Tournament Rules
GFI RULES – 2024
Rule 1. The official rules of baseball shall govern the playing of games during the tournament. Specifications as to facility, equipment, play-off format, etc. have been modified to meet the needs of the tournament. Teams may elect to use the designated hitter. NCAA sliding rules are in effect at all bases. There is no instant replay.
Rule 2. All games will be nine innings. Extra innings for Round Robin Games only will use the MLB modified rules as follows: Each team will start extra innings with the last player in the batting order, who completed an at bat, starting at second base. For all Playoff Games, regular baseball will be played in Extra Innings.
Rule 3. A coin flip will determine Home team for Round Robin Games. Teams with the highest seeding, as determined by the tournament rules, will be the Home Team for all MONEY ROUND games.
Rule 4. After the third out of each half inning the teams have 2 minutes to resume play. The umpires will encourage players to conclude warm-ups if they are delaying pace of play.
Rule 5. The 20 second “Action clock” for pitchers and hitters is not being used in this tournament. The MLB rules regarding pick offs IS being used in this tournament. Pitchers may throw to a base twice per batter without penalty. If a third attempt is made and is unsuccessful the pitcher will be called for a BALK.
Rule 6. Relief Pitchers are NOT required to pitch to a minimum number of hitters.
Rule 7. Catchers and coaches may visit the mound during an inning a maximum of 5 times per game. Each team will begin extra innings with 1 additional visit permitted along with any unused trips from regulation play carrying over to the extra innings.
Rule 8. An Eight Run Mercy rule will apply to all tournament games except the final. If one team is ahead by eight or more runs after the trailing team has completed seven innings (or six and a half) the game is over immediately.
Rule 9. Should circumstances arise where a game or games are postponed or cancelled, the Tournament Rules Committee (TRC) has the authority to act upon any alteration to the tournament format or schedule.
Rule 10. There are no restrictions relative to roster size. However, teams will not be permitted to add to their roster any player who was on the roster of a team eliminated earlier from further competition.
Rule 11. Full team rosters must be submitted 30 minutes prior to the first game of the tournament for each club. Individual Game Lineups must be submitted to the Official Scorer a minimum of 20 minutes prior to game time.
Rule 12. Should a protest arise, that protest must be brought to the attention of the home plate umpire, who in turn will forward such protest to the Tournament Protest Committee Chairman or designate. This Committee will then rule on the identified protest and their decision will be FINAL. No game will continue until the Protest has been heard.
Rule 13. In the event a contest is forfeited, the team receiving the forfeiture shall claim a 9-0 win. The forfeiting team, meanwhile, shall surrender all earnings, if any, to the tournament.
Rule 14. Tie Breaker Rule: the following Rule will determine placement in each division for Round Robin Standings and Overall Standings for placement into the Money Round.
Tie Breaker Rule:
1) Head to Head result (in a 3 way or more tie, the records of the tied teams against each other only)
2) Runs allowed / innings played defensively against only the clubs that are tied.
3) Runs for / innings played offensively against only the clubs that are tied.
4) A 5- Inning Head to Head game between the bottom 2 clubs of the tie.
Rule 15. This is a wood bat tournament. Composite bats are allowed.
Rule 16. Any player who is ejected from the game is subject to further discipline at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.
Prize Payouts as Follows:
1st – $18,000
2nd – $10,000
3rd – 4th – $6,000 each
5th – 6th – $3,500 each
7th – 8th – $1,500 each
Total Purse – $50,000 CAD