|
NABA WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TOURNAMENT RULES
1. Start Times: Game
start times will be approximately 8:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and
7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted on your schedules. Should a team
fail to arrive or have a full team ready to play (8 or more under the
8 man start and finish rule) by the scheduled start time, a maximum
1 hour grace period will be allowed and the exact amount of time
given that team will be deducted from the original starting time so
that the game will be shortened by that amount of time. (Example: if
the game starts 15 minutes late due to one team’s being late, no full
inning will start after 2 hours and 45 minutes after play has begun.)
Assuming the game starts within the 1-hour grace period, the late team
will forfeit one run for every 15 minutes to the other team and
the game will start at 1-0, beginning with the first minute. In other
words, if the start time is 8:30, the score is 1-0 at 8:31; 2-0 at
8:46; 3-0 at 9:01; 4-0 at 9:16 and a forfeit at 9:31. (However, the
actual forfeit score “in the scorebook” for tiebreaker purposes will
be 9-0.) This rule will not apply if the late team is coming off a
back-to-back game, and games that start late due to the previous
game’s running over (and not due to a team’s lateness) will not
be shortened. (E.g. if both teams arrive to a scheduled 3:30 p.m. game
on time and have to wait until another game finishes and do not start
until 4:00 p.m., that game will be allowed the full time under the 3
hour Time Limit rule, provided there is adequate light.) START
TIMES WILL BE ENFORCED; YOU HAVE NOW BEEN WARNED.
2. Time Limit:
3-hour time limits for all pool play games. No new inning may
start after the 3-hour mark. If two teams are tied after 9 innings
and have not played 3 hours, they may continue to play up to three
hours, however no new inning may start after the 3-hour mark. All
games tied at the end of the three-hour mark will remain a tied game.
There is a 3 hour time limit for playoff games. No time limits
for Championship games.
3. Games Called Due to Darkness:
With exception of Playoff games, any game that has gone at least (5)
complete innings before being called because of darkness (on an
unlighted field) will be deemed a “complete game” or “regulation game”
for “pool play purposes” in accordance with the 2010 Official Baseball
Rule (4.10(c)(1)). The NABA will do its best to see to it that travel
times between games are minimized so that games can begin on time and
games scheduled at 3:30 p.m. on fields without lights can begin on
time and “be completed with 9 innings of play”. If a game during pool
play has past (5) complete innings and the game is called due to
darkness by an umpire before the bottom of the inning is complete,
then the score of the game will revert back to the previous inning and
the game will be ruled complete. For Playoff games only, at the
discretion of the umpires and the tournament director, games to be
“called due to darkness” will either be moved to an available field
with lights the same evening (after checking in with the Tournament
Directors’ office) or continued until the next day at another field
(to be determined by the Tournament Director) so that these games can
go a full 3 hours or 9 innings or play; provided, however, the
“continuation of the game” is in accordance with the 2010 Official
Baseball Rule (4.12(d)).
4. Games Called Due to Rain:
With exception of Playoff games and Championship games, any game that
has gone at least (5) complete innings before being called because of
rain, will be deemed a “complete game” or “regulation game” for “pool
play purposes” in accordance with the 2010 Official Baseball Rule
(4.10(c)(1)). NABA will do its best to ensure that all pool play
games are given every consideration to complete as many innings as
possible (to be determined by the tournament director) in case of
rain. If a game during pool play has past (5) complete innings and
the game is called due to rain by an umpire before the bottom of the
inning is compete, then the score of the game will revert back to the
previous inning and the game will be ruled complete. For playoff or
championship games only, at the discretion of the umpires and the
tournament director, games will be “suspended due to rain” and will be
continued at the point where the game was suspended on an available
field that is playable the same day or evening, or continued the next
day at the same field or another field (as determined by the
tournament director) so that these games can go a full 3 hours or 9
innings of play.
5. Mercy Rule: There is
a 10 run mercy rule after 7 innings, and a 15 run mercy rule after 5
innings in effect for all pool play and playoff games. The mercy rule
will not apply to Championship games.
6. Protests: All
protests must be filed at the field with the plate umpire and
with a tournament official within 1 hour of the protested game’s
completion. A $150 cash, non-refundable fee (refundable only if
you prevail) must be submitted to a league official at the Tournament
Office within 1 hour of your team’s completion of the game in question
(1 hour after your last game if you are scheduled to play another game
immediately after the protested game). Call the number provided at
Check-in. Remember, you cannot protest an umpire’s “judgment”,
only a rule interpretation. If a protest is lodged, all parties
involved (Managers of both teams, and umpires) must be available the
day of the protest no matter what time it is to discuss the protest.
The testimony as to the facts of the protest will not be considered,
if a party involved in the protest cannot be contacted by a tournament
official by 12 midnight of the day of the protest.
7. Eligibility Protest:
All protests with regard to age or identity must be protested on the
field to the umpire and opposing team manager. If a player’s age or
identity is questioned and protested, the opposing manager must
provide the player’s proof of age and identity with a valid picture
ID. Any player unable to produce a valid picture ID will be
ineligible to continue or play in the game. If a player’s
identity or age makes them ineligible to play, the player will not be
allowed to continue in the game. The NABA rules committee will then
determine if the game has been tainted and if a protest/consequence
should stand in the game and tournament for the violating team. All
protests with regard to ex-pro or college player eligibility should
follow rule #6 protest rule. However the player or player’s in
question must also show a valid picture ID at the time of protest. If
they are unable to produce a valid picture ID they will be ineligible
to continue in the game. Where possible, an NABA tournament official
will assist in the process and if the official can rectify the
situation on the field they will do so. The NABA rules committee
will then determine if the game has been tainted and if a
protest/consequence should stand in the game and tournament for the
violating team.
8. Reporting Scores:
Both teams must report all scores within 1 hour of completion of the
game to the tournament score line. It is the team manager’s
responsibility to verify their teams score with the official
tournament headquarters records. No discrepancies will be altered
after seeding for playoffs.
9. Tiebreakers: See the
official NABA Tournament tiebreaker rules attached.
10. Bat Requirements:
Aluminum and graphite bats must not have a bare handle. Bats
that have a -.03 differential in weight vs. length or less are
currently eligible. Unauthorized use of an illegal bat will
result in the bat being removed from the game.
11. Additional Rules:
If a team registered for the
tournament decides not to come, and does not communicate with
tournament officials until after the schedule has been completed, the
following rule will apply: The schedule will be played as written
and each team scheduled to play the said team which did not show up
for the tournament will receive a forfeit win of 9-0. No pro-rated
refund of a team fee will be given as a result of a forfeit win.
If a team decide to stop playing a championship game and leave for any
reason the following rule will apply: The championship game will
be called a forfeit loss for the team who decides to leave or stop
playing the game, and the championship will go to the remaining team.
No warming up in the infield or around the dugouts. Use the ONLY
the outfield area to warm-up. Do not warm-up in front of the
dugouts. No SOFT-TOSS or hitting baseballs into the fences. No
alcohol on the baseball fields or in the dugouts at all. No smoking
on the baseball fields or dugouts at all. No tobacco on the baseball
fields or dugouts at all. Use only the restrooms provided. If you
are caught not using the restrooms, both the player and the team will
forfeit their game and be ejected from the facility and will not be
allowed to play at that facility the rest of the tournament. All
other rules of baseball (set forth in the 2008 Official Baseball Rules
published by the National Baseball Congress), amended by the rules set
forth in the NABA Manager’s Rulebook and Guidelines, except as amended
above, apply.
12. Wood Bat Divisions:
In the wood bat divisions NATURAL WOOD BATS, COMPOSITE WOOD BATS AND
METAL/WOOD BATS are permitted for use during play.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE
NUMBER OF GUARANTEED GAMES WILL BE FIVE (5) FOR ALL THE DIVISIONS (AS
PUBLISHED ON PROMOTIONAL FLYERS), AND THERE MAY BE ONE OR TWO ROUNDS
OF PLAYOFFS FOLLOWED BY CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES FOR EACH SEPARATE DIVISION
UNLESS ALTERED BY EVENTS OR HAPPENSTANCE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE
NABA INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INCLEMENT WEATHER, WAR, RIOTS,
CIVIL DISORDER, FIELDS BEING OUT OF ORDER, OR ACTS OF GOD.
The NABA reserves the right to
refuse any player or team permission to participate in a tournament.
The NABA reserves the right to add, delete, merge or create divisions
or divisional formats based on the number of teams entered at anytime
before the tournament, and will give every effort to give teams
advance notice, however NABA may not be able to do so. If a team
planned to enter a deleted division, that team may play in another
division or receive a refund minus your deposit, or transfer the
balance to another NABA National or World Championship Tournament,
provided it is at least 5 days prior to check-in. The NABA also
reserves the right to make changes to the rules or make changes in
prizes and/or giveaways (but with a substitute of equal or greater
value), which would then be effective upon notice to the teams
participating in the tournament.
NABA
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
2011
PLAYOFF and TIEBREAKER RULES
The following Playoff and
Tiebreaker Rules only apply when determining eligibility/qualifying
for playoff games. Tiebreaker rules have always been difficult.
This is especially true when several teams have the same or tied
record and are worthy to advance to the playoffs; yet, due to limits
on fields and time to complete the tournament, not every team with
tied records can be assured a playoff spot. The only way to
“guarantee” a playoff spot is to remain undefeated.
It is our sincere belief
that the following set of tiebreakers is the fairest, because the
focus is on win-loss percentages first, head-to-head competition
second, and the “best defensive teams in a given situation”, with
least runs allowed, next.
There are also four key
principles to which we consistently adhere:
1)
As a general rule, a tiebreaker between teams with
the same win-loss percentage should be determined by “head-to-head”
since it is the best determinant of which of the teams in question
is the better team;
2)
Based on fairness, where teams with the same win-loss
percentage are vying for the final playoff spot
(usually the runner-up spot or a “wild-card”), and those 2 teams
have not played one another, then the best defensive team with the
average least runs allowed will be used.
3)
If a head-to-head meeting did occur but that game
ended in a tie, and the least runs allowed for each team is the
same, the team with the highest average winning margin in pool play
is the pool winner;
4)
If a forfeit occurs in pool play, the forfeit win
will count towards the tiebreaker for win-loss percentage, and the
head-to-head determinants. However, forfeit wins will not count
towards the tiebreaker for average least runs allowed, nor highest
average winning margin in pool play. If a team forfeits a game
during pool play, the NABA reserves the right to exclude the team
forfeiting the game from the playoffs. NABA reserves these rights
in order to protect teams against forfeiting teams gaining an unfair
advantage in playoff games.
DETERMINATION
OF POOL WINNERS and RUNNERS-UP
A Pool Winner is the team
with the best win-loss percentage within a pool. However, if more
than one team in a pool has the same win-loss percentage, then you
must revert to the tie-breaker(s) below. All examples assume a
three game pool schedule.
Determining the Pool
Winner/Runner-Up
There
are two basic scenarios: A) A tiebreaker involving two teams with
the same win-loss percentage; and B) A tiebreaker involving three
(or more) teams with the same win-loss percentage.
A)
Pool Winner: Two teams with the same win-loss percentage:
In the event two (2) teams in the same pool finish with the same
win-loss percentage, the order of tiebreakers is as follows:
1)
Head-to-Head. (The team that beat the other is the
Pool Winner.)
2) Average
Least Runs Allowed. (If head-to-head did occur, but that
game ended in a tie,
then the team with the fewest runs allowed in pool play is the Pool
Winner.) Average Least Runs Allowed is the total runs allowed
divided by the number of games played. For the purposes of the
remaining examples, this will be referred to as “Least Runs Allowed”
(assume the same number of games played by the teams involved in the
tiebreaker examples).
3) Highest
Average Winning Margin in pool play. (If head-to-head did occur,
but that game ended in a tie, and, the Least Runs Allowed for each
team was the same, then the team with the Highest Average Winning
Margin in pool play is the Pool Winner.) (For situations where two
teams in the same pool with the same win-loss percentage did not
play each other, see (C)(1) below.) Average Winning Margin is the
following: The difference between the total runs scored and total
runs allowed, divided by the number of games played.
4)
Coin Flip. (All coin flips must take place in the
presence of a Tournament Protest Committee Member.)
The foregoing will be
referred to as the “Two Team Tiebreaker” and/or “Tiebreaker A”. The
team that is not the Pool Winner is the Runner-up.
B)
Pool Winner and Runner-up: Three teams with the same win-loss
percentage:
In the event three (3)
teams in the same pool finish with the same win-loss percentage, the
order of tiebreakers is as follows:
1)
If one team beats
the other 2 teams, it is the Pool Winner. Then proceed to the “Two
Team Tie-breaker” to determine the Runner-up as to the remaining two
teams starting with head-to-head.
2)
If all 3 teams
involved in the tiebreaker beat one another, then the team with
the least runs allowed among the three involved during all pool play
games advances first or is seeded first. If two teams still
remain, proceed to the Two Team Tiebreaker rule.
3)
If three (3) teams
have the same win-loss percentage and only two of the teams have
played against each other, we will use head-to-head competition to
break the tiebreaker with the two teams who have played each other,
and then use average least runs allowed to eliminate or seed all
three teams involved in the tiebreaker. Once the tiebreaker has
either eliminated or seeded down to two teams, we will then use the
two team tiebreaker rule. PLEASE NOTE: We will always use
head-to-head competition as the first tiebreaker rule to try and
break any tiebreakers, even in a three-team tiebreaker where only
two teams may have played head-to-head. This rule applies
not only for determination of pool winner and runner-up, but also
for seeding purposes in pools for playoffs.
4)
Tiebreakers for
four (4) or more teams which are tied will be determined only by
utilizing average least runs allowed. Unless, one team has played
and won against all other teams. The team with the lowest average
least runs allowed will advance first or is seeded first. Once we
have eliminated down to three (3) teams, we will refer to the
three-team tiebreaker rule. Once we have eliminated down to two (2)
teams we will refer to the two (2) team tiebreaker rule.
(UP-01/11)
|
