Our roster policy is designed to ensure accuracy and fairness in team composition. The following guidelines outline our expectations: Roster Submission: Rosters must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. the day before the first game is scheduled to be played. The roster will be locked at the time the first game is started. This allows for proper preparation and administration. Player Name Accuracy: The player's name on the roster must be spelled correctly and match the name (full first and last name) on the child's birth certificate. If a child is commonly known by a nickname and listed as such on the game lineup card, the nickname must also be included on the online roster. Player Numbers: Coaches are expected to provide accurate player numbers on the online roster before the first game. The player number on the online roster should match the numbers on the game lineup card. This helps ensure smooth game operations and proper identification of players. Roster Protests: Roster protests must be initiated by the head coach of record and made by the end of the first completed inning of a game. Protests raised after the first inning will not be considered. Protesting Player Eligibility: If a player is deemed ineligible based on the roster policy either through a protest or administrative action by 24 Sports staff, the player in question must be immediately removed from the game. The team will take an out, and the player will be required to sit out the remainder of the tournament. No Team Forfeits: Roster protests will not result in a team forfeit. Instead, the focus is on ensuring accurate roster composition and fair play.

Age Eligibility Policy Our age policy ensures fair competition by categorizing players based on their age as of May 1, 2024. The following table outlines the age divisions: 14U: Players who do not turn 15 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in the 8th grade or lower and not turn 16 prior to Aug 1, 2024* 13U: Players who do not turn 14 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in the 7th grade or lower and not turn 15 prior to Aug 1, 2024* 12U: Players who do not turn 13 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in the 6th grade or lower and not turn 14 prior to Aug 1, 2024* 11U: Players who do not turn 12 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in the 5th grade or lower and not turn 13 prior to Aug 1, 2024* 10U: Players who do not turn 11 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in the 4th grade or lower and not turn 12 prior to Aug 1, 2024* 9U: Players who do not turn 10 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in the 3rd grade or lower and not turn 11 prior to Aug 1, 2024* 8U: Players who do not turn 9 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in the 2nd grade or lower and not turn 10 prior to Aug 1, 2024* 7U: Players who do not turn 8 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in the 1st grade or lower and not turn 9 prior to Aug 1, 2024* 6U: Players who do not turn 7 before May 1, 2024. *Grade exception: Must be in Kindergarten or lower and not turn 8 prior to Aug 1, 2024* Max 2 grade exceptions allowed. Grade exceptions must be communicated to Minority Prospects prior to the first game of the weekend including a copy of the report card and birth certificate. Email: minoritybaseball@gmail.com (Any other form of communication will not be considered.) Grade exceptions must be communicated to Minority Prospects prior to the first game of the weekend including a copy of the report card and birth certificate. Email: minoritybaseball@gmail.com (Any other form of communication will not be considered.) Email Subject line: "Grade Exception:" [Tournament Date]-[Tournament Name]-[Age Division]-[Team Name][Player Name] Email must include parent contact information. Proof of Age: Minority Prospects staff may request proof of age at any time during the tournament. Parents are expected to provide a birth certificate and school record as proof of age for their child. The most reliable form of identity verification is through the child's online school record. If the online school record is unavailable, Minority Prospects staff will exercise their best judgment to determine age eligibility. Our age protest policy ensures the integrity of age divisions and fair competition. The following guidelines outline the process: Timing of Protests: Age protests must be initiated by the end of the first completed inning of a game. Protests raised after the first inning will not be considered. Ineligibility Consequences: If a player is found to be ineligible due to age, they must be immediately removed from the game and will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the tournament. The head coach will also be ejected from the game. If it is determined that a grade exception has been used as a disguise for an age policy violation, the following consequences will apply: a. Player Consequence: The player in question will be required to sit out for the remainder of the tournament. b. Head Coach Consequence: The head coach be ejected from the current game and restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the tournament. Team Continuation: Despite the ineligible player and ejected head coach, the team will be permitted to continue playing in the tournament with the remaining eligible players and a designated coach.

The umpire card will serve as the official score of record and must be confirmed and signed by the head coach and/or the team scorekeeper. In the event of any score discrepancies, it is required to notify the site director within 1 hour of the score update. Please note that the bracket seeding procedure is final. Any suggestions or feedback regarding amendments to the procedure may be submitted to minoritybaseball@gmail.com Bracket seeding will be determined according to the following criteria: Pool Play Record: The team's win-loss record during the pool play stage will be taken into consideration for seeding purposes. Total Runs Allowed: In the event of teams having the same pool play record, the total number of runs allowed by each team will be evaluated. The team with the lower number of runs allowed will receive a higher seeding. Run Differential: If teams still have an equal number of runs allowed, the run differential will be considered. The run differential is calculated by subtracting the total runs scored against a team from the total runs scored by that team. A higher run differential will result in a better seeding. Head-to-Head: If only two teams are tied based on the above criteria, head-to-head results between the tied teams will determine the seeding. The team with the better head-to-head record will receive the higher seed. Coin Flip: If none of the previous criteria provide a clear distinction for seeding, a coin flip will be used as a tiebreaker to determine the final seeding.

To ensure clarity and fairness in game proceedings, we have established the following guidelines for protests, challenges, and coach designations: Head Coach of Record: The head coach of record for each game is the coach who attends the conference with the umpires at the plate. Protests and challenges must be made by the head coach of record. Notifying Protests and Challenges: Protests and challenges must be brought to the attention of the plate umpire, who will then inform the site director. Protests or challenges made by phone or to anyone other than the plate umpire, or by anyone other than the head coach of record, will not be considered. There will be no fee for filing protests; however, it is important to note that excessive or frivolous protests may be addressed by the Minority Prospects staff. If protests are deemed to be excessive or frivolous in nature, the staff reserves the right to take appropriate action, such as ejecting or expelling the head coach from the tournament for the remaining games. Our aim is to ensure that protests are legitimate and serve the purpose of maintaining fair play and integrity throughout the tournament. Ejected Head Coach: If the head coach of record is ejected from the game, the team may designate an assistant coach to become the new head coach of record. All coaches must be listed in the team profile for proper consideration. Protest Eligibility: Protests may only be made by individuals listed on the team profile and must pertain to the following issues: age eligibility (to be made by the first completed inning), missing names on the roster (to be made by the first completed inning), illegal equipment, and pitch count infractions. Space and Time for Evaluation: Once the site director has been notified of a protest, it is expected that all participants give space and time for the site director to evaluate and process the situation. Participants should resume watching the game until resolution is provided by Minority Prospects staff. Challenges: Challenges may be made by the head coach of record and are limited to rule interpretation. Umpire judgment calls, such as balls, strikes, safe, out, and balks, may not be questioned. Maintaining Civility: We understand that tensions can rise in high-stakes or closely contested games. If there is a question or concern about umpire behavior or the opposing team behavior, an assistant coach or scorekeeper may respectfully approach the site director and request their observation. Participants are expected to remain civil and respectful, even in situations of heightened tension. The site director may implement the ejection policy if they believe the situation is escalating. By following these guidelines, we aim to ensure fair and respectful game management, allowing for proper evaluation of protests and challenges while maintaining a positive environment for all participants.

Bat Protest Policy In the event of a bat protest, the following procedure will be followed, and appropriate penalties will be applied, keeping the best interest of the participants in mind. All decisions made by Minority Prospects staff are final and must be respected. Coaches and parents are requested to provide space and time for 24 Sports staff to evaluate and process the protest. Once the staff has been made aware of the protest, the reporting parent or coach shall resume watching the game until notified otherwise by Minority Prospects staff. Initial Notice of Protest: The initial notice of protest must be made during the inning when the bat is first used. Protests in subsequent innings may only be initiated by the umpire. Official Protest: The initial notice of protest should be made by the Head Coach of record to the plate umpire. Protests made by anyone other than the Head Coach of record or phone calls or direct communication with the site director or tournament director will not be considered an official protest. Once the umpire is notified, they will inform the site director of the protest. The game will continue to play as normal unless otherwise instructed by the umpire. Evaluation by Site Director: Once notified, the site director will visit the dugout to evaluate the bat in question. The evaluation may take place in the dugout, or the site director may confiscate the bat for further evaluation. The game will continue to play, and the player may resume play with a different approved bat. Bat Evaluation: The site director will first refer to the Minority Prospects Bat List Reference Guide for listed illegal bats and then evaluate the bat according to the Minority Prospects Bat Rules in accordance with NFHS standards. Determination of Bat: If Minority Prospects staff cannot definitively determine if the bat is illegal by NFHS standards but considers the bat to be a distraction in the game, they may decide to remove the bat without penalty. If the site director determines that the bat should not be returned to the game, they will notify the umpire and the coach. A tag will be applied to the bat, and the site director will confiscate the bat for the remainder of the games played that day. The bat can be picked up by the coach or parent after the team's last game is played, or the parent may choose to take the bat to their vehicle. Illegal Bat Penalty: If a bat is deemed illegal by Minority Prospects staff according to NFHS rules or is listed as illegal in the Minority Prospects Bat List Reference Guide, the batter is considered out if the determination is made in the same inning the bat is used, and any runs scored from that hit are void. If the determination is made in a subsequent inning after the bat was used, the score from the previous inning stands, and that batter shall be considered out in the next inning. Disputed Decision: If the decision is not respectfully accepted by the team, the ejection policy applies.

Payment Policy: The gate fee must be paid at the time of registration to secure your spot. Please note that your team will not be considered confirmed until the gate fee is received. Full payment for the tournament must be completed no later than 7 days prior to the tournament date. In the event that the gate fee is received, but full payment has not been received within 7 days prior to the tournament date, our team will make every effort to contact you to confirm your participation. However, if we are unable to reach you and receive confirmation, your team may be placed on a waitlist until we can secure your spot. If we have received your registration for the tournament but have not received any payment within 7 days prior to the tournament date, your team will be automatically placed on the waitlist. We kindly request your understanding that tournaments can sell out quickly, and securing your spot in advance is essential. At Minority Prospects, our primary focus is on providing an opportunity for kids to play and have a positive experience. While we understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, our policy regarding refunds and cancellations is as follows: Refunds: Once payment has been made, refunds will generally not be issued. However, we recognize that there are situations beyond our control that may warrant flexibility. Cancellations: In the event that a team cancels their participation within 7 days of the event start date and before the schedule has been published, transferable tournament credits will be provided. Cancellations made after the schedule has been published will not be eligible for a refund unless otherwise noted by Minority Prospects. Teams that forfeit after games have started will not receive a refund or transferable credit. Weather: Safety is our top priority, especially when it comes to outdoor sports. We understand that adverse weather conditions can impact gameplay. We work closely with city officials and Minority Prospects advisors to make informed decisions in the best interest of keeping the kids safe. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions, we may delay the start of games and assess field conditions. If the weather persists and prevents gameplay even after a delay, we will either reschedule or cancel the game. For games canceled due to rainouts or inclement weather, our Cancellation and Refund Policy will apply: If no games have started, a 100% transferable credit will be provided. If one game has started, a 50% transferable credit will be provided. If two games have started, no credit will be provided. Lightning Policy: Lightning poses a significant threat to outdoor sports, and we prioritize the safety of all participants. Our lightning policy is based on guidelines from NFHS, NCAA, and the National Weather Service: Lightning activity is monitored using Perry Weather Technology or a similar application. If lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius, gameplay must be suspended for 30 minutes from the last lightning strike. The 30-minute countdown restarts with each subsequent lightning strike within the 10-mile radius. Coaches, players, and spectators must seek shelter in their vehicles during lightning delays. Gameplay will resume once 30 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike within the 10-mile radius. If lightning delays extend beyond 2 hours, a schedule decision will be made by Minority Prospects Management. We kindly ask for your understanding and patience as schedule changes can be complex. Head coaches will be the initial point of contact, and we will strive to communicate updates in a timely manner. Shortening Game Duration: Game duration is standardized based on age divisions as follows: Coach Pitch (6U-8U) games have a duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes Kid Pitch (9U-14U) games have a duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. During Pool Play, if there are less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, a new inning will not start; however, the home team will have the opportunity to finish the current inning if they are down. In cases of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances that impact the schedule, game durations may be shortened to avoid games ending after 11:00 p.m. This decision is made in the best interest of the players and Minority Prospects staff, as well as in accordance with the regulations of the contract between Minority Prospects and the municipalities where the event is run. When shortening games, our priority is to maintain fairness by allowing the home team the final at-bat whenever possible. In the event that a drop-dead time needs to be implemented, the final score will be determined based on the last completed inning. Please note that in the event of game shortening, those games will still be considered completed, and no refunds will be issued.

Our ejection policy is designed as follows: Level 1: WARN - If the behavior is deemed inappropriate but manageable, our staff will issue a warning to the participant. The participant is expected to immediately cease the behavior and resume participation in accordance with the code of conduct rules. Level 2: RESTRICT - If the behavior persists, our staff may choose to restrict the participant in an appropriate capacity. For example, coaches may be asked to stay in the dugout, and parents may be requested to move away from the fence area. Level 3: EJECT - If the behavior continues or becomes offensive to the extent that it necessitates ejection, our staff may opt to remove the participant from the game or facility, depending on the situation. For instance, coaches may be asked to leave the game area, and parents may be directed to the concession stand or other designated areas. Level 4: EXPEL - Behavior that cannot be effectively de-escalated may result in the complete removal of the participant from the premises and relocation to the parking lot. In such cases, the participant may not participate in any further event activities for the remainder of the day without consent from the tournament director. All level 4 infractions will be escalated to the tournament director, who will determine the resolution. Level 5: BAN - If the behavior escalates to the point of causing significant security risks, the participant must leave the park and is prohibited from returning for the duration of the event. Additionally, the participant will be required to complete an emotional intelligence course and a code of conduct assessment before being allowed to participate in any future Minority Prospects events, subject to approval by Minority Prospects Management. Any act of violence or significant threat of violence that requires law enforcement intervention will result in an immediate and irrevocable ban. Offenders may be subject to a criminal trespass for all Minority Prospects events in any city, along with a $1,000 fine. The offender's name must be accessible to Minority Prospects. If the name is not provided to Minority Prospects, the head coach will assume responsibility for the team's behavior until the name is disclosed. Banned participants will be issued written documentation from Minority Prospects, which will be distributed to all Minority Prospects and affiliates, as well as shared with each municipality where 24 Sports operates. If the team wishes to participate in future Minority Prospects events, they may do so without the banned participant(s), as outlined in the written documentation. We firmly believe that adhering to this ejection policy will contribute to the overall well-being and positive environment for all participants.