TBR Global Rules
Tournament Changes:
The tournament director reserves the right to make changes that are in the best interest of the tournament. In the event of inclement weather, we will do our best to get all scheduled games in. If not, the format of the tournament may be altered.
MLB Rules with some exceptions
Bats:
14u and Up -3 BBCOR Bats or Wood
13u USSSA, BBCOR, USA, Wood (-3, -5, or -8)
7-12u USSSA, BBCOR, USA, Wood (-3, -5, -8, -10)
8-12u 6 Innings
13-18u 7 Innings
No Metal Spikes on Portable Mounds or Turf
Schedule:
The schedule will be sent out to all coaches and will be uploaded to Play.travelbaseballrankings.com.
Tournament Check-In
Teams must register online, upload birth certificates, upload team insurance, and all players must sign waiver. The team roster must contain 8 players with a maximum of 15.
Sportsmanship
All players, coaches, managers, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. The tournament director has the authority to remove anyone from the event at any time for unsportsmanlike conduct. Any ejected coach or manager shall remove themselves from the vicinity of the playing field for the remainder of the game. If behavior is too unruly the coach could be suspended for the rest of the tournament.
Weather
Our personal will monitor the weather very closely throughout the tournament at each park. If lightning is detected within ten miles of any park, umpires will be asked to clear the teams off the field until its safe to play again.
Please see weather and updates on the event page under the yellow tab that says "Weather/Event Updates"
Early Start
Each Team should be ready to play up to 30 minutes early if both teams and umps are ready.
Innings
Each game will be 6 full innings from 8-12u, 7 full Innings for 13u and Up. If a game is called due to rain, Weather, light failure or other acts of Nature and cannot be resumed it is a regulation game if in a six (6) inning game, three (3) innings have been played or if the home team has scored more runs after two and one half (2 1/2) innings the game shall be declared a complete game. In bracket play if a game is tied after 4 or more innings, the score will revert back to the previous inning. If still tied, the game will be a suspended game.
Lineup and Batting
Prior to the start of each game, each team shall turn in a lineup card to the umpire. They can decide to use one of the following lineup types (Lineups must be declared before the start of the game and used the entire game)
Minimum Number of players
Teams may play an official game with 8 players, however at the 9th spot of the batting order they shall take an out. The ninth player can be added if they become available. A team that drops to 7 players will forfeit the game.
Time Limit
No new inning can start after 1 hour and 45 minutes 9u-13u, 1 hour and 50 min for 14u-18u. 90 Minutes for 8u. Umpires shall let both coaches know when time has expired. If the home team is winning when the game time expires the game will be over. No time limit on championship games only. The tourney director can change time limits based on needs of the tournament. Time starts/plate meeting is beginning of game.
(See pace of play rules) A new inning is considered when the last out is made.
Mercy Rule
Pool Play/Bracket/Championship:
10 after 3
8 after 4-7
Tied Games
There will be ties in Pool Play. If a pool play game ends in a tie and time is still remaining the game will end in a tie. The modified International tie breaker will be used to decide bracket play tied games. Each inning will begin with the last THREE batters from the previous inning loading the bases with 1 out. The tie breaker will be used until a winner is determined.
Reporting results:
Both coaches must sign the score card provided by the umpire.
Advancing to Bracket Play/Seeding
Leads/Dropped Thirds/Balks are called at all ages except 8, with no warnings. Fake from third to first/first to third is NOT allowed by pitchers and is a balk(dead ball)
8u balks will be instructional. No scoring on passed balls at 8u. No leads at 8u. Runner can leave when ball passes home plate.
Balk Is a Live Ball!
No shrinking lineup if batting open the team shall take the out. If batting closed you can sub in.
Pitching/Bases
8u 40/60(No Leads, Instructional Balks, No dropped thirds)
9-10u- 46/65
11-12u-50/70
13u- ALL TBR tournaments-60/90 (54/80 National Championship in Battle Creek)
14 and up-60/90
No re-entry for pitcher that is removed in the same game
Pitch Limit
Coaches discretion. Follow pitch smart guidelines!
In Between Innings/Pace of Play
We have our umps enforce a strict 90 seconds in between innings. If catchers aren't ready, coaches should warm the pitchers up. Encouraging players to run to their positions is paramount. A warning will be given on first violation. A ball shall be called on subsequent violations. 1 Pitching Mound Visit Per Pitcher/Per Inning, 2nd in an inning must result in removal. 3 max per pitcher(ex: 1 in the 1st, 1 in the second, 1 in the 3rd-Picther will need to be removed)
Courtesy Runners
You may courtesy run for the pitcher/catcher at anytime during the game. The courtesy runner must be any player not in the lineup if using a closed lineup. If all players are currently in the lineup, the courtesy runner is the last completed AB. This should be used based on who was pitching/catching in the previous inning on the field.
Home team
Coin flip in pool/highest seed in bracket
Age Restrictions:
Age as of May 1st of current year(Canadian cut-off date Jan 1) Two Grade exemptions from 8-14u. Grade exempt kids shall not to be one year older than the original cutoff. Ex: A 14u Player can play 13u if that player is in 8th Grade. This will be at the discretion of the tournament director. 15u-18u(2028, 2027, 2026, 2025) Freshman-Seniors Grade Appropriate
Ejections/Suspensions
Tournament directors discretion. If coaches/players get tossed more than once they are done for the tournament and not welcome back to the park.
Banned bats
-2015 Demarini CF7 (-5)
-2015 Easton XL1 (-5)
-2016 Demarini CF8 (-5)
-2016 Demarini CF8 (-8)
-2016 Demarini CF8 (-10)
-2017 Demarini CF Zen Balanced (-8)**
-2017 Demarini CF Zen SL 2 3/4" (-10)**
-2017 Demarini CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4" (-10)**
-2017 Demarini CF Zen (-5)
-Louisville Slugger Blue Meta Composite (33/30 model only)
-2018 Dirty South Kamo BB KA 8 (30/22, 31/21, 32/22, 31/23, 32/24 only)
-(Easton) Ghost X (30/20 only - USA Baseball Marked)
Penalties:
1st violation - Batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter). 2nd violation (Same Game) - Batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter) and head coach is ejected. Subsequent violations: batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter) and head coach is ejected. When a batter is pronounced out for violation of bat rules, the defense may take the penalty or result of the play. The head coach penalties apply in either case.
Roster Violations:
All rosters shall be submitted by the deadline. If a team is playing with an un-rostered player, they shall take an out in the spot for the remainder of the game. The un-rostered player must be identified prior to the AB of the player in question. If a team has less than 8 players they will have to forfeit that game. They will be given a chance to add to the roster prior to the next game and must provide birth certificates of player(s) in question.
If a team chooses to roster bat and a player gets injured or leaves the lineup for any reason and cannot return, that spot in the lineup will be an automatic out
Protest Fee:
$200. Games will not be stopped unless protest fee is paid. If the team is correct they will get their money back.
Effective 6/31/24: Electronic signal devices will only be allowed by pitcher/catcher/coach. No position players can wear them.
Tournament Changes:
The tournament director reserves the right to make changes that are in the best interest of the tournament. In the event of inclement weather, we will do our best to get all scheduled games in. If not, the format of the tournament may be altered.
MLB Rules with some exceptions
Bats:
14u and Up -3 BBCOR Bats or Wood
13u USSSA, BBCOR, USA, Wood (-3, -5, or -8)
7-12u USSSA, BBCOR, USA, Wood (-3, -5, -8, -10)
8-12u 6 Innings
13-18u 7 Innings
No Metal Spikes on Portable Mounds or Turf
Schedule:
The schedule will be sent out to all coaches and will be uploaded to Play.travelbaseballrankings.com.
Tournament Check-In
Teams must register online, upload birth certificates, upload team insurance, and all players must sign waiver. The team roster must contain 8 players with a maximum of 15.
Sportsmanship
All players, coaches, managers, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. The tournament director has the authority to remove anyone from the event at any time for unsportsmanlike conduct. Any ejected coach or manager shall remove themselves from the vicinity of the playing field for the remainder of the game. If behavior is too unruly the coach could be suspended for the rest of the tournament.
Weather
Our personal will monitor the weather very closely throughout the tournament at each park. If lightning is detected within ten miles of any park, umpires will be asked to clear the teams off the field until its safe to play again.
Please see weather and updates on the event page under the yellow tab that says "Weather/Event Updates"
Early Start
Each Team should be ready to play up to 30 minutes early if both teams and umps are ready.
Innings
Each game will be 6 full innings from 8-12u, 7 full Innings for 13u and Up. If a game is called due to rain, Weather, light failure or other acts of Nature and cannot be resumed it is a regulation game if in a six (6) inning game, three (3) innings have been played or if the home team has scored more runs after two and one half (2 1/2) innings the game shall be declared a complete game. In bracket play if a game is tied after 4 or more innings, the score will revert back to the previous inning. If still tied, the game will be a suspended game.
Lineup and Batting
Prior to the start of each game, each team shall turn in a lineup card to the umpire. They can decide to use one of the following lineup types (Lineups must be declared before the start of the game and used the entire game)
- A nine-player closed lineup
- A nine-player lineup with a DH Designated Hitter.
- A ten-player lineup with an extra hitter
- A ten player lineup DH and EH(11-total starters)
- A 9 or 10 player lineup, Flex DH-can only enter in position he's hitting for
- A continuous lineup of all present, eligible, and uniformed players
Minimum Number of players
Teams may play an official game with 8 players, however at the 9th spot of the batting order they shall take an out. The ninth player can be added if they become available. A team that drops to 7 players will forfeit the game.
Time Limit
No new inning can start after 1 hour and 45 minutes 9u-13u, 1 hour and 50 min for 14u-18u. 90 Minutes for 8u. Umpires shall let both coaches know when time has expired. If the home team is winning when the game time expires the game will be over. No time limit on championship games only. The tourney director can change time limits based on needs of the tournament. Time starts/plate meeting is beginning of game.
(See pace of play rules) A new inning is considered when the last out is made.
Mercy Rule
Pool Play/Bracket/Championship:
10 after 3
8 after 4-7
Tied Games
There will be ties in Pool Play. If a pool play game ends in a tie and time is still remaining the game will end in a tie. The modified International tie breaker will be used to decide bracket play tied games. Each inning will begin with the last THREE batters from the previous inning loading the bases with 1 out. The tie breaker will be used until a winner is determined.
Reporting results:
Both coaches must sign the score card provided by the umpire.
Advancing to Bracket Play/Seeding
- Pool Place-1st Only
- Record
- Head-to-Head(if only two teams)
- Runs Allowed
- Runs Scored
- Run Differential (Max 8 Runs per game)
- Virtual Coin Flip
Leads/Dropped Thirds/Balks are called at all ages except 8, with no warnings. Fake from third to first/first to third is NOT allowed by pitchers and is a balk(dead ball)
8u balks will be instructional. No scoring on passed balls at 8u. No leads at 8u. Runner can leave when ball passes home plate.
Balk Is a Live Ball!
No shrinking lineup if batting open the team shall take the out. If batting closed you can sub in.
Pitching/Bases
8u 40/60(No Leads, Instructional Balks, No dropped thirds)
9-10u- 46/65
11-12u-50/70
13u- ALL TBR tournaments-60/90 (54/80 National Championship in Battle Creek)
14 and up-60/90
No re-entry for pitcher that is removed in the same game
Pitch Limit
Coaches discretion. Follow pitch smart guidelines!
In Between Innings/Pace of Play
We have our umps enforce a strict 90 seconds in between innings. If catchers aren't ready, coaches should warm the pitchers up. Encouraging players to run to their positions is paramount. A warning will be given on first violation. A ball shall be called on subsequent violations. 1 Pitching Mound Visit Per Pitcher/Per Inning, 2nd in an inning must result in removal. 3 max per pitcher(ex: 1 in the 1st, 1 in the second, 1 in the 3rd-Picther will need to be removed)
Courtesy Runners
You may courtesy run for the pitcher/catcher at anytime during the game. The courtesy runner must be any player not in the lineup if using a closed lineup. If all players are currently in the lineup, the courtesy runner is the last completed AB. This should be used based on who was pitching/catching in the previous inning on the field.
Home team
Coin flip in pool/highest seed in bracket
Age Restrictions:
Age as of May 1st of current year(Canadian cut-off date Jan 1) Two Grade exemptions from 8-14u. Grade exempt kids shall not to be one year older than the original cutoff. Ex: A 14u Player can play 13u if that player is in 8th Grade. This will be at the discretion of the tournament director. 15u-18u(2028, 2027, 2026, 2025) Freshman-Seniors Grade Appropriate
Ejections/Suspensions
Tournament directors discretion. If coaches/players get tossed more than once they are done for the tournament and not welcome back to the park.
Banned bats
-2015 Demarini CF7 (-5)
-2015 Easton XL1 (-5)
-2016 Demarini CF8 (-5)
-2016 Demarini CF8 (-8)
-2016 Demarini CF8 (-10)
-2017 Demarini CF Zen Balanced (-8)**
-2017 Demarini CF Zen SL 2 3/4" (-10)**
-2017 Demarini CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4" (-10)**
-2017 Demarini CF Zen (-5)
-Louisville Slugger Blue Meta Composite (33/30 model only)
-2018 Dirty South Kamo BB KA 8 (30/22, 31/21, 32/22, 31/23, 32/24 only)
-(Easton) Ghost X (30/20 only - USA Baseball Marked)
Penalties:
1st violation - Batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter). 2nd violation (Same Game) - Batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter) and head coach is ejected. Subsequent violations: batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter) and head coach is ejected. When a batter is pronounced out for violation of bat rules, the defense may take the penalty or result of the play. The head coach penalties apply in either case.
Roster Violations:
All rosters shall be submitted by the deadline. If a team is playing with an un-rostered player, they shall take an out in the spot for the remainder of the game. The un-rostered player must be identified prior to the AB of the player in question. If a team has less than 8 players they will have to forfeit that game. They will be given a chance to add to the roster prior to the next game and must provide birth certificates of player(s) in question.
If a team chooses to roster bat and a player gets injured or leaves the lineup for any reason and cannot return, that spot in the lineup will be an automatic out
Protest Fee:
$200. Games will not be stopped unless protest fee is paid. If the team is correct they will get their money back.
Effective 6/31/24: Electronic signal devices will only be allowed by pitcher/catcher/coach. No position players can wear them.
