Game Length

• 7-inning games
• Unlimited runs per inning
• 2 hour, 30 minute time limit
• No inning will start after  this limit

Roster

• The roster may consist of between 12 and 15 players.
• The total number of players in the batting order will be 12.
• You may make unlimited, free defensive substitutions among those starting 12 players at any time.
• You may make substitutions with player not listed in the starting batting order, but that substitute must enter the game only in that player’ batting slot, and the player being substituted for must sit out the remainder of that game.
• No player may re-enter a game once removed for a substitute who was not in the original batting lineup for any reason
• All players must be 35 years of age by the first day of the tournament that they are playing in. NO exceptions.
• NO former professional baseball players will be allowed to compete. This includes anyone who played in the minor or major leagues.
• If your team wins one of the qualifying tournaments for the January 2010 World Series Championship, that winning roster is locked and only those players will be allowed to play in the Championship. If you feel that you will need extra players for that event, your team will be required to play in one of the remaining qualifying tournaments and have those new players on the roster for that event. You will only be allowed 3 new players as replacements, and they must appear in at least one tournament to be eligible for the World Series Championship.

 

Uniform Guidelines

• ALL members of a particular team must be in the same uniform.
• The team hat must be the same as an actual game hat worn by the professional team you are representing or named after.
• Metal and rubber spikes are permitted.
• All players must have a number on their jersey.

 

Runners/Stealing/ Base running

• Each team will get 5 steal attempts.
• NO stealing of home.
• At the end of EACH inning it is up to the managers to discuss the steal attempt totals to that point in the game. If there is a dispute, the managers will examine the scorebooks and discuss. The official scorekeeper may be asked for help. If the dispute cannot be resolved, a member of the API staff will make the final decision.
• On a pickoff attempt by the pitcher or catcher, the runner does NOT have to return to the previous base before advancing.
• A double steal counts as 2 steals attempts.
• If a runner is stealing and the batter hits the ball, it IS NOT considered a steal attempt.
• All runners MUST slide into each base on a potential tag or force play. There will be absolutely NO takeout slides or collisions. If this happens, the runner will be declared out and ejected from that game. This is up to the umpiring crew’s discretion.
• Unlimited leading.
• A pinch-runner can only replace a runner who already has reached a base safely.
• A pinch-runner can only be the player who made the last batted out.
• NO pinch-runners will be allowed from home plate.
• A courtesy runner for the catcher with 2 outs is mandatory.
• Base coaches MUST wear helmets at some facilities.
• If a player is injured during the game and cannot bat, his spot will be skipped and that will NOT considered an out; once the sport is skipped that player cannot return to the game.
• If a player is injured in a previous game and is in the lineup at the beginning of the current game, but has to be removed from some point because of the previous injury, that player’s next turn at-bat is considered an out. Any at-bat beyond that will be skipped and not considered an out.

Game Rules

• No game will end in a tie.
• In the event of a tie there will be one extra inning of baseball.
• If there is still a tie at the end of that one extra inning, each team will place a runner on 2nd base. Each batter will then start with a 2-2 count and each team will get 3 outs.
• The batting lineup will continue as is.
• Any player substituted, removed or ejected from that game still may not return.
• ALL pitchers must be 40 years of age or older on the first day of the tournament. NO one under 40 will be allowed to pitch
• A home run is a ball that flies over the fence – unless other ground rules are agreed upon by API, the umpires and the managers before the game starts.
• Lineup cards are to be exchanged by each manager – one will be given to the umpire and one to the official scorekeeper. The jersey number and position of each player are to be printed, and the players should be listed in the order that they will bat.
• 12 players must bat.
• Wood bats ONLY.
• 2 mound visits per inning by the team manager only will be permitted. After the second visit in a given inning the pitcher must be replaced.
• All professional athletes invited to the tournament may visit any position to offer advice at any time. This will not count against the 2-visit-per-inning limit.
• Any player who throws a bat or helmet will be ejected from that game.
• Any player ejected for fighting will not be allowed to continue in that tournament and will be removed from the team roster for future tournaments. An ejected player may be replaced by another player, but that replacement must have played in a qualifying tournament to be placed on the World Series roster.
• All runners may advance to any base, including home, in the event of a passed ball or wild pitch. The batter may attempt to run to first base on a passed ball with two strikes if there are two outs or if first base is open with fewer than two outs.
• Balks will be called at the discretion of the umpiring crew.
• The team batting is responsible for chasing its team’s foul balls.
• ONLY players, coaching staff members, invited pros and official scorekeepers may be on the bench, in the dugout or on the field.
• Only team members and pros may be in the locker room. NO exceptions
• All players in the clubhouse must be completely dressed 45 minutes after the last out of the day. At that point the locker room will be opened to everyone – male or female – as long as the facility we are playing at permits.
• ALL rules of each facility MUST be followed.
• If there are any problems, complaints or situations that you feel should be addressed, please see an API staff member ASAP.
• Golf carts are not for the players. They are ONLY for the API staff and invited pros.
• Alcoholic beverages will be provided after the last game. We ask that everyone drink responsibly, and PLEASE DO NOT drive after consuming alcohol.
• Laundry service will be provided  –  except for the last day of each event.
• Please print your last name and jersey number on all of your personal items.

Managers/Arguments

• The managers from both teams are the ONLY ones who may argue a call or discuss steals, rule infractions and other issues with the umpiring crew.
• It is the manager’s responsibility to go over all the rules with his or her team. Any changes or updates will be given to the manager, who will be responsible for updating his or her team.
• If a manager is thrown out of a game he must leave the field of play immediately and have no further contact with his or her team during that game.  A new manager will be named and announced to the umpire and other team manager at once. The manager will be permitted to return to the field for the next game involving his or her team.
• In the event of an ejection the manager’s spot in the batting lineup will become an automatic out.
• Managers are the only ones from the team who may visit the mound to talk to a pitcher; If the manager is playing in the field and goes to the mound, it will be counted as a visit
• If a call is made and a player does not agree with the umpire, the player may express his or her initial disappointment. At that point, only the team manager may interject on behalf of his team.
• If a player continues to argue and is ejected, he must leave the field of play. His spot in the batting order will become an automatic out unless there is a substitute still available on the bench.

Pro Athletes –Invited

• Each event will include guest appearances by past or current pro players. There will be a time set aside for autographs and photos with these athletes. Participants will not be permitted to ask for autographs or staged photos during the games, breakfast or lunch. Participants are free to ask pros for autographs at the end of the day in the clubhouse, but please limit all requests to two items.
• Autograph times will be announced to each team’s manager. There will be a two-autograph limit during designated signing sessions.
• NO family members or fans are permitted to ask the pros for autographs at anytime.