. Notify the umpire, and the batter will be awarded first base.
Courtesy Runners:
Courtesy runners are optional at any time for the pitcher and catcher. With two outs, courtesy runners are required for the catcher. The courtesy runner shall be a player not currently in the lineup. If a team is batting their entire roster, the courtesy runner shall be the last batted out. The pitcher or catcher for this rule is the pitcher or catcher of the previous inning. If this situation arises in the first inning and no outs have been recorded, the pitcher or catcher shall remain on the bases until an out is recorded.
Tie Breakers:
If a Tiebreaker is needed, the following will be used in this order.
• Overall Record(ties counts ½ win & ½ loss)
• Head to Head( 2 Teams Only)
• Runs Allowed
• Runs Scored
• Coin Flip
Ejections:
If a coach is ejected from a game, he will be suspended for the remainder of the game and for the next game the team plays. If a player is ejected during a game, he will be suspended for the remainder of the game and the next game. If a team is batting their entire lineup and/or no substitutes are available, the name of the ejected player will remain in the batting order and count as an out when the batting order reaches that player.
Injuries and Early Departures:
If a player becomes injured (as ruled by the umpire) and is unable to continue playing, his spot in the batting order shall be skipped with no penalty unless the team has a legal/available substitute. Once an injured player leaves the batting order, he is done for the remainder of that game.
Game Called Due to Weather or Field Conditions
A game will be considered complete if weather, darkness or field conditions prevent the game from being completed:
∙ 6-inning game = 3 innings or 2 1/2 if home team is leading, will constitute a finished game.
If a game is not official as described above, the Tournament Director will either:
∙ Suspend the game and arrange to have it resumed where it left off, or
∙ Cancel the game such that it does not count toward tournament standings.
Should a Championship game be interrupted by weather, darkness or unplayable field conditions, and is not an official game per the above Rule, then the Championship team will be determined by the score at the end of the last full completed inning. If score was tied at end of last completed inning or if the first inning of the game is not completed, the higher seed shall be named Champion.
Game Schedules:
Bigler Sports will release the official schedule for each event on the Tuesday prior to the event. Teams must be prepared to play in any of the time slots for the scheduled days of the event.
Honor the Game:
Bigler Sports emphasizes that the primary purpose of all tournament events is to create positive competition experiences and lifelong memories for the participants. All adults (coaches, parents, umpires) should conduct themselves with this fundamental notion in mind. Compromising the integrity of the game or making a travesty of the game are unacceptable and will be grounds for disqualification.
Refund Policy:
Once an entry fee is paid for an event, no cash or check refunds will be issued for any reason, unless Bigler Sports cancels the event in advance of the event weekend due to insufficient participation. If a team registers and subsequently is unable to participate, provided reasonable notification in writing:
a) Team can be transferred to another Bigler Sports tournament, subject to availability
b) Team can receive a full credit, valid through the following season
c) Team can transfer the credit to another team and receive compensation from the transferee team
If an event is canceled at any time or shortened due to inclement weather or field conditions, Bigler Sports will issue credits as follows:
∙ 0 games: 100% credit toward a future Bigler Sports event either later in this season or the following season.
∙ 1 game: 50% credit toward a future Bigler Sports event either later in this season or the following season.
∙ 2 games started: 25% credit toward a future Bigler Sports event either later in this season or the following season.
∙ 2 or more games completed: No credits due.
