| Tournament Rules |
| * 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. |
| * 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 games. These teams may or may not be in your pool. Best team will advance to championship play. |
| * The tournament will follow the ‘Ohio High School Rules’ with the following |
| * 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 semi and championship play. |
| * 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 |
| * 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. |
| * Run Rule only in pool play, not in semis and championship games. |
| * No Jewelry |
| * 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. |
| * Tie Breaker: 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. |
| * Coaches must wear tennis shoes or cleats on field. (No Sandals) Coach must also wear team shirt with logo or team jersey. |
| Tournament Policies |
| * 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. |
| * 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. |
| * 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. |
| * 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 by each field. Please check with the Tournament Director about admissions fees. Normally, most sites will have a daily admission fee. No gate refunds, nor rain checks, at any time. Tell your players and fans, if play is in doubt due to inclement weather or rain, to wait until play begins to enter park. 100% of all gate fees collected will go to that high schools baseball program. |
| * 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. 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. |