2024 Spring Jim Greene Baseball Tournament Rules 7U

The following rules and guidelines are listed to help visiting teams understand the standards and rules of play while playing at WBAC Bruins Baseball Facilities. Visiting coaches are required to read the rules completely so all questions can be clarified by the hosting coach.

General Info 

• PICK YOUR POISON participating 7U and 8U teams will pick upon registration if they will be playing coach pitch or machine pitch.  Machine pitch teams can end up playing coach pitch teams.  

• June 14th- 16th at the WBAC complex alternative fields within Western Branch area of Chesapeake if require

• Skills Showcase Event June 14th Team Speed Burner 5-6 PM, Around the Horn 6-7 PM, HR Derby 6 - 8 PM

• 3 Game guarantee Single Elimination Bracket Tie Breakers:   1.  Win-Loss Record.  2.   Head to Head Results.  3.  Fewest Runs Allowed.   4.   Total Run Differential

• $355 registration entry fee

• Balls will be provided by WBAC 

• Umpires cost are covered with registration fees 

• Field dimensions: base length of 60 ft

• Pitching rubber is 38’

• All balls that come in contact with the power line wires located above the Rookie field at the Chittum complex are considered dead balls with no pitch charged to the player.

• All dugouts need to be cleaned by teams before leaving.

• Managers are responsible for their staff, fans, players, and parents.

• Credentials: Approved Birth Certificates of players and Certificate of Accidental / Liability Insurance *Birth Certificates have on hand do not need to be submitted with Roster. **Certificate of Accidental / Liability Insurance can be handed to tournament director prior to first game or emailed to wbbruins7@gmail.com

• Bats: All bats must be stamped with the USA Baseball and/or USSSA 1.15 

  7U and 8U

Coach Pitching

• The pitching coach shall be an adult at least eighteen (18) years of age.

• The pitching coach must be in uniform / team attire and baseball or athletic pants/shorts

• Coach pitch must be contact of rubber at release of pitch, and pitch overhand from a standing position. 

• The player that assumes the pitcher’s position must remain within the “mound” 8-ft.- diameter circle, behind the machine, and on one side or the other until the ball is hit. If the pitcher violates any of these requirements, then (1) The play will stand, even if the pitcher is involved in the play, and (2) The umpire(s) will warn the violating pitcher’s manager that if that same pitcher violates one or both requirements again, he/she will have to be removed from the pitcher’s position. The player can assume another position but cannot re-enter as a pitcher in that game. The player may not be ejected from the game for this infraction.  [NOTE: The Pitcher position is only a reference to a "Fielder’s" Position (does not throw a pitch). Therefore, there is NO "Number of Innings Pitched" rule for the player in the position. A “Courtesy Runner” is not allowed for the pitcher.]

• The pitching coach shall position himself as not to be an obstruction to the defensive team on any possible play once the ball has been hit. Any obstruction results in batter being out and no runners advancing. This is an umpire judgment call and not subject to protest. 

• If a pitching coach is struck by a batted ball or catches a line drive for the purpose of protecting the player pitcher, it will be ruled a dead ball and will be replayed with no pitch charge.

• If a batted fair ball hits any part of the pitching machine without touching any defensive player first, the ball is immediately dead. The batter will be awarded first base. All other runners return to the base that they occupied before the ball was hit unless forced to advance as a result of the batter being awarded first base.  If a batted fair ball is first touched by a defensive player and then hits any part of the pitching machine, it is a live ball 

• Not playing 3rd drop strikes

Machine Pitching

• Pitching Machine:  A spring-loaded Louisville Slugger Portable Pitching Machine will be used    

• The player that assumes the pitcher’s position must remain within the “mound” 8-ft.- diameter circle, behind the machine, and on one side or the other until the ball is hit. If the pitcher violates any of these requirements, then (1) The play will stand, even if the pitcher is involved in the play, and (2) The umpire(s) will warn the violating pitcher’s manager that if that same pitcher violates one or both requirements again, he/she will have to be removed from the pitcher’s position. The player can assume another position but cannot re-enter as a pitcher in that game. The player may not be ejected from the game for this infraction.  [NOTE: The Pitcher position is only a reference to a "Fielder’s" Position (does not throw a pitch). Therefore, there is NO "Number of Innings Pitched" rule for the player in the position. A “Courtesy Runner” is not allowed for the pitcher.]

• Pitching machine: The pitching machine is placed at 46 ft. with a speed of approximately 43 mph (established when ball crosses home plate).  A coach from each team will feed the pitching machine to their batters 

Fielding

• One defensive coach, preferably the manager, shall be allowed to stand in the dirt area in front of the dugout during defensive play. All other members of the coaching staff shall be positioned either inside the dugout or within the fenced area towards the front of the dugout. 

• The player that assumes the pitcher’s position must remain within the “mound” 8-ft.- diameter circle, behind the machine, and on one side or the other until the ball is hit. 

• If the pitcher violates any of these requirements, then (1) The play will stand, even if the pitcher is involved in the play, and (2) The umpire(s) will warn the violating pitcher’s manager that if that same pitcher violates one or both requirements again, he/she will have to be removed from the pitcher’s position. The player can assume another position but cannot re-enter as a pitcher in that game. The player may not be ejected from the game for this infraction.  [NOTE: The Pitcher position is only a reference to a "Fielder’s" Position (does not throw a pitch). Therefore, there is NO "Number of Innings Pitched" rule for the player in the position. A “Courtesy Runner” is not allowed for the pitcher.]

• The catcher takes the catcher’s normal position in full gear and will catch the pitch from the pitcher. (coach)

• Free substitution on defense. Defensive players can sub and re-enter freely but remain in the same batting order. 

• There will be four outfielders. ALL outfielders must remain in the grass area of the outfield (cannot be positioned in the infield at any time). If you have less than 10 players 3 outfielders may be used.

• Each team is allowed one (1) defensive time-out per inning, with discussion limited to one coach and three players.

• No infield fly rule 

•  Dead ball defined: 

• The ball will be declared dead when the defensive team stops the lead runner or the runner abandons the effort to advance.  Once play has been stopped, no other runners may advance beyond the last base tagged.

• The ball will be declared dead when a player is injured and in the umpire's judgment is unable to continue the play 

• If a batted fair ball hits any part of the pitching machine without touching any defensive player first, the ball is immediately dead. The batter will be awarded first base. All other runners return to the base that they occupied before the ball was hit unless forced to advance as a result of the batter being awarded first base.  If a batted fair ball is first touched by a defensive player and then hits any part of the pitching machine, it is a live ball 

• If a batted fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base. All other runners return to the base that they occupied before the ball was hit unless forced to advance as a result of the batter being awarded first base

• If a thrown ball hits any part of the pitching machine, it is a live ball

• If the batter is hit by a pitch from the pitching machine, the ball will be declared dead and count as a no pitch. 

Batting

• Only three (3) adults for the offensive team should be on the playing field.

• 1st Base coach, 3rd base coach, and pitcher. Other coaches have to remain behind the fence or directly in front of the dugout. 

• Teams must bat AT LEAST 10 batters in the lineup.  Entire roster will bat.  Teams with more than 13 players on the roster may bat 12 with free normal substitutions.  If the entire roster is in the batting lineup, free substitutions are permitted on defense.

• 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. Teams may start a game with eight (8) players. The ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) positions in the batting order shall be declared an out each turn at bat.

• Each batter receives a maximum of five (5) pitches. If the batter strikes out, or if the ball has not been hit into play after five (5) pitches, the batter is out. If the batter fouls the 5th pitch, the batter will receive pitches as long as the batter continues to foul pitches.

• A team may score a maximum of 5 runs per inning. 6th inning and extra innings have no run limits. 

• Bunting is  NOT allowed. 

• Batting out of order is an appeal play by the defensive.

• A player is considered to be at bat as soon as he enters the batter's box and one pitch has been thrown.

• The defense may appeal that the batter was not the correct batter until there has been one pitch to the next batter. After one pitch, the defense may only appeal that the current batter is not the correct batter.

• If the batter who just completed an at bat and is not the correct batter, on appeal, The correct batter is declared out.

• The batter is removed from base.

• All outs made on other runners on the play stand.

• Any advance by runners on the play is nullified, No runs can score on the play.

• If the current batter in the batter’s box with one pitch and is not the correct batter, The correct batter is brought to bat and assumes the ball – strike count

• No one is called out for batting out of order when there is a count on the batter. All advances made shall stand.

Base Running

• The ball will be declared dead when the defensive team stops the lead runner or the runner abandons the effort to advance. Once play has been stopped, no other runners may advance beyond the last base tagged. 

• 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.

• The ball will be declared dead when a player is injured and in the umpire judgment is unable to continue the play

• Base stealing or leading is not permitted. Runner(s) leaving their base(s) before the batter hits the ball or before the ball reaches home plate shall be called out. 

• Courtesy Runner: The catcher may have a courtesy runner run for them every time that they are up to bat. Each courtesy runner used the player with the last recorded out. 

• A Courtesy Runner is not allowed for the pitcher

Game Rules

• Six innings or no new inning can begin after 1.5 hours, whichever comes first, there is no time limit in championship game.

• Teams will play extra innings if needed to determine the winner

• The half inning is over when three outs are made or (5) runs are scored.

• Mercy rule: 15 runs after 4 innings (3-1/2 innings if home team is ahead). 10 runs after 5 innings (4-1/2 innings if home team is ahead).

• The 6th inning and all extra innings are unlimited run innings.

• The batter is out if the batter swings on a third strike and misses the ball

• 7U players cannot turn 8 before May 1, 2024

• 8U players cannot turn 9 before May 1, 2024

Uniforms / Protective Equipment

• All players should have on similar color uniforms with numbers on back. 

• If there are any duplicate numbers or discrepancies between players actual name and jersey name it needs to be identified before the game and agreed between both managers. Score keepers need to be made aware. 

• non-metal cleats or athletic shoes shall be worn

• the catcher shall wear all appropriate protective gear including a 

• catcher’s helmet that fully covers both ears with facemask and either a built in extended throat guard or a separately attached throat guard, 

• chest protector, shin and / or leg guards, it is recommended to have a protective cup 

• All offensive players shall use a double ear-flap batting helmet whenever at bat, on deck, on base or any other time outside of the dugout and the ball is live and in play.

Location

Rookie Field is field closest to the playground, Jr Rookie is left of Rookie Field, Minor Field is behind batting cages

• Enter on the side closer to 664 between church and school. Take the dirt road towards the field. There is limited parking. You may park in the school park lot and walk. 

• There is a set of batting cages in left field. Each team has to use one side of the cage before the game starts. 

• Porta potty is available at Jr. Rookie and Rookie field side, indoor restroom located at clubhouse behind batting cages and minor field.  Light concessions will be available at Rookie field and Full concessions will be available at clubhouse concession stand behind the minor field.

• Umpires and Coaches Hospitality Lounge is located in the clubhouse above the concession stands.

7U and WBAC Tournament director 

Chad Queeney

757-761-5713 (best to text)

wbbruins7@gmail.com

(7U & 8U) Rookie and Minor Fields address : E.W. Chittum Elementary School. 2008 Dock Landing Rd Chesapeake Va 23321