2025 ZVBL Championship Tournament Rules

Hosted By:

Lake City Youth Baseball Association

Dates: Saturday, July 26^th – Sunday, July 27^th, Games begin at 9:00 AM

Location: Bluff View Elementary Baseball Fields
Corner of Cross Street & Lakewood Ave, Lake City, MN

Tournament Fees

Entry Fee: $300 per team
Each team is guaranteed 3 games
Each team must supply 1 new game ball per game, given to the umpire at game start

Eligibility

Players must be 12 years old or younger as of May 1, 2025, or must have completed 6th grade in Spring 2025
All players must be listed on their ZVBL regular season team roster

Pitching Limits

Max 85 pitches per day
Max 135 pitches for the entire tournament
If a pitcher hits the limit mid-batter, they may finish the at-bat before being removed
Only pitches thrown to a batter count
Pitchers must be removed upon reaching pitch limits or after 2 mound visits

Tracking Pitch Counts

Each team must assign an adult to track their own and opponent’s pitch counts
Confirm counts with opponent after each inning
Use tournament pitch count sheet (provided at check-in)
Turn pitch count sheets in to Tournament HQ (concession stand)

Violations

Coach ejected for remainder of tournament
Team forfeits the game of infraction
Pitcher suspended for next game and may not pitch again in tournament

Pitching Rubber

Proper distance is 52 feet. Umpires will resolve discrepancies. No innings or at-bats will be replayed due to rubber distance errors.

Trips to the Mound

Two trips per pitcher per game. On the second trip, the pitcher must be removed.

Warm-Up Pitches

New pitcher or start of inning: 8 pitches
Mid-inning reliever: 8 pitches
Returning pitcher: 5 pitches

Balks

High school rules apply. One warning per pitcher before enforcement.

Game Equipment

Follows NFHS standards unless modified here
Matching numbered jerseys required (tape numbers acceptable)
No metal spikes
Helmets required for batting, running, and catching
Bats with one-piece rubber grip/knob are illegal

Bat Restrictions

2 1/4″ barrel: any weight
2 3/8″ or 2 5/8″ barrels: -10 or less
-5 BBCOR or wood bats allowed

Illegal Equipment Penalties

1st offense: batter out, coach restricted to bench
2nd offense: batter out, coach ejected
Further offenses: coach ejected

Safety Equipment

Casts/splints must be padded with 1/2″ closed-cell foam
No exposed metal or hard materials
Teams must supply own first-aid kits and ice packs

Game Play Rules

NFHS rules apply unless modified here
Official bracket is posted at Tournament HQ
Schedules tracked via GameChanger app
Higher seed = home team
No infield warm-up on game fields (use outfield)
Be ready 15 minutes early

Forfeits

10-minute grace period for first game only
Game time = forfeit time for others
No-show teams must contact director within 1 hour
Intentional forfeits will not benefit the team

Disqualification

Affects only the last game played.

Mercy Rule

15-run lead after 3 innings
10-run lead after 4 innings

Field Dimensions

Bases: ~75 feet
Pitching mound: ~52 feet

Base Running

Head-first slides allowed
NFHS rules on stealing, dropped 3rd strike, etc.
Must slide on close plays
Stealing allowed, including home

Dropped Third Strike

A batter may run on a dropped third strike if:

First base is unoccupied at the time of the pitch, or
There are two outs, regardless of base occupancy

The catcher must secure the third strike or throw to first to retire the batter.

Other Gameplay Notes

9 players on defense
Rosters due by Tuesday, July 22 via GameChanger or tournaments@lcysba.org
Minimum 12 batters (if available), may bat entire roster
Open defensive substitution if in current lineup
Courtesy runner for catcher only (last out)
Start with 9 players; may finish with 8 (injury only)

Late Arrivals

Late players may be added to bottom of the order. Injured players = spot skipped (no out). Ejected players = spot is out.

Game Time Limits

5 innings or 75-minute limit
No new inning after 75 minutes
If tied and time remains, play continues
If tied and time expires: international tie-breaker (runner on 2nd, 1 out)

Championship Games

No time limit
Full 5 innings
Use tie-breaker if needed

Ejections

Coaches/parents/spectators: suspended for tournament; 200-yard restriction
Players: suspended for current + next game
Disruptive parties may be removed from facility; police may be called

Weather & Heat

Tournament Director may alter format/schedule
Heat breaks may be granted after 3rd/4th inning

No Protests

All disputes are handled on the field. No formal protests allowed.

Code of Conduct

Coaches

Promote sportsmanship and rule adherence
Respect umpires and opponents
No drugs, tobacco, or alcohol

Parents

Encourage positive behavior
Respect coaches, players, officials
No profanity or substance use

Violations may result in sanctions or bans from LCYBA events.

Awards

Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams.

Concessions

Full concession stand available. Please support our youth programs!

Parking

Lots available behind and in front of Bluff View Elementary, and at the city pool
Service road access limited to handicapped fans and tournament staff

Questions?

Contact: Tony Schultz
Phone: 651-380-0511
Email: tournaments@lcysba.org