The Parents Gate Pass Program is a method of Admission Fees that is assessed on the parents of each team as a lump-sum calculated fee.  This fee is not to be construed as a "Pay-to-Play" fee as the team cannot be penalized for its parents' actions.  The District Champions and other participants in State tournaments shall be instructed by the District Commissioner that the Parents Gate Pass Program Fee be presented at book check-in time.  An acknowledgment form concerning this requirement shall be listed on the Tournament Team Checklist form specifying documents required to be in the tournament team's credentials book.

The calculation of the Parents Gate Pass Program Fee is based on the cost of umpires (including the IF game in double-elimination format), the cost of baseballs or softballs, and the State Hosting Fee.  No other items can be considered in this calculation without approval of the Executive Committee.

Districts must report to the Assistant State Commissioner, Baseball Operations, or the Assistant State Commissioner, Softball Operations, as appropriate, the number of teams that will participate in each State tournament not later than May 15.  Supporting District and State plaques supplied by headquarters will be ordered not later than May 22 as the lead time for delivery of the plaques is 3 to 4 weeks after the order is placed.

Brackets will be drawn when all participating Districts are known, but no sooner than 3 weeks before the start of each State tournament.  No teams can be added or dropped after brackets have been drawn.  If a District does not provide a representative, or if a team fails to participate, that team will be considered to have forfeited its first round and elimination round games in the tournament.  State officials are authorized to redraw the brackets or make other appropriate changes within that last 3-week period if, in their collective judgment, equity would be better served.

The umpire payment rates are set by the State Board of Directors, usually at the State spring meeting, and the fee schedule is available by selecting "Umpire Compensation Schedule" on the Virginia State website via <https://vbrua.com>.

All Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia-based umpires used in District and State tournaments must be certified by the Babe Ruth League, Inc. National Umpire Association (NUA) and be a member of the Virginia Babe Ruth Umpires Association (VBRUA).

The fee assessed each Host League for State tournaments is $500.00 for each tournament.  In a situation where a league is hosting more than one tournament, a reduction in the State Hosting Fee may be considered on a case-by-case basis upon application to the Board of Directors, based upon the number of expected participating teams and the resulting effect on the Parents Gate Pass Program Fee that is assessed on the parents of each participating team (Policy 1001).

The host league at a State tournament shall have the authority to choose between charging admissions at the gate (Contract Option #1) or participating in the Parents Gate Pass Program (Contract Option #2, as defined in Policy Number 1001).  Combinations of the options are not allowed.

Babe Ruth Rule 11.02 (both baseball and softball) sets the allowable range for the number of players on tournament teams.  It also states that waivers are not allowed.  No State, District, or League official is authorized to waive published Babe Ruth rules or establish policies or rules that are in conflict with those published Babe Ruth rules and policies.

Waiver requests for less than 12 players on a tournament roster will not be approved, nor will more than the maximum number of players specified by Division in the rule books.

In situations where a league is made up of two or more "Associations," the league will be required to insure all of its teams through one Accident Group and Commercial General Liability insurance policies in order to Charter, regardless of the individual insurance requirements of each of the "Associations."

Authorized mileage reimbursements will be made to the Executive Committee members using the rate set by Babe Ruth League, Inc. at the time of reimbursement.  Babe Ruth uses the "optional standard mileage rate" used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business purposes, which is issued by the Internal Revenue Service each year.

Two (2) umpires will be used for all State softball tournament games and for all State baseball tournament games played on 60-foot fields. Three (3) umpires will be used for all State baseball tournament games played on 70-foot fields or on 90-foot fields.

In the event that this requirement would delay the completion of a tournament, the State-appointed Tournament Coordinator (the "State Representative") may suspend this policy.

Players that wish to play baseball or softball where their home league or jurisdiction has not chartered the appropriate age group shall be allowed to register with the closest league offering the age group as determined by the State Commissioner or designee.

League boundaries will be changed for the age group and the players will become a permanent part of the receiving league (playing within the league's boundaries).  However, the player has the option to return to his or her home league in future years if the appropriate age group is offered by that league.

Softball players that are 12U-Division eligible are not authorized to play out of the 12U Division without an approved waiver from the State Commissioner or designee.  The waiver request must be supported by an official authorization by the player's parent(s).

The UPM Black Flame spring-loaded pitching machine shall be used in all District and State tournaments.  Softball rule 11.07-8U in its entirety does not apply in the Southeast Region, its States, or their Districts.  Playing rules for the baseball and softball Rookie level of play are determined by the State Commissioner and are available online for viewing and printing on the Virginia Babe Ruth website.

Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia requests a waiver from Babe Ruth Headquarters on an annual basis to empower the State Commissioner to grant waivers to allow a league to charter less than four teams within a Division (waiver for Rule 0.02, paragraph 1).

Affected leagues must print the approval waiver from the Virginia State website and place a copy of it in each tournament team's credentials book.  This information will be used by the State Executive Committee, along with other criteria (receipt of rosters, schedules, and non-K&K accident and general liability insurance certificates), to determine tournament eligibility.

Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia requests a waiver from Babe Ruth Headquarters on an annual basis to empower the State Commissioner to grant waivers to allow a league to create a team roster with less than 12 players (waiver for Rule 0.05, paragraph 1(a)).

Affected leagues must print the approval waiver from the Virginia State website and place a copy of it in each tournament team's credentials book.    This information will be used by the District Commissioner and State Commissioner in determining approval.

For the regular season, a 12-year-old swing player is restricted to no more than six (6) innings pitched in a calendar week without regard to the level of play.

For the tournament season, a 12-year-old swing player is restricted to no more than 85 pitches in a day and must adhere to the following Tournament Pitching Rest Requirements in Babe Ruth Rule 11.05, paragraph 4:

There are no limitations on the number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a tournament (bracket or pool play) game subject to the following pitch-count limitations: (for a 12-year-old) not more than 85 pitches in the same game or on the same day, with 0 days of rest required for 1-40 pitches,1 day of rest required for 41-65 pitches, and 2 days of rest required for more than 65 pitches.

For the regular season, a 15-year-old swing player is restricted to no more than seven (7) innings pitched in a calendar week without regard to the level of play.

For the tournament season, a 15-year-old swing player is restricted to no more than 95 pitches in a day and must adhere to the following Tournament Pitching Rest Requirements in Babe Ruth Rule 11.05, paragraph 4:

There are no limitations on the number of innings a pitcher may pitch in a tournament (bracket or pool play) game subject to the following pitch-count limitations: (for a 15-year-old) not more than 95 pitches in the same game or on the same day, with 0 days of rest required for 1-45 pitches,1 day of rest required for 46-75 pitches, and 2 days of rest required for more than 75 pitches.

For the regular season, a 12-year-old and younger player who is on a 14U, 16U, or 18U roster is restricted to no more than ten (10) innings pitched in a calendar week.

To be eligible for tournament play in any Division of Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia, Inc., a player must have played in at least one-half of his or her team's scheduled league games played prior to the start of tournament play. (When an odd number of games is involved, the player receives the benefit; e.g., for eligibility,  one-half of 13 games played is 6 games. If a player is unable to meet this requirement because of injury or participation in scholastic sports, contact the District Commissioner to request approval from Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia, Inc.)

All adult members (managers and coaches) of Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia, Inc. leagues in Virginia and West Virginia and all adults authorized by such members to interact with minor children shall adhere to the following:

1. Immediately (within 24 hours) report an allegation of child abuse of an amateur athlete who is a minor to a local law enforcement agency or local child protective services agency or the FBI.

2. Complete an approved Babe Ruth abuse prevention and awareness training course and maintain a certificate of completion on file.

3. Authorize a background check to be completed every 2 years.

4. Promote a safe environment in sports that is free from abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, of any minor.

5. Limit one-on-one interactions between a minor and an adult (who is not the minor's legal guardian) without being in an observable and interruptible distance from another adult, except under emergency situations.

6. Be aware that a violation of the above that results in a personal injury to a victim while a minor (and for a period not later 10 years after the victim reaches 18 years of age) may be liable for liquidated damages in the amount of $150,000 and also be subjected to criminal prosecution.

League members have the right to use the internet and print media to express opinions on their Babe Ruth experience and the playing conditions within their league. However, it is not acceptable to use these media to post comments that damage the league; disparage players, parents, managers, coaches, board members, or umpires; or convey sensitive personal information such as names and addresses. Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia, Inc. is not liable for any repercussions that posted content may generate. Internet media sites include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, indeed, Glassdoor, Foursquare, and Myspace as well as any privately hosted site. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action as stipulated in each local league’s code of conduct.

League fees payable to the State will be invoiced according to the following procedure:

Immediately after a league charters, a pre-bill will be generated based on the previous year’s final number of rostered teams. At the end of the spring season, a final reconciliation will be done comparing the number of pre-billed teams to the current season’s online roster count. Any differences will either be charged or credited to the league’s pre-bill for the following spring season.

When a manager or coach is ejected from a District, Area, or State tournament game for unsportsmanlike conduct, he or she shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game and shall be suspended for two additional games.

When a player is ejected from a District, Area, or State tournament game for unsportsmanlike conduct, he or she shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game and shall be suspended for one additional game.

If the ejection takes place in a tournament’s final game, the penalty shall be enforced at the next level of tournament play. The District Commissioner shall inform the State Commissioner, the State Representative, and the Tournament Director the names of any manager, coach, or player to be suspended for the additional game(s).The State Commissioner shall inform the Regional Commissioner, the Regional Representative, and the Tournament Director of the names of any manager, coach, or player to be suspended for the additional game(s).

The change to Rule 11.06, paragraph 7, on page 29 of the 2022 Babe Ruth baseball rule book creates major problems for drawing tournament brackets at the State level for age groups for which the State is hosting a Regional tournament. Rule 11.06, paragraph 7, on page 29 of the 2021 Babe Ruth baseball rule book states that "The host teams for all Divisions of baseball having received eligibility approval from Babe Ruth League, Inc., and at their league president’s discretion, shall be eligible to enter official tournament competition one level below the tournament level they will be hosting." In the 2022 Babe Ruth baseball rule book, "official tournament competition one level below the tournament level they will be hosting." in Rule 11.06, paragraph 7, was changed to "… official tournament-trail competition beginning at the District tournament level." This (and the subsequent part of the rule: "If a State or Regional host team participates in an official tournament trail competition prior to its first game as host team and wins, both it and the second-place team will advance to the next level. If the host team loses in an official tournament-trail competition prior to its first game as host team, it will be eligible to participate as the host.") means that for age groups for which Virginia Babe Ruth is hosting a Southeast Region tournament, the number of teams in the State tournament cannot be determined until the Regional host is either eliminated from or wins the District tournament, which in some instances is only 2 or 3 days before the State tournament starts.  Therefore, the State will use the 2021 rule: "The host teams for all Divisions of baseball having received eligibility approval from Babe Ruth League, Inc., and at their league president’s discretion, shall be eligible to enter official tournament competition one level below the tournament level they will be hosting."