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Florida District 22 Tournament
Rules and Guidelines
for
Little League, Junior and Senior Divisions
of
Baseball and Softball
Approved by:
Joseph LeBlanc
District Administrator
Florida District 22
Little League Baseball, Incorporated
Concurrences
______________________________
Bob Weigel, President
Cocoa Little League
______________________________
Tammy Flannery, President
Indian River City Little League
______________________________
Harry Dockery, III, President
Merritt Island Little League
______________________________
Jack Lyerly, President
Merritt Island Senior Little League
______________________________
Summer Nix, President
Mims Little League
______________________________
Tracy Jones, President
Port St. John Little League
______________________________
Andy Finney, President
Rockledge Little League
______________________________
Raj Balkaran, President
Space Coast Little League
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Points of Emphasis in Bold Italics
The Florida District 22 Tournament, henceforth referred to as the District Tournament,
provides an opportunity for the best teams of each League in Florida District 22 to compete in
post-season play. The District Tournament is typically scheduled for the first two weeks of June,
each year, to allow teams the opportunity to compete between the end of their League’s regular
season and the start of Little League “All-Star” Tournament play. A pennant is awarded to the
winner of each division in which competition takes place.
The District Tournament permits competition in Little League (Majors), Junior League,
Senior League and Big League Divisions of baseball and softball and Intermediate (50-70)
baseball. Leagues which exercise the option to participate in the District Tournament must
pledge they will do so with full knowledge of these rules and in agreement that these rules will
be upheld.
The District Tournament is run by the Florida District 22 Administrator, henceforth
referred to as the DA. Per agreement with Little League Baseball, Incorporated, the DA’s
decisions regarding the District Tournament are final and may not be taken any further
(i.e.; Regional, Headquarters). Leagues that do not follow this agreement, at the discretion
of the DA, may be disqualified from any further participation in the District Tournament
for that year.
Rules: Except where noted in these District Tournament Rules and Guidelines, the Little
League Baseball/Softball Official Regulations and Playing Rules will be used in the conduct of
the District Tournament.
Responsibility and Chain of Command
It should be clearly understood by the team managers and league presidents that operation of
the annual District Tournament comes under a different authority and jurisdiction from that
normally observed during the regular playing season. It is, in fact, a whole new ball game.
During the District Tournament, authority is vested solely in the District Tournament Committee
appointed by the District Administrator, and final authority resides with the DA for all decisions
or disputes involving participation in the District Tournament.
There will be no waivers or resorting to local rules or other variation unless granted explicitly
by the DA prior to start of District Tournament play. To administer the District Tournament
properly within the limited time afforded, proper adherence to basic disciplines must be
employed. If protests or disputes occur which cannot be settled by the umpires or responsible
Tournament Site Director through immediate and concise application of the rules, an appeal must
be made promptly to prevent a major blockage or loss of momentum.
Should a problem arise that cannot be resolved while a game is in progress, the game must be
suspended by the umpire-in-chief and the problem referred immediately to the Tournament Site
Director. If not resolved, it must be referred to the DA for final resolution. Per agreement with
Little League Baseball, Incorporated, the DA’s decisions regarding the District
Tournament are final and may not be taken any further (i.e.; Regional, Headquarters).
Leagues that do not follow this agreement, at the discretion of the DA, may be disqualified
from any further participation in the District Tournament for that year.
Knowledge of the rules must be guaranteed before a District Tournament Site Director is
declared qualified. All District Tournament Site Directors will undergo a thorough and
instructive briefing session approved by the DA, must signify that they understand the rules and
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regardless of personal feelings, they are in full agreement and can interpret them properly prior
to assuming their duties. At the time of the District Tournament Meeting, it will be required that
each league president or their representative in attendance signify that the league and district
tournament team managing personnel are knowledgeable of District Tournament Rules and are
in full agreement with these conditions.
TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION
Selection of District Tournament Teams
The District Tournament will offer competition in the following divisions, as applicable:
Little League (Majors) Baseball
Intermediate (50-70) Baseball
Junior League Baseball
Senior League Baseball
Big League Baseball
Little League (Majors) Softball
Junior League Softball
Senior League Softball
Big League Softball
Each league in the district may send one team per division in the District Tournament. A
league need not participate in each division of the District Tournament, but may choose to send a
team only in certain divisions.
Each league that chooses to participate in the District Tournament must send their team with
the best regular season record to each division in which they choose to participate. If a league’s
first place team will not be able to field enough players for the District Tournament (due to
vacations, injuries, or other reasons deemed appropriate by the DA), they may send the team
with the next best record in that division as their entry in that division of the tournament.
Each team participating in the District Tournament may only consist of players that are
properly documented on its regular season roster. No team will be allowed to trade players in the
two weeks prior to its last scheduled game of the season, except where the team seeking to draft
players would otherwise have less than ten players on the roster.
All waivers that have been approved through the DA, Southern Region and/or Little League
International Headquarters will be honored for the duration of the District Tournament. The DA
has sole authority for interpretation of these approved waivers in terms of the District
Tournament (reference Chain of Command, above).
Managers and Coaches
The DA and District Staff shall not serve as manager or coach of a tournament team.
Managers and Coaches for each team participating in the District Tournament shall be those
listed on the team’s regular season roster. Substitute/replacement managers/coaches shall only
be requested by the League’s President to the DA. The validity and merits of each request will
be judged on a case-by-case basis by the DA. The DA has final authority for approval/rejection
of these requests (reference Chain of Command, above).
Umpires
The DA and District 22 Umpire-In-Chief (UIC) shall have responsibility for providing
volunteer Little League umpires for tournament play. The DA shall not umpire.
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Tournament Eligibility Affidavit
It shall be the league president’s responsibility to review and certify the birth records (league
age) by viewing the original birth record and residence (as defined by Little League Baseball,
Incorporated) of all players. When the league finally decides on which teams will be entered
into the District Tournament, names must be entered on the league’s Eligibility Affidavit. Once
the DA certifies the Eligibility Affidavit, the DA will maintain possession and ensure each
team’s Affidavit is forwarded to the respective Tournament Site Director.
IMPORTANT: Alternates are not authorized. They shall not accompany the team and
shall not be listed on the Eligibility Affidavit.
The Eligibility Affidavit must be certified by the DA or his/her designated appointee and
presented by the team manager to the Tournament Site Director before every game. NOTE: The
Eligibility Affidavit becomes official once the team plays its first tournament game.
Participation in Other Programs
A player may participate in other youth baseball/softball programs, subject to the provisions
of Regulation IV (a) Note 2.
League Eligibility
In order for a Little League program to be eligible to enter a team or teams into the
District Tournament, the following must be accomplished no later than May 28th (unless
otherwise noted):
1) The league must be chartered in the division(s) for which they wish to enter a
tournament team. (Examples: Chartered in the Little League Majors to enter a
Major Division team, chartered in the Senior League to enter a Senior Division team,
etc.);
2) All required waivers submitted and approved prior to the team’s first scheduled
Tournament game. (Examples: Regulation II(d), Regulation IV(h), player out of
boundaries, etc.);
3) All regular season team rosters must be submitted to Little League International and
the DA prior to the team’s first scheduled Tournament game;
4) Fees incurred by the league must be paid in full by May 28th;
5) The league must have a proper Safety Plan submitted to the District 22 Safety Officer
prior to the District’s deadline (any league wishing to be considered for hosting
District Tournament play at their site must have their Safety Plan submitted to the
District 22 Safety Officer at least one (1) week prior to the District’s deadline).
Failure to meet any of the listed requirements could result in a team or teams being
declared ineligible by the DA (reference Chain of Command, above).
Player Eligibility
Players are eligible for District Tournament play, provided they meet the criteria established
by the Little League “Residency Eligibility Requirement,” “Participation In Other Programs,”
and they have participated as an eligible player in 60% of the regular season games as of May
28, with the exception of the school baseball season.
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NOTE 1: Consistent with a manager’s ability to conduct the affairs of his or her team, a
manager may disqualify a player from the team for the current season, subject to Board of
Directors approval, if the player repeatedly misses practice or games.
CONDITION 1: Participation must be within the chartered league named on the Eligibility
Affidavit.
CONDITION 2: A player who is not able to participate in a number of local league regular
season games because of participation in a school baseball/softball program will receive an
adjustment on the minimum participation in games required under this rule.
Example: If, for any given division, Team A played 20 regular season games before May
28, and a player missed 10 games because of participation in a school baseball/softball program,
that player is required to have participated in only six (6) regular season games to be eligible for
the Tournament Team.
CONDITION 3: A player may be named to the roster of, and participate with, only
ONE District Tournament Team. Once the Eligibility Affidavit is signed by the local
league president, player agent, and the DA (or their representatives), the players listed on
the affidavit shall not be eligible to participate on any other District Tournament Team for
the current year.
EXCEPTION: Players on an Intermediate (50-70) Baseball team may also participate
on another Tournament Team if in accordance with regular season requirements for being
listed on two team rosters.
Violation of this rule may be cause for revocation of tournament privileges by the DA, up
to and including the entire League(s) involved (reference Chain of Command, above).
Insurance
Accident: A league or district Big League team shall not be accepted for tournament play
unless covered by accident insurance, which includes tournament play. It is strongly
recommended that a medical release for each player on the Affidavit be carried by the team
manager.
Liability: Liability Insurance must be carried by the league on whose field tournaments are
played as well as all leagues who participate in the tournament. Minimum coverage of
$1,000,000 single limit, bodily injury and property damage. The policy must include coverage
for claims arising out of athletic participants.
If insurance is purchased locally, a copy of the policy must be on file at Little League
Baseball International Headquarters and a copy supplied to the DA prior to tournament play.
Replacement of Manager or Coach
Any manager or coach listed on the Eligibility Affidavit who is unable to participate because
of injury, illness, vacation, or other justifiable reason may be replaced by another eligible person,
provided the team will be at a disadvantage if not replaced. The DA will review each request for
replacement on a case-by-case basis. The DA’s decision is final for the District Tournament
(reference Chain of Command, above).
If a manager or coach is replaced, that person may not be returned to the Tournament
Affidavit. Permanent replacements must be from the league’s regular season teams and shall be
recorded and approved by the DA, or his/her designee in the space provided on the Eligibility
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Affidavit. EXCEPTION: If a manager or coach is unable to attend a game for a justifiable
reason, a Tournament Site Director could approve a temporary replacement. Temporary
replacement of a manager or coach need not be entered on the Eligibility Affidavit. A manager
or coach who is ejected from a game may not be replaced for the team’s next physically
played game. (See Rule 4.07)
Pool Players
Leagues intending to utilize pool players during the District/County Tournament must submit
a list of players for each division in which they plan to use pool players. These lists must be
submitted to the DA with the team Eligibility Affidavits at the affidavit check meeting. Each list
shall contain a minimum of 5 players that participated at least 60% of the regular season on a
team in the division for which they are being submitted. The lists will be maintained by the DA.
If a team needs to utilize a pool player, the manager will contact the DA between 9:00 a.m.
and 3:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled game. The DA will consult his list for the
respective league/division to determine the applicable player to contact. The DA is the sole
authority for contacting pool players to verify their availability for a particular game. The
manager must contact the DA prior to each game that he/she will need a pool player as the
players on each list will be utilized on a rotational basis by the DA. Coaches, managers, and
other league officials shall not contact potential pool players.
If a team has been approved to use a pool player, the DA will notify the respective
Tournament Site Director and inform them of the player’s name and which team/game he/she is
approved to participate. Tournament Site Directors will not allow the use of any pool player
without receiving prior approval for that individual from the DA.
Violation of this rule may be cause for revocation of tournament privileges by the DA, for
the entire League(s) involved (reference Chain of Command, above).
Teams may request to use pool players if the team meets the following conditions:
CONDITION 1: The DA shall be the sole authority to approve use of pool players.
CONDITION 2: The team will have less than 12 players (or its number of regular season
rostered players, but not less than 10, whichever is less), if pool players are not utilized.
Pool players shall only be utilized in accordance with the following criteria:
RULE 1: Pool players shall not start a game unless the team does not have sufficient regular
season rostered players to place the required number of individuals in the line-up.
RULE 2: Pool players must play at least nine consecutive defensive outs and bat once.
RULE 3: Pool players shall not play more than nine consecutive defensive outs per game
unless the team does not have sufficient regular season rostered players to place the required
number of individuals in the line-up.
RULE 4: Pool players shall not be allowed to pitch.
RULE 5: Pool players shall wear their regular season uniform.
Playing Equipment
The dimensions and other specifications of all playing equipment used must conform to those
set forth in the Official Little League, Intermediate (50-70), Junior League, Senior League, and
Big League Baseball/Softball Playing Rules except for those noted below:
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Every member of the team must wear a conventional uniform which includes shirt, pants,
stockings and cap (visors may be worn in softball). It is recommended that regular season
uniforms be used for the District Tournament.
Each team must provide at least six (6) (7 for Intermediate/Junior/Senior/Big League)
NOCSAE approved safety helmets with warning labels. The batter, all base runners, (on-deck
batter for Intermediate/Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) and player base coaches must wear
approved helmets.
All male players must wear athletic supporters. Catchers (male) must wear the metal, fibre,
or plastic type cup.
Catchers must wear a mask with (NOCSAE) approved catchers helmet (skull cap type not
acceptable) and “dangling” type throat guard during practice, infield/outfield, pitcher warm-up,
and games. All catchers must wear approved chest protector and shin guards. Catchers must
wear approved long or short model chest protectors.
Shoes with metal cleats or spikes shall not be worn by players, managers, coaches, or
umpires. Intermediate/Junior/Senior/Big League baseball: Players may wear shoes with metal
spikes.
Schedules
The DA must finalize tournament schedules prior to the start of the tournament. Schedules
for each division of play must utilize Little League approved single elimination brackets, double
elimination brackets, or pool play format. The DA may use other tournament formats if
approved by the District 22 Staff.
NOTE: Inclement weather may be justification to revert to single elimination in order to
complete a tournament on schedule, with approval of the DA (reference Chain of Command,
above).
Tournament Team Practice
Tournament teams may not practice against another district or any other division within their
league/district.
Violation of this rule may be cause for revocation of tournament privileges by the DA, for
the entire League(s) involved (reference Chain of Command, above).
Selection of Fields
All games shall be played upon Little League fields approved by the DA. Any league
wishing to be considered for hosting District Tournament play at their site must have their
Safety Plan submitted to the District 22 Safety Officer at least one (1) week prior to the
District’s deadline.
Admission Charge
There shall be no charge for admission to any level of District Tournament play.
CONDITIONS OF TOURNAMENT PLAY
Protests
This rule replaces Rule 4.19.
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No protest shall be considered on a decision involving an umpire’s judgment. Equipment
which does not meet specifications must be removed from the game.
Protests shall be considered only when based on:
A. The violation or interpretation of a playing rule;
When a manager claims that a decision is in violation of the playing rules, the following
steps must be taken:
1. A formal (verbal) protest must be made to the umpire-in-chief at once by the manager or
coach.
2. The umpire-in-chief must immediately call a conference of all umpires working the
game.
3. If the problem cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the managers, the umpire-in-chief
shall be required to consult with the Tournament Site Director.
4. If the managers do not accept the decision of the Tournament Site Director, either
manager may elect, without penalty, to discontinue play until the matter is referred to the
DA. Either the umpire-in-chief or Tournament Site Director will call the DA. The DA’s
Decision is final and binding (reference Chain of Command, above).
NOTE 1: PROTESTS INVOLVING PLAYING RULES NOT RESOLVED BEFORE THE
NEXT PITCH OR PLAY SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
NOTE 2: UMPIRES AND TOURNAMENT SITE DIRECTORS DO NOT HAVE THE
AUTHORITY TO DECLARE A FORFEITURE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
B. The use of an ineligible pitcher.
Ineligibility under this rule applies to violations of Tournament Playing Rule 4. If an
ineligible pitcher delivers one or more pitches to a batter, that team may be required to forfeit
the game in question, subject to the following conditions:
1. At any time before the umpire(s) leave the playing field, a formal (verbal) protest must be
made to the umpire-in-chief by the manager or coach. The umpire-in-chief must
immediately consult with the Tournament Site Director
2. If AFTER a game, a protest may be lodged by the manager or coach with the Tournament
Site Director. Such protest must be made before either team affected by the protest
begins another game.
3. Either the umpire-in-chief or the Tournament Site Director will call the DA.
4. The decision of the DA will be final and binding. Only the DA can declare a forfeit.
(reference Chain of Command, above). NOTE: The Manager is responsible for
verifying the accuracy of the pitching record on the eligibility affidavit.
C. The use of an ineligible player.
Ineligibility under this rule applies to league age, residence (as defined by Little League
Baseball, Incorporated), and participation as an eligible player for sixty (60) percent of the
regular season in the proper division, or violation of Regulations I - XVII.
1. If the facts establishing or verifying the ineligibility of a player are known to the
complainant PRIOR TO the game, the following steps must be taken:
(a) The complainant shall present the matter to the Tournament Site Director and/or DA.
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(b) The matter SHALL be resolved by the DA BEFORE the first pitch of the game. The
decision of the DA shall be final and binding (reference Chain of Command, above).
2. If the facts establishing or verifying the ineligibility of a player become known DURING
a game, and the ineligible player participates in the game, that team shall forfeit the game
in question, subject to the following conditions:
(a) A protest may be lodged by the manager or coach with the umpire-in-chief, who shall
consult with the Tournament Site Director.
(b) The Tournament Site Director must contact the DA. The decision of the DA shall be
final and binding (reference Chain of Command, above).
3. If the facts establishing or verifying the ineligibility of a player become known AFTER a
game, and the ineligible player participated in the game, that team shall forfeit the game
in question, subject to the following conditions:
(a) A protest may be lodged by the manager or coach with the Tournament Site Director.
Such protest must be made before either team affected by the protest begins another
game.
(b) The Tournament Site Director must contact the DA. The decision of the DA shall be
final and binding (reference Chain of Command, above).
NOTE 1: Disqualification of a team or player(s) and/or forfeiture of a game must be the
decision of the DA, and such decisions will be made prior to the continuation of the
affected team(s) or player(s) in further tournament play.
NOTE 2: All officials, including managers, coaches, scorekeepers, umpires,
Tournament Site Directors, and DA/ADAs should make every effort to prevent a
situation that may result in the forfeiture of a game or suspension of tournament
privileges. However, failure by any party to prevent such situations shall not affect the
validity of a protest.
Advancement
There will be a District Champion declared in each Division of competition. If there is a
County Tournament, the District Champion from each division will advance to meet the District
2 Champion. If the District Champion for a division is not able to participate, the runner-up for
that division will advance.
TOURNAMENT PLAYING RULES
The Official Little League, Intermediate (50-70), Junior League, Senior League, and Big
League Baseball/Softball Playing Rules shall govern District Tournament play except as noted
for baseball on pages T-10 through T-29, and for softball on pages T-10 through T-31, in the
“2014 Tournament Rules and Guidelines” section of the respective Little League Regulations
and Playing Rules, and modified as noted below:
 Per agreement with Little League Baseball, Incorporated, the DA’s decisions
regarding the District Tournament are final and may not be taken any further (i.e.;
Regional, Headquarters). As such, for this District Tournament, the Florida
District 22 Administrator shall assume the responsibilities denoted for the following
Little League offices/officers:
 “Regional Director”
 “Tournament Committee”
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



 “Tournament Committee at Williamsport”
 “Tournament Committee in Williamsport”
The “Tournament Director” duties are the responsibility of the District 22
“Tournament Site Director” at each site.
The use of a continuous batting order option is not permitted during the District
Tournament.
The “FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY” section on page T-20 of the Baseball and
Softball rules is not valid for this District Tournament.
The “Expenses” section on pages T-22 & T-23 of the Baseball and Softball rules,
respectively, is not valid for this District Tournament. The District Administrator
will supply the necessary championship pennants and tournament pins.
NOTE:
Leagues that do not follow these modifications, at the discretion of the District
Administrator, may be disqualified from any further participation in District
and/or County Tournament play for that year.
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