East Coast Youth Baseball

 

 

2025 EAST COAST TOURNAMENTS 

TOURNAMENT RULES

 

Unless otherwise noted, all tournament play 7u-12u will be governed by Little League rules. 13u and above will be governed by National Federation of High School Rules.

*7u & 8u modified rules are towards the bottom of this page 

 

ALL TOURNAMENTS 15U AND ABOVE IS WOOD BAT ONLY

 

 

 

 

  

COACH, PLAYER AND PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

We expect everyone who plays in our leagues and tournaments to handle themselves in a manner that displays good sportsmanship and sets a good example for every player and participating team. We will not tolerate coaches, players or parents acting out or displaying what we consider unsportsmanlike. If any coach or player gets ejected from a game, it will result in an automatic 1 game suspension. This suspension must be served for that said teams next game.It is our responsibility to our teams to maintain a fun and positive baseball experience. Coaches it is your responsibility to inform your players and parents of our policy. In the interest of maintaining a quality event, the league committee reserves the right to eject any person from the site for unruly or unsportsmanlike behavior. 

Coaches, please remind your players to respect the upkeep and beauty of our fields and the facilities. Please at the end of each game clear the dugout of any trash. There are no seeds or gum allowed at any of our turf fields. We cannot risk the loss of permits because a field was left a mess and/or you ignored the no seeds or gum policy for turf fields.

*Absolutely no alcoholic beverages allowed at any of our facilities.

 

INSURANCE

Every team is required to have a proof of insurance. A copy of your insurance with “East Coast Tournaments” listed as an additional insured is required.

East Coast Tournaments

PO Box 1306

Massapequa NY 11758

 

OFFICIAL ROSTER

 A player can be on a rostered on two teams as long as they are in two different age groups or same age group but not in the same division. If a player is rostered on two different teams in the same division, that player will become ineligible to play in any games as well as the playoffs. Teams can ask for proof of age for any player. If proof of age cannot be given, then that player in question could result in not being able to play in that game. East Coast will enforce all rules to protect the integrity of the league.

 

UNIFORMS

Players are to be in full matching uniforms once they are on the field. All jersey’s must have a number on it. If a player is not in full matching uniform then that said player will not be able to play.

 

UMPIRES

All games that are played with East Coast will have the following 

*7u-10u games will have one umpire (Championship games will have 2 umpires)
 *11u-18u games will have two umpires

 

PROTESTS

No protest will be allowed for judgement calls.  Protests will only be allowed for a decision based on the interpretation of a rule, or the use of an illegal bat or player. Protest must be done before the next pitch. In the case of an ineligible player, the protest must be made before the final out of the game.

 

START OF GAME

All baseballs are provided by East Coast. A coin flip determines home and away teams for all pool play games. In the playoffs, the higher seed is the home team unless they defer. Teams may start a game with 8 players with no penalty. If the 9th player joins the team he/she may be added to the bottom of the batting order at any time.  If a team begins the game with 9 players and 1 player is ejected, the team may continue but must take an out in that batter’s place in the order if there is not a substitute player available.  If a player becomes injured during the game and cannot return to the game their spot in the lineup will result in an out for one time through the order if a substitute is not available

If a team has only 7 players to start the game, there is a 15 minute grace period from the schedule start time to wait for the 8th player. If the 8th player does not show up after the 15 minutes that said team will receive a forfeit.

 NOTE: Once a game is started, any additions that are made are considered a substitution.

 

DETERMINING STARTING LINE-UP
We want to let the coach play as many players as he/she wants. The only information needed regarding the starting lineup is the number of batters. We do not care who plays in the field. Line-up cards must be exchanged between coaches before the start of the game. You must include last names in your scorebook when exchanging lineups.

Offense: Team may bat 9 players, the entire lineup or in-between. Once the number of batters is determined, it must remain for the entire game. If a player becomes injured during the game and cannot return to the game their spot in the lineup will result in an out for one time through the order if a substitute is not available  If a player gets ejected from the game, that will result in an automatic out the rest of the game if a substitute is not available. A substitute is anyone not placed in the batting order. Once a substitution bats or runs for a player, the sub and the original starter are locked into that batting position and either one may bat or run in that position ONLY. Once the substitution is substituted he is out of the offensive postion only. He can still play in the field. 

 

Defensive: Any player on the roster may play in any defensive position at any time, regardless of being in the batting order. For example, a team may have 18 players, bat 9 of them and play the other 9 in the field. No one player in a game can assume more than one offensive position.

 

POOL PLAY TIME LIMIT
All games in pool play will be played with a strict 1 hour and 50-minute time limit. No new inning can start at the 1 hour and 50-minute mark. For the purpose of determining if a new inning may start, the time is determined at the time of the last out in the bottom of the inning. Time will be kept by the umpires. The time will start immediately after the conclusion of the pregame meeting. If the home team is winning as time expires the batter will finish his at bat and then the game will immediately be over. There are no extra innings in pool play and games can end in a tie.

 

 

PLAYOFF AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES 8u-12u

PLAYOFF GAMES

Time limit and mercy rule will be enforced. If the time limit has been reached and it is a tie game, you then start the next inning using our version of the California rule.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

In championship games there is no time limit but mercy rule is still in effect. If score is tied at the end of 6 innings, a regular 7th inning will be played. If still tied at the end of 7 innings our version of the California rules goes into effect. 

 

CALIFORNIA RULE

You will begin the next inning with bases loaded and 1 out. The last 3 previous batters will occupy the bases. This will continue until there is a winner.

 

*Mercy rule is in effect for all playoff and championship games.

 

 

PLAYOFF AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES 13u AND ABOVE

 

PLAYOFF GAMES

 

Time limit and mercy rule will be enforced. If the time limit has been reached and it is a tie game, you then start the next inning using our version of the California rule.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

In championship games there is no time limit but mercy rule is still in effect. If score is tied at the end of 7 innings, a regular 8th inning will be played. If still tied at the end of 8 innings, our version of the California rules goes into effect.

CALIFORNIA RULE

 

You will begin the next inning with bases loaded and 1 out. The last 3 previous batters will occupy the bases. This will continue until there is a winner.

 

 

*Mercy rule is in effect for all playoff and championship games.

 

 

  

OFFICIAL GAME

Games called due to weather or darkness by the umpire or the site director will be considered a complete game after 3 innings of play for all age groups. The home team must bat the required number of innings if they are losing for the game to be official. The score will revert back to the last completed inning if the game is called in the middle of an inning once its an official game.

 

 

MERCY RULE
 15 runs after 3 innings
10 runs after 4 innings
8 runs after 5 innings

NOTE: If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen(15) or ten(10) or eight(8) more runs respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning

 

 

 

 

 

PITCHING RESTRICTIONS & TRIPS TO THE MOUND

There are no pitching restrictions as far as the pitch count for any age group. 
For ages 7u-12u the pitcher must be replaced on the 2nd trip to the mound (to the same pitcher) in the same inning and a maximum of 3 times in a game per pitcher. NOTE: Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, that pitcher may only re-enter to any other position other than pitcher during the game and must return to the original lineup spot. 13u and above high school pitching rules apply.

 

 

 

BALK RULE

7u-10u- No balks
11u One warning per pitcher
12u and above- No warning

 

SLASH BUNTING

Slash bunting is not allowed in any age group. If a player attempts to slash bunt, that player will be called out. If a player attempts to slash bunt a second time in a game, that said player will be called out and ejected from the game.

 

CLEAT RESTRICTIONS

7U-12U division- Rubber cleats or turf shoes
13u and above- Rubber, metal or turf shoes.
Please note: No metal spikes allowed on any turf field

 

COURTESY RUNNER

You may use a courtesy runner for pitcher and catcher at any time. Runner must be last batted out 

 

AVOID CONTACT RULE/SLIDING RULE

 The base runner must slide or avoid contact at a base when a play is being made on him. He cannot interfere with a fielder making a play. His slide must be on a direct line between the bases. On the violation, the ball is dead, and the runner and the batter-runner are out. If an umpire decides a player’s approach to a base or home plate is malicious, the base runner may be ejected from the game. NOTE: This is an umpire’s judgment call. Because it is a judgment call it cannot be argued or protested.

 

HEAD FIRST SLIDE

7u-10u head first sliding is not permitted except back to a base.

11u and above head first sliding is allowed.

 

INTENTIONAL WALK

Pitches do not need to be thrown for an intentional walk

 

LEADING & STEALING OF BASES

8u-10u 46/60 Can lead and steal only after the pitched ball crosses home plate
11U and above- Regular baseball rules apply

 

INFIELD FLY RULE

There is no infield fly rule for ages 7u-10u 46/60. Infield fly rule is in effect for ages 11u and above.

 

TAGGING UP

No tagging up in the 7u & 8u divisions. Tagging up permitted in all other divisions

 

DROPPED 3^RDSTRIKE

Does not apply for ages 7u-10u 46/60, the batter is automatically out. 11u and above dropped 3^rdstrike rule is in effect

 

NO CONTINUATION OF A WALK

IN AGES 7U-10U 46/60 THERE IS NO CONTINUATION OF A WALK, MEANING IF A BATTING DRAWS A WALK HE IS ENTITLED TO 1ST BASE ONLY. HE CANNOT ADVANCE TO SECOND BASE ON A WALK. IF A PLAYER ADVACES TO SECOND BASE ON A WALK, THAT SAID PLAYER WILL BE RETURNED TO FIRST BASE.

 

 

WEATHER

If weather comes into play, we will do everything we can to stay close to the original game schedule.

 

 

 7U MODIFIED RULES

 Field dimension- 40’-60’

1. THE FIRST TWO AND LAST TWO INNINGS WILL BE COACH PITCH.  EACH BATTER WILL GET 5 PITCHES TO HIT THE BALL. THE BATTER WILL BE OUT AFTER 3 SWINGING STRIKES OR AT THE END OF FIVE PITCHES. IF THE BATTER HAS NOT PUT THE BALL IN PLAY AFTER 5 PITCHES IT IS AN OUT.  THE 3RD and 4TH INNINGS WILL BE PLAYER PITCH (4 BALLS AND 3 STRIKES.). IF A PITCHER HITS 3 BATTERS IN A GAME THAT PITCHER MUST BE REMOVED.

1a. DURING COACH PITCH, THE PLAYER-PITCHER MUST POSITION THEMSELVES TO THE IMMEDIATE LEFT OR RIGHT OF THE COACH WITHIN THE CIRCLE OF THE MOUND.

2.  NO NEW INNING WILL START AFTER AN HOUR AND 30 MINUTES.

3. MAXIMUM OF 5 RUNS PER INNING, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LAST INNING. HOWEVER, THE TIME LIMIT AND RUN RULE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT.

3a. RUN RULE IS 12 RUNS AFTER 4 INNINGS IN THIS DIVISION

4. NO BUNTING

5. A BATTER HIT BY A PITCH IS NOT AWARDED FIRST BASE IN COACH PITCH. IT WILL COUNT AS A PITCH. IF A BATTER IS HIT DURING PLAYER PITCH THEY WILL BE AWARDED FIRST BASE.

6. NO INFIELD FLY RULE

7.  NO BASE STEALING IS PERMITTED. RUNNERS CAN ONLY ADVANCE ON A BALL IN PLAY.

8. EACH TEAM WILL GET ONE WARNING FOR A RUNNER LEAVING THE BASE EARLY. SECOND VIOLATION OF THIS WILL BE DECLARED AN OUT.

9. THERE WILL BE NO SLIDING INTO FIRST BASE. ALL RUNNERS MUST SLIDE FEET FIRST. HEAD FIRST SLIDES WILL BE CALLED AS AN OUT.

10. PLAY WILL ONLY BE STOPPED WHEN THE BALL IS RETURNED TO THE PITCHER (NOT THE COACH, THE PLAYER) AND IN CONTROL ON THE MOUND. IF THE BASE RUNNERS ARE IN-BETWEEN BASES THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE NEXT BASE IF THE UMPIRE DETERMINES THE RUNNER TO BE HALF WAY OR CLOSER TO THE NEXT BASE.  

11.  ON AN OVERTHROW THE RUNNERS ADVANCE ONLY 1 BASE AT THEIR OWN RISK.

12. SPEED-UP RULE – WHEN THE OFFENSIVE TEAM HAS TWO OUTS, IF THE CATCHER FOR THE NEXT INNING IS A BASE RUNNER, THAT PLAYER MUST BE REPLACED BY EITHER THE LAST BATTED OUT OR A PLAYER NOT IN THE LINEUP.

13. YOU WILL HAVE ONE UMPIRE ON THE FIELD.

14. NO PROTEST WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS DIVISION. 

15. PITCHING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

A.  PLAYER PITCHING DISTANCE WILL BE A MINIMUM OF 40 

B. COACH PITCHING DISTANCE MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 33 FEET AND A MAXIMUM OF 46 FEET

16. OUTFIELDERS: 4 OUTFIELDERS ARE PERMITTED BUT NOT MANDATORY. IF PLAYING WITH 4 OUTFIELDERS, YOU CAN NOT THROW OUT A RUNNER AT 1ST BASE IF HIT IN THE OUTFIELD.

 

 

8U MODIFIED RULES

1)   Field dimension is 42’-60’
2) Games are 6 innings
3) 5 run rule per inning per team, last inning of play, runs will be unlimited
4) 3 steal attempts per inning per team
5) No stealing of home allowed (all other bases are allowed)
6) A player cannot advance to any base on an overthrow on an attempted steal of any base. If any player in the field try’s to pick off a player that is leading off a base, that ball is a live ball and the player can advance to any base except home. A player may only be entitled to home on a continuous play on a batted ball
7) No continuation of a walk allowed
8) 10 players in the field (4 outfielders)
9) If a pitcher hits 3 batters in a game that pitcher must be removed 
10) No bunting allowed
11) No infield fly rule

12) No tagging up

 

 

STANDINGS, SEEDING AND PLAYOFFS

 

The following system will be used for advancing and seeding into 

playoffs

 

1) Points: 3 points for a win, 2 points for a tie and 1 point for a loss

2) Head to Head: If 2 teams are tied- Head to head winner. If 3

teams are tied- One team must have had defeated both other 

teams. If so that team advances. If that does not happen move to #3

3) Total runs against

4) Run differential

5) Total Runs for

 

6) If still tied- Total runs allowed subtracting game with most runs allowed in pool play

 

7) If still tied- Total runs allowed minus two games game with most runs allowed in pool play

 

 

 

* Please note that if a team forfeits a pool play game they then become ineligible for the playoffs

AGE, DIMENSIONS, INNINGS

7u plays 40’-60’. 6 inning game. 

 

8u plays 42’-60’. 6 inning game. 

 

9u plays 46’-60’. 6 inning game. 

 

10u plays 46’-60’. 6 inning game. 

 

11u plays 51’-75’. 6 inning game. 

 

12u plays 51’-75’. 6 inning game.  

 

13u and older plays 60’-90’. 7 inning game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVED BATS

7u-12u 

 

2 1/4 - 2 3/4 for USA

2 1/4 - 2 3/4  for USSSA BPF 1.15.

 Non- Composite Wood Bats. No Bamboo Allowed

 

13u and 14U MUST USE BBCOR -3 OR NON COMPOSITE WOOD BATS

 

15U AND OLDER IS WOOD BAT ONLY

 

WOOD BATS (MUST BE MADE FROM ONE SOLID PIECE OF WOOD). 

COMPOSITE BATS, CRANK HANDLE, AND BAMBOO ARE NOT ALLOWED. 

BAUM BATS ARE ALLOWED (UPDATED FOR 2022).

 

*Please note that BBCOR bats are allowed on any 75ft field or bigger up to 14u

 

 

BANNED BATS

The following 2017 DeMarini bats did not meet the 1.15 BPF standard and are banned 

WTDXCBR 2129-17	2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 29″/21 oz
WTDXCBR 2230-17	2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 30″/22 oz
WTDXCBR 2331-17	2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 31″/23 oz
WTDXCBR 2432-17	2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 32″/24 oz
WTDXCBZ 1828-17	2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 28″ /18 oz
WTDXCBZ 1929-17	2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 29″ /19 oz
WTDXCBZ 2030-17	2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 30″ /20 oz
WTDXCBZ 2131-17	2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 31″ /21 oz
WTDXCBZ 2232-17	2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 32″ /22 oz
WTDXCBZ 1929-17F1	2017 CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4″ (-10) – 29″ /19 oz
WTDXCBZ 2030-17F1	2017 CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4″ (-10) – 30″ /20 oz
WTDCCBZ17V	Custom 2017 CF Zen 2 3/4″ (-10)
WTDCCBR17V	Custom 2017 CF Zen Balanced (-8)

 

REFUND POLICY  

3 game minimum tournaments

Play 0 Games- 100% credit (no refund)  

Play 1 game –75% credit (no refund)
Play 2 games – 0% credit (no refund)

 

 

4 game minimum tournaments

Play 0 games- 100% credit (no refund)
Play 1 game –75% credit (no refund)
Play 2 games – 50% credit (no refund)
Play 3 games – 0% credit (no refund) 

 

ALL CANCELATIONS MUST BE MADE BEFORE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT OR NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN