Tournament Rules

Rules Index | Rules Summary | Regulations

2008 Series Results|Past World Series Champions|Series Records (updated)

Sentences highlighted represent rule changes for the 2008-09 program.

Rules and Regulations for Tournament Play are governed by the Official Playing Rules of Major League Baseball and the Rules and Regulations contained in a tournament guidelines manual. Copies of the tournament guidelines manual are available from the Commissioner's Office. Tournament play can be conducted using double elimination play, round robin or pool play. Pitching rules for each level of play are to be enforced as found in the tournament rules, with no exceptions. Only approved Dixie Boys/Majors tournament brackets as found on this website may be used.

The Tournament Director and the umpire-in-chief shall review all tournament rules with all managers (preferably at the pre-tournament credentials check) to insure the meaning and/or intent of each rule listed herein. If for any reason, any rule is added, deleted or changed by the Commissioner of Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc., and not included in this book, the Tournament Director will obtain and distribute copies of said rules to all managers before the tournament begins.

Any rule change shall apply to both Dixie Boys and Dixie Majors unless suffixed with a "DB" for Dixie Boys or an "DM" for Dixie Majors.

TEAMS- TOURNAMENT RULES 

0.21DB Dixie Boys tournament rosters may include up to thirteen (13) players of eligible league age. After the tournament begins, a player may be replaced for a legitimate reason only. The teams league president must send a letter for approval showing why the player was replaced, to the State Director with a copy to the District Director. A copy of this letter must accompany the teams credentials throughout tournament play. Only thirteen (13) players, and three (3) coaches, shall be permitted on the field or bench. Only two (2) coaches shall be allowed on the playing field at any time during the game. (Under this rule no mascots, animals or human, will be permitted on the field or bench.)

0.21DM Dixie Majors and Pre-Majors tournament rosters may include up to sixteen (16) players of eligible league age. After the tournament begins, a player may be replaced for a legitimate reason only. The team's league president must send letter for approval showing why the player was replaced, to the State Director with a copy to the District Director. A copy of this letter must accompany the team's credentials throughout play. Only sixteen (16) players, and three (3) coaches, shall be permitted on the field or bench. Only two (2) coaches shall be allowed on the playing field at any time during the game. (Under this rule no mascots, animals or human, will be permitted on the field or bench.)

0.22 At each league's option, tournament teams may be composed of whatever combination of eligible league aged boys as the league desires; e.g., a Dixie Boys Tournament team may be composed entirely of 14-year old players or any combination of 13-14 year-old players. Teams entering the 13-year-old (Junior Dixie Boys) tournaments must be composed entirely of 13-year-old players.

0.23 Any player chosen for a tournament team may only participate on that team and will not be eligible for participation on any other tournament team. Under no circumstances can a player be listed on more than one Junior Dixie Boys, Dixie Boys, Pre-Majors or Majors tournament team during the same year.

0.24 Each league president shall certify the dates of birth of players by birth certificates (as defined in rule .32 on page 20) presented to him upon the player's selection to the tournament team. Each league president shall make affidavit as to the eligibility of the players on the tournament team representing his league. The name of the player shall be listed on the "Eligibility Affidavit" exactly as it is shown on the birth record used. (For example: John William Jones not Johnny Jones.)

A copy of the tournament team affidavit shall be mailed to the Commissioner's mailing address immediately following approval by the Credentials Committee. This copy must be received by the Commissioner before the first tournament game begins. Other copies must be sent to the District Director and State Director at the same time. Another certified copy shall be provided to the manager of the tournament team by the local league president. Once this Eligibility Affidavit has been placed on file in the Headquarters of Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc., no change can be made on the tournament team roster for any reason whatsoever except as stated in .0.21DB and 0.21DM.

0.25 Tournament team managers shall have for each player proper birth records as defined in their rules. Each team must have a 5 x 7, glossy picture in at the State Tournament before the first game is played or they cannot take part in the State Tournament. These records shall be presented to a credentials committee, appointed by the tournament director, before each tournament begins or upon request of an opposing team manager or league official thirty (30) minutes before a game to verify names on the "Eligibility Affidavit." These certificates must be available for examination before each district or state tournament and are in addition to the "Eligibility Affidavit" filed with the headquarters of Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. Any protest involving player eligibility must be made at the Credentials meeting.

SELECTION: PLAYERS & COACHES- TOURNAMENT RULES 

0.45 All players on the tournament team roster will be selected in whatever manner the league chooses, however, each player selected shall have played in a least one-half (1/2) of a teams games in the league. Upon written request from a league, State Director may lower this requirement to participation in one-third (1/3) of a team's games for a player or players who are engaged in a state high school baseball tournament until scholastic competition is completed, or if a player or players are injured or sick. A doctor’s certificate and notarized statement of condition must accompany written request.

0.46 Tournament team players who will appear in tournament competition may not be announced prior to the conclusion of local league play.

0.47 No tournament team may begin practice prior to the conclusion of local league play.

0.48 Host teams shall not participate in any tournament in any level of tournament play below that in which they act as host. As a matter of interpretation, however, a host is not a host until selected.

0.49 Only managers, assistant managers or coaches during the regular league season shall be eligible to manage or coach a tournament team, and they shall be registered on their regular season team player rosters as filed with the district and State Directors. The State Director shall be empowered to grant exceptions to this rule.

1.04 Only regulation Dixie Boys and Dixie Majors playing fields as described in the "Official Playing Rules" for Dixie Boys and Dixie Majors Baseball will be considered as sites for tournament competition. The only exception to this rule is in tournament competition where leagues, by mutual agreement, decide upon a playing field in order to reduce travel problems. In any such case approval must be given by Tournament Director or his representative.

1.09b The PENNANT-PD300-DB is the "Official Dixie Tournament Baseball" must be used for all levels of tournament competition. Baseballs used in tournament competition shall meet all specifications listed in the "Official Baseball Rules" and bear the signature of the Commissioner. Tournament play is defined as a sub-district, zone, region, district, state or World Series competition.

1.11 It is mandatory that all players and managers participating in tournament play be attired in matching baseball uniforms composed of shirt, pants, cap, socks, baseball hose, and baseball shoes (Coaches may wear "Approved Coaching Shoes"). All uniforms (players, coaches, and managers) shall have the Dixie Boys/Dixie Majors emblem permanently attached on the left arm of their shirt. All emblems must be obtained from the Commissioner or his designate. Any player or manager who fails to comply with this rule shall not be allowed to participate in a tournament game either on the playing field or from the dugout.

1.11(a) Junior Dixie Boys, Dixie Boys, Dixie Pre-Majors and Dixie Majors players will be allowed to wear baseball shoes with metal cleats.

1.16DB It is mandatory that all batters and base runners wear pressure type helmets or helmets with chin straps and an approved facial protective device. Batters helmet must carry the NOCSAE Stamp of Approval. Any Player who does not comply with this rule shall be warned by the umpire. For second and subsequent offenses, in the same game, he shall be called "out." Face guards may be installed by the manufacturers, or dealer, on the batters helmet. An approved face protection device must provide full face coverage which will include, but not be limited to, protection for the eyes, nose, mouth and teeth, jaws and cheekbones, and forehead and temple area. The unit should be able to stand up to an impact of up to 100 m.p.h.

1.16DM It is mandatory that batters and base runner wear pressure type helmets or helmets with chin straps providing the utmost protection and batters helmets must carry the NOCSAE stamp of approval.

STARTING AND ENDING THE GAME- TOURNAMENT RULES

4.10 All tournament games shall be seven (7) innings duration except:

(1) In case of a tie score at the end of seven innings, the game shall continue into extra innings until the game is decided.

(2) If a team is leading its opponent by at least ten (10) runs after five (5) innings have been played, or four and one-half (4 1/2) innings if the home team is ahead by at least ten (10) runs the game shall be terminated and the team in front declared the winner.

(3) In the event a game is suspended before seven (7) innings have been completed, due to rain, protest or any other reason, it must be resumed from the point of termination when the game is rescheduled. In completing suspended games, play shall be resumed with the same lineup, as nearly as possible. Innings pitched in suspended games are charged against the pitchers tournament innings allowance. In completing the game, all pitching limitations must be complied with. (See Tournament Pitching Rule 8.92 for further discussion.)

(4) Should any tournament be forced to end due to conditions beyond the control of the Tournament Director, a winner will be determined as follows:

a. Head to head competition.

b. By won/loss percentage.

c. A tiebreaker if a or b does not determine a winner will be by reason of the fewest runs allowed per game.

d. Another tiebreaker is the most runs scored per game (total for all games played).

e. Last tiebreaker is a flip of the coin between teams remaining.

4:17 A game shall be forfeited to the opposing team in tournament play when a team is unable or refuses to place nine players on the field. In the event a manager has used all of his eligible player (free substitutions) and a player is injured, becomes ill, and cannot continue or ejected or removed from the game by an umpire, the opposing coach shall select a player form the bench as long as players are available to participate.

4.19 The Tournament Director or his representative shall appoint a protest committee of three members for each tournament game; protest committee appointments shall be made prior to the start of each day's play. He should insure that the members of each protest committee shall be in attendance at the game, knowledgeable of baseball rules and impartial to either team playing in the game. No parents of any boy participating in the game or individuals directly affiliated with either team (such as league officer or coach of a team in the league of one of the two competing teams) shall be allowed to be a member of the protest committee. If a situation arises where impartial persons are not available, a tournament director may appoint one individual affiliated with each participating team to form a protest committee. When a manager claims that umpires decision or any other tournament condition is in violation of the rules, he shall notify the umpire that the game is being protested. In this case the umpire must in turn notify the opposing manager and scorekeeper. The protest committee shall at once call a conference of all members, umpires and opposing managers. The committee shall render a majority decision before play is ordered resumed, based on information received from the umpires, managers and the committee's own observation of the play or situation in question. The decision shall be final. In case of a protest arising from a game-ending play, the protest must be lodged immediately. Any Dixie Boys or Dixie Majors Director who, while a member of a protest committee at a tournament game, violates the provisions of the rule or renders a decision on a protest which is in "DIRECT CONFLICT" with the "Tournament Rules" or "Official Playing Rules" for Dixie Boys or Dixie Majors baseball, may be relieved of his duties as Director of Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc.

4.20  All protest based on the ineligibility of a player shall be filed with the tournament director at the Credentials Committee meeting. Upon discovery, the Tournament Director has the authority at any time to remove an ineligible player. All actions occurring up to the point of discovery will be deemed legal. If, in the opinion of the tournament director; there is any willful violation of eligibility rules, and for good cause shown the tournament director will disqualify the team from further tournament play.

THE PITCHER- TOURNAMENT RULES 

8.01 (TOURNAMENT PLAY ONLY ) The following pitching regulations apply to tournament play only. (30/40 HOUR RULE)

8:90 DB All players on the tournament team are eligible to pitch subject to pitch count limitations. A pitcher shall not throw more than 95 pitches in the same game or the same day. Exception: If the pitcher reaches the pitch count limit while facing a batter, he may continue to pitch until the batter reaches base safely or is put out.

8:90 DM All players on the tournament team are eligible to pitch subject to pitch count limitations. A pitcher shall not throw more than 105 pitches in the same game or the same day. Exception: If the pitcher reaches the pitch count limit while facing a batter, he may continue to pitch until the batter reaches base safely or is put out.

8.92 If a tournament game is interrupted for any reason before becoming official, and is suspended, the same pitcher may continue when play is resumed. Not to conflict with the number of pitches thrown in the same game or on the same day.  A suspended game must be concluded before the next scheduled tournament game, therefore all pitching rules will remain the same as any other scheduled tournament game.

8.93 Names of each pitcher actually appearing in the games shall be placed on the back of the manager's copy of the Tournament Eligibility Affidavit along with the number of innings pitched and pitches thrown during his time on the mound. This record shall be signed by the following; the official scorer, the tournament director or his representative.

8.95 A manager shall be allowed to change pitchers in tournament play as many times as is desired as long as the Free Substitution Rule (3.03 in these Tournament Rules) is not violated. Any pitcher being replaced on the mound by another pitcher cannot return to the mound.

8.96 No game will be forfeited because of the violation of one of the Dixie Boys or Majors pitching rules because it is the manager's responsibility to both know the Dixie Boys and Dixie Majors pitching rules and to ascertain the eligibility of opposing pitchers prior to each of his team's games. If, however, an ineligible pitcher is used during the course of a game, he shall, upon the protest of the opposing manager, be immediately replaced on the mound by an eligible pitcher and all plays occurring while the ineligible pitcher was on the mound shall become "official." The ineligible pitcher will further be ineligible from pitching in the team's next game. A bye or forfeit shall not be considered to be a game in determining the next game that a pitcher would have been eligible to pitch in or a manager to coach in. The discovery of an ineligible pitcher may be made and the aforementioned penalty imposed up to one-half (1/2) hour prior to the scheduled time of his teams next game. NOTE: For the purpose of determining violation of Dixie Boys and Majors pitching rules, an ineligible pitcher shall violate one of the rules only when he throws a pitch to a batter in an inning or performs any defensive act, not when he takes his warm-up pitch from the pitching rubber.

Commissioner’s clarification: Any ELIGIBLE pitcher must pitch to a batter until he reaches first base or is retired.

LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY- TOURNAMENT RULES 

11.10 To be eligible for tournament competition, a league must have:

(1) Filed the franchise application form, paid the team fee and met all other membership regulations as set forth in the "Rules and Regulations" for Dixie Boys/Majors Leagues.

(2) Filed the tournament affidavit form to the credentials committee and Commissioner's office.

(3) Documentary evidence of insurance, preferably in the form of a certificate of insurance, must be carried to all tournament games in the event a team member needs medical attention. Specific insurance requirements are as follows: Team insurance for Sanctioned Tournaments- all teams participating in sanctioned Dixie Boys Baseball Tournaments must provide evidence of the following insurance coverages : (1) Excess accident- Each tournament team must be covered by and Excess Accident Policy with a Minimum Medical Limit of at least $100,000. The policy must cover all volunteers and employees in addtion to the players. It is not acceptable for a parent to provide individual evidence for his or her child playing on a team, and (2) General Liability- Each tournament team must be covered by a General Liability policy with an “each occurrence” limit of at least $1,000,000 combined single limits for “bodily injury” and “property damage.” Such policy may not provide “claims made” coverage and may not have an exclusion for lawsuits arising out of injuries to athletic participants. If the team does not purchase its General Liability Insurance through the approved Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. insurance program (see rule book advertisement) it is required that the team’s General Liability policy name Dixie Boys Baseball, Inc. as an “additional insured.”

(4) A medical release form for each player bearing the signature of the player’s parent or legal guardian, shall be carried to all tournament games.

TEAM ELIGIBILITY- TOURNAMENT RULES 

12.10 At each league's option, tournament teams may be composed as follows:

(1) Dixie Boys-Entirely of league age 14-year-old players or any combination 13- and 14-year-old players.

(2) Dixie Junior Boys- 13-year-old tournament teams - entirely of league age 13-year-old players.

(3) Dixie Pre-Majors-Entirely of league age 16-year-old or any combination of 15- and 16-year-old players.

(4) Dixie Majors-Entirely of league age 19-year-old players or any combination of 15-, 16-, 17-,18 and 19 year-old players.

12.11DB Only 13 players, one manager, and two coaches will be permitted on the field or bench.

12.11DM Only 16 players, one manager, and two coaches will be permitted on the field or bench.

LEAGUE PLAYERS- TOURNAMENT RULES 

13.10 Tournament players must:

(1) Be of proper age, as stated in these rules.

(2) Reside within the boundaries of the league represented by the tournament team, unless exempt by the rules.

(3) Dixie Boys (13-14) and Dixie Majors (15-18) players may participate in other amateur baseball programs, subject to local league approval. It is important that dual participation will not in any way interfere with a players responsibility to Dixie Boys/Majors Baseball. No player, under any circumstances, shall be permitted to play on another amateur team once the Dixie Boys/Majors tournament play begins. Clarification of Commissioner: A team is considered as having entered Dixie Boys/Majors tournament play at the time of the first pitch of the tournament in which the team first participates. (i.e. district, regional, zone, state, World Series). Prior to any player or team participating in any play outside of Dixie Boys Baseball it is advisable to first consult with the appropriate Dixie Boys/Majors State Director. Failure to adhere to the rule will result in a player or a team being declared ineligible for further tournament participation.

(4) Comply with the rules and regulations of league and tournament play.

JURISDICTION- TOURNAMENT RULES 

14.10 (1) All sub-district and district tournaments shall be under the jurisdiction of the District Director. Tournament Directors may be appointed by the District Directors, however, they remain under the jurisdiction of the District Director. District Director has the authority for conducting all aspects of tournament play, including the discipline of players, coaches, and managers for unsportsmanlike conduct.

(2) All state tournaments shall be under the jurisdiction of the State Director. Tournament directors may be appointed by the State Director, however; they remain under the jurisdiction of the State Director. State Director has the authority for conducting all aspects of tournament play, including the discipline of players, coaches and managers for unsportsmanlike conduct.

NOTE: Special regulations are established for World Series competition. Such regulations are issued through Special Bulletins prior to state tournament competition.

15.00 All artificial noisemakers (manufactured or homemade) shall be banned at all tournament games.