New 2004 Rule Summaries

1.  High School bat Length-to-Weight differential of  Minus -3 added for ages 15U & above  Penalty: the batter is out, and the bat is removed by umpires for the duration of the game.

2.  E-H rule deleted, and high school D-H rule added only in ages 15U & above.

3.  Team classifications for all elimination rounds of qualifying events shall be made by the Super Series tournament directors, following assessment of a team's pool play performance.  

4.  Travel expense rewards in the National Division (National Championships) increased by 50%  (Maximum reward: now $4,800.00)

5. Ejections of coaches, players, and fans will carry an additional and immediate 1 game suspension. 

6.  Should a manager, coach, or fan refuse to leave the premises upon ejection, the team is disqualified immediately from further participation in that event.
The team may receive additional sanctions at the discretion of Super Series.

7.  Post-Game Misconduct:  If a team, coach or player displays misconduct or poor sportsmanship after a game is concluded, the player or coach may be ejected from the next game - the team may forfeit its next game - or may be suspended at the discretion of Super Series.

8. Use of profanity by coaches or players is
considered unsportsmanlike conduct and may result in ejection, upon the decision of the Super Series official or event director.  Super Series strongly objects to the
use of profanity by any individual at a Super Series event.

9. Assistant coaches may not leave their position, dugout, or bullpen area to appeal any play on the field.  PENALTY:  Ejection after one warning

10. No coach, player, or team shall, at any time, whether from the bench, coaching box, or playing field, attempt to incite by word or sign, any unsportsmanlike conduct or demonstration by spectators.

11. Further definition of slide rule:   At  2nd, 3rd, and home, the runner must slide on the ground in a direct line between the two bases.  (Exception:  A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play.

12. A manager or coach may not remove his team from the field, or refuse to continue play, due to a dispute with game officials.  PENALTY:  The manager of coach is suspended for the next TWO GAMES.   A second violation of this nature within the game would result in forfeiture.

 13. COURTESY RUNNER:  A courtesy runner cannot be a player who is, or was, in the game, even if they are a starter with re-entry remaining.  PENALTY:  The improper runner is an ineligible player and ejected from the game.

New 2005 Rule Summaries

1.  The extra hitter listed on the original line-up is considered the extra hitter for the entire game no matter what defensive position he assumes during the game.  The extra hitter may occupy any position in the batting order.  Once the game has commenced, the position of the E-H in the batting line-up cannot change during the game.

2.  If a player throws equipment a bench warning shall be issued.  Any further infractions will result in an ejection with a 1-game additional suspension.  If the umpire judges the initial throwing of equipment to be flagrant, he may eject.

3.  Fans, spectators and players are prohibited from shouting harrassing, disparaging remarks or profanity to opposing players or coaches on the field.  Umpires are instructed to call time, and eject the fan or spectator.  Such ejection shall also carry a 1-game additional suspension.   

4.  All uniform jerseys shall have numbers and no number shall be duplicated on the same team.  If a player has an identical number the jersey or number shall be changed or the player will not be allowed participation.

5. Ejections for unsportsmanlike conduct, play, or actions of coaches, players, and fans will now carry an additional, and immediate, 1 game suspension. 

6.  Improper Courtesy Runner PENALTY:  If an illegal courtesy runner is used, and the usage is properly appealed by the opponent, that runner shall be called out and ejected. 
If an illegal courtesy runner is discovered after play has resumed, that runner shall be ejected as an ineligible player.  All playing action until that point would stand.

7.  Head-to-head tie-breaker is to be used for TWO TEAMS tied only.  If three or more teams are tied, the first tie-breaking criteria will be runs ALLOWED by all of the tied teams.  Head-to-head will not be used at all as a criteria in National Championships.

8. In pool play, if the game is tied after regulation innings are completed, but time is still remaining, additional innings may be played until the time limit expires.

9. Collision Avoidance Safety Rule: When there is collision between a runner and a fielder who is clearly in possession of the ball the umpire shall judge whether the collision was avoidable, whether the runner was attempting to reach the base or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder.  PENALTY:  If runner could have avoided the collision or attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner shall be called out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball.  The ball is dead and all runners return to last base touched at the time of the interference.  If umpire judges collision to be flagrant, the runner is called out and ejected.

Slide Safety Rule:  It is the obligation of the runner to slide, or attempt to avoid contact or collision with the defensive player, at any base, anytime.  If contact is made in a non-malicious manner (an umpire judgment) the player shall be called out.  If contact is made in a malicious manner, the runner shall be called out and ejected from that game, plus an additional (1) game.

Jumping Over a Player: Hurdling a player who is the act of making a play will not be allowed.  The ball is immediately dead, time is called.  The player is called out regardless of the outcome of the play.  All players return to the last base legally occupied at the time of this act. 

 10. All casts, splints and braces must be padded with at least ½-inch of closed cell, slow recovery rubber or other material of the same minimum thickness and having similar physical properties.  No protective equipment shall have any exposed metal or other hard material.  Note: A pitcher cannot wear any casts, splints or braces of any kind.

11.  National, American and Minors divisional references no longer apply to the high school age groups.  There will simply be single age divisions for 15's, 16's, 17's and 18's in both qualifiers and National Championships.

12. In 2005, we will commence play with a new pure 17U division within qualifiers and National Championships

13. In 2005, a 14U 60/90 National Championship shall also be offered for Minors Division teams - as it has been for National and American teams.

14A. High school aged teams (15's thru 18's) may now enter the National Championships without qualification.  However, if a team does qualify the team will earn seeding points which will be advantageous and will be used for seeding national championship pools.  In-State boundary rules for players remain unless a border exemption is granted in writing.

14B. The add-drop limitations for qualified rosters in the 15's-thru-18's divisions has been dropped.  15's thru 18's can make unlimited roster changes - but teams are still limited to 18 player roster maximums.

15. Any pitcher removed from the mound for a pinch hitter, for a substitute, or simply to change to a defensive position, cannot return to the mound to pitch in the same game.

16. Players shall be prohibited from wearing jewelry in any game. (Exception: Medical Alert bracelets)  One warning will be given per team in any game, followed by player ejection for violations by any players in the game thereafter.

17. All line-up changes and substitutions MUST BE REPORTED by the team manager to the home plate umpire before any substitute takes his offensive or defensive position in the game.