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Rules are up to date as of July 10, 2010. All revised rules will be printed in bold.
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1.
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If a pitcher is removed from the mound during the game he may not return to the mound in the
same game though he is retained in the line up. Designated hitters may be used in VFW
Baseball for any position.
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2.
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All protests will be decided by the official on the level where they occur, but may be
appealed to the next higher authority.
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3.
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Adult managers who are at least 18 years of age only will be allowed in the coaching
boxes, with permission granted to use one player in one box through state tournament
play. Players in the coach’s box must wear a helmet.
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4.
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Professional rules of baseball will apply to all VFW Baseball games except in all
cases where VFW League Rules and Regulations conflict with major league professional
rules, VFW League rules will supersede professional rules. In event of a serious injury
and there are no players on the bench who have not played, the last player taken out may
be placed back in the game in place of the injured player or players. In the alternative,
in a serious injury situation, a team may continue to play with eight players and the team
shall receive an automatic out at such player(s) turn at bat. The applicability of the rule
shall be determined by the head umpire.
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5.
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This pitching rule is for Varsity and 13-14 Year Old Divisions. Fourteen (14) innings
will be the maximum total number of innings a pitcher may pitch in any consecutive seven
(7) day period. A pitcher may not pitch more than a total of seven innings in any one day
or on two consecutive days. The fifth through seventh inning must be followed by four (4)
days of rest. If a pitcher pitches on two consecutive days with the combined total fewer
than five innings, he will follow with two days off for rest.
In summary, the pitching limitation rule is seven innings on any given day, followed with four
days of rest (i.e. Pitch on Monday, eligible to pitch again on Saturday.) If a pitcher pitches
more than four innings, up to a maximum of seven innings on any two consecutive days, he
will follow with four days of rest. The maximum number of innings pitcher may pitch in a
week is 14. This rule will be in effect beginning 2005 VFW Baseball season. One pitch to home
plate will be considered an inning.
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6.
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All games scheduled on a definite date will be considered part of that day’s play even
though the scheduled is not completed until past midnight. In the event of interruption
due to weather conditions and participating teams leave the ball park because the complex
is close for that session. All pitching records will be counted for the calendar day that
they are play in.
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7.
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No more than two complete games will be played by any one team in any one day, except
when an “open” pool play tournament format is used.
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8.
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If a fielder has the ball before the runner arrives at second, third or home base,
the runner shall be called out if he does not slide. Any player may be ejected from
a game for flagrant conduct, which in the umpire’s judgment either injures or is
intended to injure another player?
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9.
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The State Baseball Chairman is authorized to move a team to a different class after
reviewing and consulting the situation with the commissioners of the regions involved,
and the final decision will be approved by the Department Commander. Such ruling must
be made by July 10th.
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1.
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If a pitcher is removed from the mound during the game he may not return to the mound in the
same game though he is retained in the line up. Designated hitters may be used in VFW
Baseball for any position.
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2.
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A 13-14 Year Old Baseball team to be eligible for any tournament play must submit a $75.00
entry Fee and 13-14 Year Old Entry Form to Department Headquarters, 3601 South Minnesota
Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57105 postmarked on or before June 10th and 13-14 Roster on or before
June 10th. If the team entry fee and other information are received after June 10th or are
postmarked after June 10th the team entry fee will be increase by $25.00 and be $100.00 per
team.
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3.
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Team entry forms and team roster forms must be postmarked by June 10th and sent to
VFW Department Headquarters. Team roster forms, must include the name of the player,
complete address of the player, name of school attended the last school year and date
of birth. If this information is incomplete, it can affect the eligibility of the
player. You may list up to (25) twenty-five players per roster for each team.
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4.
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The games will be played on a regulation field.
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5.
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The 13-14 year old State A and B Tournament will be completed before any A
Varsity or B Varsity region tournaments are held. The 13-14 year old State
AA Tournament will be completed one week before the AA Varsity State Tournament
is held.
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6.
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The 13-14 year old State AA Tournament when an eight team format is used, it will
be divided into four regions with two teams eligible from each region (Champion Team
and Runner-Up Team). The four regional champions will be awarded home team status
in the first round. The 13-14 year old State AA Tournament, when a pool play format
is used, will be divided into two divisions called Major and Minor. Major Division
will consist of teams with more advanced players than minor division teams. A
baseball program must have a team in the major division before they can have a team
or teams in the minor division. The format will be a pool play format and regional
tournaments will be eliminated. Number of teams and baseball diamonds will determine
if the tournament will be played over a three day or four day period. The format for
the tournament will be determined by the registered teams in the 13-14 year old AA
Class. Tournament can be played at one site or two sites with the Major Division at
one location and the Minor Division located at another site. The State 13-14 year
old A and B Tournament will be rotated by regions each year starting in 2007 with
Region 6 as the host, and following each year in the order 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The
rotation of the regions hosting the tournaments may change if the number of regions
for each class changes from seven regions to four regions.
During the annual VFW Baseball Committee Meeting member teams of the 13-14 year old
AA, A and B classes will pick the site of the state tournaments to be approved by vote
of the members attending the State Baseball Committee Meeting. Starting in 2009
tournaments dates and sites will be chosen one year in advance. Starting in 2007 a
State Tournament Fee of $300 will be charged to each host team of a state tournament.
The fee shall be paid to the State VFW Headquarters within 30 days prior to the
tournament. Starting in 2010 the right to waive the tournament shall be in order for
all classes until November 1st of the prior year the tournament will be play in, and
if the tournament is waived it shall be offer to another team within the region or it
shall progress to the next region in order. The Regional Commissioner shall select a
host site by January 1st of the year the tournament will be played in.
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7.
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VFW Baseball rules will apply to all games unless a change is listed above.
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1.
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Competition is open to boys and girls who are 12 and under years of age and eligible to play
VFW Baseball. A boy or girl who has reached his or her 13th birthday by May 1st of the
current year is not eligible for the 12 and under programs. There will be three classes AA
Travel, A and B. Starting in 2009 tournament sites and dates will be chosen one year in
advance by the State Baseball Chairman and State VFW Officials during annual VFW
Baseball Committee Meeting. The number of teams that register, skill level of team players and
high school enrollments will be factors when teams are placed in a class. Considerations that best fit
the situation for each team will be taken to place a team in a certain class.
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2.
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A 12 and under Baseball team to be eligible for any tournament play must submit a
$75.00 entry Fee and 12 and under Entry Form to Department Headquarters, 3601 South
Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57105 postmarked on or before June 10th and 12 under
and roster on or before June 10th. If the team entry fee and other information are
received after June 10th or are postmarked after June 10th the team entry fee will
be increase by $25.00 and be $100.00 per team.
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3.
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Team entry forms and team roster forms must be postmarked by June 10th and sent to
VFW Department Headquarters. Team roster forms, must include the name of the player,
complete address of the player, name of school attended the last school year and date
of birth. If this information is incomplete, it can affect the eligibility of the
player. You may list up to (25) twenty-five players per roster for each team.
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4.
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All games in the 12 and under division will be six (6) innings. The 10 run rule will
be effect after 4 innings and the 15-run rule will be in effect after 3 innings. There
will be no tie. Games will go extra innings if needed to determine the winner.
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5.
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Pitching distance for the mound will be 48 feet and bases will be 65 feet.
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6.
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Pitching rules are 3 innings per game, 6 innings per day, 12 innings a tournament.
Any violation to the pitching rules (inning pitch) will result in a forfeit of that
game. Pitchers will be allowed 6 warm up pitches between innings. There is no balk
rule, there will be no balks. If a pitcher takes another position on the field, he/she
may not pitch again in that game.
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7.
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Batter, base runners, bat boys, any players acting as base coach and any players
out of the dugout must wear a helmet that covers both ears.
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8.
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Catchers must wear a protective headgear, chest protectors, throat protectors,
catcher’s cup and shin guards. This includes catchers warming up a pitcher.
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9.
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Metal cleats are not allowed.
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10.
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Bats may be no more than 2 ¼ inches in diameter and no more than 33 inches in
length. Any illegal bat will be removed from the game and the batter is out.
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11.
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Base running. Stealing is permitted, however, the runner cannot leave the base
until the ball crosses the plate. The runner is out if he/she leaves the base
early. The batter may run on a dropped third strike.
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12.
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A courtesy runner is encouraged but not required for a catcher with two outs
and it is also optional for a pitcher with two outs, but must be a bench player.
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13.
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A courtesy runner may be any player who is not currently in the game and
does not count as an entry into the game. A courtesy runner may later enter
the game at any position.
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14.
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Slide rule is in effect if a fielder has the ball before the run reaches 2nd,
3rd, or home. The runner is out if contact made, umpire discretion will be
applied and decision is final.
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15.
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You may replace starters during the game, but if he/she re-enters the game,
he/she must go into the game for the player he/she was replaced by and also
in the same spot in the batting. When the sub comes out, he/she is out of the
game. In the event of a serious injury and there are no players left on the
bench who have not played, the last player taken out may be placed back in the
game in place of the injured player. In the alternative, in case of serious
injury, a team may continue to play with eight players and the team will receive
an automatic out when that player’s turn to bat occurs.
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16.
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VFW baseball rules will apply to all games unless a change is listed above.
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1.
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Competition is open to boys and girls who are 10 and under years of
age and eligible to play VFW Baseball. A boy or girl who has reached
his or her 11th birthday by May 1st of the current year is not eligible
for the 10 and under programs. There will be three classes AA Travel,
A, and B. Starting in 2010, tournament sites will be chosen by the State
Baseball Chairman and State VFW Officials during the annual VFW Baseball
Committee Meeting. These dates will be chosen one year in advance. The
number of teams that register, skill level of team players, and high
school enrollments will be factors when teams are placed in a class.
Considerations that best fit the situation for each team will be taken
to place a team in a certain class.
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2.
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A 10 and under Baseball team to be eligible for any tournament play
must submit a $75.00 entry Fee and 12 and under Entry Form to Department
Headquarters, 3601 South Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57105 postmarked
on or before June 10th and 10 and under roster on or before June 10th.
If the team entry fee and other information are received after June 10th
or are postmarked after June 10th the team entry fee will be increase by
$25.00 and be $100.00 per team.
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3.
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Team entry forms and team rosters must be postmarked by June 10th and sent
to VFW Department Headquarters. Team roster forms must include the name of
the player, complete address of the player, name of the school attended the
last year and date of birth. If this information is incomplete, it can affect
the eligibility of the player. You may list up to (20) twenty players per
roster for the team.
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4.
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VFW baseball rules will apply to all games unless a change is listed below.
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5.
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Bases will be (60) sixty feet apart. Pitching distance is forty-five (44-46 ft.).
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6.
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All games in the 10 and under division will be (6) six innings. No new
inning after 1hour 45 minute, however the 10-run rule will be in effect
after 4 innings and the 15-run rule will be in effect after 3 innings. In
Pool Play - Games may end in a tie. Championship Bracket Games will go extra
innings if needed to determine the winner.
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7.
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Pitching limits: 2 inning in one game, 7 innings for the tournament. No balks,
if a pitcher leaves the mound he/she cannot pitch again in that game. No curve
balls, curve ball will be called a ball . If curve ball is put in play the offense
can choose to accept the play or take a ball.1 pitch constitutes 1 inning. Coaches
will be provided with official Pitching Sheets. The Opposing coaches will exchange
pitching statistics prior to each game. Upon completion of each game, coaches will
be required to verify and sign opposing coaches pitching sheet. Coaches will be
required to produce current and valid pitching sheets upon request of the tournament
officials. Inability to produce this document could result in elimination from the
tournament.
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8.
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Batters, base runners, batboys, any players acting as base coach, and any players
out of the dugout must wear a helmet that covers both ears.
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9.
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Catchers must wear a protective headgear, chest protectors, throat protectors,
catcher’s cup and shin guards. This includes catchers warming up a pitcher.
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10.
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Metal cleats are not allowed.
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11.
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Bats may be no more that 2¼” in diameter and no more than 32” in length. No barrel bats
will be allowed. Any illegal bats will be removed from the game and the batter is out.
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12.
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Base running. No leading off. Players may steal after the ball crossed home plate.
If a player leaves early, he will be out. No stealing home or advancing home on a
passed ball or wild pitch. A runner may not steal home on an overthrow back to the
pitcher nor can a runner advance home by enticing the catcher with an extended lead
to throw to 3rd.
In 1st and 3rd Situations: A runner (at third base) may not advance home
if the catcher has attempted a throw down to second base in a steal situation. If an
error occurs on the throw, the runner at third may not advance.
NOTE: This rule will only apply in 1st and 3rd situations. Rationale:
The VFW desires to facilitate the development of catcher’s and their ability to throw
to 2nd. In other instances of a runner attempting to steal 2nd or 3rd, the runner may
advance at his own risk on an overthrow/error.
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13.
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A courtesy runner is encouraged but not required for a catcher with two outs and it
is also optional for a pitcher with two outs, but must be a bench player. The courtesy
player must be a player who is not currently in the game and does not count as entry
into the game. This rule is to keep time between half innings to a minimum.
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14.
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Slide rule is in effect if a fielder has the ball before the run reaches 2nd, 3rd, or
home. The runner is out if contact is made, umpire discretion will be applied and
decision is final. A player may not intentionally create contact with another player
at any time. If the defensive player has the ball and a play is being made, the
offensive player must either slide or make every effort to avoid contact with the
defensive player. Should a player run over or crash into another player, he or she
will be ejected from the game and the out is awarded to the offensive team. If a
defensive player is in the base path without the ball and makes contact with, or
impedes the path of the offensive player, interference may be called on the defensive
player. Any runner obstructing a throw to attempt a double play will result in a
double play being called.
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15.
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A minimum of eight (8) players is required to start a game. When batting, the
ninth (9) positions will be an out. Any fewer players will require a forfeit.
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16.
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ALL players will bat through the lineup. This lineup will be exchanged prior to
the first pitch and final after the first pitch. (i.e. Team X has 12 players 9
in the line-up and 3 sub players, all 12 players are listed on the lineup card
and all 12 players will bat.)
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17.
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Free substitution for all players except pitchers. This will not affect batting order.
Batting order will stay intact and in order as per rule 16.
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18.
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No dropped third strike.
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19.
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Infield fly rule will be used. *See complete rule below.
INFIELD FLY RULE: An infield fly ball (not including a line
drive nor an attempted bunt), which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary
effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied
before two are out. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder who stations himself
in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this
rule. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire
shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners. If the ball
is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare “Infield Fly, if Fair”. The ball
is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch
and advance after the ball is touched, the same as any fly ball. If the hit becomes
a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared Infield Fly is allowed
to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base,
it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly fall untouched to the ground outside the
baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly.
On the Infield Fly rule, the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have
been handled by an infielder – not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass,
or the baselines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if
handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire’s judgment, the ball could have been as
easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an
appeal play. The umpire’s judgment must govern, and the decision should be made
immediately.
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20.
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In the event of weather related delays, tournament officials reserve the right to
alter tournament format to complete the tournament in a condensed amount of time.
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