2021 PREP PLAYOFFS

-         League Playoffs

-          The standings are based upon points with one point be awarded for a game played and lost or tied and two for a win. 

-          A forfeit win is the same as a game played victory. A forfeit loss will be awarded zero points. 

-          Our league website does not account for forfeit losses, so the points displayed on the site are not necessarily correct.

Here is how tie-breakers are handled:

1.    Highest win-loss-tie percentage

2.    Number of wins

3.    Head to head

4.    Record against playoff teams

5.    Run-differential against opponent

6.    Run-differential against playoff teams

7.    Coin-flip

-          The higher seeded team will be the host and home team every game; except the ‘IF’ game, when the lower seeded team will be home.  Since the ‘IF’ game is scheduled after the first championship game, it will be held at the higher seed field immediately following, if necessary.

-          The playoffs begin on Saturday 7/10. Home team must make sure it has field availability each day.  The home team will set the game times based on field availability.

-          Game times must be communicated to the opposing manager, Bob Wolf (BY PHONE), and Dave Bruck and Nick Fisher(by email) the night before.

-          Game Changer is suggested, but not required.  You may keep a book instead.  THE PITCH COUNT MUST BE RECONCILED AMONGST YOUR SCORERS EACH HALF INNING!  THE PITCH COUNT MUST BE RECONCILED AMONGST YOUR SCORERS EACH HALF INNING!!!!!!!

-          Both teams must email results and pitch count (which should match if you follow the above procedure) immediately following each game to Dave Bruck (dbruck@northamptonlegion.com), and Nick Fisher (nickfisher@aol.com).

-          Umpires are paid by the league; no money is exchanged at the fields. 

-          Baseballs are to be supplied by the Home team.

-          If a player misses a game because he is playing on another team, he will be ineligible for the remainder of the post season. If he returns and plays, the team will forfeit and be disqualified.

Each league shall report the name of their Championship team going to the Regional Tournament to the Activities Director and Youth Committeeman by 5 PM on Sunday, July 11, 2021 for YOUTH and Sunday, July 18, 2021 for PREP. THERE SHALL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. Leagues not meeting this deadline will not be allowed to participate in Regional or State Final Playoffs.

Youth will have two teams advance to regionals. Prep most likely one team will advance.

 Prep State Tournament is 7/24 - 7/28.

-          Please note, State Tournament games may be scheduled during the day on Mon, Tue, Wed of the tournament - they are not necessarily evening/night games.

 

We play by official Legion rules during the playoffs. 

-          Link to Rules  https://cdn4.sportngin.com/attachments/document/195e-2414181/2021_YOUTH_RULE_BOOK.pdf#_ga=2.194904808.416024102.1625081929-75870517.1619041004   NOTE: PREP MANAGERS LOOK AT PAGE 47 IN THE RULE BOOK

Some important rules to note:

1. The Code of Sportsmanship must be read before every game.

2. No jewelry is permitted to be worn by any player other than medical alerts (no rubber bracelets, no necklaces, etc.).

3. Base coaches must wear protective head gear (players who are coaching a base must wear a full protective helmet).

4. The 10 run rule is in effect after five innings unless the home team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 4 1/2 innings....

5. All players should be in proper uniform and coaches that are on field must have baseball pants and either a player matching uniform or a coaches jacket - whichever must also have the American Legion Patch in the proper location.  Nobody should be using the dugout as a place to get changed.

6. No Extra Hitter. No Designated hitter. Only 9 batters.

7. If a player gets injured and cannot continue and no legal replacement is left on your bench, the game is forfeited.  Note: “re-entry permits players to be substituted and return to the game once, provided the player returns to the same spot in the batting line-up.”  THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM OUR REGULAR SEASON RULES.

8.  Any extra innings DO NOT CONSIST OF EXTRA INNING RULE.  Meaning, if extra innings are required, play the eight and subsequent innings like you would the first inning (no runner on second to begin the inning).

9. Pitch Counts and days of rest clarification:

All pitch counts carry over into playoffs. Days of rest does not revert back. 

The maximum pitches for the day is 95, but may be exceeded if the pitch count is under 95 on the last batter they face and the pitcher is removed on that same batter.  However, the days rest does not revert back.  The actual pitch count when a pitcher is removed is what the days rest is based on - (so if a pitcher was at 58 pitches when they started a batter and finished with 63 pitches on that batter, they must meet the days rest for 63 pitches which is a day more than 58 pitches for a Youth aged (15-16YO) pitcher. 

            Here are the Pitch Count Limits and days' rest rules:

In any exhibition, regular league game, playoff, or Regional and State Final games, no player may pitch more than a total of *95 pitches in a day. *NOTE: A pitcher is permitted to exceed 95 pitches to complete the current batter he is facing.

A pitcher may not make more than two (2) appearances in any three (3) consecutive calendar day period. 

*Required Rest Period

PREP: (13-14YO)

(1-20 Pitches, no rest required)
(21-35 Pitches, 1 Day),
(36-50, 2 Days)
(51-65, 3 Days)
(66+, 4 Days).

Any team in violation of this rule will cause the game(s) to be forfeited in which the player illegally pitched.

 

THUNDER/LIGHTNING WEATHER RULE:

If play has been suspended for lightning being witnessed or thunder being heard, the game shall be suspended for 30 minutes.   For any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count, reset the clock and start another 30-minute count. This cycle shall continue up until 1.5 hours after the initial play has stopped.


During playoffs, if games are stopped because of weather and cannot be resumed, they are suspended and picked up right where they left off.  Complete games must be played unless the 10 run rule is in effect.