Chesapeake Girls Baseball
Skylar Kaplan Pioneer Series Rules
TOURNAMENT RULES FOR SKYLAR KAPLAN PIONEER SERIES
2025
Unless otherwise specified in this list, the rules shall be those of Major League Baseball.
PLAYER SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY
Age Cut-off
Division ages are as of April 30, 2025
Roster size
There will be no limit to roster size, HOWEVER, every player on roster must play a minimum of 2 innings per game.
There will only be 12 player awards per team
Division Restrictions
Our goal, just as BFA, is to help foster the growth of local programs, while also promoting exciting, yet fair competition. While winning is important, we feel that placing teams in the appropriate division will offer them additional opportunities to develop as players, as they compete against others of similar skill levels.
Your team must play in the Majors division if any of the following apply….
Tournament director reserves the right to require documentation of proof of criteria and place teams in appropriate divisions. No refunds will be given for placing your team in the incorrect division during registration. If there are not enough teams in each division, tournament officials have the right to combine major and minor divisions. This will be handled on a case by case basis.
All references to “our team” should be considered as the roster you are bringing to the SKPS.
1. Our team has players from three (3) or more states, countries, or a mix of both.
2. Our team holds cut-based tryouts.
3. At least 50% of our team plays together in a local league or as a travel ball team that competes outside of BFA or other girls’ baseball tournaments.
4. Our team has five (5) or more players who play for their school’s baseball team.
TEAM WAIVERS:
If you feel that your team should compete in the MINORS division despite having 1
“yes” response, please email Chesapeakegirlsbaseball@yahoo.com for a waiver request.
PENALTY:
Teams found violating the parameters of these qualifications will be given a chance to correct their mistake and move to the appropriate division if found before the tournament begins. If the mistake is found during the tournament, the team will not be allowed to continue to compete, and will not receive a refund. The team may also receive a two-year suspension from all CGB events as determined by the CGB directors.
Bat Restrictions
All divisions must use USA Baseball-certified bats— which bear the USA Baseball mark on the bat — or official BBCOR bats. No weight/length ratio limit is required for any division.
If an illegal bat is discovered during the game, a warning will be issued to the team and the bat will be removed from the game. The warning will cover all bats for the team during the game. If an illegal bat returns in the field of play, an out will be recorded, and the manager will be removed from the game.
Additionally, if an illegal bat was used and the opposing team catches the infraction before the first pitch is thrown to the following batter, the batter will be called out and the bat will be removed. The out will be recorded, and all runners will return to their bases
More details on USABat standards: https://www.usabaseball.com/bats/guidelines
Pitching Restrictions
We will be following the same protocol as BFA Nationals concerning pitch count. Coaches should use extreme caution for player arm health in determining proper pitch count for their players. There is no set pitch limit, but coaches are urged to keep player arm health as top priority.
Pitching Distances
10U: 60 ft. base paths, 46 ft. pitching distance
12U MAJORS: 70 ft. base paths, 50 ft. pitching distance
12U MINORS: 60 ft. base paths, 46 ft. pitching distance
14U: 80 ft. base paths, 54 ft. pitching distance
16U: 90 ft. base paths, 60’6’’ ft. pitching distance
18U: 90 ft. base paths, 60’6’’ ft. pitching distance
Coach Visits to the Mound
The pitcher must be removed when the manager makes a second trip to the mound in the same inning (three in a game) Umpire discretion on trips for injury.
Hit Batter
A pitcher must be removed from pitching after hitting 2 batters in one inning or 3 in one game.
Player Contact/Sliding
All runners must attempt to avoid contact with a fielder on ALL Plays. If a play is being made at a base, the runner must avoid collision. (slide, give up, or go around) Failure to do so will result in the player being called out and could result in an ejection from the game. The umpire has final say as to whether the runner made sufficient effort to avoid a collision. When in doubt players should SLIDE.
NO HEAD FIRST SLIDING for 10U.
Substitutions
Teams must bat the entire lineup with free defensive substitutions.
Scorekeeping
Gamechanger scores must be verified with the opposing team at the end of each inning to avoid major discrepancies. The final score must be verified by the umpire with both coaches prior to reporting score to the Tournament Official after the game. All scores must be reported to tournament staff within 15 minutes of game end.
Protests
No game will be played under protest. The umpires on the field will decide all questions of rule interpretations, with final judgment made by Tournament Official or delegate.
Pregame
No infield practice before the game is permitted. Teams must be ready to play 15 minutes after completion of the previous game. Games are subject to start early to make up time.
UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT
Shoes
- NO metal cleats permitted
Coach Uniform
Coaches may be in full uniform or in a matching athletic gear (i.e. collared shirts with logo, dri-fit team shirts, etc.). No jeans or open-toed shoes.
Penalty: Coach may not be eligible to participate on field or in the dugout until in compliance. Whether a coach’s attire is appropriate is solely a judgment call by the Tournament Official and may not be appealed.
Catcher’s Helmet
Players 12 and under must wear a helmet that meets NOCSAE standard. Helmet/mask must cover both ears and include a throat protector.
Penalty: Failure by a player to wear proper equipment after being so ordered by the umpire, shall result in an ejection of the Team Coach.
Home Team
Home team will be pre-determined in the schedule in pool play, in bracket games the higher seeded team will be the home team.
Dugout Selection
Dugout selection is first come, first serve.
Hosting Team (CGB) reserves the right to first choice.
Complete Game
10-12U Four innings (if home team is leading after 3 ½)
14U+ Five innings (if home team is leading after 4 ½)
Time Limits
Umpires will keep the official time.
Pool & bracket Play
8U-12U minors: No new inning shall begin after 1 hour and 45 minutes
12U majors-18U No new inning shall begin after 2 hours
LAST INNING MUST BE DECLARED PRIOR TO 1ST PITCH OF INNING FOR UNLIMITED RUNS TO BE IN PLAY. IF DECLARED DURING THE INNING, NORMAL RUN LIMIT WILL BE USED BUT GAME WILL STILL END AT END OF THAT INNING
There is NO DROP DEAD TIME LIMIT
Pool play games can end in a tie. No extra innings
Championship game
No time limits If the score is tied at the end of regulation, play will continue until a winner is determined. Any extra inning/innings will be played using the international tie breaker. See below.
International Tie-Breaker: Extra-Inning Rule
If the game remains tied after the completion of six (10U – 12U) innings, (14U-18U) 7 innings, the following procedures will be implemented during extra innings:
- Each team will begin their extra inning (and any subsequent necessary extra innings) with a player on first and second, no outs.
- The lineup will continue as in any other inning. For example, if the 7th inning ends with the #8 hitter having the last plate appearance (PA), the 8th inning begins with the #9 hitter at bat and 2B runner is the #7 hitter, and 1B runner is the #8 hitter in the lineup.
- With the exception of beginning the inning with runners on 1B and 2B with no one out, all other SKPS rules and regulations will remain in effect during the extra innings required to determine a winner.
Pace of Play
Batter’s Box Rule
Hitters must keep one foot in the box during their time at bat.
Penalty… A strike will be called at umpires judgment if purposely delaying the game.
Pitches Between Innings
10U/12U: 5 pitches for the 1st time pitching and 3 pitches for every consecutive warm-up.
Courtesy Runner: Catchers & Pitchers
When on the base paths, catchers, coming in to start the next half inning, may have a courtesy runner at any time. Pitchers who will be pitching the next half inning, may have a courtesy runner with 2 outs. The courtesy runner is the last out.
Mercy Rules
Runs Per Inning Rule:
8U-12U: 5 runs per inning, plus the runs that finish the play. Last inning (not necessarily 6th) no limit.
14U & up: 8 runs per inning, plus the runs that finish the play. Last inning (not necessarily 7th) no limit.
LAST INNING MUST BE DECLARED PRIOR TO 1ST PITCH OF INNING FOR UNLIMITED RUNS TO BE IN PLAY. IF DECLARED DURING THE INNING, NORMAL RUN LIMIT WILL BE USED BUT GAME WILL STILL END AT END OF THAT INNING
Mercy rule:
15 run lead after 3 complete innings,10 after 4, or 8 after 5 or more innings.
Seeding
Seeding will be based on the following in order:
Best Record (win %)
Head to Head (if only 2 teams are tied) If 3 teams are tied, with no team winning against both other teams, proceed to Lowest Total Runs Allowed
Lowest Total Runs Allowed
Highest runs scored
Coin toss
RAIN/LIGHTNING POLICY
In the event of extended inclement weather, at its sole discretion the Tournament Official may deem it necessary to alter the tournament format by shortening either the time limit for games and/or reducing the number of innings that will constitute an official game, or any means necessary to complete the tournament within the published dates.
No refund will be given on account of rain or other inclement weather.
In the event that bracket play cannot continue due to inclement weather (as determined solely by the Tournament Official), final tournament standings will be determined by taking the remaining non-eliminated teams and choosing final standings based on the seeds prior to the beginning of bracket play.
If rain and/or lightening occurs during a game, the game will be suspended at the discretion of the Umpire and/or Tournament Director and picked up from that point if the game has not reached official status.If game has reached official status, see Official Status (Regulation Game) and note below:
CONDUCT & RESPONSIBILITIES
Managers are responsible for the conduct of their team and parents.
Minors who are coaching on the base paths MUST wear a helmet.No players under 16U permitted to coach bases. (Helmets are optional for adult coaches.).
Participant and Spectator Conduct
Any player, coach, manager, or spectator who acts in an unsportsmanlike manner will be warned once by the umpire or a tournament official. The second time, that person will be removed from the complex with no future ability to return. If in the judgment of the umpire or tournament official, the offense is of a more serious nature, that person may be ejected from a game without being issued a warning and may be suspended from all further tournament play or participation, subject to the Tournament Official’s discretion. In the event of illegal activity, law enforcement will be called. Any individual who was warned, ejected, or suspended by a tournament official may be subject to additional corrective actions by SKPS officials and or law enforcement.
Alcohol & Tobacco Policy
Alcohol is not allowed at tournament events. Violators will be asked to leave the park. A coach, player, participant, or spectator may not use tobacco or tobacco-like products or e-cigarettes within the confines of the park.(This includes all parking lots) This is an Anne Arundel County Policy.
Music Policy
Appropriate (as determined by tournament officials) walk up music/intros may be played during the offensive time, but MUST be concluded before the pitcher begins motion. Defense has the option to have warm up music between innings but must conclude on “balls in” call.
Any violations of this policy may result in loss of use of music.
Coach Ejections
The first occurrence results in suspension for the rest of the game (removal from umpires vision), as well as the next scheduled game.
The second occurrence results in suspension for the remainder of the tournament, as well as possible further sanctions subject to the review of tournament officials.
If all coaches listed on the team’s tournament roster are ejected during a game, the team will forfeit that game and tournament officials will discuss future actions. All decisions will be at tournament officials discretion and will be final.
DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES
10U Division 46/60
- Players may step off the base when the ball crosses home plate.
- Stealing of 2nd or 3rd base is allowed only after the ball crosses the plate. If a player leaves the base early in the umpire's judgment, it will be a dead ball/no pitch and the runner will be sent back to the base. (If play results in favor of defense, ie.. runner is tagged out… the defensive coach has option to waive penalty)
- Runners cannot advance beyond third base on a passed ball, wild pitch, or throwback to the pitcher. If the catcher attempts to make a play on any base runner, all runners can advance at their own risk.
- If 9 players are not available, teams may play with as few as 7 players.
- If teams run out of pitching, SKPS staff can be consulted about using coach-pitch.
- Dropped third strike is not in effect.
- Infield fly rule is not in effect.
- No head-first sliding into any base, including home plate.
- Offensive contact: umpires will call interference for an out. Players must slide or avoid contact at any base.
12U Minors Division 46/60
- Players may step off the base once the ball crosses home plate.
- Stealing of ANY base (including home) is allowed only after the ball crosses the plate. If a player leaves the base early in the umpire's judgment, it will be a dead ball/no pitch and the runner will be sent back to the base. (If play results in favor of defense, ie.. runner is tagged out… the defensive coach has option to waive penalty)
- Dropped third strike is not in effect.
- Infield Fly Rule is not in effect.
- Offensive contact: umpires will call interference for an out. Players must slide or avoid contact on any close play at any base.
12U Majors Division: 50/70
- Baserunners can leadoff and steal a base any time the umpire has placed the ball in play.
- Dropped third strike is in effect.
- Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
- To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base. No pitches are to be thrown.
- Balk rules will be enforced, there will be one warning given to each pitcher.
- Players may slide head-first into all bases, including home plate.
- Offensive contact: umpires will call interference for an out. Players must slide or avoid contact on any close play at any base.
14U Division
- Baserunners can leadoff and steal a base any time the umpire has placed the ball in play.
- Dropped third strike is in effect.
- Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
- To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base. No pitches are to be thrown.
- Balk rules will be enforced, there will be one warning given to each pitcher.
- Players may slide head-first into all bases, including home plate.
- Offensive contact: umpires will call interference for an out. Players must slide or avoid contact on any close play at any base.
16U -18U
- Baserunners can leadoff and steal a base any time the umpire has placed the ball in play.
- Dropped third strike is in effect.
- Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
- To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base. No pitches are to be thrown.
- Balk rules will be enforced, no warnings will be issued.
- Players may slide head-first into all bases, including home plate.
- Offensive contact: umpires will call interference for an out. Players must slide or avoid contact on any close play at any base.
