Rules

1.      REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE

1.1.              All teams participating in a Joco Wood Bat tournament must be registered, paid, and have met all team/player requirements prior to the first day of the tournament.

1.1.1.            Rostered personnel include:

1.1.1.1.1.       Coaches

1.1.1.1.2.      Players

1.1.2.            All teams must bring the following to each tournament in which they participate (failure to have these could result in a forfeit):

1.1.2.1.         Official Roster

1.1.2.2.         Players and coaches must sign the liability waiver prior to play.

1.1.2.3.        Paper copies of each player’s birth certificate

1.1.2.4.        Copy of a current Team Insurance Certificate

1.1.2.4.1.     Joco Wood Bat requires that all teams have team insurance before playing in a Joco Wood Bat sanctioned event.

1.1.2.4.2.     Teams must list “Joco Wood Bat” as an “additionally insured” on their insurance policy before participating in a Joco Wood Bat sanctioned event. This must be presented to Joco Wood Bat prior to participating in an event.

1.2.  CONDUCT

1.2.1.       ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

1.2.1.1.     Joco Wood Bat has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY regarding inappropriate behavior. This policy encompasses all interactions during the course of tournament play.

1.2.1.1.1.        This Zero Tolerance Policy shall include, but is not limited to: Games; Opening Day Ceremonies; Tournaments; and, any other Joco Wood Bat sponsored event

1.2.1.2.           GENERAL CONDUCT POLICY

1.2.1.2.1.        Teams, coaches, players, spectators, and organizations are subject to sanctions imposed by the Joco Wood Bat for misconduct.

1.2.1.2.2.        Sanctions may be appealed to Joco Wood Bat

1.2.1.2.3.        Sanctions may include suspensions, forfeitures, probation

1.2.1.2.4.        Misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

1.2.1.2.5.        Sportsmanship that is detrimental to the tournament event or Joco Wood Bat;

1.2.1.2.6.        Destruction of property;

1.2.1.2.7.        Intoxication;

1.2.1.2.8.        Possession of alcohol, drugs, and/or weapon(s);

1.2.1.2.9.        Use of profanity;

1.2.1.2.10.      Commission of a crime during any Joco Wood Bat Sports event.

1.2.1.2.11.    Fights and Altercations. Any player, coach, manager, sponsor, or      spectator leaving their position or base, in the field, on the bench, in the dugout area, or grandstands to participate in a fight, brawl, or altercation shall be immediately ejected from the game and may be suspended from Joco Wood Bat tournaments for a minimum of 1 year.

1.2.1.2.11.1.   This includes prior to a game starting, during a game, after a game.

1.2.2.    VIOLATIONS OF POLICIES OR TOURNAMENT RULES

1.2.2.1.     Any parent, coach, team member, or spectator that violates the policies or rules of Joco Wood Bat may be removed from any and all venues during an event.

1.3.       EJECTIONS

1.3.1. FIRST EJECTION: Any Manager/Head Coach, Coach, or Fan/Scorekeeper/Spectator receiving an ejection from an umpire shall be “suspended” for the remainder of that day. If ejection occurs on the first game on Sunday, the ejected person will be “suspended” for the remainder of that day regardless of number of games that team may play. The game will not start back until ejected person has been removed from the game venue.

1.4.       PROTESTS

1.4.1.     Protests must be made verbally with the umpire by the offended team at the time of play and before the next pitch is thrown.  The protest must clearly state the issue and rule that is being violated or contested.

1.4.2.       Only 1 protest, per team, per game is permitted.

1.4.3.       Upon the notification of a protest to the umpire, the game shall be stopped (clock is stopped). The umpires shall call the tournament director. All decisions of the protest decided by the director shall be final.

1.4.4.      Only a decision involving the misinterpretation or misapplication of a rule may be protested. A protest in regards to an umpire judgement call may not be protested.  

1.4.5.     Games will not be played under protest. The game must be stopped and the protest resolved prior to resuming the game.

1.5.       COACHES

1.5.1.    HEAD COACH

1.5.1.1.     The Head Coach of a team is responsible for the conduct of his assistant coaches, players, and fans/spectators. He should make sure that all rules of a tournament are explained to each of these persons.

1.5.1.2.     The Head Coach is responsible for ensuring all equipment is legal for tournament play and all players are safely equipped.

1.5.1.3.     The Head Coach is responsible for ensuring that all coaches on the field or in the dugout are on the team roster. All coaches in a team’s dugout, bench, or on the field must be on the team’s roster.

1.6.        PLAYERS

1.6.1.      AGE DETERMINATION

1.6.1.1.    The age cut-off date for baseball is January 1 of the current year. The player’s age on that date determines his/her “League Age” for the entire league year. This means that the player’s age on January 1, 2024 will be his/her league age for the 2024 entire year. 

1.6.1.1.1.1.   10U: Player cannot turn 11 prior to January 1, 2024

1.6.1.1.1.2.   11U: Player cannot turn 12 prior to January 1, 2024

1.6.1.1.1.3.   12U: Player cannot turn 13 prior to January 1, 2024

1.6.1.1.1.4.   13U: Player cannot turn 14 prior to January 1, 2024

1.6.1.1.1.5.   14U: Player cannot turn 15 prior to January 1, 2024

1.6.1.1.1.6.   15U: Player cannot turn 16 prior to January 1, 2024

1.6.2.         PROTESTING ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYER’S AGE

1.6.2.1.       Any question pertaining to the eligibility of a player’s age at the tournament must be protested during the game. Protests after a game has officially ended will not be considered.

1.6.2.2.      Coaches are responsible to see that their team meets all eligibility requirements.

1.6.2.3.      If a player is found to be ineligible for the age group prior to the start of the tournament, that player will be ejected from the tournament.

1.6.2.4.      If a player is found to be ineligible for the age group after the tournament has begun, the player will be ejected from the tournament.

1.6.2.5.     Any questions during a game pertaining to the age eligibility of players must be handled by filing a protest during that game.

1.6.2.6.     If the age of a player is being protested and that player’s coach cannot produce the copy of the birth certificate of the player in question, the game shall be a forfeit and the team may be removed from the tournament.

1.6.3.      PICK-UP GUEST PLAYER RULE

1.6.3.1.    Players may be “added” as a guest as long as the player is not on two (2) team rosters in the same tournament regardless of age division. The player must be added to the official roster.

1.6.4.     ROSTERS

1.6.4.1.    Rosters must be kept up-to-date “in GameChanger” and submitted to Joco Wood Bat for each event.  Guest players must be added to GameChanger and submitted to Joco Wood Bat.

1.7.        FIELD DIMENSIONS

1.7.1.      OPEN BASES 10 & U 46’ 60’

1.7.2.      OPEN BASES 11 & U 50’ 70’

1.7.3.      OPEN BASES 12 & U 54’ 80’

1.7.4.      OPEN BASES 13 & U 60’ 90’

1.7.5.      OPEN BASES 14 & U 60’ 90’

1.7.6.      OPEN BASES 15 & U 60’ 90’

1.7.7.      OPEN BASES 16 & U 60’ 90’

1.8.        PITCHING RESTRICTIONS

1.8.1.      Single Day and Consecutive Day Limits:

1.8.1.1.     In ages 10U, a pitcher may not pitch more than 50 pitches in one calendar day.

1.8.1.2.     In ages 11U – 13U, a pitcher may not pitch more than 80 pitches in one calendar day.

1.8.1.3.     In ages 14U – 16U, a pitcher may not pitch more than 100 pitches

1.8.2.        Once the athlete has reached the allowed number of pitches in single or consecutive calendar days, the athlete must rest one calendar day before being allowed to pitch again.

1.8.3.        Once a player rests for one calendar day, the rest day “clears” him and the pitches start over.

1.8.4.        It is the responsibility of the head coach to ensure pitch limits are not exceeded.

1.8.5.        Pitch count for each pitcher must be recorded in GameChanger and a record book.

1.8.6.        In the event a pitcher hits their pitch limit while pitching to a single batter, that at bat may be completed.  The pitcher must immediately be removed after that batter.

1.8.6.1.     In the event the pitch limit is exceeded and there is a protest by the opposing team the head coach will be ejected from the current game and the pitcher will be removed from the mound if the pitch limit is verified to be exceeded.  The player can continue to play any other position other than catcher.  The coach may return the next game.  A second offense the head coach will be ejected from the remainder of the tournament.

1.8.7.      Trips to the Mound

1.8.7.1.     On the second mound trip to the same pitcher in the same inning, the pitcher must be removed from the game.

1.8.7.2.     If a pitcher is removed from the game after a second mound visit, he may play another position but he cannot pitch again.

1.8.7.3.     Removal from the mound on the second visit in the same inning disqualifies the pitcher from returning to the mound as pitcher only in that game.

1.8.7.3.1.   If a pitcher is removed on the first visit, he may come back and pitch in that game after one batter has been retired.

1.9.           GAME PLAY

1.9.1.1.      Playing Rules: National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules, as interpreted by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, shall be used. However, these rules are subject to exceptions enacted by Joco Wood Bat.

1.9.1.2.       Beginning the game

1.9.1.2.1.     Pool games begin with a coin toss. Winner of toss selects home or away.

1.9.1.2.2.     Non-pool games have the highest seed as the home team.

1.9.1.3.        Plate Meeting

1.9.1.3.1.      Umpires are to remind coaches at plate meeting that only (2) coaches are allowed outside the dugout on a seat (except for two base coaches when team is on offense).

1.9.1.3.2.      Time Limit clock begins at end of plate meeting.

1.9.1.4.         Innings/Length of Games

1.9.1.4.1.       10U through 12U games are scheduled for 5 innings.

1.9.1.4.2.       13U through HS games are scheduled for 6 innings.

1.9.1.5.           Time Limits

1.9.1.5.1.        The game time begins at the completion of the home plate meeting.

1.9.1.5.1.1.      9U through High School time limit is 1:30

1.9.1.5.2.        If time expires after the third out is made, then a new inning must be played.

1.9.1.5.3.        Example: The third out of the bottom of the third inning occurs with 1 minute remaining in the time limit. As the teams are switching sides, the time limit is reached. RULING: The fourth inning must be played.

1.9.1.6.            When time expires during an inning in a pool play game or championship game, teams will finish the current inning.

1.9.1.6.1.         Pool play games end in a tie, no international tie breaker will be played.

1.9.1.7.            Stopping of Game Clock

1.9.1.7.1.        The game clock shall be stopped by the umpires when an ejection occurs or when a team files a protest.

1.9.1.7.2.        Additionally, if a player becomes injured requiring the stoppage of play for more than a brief pause (for instance, the player needs medical attention on the field), the umpires shall stop the game clock. It is umpire’s judgment as to whether the delay is more than “brief” to warrant the stopping of the game clock. Thus, the umpire’s decision is not subject to protest.

1.9.1.8.           International Tie-Breaker Rule

1.9.1.8.1.        The International Tie-Breaker will be used for bracket play only.

1.9.1.8.2.        Each team shall begin their offensive half of the inning with the bases loaded and one out. The last hitter from the team’s prior offensive inning shall go to 1st base, the hitter before him shall go to 2nd base, and the hitter before him shall go to third base. This rule shall be used for each inning from this point forward until a winner can be declared.

1.9.1.8.3.        Teams may NOT use a courtesy runner when the game is being contested under international tie- breaker rules.

1.9.1.9.           In the Championship game, there shall be no ties. The teams will play as many innings as is necessary, using the International Tie-Breaker, to determine a winner.

1.9.1.10.        Run Rule

1.9.1.10.1.      ALL AGES: 9u and Above: 12 runs after (3) innings, 8 runs after (4) innings, OR 8 runs after (5) innings.

1.10.             General Rules

1.10.1.1.        Baseballs

1.10.1.1.1.      10U-12U little league baseballs are to be used.

1.10.1.1.2.       13U and Up NFHS baseballs will be used.

1.10.1.1.3.       Umpires should get three baseballs from the site director before each game.

1.10.1.1.4.       Old baseballs should be returned to the umpire after each game.

1.10.1.1.5.       A batter is allowed to keep a baseball if he hits a home-run.

1.10.1.2.         Record Keeping

1.10.1.2.1.      Game play will be recorded in GameChanger manager (green application icon version) and in a score book.

1.10.1.2.2.      Failing to record game play may result in a forfeit of the game in the event a protest is lobbied.

1.10.1.2.3.      Failure to record game play in GameChanger will forfeit the team’s opportunity for awards at the end of tournament play.

1.10.1.3.         Awards

1.10.1.3.1.     Coaches are responsible for Recording the coaches MVP award nomination and Defensive player nomination after every game on the official Joco Wood Bat award card.

1.10.1.3.2.    The award card must be submitted to Joco Wood Bat after every game.  This will be done by email to the official Joco Wood Bat website contact email.

1.10.1.3.3.    Failure to submit the award card may result in forfeit of the game.

1.11.            WEATHER POLICY

1.11.1.        Cancellations will be posted on the Joco Wood Bat website. It is the coach’s responsibility to monitor the site during inclement weather.

1.11.2.        Pool Play

1.11.2.1.      A game will be considered complete once 3 innings are played. If an inning is in progress the final official score will revert to the last inning completed.  Pool play games can end in a tie.

1.11.3.  Bracket Play

1.11.3.1.       If a game cannot be completed the score from the last completed inning will be recorded as the official game score.

1.11.3.1.1.    If the last recorded inning was a tie, the higher seeded team will be declared the winner and the lower seed will be declared the runner up.

1.12.           ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1.12.1.         Questions

1.12.1.1.        Any questions about rules, eligibility, or other tournament information should be directed to the JocoWoodBat.com site under contact.

1.12.2.          SOCIAL MEDIA

1.12.2.1.       Teams and participants are encouraged to follow Joco Wood Bat on social media for updates, announcements, and tournament highlights.

1.12.3.          Photography/Video Recording

1.12.3.1.       Joco Wood Bat reserves the right to use any photos or videos taken during tournaments for promotional purposes.

1.12.3.2.       If a participant does not wish to be photographed or recorded, they must inform Joco Wood Bat prior to the event.