Sandlot Baseball

While we will no longer host tournaments at The Sandlot (formerly the old Mickey Owen Baseball School), Sandlot Baseball will continue to provide the same quality youth baseball tournaments throughout the 4 State region. Under the direction of Brad Longley and Tom Cox, Sandlot Baseball will be hosting tournaments in Mt. Vernon, and many other area facilities in 2024.

Sandlot Baseball tournaments will be one day (Saturdays only), 3 games guaranteed and played in some of the areas finest ballparks. There is never a gate fee and coolers are always welcome. We will use quality age-appropriate fields where kids from 8-14 can play baseball from April to August. The 2024 schedule includes 12 tournaments.

Thank you for the overwhelming support of coaches, players, parents and fans. Because of you, Sandlot Baseball lives on.

We hope you'll join us in 2024, and look forward to hearing those immortal words, "Play Ball!"

Building Better People Through Baseball

 

Coaches' Packet & Information

Major league USSSA baseball rules are followed with some exceptions for play at The Sandlot.

Teams must supply at least 2 new baseballs per game. Teams should shag balls on their side of the field. On deck hitters should shag foul balls to the backstops to help catchers and umpires.

Pitching: USSSA baseball pitching rules are encouraged. Actual innings and pitch count are left up to the players’ coaches. Metal cleats are allowed by position players in 13U & 14U divisions. However, no metal cleats are allowed on any portable pitching mounds. Molded cleats or shoes suitable for play on gym surfaces are required.

Bats:  USSSA Rule Change For 13U & 14U. Effective January 1, 2020, USSSA, a governing body for youth baseball, will adopt a rule requiring that all 13u players must swing a bat with no lighter than a drop-8 length-to-weight ratio and 14u players must swing a bat no lighter than a drop-5.

The bats on the USSSA Withdrawn and/or Disallowed Bat Model List are not allowed to be used at The Sandlot for safety reasons.  There are no other bat restrictions other than those listed in the 13U & 14U divisions. http://www.usssa.com/baseball/baseball-withdrawn-andor-non-compliant-baseball-bat-models/

Scorekeeper: The home team is the official book for the game. The scorekeepers must be identified prior to the game to the home plate umpire and visiting team. Score should be verified with each scorekeeper and home plate umpire every half inning.

8U/Coach Pitch:   Games are played with a regular baseball. Coaches can pitch underhand or overhand. Most pitch overhand. A coin toss will determine home and visitor. Players get 5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes. If a player hits a foul ball on the 5th or subsequent pitches, they will receive an additional pitch. Teams may use 10 defensive players max. Free defensive substitutions are allowed, although the batting order stays the same.

If the batter/runner has legally touched first base and is beyond half way to the next base when the pitcher (player or coach) receives the ball in the vicinity of the pitchers plate, the player will advance on to the next base. If they are not half way, the runner will return to the last base they legally touched.

Runners may advance more than one base on an overthrow. Runners cannot steal home or advance from 3rd base via a wild pitch or passed ball. Infield fly is not in effect for 8u. No lead offs or steals are allowed. One defensive coach is allowed in the field.  All other coaches are to remain in the dugout area.  Courtesy runners are encouraged for the catcher.

Teams are allowed 6 runs per half inning max. Game times are limited to 1 hr 10 min.

Games can end in a tie. Winners for the tournament will be determined by best record. If there’s a two way tie, winner will be determined by head to head outcome. In the event of a 3 way tie, the winner is determined by least runs allowed, then head to head.

All Divisions: Games tied at the end of regulation will end in a tie.  Because of the large number of teams wanting to play at The Sandlot and the need to stay on schedule, we do not play extra innings. 6 Runs Maximum per 1/2 inning for 8u, 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, 13u & 14u.

Foul and abusive language is not tolerated by fans, coaches, or players. It is the coaches responsibility to handle their fans. The tournament director has the right to remove any or all fans from the park and forfeit the team involved. Coaches ejected are also ejected from the following game unless allowed by the tournament director.

Protest: We don't have protests at The Sandlot.  In the event of a rule dispute, interpretation will be made by the home plate umpire and/or tournament director. The tournament director has final say.  Age and grade based status are per USSSA rules.

In the event of rain, the tournament director may alter time limits, reduce the number of teams playing, or make any other decision that would help complete the tournament.

Rain out numbers are for HEAD COACHES ONLY: Brad Longley (417) 466-5653 or Tom Cox (417) 737-3548

Rain refund: 1 game played – 50% returned, two games played – No Refund.

FREE ADMISSION for coaches, players and fans. Coolers are allowed into the facility. Gas and/or charcoal grills are NOT allowed under any circumstances at The Sandlot!

Absolutely NO ALCOHOL is allowed in the park! Smoking/Vaping are ONLY allowed in the parking lot.

Time Limits

13U & 14u 1 hr 30 min max, 6 innings

11U & 12U 1 hr 30 min, max 6 innings

9U & 10U 1 hr 20 min, max 6 innings

8U 1 hr 10 min, max 5 innings

*No inning will begin with 5 min or less remaining

Run Rule: 12 after 3, 8 after 4.

3 Team Tiebreaker: Least Runs Allowed, then Head to Head.

 6 Runs Maximum per 1/2 inning for 8u, 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, 13u & 14u.

Sandlot Baseball Complex
Mailing Address:  518 W. Mt. Vernon Blvd. • Mt. Vernon, MO 65712

Test