QUEEN CITYSHOWDOWN RULES

Teams must consist of a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of eight (8) players.

Each team may have up to four (4) players on the field at one time: one pitcher and three fielders.

To be eligible to play in the field or pitch at any point during a game, a player must be listed in the starting lineup at the beginning of that game. No player may enter the game solely for defensive or pitching purposes if they were not in the original lineup.

All players listed in the starting lineup must bat for the entire game. A player may only be removed from the lineup due to injury or emergency, subject to the approval of the Field Administrator. A removed player will not be counted as an out in the batting order — their spot is simply skipped. Removed players may not re-enter the game.

If a team has more than four (4) players in the lineup, all listed players must bat, but only four (4) may be on the field defensively at any given time. Defensive substitutions may be made between innings with players in the batting order only.

No player shall be listed in the batting order who is not present at the field when the game begins.

All players must be listed on the team’s official tournament roster in order to be eligible to play. No roster changes will be permitted once the tournament has begun, except with the express approval of the Tournament Directors in the case of injury.

Pool play games consist of six (6) innings, with each team receiving three (3) outs per inning.

A one-hour time limit is in effect for all pool play games. No new inning may begin after the time limit has expired. If an inning is in progress when time expires, that inning will be completed in full.

The official game time begins at the scheduled start time or at the first pitch, whichever comes later. The Field Administrator will serve as the official timekeeper.

Pool play games may end in a tie. If the game is tied when the time limit expires or after six (6) innings, the result will stand as a tie for pool play standings.

A game is considered a complete game after four (4) full innings have been played, or three and a half (3.5) innings if the home team is leading.

Base running is required. Sliding is permitted but runners should exercise caution.

In the event a team does not show, they will forfeit the game and the opposing team will be awarded a win.

Teams have fifteen (15) minutes from the scheduled start time to begin play, unless the preceding game has not concluded. If a team does not have at least four (4) players present and ready to play after the fifteen-minute grace period, that team will forfeit the game.

Tournament bracket games consist of six (6) innings, with each team receiving three (3) outs per inning. There is no time limit for bracket play games.

If a bracket game is tied after six (6) innings, extra innings will be played under the following tiebreaker format until a winner is determined:

Each extra inning begins with a runner placed on second base. The runner shall be the player who recorded the last out of the previous inning for the team at bat.

Extra innings are played under a one-pitch format: one ball results in a walk, one strike (including foul balls) results in a strikeout.

The Black Bat is in effect for all extra innings during bracket play.

Base running is required. Sliding is permitted but runners should exercise caution.

In the event a team does not show, they will forfeit the game and the opposing team will advance in the bracket.

Teams have fifteen (15) minutes from the scheduled start time to begin play, unless the preceding game has not concluded. If a team does not have at least four (4) players present and ready to play after the fifteen-minute grace period, that team will forfeit the game.

A third-place consolation game will be played between the two semifinal losers on Field 3.

Mercy rules are in effect for both pool play and bracket play: 20 runs after three (3) innings, 15 runs after four (4) innings, and 12 runs after five (5) innings.

If the home team holds the lead by the requisite number of runs, the game will end after the top half of the inning is completed.

All players must use traditional yellow Wiffle® bats or tournament-approved Black Bats.

Game balls must be official Wiffle® brand, baseball size. All game balls will be provided by the tournament.

Players may use their own bats, but all bats must be inspected and approved by the Tournament Directors prior to use. Grip tape is permitted on the handle only and may not cover the knob or barrel of the bat. Any player found using an altered or unapproved bat will be immediately ejected from the game and will serve an automatic one-game suspension.

Metal spikes or metal cleats of any kind are strictly prohibited. Players must wear rubber cleats, turf shoes, or athletic footwear with non-metal soles.

Any ball that is blocked from entering the strike zone will be ruled a strike automatically. This includes catching the ball, moving the body into the path of the pitch, or any other action that prevents the ball from reaching the strike zone (pitcher discretion). If a batter catches a pitch in front of them, the batter will be called out immediately.

A strict speed limit is in effect. All pitches must be delivered at 55 mph or below in a “pitch to hit” style (slow to medium speed). Pitchers may use any type of movement, including curves, dips, and knuckling effects. Any pitch exceeding 55 mph will be called a ball. However, any pitch swung at by the batter is considered a live pitch regardless of speed.

The pitcher must have at least one foot in contact with the pitching rubber at the time of release. Running or walking up to the rubber before delivering the pitch is not permitted.

There are no balks.

If a pitcher is substituted during an inning, that pitcher may not return to the mound until the following inning.

The count is five (5) balls for a walk and two (2) strikes for a strikeout.

If a batter has one strike and then foul tips a pitch that contacts the strike zone, the batter is out.

No pump fakes or intentional deceptive motions are permitted. The pitcher must deliver the ball in one continuous motion without faking or feinting a throw. Violation will result in the pitch being called a ball.

A batted ball must cross or touch the fair/foul line (20 feet in front of home plate) to be ruled fair. Any ball that does not reach the line will be ruled foul.

Any batted ball that lands past the fair/foul line and then spins back in front of it will be ruled foul, provided it has not been touched by a defensive player.

Bunting and slap bunting are prohibited. All contact must result from a full swing (obvious check swings are exempt). A batter who attempts a bunt will be ruled out immediately.

Two-handed hitting is required. One-handed swings are not permitted unless a player has the use of only one hand due to a physical disability or incapacitation.

The batter must have both feet inside the batter’s box when the pitch is delivered and must remain in the box throughout the at-bat. Stepping outside the batter’s box during a swing will result in the batter being called out.

A batter is not required to run the bases after hitting a home run, but is strongly encouraged to do so.

Runners may not lead off or steal bases.

Once a runner coming home crosses the fair/foul line, the runner is committed to scoring and may not return to third base.

If a fielder attempts to peg a runner and the ball goes out of play, all runners will be awarded one base from the base they occupied at the time of the throw.

If a fielder successfully pegs a runner, the play is dead. All other runners must remain at the base they currently occupy or, if between bases, must stop at the base they were advancing toward.

Sliding is permitted but not encouraged. Runners should exercise caution when sliding. Any intentional attempt to disrupt or interfere with a fielder by sliding will result in the runner being called out.

Any offensive player struck by a live batted ball (untouched by the defense) while in fair territory will be called out immediately. The batter will be awarded first base, and all other runners will advance one base.

Obstruction: If a baserunner’s progress is impeded by a defensive player who is not in the act of fielding the ball — whether intentionally or unintentionally — the runner may appeal for obstruction and will be awarded the base they were advancing toward.

The pitcher’s hand rule is in effect for recording outs at first base only. The pitcher must have at least one foot in contact with the pitching mound when receiving or catching the ball for the out to be valid. This includes plays on pop flies and batted balls — if the pitcher fields or catches a ball with one foot on the mound, only the batter-runner at first base may be retired using this rule. All other runners must be put out at their respective bases by a fielder or by pegging.

Pegging runners is allowed. If a thrown ball hits the ground before striking the runner, the ball remains live but the runner will not be called out on that throw.

For a catch at or near the home run fence to be ruled an out, the fielder must begin the process of catching the ball before crossing to the opposite side of the fence.

A fielder may deflect or hit a ball back into the field of play while going over the fence to prevent a home run. If another fielder catches the deflected ball before it touches the ground, the batter is out.

There is no infield fly rule. All batted balls must be played out regardless of the situation.

If a runner has committed to scoring by crossing the fair/foul line, a fielder may throw the ball at the strike zone to record the out. The ball must strike the strike zone without touching the ground for the out to be valid.

No gloves or fielding aids of any kind may be used.

The defensive team is responsible for making all out calls during live play.

Only players actively participating in the game may make calls. Spectators are not permitted to make or influence any calls under any circumstances.

Close plays are expected to occur and are the reason each team is allotted two (2) challenges per game. If a close play is disputed, the dispute will be settled by “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”

A Field Administrator will be assigned to each field for the duration of the tournament. The Field Administrator serves as the on-field authority and official timekeeper.

The Field Administrator is not involved in adjudicating close plays — that is what challenges are for. The Field Administrator will only intervene when a call is blatantly incorrect, made in bad faith, or clearly unsportsmanlike. In such cases, the Field Administrator may immediately overturn the call without the use of a challenge.

The Field Administrator may also disallow the use of a challenge if the play in question is not genuinely disputable. Challenges are reserved for legitimately close plays, not for contesting obvious calls.

All rulings made by the Field Administrator are final and are not subject to further appeal.

The tournament venue features ten (10) fields: seven (7) grass fields, two (2) dirt infield fields, and one (1) turf field. One grass field has a slight slope in left field — players should be aware of the terrain.

All field assignments for pool play and bracket play are completely randomized, with the following exceptions: the Championship game will be played on Field 1 (Turf), and the Semifinal and Third-Place Consolation games will be played on Field 3.

The pitching rubber is 40 feet from home plate.

Bases are 42 feet apart. Second base is 60 feet from home plate.

The foul lines extend 80–85 feet from home plate to the left and right field corners.

The distance from home plate to center field is 95–105 feet.

The fair/foul line is 20 feet from home plate.

An official scorekeeper will be assigned to each field for all tournament games. The scorekeeper is responsible for maintaining the official scorebook and recording all game statistics.

Prior to each game, both team captains must meet with the assigned scorekeeper at home plate to submit their starting lineups.

At the conclusion of each game, both scorebooks must be reviewed and initialed by the opposing team’s captain to verify the accuracy of the recorded score and statistics.