Concessions
Each baseball tournament venue will operate its own concession stand. **NO COOLERS are allowed through the gate at any venue unless approved by an O2 athletics representative and/or the Tournament Director. One team cooler is allowed.
Tournament Director
Each tournament will have a tournament director responsible for overseeing the baseball tournament’s progress along with inputting scores/results, communicating with coaches, and answering questions from players, coaches, and fans.

All teams participating in O2 athletics tournaments are required to carry team/participant liability insurance coverage. O2 athletics carries event insurance policies for all O2 athletics tournament venues; this liability insurance covers all individuals in attendance at the tournament except the participants (who are covered by a team insurance policy). Minimum Insurance Requirements: General Liability $1,000,000 occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate Participant Medical $25,000 each participant Include the name of the team registered in the tournament(s) on the Certificate - a certificate for each team is required https://www.chappellinsurance.com/dd/purchase_form/php/id/20

Each team will receive 2 pool play games for two (2) day tournaments. See rules of play for run rule information.

Registration & Entry Fees
*Payments are made via credit card or by mailing a check. At the time of registration, the registration fee/deposit must be paid in full via credit card. *All registered teams will be charged the full entry fee via credit card 1-week prior to the tournament. If for any reason your team can no longer participate, they must contact an O2 athletics remove their team from the tournament (see refund policy for details).
Gate Fees
$5 per day – colored wrist bands will be distributed to each fan at the time of entry; each fan MUST wear the wristband on the wrist and have the appropriate colored wrist band to gain entry into each venue on a given day. Passes will be provided to three coaches per team and a scorekeeper.

Registration: All teams must create an account and register through the O2athletics website. Fees: 8u – no fee 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, 13u - $350 Format: two pool play games Saturday for two day tournament...everyone makes single elimination bracket play on Sunday (subject to change based on number of participating teams and event type) Tournament Schedule: released Thursday by Noon PLAYING FIELD The playing field shall be laid out according to the recommended dimensions contained within these rules. For details on field layout including recommended direction of play, fair and foul territory requirements, infield and outfield grades, pitcher’s mound height and slope, batter’s and catcher’s box dimensions, and base and home plate size and construction should be referred to the Official Rules of Baseball as published by Major League Baseball on MLB.com.

DIVISION OF PLAY	BASE PATHS	PITCHING DISTANCE
8u	60’	40’
9u	65’	46’
10u	65’	46’
11u	70’	50’
12u	70’	50’
13u	80’	54’

BATS  The official bat shall be constructed of wood or aluminum or any other material or combination of materials.

DIVISION
8u	1.15 BPF	ALLOWED
9u	1.15 BPF	ALLOWED
10u	1.15 BPF	ALLOWED
11u	1.15 BPF	ALLOWED
12u	1.15 BPF	ALLOWED
13u	1.15 BPF	ALLOWED

BAT VIOLATIONS: If a team violates the bat rules, the bat will be removed from play and the following will occur: a. If an illegal bat is identified prior the batter putting the ball in play, the bat will be removed from play and the batter will continue his at bat with a legal bat. It is the responsibility of the Head Coach to remove the bat from the dugout or ensure the bat is not available for use. No exceptions. b. If any batter comes to the plate and has a previously removed illegal bat, the bat will be removed again, the batter will be out, and the coach will be ejected. c. If an illegal bat is identified after a batter put the ball in play but before a pitch is thrown to the next batter, the player who used the illegal bat will be declared out and all runners who advanced must return to the base they occupied. d. NOTE: It is the responsibility of the opposing Coach to report/ask the umpire to check the bat. If a pitch is thrown to a batter that results in base runners advancing a base and/or scoring (via a passed ball, pick off, or direct steal, the opposing coach must bring it to the umpire before the next pitch is thrown. The only exception would be a player advancing due to a balk by the pitcher. If player advances due to a balk, the base runner does not have to return to the previous base. PITCHING RULES (9u-13u) The protection of young arms is a high priority for O2 athletics. A pitcher is limited to ten (10) total innings for 9u-12u and twelve (12) innings for 13u. BASEBALLS Each team is responsible for supplying a minimum of 3 baseballs per game unless notated otherwise in tournament information packets. Any Youth League Certified game ball is acceptable. UNIFORMS Official Uniforms: must be complete with matching team jerseys with numbers that are non-duplicating. Only customary baseball shoes shall be worn by all players. Coaches: must wear a matching baseball hat and shirt with team logo. Coaches may wear athletic type shorts (baseball pants not required). Metal cleats: are NOT allowed in age division’s 9u-12u. Metal cleats are allowed in the 13u division and higher. Metal cleats are not allowed on temporary mounds or in batting cages in which artificial turf is the surface material. Catchers Gear: Catcher’s requirements are the use of a catcher’s mitt, chest protector, leg guards, protective cup, and catcher’s helmet with face mask and throat guard. 8u-13u, catchers must use hockey style mask. Helmets: Offensive players are required to wear a double ear cover batter’s helmet whenever at bat, on deck, base running, or base coaching. GAME TIME LIMITS

Division	Innings	Time Limit (no new inning after)	Mercy Run Rules
9u-12u	6	1 hour, 40 min	12 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5
13u	7	1 hour, 50 min	12 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5

NOTE: All pool play games will flip for home team. If bracket game, high seed will be home throughout bracket play. Only exception would be if the team that wins the undefeated game is the lower seed, that team will be home team if they continue to the championship game undefeated. In the event of an "if" game, home team will be determined via a coin toss. FORCE PLAY SLIDE RULE at 2nd, 3rd or Home, runner must slide directly into bag. All players are required to avoid violent contact with another player while running the bases. Players running to a base must slide directly into the base. If, in the opinion of the umpire, the runner does not make an effort to avoid collision, he is to be declared out. If the act is deemed by the umpire to be malicious, the runner will be ejected from the game. NOTE: Force Play Slide Rule is in effect for all AGES. COURTESY RUNNER for the catcher and pitcher are allowed for age’s 9u-13u. Rule: a. Must be sub player if team is not batting everyone. b. Last made out other than pitcher/catcher. LINEUP OPTIONS  9, 10, or continuous lineup. If using a continuous lineup (All Players) and a player cannot continue in a game, he will be declared an out when his turn in the batting order is scheduled to bat. A team may start with 8 players but must take an out for the 9th player. If a team cannot start or finish with at least 8 players, the game will be forfeited. TIE BREAKERS Games in pool play that are tied after time limit has expired shall be recorded as a tie. If a bracket game is tied after time has expired, the following format will be used to determine a winner. Last hitter from previous inning at 2B Normal substitution rules apply to these runners. Inning will start with 1 out Process is repeated until winner is determined MERCY RUN RULES are in effect for 9u-13u:12 after 3 innings 10 after 4 innings 8 after 5 innings The home team will not bat once the run rule has been acquired, if ahead. OFFICIAL GAME A (7) inning game (13u) affected by but not limited to the weather, run rule, light failure, darkness (on fields without lights) or time limits, shall be considered a complete game after four (4) complete innings or three and a half (3 ½) if the home team is ahead. A game which is stopped after the 4th inning, but not in a complete inning, reverts to the last completed inning. A (6) inning game (8u-12u) affected by but not limited to the weather, run rule, light failure, darkness (on fields without lights) or time limits, shall be considered a complete game after three (3) complete innings or two and a half (2 ½) if the home team is ahead. A game which is stopped after the 3rd inning, but not in a complete inning, reverts to the last completed inning. Suspended games will resume from the point of suspension. FOREIFITS If a team is unable to start or finish with eight (8) players, the game will be recorded as a forfeit and the offended team will be awarded an 8-0 win. The (9th Player not in attendance will be an out). Any forfeit in pool play will result in the forfeiting team being placed as the last seed in the tournament. The tournament committee will rule on all forfeits. No team should benefit from the result of a forfeit in an unfair manner. This rule could result in a dispute and the tournament committee reserves the right to look at and rule in the fairest possible way. The committee’s decision will be final. OFFICIAL PROTEST It is the coaches’ decision if he/she wants to protest a ruling during a game. The official rules of protesting a game must be adhered to for the protest to be considered. A check written to O2 athletics for $250 must be submitted to the umpire in order for the game to be halted and the protest considered by the Tournament Director. If the protesting team is correct, the protest check will be returned. A coach/team cannot protest based on an umpire’s judgment call. INTENTIONAL WALKS at 9u-13u age levels, the pitches do not need to be made. RE-ENTRY Starters may re-enter the game one time, however they must re-enter in the same place in the batting order. Substitutes may not re-enter the game. Pitchers may not re-enter as the pitcher once removed from the mound. FEET ON THE RUBBER In the Windup Position, a pitcher is permitted to have his “free” foot on the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or off the side of the rubber. BALK CALLS When a balk is called it is NOT a dead ball. Fake 3rd to 1st is LEGAL. SLASHING 8u-13u Slashing (Fake bunt/swing away) attempts is not allowed. Batter will be called OUT. AGE RESTRICTIONS - AGE CONTROL DATE: April 30th EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2018 SEASON: NOTE: Birth Certificates and required for all players, at all times. If a player is participating using the grade exception, they will also be required to have a current report card on site at all games. 8u Division 
Players who turn 9 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 2nd grade. Also, any player turning 10 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 8u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade. 9u Division 
Players who turn 10 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 3rd grade. Also, any player turning 11 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 9u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade. 10u Division 
Players who turn 11 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 4th grade. Also, any player turning 12 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 10u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade. 11u Division 
Players who turn 12 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 5th grade. Also, any player turning 13 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 11u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade. 12u Division 
Players who turn 13 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 6th grade. Also, any player turning 14 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 12u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade. 13u Division 
Players who turn 14 prior to May 1st of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 7th grade. Also, any player turning 15 prior to May 1st will not be eligible. Players who are 13u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade. Illegal player/pitcher: Any player that actively participates in a game who is not on the official online roster is considered an illegal player. These actions will result in immediate forfeiture. Roster Rules: A). participating teams are required to create an O2athletics account. b). all teams must have copies of all active and participating players birth certificates on hand at every event; failure to provide birth certificates will result in a forfeit of all games and payments. c). every team that participates in any O2 athletics event must have their roster online. d). roster limits are 18 players. e). rosters will not be frozen. f). a player may not play with two teams in the same tournament. Participation rules: No player may play on 2 different teams in the same event under any circumstances as this will result in a team forfeit for both teams. Any team playing up must only use players of that team's age, if you choose to pick up older players while playing up you must sanction an older team and play under that team's name. Commitments Participating teams must adhere to the following, prior to the schedule release: Register at O2athletics.net Submit online roster Submit insurance Confirmation text/email with the Tournament Director *Failure to complete will result in removal from the tournament COACH PITCH RULES 8u Fair Ball Arc: There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. A batted ball must go past this line to be a fair ball. Safety Arc: There shall be a thirty (30) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this line until the ball is hit. COACH PITCH RULES 8u Pitching Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot diameter circle with the front edge set at forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate. Pitcher’s Line: There shall be a line drawn from the pitcher’s circle to the safety arc. The pitching coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher’s line. The pitching coach shall not verbally or physically coach while in the pitching position 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. Penalty: If a coach violates this rule after the ball is pitched, obstruction will be called. Additional Penalty: If a coach violates this rule before the ball is pitched, First Offense: Warning; Second Offense: Removal of coach as the pitcher for the remainder of the game. THE CATCHER shall receive the pitch in the catcher’s box in a normal baseball manner. If in the umpire’s judgment, the catcher is not receiving the ball in a normal baseball manner, there will be a warning issued. If the act continues after the warning, the offending teams’ manager will be ejected. TEN (10) DEFENSIVE PLAYERS shall play in the field with four (4) outfielders. The fourth (4th) outfielder shall not assume an infield position. All outfielders shall stay behind the baselines. The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit. Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking the result of the play or no-pitch. Additional Penalty: First Offense: Warning Second Offense: Removal of player from the pitching position for the remainder of the game. Defensive coaches shall not be allowed on the field of play and shall coach from the dugout. The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time. 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) player in batting order will be declared an out each turn at bat. Only the 9th Player will be out. Approved Ruling: A ninth (9th) & tenth (10th) player and all subsequent players may be added to the bottom of the batting line-up as soon as they become available. FREE SUBSTITUTION Teams may use free substitution on defense but the batting order shall remain the same. BUNTING is not allowed in Coach Pitch. 5 PITCH RULE The batter shall receive 5 pitches if necessary. If a batter strikes out swinging in 3 pitches, he is out and does not get more pitches. However, a batter may receive additional pitches if: a. the batter fouls tips the 5th pitch that does not go directly into the mit and caught, they shall have his turn at bat extended on foul balls until either there is a swinging missed strike, no swing at all, or the ball is put in play. b. If the batter does not swing at the 5th pitch, he is OUT. No more pitches. INTENTIONAL WALKS A player may only be intentionally walked once per game by announcement from the defensive team and only one player may be intentionally walked in an inning. LEAD OFF/STEALS Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or reaches home plate. COURTESY RUNNER for catcher of record only the previous inning may be used. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base. If the team batting has not played defense yet and a courtesy runner is used for a player, the player that was run for must assume the catching position the next inning. This scenario only applies in the first inning for the visiting team. TIME LIMIT 1hr 20 mins or 6 innings. No open innings. RUN RULE   runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings. MAX RUNS PER INNING A team may score a maximum of seven (7) runs per inning, including the last inning or record three (3) outs. Umpires shall call “Time” after every play and declare the ball dead. “Time” shall be called as soon as the all runners are not attempting to advance. “Time” does not have to be called by the defense for the purpose of this rule. Comment: 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. BATTED BALL HITS THE PITCHING COACH the following shall apply: If in the umpire’s judgment, the coach did not make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact, the batter is declared out and no runners shall advance. If in the umpire’s judgment, the coach did make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact, the ball becomes dead and a no-pitch is declared. NONCOVERED RULES in the event any item is not covered in the rules, the tournament committee will make the fairest possible ruling and that ruling will be final. TOURNAMENT FORMAT AND SEEDING POOL PLAY each team will receive 2 pool play games for two day tournament and 4 pool play games for three day tournament. BRACKET PLAY all teams will make bracket play on Sunday and be seeded based on pool play results SINGLE ELIMINATION BRACKET PLAY all bracket play games will be single elimination until a champion is determined. Note: Format is subject to change based on number of teams and event type TIE-BREAKER in the event of a tie in Pool Play record, the following tie-breaker rules will be enforced to determine the seeding in bracket play: (1) record (2) head-to-head (3) runs allowed (4) runs scored  (5) run differential  (6) coin flip  

Seeding
Pool Play seeding will be pre-determined by the tournament director and each registered team will be placed in a division (if applicable) and matched up with opponents based on the past and present information. Our goal is to offer teams the opportunity to play new competition while matching teams up based on their past success in tournament play.
Tie-Breakers
In the event of a tie in record, the following criteria will determine the playoff/championship berth: 1. Win-loss record 2. Head to Head winner 3. If three teams are tied, and one team has defeated both other teams, that team advances (if not move to #4) 4. Total runs allowed in pool play 5. Total runs scored in pool play 6. If still tied – Total runs allowed subtracting game with most runs allowed in pool play 7. If still tied – Total runs allowed minus two games with most runs allowed in pool play 8. If still tied – Runs scored inning by inning starting with first game until one team has more runs after a complete inning starting with pool games 9. Second place teams will always be taken ahead of 3rd place teams for wild cards, 3rd place ahead of 4th place, etc.