From Northwest Valley- Take 101 West to Bell Rd. (8.8 miles from I-17) Take Bell Road West to Bullard Ave. (8.3 miles) Take Bullard Ave. South (0.7 miles). From East/Southeast Valley- Take I-10 West to Cotton Lane exit #124 (22.5 miles from Loop 202) Take Cotton Lane North to Greenway Rd. (11 miles) Take Greenway Rd. East to Bullard Ave.(2.3 miles) Take Bullard Ave. North (0.5 miles)
Divisions- Player’s ages will be determined on or before the date of May 1, 2007.
Special Scheduling Requests - S.A.B.A. cannot accommodate special requests for scheduling. All teams must be prepared to begin play at 8:00am on the opening day of the tournament.
Tournament Scheduling- S.A.B.A. will make every attempt to limit teams to no more than 2 games per day. However, unforeseen situations may arise where teams may be required to play 3 or more games in a day.
Refunds- Cancellations made 21 days before the start date of the tournament will be given a full refund, minus a $50 processing fee. Cancellations made 10-20 days before the start date of the tournament will be given a 50% refund. Cancellations made 9 days or less before the start date of the tournament will not be given a refund.
Weather Cancellations- The safety of all participants and spectators will not be jeopardized in order to complete a game. S.A.B.A. reserves the right to modify the tournament format by reducing game times and/or innings to complete the tournament. In the event that the tournament is completely rained out, a complete refund minus a $50 processing fee will be given to all registered teams. If one game is completed, teams will receive a refund of 50% of their entry fee. If 2 or more games are completed, there will be no refund given.
No Shows- Teams that do not show up for their first scheduled game of the tournament will forfeit their entry fee and may face suspension from future S.A.B.A. tournaments.
Rosters- All teams must print off their roster and obtain parent/guardian signatures prior to check-in. Any player who does not have an authorized signature on the team roster will not be allowed to participate until a signature has been obtained. S.A.B.A. reserves the right to investigate reported improprieties and may conduct roster verification checks at any time, announced or otherwise.
Birth Certificates or Proof of Age- Copies (not originals) of birth certificates or proof of age must be provided by each participant. These documents should accompany your completed roster upon check-in at the tournament. S.A.B.A. will maintain a database of players and birthdates to eliminate the need for repeatedly obtaining copies of birth certificates and proof of age. Therefore, once a team has participated in an S.A.B.A. tournament, they do not need to provide proof of age for existing team members and must only provided proof of age for additional players on their roster.
Waiver of Liability & Consent for Treatment- All participants must complete Consent for Treatment forms which must be signed by a parent or guardian. These forms must be presented by the team Manager at Check-In.
Insurance- All teams must possess and provide proof of insurance. Certificates of insurance will be verified at check-in before each team’s first tournament game.
Scheduling Announcements- Game times and field assignments will be posted on the Monday prior to the tournament after 5:00pm. You may view this information by clicking on Brackets.
Tournament Rules- Please click on Tournament Regulations for information regarding time limits, pitching limitations, run rules, etc.
S.A.B.A Tournaments will use National Federation of High School Rules for all events unless otherwise noted below.
Divisions- Player’s ages will be determined on or before the date of April 30, 2007.
Rosters- Teams may not exceed 15 players during a tournament.
Dimensions- Mounds and Base paths:
U10- will pitch from 46’ and use 60’ base paths.
U11/U12- will pitch from 50’ and use 70’ base paths.
U13 and Up - will pitch from 60’6” and use 90’ base paths.
Home Team- To be determined by a coin flip. Home team will serve as official book. Highest seeds in playoff rounds will have the choice of home or visitors. Home teams will occupy the 3rd Base dugout.
Game Time/Time Limits- Game time starts at the completion of the plate meeting. Start time is forfeit time unless authorized by S.A.B.A. personnel.
U10- No new inning after 1:30 or 6 innings
U11- No new inning after 1:45 or 6 innings
U12- No new inning after 1:45 or 6 innings
U13- No new inning after 2:00 or 7 innings
U14- No new inning after 2:00 or 7 innings
U15- No new inning after 2:00 or 7 innings
U16- No new inning after 2:00 or 7 innings
U18- No new inning after 2:00 or 7 innings
There will be no time limit in Championship Games. However, run rules will still be in effect.
Run Rules-
U10, U11 & U12 - 20 after 2, 15 after 3, 10 after 4 or 8 after 5.
U13 and Up - 20 after 2 or 3, 15 after 4, 10 after 5 or 8 after 6.
Tie Breakers- Pool play games ending in a tie shall remain tied and each team will receive 1 point. In playoff rounds, if the time limit or final inning has been reached, the “California Tie Breaker” will go into effect. Each team will place the batter who is scheduled to bat last in that inning on second base and plays out a full inning until the tie is broken and the game is complete. Championship games will have no time limit and the California Tie Breaker will not apply.
Player Limits- Teams must start games with a minimum of 9 players. However, they may finish with less. An out will be recorded each time the vacant spot in the lineup appears.
Line-ups- Teams may choose to bat 9, 9 + EH or their entire line-up. If the EH or entire roster option is used, a starter may enter the defensive line-up freely. If substitutes are available, starters may by substituted for and reenter one time only and must return in their original spot in the line-up. Additionally, if the entire line-up option is used and a player is injured or ejected, the vacant spot will be recorded as an out for the remainder of the game. No DH may be used at any time.
Courtesy Runners- May be used for the pitcher or catcher at any time. Courtesy runners must be a non-starter who has not already been in the line-up. The same runner may not run for both the pitcher and the catcher and MAY NOT be used in a California Tie Breaker.
Pitching Rules-
U10, U11 & U12- 6 innings per tournament
U13, U14, U15 & U16- 7 innings per tournament
U18-8 innings per tournament + 1 inning for every game past 4 per pitcher
ØOne pitch will constitute an inning pitched.
Ø8 warm up pitches to begin a game, 5 between innings.
ØMound Visits- NFHS rules allow 3 mound visits per game. On the 4th visit and every visit thereafter, the manager is required to make a pitching change. Only one visit is allowed with the same batter at the plate.
ØPitchers removed from the mound may not return to the mound in the same game.
ØIf pitching rules are found to be violated, S.A.B.A. staff will assess the infraction and apply disciplinary measures up to and including forfeiture of current game, ejection and/or disqualification from the tournament.
Pre-Game- There will be no pre-game infield or batting practice of any kind.
Baseballs- S.A.B.A. will provide 2 new balls for each game. Teams must provide one new ball at the plate meeting of each game that they play. Balls must be Rawlings, Diamond, or Baden and must be division specific.
Steel Cleats- Allowed in U12 division and older only.
Jewelry- No jewelry is allowed to be worn by players except medical alert bracelets and necklaces.
Bat Regulations- U10, U11 and U12 may use 2 ¼” barrel size bats and larger. For U13 and older the High School -3 bat weight/length differential rule will be waived.
Line-Up Cards- Will be provided and must be completed by each Manager before the plate meeting. Umpires will then record the score and pitching information from that point forward. The umpire will return the card to S.A.B.A. officials upon completion of each game. Managers must report to the Tournament Headquarters Tent to verify the completed line-up card with a signature. S.A.B.A. will assume that unsigned cards are correct.
Dugouts- All members of both teams, including coaches, who are not in the defensive line-up, or at the plate must remain inside the dugout during play with the exception of one (1) on-deck hitter and two (2) base coaches. Base coaches must remain inside the base coach boxes. On-deck hitters and players coaching bases must wear a helmet.
Behavior- Any player, manager, coach or spectator who is ejected before, during or after a game will be subject to an additional one game suspension that must be served during the team’s next scheduled game. Team managers are responsible for the conduct of his players and fans.
Good of the Tournament Rule- S.A.B.A. reserves the right to modify tournament rules and regulations that are in the best interest of tournament participants, the City of Surprise, and Surprise Arizona Baseball Association.
