| * Insurance verification - All teams must submit proof of insurance for each team participating in this tournament. If you do not have insurance, you must purchase insurance on-site at "check-in." This will be the responsibility of the head coach or team manager. |
| * Tournament housing information - Each coach must turn in the Tournament Housing Form. This form must be fully completed before the team will be allowed to play their opening game. |
| * Right to modify and amend - Buckeye Elite retains exclusive right to modify and/or amend these Rules and Regulations for Buckeye Elite Tournament. Each team is required to review the Rules and Regulations prior and during this tournament. |
| * Acknowledgement of review of rules and schedule - Each team will be required to sign a form acknowledging that they have fully reviewed the current Tournament rules. |
* Team Name Change
The Buckeye Elite Will NOT change a teams name on the web site unless these following things happen. First: the head coach must reregister the team's new name on the application page of the Buckeye Elite web site. Second: we will need to receive a letter ( US POSTMASTER POST MARKED ) requesting the change with the new signed application. We will not change a teams name from a fax or e-mail. If this is not done within 20 days of the tournament all mailings, tournament information, and T-shirts will reflect the original name that was posted by the teams manager or coach. There are NO exceptions! |
| * Rules and Tournament Schedule. - In the event there are any changes and/or modifications to the Rules and/or Schedule, said changes/modifications will be posted on the website (Buckeyeelite.com) and it is the responsibility of all coaches to regularly check for any changes and/or modifications. |
| * Change in tournament format - Due to any last minute changes in teams, weather or any other reasons, the Buckeye Elite Tournament Directors reserves the right to modify the format of this event. Any changes of the format will be posted as soon as possible on-line, announced to the teams during the tournament. |
| * Tournament admissions- Admissions will be charged at some field locations but not all. Admission fee will be up to the individual site. The Buckeye Elite Tournament does not set the gate fee nor do they get any of the gate fees. All money will go to that particular school’s baseball program. Tell your parents that if play is in doubt due to inclement whether, wait to enter the park because no gate refunds or rain checks will be issued. There is “Zero” tolerance for any verbal or physical abuse between parents, coaches, players and the particular volunteer working at that 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 form the ball park, the tournament, and all future tournaments. This not only includes that team, but the whole organization with whom they are affiliated with. |
| * Outside food and beverage - No outside food and/or beverage is permitted within the ball park Please request that your fans comply with this rule. |
| * NOTE - If a facility does not have concessions, then you may bring in outside food and/or beverages. Please check with the facility. |
| * NO ALCOHOL PERMITTED in the parking lots or fields at any time! |
| * A mandatory check-in for all teams will be on Wednesday night ONLY IF YOU HAVE NOT TURNED IN YOUR HOTEL INFORMATION, AND/OR INSURANCE FORMS. Each team will be required to have birth certificates, housing forms, contact numbers, rosters. |
| * All teams that attend the Buckeye Elite Tournament must stay in a tournament designated host hotel. If you do not stay in a tournament approved hotel you will not be able to participate in the tournament. |
* Teams that do not meet deadlines for required Hotel information, Rosters, Insurance forms will not be eligible to participate in the Buckeye Elite Showcase Tournament. Teams that are ineligible, because of their lack of responsibility of meeting deadlines will not receive a refund on their tournament fees. The deadline are as follow
Hotel forms deadline: May 15th
Insurance forms dealine: June 15th
Roster forms deadline: June 10th |
* If the Buckeye Elite is canceled due to inclement weather, refunds will be issued as follows:
If no games are played a full credit for next year’s Buckeye Elite Tournament will be issued. This credit will be carried over to the following year only. If one game is played a half credit towards the Buckeye Elite Tournament will be issued for next year’s Buckeye Elite Tournament. If two are games played there will be no credits, transfers or refunds for the next years Buckeye Elite Tournament.
If a team wishes to transfer or sell their tournament credit to another team it must be in writing with all correspondents to be sent to the Buckeye Elite. This team must be approval by the Buckeye Elite Tournament before a credit is issued or transferred. If a team wishes to list their credit on the Buckeye Elite web site it will be at no charge to that team. All funds, monies or fee’s to transfer credit to another team will be between those two teams only. The Buckeye Elite will not be responsible for any financial transactions between teams. The Buckeye Elite Tournament will only be responsible to post the team’s information or credits on the web site. |
| * Refund Policy: -Withdrawal more than 45 days prior to the tournament- In all cases, a team must provide written notice to Buckeye Elite about their intent to withdraw from the tournament. If this notice is received at least 46 days prior to the tournament, Buckeye Elite will refund the entry fee less a One hundred and Fifty Dollars ($ 150.00) administrative fee. Withdrawal less than 45 days prior to the tournament - There are NO refunds for any withdrawal within forty five (45) days of the Buckeye Elite Tournament. |
| 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. |
| * 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! |
| * 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. |
| * 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. |
| * Umpire to announce the start time of the game. It is the responsibility of both coaches to
determine start time with umpire. |
| * 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. |
| * No pre game warm up is allowed on the in field. |
| * 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. |
| * Team using an illegal bat bat at home plate will receive an out |
| * 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. |
| * 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. |
| * 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. |