Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions

July 14-16, 2023

The American Legion National Rule Book, the Department of Alabama State Rule Book, both found on their respective websites, are the basis for all rules for this tournament. Some rules are emphasized, and others are adapted for this tournament.  The Alabama American Legion Varsity and Junior Varsity tournament is not part of the National American Legion tournament program.  The games will be conducted under Alabama high school baseball rules except for pitching, time limits, tie game, and run rule.

1. All coaches will bring team registration documents to the tournament: rosters, forms 2, and proof of age (driver’s license, government issued ID, or original certified copy of birth certificate).  They documents must be readily available for a tournament official to inspect and review.

2.  DH - A hitter may be designated for any one starting player, not just pitchers, and all subsequent substitutes for that player in the game.  A starting defensive player cannot be listed as the designated hitter in the starting lineup. A designated hitter for said player shall be selected prior to the start of the game, and his name shall be included on the lineup card presented to the umpire chief and to the official scorer.  Failure to declare a designated hitter prior to the game precludes the use of a designated hitter in the game.  If a pinch hitter or pinch runner is used for the DH, that player becomes the designated hitter and are locked into that spot in the batting order. No multiple changes will be made that will alter the batting order.

3.  Courtesy runner - Teams have the option to use a courtesy runner for the catcher and/or the pitcher. The courtesy runner will be an eligible substitute player.  If a team has only 9 players, then no courtesy runner is allowed.  A team may not use the same courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher in the same inning.  The courtesy runner may not be removed from base to be used as a pinch runner.  A player removed from the game may not be used as a courtesy runner.  Should the courtesy runner pinch hit, pinch run, or enter the game at any position, he will no longer be eligible to be courtesy runner.  A player who violates the courtesy runner rule will be considered an illegal substitute.

4.  The tournament is planned to be pool play games for seeding into a single elimination tournament. The higher seeded team will be the home team during single elimination play. It is possible that a team could be required to play a maximum of three games in one day.

A.    All games will be 7 innings unless shortened due to “run rule”, time limit or inclement weather. Run rule will be used in the tournament for teams that are winning by a wide margin.  The run rule is 15 after 3 innings or 2 ½ innings if the home team is winning by the margin, 12 after 4 innings  3 ½ innings if the home team is winning by the margin, or 10 runs after five innings of play or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is winning by the margin.

B.     No new inning can begin after 2 hours.

C.     Pool play games can end in a tie.

D.    Single elimination games must have a winner.  If the score is tied and the game has reached the time limit, before the seventh inning, then the next inning is considered “extra inning”.  The first “extra inning” will start with the last batter from the previous inning as a runner at second base.  All subsequent extra innings will start with the last batter as a runner on third base.

E.     Seeding determination will use these criteria: 1) Winning percentage, 2) Head-to-Head results in the tournament, 3) Runs allowed and 4) a coin flip.

5.  Everyone in the dugout must be in appropriate uniform.  See national rule book for proper uniform.  Players and coaches will wear uniforms in an appropriate manner at all times,( i.e., shirt tails in at all times, and hats worn properly). Only the players legally rostered for that team will be in the dugout.  Scorekeepers, and medical staff do not have to wear uniforms and they may sit in the dugout, however they need to stay in the dugout.

6.   All participants will have the official American Legion Baseball shoulder patch on their left sleeve or left chest of the jersey.  Participants who do not have a patch will be removed from the game until this is corrected, then they may re-enter the game.  Patches should be ordered from American Legion Emblem Sales.  They have a link:  http://emblem.legion.org/Official-Player-Sleeve-Patch/productinfo/720.420/

7.  Player Re-entry. Any of the starting players may be withdrawn and reenter once, including the designated hitter, provided such player occupies the same batting position whenever he is in the lineup. A substitute who is withdrawn may NOT re-enter the game.

8.  The American Legion pitching rules are in effect.  Pitch counts will be updated after each half inning and confirmed with the umpires.

Pitching Rule. No player may pitch more than a total of 105 pitches per day. A pitcher will be allowed to finish a batter if he reaches or exceeds the maximum limit during an at-bat but must exit the position after that hitter. No player may enter the game as a pitcher without having fulfilled the required rest days as mandated in the chart below. No player may make more than two appearances as a pitcher during any consecutive three-day period. PENALTY – The pitcher is removed from the pitcher’s position and head coach shall be ejected from the game and serve an additional game suspension.

1. Any player may be removed from the pitching position and remain in the game at another position. However, a pitcher will be automatically removed from the position when a coach makes a second trip to the mound in the same inning, and that player cannot return as a pitcher in that game. PENALTY – Forfeiture of the game if a protest is filed with the umpire-in-chief before the last out of the game. 2. If a player returns as a pitcher in the same game, he will be charged with another appearance. 3. If a team has multiple games scheduled on the same day, a pitcher who pitches more than 45 pitches in Game 1 may not pitch in a subsequent game that day and will be required to follow the rest protocol listed. 4. A day is defined as 8 a.m. to 8 a.m.

9.  Ejections.  Any player or coach ejected from a game for any reason will sit out the remainder of that game, and the next game his team is scheduled to play.  At that time, he may ask the commissioner on site to be reinstated in the tournament.  Reinstatement will be considered by the commissioners based on the severity of the infraction.

10. Lineup Cards.  Teams will provide their own lineup cards.  Cards will be completed in at least 3 copies, with first name, last name, position, and jersey number for all players, including subs.  One copy to umpire, press box, and opposing team.  Home and visiting team will be determined by a coin toss during pool play.  Coaches should accomplish this prior to turning in their lineup cards.

11.  3 baseballs per game are provided by the Alabama State Department Board of Directors.  Each team is required to assist in the return of foul baseballs to the umpires. If additional baseballs are needed, then each team is to contribute baseballs.

12.  Admission.  A day pass is $10.  Children 10 and under are free.  Players and coaches have free entrance while in uniform.  American Legion members, active and reserve military members and retired military personnel get in free with valid ID card.

13.  Concessions:  Provided at each facility.  NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THOSE BASEBALL FACILITIES FOR THE SPECTATORS.  PLAYERS AND COACHES CAN HAVE OUTSIDE DRINKS IN THE DUGOUT.

14.  Dugouts.  Teams WILL clean up their dugout after each game.

15.  Protests.  The only protests allowed are protests based on rules interpretation, and player eligibility/fraud.  Protests may be submitted, in writing, to the commissioner on site prior to the end of the game in question. All player eligibility protests must be submitted before 10:00am on the first day of the tournament.  Decisions of the commissioners are final.

7.  Good sportsmanship is expected in all games.  Each team will play the games that are scheduled.  If a team withdraws then a $150 penalty will be assessed to the Post.  A team manager will be suspended for poor sportsmanship.

American Legion Baseball

CODE OF SPORTSMANSHIP

I will:

Keep the rules
Keep faith with my teammates
Keep my temper
Keep myself fit
Keep a stout heart in defeat
Keep my pride under in victory
Keep a sound soul, a clean mind, and a healthy body.