Morton Mayhem Tournament Rules

• Park Address: Westwood Park 2150 Veterans Rd. Morton, IL 61550
• Visit the Tournament Central area for questions, information, or any other needs throughout the tournament.
• For weather updates please check our website at www.mortonyouthbaseball.org or our Facebook page.

*General Tournament Information*

The MYBA (Morton Youth Baseball Association) is hosting this tournament at the Westwood Park Complex on Veterans Road in Morton, Illinois. The complex has eight fields total, six of which have grass infields. The facility also has bathrooms, drinking fountains, a pavilion, playground equipment, two outdoor batting cages and a concession stand featuring a wide variety of food and snack items. We may also have some local vendors selling items not offered by our concession stand. We will be grilling throughout the entire tournament.

NO DOGS ALLOWED (except service dogs) in the park, per Morton Park District Rules.

Each team will play a minimum of four games unless weather or unforeseen circumstances forces changes to the tournament schedule. MYBA will award individual trophies for 1st and 2nd place. In some cases, we may elect to form a consolation bracket depending on number of teams.

We will not be charging a gate fee for the tournament. We will have a concession stand, so please no food, beverage, or coolers allowed in the complex. The players can bring individual jugs of water for their own use. Please comply with these rules. All money made on this tournament will go back into the complex and youth baseball.

*Facility Rules*

Please do not park in the grass, designated posted areas, or along Veterans Road. If you have a special needs parking request or need special assistance, please notify us in advance or see a tournament official.

We have limited bleacher seating. Please bring lawn chairs for your convenience.

We prohibit any soft toss being hit into any facility fence.

Pre-game infield practice is prohibited.

The indoor cages are off limits to any team besides Morton.

Please pick up the dugout after each game. Parents, grandparents, relatives, and fans: Please pick up your general area after each game. Please throw your trash away in one of the many trash receptacles located throughout the facility and in the parking lot when leaving. Thanks in advance!

PLEASE NO COOLERS OR FOOD BROUGHT INTO THE PARK. ALL CONCESSION PROCEEDS ARE RETAINED FOR PARK MAINTENANCE AND TOURNAMENT EXPENSES. YOUR PATRONAGE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. DUE TO ABUSE OF THIS POLICY IN PAST YEARS WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:

• 1st offense is a warning to the team’s Head Coach. The Coach will have to handle the problem to MYBA’s satisfaction before play can start.
• 2nd offense will cause the team to forfeit the next game in the tournament.
• 3rd offense, the team will forfeit all games played in the tournament and will be asked to leave the facility.

• 3 leather baseballs; PLEASE bring your baseballs to tournament check-in.
• ALL teams are GUARANTEED a minimum of 3 games, weather permitting for the Morton Mayhem Tournament.
• AWARDS will be handed out for CHAMPIONS & RUNNER-UPS.

1.) Players must be 9 years old or under as of April 30, 2024 (coaches should carry birth certificates if needed).

2.) Each game consists of 6 innings or time limit. Bases to be set at 60’ and pitching distance set at 44’.

3.) In all pool play games, a coin flip will determine the home team. For all bracket games the higher seed will be the home team.

4.) 1 hour and 40-minute time limit for every game in the tournament. Full extra innings will be allowed for tied games until the time limit has expired. In pool play if the game is still tied when the time limit expires, a tie game will be declared and reflected as such in the standings. For all bracket games still tied when the time limit expires, each half inning thereafter will start with a runner on 2nd base and 1 out (the runners will be the last out from the previous inning). The game will continue as such until a winner has been determined. For time limit purposes, the timer starts on the first warmup pitch of the game and a new inning starts immediately when the last out of the previous inning is made. *** If the game is within 10 minutes of the time limit when an inning ends and the run differential is 8 runs or greater, the game will be called and considered final. This helps keep games on time. ***

5.) A minimum of 8 players is needed to start a game (if playing with 8 players, an automatic out must be taken).

6.) Mercy rules are 15 runs after 3, 12 runs after 4, and 8 runs after 5.

7.) A game is official after 3 innings if called because of bad weather. If called before that, it will be considered a suspended. Game and play will resume at that point. Tournament officials reserve the right to alter the format of the tournament due to weather, darkness, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

8.) The home team will have the official book. All line-up changes must be reported to the opponent’s scorebook. Each team’s scorekeeper should check with the other to confirm the score at the end of every inning.

9.) No lineup restrictions. Each team can bat any number of players they choose or bat their entire lineup. If a team is batting the entire lineup and a player is injured, that player’s spot in the batting lineup will be skipped and not counted as an out. Free defensive substitutions (except pitcher) for any player that is in the batting lineup.

10.) If using re-entry with subs, starters will be allowed tore-enter one time to the position in the batting order they left. Pitchers may not return to the mound after being removed.

11.) Designated hitters will NOT be allowed.

12.) There are NO pitching restrictions in the tournament, coaches please handle your young pitchers in a responsible manner.

13.) No drop third strike.

14.) Balk and infield fly rules are not in effect.

15.) Stealing is allowed, including stealing home but runners are not allowed to leave the base until the pitch reaches home plate.

16.) No length/weight restrictions or barrel limitations on bats, but all bats must have a USSSA, USA, or BBCOR stamp.

17.) Courtesy runners will be allowed and encouraged for pitchers and catchers only (last batted out if batting the entire lineup).

18.) Metal cleats are NOT allowed.

19.) The umpire’s rulings are final. Protests will not be allowed. Please support the umpires.

20.) Please have teams warmed up and ready to go at least 15 minutes prior to your listed game time. Games may start early if your scheduled field is open, and umpires are ready.

21.) Full concessions will be available at all game sites. Please do not bring food, beverages, or coolers. This is one way we can keep the tournament fees down.

22.) Pool play seeding tiebreakers:

• 1st - Best record
• 2nd - Head to head (if only 2 teams are tied)
• 3rd - Least runs allowed
• 4th - Most runs scored
• 5th - Coin flip

23.) Any situation not covered here will be governed by the IESA rulebook.

• 3 leather baseballs; PLEASE bring your baseballs to tournament check-in.
• ALL teams are GUARANTEED a minimum of 3 GAMES, weather permitting for the Morton Mayhem Tournament.
• Awards will be handed out for CHAMPIONS & RUNNER UPS.

1.) Players must be 11 years old or under as of April 30, 2024 (coaches should carry birth certificates if needed).

2.) Each game consists of 6 innings or time limit. Bases to be set at 70’ and pitching distance set at 48’.

3.) In all pool play games, a coin flip will determine the home team. For all bracket games the higher seed will be the home team.

4.) 1 hour 40-minute time limit for every game in the tournament. Full extra innings will be allowed for tied games until the time limit has expired. In pool play if the game is still tied when the time limit expires, a tie game will be declared and reflected as such in the standings. For all bracket games still tied when the time limit expires, each half inning thereafter will start with a runner on 2nd base and 1 out (the runners will be the last out from the previous inning). The game will continue as such until a winner has been determined. For time limit purposes, the timer starts on the first warmup pitch of the game and a new inning starts immediately when the last out of the previous inning is made. *** If the game is within 10 minutes of the time limit when an inning ends and the run differential is 8 runs or greater, the game will be called and considered final. This helps keep games on time. ***

5.) A minimum of 8 players is needed to start a game (if playing with 8 players, an automatic out must be taken).

6.) Mercy rules are 15 runs after 3, 12 runs after 4, and 8 runs after 5.

7.) A game is official after 4 innings if called because of bad weather. If called before that, it will be considered a suspended game and play will resume at that point. Tournament officials reserve the right to alter the format of the tournament due to weather, darkness, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

8.) The home team will have the official book. All line-up changes must be reported to the opponent’s scorebook. Each team’s scorekeeper should check with the other to confirm the score at the end of every inning.

9.) No lineup restrictions. Each team can bat any number of players they choose or bat their entire lineup. If a team is batting the entire lineup and a player is injured, that player’s spot in the batting lineup will be skipped and not counted as an out. Free defensive substitutions (except pitcher) for any player that is in the batting lineup.

10.) If using re-entry with subs, starters will be allowed tore-enter one time to the position in the batting order they left. Pitchers may not return to the mound after being removed.

11.) Designated hitters will NOT be allowed.

12.) There are NO pitching restrictions in the tournament, coaches please handle your young pitchers in a responsible manner.

13.) Dropped third strike is in effect.

14.) Balk and infield fly rules are in effect (no balk warnings).

15.) The fake-to-3rd and throw-to-1st pickoff moves will be allowed in the tournament, as that move is still legal under IESA rules.

16.) No length/weight restrictions or barrel limitations on bats, but all bats must have a USSSA, USA, or BBCOR stamp.

17.) Courtesy runners will be allowed and encouraged for pitchers and catchers only (last batted out if batting the entire lineup).

18.) Metal cleats will NOT be allowed.

19.) The umpire’s rulings are final. Protests will not be allowed. Please support the umpires.

20.) Please have teams warmed up and ready to go at least 15minutes prior to your listed game time. Games may start early if your scheduled field is open, and umpires are ready.

21.) Full concessions will be available at all game sites. Please do not bring food, beverages, or coolers. This is one way we can keep the tournament fees down.

22.) Pool play seeding tiebreakers:

• 1st - Best record
• 2nd - Head to head (if only 2 teams are tied)
• 3rd - Least runs allowed
• 4th - Most runs scored
• 5th - Coin flip

23.) Any situation not covered here will be governed by the IESA rulebook.

• 3 leather baseballs; PLEASE bring your baseballs to tournament check-in.
• ALL teams are GUARANTEED a minimum of 3 GAMES, weather permitting for the Morton Mayhem Tournament.
• Awards will be handed out CHAMPIONS & RUNNER-UPS.

1.) Players must be 13 years old or under as of April 30, 2024 (coaches should carry birth certificates if needed).

2.) Each game consists of 7 innings or time limit. Bases to be set at 80’ and pitching distance set at 54’.

3.) In all pool play games, a coin flip will determine the home team. For all bracket games the higher seed will be the home team.

4.) 1 hour 40-minute time limit for every game in the tournament. Full extra innings will be allowed for tied games until the time limit has expired. In pool play if the game is still tied when the time limit expires, a tie game will be declared and reflected as such in the standings. For all bracket games still tied when the time limit expires, each half inning will start with a runner on 2nd base and 1 out (the runners will be the last out from the previous inning). The game will continue as such until a winner has been determined. For time limit purposes, the timer starts on the first warmup pitch of the game and a new inning starts immediately when the last out of the previous inning is made. *** If the game is within 10 minutes of the time limit when an inning ends and the run differential is 8 runs or greater, the game will be called and considered final. This helps keep games on time. ***

5.) A minimum of 8 players is needed to start a game (if playing with 8 players, an automatic out must be taken).

6.) Mercy rules are 15 runs after 3, 12 runs after 4, and 8 runs after 5.

7.) A game is official after 4 innings if called because of bad weather. If called before that, it will be considered a suspended game and play will resume at that point. Tournament officials reserve the right to alter the format of the tournament due to weather, darkness, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

8.) The home team will have the official book. All line-up changes must be reported to the opponent’s scorebook. Each team’s scorekeeper should check with the other to confirm the score at the end of every inning.

9.) No lineup restrictions. Each team can bat any number of players they choose or bat their entire lineup. If a team is batting the entire lineup and a player is injured, that player’s spot in the batting lineup will be skipped and not counted as an out. Free defensive substitutions (except pitcher) for any player that is in the batting lineup.

10.) If using re-entry with subs, starters will be allowed tore-enter one time to the position in the batting order they left. Pitchers may not return to the mound after being removed.

11.) Designated hitters will NOT be allowed.

12.) There are NO pitching restrictions in the tournament, coaches please handle your young pitchers in a responsible manner.

13.) Dropped third strike is in effect.

14.) Balk and infield fly rules are in effect (no balk warnings).

15.) The fake-to-3rd andthrow-to-1st pickoff moves will be allowed in the tournament, as that move is still legal under IESA rules.

16.) No length/weight restrictions or barrel limitations on bats, but all bats must have a USSSA, USA, or BBCOR stamp.

17.) Courtesy runners will be allowed and encouraged for pitchers and catchers only (last batted out if batting the entire lineup).

18.) Metal cleats are allowed.

19.) The umpire’s rulings are final. Protests will not be allowed. Please support the umpires.

20.) Please have teams warmed up and ready to go at least 15 minutes prior to your listed game time. Games may start early if your scheduled field is open, and umpires are ready.

21.) Full concessions will be available at all game sites. Please do not bring food, beverages, or coolers. This is one way we can keep the tournament fees down.

22.) Pool play seeding tiebreakers:

• 1st - Best record
• 2nd - Head to head (if only 2 teams are tied)
• 3rd - Least runs allowed
• 4th - Most runs scored
• 5th - Coin flip

23.) Any situation not covered here will be governed by the IESA rulebook.