South Atlantic Bank® Tournament Rules

General Rules & Format

• NFHS / South Carolina High School Rules are in effect

• All Tournament games are 7 innings with run rules:

  • 15-run rule after 3 innings

  • 10-run rule after 5 innings

• Tied Contest after 7 innings (2 hours should be adequate for HS contest):

  • International Run Tie-Breaker used after 7 innings

  • 8th Inning: 0 outs, Runner on 2nd (previous batter or sub)

  • 9th Inning: 0 outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd (previous batter or sub)

  • 10+ Innings: 0 outs, Bases Loaded (last 3 recorded outs)

Ejection & Conduct Policies

• Coach ejection: $300 fine + suspended for next 2 contests per SCHSL rules. State governing leagues will be notified; additional sanctions possible. Noncompliance results in team removal from tournament with no return status.

• Player ejection: 1-game suspension if ejection is found valid (Head of Umpiring Association Review & Judgment)

• Bat flips by hitter: Enforced at end of playing action. Hitter will be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct/safety issues.

• Hat violations: Hat must stay on pitcher's head during delivery or pitcher will be removed.

Bat Specifications

• Wood & Composite Wood Bats can be used during the tournament

• Please review NFHS Rules Book for specifications

Pitch Count Restrictions (SCHSL)

Pitch count limits are enforced at the level the athlete pitches and are per day, not per game. Note: 7th and 8th graders cannot exceed Sub-Varsity limits regardless of the level they pitch.

Rest Requirements by Pitch Count:

• 91–110 pitches = 5 days rest

• 76–90 pitches = 4 days rest

• 61–75 pitches = 3 days rest

• 46–60 pitches = 2 days rest

• 31–45 pitches = 1 day rest

• 0–30 pitches = 0 days rest

Additional Pitching Guidelines

• Varsity pitchers may finish the batter if reaching 110 pitches during the at-bat

• Sub-Varsity pitchers may finish the batter if reaching 75 pitches during the at-bat

• Consecutive day pitching: Pitcher allowed maximum of 75 pitches on 2nd day regardless of pitches thrown on first day; cumulative total determines additional rest needed

  • Example 1: 20 pitches Tuesday + 30 pitches Wednesday = 50 total → 2 days rest required

  • Example 2: 10 pitches Monday + 15 pitches Tuesday = 25 total → Cannot throw Wednesday, eligible Thursday

• Days rest definition: Calendar day (e.g., pitcher throws 65 pitches Monday → not eligible until Friday after Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rest)

• Pitcher-to-catcher rule: Player who has pitched may not move to catcher in the same game/day. Violation = ineligible player, game forfeiture, and school fined per SCHSL handbook

• Pitch count tracking: Totals entered daily into Google Live document by host site coaches

• Updated: April 19, 2023

Protest & Judgment Calls

• Protests only allowed on rules misapplication

• Judgment calls are final

Game Operations

Equipment & Field Preparation

• Baseballs provided by South Atlantic Bank; home teams responsible for replenishing umpires with balls

• Ground rules covered at home plate conference by umpires or Tournament Host Site Coach

• Batting cage times: Allowed 1½ hours prior to game time; no cage use by on-field teams during play

• Bull pen use: Available during game play—be courteous to on-field teams

• Pre-game infield: Not allowed before scheduled contest (exception: championship contests)

• Line-up cards & roster: Provide to press box 30 minutes prior to contest for correct name pronunciations

• Post-game procedures: Secure equipment immediately after contest and depart dugouts for coach's talk to allow other teams to enter and assist staff with cleanup and field preparation

• 20-Second Pitch Clock

• Starts: Beginning of inning after dead ball, when pitcher, catcher, and batter are in position (ball put in play by plate umpire), or when pitcher receives ball from catcher and passes front edge of dirt circle

• Pitcher delivery: Must start within 20 seconds

• Pitcher violation = Ball on batter

• Batter requirements: Must be in box and alert & ready within 10 seconds of 20-second clock

• Batter violation = Strike on batter

• Resets allowed: Pitcher allowed one "reset" per batter (stepping off without pickoff attempt or catcher requesting time)

• Time-out option: Either offense or defense can avoid violation by requesting time out for charged conference if available

• 120-Second Between-Innings Clock

• Timing: Starts when defensive players start off field at end of inning

• Defense violation = Ball on batter

• Offense violation = Strike on batter

Tournament Championship

• South Atlantic Invitational Tournament will crown 2 Champions in 2024: Division 1 & Division 2

• Eligibility: Only teams playing a full 5-game schedule eligible for championship

• Championship seeding determined by:

  1. Tournament Record

  2. Runs Allowed

  3. Runs Scored

  4. Coin Flip

• Host site teams: Always "home" and have choice of dugouts throughout tournament

Updated 4/1/206