SPORTSMANSHIPOVERVIEW
EnsuringgoodsportsmanshipatOSSAAmemberschoolsrequirestheresponsibilitiesofdifferent groupsbecoordinatedandcarriedoutateachcontestinvolvingsecondarylevelstudents.
1. School Administration: The responsibility for fan behavior resides with the participating school administrations from each participating school (combined with the host site security in neutral site contests). School administration must provide adequate supervision at the venue. Negative behavior targetingparticipantsorofficialsmustnotbetolerated. Removalofnon-compliantfansshallbemanaged bytheadministrativeteam.AreportdetailingthecircumstancesmustbesenttotheOSSAAanytimeafan isremovedfromacontest.
2. Coaches: Head coaches must communicate expectations for fan/parent, and player behavior. Communications should include consequences for unruly fan/parent or playerbehavior and be sharedwitheachplayerandtheplayer’sparent/guardian.
3. Officials: Officials shall, upon arrival at the contest, meet with on-site administration to ensure lines of communication are open and officials know where to find school administration should a problem arise outsidetheplaying area. Underno circumstances should anofficial directly removea person outside the playingareafromthevenue. Theadministrative teamordesigneewill beresponsiblefor removalofany fan.
4. Participants: Participants experiencing inappropriate behavior from other participants and/or nonparticipants during the contest must communicate those issues directly to their coaching staff to ensure identifiableissuesareaddressedbytheadministrativeteams.
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GENERALBASEBALLREGULATIONS
NOTE:ALLNEWRULES,REGULATIONS,ANDPOLICIESAREUNDERLINED.
I. RECOMMENDATIONSTOADMINISTRATORSOFATHLETICCONTESTS(RegularSeason/Play-off)
A. It is recommended that an administrator of all athletic contests meet with the game officials prior to the contest advising them of the game time, dressing facilities, discuss bad weather protocol and pre-game activities. The game administrator should also record the official's ID number. The administrator in charge should advise the head official as to where the game manager will be during the contest(s)should aproblemarise.
B. The game administrator or his designee should meet the officials to assure the officials safe return to the dressing room after the contest.
II. CRITERIAUSEDINBASEBALLPAIRINGS
A. Therankingsfromossaarankings.comwillbetheinitialcriteriausedinpairingandseedingtheplay-offtournamentsinclasses2A-A-
B. Coaches are expected to participate in the OSSAA ranking process and enter game scores on a weekly basis throughout theseason
B. The OSSAA has an on-line ranking program for use by school administrators, coaches, and the general public. The program is accessibleattheOSSAAwebsite[www.ossaa.com]. Onlybaseballcoachesinclasses2A-A-Bwillrank.
Itismandatorythatresultsfromeachregularseasoncontestintheactivitiesoffallbaseballandspringbaseball,mustbeenteredinto the ranking program within 24 hours of the conclusion of the contest throughout the season. Any coach failing to report the score within24hoursofthe conclusionof acontest will initiallybenotified in writingof his orherfailureto complyby OSSAAStaff. A copyofthatcorrespondencewillbesenttothecoach’sschooladministratoraswell. Asecondincidentoffailuretoreportascorewill resultinthecoachbeingplacedonwarningforaperiodofoneyear. Athird,andeachsubsequentfailuretoreportascorewillresult inthesuspensionofthecoach forthenextcontest.
C. RecordswillbeconsideredwhenteamsarenotrankedinthetoptwentyintheirclassificationbyOSSAARankings.
D. Geographyandplayoffhistorywillalso beaconsiderationwhenpairingthebaseballtournaments.
III. ACADEMICACHIEVEMENTAWARDS
A. Spring baseball teams will be eligible for an academic achievement award. The 22 players in Classes 6A-5A-4A-3A-2A-A and B (includeallplayerssuitingupifthenumberislessthan22)whosuitupforthefirstdistrict/regionaltournamentgamewillbeeligible. TheGPAshallbebasedontheprecedingsemester. (Non-traditionalsemester:anapproximate18-weekgradingperiodusedtodivide the school year in half.) The academic GPA will be based on a 4.0 system and computed to the nearest thousandth. There will be threelevelsofawardsforacademicachievement:
1. Academic Achievement Certificate -Teamsmusthaveaminimum 3.25 GPA and rankin the upper1/3of their classification to qualify.
2. DistinguishedAcademicPlaque-Teamsmusthaveaminimum3.50GPAandrankintheupper10%oftheirclassification.
3. StateAcademicChampion-Theteamwith thehighestGPAwillbedeclaredtheStateAcademicChampion.
B. TheentriesmustbereceivednolaterthanApril24forClassesAand B;May1forClasses2A,3A,4A,5Aand6A.
C. TheApplicationforAcademicAchievementAwardislocatedontheSportspage(baseballlink)oftheossaa.comwebsite.
IV. PITCHING
A. Pitching Limitation Rule: Thepitchcountisbasedonpitches(legalandillegal)throwninagametoabatterduringatimeatbat. Mandatedrestforthepitcherfrompitchingisbasedonthepitchcountchartbelow:
0-35pitches/day Norest
36-50 pitches/day 1 calendardayrest
51-75 pitches/day 2 calendardaysrest
76-100pitches/day 3calendardaysrest
101+pitches/day 4calendardaysrest
Thestartingtimeofthegamedoesnotimpactthecalculationofwhenapitcheriseligibletopitchagain.
Nopitchermaybeginanewhitterthathasreached120pitchesthatday.
Nopitcherthatexceeds75pitchesin thefirstgameofadayshallappearasapitcherinanysubsequentgamethat sameday.
Coachesand/oradministratorsthatareawareofamemberschoolviolatingthispolicyshallcontacttheOSSAABaseballAdministrator. Theuseofanineligiblepitcher,onewhohasviolatedthisrule,shallresultin theforfeitureofthegameinwhichtheineligiblepitcher participatedasapitcherandaonegamesuspensionfortheheadcoach.
ThePitchCountRulewilltakeprecedenceoverasuspendedgamerule.
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B. NEXTDAYDEFINED-Nextdaywillbeginatdaylightthemorningfollowingthegameandwilllastuntildaylightthenextday.
C. Eachcoach isresponsibleforknowingthepitchingrule. Inplay-offtournamentsatgame’sconclusionbothheadcoachesora designatedrepresentativewillverifypitchcountintheofficialbook.
D. Thepitchingregulationsshallapplyto regularseasongames,tournaments,andplay-offs. Anyviolationofsuchruleconstitutesgame forfeitureandaone-gamesuspensionfortheheadcoach. OnlytheOSSAAmaydeclareaforfeit.
E. ReportingpitchcountsontheOSSAARankingssiteistheresponsibilityoftheheadcoach. Thefirstfailuretoreportpitchcountinformationwithin24hoursofthecompletionofthecontestontheOSSAARankingssitewill resultinawrittennotification totheheadcoachandschooladministrator. Thesecondandsubsequentfailurestoreportpitchcount informationwillresultintheheadcoachbeingsuspendedforaminimumofonecontestforeach infractionofnotreporting.
F. Indistrict,regional,andareatournamentsaDesignatedPitchCountRecordershallbedesignatedbythehostschool(DPCR).
1. Duringthegame,pitchcountswillberecordedbytheDPCRandaretobereviewedbetweeninnings. Anydiscrepancyshall besettledbytheDPCRwithoutumpireinvolvementandthatrecordshallbeconsideredfinal.
2. Aprotestoveradiscrepancyin pitchcountsdiscoveredinalaterinningfromanearlierinninginthegamewillnotbe permittedduetoendofinningverification.
3. Atgame’sconclusionbothheadcoachesordesignatedrepresentativeswillverifypitchcountin theofficialbook.
4. AnydiscrepancyfoundafterthegamewillbereportedtotheOSSAA.
5. Theuseofapitchernoteligibletopitchbythepitchcountrestrictionsshallconstitutetheuseofanineligibleplayerandresult incontestforfeitureandaone-gamesuspensionfortheheadcoach. OnlyOSSAAmaydeclareaforfeit.
V. PRACTICESESSIONS
A. OSSAARule16,Section5:OrganizedpracticeforfallbaseballmaybeginnoearlierthanJuly15.Organizedpracticeforspringbaseball maybeginnoearlierthanDecember1.
Organizedpracticeisdefinedasschooloranticipatedschoolpersonneldirectlyorindirectlygivingindividualorteaminstruction concerningthefundamentalsofaparticularsport.
FromthecloseoftheseasonforfallbaseballtothestartdateofJuly15andthecloseofspringbaseballtothestartdateofDecember1, noorganizedpracticeinthatsportmaytakeplace.However,certifiedschoolcoachingpersonnelforthatsportarepermittedtoprovide instructioninthatsportinaphysicaleducationclassduringtheregularschoolday.
Ifamemberschooldoesnotscheduleaphysicaleducationclassduringtheregularschoolday,thenanadditionalperiodmaybe scheduledimmediatelyafterthecloseoftheregularschoolday,notto exceedonehourforthepurposeofconductingaphysical educationclass,andinstruction inaparticularsportmaybeprovidedbycertifiedschoolcoachingpersonnelto studentsduringthat additionalone-hourperiod.
Timespenttransportingstudentparticipantstoanoff-sitefacilityorfromoneschoolsitetoanotherforthepurposeofproviding instructioninaparticularsportduringaphysicaleducationclassorduringtheonehourperiodimmediately followingtheschoolday shallnotbecountedtowardthetimeallowedforoff-seasoninstruction.Thepracticeperiodshallbeginimmediatelyupon thearrivalof theathletes.
B. SUMMERTIMEDEADPERIOD
ThedeadperiodwilloccurduringtheweekinJulythatincludesthe4thofJulyeachyear.Thedeadperiodwillbenine(9) daysinlengthandbegintheweekendprecedingthe4thofJulyandtheweekendfollowingorincludingthe4thofJuly.
Secondary-level students enrolled or pre-enrolled ata member schoolmay not use any member school’s athletic facilities duringthedeadperiodinconnectionwithanyathleticactivitygovernedbytheOSSAA.Memberschoolcoaches,assistant coaches and sponsors may not have any contact with secondary-level enrolled or pre-enrolled students in that member schoolinanyathleticactivitygovernedbytheOSSAAforthepurposeofcoaching,training,orinstructing.
Summertimepolicies,includingbeginningandendofseasonrestrictions,canbefoundinOSSAABoardPolicyXIIinthe Administrator’sHandbook.
Violationsofthesummertimedeadperiodpolicy willresult in thecoach or sponsorbeing suspendedfromthefirst halfof the regular season in that athletic activity. School personnel not designated as a coach or sponsor in violation of the summertime dead period policy will result in the head coach being suspended from the first half of the regular season in thatactivity.
SUMMERTIMEDEADPERIODQUESTIONSANDANSWERS
1. HowdoIknowwhenthedeadperiodbeginsandendseachyear?
Answer: Thedeadperiodwillbenine(9)daysinlengthandbegintheweekendprecedingthe4thofJulyandthe weekendfollowingorincludingthe4th ofJuly.
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2. DoestheSummertimeDeadPeriodPolicycovernon-athleticactivities?
Answer: No,theSummertimeDeadPeriodPolicyonlyappliestoathleticactivitiesthataregovernedbythe OSSAA.
3. CanacoachandaplayerhaveanycontactforinstructionpurposesduringtheSummertimeDeadPeriod?
Answer: No,contactbetweencoaches,assistantcoachesandsponsorswithenrolledorpre-enrolledstudentsfor thepurposeofcoaching,teaching,training,or instructingisprohibited.
4. Canastudentparticipatewithoutthememberschoolcoachatmemberschoolfacilitiesinanathleticactivity duringtheSummertimeDeadPeriod?
Answer: No,schoolathleticfacilitiesmaynotbeusedbyenrolledorpre-enrolledstudentsduringthedead periodinconnectionwithanyathleticactivitygovernedbytheOSSAA.
5. Canamemberschoolcoachusememberschoolfacilitiesto train,coachorinstructsecondary-levelstudents duringtheDeadPeriod?
Answer: No,thepolicyprohibitstheuseofmemberschoolfacilitiesduringtheDeadPeriodfor thepurposeofcoaching,teaching,training,or instructing.Fieldmaintenanceisnotprohibitedbythepolicy.
6. DoestheSummertimeDeadPeriodPolicyprohibitparticipationinaNationalleveltournamentduringthe deadperiod?
Answer: No,thecoachandanyenrolledorpre-enrolledstudentswhohavequalifiedearlierinthesummer for anationalleveltournamentmayparticipateinthattournament.
C. Practice or competition in athletics will not be allowed on a site after the site has been announced in any play-off activityexceptforaregularlyscheduledcontestorthehostschoolmaypracticeatthesiteifthatistheteam’sregular practicesite.
D. OFF SEASON TRY-OUTS Only students in grades 8-11 attending school in the district for which the try-out is held may be permitted toparticipate in atry-out. Try-outsshould only be conducted for the purpose of the selection of a schoolteam and maynotbeused for practice time. Eachday of the try-outmay be up to2 hoursin length. No offseason try-out will be allowed for more than three days, and all sessions of the try-out must conclude by 9 p.m. A record of all try-outs should be kept on file at the member school detailing the dates, times and grade level of all participantsinthetryout. TheOSSAAreservestherightto requesttheserecordsfromamemberschool.Exception: Cheerleading may conduct a clinic of no more than 4 days, each day of the try-out clinic may be up to two hours in length. All students participating in the tryout must be attending school in the district forwhich the try-out is being held.
VI. GENERALREGULATIONS
A. Nogameswillbecountedforthepurposeofratingorseedingforthebaseballplayoffsifthegamesarelessthanacompletegame accordingtoNationalFederationbaseballrules. Ratedteamsareseededhigherthannon-ratedteams.
B. Coachesin class2A-A-Barerequiredtosubmittheteam’sseasonrecordforthefirst-roundplay-offgamestothesitemanager.
C. The OSSAA can moveplay-off tournaments to an adequate available field if weather delays the tournament to Monday after the tournamentwasscheduledtobecompleted.
D. Teams that forfeit gamesduring the regularseasonorplayoffswithout valid reasonscould besubject to penaltiesby theOSSAA BoardofDirectors.
E. Schools interested in hosting baseball play-off tournaments should complete the site request form that is a part of the entry form ontheSportspage(baseballlink)oftheossaa.comwebsite.
F. A student’s current scholastic eligibility status would not change if an OSSAA play-off contest were delayed into the next week duetoinclementweatherorotherextremecircumstance.
G. A regular season designated JV game shall not be counted on a team’s record unless a JV team has entered an invitational tournament.
H. In addition to the OSSAAsponsored championship tournament series, high schoolandjuniorhighteamsand/or individuals shall belimited to not morethan thenumberofmatch gamesand tournaments as established by theOSSAA Board of Directors. This regulationshallapplyseparatelytofallandspringbaseball. Outsideoftournamentgames,eachgameshallbecountedasamatch game. The contest limits for varsity teams shall be 37 total contests. Each contest played in match play or in a tournament will counttowardthe37totalgamecount. JuniorHighteamsarelimitedto25totalcontests. A9th gradestudentiseligibletoparticipate onboththejuniorhighandseniorhighteams.
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Tournament: In theeventonegame of a regularseason scheduled tournament is completed, and the remainderof thetournament is cancelled (not postponed) due to inclement weather or any other act of nature; a school may submit a written request to the OSSAAStaffseekingpermissionto scheduleoneadditionalregularseasongame.
Festival: A festival is defined as any number of teams coming together to play predetermined opponents at predetermined times. Nochampionisdetermined,orawardsgiven. Allgamesinthefestivalcountaspartoftheregularseasonlimits.
Scrimmage: A scrimmage is defined as a competition against another school without keeping records such as scores etc. In fall baseball, no scrimmage may take place after the beginning date of the season. In spring baseball, no team shall be permitted to scrimmage another school after the state basketball tournaments for that classification. Should a school be in two different classifications for basketball and baseball, the baseball scrimmage regulation will be applied to the basketball classification of the school. Scrimmagesheldoutsidethelimitsdescribedshallthencountasgamestowardtheregularseasonlimitations. Thereshall benolossofinstructiontimeforscrimmages.
I. Violation ofcontestlimits(teamsand/orindividuals)
Generally,ifthecontest,meet,ortournamentlimitsforaparticularactivityhavebeenexceeded,byeitheraschoolteamorbyindividual participantsfromaschool,thefollowingsanctionswillbeapplied.
a. Theheadcoachinthatactivityshallbesuspendedfromcoachinginanyregularseasoncontests,atthesamelevel,inthesame activity,fortheremainderofthecurrentregularseasonandanychampionshipplay-offeventsforthatschoolyear.
b. The head coach in that activity shall be suspended from coaching any regular season contests, at the same level, in the same activity,forthefirst10gamesoftheregularseasonthenextschoolyear.
c. The school will not be allowed to host any play-off contests in that activity during the school year in which the violation occurred.
d. Theprogramwillbeplacedonwarningforaperiodofoneyear.
J. Roundrobintournamentswillnotbeapprovedwhenmorethanfourteamsareinvolved.
K. Therewillbenoplayofregularseason,tournamentgames,orscrimmagesonWednesday,ifschoolisinsession.EXCEPTION: District make-up games in 3A-4A-5A-6A may play on Wednesday by mutual agreement. Weekend tournaments, defined as tournaments scheduled Thursday through Saturday may not begin prior to 10:00 a.m., and no game shall be scheduled to begin later than 9:00 p.m. Tournaments scheduled to be played Monday through Friday, (excluding Wednesday, if school is in session) may not be scheduled to begin prior to 4:00 p.m. and no game shall be scheduled to begin later than 9:00 p.m. No more than 5 days shall be missed, with any partofadaytobecountedtowardthetotaloffivedays. Ifthereisanathletichourattheendoftheregularschoolday,missingthathour shall not count against the total of five days. OSSAA play-off games will be excluded from the 5-day total and the Wednesday exemption.
L. A 9th grade student is eligible to participate on both a school team for students at the ninth-grade level or below, and on a school team for students abovethe ninth gradelevel, but cannot participate on both of thoseteams in thesametournament. A student in grades10, 11or12mayplayonanon-varsityteamandavarsity teambutcannotparticipateonbothofthoseteamsin thesametournament.
M. OSSAARule16,Section5F:Anindividualthathasrepresentedhisorherschoolinasportduringthecurrentseasonshallnotrepresent his or her school in that sport after the season closes. Students may participate unattached pending approval of their local school administration. (Noschoolteammayplaygamesaftertheseasonconcludesandbeforeschoolisout.)
N. NOISEMAKERS
Forindooractivities: Boomboxesoranytypeofdevicethatplaysmusic,sounds,orvoices,andnoisemakersofanykindsuchasair horns,cowbells,etc.willnotbeallowedtofunction/operate. Thiswillalsoapplytopre-game/contestandpost-gamecontest activities. Thisruleappliestobothregularandpost-seasongames/contest.
Foroutdooractivities: Noisemakersareallowedatoutdooractivitiesunlesstheyinterruptthenormalgame/contestprocedureof announcers,bands,cheersquads,drillteamsoranyothergame/contestrelatedactivities. Thegameofficialshavetheauthority tostop theuseofanynoisemakersordisruptionsthatinterruptthenormalgame/contestprocedures.Thisruleappliestobothregularandpostseasongamesorcontests.
VII. DISTRICTTOURNAMENTS(2A/A/B)
A. Teamsmaybeaddedtoadistrictduetolateentriesoraschooldecidingnottoparticipate.
B. Thetournamentsshallbeplayedinonedayortwoconsecutivedaysunlessweatherconditionsdictateotherwise.
C. Ticketswillnotbefurnishedforthedistricttournament
D. Thehostschoolshould charge$7.00foradultsand$7.00forstudents.
E. TrophiesfordistricttournamentwinnerswillbesentfromMTMRecognition.
F. Thehostschoolwillpay theumpires. (TournamentmanagementshouldrefertoSectionX-OSSAAPlay-offTournaments.)
G. Districtwinnersshould contacttheAssociationofficeaftercompletionofthetournaments.
H. Indistrictplaycoachesmustsubmittheteam’sregularseasonrecordtothedistrictmanager.
I. DetermininghometeaminallOSSAAplayoffgamesshallbedeterminedbycointoss. (Coachesmayagreeonhometeamwithoutcoin toss.)
J. Teams that do not have an opponent at the district tournament can play up to two additional games beyond the set contest limit against otherteamsthatdonothaveanopponentatthedistrictlevel.
K. Play-offsitesinallroundsmusthavelights.
VIII. REGIONALTOURNAMENTS (ALLCLASSES)
A. Regional tournaments shall be double elimination. Regional tournaments in classes 2A-A-B will be seeded using rankings from ossaarankings.comasaguideline. Unrankedteamswilluse win/loss records. RegionalTournamentsin class3A-4Awillbe seededby theDistrictstandings. RegionalTournamentsinclass5A-6AwillbeseededbytheDistrictstandings.
B. Ticketswillnotbesentto thehostschoolfromtheOSSAA. Admissionpriceswillbe$7.00foradultsand$7.00forstudents.
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C. TrophieswillbesentfromMTMRecognition.
D. TournamentmanagementrefertoSectionX-OSSAAPlay-offTournaments.
E. Inregionaltournaments,thehostschoolmanagershallimmediatelycontactthevisitingschoolsconcerningofficialstobeemployedfor theregionalbaseballtournament. Thevisitingschoolsshallcontactthehostmanagerconcerningtheassignmentofregionalofficials. These contactsmustbemadeasquicklyasfeasibleaftertheregionaltournamentpairingsarereleasedfromtheOSSAA.
F. DetermininghometeaminallOSSAAplayoffgamesshallbedeterminedbycoin toss. (Coachesmayagreeonhometeamwithoutcoin toss.)
IX. SUSPENDEDGAMEANDGAMEENDINGPROCEDURES(ALLCLASSES)
A regulationhigh schoolbaseballgameends whentheteambehindin scorehascompleteditsturn atbatin theseventhinning,or any inning thereafter if extra innings are necessary. The National Federation now allows states to adopt game-ending procedures for baseball. ByOklahomaadoption,gamescan beshortenedbythefollowing:
A. Afterfiveinningsofaseven-inninggame,ateamten(10)ormorerunsbehindhascompleteditsturnatbat. (NOTE: Ifthehome teamsaheadten(10)ormorerunsagamecanendafter4½innings.)
B. If weather, darkness or other circumstances interfere with play so that a game is called (ended) by the umpire, it is a regulation gameprovided:(a)fivefullinningshavebeenplayed;orifthehometeamhasscoredagreaternumberofrunsinfourorfourand a fraction turns at bat than the visiting team has scored in five turns; or (b) play has gone beyond five full innings and is called when the teams have not had an equal number of completed turnsat bat. The score shall be the same as it was at the end of the lastcompletedinning:unlessthehometeam,initshalfoftheincompleteinningscoresarun(orruns)whichexceedstheopponent’s score,inwhichcase,thefinalscoreshallberecordedwhenthesuspendedgameiscalled. Otherwise,itwillbeasuspendedgame. A suspended game shall continue from the point of suspension on the earliest possible day, with the lineup and batting order for eachteamthesameasitwasatthetimeofsuspension.
C. STATE TOURNAMENT EXCEPTION: State tournament gameswill beregulation(7)inninggames, unlesstherun ruleisin effect. Otherwise, it will be a suspended game. A suspended game shall continue from the point of suspension on the earliest possibleday,withtheline-upandbattingorderforeachteamthesameasitwasatthetimeofsuspension.
D. AnyfurtherplaymaybeshortenedaccordingtoNationalFederationRules.
X. OSSAAPLAY-OFFTOURNAMENTS
The following criteria will be used in baseball contests that are OSSAA play-off tournaments when brackets are drawn. Seeding for classes2A-A-Bplayoff tournaments; district, regional and state,shall bebased on thefinal OSSAARankingsineach classfor thefirst 20teams. Teamsnotinthetop20oftheirclasswillbeseededonpercentageofgameswon/lost. NOTE: Noteamshallbeseededthat hasnotplayedatleast15games.
1. Two team – Teams shall play best two of three series. A doubleheader should be scheduled at the host site. The “if necessary game”wouldbescheduledforthefollowingday. (Threegamesmaybeplayedinonedayshouldbothteamsagree.)
2. Athree-teamdoubleeliminationbracketshallbeplayedinthefollowingmanner:
TeamAwillbetheteamwiththehighestranking. TeamCwillbethelowestseed.
Firstdayoftournament:
Game1-TeamBplaysTeam C.
Game2 Team AplaysTeamB.
Game3–Team AplaysTeamC.
Seconddayoftournament: Game4-Ifoneteamhasonelossandoneteamhasnolosses,theyplay. Game5-Ifnecessary OR
Game4-Ifallteamshaveoneloss,TeamBplaysTeamC. Game5-WinnerGame4playsTeamA
3. FourTeams-Seedthe1and2teamsbasedonranking. Thenumberoneseedwillbeplacedonthetopofthebracket. Thesecond seed willbeplaced onthebottomofthebracket. Ina four-teamdistrict tournament,the numberoneseed willchoosebetween the thirdandfourthbestseedtobeplacedontheirsideofthebracket,automaticallyplacingtheotherteam. Ifaschoolwithdrawsfrom thetournamentcreatingabyeinthesecondround,thebracketshouldbere-drawn. Inafour-teamregionalbracket,thenumberone seed willplaythenumberfourseedandthenumbertwoshallplaynumberthree.
4. Teamsmaybeaddedtoadistrictduetolateentriesoraschooldecidingnottoparticipate. Ifteamswithdrawingfrom playofftournamentscreatebyesinthesecondroundofthetournament,thetournamentshallbere-drawn.
5. Beginning with the REGIONAL tournaments, tickets will be furnished by the Association. After local expenses are paid the remainingmoniesshouldbesentto theAssociation.
6. Theumpiresshallbeemployed andpaidbythehostschool. Thehostschoolshallalso furnishtheballs.
7. In all play-off tournaments, except the state tournament, the tournament manager is responsible for employing the umpires. The regional host school manager shall immediately contact the visiting schools concerning officials to be employed for the regional baseball tournament. The visiting schools shall contact the host manager concerning the assignment of regional officials. These contactsmustbemadeasquicklyasfeasibleaftertheregionaltournamentpairingsarereleasedfromtheOSSAA.
8. Allumpiresusedinteamgames,anytournamentsoranystateeliminationgamesaretobeeligibleofficialsandingoodstandingin theAssociation. EligibleofficialsareenrolledandhavepassedPart1oftheNFHSBaseballRulesExamination.
9. Only twoumpirespergamewillbeusedinplay-offgamesinthedistrictandregionalrounds.
10. TheNationalFederationBaseballRuleswillgoverninallcontests,specifically including(1)theRe-entryRule,and(2)theruleon coaches permitted in the coach’s box. Each batter and each base runner in a game are required to wear a head protector. THE ASSOCIATIONHASADOPTEDTHEFOLLOWINGREGULATIONS:
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a) Uniformsarestronglyrecommendedforplayersand coaches.
b) Designated MediaArea- National Federation Baseball Rulesrequirethehometeamorgame management to designatea lined areaforthemedia. Thisareashallbeconsidered adeadballarea. Thisrulealsoprohibitsmediafrombeinginaliveballarea.
(Rules 1-2-3) The OSSAA is asking each host site to cooperate with the media and provide a designated area. We also recommend the area be marked between home and first or third base in an area that enables adequate media coverage. We realize each park is built different and the above recommendation may not be feasible. An area that affords the best possible coveragewiththeleastpossibilityofaninterferencesituationshouldbeselected.
11. Radio broadcasts will be permitted without a fee for the 2023-2024 season during the playoffs after making arrangements with the host site.
12. NOTHONORINGAPROTEST. (OSSAABoardPolicyVI): OSSAAwillnotconsiderrequeststooverturnthe determinationsofgame/contestofficialsininterpretingorenforcingrulesatgamesorcontests. Inagreeingtoparticipateinagame orcontest,amemberschool,andtheindividualparticipantsandthecoachesorsponsorsrepresentingthatmemberschool,accept theriskthatgame/contestofficialsmaymakeerrorsininterpretingorenforcingrulesatgamesorcontests. Any errorsby game/contestofficialsshouldberaisedwith thoseofficials,inarespectfulmanner,andinaccordancewiththerulesestablishedfor thatparticularactivity. Thedecisionsofthegame/contestofficialsareacceptedasfinal. Anexception tothisPolicymaybegranted ifinthecaseofanejectionofaparticipantfromacontest,thegame/contestofficialmisidentifiestheindividualwhoshouldhave been ejected. Therequesttoreviewthemisidentifiedplayermustbesubmittedto theOSSAAinwriting.
13. Whenplay-offtournamentsaredelayed,teamsareexpectedtoplaytwogamesinonedayinorderthatarepresentativebedetermined asearlyasfeasible. Inanemergencysituation,SundayafternoonshallbeusedunlessyourschooldoesnotallowSundayplay Sundayplaycanbeginafter2:00p.m.
14. Teamsmayplaythreegamesinonedaybymutualagreement.
15. All play-off tournaments must be played in one day or consecutive days unless weather conditions dictate otherwise. Schools are encouragedto completethetournament(s)asearly inthetournamentweekaspossible.
16. Graduations, proms, banquets, etc., should not be scheduled to conflict with the playoffs. All state tournament qualifiers should contact the OSSAA office as soon as possible to inform of any potential conflicts on the days of the scheduled state tournament. All conflicts may not be avoided, but every effort will be made to accommodate as many schools as possible when the state tournament is delayed becauseofinclementweather.
17. Therewillbenodelayin startingOSSAAplay-offtournamentsifthepreviousplay-offtournamentsarecompleted.
18. The tournament chairman shall furnish at least a No. 2 grade baseball in the playoffs, which is to be used throughout the tournament. WilsonistheofficialballforallOSSAAbaseballplayoffcontests.
19. Trophieswill beawarded to thewinnersof thedistrict tournaments, winnersand runners-up of the fall regionaltournaments, winnersof thespringregionaltournaments,andtothewinnerandrunner-upatthestatetournament. Individualawardswillbegivento membersof theStaterunner-upandchampionshipteams.
20. Tobaccoshallnotbeusedbyplayers,coaches,orumpireswhileonthefieldduring theplayingofgames.
21. PleaseseetheAthleticDirectororPrincipalforprecautionaryrecommendationsregardingAIDSandHepatitisB.
22. Teamsarerestrictedtoaten(10)minutetimelimitduringallplayoffgamesforinfieldpractice.
23. Teamsarerestrictedtotheirdugoutareawhiletheopposingteamistakinginfieldpractice.
24. State rules meetings are mandatory for head coaches. If you are unable to attend one of the face-to-face meetings, the meeting is also availableon line atwww.ossaa.com, click on theSportspage, then baseball link for instructions. Proof thatyouhavecompleted the onlinerulesmeetingmustbesubmittedtotheOSSAA. RefertoOSSAABoardPolicyIV.
25. Determininghometeamin all OSSAAplayoffgamesshallbedeterminedbycoin toss. (Coachesmay agreeonhometeamwithoutcoin toss.)
26. OSSAARule16,Section5C: Theseasonforallsportsshallclosewithitsstatechampionshiptournamentormeet. Exceptthatifagame ormeetispostponedandnodateisopentoplaythepostponedgameormeet,theBoardofDirectorsshallhavejurisdictionindetermining whethertheseasonmaybeextended.
27. Noschoolsponsoredsummerleaguegamesmaybeplayedaftertheendofseasonandbeforetheendofschool.
XI. TEAMMEMBERSLEAVINGBENCHORDUGOUTAREA
A. The OSSAA Board of Directorsat their April 19, 1995, meeting adopted the following definition offighting for all OSSAAsponsored activities: "Fightingisdefined,butisnotlimitedto,anyplayerornon-player(benchpersonnel)strikinganopponentwitharm(s),leg(s) foot (feet), or other object(s); attempting to strike an opponent with arm(s), leg(s), foot (feet), or other object(s), regardless if there is contact with an opponent; or instigating a fight by committing an act(s) that causes an opponent to retaliate by fighting related to an OSSAA sponsored activity in which the players and non-players are participating. A player or non-player who retaliates by fighting is inviolationofthefightingrule. Thefightingrulewillapplytopre-contestandpost-contestsponsoredactivities."
B. Anysubstituteorteammemberwholeavestheteambench(footballplayerleavingtheteambox,baseballorsoftballplayerleavingthe dugout,basketballplayerorwrestlerleavingtheteambench,etc.)andenterstheplayingareaduringafightoranyotherserious unsportsmanlikeactshallbeejected. Thoseplayersorteammembersidentifiedbygameofficials,schooladministrators,orvideotape willbesuspendedaminimumofonegameiftheywerenotinvolvedinthealtercationsandaminimumoftwogamesiftheywere involvedinthealtercation. Thisruleappliestobothregularseasonandplay-offgames. Thesuspensionappliestoindividuals/teams onthesamelevelofcompetition;i.e.,varsitytoavarsitygame,juniorvarsitytoajuniorvarsitygame,etc. Anyadditionalpenaltiesby theNationalFederationRuleBookandtheOSSAARulesandRegulationsHandbookwouldalsoapply. Therulewouldapplytoall OSSAAsponsoredactivities.
C. Anystudentinvolveddirectlyorindirectlyforfightingoranyotherseriousunsportsmanlikeactasecondtimeduringtheseasonshall besuspendedfortheremainderoftheseason.
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D. Itismandatorythatallheadcoachesremindhis/herteamthatfightingduringthepostgamehandshakingceremoniesorconducting themselvesin an unsportsmanlike mannerafterthegame willbe severely penalized. The head coach and teamwill besubjectto additional suspension penalties beyond the normal penalties imposed on fighting and unsportsmanlike acts that occur during the contest. Injuries have occurred because of fans climbing over walls and fences, being trampled, or participating in dog-pile celebrations, etc. at the conclusion of a contest. Therefore, school administrators should be aware that if their student body and fanscomeonto theplayingareaafteracontest,penaltiesmaybeimposed.
XII. COACHESCONDUCT
A. Theschooladministrationshoulddesignateaqualifiedcoachthatshallbeinchargeofcontestants.
B. When an official banishes a coach or sponsor from the vicinity ofthe game or contest and there is no other qualified assistant or faculty member (according to OSSAA and SDE mandates) present to assume full responsibility of the team or organization, the gameorcontestmustbeforfeited. Anyschoolinviolationshallbeplacedonwarning.
C. Any time a coach is ejected from a game, meet, or contest, the Board of Directors, through the Executive Director, will require thatthecoachnotbeallowedtooccupyhis/hernormalcoachingpositionduringthenextgame,meet,orcontestinwhichthatteam participates. NOTE: Thisincludesbeinginthepressboxduringthegame,dressingroomafterthegamebegins,andcourtbefore andduringthegame. Thecoachistosendnoinstructionstohis/herteamoncethegamebegins. Anytimeacoachisejectedfrom agame, meetor contest for a secondtimeduring the same season, thecoach will besuspended fromcoaching untilreinstated by theOSSAABoardofDirectors.
D. Whenanathleticcoachremoveshis/herteamfromtheplayingarea,thegameorcontestshallbeforfeited,andtheschoolorteam automaticallyplacedon probation.
E. In addition, any coach who has been ejected from an OSSAA contest will be required to complete the NFHS Teaching and ModelingBehaviorcourse. Thiscoursemustbecompletedwithinseven(7)daysafterbeingejected. Thecoachcanbereinstated afterverificationofhis/hercompletionofthecourseandanysit-outtimethatisrequiredbyOSSAArules.
F. OSSAABoardPolicyIV-Coaches:TheOSSAABoardofDirectorsauthorizedtheimplementationofCoachesEducationProgram. Allfirst-yearathleticcoachesandanyadjunct/volunteerathleticpersonnelwillberequiredtocompletetheNFHSFundamentalof Coaching course prior to their participation as a coach in any OSSAA regular season contest. The course is available online at www.nfhlearn.com.
G. STATE RULES MEETING REQUIREMENTS FOR COACHES-Each head coach of all varsity teams shall attend an OSSAA staterulesmeeting forthatsport forthecurrentschoolyear. Iftheheadcoachdoesnotattend ameeting, anonlinerulesmeeting is available at www.ossaa.com. Written verification of the online rules meeting must be submitted to the OSSAA. All head coaches of fall activities must complete their state rules meeting by September 1st, all head coaches of winter activities must completetheirrulesmeetingbyDecember1st,andallheadcoachesofspringactivitiesmustcompletetheirstaterulesmeetingby March1st. Thepenaltyforfailuretoattendastaterulesmeetingortocompleteanonlinerulesmeetingandproperdocumentation submitted to the OSSAA office by the prescribed deadlines, will result in the school suspending the head coach for all interscholastic competition until the coach is in compliance and proper documentation has been submitted and verified by the OSSAA.
H. All coachesin grades7-12 arerequired to completethe on-lineconcussion management video andHeatIllnessPreventionvideo atwww.nfhslearn.com. Schoolsareresponsibleforimplementingasystemtomakesuretheircoachesareincompliancewiththe regulation.
I. PublicCriticism. Anyschoolrepresentativewhopubliclycriticizesacontestofficial,ormembersoftheOSSAAStafforBoard of Directorsand any contest officialwhopublicly criticizesaschool representative, ormembersoftheOSSAAStaffor Boardof Directorsinconnectionwithacontest,meet,ortournamentissubjecttosanctions. Thememberschoolrepresentedbyanindividual who publicly criticizes acontest official may also besubjectto sanctions if theschoolfails totakeappropriateactionin response totheschoolrepresentative’spubliccriticismofthecontestofficial. Thesanctionscouldincludewarningorsuspension. Publiccriticismincludes,butisnotlimitedto,commentsmadetothemediaorduringabroadcastedevent,andcomments madeinapublicforum.
J. AnytimeacoachwhodoesnotholdavalidOklahomateachingcertificate(layorvolunteercoach)isejectedfromacontest forunsportsmanlikeconduct,includingbutnotlimitedtoarguingacall,languageorgesturesdirectedtowardagame officialwillberequiredtocompletetheNFHSTeachingandModelingBehaviorcoursewithinseven(7)daysoftheejection, thecoursecanbefoundatNFHSLearn.com.Additionally,personnelnotholdingavalidOklahomateachingcertificatemust meetwitharepresentativeoftheOSSAApriortobeingreinstatedtocoachtheschoolteam.Aschooladministratorwill alsoberequiredtoattendthemeeting.
XIII. VIOLATIONSOFCONSTITUTION,RULES,REGULATIONSOROSSAAPOLICIES
WhenaviolationofOSSAA’sConstitution,Rules,Regulations,orPolicieshasbeendeterminedtohaveoccurred,the ExecutiveDirectorisauthorizedtoimposesanctionsorremedies,whichmayincludesuspendingacoachorother schoolpersonnelfromcoachingand/oractivityprogrammanagementresponsibilities,orimposinglimitsorconditions onthosecoachingand/oractivitymanagementresponsibilities.
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XIV. EMERGENCYACTIONPLAN
AnytimeamemberschoolishostingaplannedactivityataschoolfacilitytheremustbeanEmergencyActionPlaninplace. Theplanmustbesharedwithanyvisitingschool. AnEmergencyActionPlan,orEAP,isaformalwrittenplan,developed bythehostsite,thatidentifiespotentialemergencyconditionsattheeventsiteandprescribestheprocedurestobefollowed tominimizeorpreventlossoflifeandproperty.
XV. HAZING
Hazingincidentshavenoplaceintheactivityprogramsofourmember schools.TheOSSAAencourageseachmember schooltodevelopprocedurestoinformtheir studentsthatthistypeofbehaviorisnotacceptableandshouldnotbetolerated.
XVI. TAUNTING
Anyformoftauntingwhichisintendedordesignedtoanger,bait,embarrass,ridicule,ordemeanothersissubjecttopenalty.
FALLBASEBALLREGULATIONS
GENERALRULESANDREGULATIONS
A. TheseasonmaybeginonAugust7orwhenschoolstarts,whicheverisfirst.
B. Complete the Fall Baseball entry on-line on or before August15, 2023. The Fall Baseball entry form is locatedon the Sports page (baseballlink)oftheossaa.comwebsite
C. Onlyschoolsnotplayingfootballareeligibletoenterthefallbaseballplay-offseries.
D. Fall Baseball playing schools will be divided evenly between Class A and Class B with the largest number of schools in Class B if the numbers are not even. Schools adding or dropping Fall Baseball after the date classifications are released will not affect any classifications.(NOTE:Co-op baseballteamswillbeplacedin theclassificationin whichthecombinedADMofthetwoco-opschools placesthem.)
E. No school will be allowed to enter into a co-op agreement in any sport that is offered by that particular school at any time during the school year. (See OSSAA Rule 22 for details on co-op agreement) The OSSAA Board of Directors may make exceptions in circumstancescausedbyannexationorconsolidation.
F. Schoolsparticipatinginfallbaseballarenotallowedtoparticipateagainstnon-schoolteams.
G. District representatives in Classes A and B shall be determined by September 23, 2023. The tournament shall be played in one day or consecutivedaysunlessweatherconditionsdictateotherwise. Alistoftheteamsthatcompriseadistrictwillbepostedontheossaa.com website onorbeforeSeptember8, 2023. TheAssociation shall setthesiteordetermine astohowtheselection is made. Theprincipal ordesigneeoftheplayingsiteshallactaschairman. ThechairmanshouldcallameetingoftheschoolsassignednotpriortoSeptember 13,2023, andnot laterthanSeptember15,2023. Theyshalldrawup brackets, agreeonumpiresand plan forthedistricttournamentin general. Therecords of wins and losses should be through September 12, 2023. (NOTE: No teamshall be seeded that has not played atleast15games.) FallBaseballschoolswillranktheirrespectiveclassweekly,withthefirstrankingtobereleasedonAugust21,2023 andtheFinalRankingtobereleasedSeptember18,2023.
H. Coaches may send a list of five officials you would recommend for use in the fall state tournament by email to the OSSAA Fall BaseballAdministrator.
I. Double elimination should be used in both Classes A and B through the district playoffs. Two-team tournament districts shall refer to GeneralBaseballRegulationsinthismanualunderOSSAAPlayoffTournamentSectionX-1. Forthreeteamtournamentdistricts,shall refer to OSSAA Playoff Tournaments Section X-2. Four team tournament districts shall refer to OSSAA Playoff Tournament section X-3. The OSSAA would encourage teams involved to work cooperatively with other schools if the majority wish to change the tournamenttimesanddates. Theformatmaynotbechanged.
J. DistrictwinnersshouldphonetheAssociationoffice(405)840-1116 after suchdistricts arecompleted withtheresults from thedistrict tournament.
K. Bothclasseswillbeassignedfourregionaltournamentsto beplayedonSeptember28,29,andSeptember30,2023,aFormat2bracket shouldbeused.
L. TheActivitiesAssociationforstatechampionshipgamesshallassignthefourregionalwinners,alongwiththefourconsolationwinners. The State Tournament will beplayed on October 5, 6, 7, 2023. The four regional winners will be seeded based on the final ranking in OSSAARankings. Thefour regional runners-up willbeplacedoppositein thebracket fromtheir regionalchampion and seeded based ontheirfinalrankinginOSSAARankings. TheFinalRankingswillbefromSeptember18,2023.
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Format2Bracket
(FallBaseball,2-team Advance,OSSAAwillestablishactualgameorderwhenbracketsarereleased) Regional
#1Seed
LoserGame1
GAME4
GAME1 WinnerGame1
#4Seed Day1
GAME3
Day2 #3Seed Day1 WinnerGame3
Advancesto state
LoserGame2
GAME2 WinnerGame2
#2Seed Day1
WinnerGame4
GAME5 WinnerGame5
Day2 Advancesto state LoserGame3
M. The game shall end when, after five innings of a seven-inning game, a team is ten (10) or more runs behind and has completed turn at bat. (EXCEPTION: State Tournament games will be seven innings unless the run rule is in effect. Otherwise, it will be a suspended game.)
N. Teamsarelimitedto22 playersinanyplay-offgameinClassesAandB.
O. Pleaseseethegeneralbaseballregulationsforotherinformation.
P. DetermininghometeaminallOSSAAplayoffgamesshallbedeterminedbycoin toss. (Coachesmayagreeonhometeamwithoutcoin toss.)
SPRINGBASEBALLREGULATIONS
I. CLASSIFICATION
A. Schoolswillbeclassifiedinthefollowingmannerforspringbaseball:
1. 6A - 32largestschools
2. 5A - Next32largestschools
3. 4A - Next64largestschools
4. 3A - Next64largestschools
5. 2A - Next64largestschools
6. A - Next96largestschools
7. B - Allremainingschools
B. Note: Beginning with the 2021-2022school year,3A-4A-5A-6Aschools will remain inthe same classfor two consecutive years. CoopbaseballteamswillbeplacedintheclassificationinwhichthecombinedADMofthetwoco-op schoolsplacesthem. Classification ofotherschoolscouldchangedueto theco-ops.
II. EXPENSE-STATEBASEBALLTOURNAMENT
OSSAABoardofDirectorswilldeterminebaseballreimbursements.
III. CLASSES2A,AANDBBASEBALLREGULATIONS
A. Complete the Spring Baseball entry form on-line on or before February 1, 2024. The Spring Baseball entry form is located on the Sportspage(baseballlink)oftheossaa.comwebsite.
B. Schoolsaredividedinto Classes2A,AandBforthebaseballchampionshipseriesandareassignedbyclasstothirty-twodistrictseach. Eachschoolmustcompeteinitsownclass.
C. DistrictrepresentativesinClassesAandBshallbedeterminedbyApril20,2024. DistrictrepresentativesinClass2Ashallbedetermined by April27,2024. Thetournament shall beplayed in oneday ortwo consecutive daysunless weather conditionsdictateotherwise. A list of teams that comprise a district tournament will be posted on the ossaa.com website on or before April 5 for Classes A and B and April12forClass2A. TheAssociation shallsetthesiteordetermineastohowtheselectionismade. Theprincipalorathleticdirector oftheplayingsiteshallactaschairman. ThechairmanshouldcallameetingoftheschoolsassignedonApril10or11forClassesAand B and on April 17 or 18 forClass2A. They shalldrawbrackets, agreeonumpiresandplanforthedistrict tournamentin general. The record of winsandlossesshould bethrough April9 for Aand Band April 16 for Class 2A. (NOTE: No team shall beseeded thathas not played at least 15 games.) Spring Baseball schools in Class 2A, A, and B will rank their respective class weekly, with the first ranking to be released on March 4, 2024. Class A-B District pairings will be based on the rankings from April 1, 2024 and Class 2A DistrictpairingswillbebasedontherankingsfromApril8,2024.
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The 32 remaining teams after District play will rank the remaining teams for Regional Tournaments, with Class A-B having theirrankingssubmittedbynoononApril21,2024andClass2AhavingtheirrankingssubmittedbynoononApril28,2024.
D. SchoolswinningdistrictchampionshipsshallnotifytheAssociationofficeassoonasdistrictrepresentativesaredetermined.
E. WilsonistheofficialballoftheOSSAA. TheballmusthaveNOCSAEstamp.
F. Doubleeliminationshallbeusedin districtsandregionals.
G. DistrictplaysitesshallbedeterminedbytheAssociation. Thehostschoolshallfurnishtheballsandumpiresafterrecommendationsare madefromcompetingschoolsonsuchumpires.
H. Four teams will be assigned to each of the eight regional tournaments. The district in, which a team hasplayed, willnot determine the regionaltournamenttowhichitwillbeassigned. Theregionaltournamentwillbeseededaccordingtothetop20teamslistedonOSSAA rankingsfromthefinalrankings.
#1Seed-HighestRatedTeam
#2Seed-SecondHighestRatedTeam
#3Seed-ThirdHighestRatedTeam
#4Seed-FourthHighestRatedTeam
The#1seedwillplay#4seed;the#2seedwillplay#3seed.
(NOTE: Ifteamsarenotratedinthetop20ofOSSAArankingstheywillbeseededaccordingtorecord. Teamsthatarenotratedshall notbeseededhigherthanratedteams,regardlessofrecords. 15gamesminimumrequiredtobeseeded.)
I. Teamsarelimitedto22 playersinanyplay-offgame.
J. These schools will be assigned to eight different regionals, which will be double elimination. SeeFormat 1 Bracket. All regionalsare scheduled to begin on Thursday with four games on Thursday, two games on Friday, and one game (if necessary) on Saturday, with Sundaybeingamake-updayifeveryoneagreespriortothetournamentbeginning. Regionaltournamenttimesanddatesmaybechanged by mutual agreement. The OSSAA would encourage teams involved to work cooperatively with other schools if the majority wish to changeregionaltournamenttimesanddates. Allregionaltournamentsmustbescheduledforconsecutivedays. TheOSSAAofficeshall benotifiedofanychangeintheregionalbracket.
K. Theten-runruleisineffectforallOSSAAplayoffgames. TimesanddatesforRegionalplaymaybechanged withunanimousapproval ofallteams. Theformatofthetournamentwillremainthesame. (PlayoffgamesmaybeplayedonWednesdays.) Regionalplaymay startasearlyasTuesdayofthescheduled date.
REGIONALBRACKET(FORMAT1)
(OSSAAwillestablishactualgameorderwhenbracketsarereleased) #1Seed
Seed GAME4 GAME3 Winner3 Thursday #3Seed Thursday 6:30pm 4:00pm GAME6 GAME2 Friday Loser2 Thursday Winner2 6:30pm GAME7 1:30pm #2Seed Saturday 2:00 pm Winneradvances Winnergame5 (Ifnecessary) tostate Winnergame4 GAME5 Friday 4:00pm
Losergame3
L. Theeightregionalwinnerswillbeassignedtothestatechampionships,whichwillbesingleelimination.
M. Determining hometeamin allOSSAAplayoffgamesshall bedetermined bycointoss. (Coachesmay agreeonhometeamwithoutcoin toss.)
N. Play-offsitesinallroundsmusthavelights
IV. CLASSES3A-4ABASEBALL
REGULATIONS
A. Complete the Spring Baseball entry form on-line on or before February 1, 2024. The Spring Baseball entry form is located on the Sportspage(baseballlink)oftheossaa.comwebsite.
B. Therewillbeeight8-teamdistrictsbeginningwiththe2019-20schoolyear. Districtswillbeforatwo-yearcycle. The2023-2024school yearisyearoneofthetwo-yearcycle.
C. DistrictgamesshallbecompletedbyApril20,2024. RegionalTournamentsshallconcludebyApril27,2024.
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GAME1 Loser1 Thursday Winner1 11:00am #4
D. SchoolswinningregionalchampionshipsshallnotifytheOSSAAofficeassoonasgamesarecompleted.
E. Doubleeliminationshallbeusedin regionalandareatournaments.
F. Regional play sites shall be determined by district finish. Host site shall be atthe siteof the higherdistrict finisheror at a site mutually agreed. Play-offsitesmusthavelights.
G. Teamsarelimitedto 22playersinanyplay-offgame.
H. Regional Tournaments will be double elimination. See Regional Bracket. All regionals are scheduled to begin on Thursday with four gamesonThursday,twogamesonFriday,andonegame(ifnecessary)onSaturday,withSundaybeingamake-updayifeveryoneagrees prior to the tournament beginning. Regional tournament times and dates may be changed by mutual agreement. The format of the tournamentwillremainthesame.(Play-offgamesmaybeplayedonWednesdays.) RegionalplaymaystartasearlyasTuesdayofthe scheduled week. The OSSAA would encourage teams involved to work cooperatively with other schools. All regionals must be scheduledforconsecutivedays. TheOSSAAofficeshallbenotifiedofany changeintheregionalbracket.
I. Theten-run ruleisineffectforallOSSAAplayoffgames.
J. The16regionalwinnerswillbeassignedtotheAreaTournamentwhichwillbeatwooutofthreeseries.
K. Determiningthehometeamin allOSSAAplayoffgamesshallbedetermined by cointoss. (Coachesmay agreeonhometeamwithout coin toss.)
PLAY-OFFSTRUCTUREFORCLASSES3A-4A
1. Districtstanding: Districtstanding willbedeterminedbyapercentageofgameswon/lostindistrictplay. Incasetwoormoreteamsare tiedinpercentageofgameswon/lostindistrictplay,thehighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingsandthenexthighestavailable position(s)inthedistrictstandingshallbedeterminedin thefollowingmanner:
Whentwoteamsaretiedinpercentageofdistrictgameswonandlost,thehighestpositionavailableinthedistrictstandingswill gototheteamthatwonovertheotherindistrictplay.(Intheeventtheteamssplitthegamesplayedbetweeneachotherindistrict play,theteamwiththehighestmarginalpointtotalinthetwogamesplayedbetweenthetwotiedteamswillbegiventhehighest positioninthestandings. Marginalpointswillbethedifferenceinscore.Winnerswilladdthedifferenceinscoretotheir marginalpointtotalandloserswillsubtractthedifferenceinscorefromtheirmarginalpointtotal.Noteamwilladdmorenor subtractmorethantenpointsin anydistrictgame.(Intheeventofanextrainninggame,thewinnerwillreceive1marginalpoint andtheloserwilldeduct1marginalpoint.) Intheeventthetwoteamshavetiedinmarginalpointstheteamthatwonthelast gameofdistrictplaybetweenthetwotiedteamswillbegiventhehighestpositioninthedistrictstanding.Theteamthatlosttothe othertiedteamwillbegiventhenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandings.
Whenthreeormoreteamsaretiedinpercentageofdistrictgameswon andlost,thehighestpositionavailableinthedistrict standingswillgototheteamthatwonovertheothertiedteamsindistrictplay.Thenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrict standingswillgototheteamthatwonovertheremaining tiedteam(s)indistrictplay. Thisprocedureshallcontinueuntilall availablepositionsarefilled.
Whenthreeormoreteamsaretiedinpercentageofgameswonandlostindistrictplay,andnoteamisthewinnerovertheother tiedteamsinpercentageofgameswonandlostindistrictplay,therepresentative(s)forthehighestavailableposition(s)inthe districtstandingsshallbedeterminedby:
a) Theteamwith thehighestwinningpercentageingamesbetweenthetiedteamsshallbegiventhehighestavailableposition. The nexthighestpercentageshallreceivethenextposition.
b) Ifteamsaretiedinwinningpercentageamonggamesplayedwithtiedteamsthenmarginalpointswillbeusedtobreakthetie. Totalthemarginalpointseachtiedteamhadingamesbetweenthetiedteams.Marginalpointswillbethedifferenceinscore. Winnerswilladdthedifferenceinscoretotheirmarginalpointtotalandloserswillsubtractthedifferenceinscorefromtheir marginalpointtotal.Noteamwilladdmorenorsubtractmorethantenpointsinanydistrictgame.Theteamwith thegreatest numberofmarginalpointswilloccupythehighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandings.Theteamwhichhasthenext greatestnumberofmarginalpointswilloccupythenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandings.Thisprocedureshall continueuntilallavailablepositionsarefilled.Anytimetwoteamsaretiedin marginalpoints,refertotheprocessforbreakinga two-teamtie.
c) Intheeventtiescannotbebrokenbythecriteriaabove,thehighestavailablepositionin thedistrictstandingsshallbedetermined bylot.Afterlothasdecidedthehighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingswhenthreeteamsaretiedinmarginalpoints, thenexthighestavailableposition inthedistrictstandingswillgototheteamthatwonovertheothertiedteamindistrictplay. Whenfourormoreteamsaretiedin marginalpoints,thehighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingswillbedecidedbylot. Thenexthighestavailableposition inthedistrictstandingswillgototheteamthatwonovertheothertwotiedteamsindistrict play.Ifthenextavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingscannotbedeterminedbywhowonovertheothertiedteams,thenlot willdeterminethenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandings.Theremainingtiedteamswilldeterminetheirdistrict standingpositionby whichteamwonthelastgameovertheotherindistrictplay.
Shoulditbecomenecessaryforapositiontobedeterminedbylot,theOSSAAwillcallameeting oftheinvolvedschoolsand conductthenecessaryproceduretodeterminetheposition.
2. Forfeited/CanceledDistrictGames
a) Aforfeitureofadistrictgamewillrequiretheforfeitingteamtosubtract10 marginalpointspergameforfeitedfromtheir marginalpointtotal. Theteamreceiving theforfeitwillgain10 marginalpointsforeachgameforfeited. Forfeitureonlyaffects
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thetwoteamsinvolved. AllotherstandingforotherteamsintheDistrictwillremain. Anytimeateamforfeitsagame,theteam willautomaticallybeplacedonprobation. Probationstatusprohibitstheteamfromparticipating ininvitationaltournamentsand anypost-seasoncontest. AteamplacedonprobationhastherighttoappealtheirstatustotheOSSAAstaff.
b) Ascheduleddistrictgamethatiscanceledwillbetreatedasaforfeitedcontest.
c) Intheeventthatare-scheduledgame(s)cannotbeplayedpriortoApril20,2024,there-scheduledgameshavenoimpactonthefinal districtstandingsforeitherteamandbothteamsagreenottoplaythecontest(s);theteamsinvolvedmayseekapprovalfromthe OSSAAto eliminatethosecontest(s)fromthedistrictschedulewithoutdeclaringforfeiture
d) Make-uporrescheduleddistrictgames should takepriorityovernon-districtgames. Thesegames should bescheduledassoonas possibleafterpostponementtoavoidmultiplerescheduledgamesattheendoftheseason.
3. OnWeek44oftheOSSAAcalendarforBaseball,the3A-4AAreaTournamentswilltakeplaceinatwooutofthreeseries.
4. Regionalplaywillbedoubleeliminationformatwithseedingdeterminedbydistrictstandings. Referto Diagram3. Hostsitesshallbeat thesiteofthehighestdistrictfinisheroratasitemutuallyagreedupon. RefertoFormat1Bracket.
5. AreaTournamentchampionswilladvancetotheStateTournamentandbeplacedonthesingleeliminationbracket..
6. Intheeventlessthanfourteamsareassignedtoaregional,refertoOSSAABaseballRegulationsX,Number2fora3-teambracketand OSSAABaseballRegulationsX,Number1fortwoteams.
7. TimesanddatesforRegionalplaymaybechangedwithunanimousapprovalofallteams. Theformatofthetournamentwillremain the same. Wednesdayplayispermittedinplayoffgames.
8. Play-offsitesin allroundsmusthavelights.
Classes3A-4ABaseballRegulations
Allteamswillbeplacedinaregionalbasedontheirdistrictfinish. Regionalwinnerswilladvancetotheareatournamentround. Area teamswouldberanked1-16bytheparticipatingcoachesandwouldplayabest-of-threeserieshostedbythehighestrankedteam.Area winnerswilladvancetotheStateTournamentandwouldbeseededbasedon therankingsfromthearearound.
DistrictFormat:
Nochangetothecurrenteight-teamdistrictformat.
RegionalFormat:
Regionaltournamentswillbedoubleeliminationwithseedingbasedondistrictstandings. Allteamsareplacedinaregionalbasedontheirfinishindistrictplay. Regionaltournamentswouldbeseededlike5A/6A(1,4,5,8and2,3,6,7) Highestseededdistrictfinisherineach regionalwillhost. RegionalChampionsadvancetoArearound.
Regionaltournamentswillbedesignatedasfollows:
Regional1 Regional9
District1 winnerplaysDistrict4number8
District2number4playsDistrict3number5
District5winnerplaysDistrict8number8
District6number4playsDistrict7number5
Regional2 Regional10
District1 runnerupplaysDistrict4number7
District2number3playsDistrict3number6
District5runnerupplaysDistrict8number7
District6number3playsDistrict7number6
Regional3 Regional11
District2 winnerplaysDistrict3number8
District1number4playsDistrict4number5
District6winnerplaysDistrict7number8
District5number4playsDistrict8number5
Regional4 Regional12
District2 runnerupplaysDistrict3number7
District1number3playsDistrict4number6
District6runnerupplaysDistrict7number7
District5number3playsDistrict8number6
Regional5 Regional13
District3 winnerplaysDistrict2number8
District4number4playsDistrict1number5
District7winnerplaysDistrict6number8
District8number4playsDistrict5number5
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Regional6
District3 runnerupplaysDistrict2number7
District4number3playsDistrict1number6
Regional14
District7runnerupplaysDistrict6number7
District8number3playsDistrict5number6
Regional7 Regional15
District4 winnerplaysDistrict1number8
District3number4playsDistrict2number5
District8winnerplaysDistrict5number8
District7number4playsDistrict6number5
Regional8 Regional16
District4 runnerupplaysDistrict1number7
District3number3playsDistrict2number6
Area TournamentFormat:
District8runnerupplaysDistrict5number7
District7number3playsDistrict6number6
AllRegionalChampionsareplacedin an Area. Areateamswillberanked1-16bytheparticipatingcoaches. Arearoundwillbeabest-of-threeserieswiththehigherrankedteamhosting. ThewinneradvancestotheStateTournament.
AreaTournamentswouldbedesignatedasfollows:
#1hosts#16
#2hosts#15
#3hosts#14
#4hosts#13
#5hosts#12
#6hosts#11
#7hosts#10
#8hosts#9
StateTournamentFormat:
AllAreaChampionsareplacedintheStateTournamentbracket. Seedingwouldbebasedontherankingsfromthearearound.
StateTournamentwouldbedesignatedasfollows:
#1seedplays#8seed
#2seedplays#7seed
#3seedplays#6seed
#4seedplays#5seed
V. CLASSES5AAND6ABASEBALLREGULATIONS
A. Complete the Spring Baseball entry form on-line on or before February 1, 2024. The Spring Baseball entry form is located on the Sportspage(baseballlink)oftheossaa.comwebsite.
B. The32schoolswiththelargestADMareinClass6Aandthenext32insizeareinClass5A. Classificationsaredoneinatwoyearcycle.
C. Theten-runruleisineffectforallOSSAAplayoffgames.
D. Determininghometeamin allOSSAAplayoffgamesshallbedeterminedbycointoss. (Coachesmayagreeonhometeamwithout cointoss.)
VI. SUSPENDEDGAMEANDGAMEENDINGPROCEDURES
Aregulationhighschoolbaseballgameendswhentheteambehindinscorehascompleteditsturnatbatintheseventhinning,orany inningthereafterifextrainningsarenecessary. TheNationalFederationnowallowsstatestoadoptgame-endingproceduresforbaseball. ByOklahomaadoption,gamescanbeshortenedbythefollowing:
A. Afterfiveinningsofaseven-inninggame,ateamten(10)ormorerunsbehindhascompleteditsturn atbat. (NOTE: Ifthehome teamisahead ten(10)ormorerunsagamecanendafter4½innings.)
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VII.
B. Ifweather,darknessorothercircumstancesinterferewithplaysothatagameiscalled(ended)bytheumpire,itisaregulationgame provided:(a)fivefullinningshavebeenplayed;orifthehometeamhasscoredagreaternumberofrunsinfourorfouranda fractionturnsatbatthanthevisitingteamhasscoredinfiveturns;or(b)playhasgonebeyondfivefullinningsandiscalledwhen theteamshavenothadanequalnumberofcompletedturnsatbat. Thescoreshallbethesameasitwasattheend ofthelast completedinningunlessthehometeam,initshalfoftheincompleteinningscoresarun(orruns)whichexceedstheopponent’s score,inwhichcase,thefinalscoreshallberecordedwhenthesuspendediscalled. Otherwise,itwillbeasuspendedgame. A suspendedgameshallcontinuefromthepointofsuspensionontheearliestpossibleday,with theline-upandbattingorderforeach teamthesameasitwasatthetimeofsuspension.
NOTEEXCEPTION: Statetournamentgameswillberegulation(7)inninggames,unlesstherunruleisineffect. Otherwise,it willbeasuspendedgame. Asuspendedgameshallcontinuefromthepointofsuspensionontheearliestpossibleday,withthelineupandbattingorderforeachteamthesameasitwasatthetimeofsuspension.
C. AnyfurtherplaymaybeshortenedaccordingtoNationalFederationRules.
CLASS5AAND6ADISTRICTS
Therewillbeeight8-teamdistrictsbeginningwiththe2019-20schoolyear. Districtswillbeforatwo-yearcycle.
Additionally,sincetheremaybeanunevensplitbetweenEastandWestteams,theOSSAAwillselectteamstotraveltoeithertheEastor WestsideoftheState. TheOSSAAwilltakeinputfromschoolswheretheremaybeanimbalanceofteams,buttheOSSAAwillhavethe finalsaywhendeterminingtheEast/Westsplit.
PLAY-OFFSTRUCTUREFORCLASSES5AAND6A
A. Districtstanding: Districtstandingwillbedeterminedbyapercentageofgameswon/lostindistrictplay. Incasetwoormore teamsaretiedinpercentageofgameswon/lostindistrictplay,thehighestavailablepositionin thedistrictstandingsandthenext highestavailableposition(s)in thedistrictstandingshallbedeterminedinthefollowingmanner:
Whentwoteamsaretiedinpercentageofdistrictgameswonandlost,thehighestpositionavailableinthedistrictstandingswill gototheteamthatwonovertheotherindistrictplay.(Intheeventtheteamssplitthegamesplayedbetweeneachotherindistrict play,theteamwiththehighestmarginalpointtotalinthetwogamesplayedbetweenthetwotiedteamswillbegiventhehighest positioninthestandings.) Marginalpointswillbethedifferenceinscore.Winnerswilladdthedifferenceinscoretotheir marginalpointtotalandloserswillsubtractthedifferenceinscorefromtheirmarginalpointtotal.Noteamwilladdmorenor subtractmorethantenpointsin anydistrictgame.(Intheeventofanextrainninggame,thewinnerwillreceive1marginalpoint andtheloserwilldeduct1marginalpoint.) Intheeventthetwoteamshavetiedinmarginalpointstheteamthatwonthelast gameofdistrictplaybetweenthetwotiedteamswillbegiventhehighestpositioninthedistrictstanding. Theteamthatlostto theothertiedteamwillbegiventhenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandings.
Whenthreeormoreteamsaretiedinpercentageofdistrictgameswon andlost,thehighestpositionavailableinthedistrict standingswillgototheteamthatwonovertheothertiedteamsindistrictplay.Thenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrict standingswillgototheteamthatwonovertheremaining tiedteam(s)indistrictplay. Thisprocedureshallcontinueuntilall availablepositionsarefilled.
Whenthreeormoreteamsaretiedinpercentageofgameswonandlostindistrictplay,andno teamisthewinnerovertheother tiedteamsinpercentageofgameswonandlostindistrictplay,therepresentative(s)forthehighestavailableposition(s)inthe districtstandingsshallbedeterminedby:
a) Theteamwiththehighestwinningpercentageingamesbetweenthetiedteamsshallbegiventhehighestavailableposition. The nexthighestpercentageshallreceivethenextposition.
b) Ifteamsaretiedinwinningpercentageamonggamesplayedwithtiedteamsthenmarginalpointswillbeusedtobreak thetie. Totalthemarginalpointseachtiedteamhadingamesbetweenthetiedteams.Marginalpointswillbethedifferenceinscore. Winnerswilladdthedifferenceinscoretotheirmarginalpointtotalandloserswillsubtractthedifferenceinscorefromtheir marginalpointtotal.Noteamwilladdmorenorsubtractmorethantenpointsinanydistrictgame.Theteamwiththegreatest numberofmarginalpointswilloccupythehighestavailablepositionin thedistrictstandings.Theteamwhichhasthenext greatestnumberofmarginalpointswilloccupythenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandings.Thisprocedureshall continueuntilallavailablepositionsarefilled.Anytimetwoteamsaretiedin marginalpoints,refertotheprocessforbreakinga two-teamtie.
c) Intheeventtiescannotbebrokenbythecriteriaabove,thehighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingsshallbedetermined bylot.Afterlothasdecidedthehighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingswhenthreeteamsaretiedin marginalpoints, thenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingswillgototheteamthatwonovertheothertiedteamindistrictplay. Whenfourormoreteamsaretiedinmarginalpoints,thehighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingswillbedecidedbylot Thenexthighestavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingswillgototheteamthatwonovertheothertwotiedteamsindistrict play.Ifthenextavailablepositioninthedistrictstandingscannotbedeterminedbywhowonovertheothertiedteams,thenlot willdeterminethenexthighestavailablepositionin thedistrictstandings.Theremainingtiedteamswilldeterminetheirdistrict standing positionbywhichteamwon thelastgameovertheotherindistrictplay. Shoulditbecomenecessaryforapositiontobe
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determinedbylot,theOSSAAwillcallameetingoftheinvolvedschoolsandconductthenecessaryproceduretodeterminethe position.
B Forfeited/CanceledDistrictGames
a. Aforfeitureofadistrictgamewillrequiretheforfeitingteamtosubtract10marginalpointspergameforfeitedfromtheir marginalpointtotal. Theteamreceivingtheforfeitwillgain10marginalpointsforeachgameforfeited. Forfeitureonly affectsthetwoteamsinvolved. AllotherstandingforotherteamsintheDistrictwillremain. Anytimeateamforfeitsa game,theteamwillautomaticallybeplacedonprobation. Probationstatusprohibitstheteamfromparticipatingin invitationaltournamentsandanypost-seasoncontest. Ateamplacedonprobationhastherighttoappealtheirstatustothe OSSAAstaff.
b. Ascheduleddistrictgamethatiscanceledwillbetreatedasaforfeitedcontest.
c. Intheeventthatare-scheduledgame(s)cannotbeplayedpriortoApril27,2024,there-scheduledgameshavenoimpact onthefinaldistrictstandingsforeitherteamandbothteamsagreenottoplaythecontest(s);theteamsinvolvedmayseek approvalfromtheOSSAAtoeliminatethosecontest(s)fromthedistrictschedulewithoutdeclaringforfeiture.
d. Make-uporrescheduleddistrictgames should takepriorityovernon-districtgames. Thesegames should bescheduledas soonaspossibleafterpostponementtoavoidmultiplerescheduledgamesattheendoftheseason.
C. OnWeek44oftheOSSAAcalendarforBaseball,eachteamwillbeassignedtooneofeight4-teamregionalstodeterminetheeight regionalchampionsthatwilladvancetotheStateTournament,seeDiagram1.
D. Regionalplaywillbedoubleelimination formatwithseedingdeterminedbydistrictstandings. Referto Diagram1. Hostsiteswill beDistrictchampionsandDistrictRunner-Ups.(Thesitemaybechangedifagreeduponby all teamsintheRegional.)Referto Format1Bracket
E. RegionalchampionswilladvancetotheStateTournamentandplacedonthesingleeliminationbracketperDiagram2.
F. Intheeventlessthanfourteamsareassignedtoaregional,refertoOSSAABaseballRegulationsX,Number2fora3-teambracket andOSSAABaseballRegulationsX,Number1fortwoteams.
G. TimesanddatesforRegionalplaymaybechangedwithunanimousapprovalofallteams. Theformatofthetournamentwillremain thesame. Wednesdayplayispermittedinplayoffgames.
H. Play-offsitesinallroundsmusthavelights.
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Diagram1
District1 andDistrict2(West)
District3 andDistrict4(East)
Regional1-4West
Regional1
District1 winnerplaysDistrict2number8
District2number4playsDistrict1number5
Regional2
District1 runnerupplaysDistrict2number7
District2number3playsDistrict1number6
Regional3
District2 winnerplaysDistrict1number8
District1number4playsDistrict2number5
Regional4
District2 runnerupplaysDistrict1number7
District1number3playsDistrict2number6
Regional5-8East
Regional5
District3winnerplaysDistrict4number8
District4number4playsDistrict3number5
Regional6
District3runnerupplaysDistrict4number7
District4number3playsDistrict3number6
Regional7
District4winnerplaysDistrict3number8
District3number4playsDistrict4number5
Regional8
District4runnerupplaysDistrict3number7
District3number3playsDistrict4number6
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DIAGRAM2—StateBracketforClass5Aand6A
REGIONAL1WINNER
REGIONAL8WINNER
REGIONAL4WINNER
REGIONAL5WINNER
REGIONAL7WINNER
REGIONAL2WINNER
REGIONAL6WINNER
REGIONAL3WINNER
VIII. REGIONALTOURNAMENTDATES
A. ClassesAand B,Classes3Aand4A–April25,26,27,2024
B. Classes2A,5Aand6A–May2,3,4,2024
IX. SPRINGSTATECHAMPIONSHIPDATES
A. ClassesAand B-May2,3,4,2024
B. Classes2A,3A,4A,5Aand6A-May9,10,11,2024
X. STATETOURNAMENTGENERALINFORMATION
A. Coaches may submit a list of five officials to recommend for use in the state tournaments by sending an email to the OSSAA BaseballAdministrator.
B. Therewillbealimitoften(10)minutesperteamforinfieldpractice.
C. Teamsarerestrictedtotheirdugoutareawhiletheopposingteamistakinginfieldpractice.
D. Ifthestatetournamentisplayedonafieldwithatarpandthefieldneedstobecovered,thefollowingstepswillbeused:
1.Thewinningteamfromthefinalgameoftheday willhelpputthetarpinplace.
2.Thetwoteamsscheduledtoplaythefirstgamethenextdaywillarriveearlyattheparkandhelpremovethetarpbeforetheirgame.
E. ThefollowingprocedurewillbeusedfortheawardspresentationaftertheStateChampionshipgame:
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1.Teamswilllineupontheirrespectivebaselineswithinfiveminutesofthefinalout.
2Individualawardsandteamtrophywillbegiventothestaterunner-up.
3.Individualawardsandteamtrophywillbegiventothestatechampion.
4.Anyteamthatreachesthestatechampionshipgameandwishestohavearepresentativefromtheirschoolinvolvedinthetrophy presentationshouldinformtheOSSAAstaffpriortothegameasto whomwillbeinvolved.
XI. COACHES'ETHICSANDPROFESSIONALSTANDARDS
A. Exemplifythehighestmoralcharacter,behaviorandleadership.
B. Respecttheintegrityandpersonalityoftheindividualathlete.
C. Abidebytherulesofthegameinletterandinspirit,regardlessoftheconsequences.
D. Respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials, never baiting or taunting officials in any way, or seeking out an official during halftimeorattheconclusionofacontest.
E. Demonstrateamasteryof,andcontinuinginterestin,coachingprinciplesandtechniquesthroughprofessionalimprovement.
F. Encourageandrespectallathletesand theirvalues.
G. Displaymodestyinvictoryandgraciousnessindefeat.
H. Promoteethicalrelationsamongcoaches.
I. Fulfillresponsibilitiestoprovideemergencyhealthproceduresandensureanenvironmentfreeofobvioussafety hazards.
J. Encouragethehigheststandardsofconductandscholasticachievementamongallathletes.
K. Seektoinstillgoodhealthhabits,includingtheestablishmentofsoundtrainingrules.
L. Strivetodevelopineachathletethequalitiesofleadership,initiativeandgoodjudgment.
M. Achieveathoroughunderstanding andacceptanceoftherulesofthegameandthestandardsofeligibility.
N. Coachesareexpectedtoparticipateintheweekly rankingprocessandpostgameresultsontheOSSAARankingssite.
O. CoachesmusttakeanOSSAABaseballRulesmeetingeachcalendaryear.
XII. EDUCATION-BASEDACTIVITYPROGRAMS
The National Federation of State High School Associations and the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association recognize the numerous potential benefits of participation by students in education-based activities. While education-based activities may differ between the stakeholder groups, all should be centered on optimizing the student’s scholastic activity experience. Studentswillchange,developandexpandabilitiesovertime;coaches,administratorsandparentsshouldnotonly becognizantofthefluidprocess,butalsofosterasafe,positiveenvironmentinwhichdevelopmentcanoccur. Education-based activitiesmustalwaysbeviewedasanevolvingandunpredictablepath.
TheNFHSandtheOSSAArecognizetheinfluentialroleplayedbycoachesanddirectorsinallactivities,andthereforeemphasis shouldbeplacedonthoseindividualstoinstillandreinforcefundamentalsandbestpractices,notonlytominimizeriskbutalso to promote an environment inwhich a student has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. The common goalfor all thestakeholdersinvolvedwitheducation-basedactivitiesshouldbetomaketheexperienceenjoyableandrewardingfortheall.
While our position is not intended to squelch dreams of achieving a college scholarship or professional or Olympic glory, we do place emphasis on the student’s entire scholastic activity experience with the goals of enhancing participation, reducing injury risk, and optimizing performance and success (however defined) during the student’s high school career. The ultimate goal; Producing an individual who is competent, confident, connected to his or her peer group and community, and of high character. This essential principle is at the core of the scholastic activity experience and is fundamental to the mission of the OSSAAandNFHS.
2023-2024
(7:00P.M.)
TheRulesmeetingwillbeconductedviaZOOMonFebruary7,2024,at7p.m. Ifyouare unabletoattendthemeetingviaZOOM,youmayviewthemeetingontheBaseballpageofOSSAA.com onorafterFebruary9,2024.
February7ViaZoom
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BASEBALLRULESMEETING
