D52 Superbowl Tournaments

The D52 Superbowl is a Little League tournament for the top players in each league who were unable to participate in the All-Star tournament. We run a tournament for the Majors division and one for the Minors division. All players who participated in these divisions in their regular season and who are not on the all-star rosters are eligible to play. Leagues select their teams as they see fit. Minors players called up to Majors may play in the Minors Superbowl provided the majority of their season was played in Minors.

GAME PLAY RULES

The Superbowl follows the standard Little League rule book for regular season games. The Tournament section does not apply.

The rule book lays out several rules which have options, and our selection of those options is as follows:

1. Continuous Batting Order: We adopt continuous batting order (CBO), also known as roster batting. (Rule: 2.00)

2. Batter in the Box: We adopt the rule which requires (with some exceptions) that after entering the batter’s box, the batter must remain in the box with at least one foot throughout the at bat. This rule helps to keep the game moving. (Rule 6.02(c))

3. Stealing Signs: We consider it unsportsmen-like conduct to steal and relaying signs to alert the batter of the pitch selection. (Rule 9.01(a))

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

5. Courtesy Runner: We adopt the rule allowing the use a courtesy runner for the catcher and/or pitcher of record when there are two outs. The runner is always the last player put out. (Rule 3.04, 7.14(b))

6. Roster Size: Superbowl teams should attempt to roster 12 players. You may bring up to 14 players. A game may be started and played with only 8 players. When playing with 8 players, when the 9th spot comes up the offense will be charged an out. (Rules: 1.01, 4.04, 4.16(a), 4.17, 6.05(n))

7. Five Run Cap (Minors): In the Minors Superbowl only, the 5-run cap is in place until the end of the 5th inning. The 6th and any extra innings do not have the 5-run cap. We also waive the rule which requires the inning to end after all players on the offense have batted. (Rule 5.07)

8. Time Limit: Regulation Games are of four or more innings in which one team has scored more runs than the other. On days in which 5 or more games are scheduled on a single field, all games (regardless of field) will have a 1 hour 45 minute time limit. This means no new inning is permitted to start after 1 hour 45 minutes from the first pitch unless the game is tied. (Rule 4.10(c)(2), 4.11(d)(2))

9. Tie-Breaker: If the game is tied after 6 complete innings, or if any inning is started after the time limit, a tie breaker will be played as follows. Each half inning will begin with the last batter in the prior inning on second base. 

10. Mercy-Rule: We adopt the 10 runs after 4 or 5 innings mercy rule only. Games will not end after 3 innings. Note to fulfill MPR in a potentially shortened game, subs need to take the field in the 3rd inning.

Remember that your league may have local league supplemental  rules in addition to the official rule book. Those rules will not be enforced during Tournament games.

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

Regular season pitching rules are in effect and will be strictly enforces. Tournament Directors will use the Superbowl Pitch Count Validation Form to track pitches. Managers must sign the form at the end of each game. The forms will be kept by the tournament director for the duration of the tournament.

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MANDATORY PLAY

We will use the standard Little League mandatory  play requirement (MPR).

Regulation IV(i) says every player present at the start of a game will participate in each game for a minimum of six (6) defensive outs. The six (6) defensive outs do not have to be consecutive.

Players not fulfilling their MPR shall start the next scheduled game, play any previous requirement not completed and the requirement for the new game before being removed. This includes any games shortened by a mercy rule.

If all players do not meet their MPR, then on the first offense the Manager will receive a warning from the Tournament Director. On the second offense the Manager may be removed from the remainder of the tournament. 

The Tournament Director will contact the District Administrator if there are any violations of the Mandatory Play Requirement, and the DA will notify the League President.

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 (Regular Season Rule 3.09). 

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.

The Dress Code for the Superbowl will not be as strict as the Dress Code for the All-Star Tournaments. Manager and coaches are encouraged to wear a shirt which identifies your league and a hat which matches your team, but these are not required. Manager and coaches should wear appropriate footwear. Open-toed footwear and cleats are not permitted.

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

Protests are permitted in the Superbowl as outlined in Rule 4.19.

Protest shall be considered only when based on the violation or interpretation of a playing rule. 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 will not be considered.

Protests based on the use of an ineligible pitcher or player made be made after the game, but must be done the same day as the game.

Protests on the field will occur as follows:

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. The Tournament director may consult with the District Administrator or Assistant District Administrators if they are available.

4. The decision of the Tournament Director shall be final and binding.

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 a Super Bowl 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.

The manager and coaches are completely responsible for the conduct of their team members.  After investigation of all complaints and ejections, the manager, coach, or player may be suspended or removed indefinitely from all post-season play by the District Administrator.