and JJ Sports are proud to support this baseball tournament. Click on www.batsbatsbats.com for all of your baseball needs! 22853 Highway 30 North Montpelier, ID 83254 1-888-957-2287 1-208-847-0508 Come visit our showroom during the tournament!

19th Annual 2008 Bear Lake County Invitational Boys All-Star Tournament MONTPELIER, IDAHO July 17th, 18th & 19th, 2008 LETTER FROM THE ORGANIZERS TEAMS REGISTERED & PAID FOR TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT SUMMARY NOTABLE CHANGES TO THE TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT BY-LAWS AND "SHADOW BALL GAME" RULES SPECIAL FEATURES/SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE TEAM ROSTER

LETTER FROM THE ORGANIZERS

To: All-Star Teams

This marks our 19th year of putting on the "Best Little Baseball Tournament in Southeast Idaho." Come prepared to have a great time!

Please find enclosed a schedule and tournament outline, a roster form, and a copy of our tournament rules. Rosters can be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to the tournament director prior to the tournament or delivered by hand prior to your 1st game. (Fax: 208-847-4470)

About a week before our tournament starts you can tell by looking at the tournament schedule on this web-site of the time of your first game. We will try to schedule so that the teams traveling the greatest distance play later on Thursday, but that is not always possible.

Montpelier is a tourist town in the summer so you will probably want to get reservations in advance for motel rooms if you need them. There are many activities in the valley while you are here so please reserve soon. For more information on accommodations, visit www.bearlake.org.

You are welcome to camp in the area near the Allinger Park Pavilion or at any of the beautiful, free campsites located in the Bear Lake Valley, not to mention three State Parks on Bear Lake. RV electrical hook-ups will be available at the Fairgrounds for a $10 fee. Contact us if you want some information on this.

Bring your golf clubs, skateboards/roller blades, and your swimming suits because we have a beautiful golf course, a new skate park, as well as the three State Parks on Bear Lake. We have several events at our tourney, including a Thursday evening game under the lights called "Shadow Ball", hitting and pitching contests, watermelon busts, candy blast and more.

We look forward to seeing you in July. Plan to have a great time at the Bear Lake Baseball Tournament, the "Best Little Baseball Tournament in Southeast Idaho!"

Sincerely,

Sherri Bunn
Tournament Director

Mail Roster to:
Bear Lake Baseball, 14 N. 1st W. Montpelier, ID 83254

Or fax to: 208-847-4470

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TEAMS REGISTERED & PAID FOR TOURNAMENT

The following table constitutes the teams that have registered AND PAID for their reservation in the tournament. No team's reservation is considered confirmed until the registration fees are paid.

There are 16 slots for the 9 & 10 year old teams and 16 slots for the 11 & 12 year old teams. Teams successfully completing these registration requirements are as follows:

* TBA means "To Be Announced".

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TOURNAMENT SUMMARY

19th Annual Bear Lake County
Invitational
All-Star Tournament

July 17, 18, & 19, 2008
Allinger Park
Montpelier, Idaho

Our tournament will be a 16-team tournament for 9-10 year old players and 16-team tournament for 11-12 year old players.

The Entry Fee will be $300 per team to cover the cost of trophies, umpires, etc. 24 of the 32 teams in our Tournament win trophies. We guarantee every team 5 games. We will not reserve a place for your team until we have received your entry fee. This is a hard fast rule with no exceptions. Should something come up that prevents you from coming, contact the tournament directors below. Your entry fee must be received by us to assure you a place in our tournament. Fees are non-refundable. Checks should be made out to: Bear Lake Baseball.

Contacts:

Our tournament will be designed so that all teams will be guaranteed at least five games. All games will be played in our Allinger Park complex (located directly behind Bear Lake High School) and at Wells Stock Park (approximately 1 mile south of the Allinger Complex, adjacent to the National Oregon/California Trail Center.)

The Allinger Park features four baseball diamonds, a pavilion, a soccer field, a skate park, and the High School Football Field and Track. Additionally, the municipal Golf Course is adjacent to the ball diamonds.

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1. We have modified the "head first slide rule" such that we will give one warning per game rather than an automatic out as in the past.
2. Several coaches demand that we have base umps on all their games. Its been our experience that base umps (particularly young base umps) cause as many problems as they solve. The home plate ump is only 60 feet away from most bases in little league and they can generally do a fine job calling all the bases. We will, at our discretion, place base umps on a game but if your team can't live without base umps you need to find a tournament that guarantees base umps.
3. Because we have had trouble collecting fees from people using the Fairgrounds for RV parking and hook ups, it will be necessary to contact the Fairgrounds maintenance man to get admission to the Fairgrounds. You will have to pay your fee prior to admission and the gate will be locked after your RV is parked. You will need to leave your vehicle outside of the Fairgrounds if you are going to need it to travel around during the Tournament.
4. After we post the seeding for the final part of our tournament we are going to allow 15 minues for coaches and mangers to check our accuracy and give us feed back. Seeding will not be finalized until it is announced over the public address system that seeding is finalized. In case we have to change something we ask that each team give us a cell phone number so we can contact the coach or manager to get clarification or let them know of changes. That number can be brought to the announcer's booth or handed to the tournament director prior to the seeding.
5. The top 4 seeded teams from each division will be placed in an upper division bracket and will play each other in a single elimination with a consolation bracket. The next 8 seeded teams will be placed in a middle division bracket and will play each other in a single elmination with a consolation bracket. The final 4 seeded teams will be placed in a lower division bracket and will play each other in a single elimination with a consolation bracket. Seeding will be posted Friday afternoon (exact time to be announced) on the concession stand wall. We will allow 15 minutes for coaches to review the seeding for any errors. After the 15 minute review period elapses, seeding is official and will not be changed.

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TOURNAMENT BY-LAWS AND "SHADOW BALL" GAME RULES

The Bear Lake Invitational Tournament will be run according to conventional baseball rules as interpreted by the tournament committee. A full copy of the rules is available at the tournament. Below are some specifics on our tournament.

1. Rosters: 11-12 year old division (Majors) and 9-10 year old division (Minors). No more than 15 players on a team.

2. Pitchers will be limited to 3 innings per game. One pitch thrown in an inning constitutes an inning pitched. Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, he may not re-enter that game as a pitcher.

3. A second trip to the same pitcher by the coach in the same inning will cause the pitcher's automatic removal. The coach is prohibited from making a second visit while the same batter is at bat.

4. The age cut-off date will by April 30th. Whatever age the ball player will be on April 30thst will be considered his playing age.

5. Pool games will be scheduled 6 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes. No new inning shall begin after 1 hour 30 min. Tournament games will be scheduled 6 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes, with no new inning beginning after 1 hour 30 minutes. If an inning is started, it will be completed. When the last out is made in the bottom of an inning, the new inning will have been considered started. Game time limit begins at the scheduled time or when the umpire directs the scorekeeper.

6. Players may not leave the base until the pitched ball has passed home plate. A violation of this rule shall result in the runner being called out. However, one team warning will be issued per game. To speed up play, base runners that are leading off, have an obligation to run or return to the base, if the opposing team recognizes the runner's threat (no cat and mouse acts.) In the opinion of the umpire, once the runner has been recognized by the opposing team and the runner does not advance, the runner cannot advance and the ball may be thrown back to the pitcher. Once a player returns to the base, he may not leave again until after the next pitch crosses the plate.

7. Game time is forfeit time. No grace period will be allowed.

8. All players must remain in the dugouts. Only 2 offensive coaches, and the batter (no on deck batters) may remain outside the dugout.

9. Protective headgear must be worn by all batters, base runners and player base coaches. Violators will be called out.

10. Any of the nine starting players may withdraw and re-enter once, provided such player's replacement has batted at least once before the original player may again enter the game. However, he must bat in the original order upon re-entry.

11. If an ineligible player is discovered on any team in the tournament, that team will forfeit all games in which the ineligible player participated.

12. Stealing any base will be allowed after the ball crosses home plate.

13. All games will be played on 60-foot bases. Pitching distance is 46 feet.

14. We will go on the coaches' word as to the age of each ball player (birth certificates are not necessary.)

15. Use of illegal bats (larger than 2 ¼ inch barrels) or longer than 32 inches, or other illegal equipment will result in forfeit of any game in which the equipment is used. Check your bats! This has been a problem in other years! Take off the steel cleats!

16. Because of neck and back injuries, no headfirst slides are allowed unless the player is returning to the base (runners are allowed to headfirst slide back to a base they have already reached, or if in a "hot box" play.) Headfirst slides will result in a warning to the team and on the second team offense, the runner will be called out.

17. If there is a close play at any base, especially at home, base runners must slide. Catchers cannot block the baseline more than 3 feet from the plate, and then only if a throw is incoming, or the ball is in the catcher's possession. Sliding is not required at home or any other base, if in the opinion of the umpire, the play was not close.

18. The scoreboards are not official. Official record of the game is kept by the Home Team. The Visiting Team shall provide an adult to run the scoreboard, (Allinger Park Only). Scorekeepers should sit behind the umpire in the designated chair.

19. Seeding Teams: Following pool play, teams will be seeded for our single elimination with consolation tournament. Seeding will go as follows:
1st test - Teams with best records seeded highest
2nd test - Team with fewest runs scored against them will be seeded higher
(Best Defense Test.) If tie still exists:
3rd test - Teams with most runs scored (Strongest Offense Test)
4th test - Winner of coin toss (if all above tests fail to seed teams)

Coaches: We will be posting scores and win/loss records for all teams on the concession stand. This information will be used to seed your team so make sure the information is accurate.

20. The top 4 seeded teams from each division will be placed in an upper division bracket and will play each other in a single elimination with a consolation bracket. The next 8 seeded teams will be placed in a middle division bracket and will play each other in a single elmination with a consolation bracket. The final 4 seeded teams will be placed in a lower division bracket and will play each other in a single elimination with a consolation bracket. Seeding will be posted Friday afternoon (exact time to be announced) on the concession stand wall. We will allow 15 minutes for coaches to review the seeding for any errors. After the 15 minute review period elapses, seeding is official and will not be changed.

21. In the event a tied game goes beyond the designated time limit, the Texas Tie-Breaker rule (used in Legion play) will be used. Details will be explained to the coaches involved by the tournament director.

22. In an effort to keep the game fun for everyone, we ask coaches to avoid running up the score on an opponent. A good coach can figure out ways to allow their opponents to maintain some dignity in what would others be a blow out. A Tournament Director can/will help if needed. A "10-run mercy" rule will be used at the end of 4 innings of play.

23. Home team will be established by a coin toss for all games.

24. No metal cleats.

25. Batting out of turn.
(a) A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when failing to bat in proper turn, and another batter completes a time at bat in place of the proper batter. (1) The proper batter may take position in the batter's box at any time before the improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and any balls and strikes shall be counted in the proper batter's time at bat.
(b) When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before the first pitch to the next batter of either team, or before any play or attempted play, the umpire shall (1) declare the proper batter out and (2) nullify any advance or score made because of a ball batted by the improper batter or because of the improper batter's advance to first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise. NOTE: If a runner advances, while the improper batter is at bat, on a stolen base, balk, wild pitch or passed ball, such advance is legal.
(c) When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and a pitch is made to the next batter of either team before an appeal is made, the improper batter thereby becomes the proper batter, and the results of such time at bat become legal.
(d) (1) When the proper batter is called out for failing to bat in turn, the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of the proper batter thus called out; (2) When an improper batter becomes a proper batter because no appeal is made before the next pitch, the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of such legalized improper batter. The instant an improper batter's actions are legalized, the batting order picks up with the name following that of the legalized improper batter.

26. Players must stay off the infield of the High School Ball Field. Coaches tell your players!

27. NO CHATTER RULE! In the spirit of good sportsmanship, each team (players and parents and coaches) are encouraged to cheer for their own team, (ex: No "hey, batter,batter . . . swing, etc.).

28. OPTIONAL BATTING ORDER: At the beginning of each game, each team has the option of batting all players on their roster. If you opt to do this there shall be no changes allowed in the batting order during the game. In the event of injury or illness to a player, that player shall take an automatic out if he is unable to take his turn at bat.

BEAR LAKE "SHADOW BALL" COMPETITION RULES (Thursday Evening):

1. Teams that wish to participate in this "just for fun" competition will need to pick 5 ball players (substitutions are permitted). In an inning every team in the competition will be allowed three outs. A pitching machine will be used to throw a very hit-able pitch to a batter. Any hit ball in fair territory that lands on the infield pumice and is touched by an infielder is an out. If the ball goes through the infield to the grass untouched it is a base hit. Any fly ball caught by the defensive team (5 players) is an out. Three strikes are an out and a foul ball on the 3' strike is still an out.
2. Scoring: A fair ball that clears the pumice and is not caught in the air is a double, a ball that rolls past the 200 ft. painted home run line is a triple, a ball that rolls to the chain link home run fence or a ball that clears in the air the 200 ft. painted line is a home run. Runs can only be scored when forced in. Example 4 singles are needed to score a run, a single, a double, and a single scores a run, a bases loaded double scores 2 runs.
3. Defense: After a team bats they become the defensive team for the team coming to bat. A Bear Lake Team will start the first inning in the defensive position and bat last until eliminated.
4. Elimination: After all teams in the competition have had three "at bats", half of the teams in the competition will be eliminated based on fewest runs scored. If there is a tie for elimination based on runs scored the tied teams will remain in the competition for another inning. Once we get down to two teams in the competition these two teams will play a 3- inning, head to head competition with scored runs being cumulative e.g. teams with highest total runs scored in the 3 innings wins.
5. Substitutions: A coach can substitute any player provided the player being taken out of the game has had an "at bat" before leaving the game. Players on a Shadow Ball team must come from their respective tournament team. It is permissible to combine two teams to make one Shadow Ball team if necessary. Prior approval is needed.
6. Prizes will be awarded to the fist place team in each division.

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SPECIAL FEATURES/SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

1. A "Shadow Ball" game will be conducted Thursday.

2. A "Fast Pitch" contest will also be conducted Friday. A radar gun will be used to clock the speed of the pitch. The player will get 3 pitches for $1. Personal awards will be given for 1st place in each age bracket.

3. A Home Run Derby will be held on Friday. The player will get 5 ptiches for $1.00. Personal awards will be given for 1st place in each age bracket.

4. Friday, a watermelon bust for everyone!! Free!!!

5. A candy cannon will blast 20 pounds of candy into the sky for kids to gather up, Friday evening at 5 pm.

6. Antique car show at Wells C. Stock Park free all day Saturday

7. Trophies and personal medals will be awarded to 1st place, 2nd place and consolation champs in all brackets.

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TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

9-10 Year Old - Minors

* TBA means "To Be Announced".

See Tournament By-Laws for seeding criteria. All the above games are subject to change due to unforeseen difficulties. We have 16 teams in this division. Tournament play will have 3 brackets: Upper 4, Middle 8 and Lower 4.

11-12 Year Old - Majors

* TBA means "To Be Announced".

* TBA means "To Be Announced".

See Tournament By-Laws for seeding criteria. All the above games are subject to change due to unforeseen difficulties. We have 16 teams in this division. Tournament play will have 3 brackets: Upper 4, Middle 8 and Lower 4.

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TEAM ROSTER:

• Click here for a printable HTML copy of the Team Roster Form
• Click here for a printable PDF format of the Team Roster Form (Please add your cell phone number on the PDF form.)

You may submit the rosters by any one of the choices shown below:

• Fax the HTML or PDF rosters above shown above to (208)-847-4470, or
• Cut and paste the roster HTML form above into an e-mail, then insert the roster information into the e-mail and send it to Sherri Bunn, or
• Fill out the PDF file above, save it, then attached it to an e-mail to Sherri Bunn.

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Thank you for your support and . . . . Play Ball!!!

Baseball Tournament Web Page created and maintained as a volunteer service by Etc. Enterprises. Web Site space provided gratis of the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.