"I won't be happy until we have every boy in America between the ages of six and sixteen wearing a glove and swinging a bat."--Babe Ruth

Table of Contents    

FR#1 - FIELD and EQUIPMENT RULES

 

FR#2 - RECORD KEEPING and REPORTING GAME INFORMATION

 

FR#3  - CRITERIA for OFFICIAL GAMES

 

FR#4 - LENGHT of GAME

 

FR#5 - GENERAL GAME ITEMS

 

FR#6 - LINE-UP OPTIONS

 

FR#7 - PITCHING RULES

 

FR#8 - SUBSTITUTION RULES

 

FR#9 - RE-ENTRY RULES

 

FR#10 - BASE RUNNING RULES

 

FR#11 - TOURNAMENT GAME RULES

 

FR#12 - PROTEST PROCEDURES

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FR#1 - EQUIPMENT and FIELD RULES

CATCHERS SAFETY and GEAR REQUIREMENTS

  • Catchers MUST wear protective head gear, chest protector, protective cup, and shin guards during games.  

  • Any player warming up a pitcher MUST wear protective head gear - NO EXCEPTIONS

  • Sunglasses or Shaded Glasses are not permitted for the pitcher - {BOD Approved 1/21/24}

 

HELMETS {Required}
Option 1 - Helmet with face guards and double ear flaps.

Option 2 - Chin Flap Guard - {BOD Approved Option #2 - 3/21/21}

 

PITCHERS PROTECTIVE MASK - {BOD Approved 4/6/14}

Optional: A player MAY use a Protective Pitcher Mask.

 

SHOES

  • Football cleats or plastic cleats with metal piece on bottom that is flat is acceptable.

  • Steel cleats are NOT ALLOWED in league games. {BOD Approved 4/11/2010}

     Note: If a player removing steel cleats has to come out of the game to switch to another

     form of footwear is replaced by a player not already in the game then the

     substitution rule is in affected.


BATS

No specifications requirements for bats in any division 


SHIRTS

  • Must have numbers located on the back of the Shirt/Jersey - All Divisions

  • Players will wear full uniforms {Shirt / Jerseys and Hat}. 

 

DYNAMIC ARM SUPPORT / STABILIZERS - {BOD Approved 4/12/26}

  • MUST be worn under the Shirt / Jersey

 

 

 

 

FIELD REQUIREMENTS

FIELD PREPARATION

  • Home team NEEDS TO have their field ready (without reasonable excuse) to play within fifteen

     minutes of the scheduled game time.

  • Teams WILL NOTIFY League President of the any delay resulting in the game NOT starting

      close to scheduled time.

  • The NEW start time will be determined by the League President and Coaches from both teams.

  • If a game CANNOT start at 2nd agreed time then the team unable to play shall forfeit the game.

     Note: If a second violation occurs by the same town/team then the issue will be referred to the

     Review Committee per Operating Rule #7 and a Final Decision determined by the committee.

 

DISTANCES for MOUND snd BASES / LEAD OFF INFORMATION

DIVISIONS

 Didget

 Bronco

 Pony

DIDGET: Cannot leave any base until the ball passes over Home Plate.

XX

    

BRONCO: Lead Off 1st Base is measured from the inside edge of the 1st base bag

  

 XX

 

 

PONY: NO Restrictions

 

 

 XX

Pitching Mounds - Measured from the front of pitchers mound to point in rear of home plate

 42 ft

 48 ft

 54 ft

Bases - Measured to the center of the base

 60 ft

 70 ft

 80 ft

 

 

PORTABLE PITCHING MOUNDS - {BOD Approved 3/18/24}

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

  • All portable pitching mounds MUST meet the league minimum requirements.

  • Any other size is NOT allowed (Picture linked to League website home page)

  • They MUST Be used from the first game of the season through the tournament

      Note: Cannot be added or removed after start of leaque play.

 

 

BASEBALLS Approved for LEAGUE & TOURNAMENT PLAY - {BOD Approved 3/18/24}

Picture linked to League website home page

 

 

UMPIRE REQUIREMENTS

  • Home team will furnish two (2) umpires. 

  • One (1) may be from the visiting team if necessary.

  • Plate umpire MUST be a minimum of seventeen (17) years of age.

  • Review: GAME CHECKLIST / UMPIRES INFORMATION prior to start of game 

 

 

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FR#2 - RECORDKEEPING and REPORTING GAME INFORMATION

      Prior to start of game score books (Ipads) MUST:

  1. Have players names and shirt numbers recorded in Game Changer or Scorebooks (NO abbreviations)

  2. The "ORDER BY NAME LINEUP METHOD" (OBN) is used for substitution or batting 

         out of order decisions

  • The use of an illegal player or ineligible player shall result in forfeiture of the game(s).

  • A player becomes illegal ONCE they have been placed in the official (home team) Scorebook / Gamechanger.

  • At the completion of game, both coaches MUST verify innings pitched and pitches(Didget Division)

     number of pitches  thrown (Bronco and Pony Divisions) by players on both teams.

     

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Home Team is required to report the following to the League President by 2:00pm the day after the game:

  1. Score of the game

  2. Pitching Information that include pitchers initials, Innings pitched (Didget), pitches thrown (Bronco and Pony)

  3. If a hard copy scorebook is used then both coaches need signthe scorebook(s) verifying the game information.

  4. If signatures are not on BOTH scorebooks, then the home team's scorebook is considered the

         official record of the game in the event of any disputes.

     Note: It is recommended that the visiting team coach verify the accuracy of reported information.

     If there is an issue it needs to be identified and contact league president with discrepancies

     before the next game is played.

     If a game is postponed due to weather the home team coach still needs to report that information

     to the League President

 

 

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FR#3 - CRITERIA for OFFICIAL GAMES          

DIDGET and BRONCO DIVISIONS

If a Game is called for ANY REASON after 3 1/2 innings with Home team leading it is considered an "OFFICIAL GAME"

 

DIDGET: 

If a game is called, prior to becoming OFFICIAL the game will be canceled and replayed as a new game.

 

BRONCO:

If a game is called, prior to becoming OFFICIAL the game will be canceled and replayed as a new game. 

Pitches throw still count toward Pitch Count Criteria .

 

Note: During Regular Season if a game has exceeded the Official Inning Requirement and the inning is NOT complete, then the game reverts back to the previous completed inning and those results are considered OFFICIAL regardless of the current score.

 

 

 

PONY DIVISION

Game is called for ANY REASON after 4 1/2 innings with Home team leading it is considered an "OFFICIAL GAME"

 

PONY:

If a game is called, prior to becoming OFFICIAL the game will be canceled and replayed as a new game. 

Pitches throw still count toward Pitch Count Criteria.

 

Note: During Regular Season if a game has exceeded the Official Inning Requirement and the inning is NOT complete, then the game reverts back to the previous completed inning and those results are considered OFFICIAL regardless of the current score.

 

  

 

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FR#4 - LENGTH of GAME

REGULAR SEASON 

TIME LIMIT RULE SHOULD BE REVIEWED PRIOR TO START OF

THE DIDGET GAME - {BOD - Review Committee 6/24/09 - Clarification}

 

    Didget

    Bronco

  Pony

Start Times

Can Only be moved with approval

of the League President

   6:00pm

   7:45pm (estimated)

7:00pm

6:30pm Weekdays

----------------

Flexible on Sundays

Innings

(Reduce innings in Didget game to five)

        6

        6

    7

BRONCO and PONY DIVISIONS

Mercy Rule

If the home team is behind after the conclusion of the top half of an any inning they MUST have their at bat as the home team.

      

 

12 after 3

10 after 4

  8 after 5

 

15 after 4

10 after 5

 

15 after 3

12 after 3

10 after 4

  8 after 5

 

 

 

Time Limit Rule - BRONCO DIVISION

(BOD 4/15/18) - Starts when 1st batter gets into batters box and NO NEW INNING starts after 2 Hour Time Limit).

The 2 Hour rule SUPERCEDES the Mercy Run Rule - Remove if new rule APPROVED

      

     2 Hours

  

DIDGET DIVISION

Runs per Inning

(Except for declared Open Inning)

       4 

       

   

DIDGET DIVISION

TIME LIMIT RULE - (BOD 1/29/23) 

Any inning started after 80 minutes or (7:20pm) will be the "OPEN INNING" No Exceptions.

Applicable

       

   

DIDGET DIVISION

(BOD 4/7/19)

NOTE: Team behind going into Open Inning will bat first in the top of the inning - if team takes lead then opposing team will bat in bottom of inning

 Applicable

        

   

    

 

DIDGET and BRONCO Divisions Procedures for a

TIED GAME at the Completion of the Open Inning.

RECOMMENDATION TO USE THE SAME PROCEDURES FOR A TIED GAME

AFTER THE 6TH INNING FOR BRONCO DIVISION

EXTRA INNINGS PROCEDURES

Note: All innings played AFTER OPEN INNING are called EXTRA INNINGS.

 

Procedute for the first Extra Inning: 

  • HOME PLATE WILL OPEN ON ALL PASS BALLS - {BOD Approved: 4/13/25}

  • Bronco Division: Home plate is already open on passed balls.

  • The player in the batting order who is listed PRIOR to the player scheduled

      to bat will start the inning on 2nd BASE.

 

Procedure for all Extra Innings after the first one. 

  • HOME PLATE WILL OPEN ON ALL PASS BALLS 1 - {BOD Approved: 4/13/25}

  • The player in the batting order who is listed PRIOR to the player scheduled

      to bat will start the inning on 3rd BASE.

 

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FR#5 - GENERAL GAME ITEMS
Minimum Innings Defensively

DIDGET DIVISION

MUST play at least two innings

 

Strike Zones

DIDGET Division:

  • Batter's chin to shins (slightly above the ankles).

  • From the outside to the outside of the plate and includes the black border.

 

DIDGET Division

  • Dropped third strikes by the catcher is considered an out.

  • THIS RULE IS IN AFFECT IN ALL EXTRA INNINGS.

 

BRONCO and PONY Divisions:

  • Armpits (letters) to the top of the knee and from the outside to the

     outside of the plate and includes the black border.

 

 

Slide Rule

All Divisions

Bases

  • On any plays at  1st - 2nd and 3rd bases - SLIDING IS NOT REQUIRED.

  • Runners are allowed to slide into any base head first.

  • Runners MUST make an attempt to avoid contact with an opposing player.

 

 

 

Home Plate

Sliding is REQUIRED AT HOME PLATE IF THERE IS PLAY for an out.

  • If a player is protecting home plate and the ball is catchable then the runner MUST slide.

  • Failure to slide will result in the runner being CALL OUT (NO EXCEPTIONS!)

     Umpire’s decisions ARE FINAL.

 

  • Catchers / Players MUST allow runners the opportunity to home plate.

  • THEY CANNOT BLOCK BASE PATH or go up the third base line & block the runner

      from reaching home plate.

  • If this occurs, then the Catcher will be called for interference and runner will be

     Called SAFE and awarded home plate and the run.

     Umpire’s decisions ARE FINAL

 

  • If an umpire feels there was CLEAR INTENT to CAUSE BODILY INJURY BY EXCESSIVE

     CONTACT THE UMPIRE MAY EJECT THE PLAYER FROM THE GAME.

 

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Courtesy Runners

All Divisions - {BOD Approved (4/2/17}

Courtesy Runners are ONLY ALLOWED FOR THE CATCHER and can only be a

player that is currently on the bench and has NOT PLAYED in the field or batted.

If all players have been on the field then the Courtesy Runner option is eliminated.

Exception

If a  coach has elected to use the " ALL PLAYERS IN LINEUP BATTING " option then

then the Courtesy Runner (for the catcher) MUST be the last bater called out.

 

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Players in Dugout

  • All players MUST remain in the dugout during the game.

  • Only excpetions are the batter and batter-on-deck

 

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Unsportsmanlike Conduct Procedures

  • Sportsmanship is expected at all Tri-County League games.

  • No coach, player, umpire, or fan shall engage in any grossly unsportsmanlike conduct

 

Including, but not limited to: throwing equipment, profanity, arguing, yelling, or directing remarks to

or at any player, coach, or umpire during or after any Tri County Baseball League games.

Approved: Immediate Suspension from league play for duration of season 

as determined by the League President - {BOD Approved: 1/21/24}

 

 

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FR#6 - LINE-UP OPTIONS

  • Coaches can only select one option for the game and MUST be declared

  • prior to the start of the game.

  • Once declared then it MUST be used throughout the game

 

Regular Line-Up

Didget Division

  • If a team has (10) players in the dugout to start a game then ten players MUST

      be in the batting order and on the field defensively.

  • A team that has (10) or more players available to play and does NOT bat (10)

      that team will be issued an OUT.

  • If a team starts a game after the 1st pitch with (10) players in the lineup and a player

      becomes sick or ill they MUST be replaced by a substitute player.

  • If there is NO substitute player available for that player is then an out will be recorded

      in their position in the batting order.

               

 

 

  • If A Didget team ONLY has (9)players to start the game - they can play with (9) with NO penalties

  • If a team only has (9) players TO START a game and has a player join the team after

     the game has started, the new player can join the field immediately and is placed at the

     bottom of the batting order.

 

Bronco and Pony Divisions

  • Must start the game with 9 players

  • If a team is reduce to play with less than 9 players for any reason the game is a

     forfeit - No Exceptions

 

 

Designated Hitter Option

  • Allowed ONLY in the Bronco & Pony Divisions

 

 

Extra Hitter Option- {BOD Approved 4/11/10}

  • Allowed in ALL DIVISIONS.

 

EXPLAINATION OF EXTRA HITTER RULE:

Allows for an extra player to be added to the batting order:

(Didgets > 11)

(Bronco / Pony > 10)

  • The EH Rule allows any of the players listed in the batting order to play in the field without regard to substitution rules.

  • The substitution rule ONLY applies when another player is added to the batting order.

 

 

All Players in the Lineup Option - {BOD Approved 3/21/21}

  • Allowed in ALL DIVISIONS.

  • Substitution is allowed free will between all the players on the roster

  • For ANY REASON a player cannot bat then an “OUT” will issued – No Exceptions.

  • If a Courtesy Runner is WANTED for the catcher then it MUST be the last batter called out.

Note: 

THE COURTESY RUNNER IS ALLOWED BECAUSE EVERY PLAYER IS IN THE LINEUP.

 

 

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FR#7 - PITCHING RULES

FR# - MAXIMUM PITCHES BETWEEN INNINGS (BOD APPROVED 4/15/12)
1 - Maximum number of pitches between innings for returning pitcher is FIVE (5)

2 - Maximum number of pitches for a new pitcher is EIGHT (8) - Eliminate this rule

 

PITCHER/PLAYERS ON MULTIPLE ROSTER

  • Players are permitted to play on multiple rosters but ARE ONLY ALLOWED to pitch in one

     division the entire regular season and tournament.

  • The division they are locked into will be the division they first pitched in.

  • If determended that a player pitched in two divisions then a forfeit of ALL game(s) they

     pitched will be assessed to games in the secondary division.

  • Pitcher/Players MUST be listed on both rosters but an asteric (***) MUST be noted by their

     name indicating that this is their primary division for pitching.

 

 

Balk Procedures
ALL DIVISIONS and ALL GAMES

When a BALK ocurrs:

  • The umpire shall call time out and ask the coach to come out to the mound and explain to

  • the pitcher what he is doing wrong.

 

  • A BALK will be called if the pitcher makes a move to either 1st base or 3rd base while on the pitching

     rubber and FAILS to throw over to the base - {BOD Approved - 2/4/6/14}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIDGET DIVISION

Offense: A Warning will be issued each time and to each pitcher.

Note:

Balk Rule serves as a teaching event.

NO runners will advance regardless of how many times this occurs in a game.

 

BRONCO Division

1st Offense:  Warning
2nd Offense: Normal baseball rules are followed.

Note: Penalty is provided to every pitcher that appears in the game.

 

 

PONY DIVISION

No Warnings

 

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Didget Division

CALENDAR WEEK: MONDAY, 12:01am through SUNDAY, 11:59pm

 

INNINGS ALLOWED                     

In all game(s):  5                      
In a calendar week:  8   

In the tournament: 12   (Reduce this number to 10 to encourage additional pitcher development)

 

Rest Period for Regular Season and Tournament games

Forty (40) (48) hours of rest will be REQUIRED If a player pitches more

three (four) innings in a game or 65 pitches in a game

NO EXCEPTIONS

  • A game in which a player pitches is considered an assignment.

  • If a pitcher delivers one (1) pitch or more in an inning, that player shall be charged with

     one (1) FULL inning.

              

General 

  • A pitcher who has been removed from the mound MAY return to pitch as long as they

     have remained on the field.

  • If a pitcher is removed from the field and then re-enteres they MAY NOT RETURN as the pitcher.


Bronco & Pony Divisions

  • Will use Mandatory Pitch Count Guideline established for each Division - {BOD Approved - 4/13/25}

  • League Approved Pitch Count Tracking Sheets are available for tracking.

  • Intentional Walks do not count toward pitch counts.

  • Pitchers can exceed the maximum allowed pitch count to finish a batter.

     Note:This does NOT apply to any other pitching break level.

  • Pitching criteria remain in affect from the regular season to tournament games. There is NO

     RESET of pitch counts.

 

 

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FR#8 - SUBSTITUTION RULES

ALL DIVISIONS - {BOD Approved - 4/12/15}

Offensive Substitution

  • MUST be reported to the opposing team when the player comes to bat.

  • The players reporting to bat for another player are then married together

      for the remainder of the game.

 

Failure to Report Substition

Offensive Substitution

  • Shall follow Subsitution Flowchart linked to league home page

     Flowchart linked to League website home page

 

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Defensive Substitution

  • Must be reported immediately.

  • Those players are married together for the remainder of the game.

 

Procedures for failing to report a Defensive Substitution

  • Results in a “WARNING” and incident will be reported to the League President

     along with violating teams league representative

  • The substitution will remain in affects and those two players are married together for 

      remainder of the game.

  • THE UMPIRE AND OPPOSING TEAM COACH and BOOK KEEPER MUST BE NOTIFIED.

 

Clarification on Substitution Rule

Once two players are married together you cannot substitute a 3rd player into that spot.

Exception: If an injury ocurrs a 3rd player can be placed into that substitution spot who has

not been in the game.

 

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FR#9 - RE-ENTRY RULES

DIDGET Division

Double Entry is allowed between married players

  • The original (10) players may be withdrawn from the game and re-enter

      once along with the player they are married with.

  • All re-entries MUST be between married players and they remain in their

     original position in the batting order.

  • A starting pitcher may re-enter, but cannot pitch.

 

BRONCO & PONY DIVISIONS - {BOD Approved - 1/27/08}

  • In both divisions re-entry is only allowed by the original player that started the game

  • Any of the original (9) players may be withdrawn from the game and re-enter once.

     No double substitution

  • Re-entries MUST remain between married players and they remain in their

      original position in the batting order

  • A starting pitcher may re-enter, but cannot pitch

 

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FR#10 - BASE RUNNING

Didget Division

  • Players CANNOT lead off on any base.

  • Players can steal after the ball has crossed home plate.

Violation Penalty: {BOD: Approved - 2/1/14}

  • If a runner(s) leave a base before the ball crosses home plate the following will occur:

1st Violation

  • All runners will return to their original base and the pitch is considered a dead ball.

Subsequent Violations:

  • Any runner that leaves a base before the ball crosses home plate that player will be

     called OUT and the pitch is considered a dead ball.

  • Other runners will return to their original base.

  • Home Plate is CLOSED on passed balls or wild pitches except in Extra Innings.

  • If the defensive team makes a play on ANY base runner including home plate then ALL

     BASES automatically become open. 

 

CLARIFICATION:

  • NO runners may advance to another base (including Home Plate) on any balls that are

    being thrown back to the pitcher. (Umpire's discretion)

  • ONCE THE PITCHER HAS THE BASEBALL AND IS ON THE MOUND RUNNERS ON

     MUST RETREAT BACK TO THEIR RESPECTIVE BAG - NO EXCEPTIONS 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bronco Division

  • Base runners CANNOT lead off of first base past the marked eight (8) foot line measured from the

      inside of the base.

  • Base runners are NOT allowed to move past the eight foot line until the pitcher makes a

      move to delivery a pitch to home plate. (Players MAY touch the 8 Foot marked line)

  • Any player walked MUST remain at first base. They CANNOT continue to run through

     the 8 foot line to 2nd base.

 

1st Violation

  • All runners will return to their original base and the pitch is considered a dead ball.

Subsequent Violations:

  • If a runner at 1st base crosses the line after first violation, the player is called OUT

      and the pitch is considered a dead ball.

  • Other runners will return to their original base.

Note: Players can lead off any other bases with no restrictions.

 

 

Pony Division

  • No restrictions apply.

 

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FR#11- TOURNAMENT GAME RULES 

TOURNAMENT GAMES

If a game is halted due to weather related issues the following steps are followed:

  • Game will be halted and play resumed at the next agreed upon scheduled time.

      Note: If weather permitting the game will resume the day following the postponement.

  • The League President MUST be INVOLVED in the rescheduling - No Exceptions

  • Both teams MUST record (runners on base, score, pitch count, innings pitched etc).

  • Game MUST resume exactly where it left off. If this cannot happen then the league

     President MUST be contacted ASAP to discuss next step.

  • No time limit for TOURNAMENT GAMES - {BOD - Review Committee 6/24/26 Clarification} 

  • Official Criteria for games ARE NOT in affect during the tournament.

  • Pitches throw still count toward Pitch Count Criteria for Bronco and Pony Divisions.   

 

Rest Period for Regular Season and Tournament games

Didget Division

  • Forty (40) (48) hours of rest will be REQUIRED If a player pitches more

  • three (four) innings in a game or 65 pitches in a game

     NO EXCEPTIONS

  • A game in which a player pitches is considered an assignment.

  • If a pitcher delivers one (1) pitch or more in an inning that player shall be charged with

     one (1) FULL inning.

     Note: Innings are reset to ZERO for Didget Division in tournament and the Calendar

     Week requirement is NOT in affect.

                  

 

Bronco & Pony Divisions

  • Will use Mandatory Pitch Count Guidelines established for each division. {BOD Approved - 4/13/25}

     Pitch Count Tracking Sheets are linked to League website home page

  • Intention Walks do not count toward pitch counts

  • Pitchers can exceed the maximum allowed pitch count to finish a batter.This does NOT apply

      to any other level.

  • Pitching criteria remain in affect from the regular season to tournament games.

  • There is NO RESET of pitch counts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FR#12- PROTEST PROCEDURES

  • A formal protest during the game can only be related to rules regulating the game

     Not Umpire Judgement calls!

 

Steps for Protesting:

1 - The protest must be made at the time of the infraction, to the plate umpire.

2 - The plate umpire informs the opposing coach and scorekeepers that the game is under protest.

3 - All field conditions must be documented (ex: players in the field, pitch count or innings pitched,

     base runners, number of outs.)

4 - The game then will be played to its conclusion.

5 - Any manager, coach, or other adult that withdraws a team from the field, for other than safety reasons

     prior to the completion of the game, shall forfeit all rights to a protest.

6 - A written protest must be filed with the League President within

     24 hours, and prior to the start of the next game for both teams.

7 - If the protest is upheld, the game shall be replayed from the point of the protested infraction

     regardless of who won the original game.

8 - If the protest is NOT upheld, the final results of the game will be official.