Rules

High School Federation Rules with slight modifications as noted here-in. A pre-game meeting between the Umpires, Coaches and CSMG site director will occur before the start of each game to discuss any rule clarifications:  

• 13's specific:
  • Bats/Equipment: All non-wood bats must meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard. Bats must be clearly marked on the bat - BBCOR Stamped. Bats marked with the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) are NOT legal. A bat marked with both BBCOR and BESR certification are compliant
  • EH rule - An Extra Hitter (EH) is an extra offensive player and is permitted if declared prior to the start of the game. The EH does not bat for a defensive player. A team may change the EH, but cannot alter the batting order. 
    • Example - Smith batting 5th as EH and Jones batting 6th as catcher. If Smith goes into catch, he must continue to bat 5th and Jones now becomes EH and continues to bat 6th
• 14's & 15's specific:
  • The Extra Hitter (EH) will not be utilized during the course of the the 15's tournament. Only the Designated Hitter (DH) will be used. 
  • The DH can be listed as the tenth starter replacing one of the other nine players when it is their turn to bat
  • Andy one of the starting defensive players can be their own DH. Example: The pitcher (or any other player) can be taken out while still maintaining his batting position

ALL DIVISIONS

• Game Length & Pitching
  • Games will be seven innings, 2 1/2 hour time limit for preliminary games
  • (Mercy Rule) 10 Run Mercy Rule after legal game:  after 5 innings if visitor is ahead or  4 1/2 innings if home team is ahead
  • Pitcher may not pitch more than ten innings in any three consecutive calendar days. 30 outs = 10 innings. 30 minus total number of outs pitched during the two previous calendar days determines pitching eligibility.
  • Coaches are responsible for keeping track of the number of innings pitched in the game and removing the pitcher when 10 full innings are pitched. Violations will result in the pitcher being ejected as a player will not play in any position for the next game and proper rest periods are observed
• Coin Toss - Home and Away teams will be determined by coin toss conducted by the Umpire or Administrative Staff
• Forfeitures - A team may not intentionally forfeit a contest even though the game may have no consequence on the seeding of the tournament at the conclusion of round robin play. Any team intentionally forfeiting a contest will be disqualified from further competition and the remaining teams will be re-seeded.

Two Team Ties:

1. Head to Head Record
2. Runs allowed
3. Runs scored
4. Total Runs Allowed per Inning starting with the 1st inning (All Preliminary Round Games)
5. Coin toss 

• In the event of a tie amongst three or more teams, the tie breaking system (above) will be used (in order) until the highest seeded team is determined. Once the highest seed is determined, the remaining tied teams will RESTART the above process from the BEGINNING of the tie breaking system.
• Score Keeper - All teams are required to provide an official score keeper as part of your roster for each game. We strongly recommend that the score keeper be an adult. The home team's score keeper will be the official score keeper for that game and should sit with with the administration and volunteers at the scorer's table or tent during the contest as facilities allow. The visiting team will keep score as a secondary or back up score book. 
•  Inclement Weather -  in the event of inclement weather, the ShopRite® Nutmeg Sate Games Administration reserves the right to modify the schedule and all tournament rules in order to safely and fairly complete the tournament successfully. No refunds due inclement weather rescheduling.  
• Team Check-Ins - Prior to the first game of the tournament each team will be required to have their roster, waiver info and proof of age checked by the Site Director at that location. If proof of age hasn't been pre-submitted to the CSMG , plan to arrive 15 minutes early to your first game to avoid delays
• Equipment & Roster Checks will be administered at the same time with the game official present. Coaches are responsible to ensure their players are properly equipped
• Age Challenges - Coaches are REQUIRED to have proof of age with them at each game. Age challenges should be launched PRIOR to a game. The athlete will NOT play in that or any subsequent game until proof of age is produced. An age challenge launched at the conclusion of any game(s) have NO effect upon the results of those previous games
• Grace Period - All teams will be given a 15 minute grace period beginning at the start time of their scheduled game. At the end of 15 minutes if a team representative has not contacted/responded to the CMSG administration trying to reach them, a forfeit will be declared. All decisions are made IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR ATHLETES. Stay in Communication!
• Practice vs Game balls -  Teams are to provide their own practice balls. Game balls will be provided by the Administration
• Ejections: Any athlete, parent and/or coach ejected from a game MAY NOT play, participate or attend in the team's next game regardless of play-in or Medal status.
• The tournament director has the right to alter rules, bylaws and bracket structure as needed

Notice: The Nutmeg State Games cooperates with the United States Olympic Committee, Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic  Conference, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Congress of State Games. All athletes/coaches should realize that each is responsible to make certain he/she is not in violation of existing rules and regulations. All athletes must be amateurs are defined by the Nutmeg State Games and/or a National Governing Body rules for their particular sport.