The NJ-USSSA will be holding it's first annual 9-year-old A Division New Jersey State Championship Tournament. Only teams with all players from the same Recreational League or the same town may enter the Tournament. The Tournament will start June 20 2003 and end on June 22 2003. Here are all the tournament details: Cost: $375.00 per Team and USSSA Registration for the year is included. Team Limit: First 12 paid Teams are in. Tournament Format: Pool play with 3 games guarantee weather permitting. Possible rainout dates are June 23-27 (afternoon only games). Required Items: All team Managers must have in possession at all times during the tournament: (USSSA official roster release form signed by all parents copies of all player's birth certificate and proof of insurance). The Roster Release form is attached on this email. Rules: USSSA 9U Rules. (No leads runners may steal any base only after pitched ball crosses home plate no big barrel bats allowed No head first sliding in any base except to return. The tournament director reserves the right to modify rules and game schedules as needed in the best interest of the event. Regulation Game: 6 innings or one hour 50 minutes (1:50). A new inning may not start once the time limit expires. (This rule is subject to change in the event of rain delays and would become a "drop dead" time limit meaning the game is called the moment time expires.) If a game is tied when the time limit expires the International Tie Rule for Extra Innings described below applies to any new inning started after time has expired. At the start of an extra inning the visiting team places the last batter to complete an at bat in the previous inning at second base. Play resumes until three outs are recorded. To complete the extra inning the home team places the last batter to complete an at bat in the previous inning at second base. Play resumes until three outs are recorded or the home team takes the lead. Tournament Website: www.leaguelineup.com/njusssa Home and Visitors: Home team is determined by coin toss in pool play games. Higher seeded team is home in bracket play. Visitors use third base dugout. Mercy Rule: 8 runs after 5 innings (or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead); 10 runs after 4 innings (or 3 1/2 innings); 15 runs after 3 innings (or 2 1/2 innings). Pitching Limitations: Six (6) total innings for the tournament per pitcher. NOTE: Each pitcher will earn one (1) additional inning for each additional game played after four (3) games. Definition of an "inning pitched": If a player throws one pitch to a batter during an inning he will be charged with pitching one (1) inning. Penalty for this rule: Game forfeited when discovered. Designated Hitter: Designated hitters are NOT allowed. Extra Hitter (EH) Extra Hitters are NOT allowed. Mandatory play: There is NO mandatory play. (Players do not have to play a minimum number of outs or at bats). Courtesy Runners: No courtesy runners are permitted. Protests: The on site tournament director has the final authority to settle all disputes. Official Scorer: The home team scorebook is the official scorebook. Home team scorekeeper should confirm score with visiting team scorekeeper after each inning and notify umpire of score. Both teams must sign a game report showing the final score of the game and the innings pitched by each pitcher in the game. The report must be given to the site director after the game. Pre-game Infield: No pre-game infield practice is permitted. Tie Breakers: 1-Head to Head 2-Fewest Runs allowed-Revert to #1 if two are tied. 3-Most Runs Scored-Revert to #1 if two is tied. Field Dimensions: 9U: 46' mound 60' bases and 180+' fences. Age Cutoff Dates: Player must not turn 10 before August 1 2003. Field Name: Englewood Cliffs Witte/Johnson Ave Complex City: Englewood Cliffs State: New Jersey Awards: New Jersey USSSA State Champions Title Big 1st and 2nd place Team and Individual Trophies. Also the 1st place team will receive a $500.00 discount certificate good towards any national summer invitational tournament which run from the middle of June thru the end of August at The Brand New All Field Turf Baseball Heaven Sports Complex at Holbrook NY. The 2nd place team will receive a $250.00 discount certificate to the same. Baseball Heaven Website: www.baseballheavenli.com Deadline for entries: 6/13/03 (Teams must send Check with full team name address and phone number). Checks payable to: NJ-USSSA Mail to: William Hernandez 757-Day Ave Ridgefield NJ 07657 Yours in sportsmanship William Hernandez New Jersey USSSA State Director njusssa@nj.rr.com 201-840-1547