Playoff Notes and Rules

The minimum game requirements will be posted in the News tab of the TSE website at the beginning of the season. Any necessary change to the requirements will be made and communicated during the last week of the season prior to the playoff cutoff date.

Teams will be requested to participate in the playoffs. The coaches will need to respond back to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if they are going to participate. A follow up request will take place to allow teams to participate if they did not acknowledge through the first request. Teams that did not request by the Monday at 8:00 am after the Sunday playoff cutoff date, will not be considered for the playoffs.

The one week rule will be enforced. All scores must be reported one week of the game being played. Scores not reported within one week will not count, nor be reflected in the standings. Results may only be reported by the coaches or admins of the two teams playing the game. Results will not be posted for a game reported by anyone not associated with that game.

The cutoff for reporting results will be Monday 8:00 am, following the Sunday cutoff date for the playoffs. Any score or correspondence received after that day and time will not be considered for posting purposes.

Tie Breakers (Determine Seeds)

1. Best Record (based on winning percentage)
2. Head to Head (only if two teams)
3. Fewest Runs Allowed (or Average Fewest Runs Allowed)
4. Net Run Differential (or Average Net Run Differential)
5. Number of Shutouts

The higher seeded team is the home team. This does not give them the authority to dictate the scheduling of the game without consulting with the opposing coach.

Teams need to work together and schedule games timely to keep the rounds moving toward championship. The first round game must be completed within the dates provided, no exceptions. The semi-final and championship game should be completed dates provided as well. Consideration will only be made to the championship game. If teams are at an impasse and a game cannot be scheduled, TSE will determine if one or both teams are forfeited out of the playoffs. Additionally if the game is scheduled to be played and cancelled for a non-weather related reason, it will be deemed a cancellation and a forfeit will be applied.

All games must be umpired by the TSE Umpire Association. No exceptions. Contact is John Gallante - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (856) 994-4400. Teams need to let John and TSE know the date, time and field name/location when the game is to be played as soon as it is set up. There will be two umpires for each game for age divisions 8U and up.

If a game goes into extra innings, we will follow MLB rules and start the extra inning, and each inning thereafter with a runner on second base. That runner will be the last batter of the previous inning.

We will follow the same rules as we have been playing during the season. With the exception of the mercy rule for 12U and under is 10 runs after 4 innings, pitching for age divisions 9U through 18U and there will be no time limit for the championship game only. For those age divisions, we will follow our tournament rules. (We use a rolling consecutive number of innings - six innings for ages under 12U and seven innings for ages 13U and above. For example (under 12U), if a pitcher throws three innings in game one, he is eligible for three innings in game two. If he only throws two innings in game two, he is eligible for four innings in game three, etc.). Pitching is based on games, not days rest. There will be NO re-entry of a pitcher at any time during the game. 8U follows the same format as the regular season – two innings a game per pitcher. When there is a “bye” or "forfeit" game with no prior pitching statistics, we will reset the pitching availability of both teams for the next game. In all other cases, we will continue to follow the rolling two game rule that is in place.

If a pitcher extends beyond the pitching requirements, the rule basically states he is an illegal player and thus creates a forfeit; however, rather than a coach wait until a pitcher has become illegal, the opposing coach must immediately bring it to the attention of the other team and have the pitcher removed at that point. Unless three outs have been recorded, the inning will be restarted with no outs.  

Winning team reports the score at the conclusion of the game. In addition, the winning team must report their pitching stats for the game (pitcher name and # of innings pitched). One pitch equals one inning.

Individual awards to winning team only.

Spring Team Awards: Tri-State Elite Baseball and Sports at the Beach (SATB), a highly regarded and respected tournament facility in Rehoboth Beach, DE, have teamed up to provide a quality and rewarding experience for youth baseball. This relationship will benefit registered TSE teams as follows:

Each age division champion team will receive a free tournament (certain restrictions may apply) at SATB that can be used for the following Fall or Spring season. Each runner-up team will receive a 50% discount on a tournament for the following Fall or Spring season (certain restrictions may apply).

Fall Team Awards: Plaque (Champion only)

Players to be eligible must have played in a minimum of 50% of the total TSE games reflected in the standings.

Coaches are required to have documentation (birth copies, scorebooks, rosters) on hand. Any challenge must take place prior to the first pitch with the home plate umpire.

Only players listed on the scorecard at the beginning of the game are participants. Players added after the game has started (or resumed in the event of a continuation due to rain or darkness) will not be considered to be on the roster for that game, and this may not participate in that game.

The brackets for the playoffs will be on the Home page under League Info/Standings. Click on your age and skill classification to see your bracket at the bottom of the page. Click on the wheel next to the game and you will see date and time (providing teams inform us as requested to do so).

We have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for disrespect to each other, umpires, guests and staff on and off the field. We expect EVERYONE to handle themselves in a manner that displays good sportsmanship and set a good example for every ball player and participating team. We will not tolerate coaches, players or fans acting out or displaying what we consider unsportsmanlike conduct.  Any coach, parent or player ejected from a game will not be permitted to coach for the remainder of the playoffs. Further, they will not be permitted on the field at any point thereafter and must remain away from the dugout in the outfield or down the outfield lines.