RGV WINTER CHILLERS

MODIFIED NCS CENTRAL REGION BASEBALL RULES

(Applicable to ALL NCS Texas Premier Tournaments unless otherwise stated.)

GENERAL RULES & MODIFICATIONS

1. Primary Ruleset:
   NCS Central Region Baseball Rules will be followed, with the modifications outlined below. NFHS Rules apply to all divisions for any rules not specifically addressed.

2. No Pitch Count Limits:
   This tournament does not enforce any pitch count limitations.

3. No Metal Cleats Allowed:

• Metal cleats are not permitted for teams 12U and under.

• Metal cleats are not allowed on portable turf mounds.

• Metal cleats are prohibited on any turf fields or surfaces.

4. Modified Rule 6.01 – Batting Rule:
   Teams (4U–18U) may choose one of the following batting lineup options:

• Straight 9 with at least 1 substitute.

• 9 with a DH (Designated Hitter) and at least 1 substitute.

• 10 with an EH (Extra Hitter) and at least 1 substitute.

• Entire roster present (batting the entire lineup).

OFFICIAL LINEUP/SCORECARD REQUIREMENTS

• An Official Lineup/Scorecard must be completed and submitted to the home plate umpire before the game starts, during the plate meeting.

• All players participating must be listed on the Official Lineup/Scorecard to be eligible.

• No Ghosted Subs: Players who are not physically present should not be listed on the Official Lineup/Scorecard.

• Players arriving after the start of the game may be added to the Official Lineup/Scorecard but must be listed before they can participate.

• All players listed on the Official Lineup/Scorecard must be active on the online roster to be eligible.

Penalty for Non-Compliance:

• Pool Play: The player will be called out, removed from the game, and ineligible until they are added to the online roster and listed on the Official Lineup/Scorecard.

• Bracket Play: The player will be removed from the event, and the head coach will be ejected.

MODIFIED PLAYER ELIGIBILITY FOR BRACKET PLAY (Applicable to RGV tournaments only)

A player must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for Bracket Play:

1. The player was physically present, played at least one pool game, was listed in the batting lineup (not as a substitute) on the Official Scorecard, and meets age eligibility requirements.
   OR

2. The player is listed on the online roster and meets age eligibility requirements.

Penalty for Ineligible Players:
Any ineligible player will be removed from the event, and the head coach will be ejected.

Online Roster Additions:

• Players can be added to the online roster during pool play only if they are physically present and available to play.

• Once the team has completed both pool games, no additional players can be added.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROTECTION

• No two teams from the same organization will face each other in their first bracket playoff game unless necessitated by a bye.

POOL PLAY PROTECTION

• The tournament director reserves the right to adjust seeds to avoid rematches in the first round of bracket play.

TIE GAMES

• Pool Play: Ties stand.

• Bracket Play & Championship Games: Begin with loaded bases, the last three batters on base, one out, and a 0-0 count for the batter.

MERCY RULES (All Divisions)

• 12-run lead after 3 complete innings.

• 10-run lead after 4 complete innings.

• 8-run lead after 5 complete innings.

BAT WEIGHT LIMITATIONS

• 4U–12U Divisions: No weight restrictions.

• 13U Division: No bats lighter than -5.

• 14U–18U Divisions: No bats lighter than -3 (BBCOR only).

• Approved bats: Wood and/or non-wood bats stamped with BBCOR .50, USSSA 1.15 BPF, or USA Baseball.

HOME TEAM DESIGNATION

• Pool Play: Determined by a coin flip.

• Single Elimination Bracket Play: Higher seed chooses home or visitor, including the championship game.

• Double Elimination Bracket Play:

• Higher seed chooses home or visitor, except for the championship game.

• The undefeated team chooses home or visitor in the championship game.

• Coin flip determines home/visitor in “if” games.

(4U–6U) T-BALL/COACH PITCH & (7U–8U) COACH PITCH/KID PITCH MODIFICATIONS

• Teams are not required to bat the entire roster.

• Teams may play with 8 players.

• Only the 9th player will be called out; the 10th player will not be called out.

BEHAVIOR POLICY

NCS enforces a zero-tolerance policy toward disrespectful or adverse behavior.

• Any fan, parent, player, or coach displaying inappropriate behavior will be banned from the event.