D52 All-Star Tournaments

The Little League All-Star Tournament is an international tournament for the top players in each league at each age. We run tournaments for ages 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16. Leagues select their teams as they see fit. For information on this year's all-star schedule and tournament locations, as well as past results, see the All-Stars page. This page has information about how to run a tournament, and how the tournament locations are determined.

GAME PLAY RULES

All All-Star Tournament rules are clearly outlined in the tournament section of the official Little League rule book, and will not be repeated here. There are no local rules or local options in this tournament. It must be played directly by the book.

Nothing on this page is intended to supplant or augment the official rules for All-Stars. This page is intended as a helpful guide to those in D52 running or participating in an All-Star tournament. 

Double First Base: While recommended for ages 11 and below, use of the double first base is up to the site hosting the tournament. (Rule 1.06)

PRE AND POST-GAME SCHEDULE

Please follow the D52 Tournament Pre and Post-Game Schedule and use the Announcer Script provided below.

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FIELD PREP

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PITCH COUNTING

Tournament pitching rules are covered in Tournament Playing Rules 4 and 5. As these are important safety rules, all Umpires, and all Tournament Staff will see the they are followed properly. Violation of pitching rules is protest-able after the game is over, and Managers who violate these rules may be removed from all tournament play by Little League.

MANDATORY PLAY

As of 2023, there is no longer any mandatory play requirement (MPR). Teams will utilize a continuous batting order, and there is no requirement for defensive play.

Note: Seniors/16s will bat 9, with an optional DH.

CONDUCT EXPECTED FOR ALL MANAGERS AND COACHES

Managers and coaches shall always conduct themselves in an exemplary manner.  Profanity and unsportsmanlike conduct shall not be tolerated.

Managers and coaches shall remind parents and relatives that the players, managers, and coaches are not permitted to talk with the spectators during the game. 

Managers and coaches not serving as base coaches  shall remain in the dugout during the inning. This means completely in the dugout with no part of the body in live ball territory.

Managers and coaches shall not use electronic communication devices, other than those used for scorekeeping purposes on the field or in the dugouts. First Responders may use their phones as required by the role as a first responder. They should inform the umpires before the game that they are First Responders and might have to make or take phone calls during the game.

Managers and coaches are expected to follow the NorCal All-Stars Dress Code, but no coach shall be removed for minor violations.

CONDUCT EXPECTED OF PLAYERS

Players should always conduct themselves in an exemplary manner.  Profanity and unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

Players should remain in the dugout.  No player may leave the field or dugout without the permission of an umpire or Tournament Director after the game has started.

Players should not make any exhibitions or demonstrations (including throwing equipment) in response to any judgment calls by the umpires (e.g., balls or strikes, safe or out, and fair or foul balls).

Food is not allowed in the dugouts. You may bring water and sports drinks.

Players should comply with all provisions of the Little League Baseball Rulebook regarding uniforms and equipment. All players should have their jerseys tucked in while on the field of play or in the dugout.

WATER

Tournaments will provide water for Umpires and Tournament Staff. Players are expected to bring their own water bottles for use during the game. We will not be providing water in the dugouts.

INJURIES

In the event of an injury to a player during a play, no one may enter the playing field until the umpire calls “Time”, or the ball has become dead from other legal causes.  No parent is allowed on the field unless called for by the personnel attending to the injured player.

CHEERING AND NOISE

All in attendance are encouraged to cheer positively. Taunting or verbal comments directed towards the opponent, or other acts of poor sportsmanship will NOT be tolerated.

This DOES NOT imply that the dugouts need to be silent during the pitcher’s delivery, but there should not be an increased volume to a crescendo (screaming, whistling, etc.), to distract the pitcher.  This is a baseball game – there will be some noise and players will need to deal with it.

Generating artificial noise is NOT permitted during the game (e.g., banging on the dugout fences or benches, clanking bats, etc.).

PROTESTS

No protest shall be considered on a decision involving an umpire's judgment, this includes balls/strikes, fair/foul, or safe/out. Protests involving playing rules not resolved before the next pitch or play shall not be considered. Protests involving use of an ineligible pitcher or player may be made after the game, but must be made prior to the next game by either team.

If a protest is made, it must be resolved immediately, using the following procedure:

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 with 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 Director.

4. If the managers do not accept the decision of the Tournament Director, either manager may elect (without penalty) to refer the issue to Little League. If this happens the Umpire-In-Chief will put the player in the dugouts, and the Tournament Director will call the Little League hotline. Expect this process to take around 20 minutes.

If the District Administrator or Assistant District Administrator is on site they are considered the Tournament Director for protests. If they are not on site but reachable by phone, the Tournament Director may consult with them during this process.

The Tournament Protest Rule replaces the Regular Season Protest Rule 4.19. See the "Conditions of Tournament Play" section in the Tournament Section of the Little League Official Rulebook for more.

NO-SHOWS

If a team does not show up for their game and the game is unable to be rescheduled, we will contact Little League about a forfeit. Only Little League can declare a forfeit.

EJECTIONS AND REMOVAL FROM PLAY

Ejections of managers, coaches and players are permitted as outlined in Rule 9.01. The umpires will manage warnings and/or ejections due to on-field behavior during the game.

When a manager, coach, or player is ejected from an All-Star Tournament game, that individual shall leave the playing field and the host league's premises immediately. If a player is ejected and there is no parent or guardian in attendance, that player must remain in the dugout in the custody of his/her manager or coach.

Those ejected may not participate in or attend the team's next game.

All ejections must be reported to the Tournament Director and the District Administrator.

TOURNAMENT DRESS CODE

The following dress code for Manager and Coachers was approved by the NorCal DAs starting with the 2019 season. The dress code is officially in effect for all Northern California district, sectional and state tournaments.  D52 asks that Managers and Coaches follow the spirit of the rules, but will not be strictly enforcing this during district tournaments. It could be strictly enforced in sectionals and above.

1. Docker-type pants, slacks or hemmed shorts are required for managers and coaches; no denim-type pants/shorts or camo pants/shorts will be allowed. Gusseted pockets on cargo-type shorts should lay flat. Shorts, including cargo-type shorts, MUST be no higher than 2 inches above the knees and no lower than the knees. The pants, slacks or shorts must be the same color for the manager and coaches. Collared shirts or team jersey/tee shirts are required and should be tucked in the pants. No tank tops are allowed.

2. In Intermediate/Junior/Senior tournaments, managers and coaches may opt instead to wear full uniforms. D52 discourages this option.

3. No open toe shoes or sandals will be allowed.

4. Team hats are required for the manager and coaches.

Any manager or coach who does not conform to the dress code will not be allowed on the playing field before or during the game.

The purpose of the dress code is to insure an acceptable uniform appearance of all participants and to promote a positive role model for the players and spectators at the tournament sites. The host District Administrator, or his/her designee (e.g. ADA or Tournament Director) at the tournament site, will use their discretion in determining what is appropriate within the guidelines of the dress code and their determination is final for their tournament site.

It was recommended that copies of the dress code be given to all tournament team managers and that a signed copy be returned to the tournament director. D52 will not required signed copies, but teams who advance beyond districts may be required to do so.

TOURNAMENT ROTATIONS

Sectional tournaments rotate between the 4 districts in Section 3 as follows. Each section determines which of their leagues will host.

Similarly, NorCal tournaments are rotated between the 7 NorCal sections, and each section determines which district will host.