9-16th October
Sport Levy
$55 per person
Minimum Age
35 Men
Grades
Competitive and Social
Maximum Numbers
14 Teams
Venue
Lyle Kempster Baseball Park, Speed St
Organiser
Alice Springs Baseball Association
Coordinators
Reg Vitler (08 8953 5227 or 0427 855 211)
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Welcome
Welcome to the 2010 Alice Springs Masters Games Baseball tournament.
Baseball has been a popular sport in Alice Springs since 1963. With a multi-cultural population base of 28,000 people, the Alice Springs Baseball Association has sponsored between 6 and 8 senior clubs over the years.
The Association is aligned with the junior Baseball teams which have a 250 membership base. To promote the future existence of the Association and members incorporate our U18’s development squad into our scheduled senior competition play. We have also commenced a Little League program, this Alice Springs represented the Northern Territory in the inaugural competition held in Brisbane.
Remember to stay healthy throughout days of competition for your best performance, by staying hydrated, and stay well protected from the sun and rest up prior to your events!
We trust your visit to the “Alice” in the Red Centre will be pleasant and your stay enjoyable.
General Information
Ages – The minimum age for each group will be 35 years. All competitors must have reached this age by 31 December 2010.
Non-Registered Participants – No player will be able to compete in any match unless the required Games and baseball entry fees have been paid. Apart from not being in the spirit of the Games, there are potentially serious insurance and liability for injury implications.
Cleats – Metal cleats will be used.
Re-Entry – No provision is made for re-entry into the game, apart from the blood rule.
Dispute Resolution & Dis ipninary Procedures
General
1. Masters Games are the FRIENDLY GAMES and should be played in the spirit of good baseball. If the need arises the Baseball Management Committee will call a tribunal to deal with any dispute or for any disciplinary matter.
Protests
2. Protests can only be made on the basis that a misinterpretation or misapplication of the rules has occurred. No protest can be made on the basis that a judgement call was incorrect.
3. A protest MUST be made immediately after the incident in question. If play has recommenced and a pitch has been thrown, no protest can be lodged (as per the Rules of Baseball).
4. Only the manager/coach of the aggrieved team can lodge a protest. The protest may only be lodged with the plate umpire who will note it in the official score book.
5. The Protest Committee will convene immediately after the game in which the protest is made.
6. The Protest Committee will consist of the Competition, Director, Umpire Coordinator and one representative from the Games Baseball Management Committee or its nominee. The Competition Director will be the chairperson of the Protest Committee.
7. A decision will be made by the Protest Committee following the presentation of evidence. That decision will be final and explained to the managers of both teams and any action necessary to correct the game situation may be taken.
Playing Rules
The playing rules will be the same as the Official Rules of Baseball with the exception of the following:
1. Points will be awarded as follows: Two (2) points for a win, one (1) point for a draw and no (0) points for a loss.
2. No new innings to commence after 1 hour 45 minutes.
3. At the completion of the game, if the teams are tied, the game is considered a draw.
4. A ten rule mercy rule will come into effect after five (5) completed inning or 85 minutes which ever comes first.
5. In the event of games being postponed due to rain, where possible the Organising Committee will reschedule those games where a minimum of four completed innings have not been played except where the team batting second is leading or takes the lead in the bottom half of the innings. However, if those games are not able to be rescheduled prior to the commencement of the finals they will be declared a nil all draw (0 – 0).
6. DH- Normal DH rule will apply for those teams wishing to use a Designated Hitter for the pitcher.
7. No more than five (5) warm up pitches may be used between innings on the diamond.
8. All catchers catching or warming up pitchers MUST wear a mask for safety reasons and a catcher’s protective helmet.
9. The change over between innings shall be no more than sixty seconds from the time the final out in the previous inning until the first pitch to the first batter in the next inning.
10. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher at any time except where there are two outs in the inning in which case the catcher must be replaced by a courtesy runner.
11. Where possible, the courtesy runner shall be a player who is not currently taking part either in a defensive or offensive role in the game. The courtesy runner shall be positioned in such a way as to allow for a quick change over of players.
12. Players can only play with the team for which they are registered except where approval has been received form the Baseball Organising Committee.
13. Safety. Umpires may terminate any game at any time, at their discretion, should they consider conditions too dangerous for play to continue – due to bad light, heavy rain or unsafe ground conditions. Games must not be stopped solely due to light rain. Every effort must be made to complete at least 65 minutes of play or 5 innings to constitute a result. Less playing time will be declared a NIL – ALL draw (regardless of scores at the stop of play).
14. CANCELLATION OF GAMES: If the Organising Committee should consider that more than half the games schedules for any day cannot be played due to unsafe ground conditions caused by extremely heavy rain in the preceding 24 hours, notification of cancellation will be given out at each venue. Any round cancellation by the Committee will not be replayed.
Finals
1. STANDINGS. Should two or more teams, in a pool finish the preliminary rounds on equal points, then the following procedure will be used to decide the following standing.
(a) Firstly, head to head (whichever team wins the most games against each other).
(b) If no clear results, then by percentage points calculated by dividing the total runs for, by the total runs for and against for each team on a head to head basis.
(c) Should two or more teams in a division finish the preliminary rounds on equal points without having played each other in a decided match (eg. Game drawn or poor light/rain stopped play), then by percentage points calculated by dividing the total runs for, by the total runs for and against for each team they have played against).
(d) If again equal then by the total number of runners on base in the games played against each other (regardless of whether those runners scored, or were left on, or retired while on base).
2. QUALIFYING: To be eligible to play in the medal playoffs, a player must have first participated in two games during the preliminary rounds for a total of not less than six defensive outs. For pitchers, the pitcher must have pitched at least one completed inning (3 outs) in two games during the preliminary rounds. If injury is sustained in the preliminary games and these conditions cannot be fulfilled, eligibility for inclusion in the finals will be determined by the Management Committee consistent with medical advice. These conditions will be determined from the records contained in the official scorebook, signed by the plate umpire as a true and accurate record.
3. Finals will be conducted between the top four (4) teams after the round robin competition taking into account Rule 1 in the case of two or more teams finishing with the same number of points.
4. The finals (medal) format will be:
Bronze Medal Game 3 v 4
Gold Medal Game 1 v 2
5. The time duration of the games will be the same as those specified in Playing Rule 2.
6. If the teams are tied at the completion of the allocated time the game will continue until a winner is determined.
7. Finals will be had for each division for medals.
8. Medals, 12th Alice Springs Masters Games will only be presented to the stipulated personnel with a maximum of 25.
9. CANCELLATION OF FINALS: In the event of any Medal Round matches having to be cancelled, or a minimum of five (5) innings not being completed to constitute a result or 65 minutes; the match shall be awarded to the participating team which finished the higher at the end of the Minor Round. Should no final matches be played due to prolonged adverse conditions, the team standings shall decide the Medals.
The Lyel Kempster Baseball Park, located on Speed Street.
The baseball diamond is within Traeger Park Sporting complex. It has a totally fenced in perimeter with battling cages and lighting for night competitions. The right and left field fence lines are 320 feet with a centre field fence line of 380 feet. The infield is composed of grass and red topsoil for the base lines. The field is of a National Standard. It has been rated as one of the best baseball diamonds in Australia. Abundant shading is provided by the beautiful gum trees surrounding the field with the majestic MacDonnell Ranges forming an impressive back drop.
The sporting complex consists of Field Hocky, Tennis, Basketball, Swimming Pools and the Australian Ruses Football facilities. The Squash Centre, Tenpin Bowling facility and Lawn Bowls Clubs are located across the divided road from Traeger Park Sporting Complex. The ‘heart’ of Alice Springs is a 15 minute walk from the Sporting Complex.
The Association has conducted National Championships at the U14, U16 and U18 levels and held an exhibition game between Australia and Japan. American College friendship teams have competed against our Northern Territory Representatives. We also sponsor an All-Star competition game between the local Aussies/Americans and an Indigenous All-Star team on Australia Day.
Umpires
It is compulsory for participating Baseball Clubs to provide an Umpire. Teams who do not supply an umpire will be required to supply a base umpire.
Scorers
It is not compulsory for participating Baseball Clubs to provide a Scorer, if you can it would be greatly appreciated. Teams who wish a copy of there game please make requests through Libby Williams.
Sports Medicine
Sports medicine personnel will be available the clinic is opposite the grounds located under the new grandstand at the football ground.
Competition
The format for the competition will be a round robin with competitive and social divisions being played. The top four teams in each division will play off for the competitive and social medals. Positions 1 & 2 for Gold and Silver, Position 3 & 4 for Bronze. A mercy rule (10 run) will be implemented for the Alice Springs Masters Games competition. We hope that the format of the tournament will afford you plenty of time to enjoy the other sporting events as well as some of the sights around Alice Springs.
Refreshments
A canteen will operate at the Traeger Park diamond during the baseball competition.
Toilets
Toilet facilities will vary according to each venue. Lyel Kempster Baseball Park has toilets located in the yellow block near the front gate.
Parking
Ample car parking will be available at each location.
Seating
Ample seating is available at both venues. Spectators are welcome to bring deck-chairs for seating.
Emergency Procedures
Emergency Point
The Emergency Assembly Point will be located at the car park in Speed Street, opposite the swimming pool, in case of an emergency.