Soccer Tournament Guide

Blog About Soccer

Cap Classic: 2023 Tournament

Blog Placencia Justin

https://playacevents.com/events/13th-annual-cap-classic-pittsburgh-pittsburgh-pa-06-22-2023/venues

The Cap Classic® Pittsburgh marks AC Baseball’s most expansive annual tournament. Drawing over 200 teams from various states each year, the event offers intense competition from June 22 to 25 across the Greater Pittsburgh region. Pool play matches commence on Thursday at 8 AM and continue until Saturday, allowing teams to engage in 1-2 games daily. Playoffs are slated to start on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, determined by field availability and age group team count.

Key Details About the Tournament:

  • Each team will receive 18 complimentary custom New Era team caps;
  • Umpire fees are covered;
  • A total of 3 new baseballs will be supplied to the umpires prior to each game;
  • Assured 5 games for each team;
  • Pool play matches will commence at 8 AM on Thursday, spanning until Saturday, featuring 1-2 games per day;
  • Playoffs are scheduled to start either on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, contingent on field availability and divisional team count.

Rules

close-up of dirty baseballs on the sand

Registration and Requirements:

  • Teams must register with a completed roster form;
  • Proof of insurance with Atlantic Coast Baseball listed as additional insured is required;
  • Coaches must complete the Coaches Checklist on the ACB website at least 45 days before the event.

Special Start Requests:

  • Teams must be prepared to start games as early as 8 AM;
  • Special game time requests cannot be accommodated.

Forfeits:

  • Teams forfeiting a game cannot advance to the Championship Rounds and are not eligible for refunds;
  • Games will be scored 5-0 if a team forfeits;
  • Games can start with a minimum of 6 players.

Hotels:

  • Teams traveling more than 75 miles are required to stay in ACB-approved hotels booked through T1 Housing.

Eligibility:

  • Age cutoff is April 30 for all teams;
  • Players must have official state-issued birth certificates matching roster names;
  • Players using false information or playing above their age division will result in penalties.

Special Exceptions Regarding Age Cutoff:

  • Specific age divisions have exceptions for certain regions.

Official Tournament Roster:

  • All teams must submit an official tournament roster online;
  • Players not on the online roster are ineligible to play, and games played by such players result in team forfeits.

Time Limit:

  • Different time limits apply based on age divisions.

Playoffs and Tie Breakers:

  • Tie breakers involve factors like head-to-head, runs allowed, run differential, and coin flip.

Pitching:

  • Pitching responsibilities, substitutions, and pitch counts are regulated;
  • Atlantic Coast Baseball endorses the Pitch Smart program.

Balks:

  • No warnings for balk calls, umpire discretion on younger ages.

Re-entry:

  • Different rules apply for roster batting and non-roster batting situations.

Home Team:

  • Determined by coin flip or seeding.

Scorekeeping:

  • Detailed scorekeeping procedures for managers and umpires.

Contact Rule:

  • Runner must avoid contact in close plays, judgment calls by umpire.

Baseball Cleats, Sunflower Seeds, Gum, Tobacco Policy:

  • Regulations regarding cleats and no-tobacco policy on certain fields.

Bat Restrictions:

  • Different bat regulations for various age divisions, wood bat tournaments.

Catcher’s Mask:

  • All catchers must have NOCSAE certified masks.

Protests:

  • Procedures for protests, fees, and conditions for successful protests.

Entry Refunds:

  • Refund policies based on timing and conditions.

Dugouts:

  • Rules regarding coaches and players allowed in the dugout.

Ejections:

  • Consequences and rules for ejections of coaches, players, and fans.

Official Game:

  • Rules for official games and re-scheduling.

Format Alterations:

  • ACB reserves the right to alter tournament formats and rules.

Intentional Walk:

  • Rules regarding intentional walks.

Baseballs:

  • Official balls and retrieval of foul balls.

Courtesy Runners:

  • Courtesy runners for pitcher and catcher, rules for usage.

Umpires:

  • Umpires’ role and responsibilities.

Infield/Outfield:

  • Preparation and practices before games.

Alcohol & Tobacco Policy:

  • Strict policy against alcohol, tobacco, and smoking.

Wearable Technology:

  • Wearable technology permitted for game play.

Division Rules:

  • Different rules for age divisions, including rules for wood bat tournaments.

Conclusion

The Cap Classic® Pittsburgh stands as AC Baseball’s largest annual tournament, attracting over 200 teams from different states. Taking place from June 22 to 25 across Greater Pittsburgh, the event guarantees fierce competition. With pool play games kicking off at 8 AM on Thursday and lasting until Saturday, teams can expect to compete in 1-2 games each day. As the weekend progresses, playoffs are set to begin on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, aligning with field availability and age group participation.