TOURNAMENT RULES

1. TIME LIMIT:  Games are 7 innings. No new inning will begin after 2 hours and 30 minutes from the start of the game. Start of the game shall be when the first pitch is thrown. If the game is tied at the end of the time limit (7 innings or 2 hours 30 minutes), then one more complete inning will be played. If the game is still tied, then the game shall be scored as a tie. Playoff and championship game extra inning tiebreaker rule: teams will begin each extra inning with a runner on 2nd base. The hitter who made the last out of the previous inning will be placed on 2nd base
‍2. BATS:  All players will use wood bats. (Includes maple, composite, Baum bats or bamboo).
‍3. ELIGIBILITY:  Players must be at least 30 years old or a relative of another player (Exceptions must be pre-approved with HARDBALL 360).
‍4. PITCHING:  No player under 35 years of age may pitch unless approval is given from Hardball360. All former MLB pitchers must be at least 45 years old and are only allowed to pitch a max of 10 innings per tournament and a max of 3 innings per day.

‍5. PICKOFFS: Major League Rules
‍6. PASSED BALLS/WILD PITCHES: Runners may advance only one base on a passed ball or wild pitch. A passed ball or a wild pitch is considered such if the ball travels outside of the home plate circle. Runners can score from third base on a wild pitch or passed ball.
‍7. BUNTING: Bunting is allowed, except when there is a runner on third base.
‍8. STRIKE THREE: A batter can run on a dropped third strike with two outs or with fewer than two outs if no one is on first base.
‍9. BATTING ORDER: Lineshare Rules.The purpose of this rule is to enable more players to participate as the Manager uses two players to share one batting position in the offensive lineup. The manager decides who bats each time the batting position comes up.  This can be incorporated at the start of the game or can be added anytime during the game. Managers must notify opposing manager and opponent scorekeeper when players are being switched the first time in the game Failure to do so results in a ruling of “batting out of order”. A player in a shared lineup position may not be used in any other offensive position. When a player is used as a base runner in the Shared Position, he must bat the next time his position in the order comes to the plate. After that point, either of the Shared Runners may bat in this position.
‍11. INJURIES AND LATE ARRIVALS: Players who are injured during the game and can no longer play will be removed from the batting order and not eligible to play the remainder of the game. It will not be an automatic out if the injured player cannot bat. Players who arrive after the start of the game can be added to the bottom of the line- up.
‍12. COURTESY RUNNER: If a courtesy runner attempts to steal its Dead Ball and the courtesy runner is out. If the pitch ball leaves the clay circle, the courtesy runner may advance or if there is a 3-2 count with 2 outs, he may run.
‍13. SLIDE: Base runners MUST slide or get out of the way if there is a play to the base they are advancing to. For example, if you are forced to second base you must slide into the bag or veer off to the outfield in order to allow the fielder to make a throw to first base. Failure to do so may result in an interference call by the umpire. (HARDBALL 360 is all about safety.)
‍14. PROTECTIVE GEAR: All batters MUST wear a batting helmet. Catcher’s skull cap is not permitted while at bat. First and Third base coaches must wear protective head gear.
‍15. LINE-UP CARDS: Prior to the start of the game, managers will exchange line-up cards with the other team and the umpires.
‍16. MERCY RULE: There will be a 10 run Mercy Rule after the 5th inning.
‍17. COURTESY: This is a time-honored game. There is NO SMOKING permitted in the dugout or the dugout area. ALCOHOL is not permitted anywhere on the field. WATCH your language. Umpires are there to make calls, not to be abused. Disputed calls, involving the rules of the game, may ONLY be discussed by the team Manager. Umpires have the final say on all calls and rules interpretations. Respect them.
‍18. PLAYOFFS: HARDBALL 360 playoffs will be discussed at the beginning of each tournament with the team managers. Playoffs may be any combination of a full playoff system based on seeding, the top four teams or the top two teams, which is generally based on teams in play, location and facilities.

‍19. TIE BREAKER AND SEEDING: The tie breaker and seeding order shall be based on the following: 1) Best winning percentage 2) Head to head 3) Runs allowed 4) Runs scored5) Coin flip.
‍20. SCOREKEEPER: The home team is designated as official scorekeeper.
‍21. WAIVER FORM: All players must sign a waiver form. Waiver must be completed prior to the start of the tournament. No player will be permitted to play unless the waiver form is signed.
‍22. Unless otherwise specified, rules of Major League Baseball shall apply.