| Tournament Gate Fees- Some but not all field locations will have a gate fee for parents. Each location comes up with their own fee based on their discretion. All proceeds from the gate fee go directly back to that particular schools baseball program. The Buckeye Elite Tournament does not benefit from the gate fees in anyway. There is a “Zero” tolerance for any verbal or physical abuse between a parent, coach, player and the volunteer working at that field location. Any altercation of this nature will result in the removal of all fans of that team, as well as the team and the coaches themselves from the ball park, the tournament, and all future tournaments. This not only includes the team with whom the event occurred but also teams within the same organizations. |
| * Teams must be at the field 45 minutes before their game. If the previous games end early, the next game will start in exactly 15 minutes. Teams must be ready to play or they forfeit. |
| * The Buckeye Elite Tournament is an invitation event. If your team or organization has had a history of verbal abuse towards umpires, players, fans, coaches, high school volunteers or tournament employees or a history of players, fan's or coaches being ejected from games on a regular basis your team or organization will not be invited to play in our tournament. The final decision will be up to the tournament director's. All decisions are final with no exceptions and no appeals! |
| * Umpire to announce the start time of the game. It is the responsibility of both coaches to
determine start time with umpire. |
| * Home team will be determined by coin flip only during the Pool Play games. During the Championship and/or Elimination Rounds, the "home" team will always be the higher seed. If both teams are the same seed, then a coin flip will be taken (unless the teams have previously played and, if so, "head-to-head" tie-breaker shall be used for the "home team") The umpires do not need to be present for the coin flip. |
| * Games suspended by rain will be handled by the umpire. Each coach will be told how much playing time is remaining and when the game will resume. |
| * Emergency contact number - Each team must have, at least, one (1) emergency contact number where they can be easily reached during the tournament. |
| * Tie game or two hour time limit (speed up rule): If, at the end of regulation pool play or both teams are tied after two hour time limit. A maximum of 3 innings will be played wherein the following will occur: the visiting team will place the player who made the last out on second base; each batter will begin with a pitch count of 3 balls and 2 strikes. If the teams remain tied after three innings, the game will be recorded as a tie and will count in the final standings. |
| * All Teams will play 3 pool play games. These teams may or may not be in your pool. Team with best record will advance to championship play. |
* The tournament will follow the ‘Ohio High School Rules’ with the following
* Exception: Catchers will be allowed to use helmet type of their choice. Ex. Skull Cap and Mask, Hockey style mask, etc. |
| * Exception: A two (2) hour time limit will be in effect. If an inning starts and the home team is behind, the inning will be completed. |
| * Game two (2) hour time limit starts on delivery of first pitch. |
| * Exception: An eight (8) run mercy rule is in effect, after 4 ½ innings, if the home team is in the lead. At any point after 4 ½ innings and the home teamis behind, you must complete the inning. |
| * Exception: DH and EH can be used. |
| * Exception: Speed up Rule - A runner can be used for the pitcher and catcher upon reaching base (mandatory with 2 outs). This player must be someone not in the game or the team’s last batted out. |
| * Each team will be required to check the website daily for updates on standings during the tournament. On Friday, after 8:00, each team will be required to check website for Saturdays schedule. |
| * Keep the games moving, on deck batters must retrieve all balls |
| * Legion teams only will be allowed to play only one player over the age 19. No player at this age will be allowed to pitch. |
| * In the event of rain or other matters beyond the control of the Tournament Director, the Tournament Director reserves the right to change the tournament format as he sees fit in order to complete the tournament in the scheduled time period. |
| * Ohio High School Run rules will be enforced in all championship round games. No time limit will be enforced. This includes Semi and Championship game. |
| * Saturday scores will not be posted for consolation or championship games. In semi and championship play its win or go home. |
| * Baseballs - All teams must provide two (2) new baseballs to the home plate umpire prior to the start of the game. The baseballs should be of high school baseball quality. Each team must provide used baseballs as needed during the course of the game. Coaches please see that each team retrieves foul balls on their respective sides. |
| * Physical confrontation - This tournament has "zero tolerance" for any physical confrontations by players, coaches, fans or anyone else. Upon the first violation, the violating party shall be removed from the facility and the tournament. Once again, absolutely no physical confrontations will be permitted, tolerated and/or found to be acceptable. |
| * No pre game warm up is allowed on the in field. |
| * Team using an illegal bat bat at home plate will receive an out |
| * Winning team must report score to concession stand within 15 minute of finishing game. Failure to report score will result in a forfeit for the winning team. The official score book is to be kept by the Home Team. It is the responsibly of both teams will verify game score at the end of each inning. If a discrepancy occurs, bring it to the attention of the umpire immediately. |
| * No team can share a player with another team. If teams are caught sharing players that players position in the line up will be an out that each at bat. Plus the player will be removed from the tournament. If team's attempts this twice the teams will be removed from the tournament. |
| * All teams need to be prepared to play Thursday morning |
| * Pool Play will be completed by Friday night. The top team will advance to championship play. The other teams will play 1 game on Saturday. Check tie breaking rules in the event of a tie in pool play. Note all teams are required to check the web site after 8:00 on Friday for their schedule play on Saturday. |
| * In the event of a tie in pool play to determine a pool winner or wild card team, (1st) tie-breaker is head to head, (2nd) lowest runs allowed, (3rd) Run differential, (4th) Flip of a coin, in the case of a three-way tie, head to head will be eliminated. |
| * No Jewelry - Exception Phiten Necklaces |
| * Speed up rule: will be used as soon as the 2 hour time limit has expired and after the home teams last at bat out no matter what inning. Umpire will determine the start time to set 2 hour limit. |
| * Speed up rule: will not be used in the semi finals or championship games. |
| * Pinch Runner - A runner can be used for the pitcher and catcher upon reaching base (mandatory with 2 outs). This player must be someone not in the game or the team’s last batted out. |
| * All decisions made by the umpire are final. Any player or coach who abuses an umpire will be ejected from that game and the next game. A second ejection of a player or coach means removal from the tournament! Team forfeiture in the event an ejection is made and the ejected party refuses to leave the playing facility, the Tournament Director, at his sole discretion, may elect to declare a forfeiture of the game and/or tournament. The tournament director shall have final decision on all tournament ejections. |
| * Coaches must wear tennis shoes or cleats on field. (No Sandals) Coach must also wear team shirt with logo or team jersey. |
| * All forfeits result in a 1 to 0 victory in the score book. |