This season MIBGC will be offering two different sponsorship options.

The TEAM SPONSORSHIP, which costs $250, is the same as previous years. The sponsor will be given the option of printing either their company name OR the children’s first or last names on the jerseys. The sponsorship will be recognized on the team schedule and on the MIBGC website.

The COPORATE SPONSORSHIP, which costs $500 and is new to this season, gives sponsors the ability to put both their company logo/name and children’s names on the jerseys. You will be recognized on our website as well as have your company logo included on all Little League emails with a hyperlink to your company’s webpage. If you are interested in sponsoring, please indicate during your child’s registration and we will contact you as the season gets staretd. Questions?

Please email MIAthletics@positiveplace.org.

 1.         Tournament Administration

a.          Tournament DirectorThe Tournament Director is Andy Majewski, MILL Board Member. The Tournament Director will administer all aspects of the tournament and appoint others, as needed, to ensure the orderly conduct of the tournament. The Tournament Director can also resolve protests or disputes arising from the application or interpretation of rules on the field (see Section 14). Tournament Director Contact Information:                Andy Majewski                Cell:  (206) 915-3888                Email:  majewskier@yahoo.com                

b.         Tournament Umpire in Chief The Tournament Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) is John Weinberg, MILL Umpire-in-Chief. He will manage recruiting, scheduling, and supervision of tournament umpires. The UIC can also resolve protests or disputes arising from the application or interpretation of rules on the field (see Section 14). Tournament Umpire in Chief Contact Information:                John Weinberg                Cell:  (206) 790-4573                Email:  judgejohn@msn.com  
 

c.          Additional Contact Information               

MILL League President:  Terry Coe (206) 851-0993 cell; terrellcoe@gmail.com                     

MILL VP AA: Peter Noone 206-669-7004 cell; noone.peter@gmail.com                

Mercer Island Parks Rainout Line:  (206) 275-7894 (updated by 2:00 weekdays/ 7am weekends)               

Bellevue Rainout Line:  425-452-4860 (updated by 3:00 weekdays/ 7am weekends)               

Tournament Web site:  http://www.MercerIslandLittleLeague.org/ Score & Pitch-Count Reporting: See

MILL website for score reporting link 

1. Tournament Format

a.          Pool PlayThe tournament will use a round-robin, pool play format followed by single elimination. All teams will be scheduled for three pool games (except as noted directly below), seeded and placed in pools based on their order of finish in their own leagues. The top 2 teams from each pool plus 2 additional wild card teams will advance to a 16-team, seeded, single-elimination phase. For 2010 we have 29 teams. Seven (7) pools have been set up – 6 pools of 4 teams and 1 pool of 5 teams. Note: Pool 1 has 5 teams. Each team in the four team pools will play the other once. The teams in Pool 1 will also play three times except for one team that will only play two games.  If necessary to determine which teams advance to the elimination phase, two teams in Pool 1 will play an additional game.

b.         Advancing/TiebreakersCriteria used to determine the seeding within pools, the seeding of wild-card teams and the overall seeding in the single-elimination tournament are:                                                        

 i.            Record in pool play (or winning % if all teams have not played the same number of games)                                                      

ii.            Head-to-head play                                                     

 iii.            Average run differential in pool play (10 runs per game max)                                                    

iv.            Average runs allowed in pool play (10 runs per game max)                                                      

v.            Actual average runs allowed in pool play (no limit)                                                    

 vi.            Coin toss 

Forfeits: For tiebreaker purposes, forfeits will be scored 6-0. However, if a team concedes or forfeits a game in progress, the score at the time of the forfeit will stand.  The Tournament Director reserves the right to use his discretion to implement additional tiebreak methods, such as those outlined in the Green Book, should any unforeseen anomalies arise. 

1. General Rules

a.          LineupsThe manager must provide the opposing team and the home plate umpire with a copy of their lineup. Lineups must indicate each player's name, jersey number, position in the batting order, and starting defensive position.  Please note duplicate jersey numbers, if any.NOTE:  Managers are required to indicate ineligible pitchers on lineup cards by circling the names of players that are not eligible to pitch in that game.  

b.         Thrown BatsRegarding thrown bats, we will follow Green Book and not penalize players for thrown bats. We consider this to be a coaching issue, and as such we encourage managers and coaches to emphasize to players the importance of not throwing the bat. In cases of repeat throwing incidents by the same batter, the umpire may request that the manager sit that player for the remainder of the game.

c.          Slash bunts prohibitedMercer Island Little League has adopted a policy prohibiting slash bunts (where a batter takes a bunt stance, then pulls back and takes a full swing).  We believe that slash bunts create unsafe playing conditions.  Managers and coaches are directed to instruct their players that slash bunts are prohibited. A slash bunt hit in play will be ruled a dead ball out, runners return to base. A foul or missed slash bunt attempt will be a strike and the player and manager will be issued a reminder warning by the umpire. Any future attempt by that team will be ruled a dead ball out, regardless of whether the ball was put in play or not.

d.         Field Setup MILL will strive to have fields ready, but requests that teams assist when needed, particularly when multiple games are played back-to-back on the same field. Please rake and flatten the batters boxes and areas around each base.

e.         Portable MoundsPortable mounds will be used at some fields and may not be available on others.  If a portable mound is available and in good condition it shall be used.

4.         Tournament Games

a.       Time limits For all games except the semi-final and championship games, the following time limits will apply: No new inning shall start after two hours (2:00) after starting (first pitch) Acts of War or Nature provision:  If, due to rain outs, the pool schedule adds 5:00 PM/ 7:00 PM games in order to catch up on games, then no new inning shall start after one hour and 45 minutes (1:45) and there will be a hard stop at two hours (2:00)

b.         Run limitThere will be a 5-run limit per team per inning – except for the 6th inning or any inning that begins within 30 minutes of the time limit (as determined by the home plate umpire and announced to both teams prior to the start of that inning), which is unlimited.

c.          Mercy RuleIf one team leads by ten or more runs at the conclusion of four innings (or 3 ½ innings if the home team leads), then the game ends. This does not apply for the championship game.

d.         TiesIf tied at the conclusion of regulation play, play extra innings until a winner is determined or time limit (if applicable) is reached. POOL PLAY: If time expires and the game was tied at the last completed inning, the game will count as a tie in the standings.ELIMINATION PLAY: If time expires and the game was tied at the end of the last completed inning, the winner will be the team who was ahead the end of the last complete inning in which the score was not tied. If the score was tied at the end of all completed innings, the higher-seeded team will advance.

e.         Home runs/ground rule doublesFields that are not enclosed by an outfield fence may be marked with paint and have cones placed to indicate a home run line at approximately 175 feet from home plate. ·         A fly ball that carries over this line before grounding shall be a home run.

·         A fly ball that carries over this line after being touched or deflected by a defensive player shall be a home run.

·         A fly ball that is caught while the defensive player has any portion of one or both feet beyond the cones is a home run.

·         A fly ball that is caught and then carried past the cones (“catch and carry”) is an out, live ball, as with any ordinary caught fly ball.

·         A ball that touches the ground before reaching the cones and then travels beyond the cones, touched or untouched by a fielder, is a ground-rule double and all base runners shall advance 2 bases from the start of the play. If in the umpire’s judgment the fielder intentionally kicks or otherwise directs the ball past the line, the umpire may award the batter 3^rd base.If a physical fence is present (LID fields), the following rules apply:

·         If a batted ball lands beyond the fence on a fly, touched or untouched, it is a home run. (A ball caught by an outfielder who then falls over the fence or into the fence is an out – but the ball remains in play and runners may advance at their own risk.)

·         If a batted ball bounces in fair territory and then over or under the fence, or the extended line of the fence – touched or untouched – it is a ground-rule double and all runners shall advance two bases from where they started.

f.           Suspended Games If a game is halted by darkness, rain, or other uncontrollable condition before becoming an official game (4 innings, or 3-1/2 if the home team is ahead), the game must be resumed at a later time at precisely the point it was suspended.  If less than one full inning was completed the game will be rescheduled and started over from the beginning.If a game is halted by darkness, rain, or other uncontrollable condition after becoming an official game, revert to the score at the last completed inning, or half-inning if the home team leads. If this score is a tie, see Section c, above.If conditions are such that resuming play of a suspended game is not possible, the Tournament Director shall make a ruling to declare one team the winner.

g.          Home TeamThe home team is determined by toss of coin 30 minutes before game. The home team shall occupy the 3rd-base dugout.  

5.         Scorekeeping, Pitch Counting, Score Reporting

a.          The home team score book is the "official book" for that game. However, both teams must have a scorekeeper and they shall compare books and pitch counts each half-inning.  The official book must record the time of first pitch as the official starting time for the game.

b.         The manager of each team is responsible for reporting pitch counts and game scores to the Tournament Director no later than 10:00 p.m. on the day of the game. Use the report form provided (see Mercer Island Little League website).

c.          The Pitching Eligibility Tracking Form will be used by all teams. Following each game both managers and both scorekeepers should meet to confirm final score and pitch counts for all pitchers. Discrepancies should be resolved at this point. The manager and scorekeeper of each team should sign each team’s Tracking Form and scorebook signifying agreement on score and pitch counts.

d.         NOTE:  In the event of a discrepancy between reporting teams for a given game score or pitch counts, if the discrepancy cannot be resolved, the home team ("official") report prevails.  

6.         Manager and CoachesEach team is permitted to have one adult manager and two adult coaches. There must be one adult in the dugout at all times the dugout is occupied by one or more players. There shall never be more than three adults permitted in the dugout.

7.         Replacement players, manager, coachesAny player, manager, or coach who is unable to participate in the tournament due to injury, illness, vacation, or other justifiable reason may be replaced by another eligible person. Replacement players, manager, and coaches must be approved by the Tournament Director. 

8.         Ejection of player, manager, or coachAny player, manager, or coach who is ejected from a game by the umpire for any reason shall leave the field immediately, and shall be ineligible to play, manage, or coach in the next tournament game. If ejected a second time, that player, manager, or coach is permanently suspended.

9.         Pitch count limits and rest requirementsAll teams must comply with regular season Green Book regulations regarding pitch count and rest requirements for pitchers.  This tournament will use Option 1 in the Green Book.

10.     Use of ineligible player or pitcherThe use of ineligible pitcher or player is a protestable condition.  A protest should be made as soon as the protestable condition is noticed. If there is a dispute about the eligibility of a pitcher or player, this shall be resolved by the Tournament Director before continuing with the game, and the decision of the Tournament Director is final.

a.          If the protest is made BEFORE the start of the game (before the first pitch) and the player is determined to be ineligible, that player must be removed from the team roster, or the ineligible pitcher must be replaced, and the game shall begin normally and no penalties imposed.

b.         If the protest is made DURING the game and upheld by the Tournament Director, or his designate, the game may be forfeited.Each manager as a responsibility to know the opponents ineligible pitchers and must lodge a protest as soon as he/she realizes an ineligible pitcher is on the mound. The opposing manager may not sit back recognizing the use of such a pitcher to see how the game turns out before deciding to protest. The remedy for use of an ineligible pitcher is to remove him from the game immediately. Unintentional use of an ineligible pitcher does not result in forfeiture of the game.

11.     Batting order & substitutionsTournament play will employ a continuous batting order in which all rostered players on a team take at-bats in their assigned position in the batting order. Tournament play allows for free substitution of players on defense; however, Green Book rules apply with respect to substituting pitchers and prohibiting a player from playing catcher for the remainder of the day if having already pitched 41 or more pitches in the game or from pitching if he has caught 4 innings that day.

12.     Mandatory play requirementEvery rostered player that is present for the game must play a minimum of six defensive outs and have at least one at-bat.

13.     Player arriving lateAny player who arrives late to a tournament game may be inserted into the game at the bottom of the lineup. However, managers must ensure that players entering the game late meet mandatory minimum play requirements. (See Green Book, Regulation IV(i) for more detail.)   

14.     ProtestsAny protest of the misapplication of a rule shall be resolved at the time of the incident and before any additional pitch is delivered.

a.          There shall be no protests of judgment calls by an umpire.

b.         Disputes that arise from the perceived misapplication of a rule will be discussed with the umpires on the field. If no resolution is reached, the Tournament Director, the Umpire in Chief, or other appointed League official will be called in to make a ruling. The ruling of the tournament official shall be final.c.          If a tournament official cannot be reached, the decision of the umpire shall be final.

15.     Rainouts  In the event of a rainout, the Tournament Director will reschedule games subject to field availability and this may require teams to play games on consecutive days. In case there are a large number of rainouts, the Tournament Director reserves the right to cancel games, advance teams, and/or reduce the number of teams that advance to the single-elimination phase of the tournament.
 

Directions to Mercer Island Fields: Lid Playfields – 2200 72nd Ave SE, Mercer IslandFrom I-90 Westbound:

• Take the Island Crest Way Exit
• At the top of the exit ramp continue straight through the light onto N. Mercer Way
• Go through the next light (80th Ave SE) and continue to the stop sign at 76th Ave SE.
• Turn LEFT onto 76th Ave SE and go one block to SE 24th St.
• Turn RIGHT onto SE 24th St. and head up the hill to 72nd Ave SE.
• Turn RIGHT onto 72nd Ave SE. Go about 2-3 blocks, across an overpass, and make a SHARP LEFT just past the overpass down into the parking lot.
• The West field is closest to the parking lot; the East field is on the opposite end of the park.
• Please watch for bicyclists as you cross the path…

• Take the West Mercer Way exit – the first exit across the I-90 bridge (do not use the HOV lanes)
• Turn RIGHT at the top of the exit ramp
• At the stop sign turn LEFT onto SE 24th St. and head up the hill to 72nd Ave SE.
• Turn LEFT onto 72nd Ave SE. Go about 2-3 blocks, across an overpass, and make a SHARP LEFT just past the overpass down into the parking lot.
• The West field is closest to the parking lot; the East field is on the opposite end of the park.
• Please watch for bicyclists as you cross the path…

• Take the Island Crest Way exit and head south on Island Crest Way for about 3 miles.
• Turn RIGHT onto SE 68th St. (stop sign)
• Turn LEFT onto 84th Ave SE (stop sign)
• Go about 3 blocks and just as the road curves to the right get in the left-turn lane and turn LEFT to continue on 84th Ave SE.
• Go past the back of Islander Middle School on your right and continue straight to SE 78th St.
• Turn RIGHT toward Lakeridge Elementary School (78th St.) – the fields will be on your right.