Beginning Pitching Machine (BPM) Tournament Rules
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Arrival:
o Coaches: Please have your team at the field at least 45 minutes before your scheduled
game, in the event we are ahead of schedule and can start your game early.
Game Format:
o 1 hour or five (5) innings (no exceptions unless tied)
o No new innings after 1 hour unless there is a tie
o Drop dead time of 1 hour 15 minutes – in the event of tie or inning is not finished; game
winner shall be decided by the most recent inning there was no tie.
o Championship game – play 1 hour 15 minutes or 5 innings. In the event of a tie after
whichever comes first, tie breaker rules will be implemented. Play tie breaker rules until
there is a winner.
Home Team: decided by coin flip
Batting/Base running:
o All Players are to be in the batting lineup with free substitution in the field
o No on-deck batter
rd
o Three swinging strikes or 6 pitches and the batter is out, unless ball is fouled off on 3
swing
o Throwing the bat: One warning per team per game; automatic out thereafter
o No: hit by pitches, stealing, leading off, bunting, infield fly rule or walks
o No base runner advancement on any over throw
Pitching:
o Pitching machine shall be the primary source of pitching. In the event of inclement
weather or malfunction, pitching will revert to coach’s pitch. NO PLAYERS are allowed to
pitch at any time.
Defensive Field of Play:
o Teams will play with a max of ten (10) players in the field, including 4 in the outfield
o 3 coaches max on the field defensively, 2 in the outfield and 1 behind the catcher to get
past balls to keep the game moving along
o If a batted or thrown ball hits the pitching machine the play will be declared dead. All
runners including the batter will advance no further than the base they were going to.
o Half inning will be over after 3 outs or 6 runs scored
o Players are called out if thrown out, tagged out, forced out or fly out
o No coach shall help field the ball or get the opposing team out.
Mercy Rule:
o Applies for all games:
rd
 12 run lead after 3 inning
th
 6 run lead after 4 inning
Tie Breaker rules – Championship Game only
o If there is a tie after 1 hour of play or after 5 innings of play (whichever is first)
nd
 Visiting team will start with the last out from the previous inning on 2 base and
one (1) out
nd
 Home team will start with the last out from the previous inning on 2 base and
one (1) out
 If game still tied after full inning repeat process until one team wins. No time
limit.
The Tournament Director reserves the right to change the format of play in any unforeseen
event (i.e. rain, temperature, etc.)
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2017