Tournament Rules

Tournament Information

Payment secures your spot in our events.
All teams must be insured. Midwest Diamond Classics and its affiliates will not be held responsible or liable for any injury, illness, or damage caused to coaches, players, fans, or property.
Tournament withdrawals include a full refund outside of 60 days prior to the event starting. A full refund minus $100 prior to 1 week of the event starting. No refund inside of 1 week of the event starting.
In the event of inclement weather, every effort will be made to play all scheduled games; however, inclement weather could force modifying tournament game times and/or facilities.
No tournament gate fees, parking fees, sanctioning fees, roster fees, or any other fees.
- Our tournament scheduling software, tourneymachine does charge a registration fee that is non-refundable.
- To avoid this fee, you can mail a check.

Team Check-In

All teams must check in with the site director at least 30 minutes prior to their first game of the weekend. Additionally, all coaches should keep a copy of their player’s birth certificates in the event of a protest. Finally, please make sure all roster submissions are completed online prior to the start of your team's first game.

Pool Play Game Time Limits

6u - 6 innings or 1 hour 15 minutes, whichever comes first
7u - 6 innings or 1 hour 15 minutes, whichever comes first
8u - 6 innings or 1 hour 15 minutes, whichever comes first
9u - 6 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes, whichever comes first
10u - 6 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes, whichever comes first
11u - 7 innings or 1 hour 40 minutes, whichever comes first
12u - 7 innings or 1 hour 40 minutes, whichever comes first
13u - 7 innings or 1 hour 40 minutes, whichever comes first
14u - 7 innings or 1 hour 40 minutes, whichever comes first
High School - 7 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first

Championship Game Time Limits

6u - 6 innings or 1 hour 15 minutes, whichever comes first
7u - 6 innings or 1 hour 15 minutes, whichever comes first
8u - 6 innings or 1 hour 15 minutes, whichever comes first
9u - 6 innings or 1 hour 45 minutes, whichever comes first
10u - 6 innings or 1 hour 45 minutes, whichever comes first
11u - 7 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first
12u - 7 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first
13u - 7 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first
14u - 7 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first
High School - 7 innings or 2 hours 15 minutes, whichever comes first

Game Information

No new inning may start after the time limit has elapsed. A new inning automatically begins after the 3rd out is recorded in the bottom half of the previous inning. The official game clock begins at the conclusion of ground rules.

All teams must be prepared to start at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled game time.

Pool play games may end in a tie.

Bracket play games may not end in a tie. If the score is tied after all regulation innings have been played or time has expired, the game will proceed as follows until there is a winner. The last out will be put on 2nd base to start each inning with 1 out.

Mercy Rules

15 Runs after 2 Innings

12 Runs after 3 Innings

10 Runs after 4 Innings

8 Runs after 5 Innings

Tournament Schedules

Tournament schedules will be released the Monday before the event is set to begin. The bracket play schedule will be updated upon the completion of the final pool play game.

Complete Game Rules & Refund Policy

Umpires and the tournament director are subject to delay or postpone games if rain or severe weather are in the area. A complete game will be recorded if 4 innings have been completed, or 3 ½ innings have been completed and the home team is winning, or 1 hour has elapsed from the game clock, then reverting to the last full inning. If the event has to be cancelled due to long periods of extreme weather, the refund policy will work as follows:

0 games played = full refund minus tourneymachine registration fee.
1 game played = 66% refund minus tourneymachine registration fee.
2 games played = 33% refund minus tourneymachine registration fee.
3+ games played = no refund

Weather

It is the team’s responsibility to be aware of all scheduling changes. All updated game times will be posted on TourneyMachine as well as updated on the link at the homepage of our website. Rescheduled games must be played as scheduled by Midwest Diamond Classics. Refusal to do so will result in a forfeit. Additionally, no scheduling requests will be accepted for weather rescheduled games.

Determining Home & Away

In pool play, the home team will be determined by a coin toss at ground rules. In bracket play, the higher seed will always be the home team.

Line-Ups

Each team must prepare a written line-up consisting of first names, last names, and numbers of all players and subs that are available prior to each game. Line-ups must be given to the umpiring crew at ground rules. Once the line-up is submitted at ground rules, no changes can be made.

Batting Order Options

Nine batters
Nine batters with a DH, batting 9
Ten batters with an EH, batting 10
Eleven batters with an EH and XH, batting 11
Continuous batting order with free defensive substitutions

When batting a continuous batting order, if a player has to leave the game due to an injury or illness and cannot return to the game, no out will be recorded for their spot in the batting order. Once that player leaves the game, the player is not eligible to return to the game in any capacity. If the line-up drops below nine players, teams will take an out for the ninth player each time they are scheduled to bat. Teams may start and finish a game with eight players, but will take an out for the ninth spot in the line-up. If the line-up drops below eight players, the game will be considered a forfeit. When no subs are being used, the last out is your courtesy runner.

Re-Entry Rules

Starters may re-enter one time in their original spot in the batting order. Players listed as substitutes removed from the game are ineligible to return to that game.

Forfeits

Scored as 6-0 in a 6 inning game. Scored as 7-0 in a 7 inning game.

Tie Breaker Criteria

Head to Head, when 2 teams are tied
- When 3 or more teams are tied, the tie breaker becomes runs allowed, and cannot revert back to the previous criteria of head to head.
Runs Allowed
Runs Scored
Run Differential
Coin Flip

Baseballs

All baseballs are provided by Midwest Diamond Classics. Teams are expected to retrieve foul balls during the game.

Mound & Base Distances

9u - 46ft, 65ft.
10u - 46ft, 65ft.
11u - 50ft, 70ft.
12u - 50ft, 70ft.
13u - 54ft, 80ft.
14u - 60ft 6in, 90ft.
High School - 60ft 6in, 90ft.

Pitching Restrictions

No daily or weekend pitching limitations; however, coaches should prioritize the health and safety of all players.

Cleats

No metal cleats allowed on any turf surfaces. Metal cleats allowed on dirt surfaces for players 13u+.

Slide Rule

Midwest Diamond Classics does not enforce a slide rule; however, interference may be called on the base runner. Additionally, an ejection can be warranted if the umpires deem malicious intent to harm was involved.

Intentional Walks

Midwest Diamond Classics will utilize Major League Baseball's rules regarding intentional walks.

Bat Specifications

All bats must be stamped 1.15 BPF, USA, or BBCOR
- Wood bats allowed
6u, 7u, 8u, 9u - No restrictions
10u, 11u, 12u - Drop 10 or heavier
13u - Drop 8 or heavier
14u - Drop 5 or heavier
High School - Drop 3 or heavier

If a batter is deemed to have used an illegal bat, the batter will be called out, and all runners will return to their occupied base at the time of the pitch. An illegal bat results in a nullification of any game action immediately.

Courtesy Runners

Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher and catcher at any time. It is recommended to use the courtesy runner to keep the game moving. The courtesy runner ust be a player not presently in the line-up. When using a continuous batting order, the courtesy runner will be the last batted out. If the last batted out is the pitcher or catcher, the previous out will be used as the courtesy runner.

Protests

All protests require a $200 cash protest fee at the time of the protest. Judgement calls cannot be protested. At the time of the protest, a tournament official will be notified to make a decision on the protest. The game clock will not be stopped in the event of a protest. If during the game, a protest must be filed and ruled upon before the next play occurs. If the protested call ends the game, it must be filed before the umpires leave the field. All decisions will be final. If the protest is upheld, the $200 fee will be refunded.

Roster Challenges

When a team roster is challenged, teams must provide birth certificates or approved identification to determine if a player is eligible. If the manager cannot provide accepted proof of age or if a player is determined to be an illegal player, that player is ejected from the protested game and becomes ineligible to participate for the remainder of the tournament. The protested game becomes a forfeit and that team becomes ineligible to participate in bracket play. Birthdates entered upon registration on tourneymachine will be approved identification.

Pre-Game Infield

If time allows, teams may use the field to hit ground balls and fly balls, but the mounds and batter’s boxes will not be available for team use prior to the game.

Ejections

All player ejections will be reviewed by the tournament director to determine eligibility for the remainder of the tournament. Coaches, parents, or spectators ejected from a game may be suspended for 1 game or for the remainder of the tournament. Any coach, parent, or spectator ejected from a game must leave the facility. Any additional suspensions will be at the discretion of the tournament director. Per Major League Baseball rules, the manager is responsible for the actions of their assistant coaches, players, and fans. Failing to leave the facility in a timely manner may result in a forfeit. The verbal or physical assault of officials or tournament staff will not be tolerated. A suspension or additional action may be taken.

Scoring

It is recommended that all teams keep a scorebook. Umpires will keep the official score. To prevent scoring disputes, both teams should check with the umpire keeping the score throughout the game.

Seeds & Gum

To protect the tuft, all seeds and gum are prohibited on all turf surfaces. Seeds and gum are permitted on natural playing surfaces.

Mound Visits

The pitcher must be replaced on the 2nd trip by a coach to the mound in any inning.

Facility Rules

Outside food and drinks are permitted. No alcohol or tobacco allowed at any facility. No pets allowed at any facility. All trash must be cleaned up from dugouts and stands after each game.

6u, 7u, 8u Machine Pitch Age Specific Rules

Max 5 runs per half inning
- 10 runs in the 6th
5 pitches allowed per hitter
- 3 strikes and out
- Pitches 5 and 6 can be fouled off but the 7th pitch is the last no matter what
No stealing and no lead offs until the ball is batted into play.
Runners can advance on a live ball until one infielder has control of the baseball inside the basepath.
- Runners are awarded the closest base based on the judgement of the umpire.
Pitchers must start to the side or behind the machine, but not in front of the machine, prior to the pitch.
9 or 10 fielders including pitcher and catcher
- Teams can opt to use 4 outfielders
Batted balls that hit the machine or coach feeding the machine are ruled as a dead ball, with each runner advancing one base.
Dropped 3rd strike does not apply
No infield fly in effect
No bunting

9u Age Specific Rules

Dropped 3rd strike does not apply
No stealing or advancing home on a past ball by the catcher
- Runners may score if a play is being made at any other base
1 balk warning per pitcher
All other baseball rules in effect

10u Age Specific Rules

Dropped 3rd strike does apply
Stealing and advancing home on a past ball or dropped 3rd strike is allowed
1 balk warning per pitcher
All other baseball rules in effect

11u & Older

All baseball rules in effect

Other Rules

Any rule not mentioned will follow the Major League Baseball rulebook. In the event an item is not covered in the rules, the tournament director will make the fairest possible final ruling.