• The PITCHER throws the baseball to the CATCHER. (The team's time begins when the CATCHER tags home plate and releases the baseball.) If the catcher misses home plate, time begins when the baseball is released + a 5 second penalty is assessed.
• The CATCHER must throw the ball to the THIRD BASEMAN tagging third base.
• The THIRD BASEMAN must throw the ball to the SECOND BASEMAN tagging second base.
• The SECOND BASEMAN must throw the ball to the FIRST BASEMAN tagging first base.
• The FIRST BASEMAN must throw the ball to the CATCHER tagging home plate.
• The CATCHER must throw the ball to the SHORTSTOP tagging second base.
• THE SHORTSTOP must throw the ball to the RIGHT FIELDER tagging the outfield spot in right field and throwing the ball to the SECOND BASEMAN tagging second base.
• THE SECOND BASEMAN must throw the ball to the CENTER FIELDER who must tag the outfield spot in centerfield and throw the ball to the THIRD BASEMAN tagging third base.
• THE THIRD BASEMAN must throw the ball to the LEFT FIELDER who must tag the outfield spot in leftfield and throw the ball to the CATCHER covering home plate. (The team's time ends when the CATCHER tags home plate.)
• A five second penalty will be assessed for each umpire-assisted overthrow and each missed base including home plate.

• Players may not turn 13 before May 1, 2015
• Teams must have a minimum roster size of 11 players and 2 coaches
• SIX inning games ……… 12 run mercy rule after 4 complete innings
• 50 foot pitching distance & 70 foot bases -200 foot fences-8' high
• Base runners are allowed to lead off
• No use of Designated Hitter
• No one player in a game can assume more than one offensive position
• Extra Hitter (EH) - (coach's discretion: 0, 1, 2 or 3) - If using an extra hitter(s), you may use one, two or three players. The extra hitter(s) MUST hit in the TENTH, ELEVENTH and TWELFTH POSITION. Only one (1) player may occupy each EH position per game. You may remove your EH(s) for the duration of the game at any time prior to their at-bat, without penalty. You must notify the plate umpire prior to removal. Extra Hitters must be announced prior to the start of the game; no mid-game entry is permitted.
• The current batting line up can be rotated in the field defensively after the completion of the first defensive inning.
• All players on the Cooperstown Dreams Park official team roster will be allowed to participate in all official games.
• Prior to each game field umpires will review the rules and official line up cards with both head coaches. The home team book is the official game book.
• Re-entry rule: Starters may re-enter in the same offensive spot once. Substitutes cannot re-enter the game once they have been removed.

  Exception: Whenever a ninth player is needed (due to injury or otherwise) and all legal substitutions have been used, removed substitutes can re-enter the game in a different offensive position. In this event, EHs must remain in their current position in the batting order, but can enter the game in a defensive position. This change must be announced to the opposing team and to the plate umpire at the time of injury.

• Any pitcher can re-enter as pitcher as long as he/she stays in the game. Once removed from the game, the pitcher can re-enter the game defensively, but not as a pitcher.
• No pitching restrictions (coach's discretion).
• Balks will be called following Major League rules. There will be one warning per pitcher per game, until the single elimination tournament begins on Wednesday. The warning will be an immediate dead ball. All balk calls after the warning will be delayed dead balls.
• Courtesy runner - A courtesy runner can be used for the CATCHER and PITCHER of RECORD ONLY at any time. This is not a substitution and is optional. Courtesy runners cannot be in the current lineup.
• Must slide /avoid contact rule. A player must slide or attempt to avoid contact on all close plays (umpire discretion).
• Headfirst sliding is permitted only into first, second, or third base. Headfirst sliding IS NOT allowed into home plate.
• Teams provide their own bats for game play (no size or weight restrictions)
  (NO WOODEN BATS).
• Coaches have the right, at any time, to call a Director to a field for a rules interpretation (Director Call). This does not include JUDGMENT CALLS made by the umpires. This action is to be taken in lieu of protests. In order to properly handle each Director Call, play must be stopped and the Director must be called BEFORE the next pitch. If the disputed call involves the last play of the game, the protesting team must appeal before the umpires leave the confines of the field.

Ground Rules

• Infield/outfield practice is not permitted on Fields 1-22 at any time.
• Teams may begin pre-game warm-ups (long toss only) 15 minutes prior to game time.
• Team equipment or chairs are not permitted outside the dugouts.
• All areas within the walls of the fields, aside from the dugouts and spectators areas, are in play. A ball striking any part of the backstop netting and all netting extensions is an immediate dead ball (dead ball rules apply).
• ALL Pitchers MUST warm up outside of each field.
• In the event an umpire signals a rain delay, each team must remain in its designated dugout until otherwise notified by a Cooperstown Dreams Park Director.

Dress Code

• Players and coaches must wear officially issued CDP uniforms and apparel for all games.
• NO METAL SPIKES.
• NO jewelry-earrings, necklaces, rings, etc.
• Players must have jerseys tucked in at all times, pant legs must be worn at the knee.
• Blue jersey, blue socks & red jersey, red socks (jersey and sock colors must match). Home Team wears RED, Away Team wears BLUE.
• Players must have plain white baseball pants (no pinstripes or striping down the side), and plastic or rubber cleats
• Coaches must wear their CDP coach's navy polo shirt, windbreaker or jacket and CDP hat during games. Polo shirt must be tucked in.
• Coaches MAY NOT wear denim shorts or jeans.

Coaches and Players Conduct

• Sportsmanship code: Promote good sportsmanship both on and off the field and encourage lifelong friendships.
• Any player ejected from a game will be suspended from the following two consecutive games.
• Any coach ejected from a game will be removed from Dreams Park premises for the remainder of the tournament and closing ceremonies, and may not return as a spectator or parent.
• Coaches, please remind your players to respect the upkeep of the baseball fields and replace all divots and refrain from digging cleats into the infield and outfield grass areas.

Scheduling

• Coaches will receive their game schedule during registration.
• Pre-game: The grass practice field adjacent to the Baseball Village must be used for infield/outfield practice. Batting practice must be held inside the batting cages. All coaches must abide by batting cage/practice field schedules and ensure that all participants wear proper safety equipment.
• Game time: Teams must be at their assigned field ready to play fifteen minutes before scheduled game time.

Equipment

• All teams must supply helmets, practice baseballs, bats, catching gear, pants and safety equipment.
• Game balls are provided by Cooperstown Dreams Park. All foul balls must be returned to the umpire.

All meals will be served at scheduled times. Plan your day around the scheduled meal times. Team representatives can be issued and fill out a Late Team Meal Request Form at the Baseball Operations Center in the Parents Pavilion. Meals are saved only for teams in a game that finishes past a scheduled meal time due to a delay situation and must be approved by Baseball Operations. All team members must eat at the same table and clean up their dining area when finished.

Friday:
After 6:00 p.m.

• For your travel convenience, all teams are encouraged to take advantage of early check-in on Friday evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. under the Baseball Village Dining Pavilion. Services include: check-in at Medical Infirmary, submission of team medical forms and birth certificates, team accommodations, team and individual studio scheduling (photos), uniform laundry sign-up, Concessions and pin trading. Saturday morning continental breakfast tickets will be available for purchase. Official Team Registration will begin Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
  (ALL teams must officially register Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.).First team meal will be served Saturday afternoon following Team Orientation.
  

Saturday:
Between 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

• We highly recommend that you plan to attend our Saturday morning breakfast from 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. at the Family Pavilion. Your participation will help the Cooperstown Dreams Park staff with traffic and safety issues that arise during the extremely busy registration period on Saturday morning. There is a nominal fee for each person and the breakfast will include: bagel (cream cheese and jelly), cereal and milk, choice of fruit (banana or orange), juice, milk and condiments.
  
  

Between 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

• Check into Clubhouses. Parents and family members may enter the Baseball Village between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Saturday) to help campers with luggage and equipment.  Staff will be available to assist guests transporting luggage and equipment from the parking areas.  Vehicles will not be permitted in the Baseball Village on Saturday.
  
• Only the team contact is needed at registration to submit the team's Agreement to Participate with Waiver and Release of Liability Forms, Camp Health History and Examination Forms, Official Certified Birth Certificates from all players, Parental Authorization and Consent (Coaches/Counselors) Forms and the Parental Authorization and Consent (Child with Other Parent/s) Forms. To ensure participation all forms must be completed and signed. The team contact must submit the required forms in a standard notebook/binder. Coaches/Counselors must complete their Camp Health History and Examination Forms but a doctor's signature is not required. Sign-up for the Uniform Laundry service takes place during registration.
• At registration you will signup for your team and individual photo studio session.
• At registration you will signup for your team laundry service.
• Teams change into a choice of red or blue Dreams Park Uniforms (sock color must match uniform color and the whole team must wear the same color). Pant legs must be worn at the knee.
• Coach/Counselor … READ and REVIEW the "Rules of Dreams Park" with all campers and parents!
  Parents and family members must exit the Baseball Village by 11:00 a.m.
  Parents may return to the field side (Family Pavilion
  and Concession Area). See Map
  
  Chicken Barbecue dinners for parents and family members are available for a
  nominal cost in the Family Pavilion Saturday (11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) and
  Thursday afternoon (4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.).
  

Between 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Umpire Orientation at 1:00 p.m. (Field #15)
• All teams report to Baseball Village Dining Pavilion for Orientation at 2:00 p.m.
• Address by Dreams Park Directors.
• Dinner: Teams must eat as a team unit. The first meal served by Cooperstown Dreams Park will begin at 3:00 p.m.
  
  

4:30 p.m.

• Family Orientation, Opening Ceremony and Skills Competitions in Little Majors Stadium.
  
  

4:45 p.m. to Finish

• All teams must assemble in the Baseball Village Dining Pavilion for Procession of Athletes, Opening Ceremony and Skills Competitions dressed in Official Cooperstown Dreams Park uniforms.
  
  

9:00 p.m. or 15 Minutes following finish of the Skills Competitions

• Head Coach and Umpire meeting in the Baseball Village Dining Pavilion. (This meeting is mandatory for all head coaches, failure to attend and sign-in will result in a one-game suspension assigned by the Tournament Director.)
  
  

Sunday through Tuesday

• *Tournament Play - Teams play scheduled games daily (weather permitting). Final Championship Tournament Seedings are posted approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the last 7:00 p.m. game Tuesday evening. The single-elimination Championship Tournament begins Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
• Visit the Cooperstown area and the National Baseball Hall of Fame during your free time at the Coaches'/Counselors' discretion. (Coaches/Counselors, campers and umpires MUST wear their Cooperstown Dreams Park apparel into Cooperstown). Free daily bus service for parents, families and teams is provided at the designated area in Parking Lot B (bus schedule will be posted).
• Train ride on the Scenic & Historic Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad provided by the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society (nominal cost). Check train schedule for days and times.
• Each Coach/Counselor on the roster is responsible for the safety and whereabouts of campers at all times. Any camper leaving Dreams Park must sign in/out with his/her Coach/Counselor and security personnel upon exiting Dreams Park. Any authorized guardian removing campers, including their child, are required to complete a Dreams Park Sign-Out Form. (Forms are available at Security booths, the Village Office and Baseball Operations Center)
• Tournament seeding will take place Tuesday evening under the Dining Pavilion following the completion of all regularly scheduled games.
  Lights Out by 10:30 p.m. NIGHTLY! (Please respect other teams.)
  

   

Wednesday

• Wednesday playoff game schedule: 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.*
  
  

Thursday

• Playoffs continue at 8:30 a.m.*
• Chicken barbecue dinners for parents and family members are available for a nominal fee in the Family Pavilion Thursday afternoon (4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.).
  
  

5:30 p.m.

• All teams must assemble in the Baseball Village Dining Pavilion for Procession of Athletes, Closing Ceremony and Hall of Fame Ring Presentation dressed in Official Cooperstown Dreams Park uniforms.
  
  
  

6:00 p.m.*

• Procession of Athletes (in full Cooperstown Dreams Park uniform), Closing Ceremony, Ring Presentation and Induction into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Fireworks follow the ceremony at dusk.
• Championship Game following fireworks.
  

   

Friday Morning

• Checkout and depart no later than 9:00 a.m. There will be no meal served on Friday.
  
  

1. Coaches/Counselors must be in visual and verbal contact with their team members at all times. The New York State Department of Health mandates that no team or individual shall be left alone at any time.

2. Teams must stay together as a unit. Individuals are not to wander around the Dreams Park.

3. Each Coach/Counselor on the roster is responsible for the safety of campers and must know their whereabouts at all times. Any camper leaving Dreams Park must sign in/out with his/her Coach/Counselor and Security personnel. Any authorized guardian removing campers, including their own child, will be required to complete a Sign-Out form (Forms are available at Security, Village Office or Baseball Operations Center).

4. Cooperstown Dreams Park is a vehicular drive-in facility only for safety and security, no persons will be permitted to enter or leave the facility on foot. Guests attempting to walk into or out of the Dreams Park will be turned away. Repeat offenders will be barred from entering the grounds for the entire week. Note: This policy is strictly enforced. Cooperstown Dreams Park is a controlled environment in accordance with New York State Department of Health (Chapter I State Sanitary Code, Subpart 7-2, Children's Camps) and for the safety of all guests.

5. No pets are allowed on the Dreams Park property.

6. No bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, Heelys (wheeled sneakers) or motorized personal transportation devices (Segways) are allowed on the Dreams Park property.

7. Restricted Area signs are posted throughout Dreams Park. Do not enter restricted areas.

8. No standing on Cooperstown Dreams Park stone walls.

9. Vehicles may be driven over the bridge into the Baseball Village area ONLY during the registration period from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. FRIDAY . Plenty of parking is available for guests. Please park in the designated parking areas. Violators will be towed!

10. There are specific designated practice areas located next to the batting cages.No ball playing in the Baseball Village area.

11. Safety comes first at all times. Bathhouses and clubhouses are to be kept clean. No horseplay or roughhousing of any kind. Do not jump on bunk beds.Footlockers are not to be used as step stools or seats! 

12. No bare feet at any time. Use shower shoes for protection; keep articles of clothing out of shower area. No team or individual is permitted to shower without supervision.

13. All team members must eat at the same table and clean up their dining area when finished.

14. Each clubhouse has been equipped with brooms, a dustpan, mattress covers, and footlockers, which must remain in the clubhouse. DO NOT take any of these items when you leave. Teams are responsible for daily cleanup (sweep floor, empty trash and make beds). CLUBHOUSES ARE INSPECTED DAILY.

15. Cooperstown Dreams Park strives to provide a smoke free facility for the benefit of all players and guests. For that reason smoking will be allowed in designated areas ONLY. NO SMOKING OR SMOKELESS TOBACCO INSIDE OF BALL FIELDS OR IN THE BASEBALL VILLAGE. This rule is strictly enforced!

16. No profanity, no fighting.

17. No standing or sitting on stadium walls, running or crossing through grassy areas. Stay on the asphalt walkways! We ask all campers to respect Cooperstown Dreams Park property and facilities as they would their own home.

18. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, no horns, music, banging on stadium walls or any other activity that creates excessive noise is permitted. All noise should cease when the pitcher toes the pitching rubber.

19. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times and will be confiscated. Anyone possessing alcoholic beverages will be asked to leave the facility

20. Outside food or beverages of any kind (except for bottled water) are not permitted on Dreams Park property, in accordance with the NYS Department of Health. 

21. Team Coolers only. Water and ice for the team must be distributed to the coach at the entrance(s) to the Baseball Village. Guests will not be allowed to bring coolers into Cooperstown Dreams Park.

22. Lost and found items: Please bring all items to the security booth at Baseball Village South Entrance/Security. (Cooperstown Dreams Park is not responsible for lost items!)

23. Teams and individuals will be held responsible for damage to Dreams Park property.

24. Game balls are provided by Cooperstown Dreams Park. All foul balls must be returned to the umpire or a member of the Baseball Operations staff.

25. In the event of severe weather, teams will be directed to return to their clubhouses and parents/guests will be directed to their vehicles until further notification.

26. NO recreational vehicles (RVs) or campers are permitted to park overnight on Cooperstown Dreams Park property.

Parents and family guests of Cooperstown Dreams Park assume all risk and danger of personal injury, losses, damages to person or property and all hazards arising from or related in any way to, the events at Cooperstown Dreams Park that they are attending. Cooperstown Dreams Park is private property with 24-hour surveillance and management reserves the right to refuse admission or eject any person whose conduct is deemed by management to be disorderly or who fails to comply with the rules and regulations of Cooperstown Dreams Park.

Please Note: These rules are not all-inclusive. Common sense should be used at all times. Violations of these rules may lead to team or individual suspension from tournament play and/or Dreams Park activities.