8 UNDER MACHINE PITCH TOURNAMENT RULES

FORT COBB BROXTON 8 UNDER MACHINE PITCH TOURNAMENT RULES

V - ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

1. Players will be classified as follows:

(A) Coach Pitch: 8 and under, cannot be 9 years old prior to January 1 of the current year.
ROSTERS- All roster must be submitted to Tournament Staff before first game. No Players can be added after submission.
BRACKETS- Will be posted in plain view at the Fort Cobb Broxton Complex. 

BUNTING IS NOT ALLOWED
NO INFIELD FLY RULE.
•5 Inning Games or 75 Minutes.
•Home Team is the Official Book Keeper.

• PLAYING FIELD– The base distance will be sixty (60) feet. The pitching rubber will be set at thirty-five (35) feet. The pitching machine will be set directly over the pitching rubber, so where the ball exits the machine will be thirty-five (32-35) feet. Pitching Boxes will be placed around the pitching machine to indicate where the pitching position is to play. Marks will be placed on each side at (35) feet.

MACHINE INTERFERENCE- A hit or thrown ball that strikes the pitching machine or coach will be deemed a dead ball. Batter will receive first base and all other runners will advance if forced.

POSITIONS- Teams may play with nine or (10) positions, FOUR of those positions must be in the outfield. No Less than 8. 8 Positions render 1 out as according to standard baseball rules. Starting position for outfielders shall be no closer than the edge of the grass until the pitch is delivered.

•BASERUNNING- There are NO leads. There is NO Base Stealing. If a runner takes a lead before the ball is released from the machine, the runner is out. On a ball hit in play, Runners may advance until the pitcher has the ball and has stepped with one foot in either pitching box or until the Umpire declares the ball dead or calls time. If the runner has crossed the base hash line before the ball has been rendered dead or time is called, the runner is awarded the next base. 
OVERTHROWS- Base running is allowed on all over throws that remain in the field of play until the ball is rendered dead or the umpire calls time. 
OVERTHROWS from the outfield that land in the dugout or go out of play are awarded two bases. Overthrows from the infield that land in the dugout or go out of play are awarded one base.

• PITCHER– The pitcher can play on either side of the Box and cannot be out of the box until the ball leaves the machine.

• COACHES – A defensive coaches may be outside the dugout, just outside of the dugout gate. A defensive coach cannot walk onto the field at any time unless given time out be the umpire. If a live ball hits a defensive coach or bucket, then a dead ball will be called and all runners will advance one base. Three Coaches allowed on the field during the offensive inning. Machine Coach, First Base Coach and Third Base Coach. 

•Machine Speed- Shall be 37-42 mph.
EJECTIONS- In the event of an Ejection the Coach ejected must leave the playing field to the parking lot. After the game's conclusion, the coach may re-enter the facility. The coach may not be on the bench for the duration of the tournament. In the event of an accident involving a player, the coach may temporarily return to attend to the injured player. After reasonable care is given, the coach is to return to the parking lot until the game's conclusion. Any confrontation with an umpire or tournament staff after an ejection is subject to immediate removal and or disqualification of the team from the tournament.  Any fan being ejected from the facility by an umpire or tournament director is not allowed under any circumstances to return to the facility.
Players Ejected from the game must sit out for the remainder of that game. Players may return to play any remaining games afterwards. Players ejected after the game's completion must sit out the next game. 
EXTRA INNING GAMES- International Tie Breaker Rules. Runner on Second base and one out is instituted. The runner on second base will be the last recorded out in the previous inning. Standard substitution rules apply. 
SUBSTITUTIONS-  Once a player has entered the game in the field or pinch hit for another player, the starting player is eliminated from for the duration of the game. The Standard Double Switch is also allowed. 

1. Player A (outgoing fielder, batting soon) is replaced by Player B (a position player), taking Player A's place in the batting order.
2. Player C (outgoing position player, batting later than Player A) is replaced by Player D (a pitcher), taking Player C's place in the batting order.
3. Player B and Player D switch defensive positions (so that Player D is pitching in place of Player A, and Player B is fielding in place of Player C)

Courtesy runners for Catcher Only- A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or the catcher and then be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning. 

No Ice Chests, No Smoking, No Exceptions- The standard code of sportsmanship and conduct is demanded from players, coaches and fans alike. Safety and a positive atmosphere is priority one.