Here is the 2004 NJ-USSSA 8U through 15U Spring league information and Calendar: Due to an overwhelming demand by teams all games will be played on Sundays and will be Double-Headers games only. (18 game schedule + Playoffs) 3/26-3/28 – OFF MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT 4/04 4/11-OFF - EASTER 4/18 4/25 5/02 – ALL TEAMS MUST USE WOOD BATS ONLY 5/09 5/15– ALL STATE GAMES 5/16 5/23 – ALL TEAMS MUST USE WOOD BATS ONLY 5/28-5/31 – OFF MEMORIAL DAY TOURNAMENT 6/06 6/13 6/19-20 PLAYOFFS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP The NJ-USSSA is a gentleman’s league and any Manager may wish to reschedule a regular scheduled game to another day as long as both teams agree on it. This will allow teams more flexibility in selecting other weekends to join tournaments. Wood Bats Only Days -- All teams must use Wood bats only on these regular scheduled game days. The players love to use wood bats plus you will really be able to see some true baseball being played. All State Games – This spring season we are going to try something new for the players. We will be selecting an all-state team for each division. 15 players and 4 Coaches in each age division will be selected to become members of the 2004 NEW JERSEY USSSA ALL STATE TEAM. Every player and coach chosen will receive a State Director’s signed All State Team Certificate suitable for framing and will be allowed to participate in the 2004 NY/NJ/PA All State games. The New Jersey All State Team will play against both the New York’s All State Team and the Pennsylvania’s All State Team for the best All State Title and the Director’s Trophy. The 2004 NJ-USSSA Spring League Fee will be $200.00 per team if your League fee is received by December 15 2003 the NJ-USSSA will pay your 2004 USSSA sanction Fee for you. Here is what you get: The top 4 teams will receive individual USSSA Medallions or Trophies. The Champions and Runner-up teams will receive a team Trophy. Here are the choices that the League Champions and Runner up teams will receive in all divisions with 10 or more teams; (The Champions get first pick) 1) A Fully Paid 2004 Major Division USSSA World Series Bid. 2) A Fully Paid 2004 AAA Division USSSA World Series Bid. 3) A Fully Paid 2004 AA Division USSSA National Bid. 4) A $400.00 Sports At The Beach Certificate good towards any weekend Tournament. 5) A $1000.00 Sports At The Beach Certificate good towards any weeklong Tournament. 6) A Free entrance into any of the 2004 NJ-USSSA Tournaments. (A $400.00 Value) 7) A guarantee entrance into the 2004 N.A.T.C. Week at Cooperstown Dreams Park. (Get off the waiting list) 8) A $500.00 discount certificate good towards any national summer invitational tournament at The Brand New All Field Turf Baseball Heaven Sports Complex at Yaphank New York. 9) A $250.00 discount certificate good towards any national summer invitational tournament at The Brand New All Field Turf Baseball Heaven Sports Complex at Yaphank New York. NOTE: Only teams that have played in NJ-USSSA Baseball leagues or tournaments will qualify for our New Jersey State Championship Tournaments. (NO EXCEPTIONS) All games must have 2 umpires per game – Teams split the umpire costs of - $40-$45per umpire per game – If only one umpire present for games home team responsible for all of the umpires fee that day. Each team will be classified with the following play levels: Majors- Top 5% Elite Club/Travel teams in the State with proven records. AAA- Select travel Teams. (Town and Club/Travel teams that are not in the top 5%) AA- Local Select Teams. (All-Star Players from the same town or recreation program) Summary of Rules: 8U: 46/60 with full little league rules. 9U: 46/65 with modified HS Federation Rules; instructional balk rule leading stealing no stealing of home no head first sliding except returning to a base no big barrels No minimum mandatory play rule for players and pitching discretion is left to the team Manager. 10U: 48/70 with modified HS Federation Rules: One warning per pitcher on balks; leading stealing Straight steal of home ok No head first sliding at home only No restrictions on bats No minimum mandatory play rule for players and pitching discretion is left to the team Manager. 11U: 50/70 with modified HS Federation Rules: One warning per pitcher on balks up until April 25 no warnings after that date; leading stealing Straight steal of home ok No head first sliding at home only No restrictions on bats No minimum mandatory play rule for players and pitching discretion is left to the team Manager. 12U: 50/70 with full HS Federation Rules no warnings on balks no head first sliding into home no bat restrictions No minimum mandatory play rule for players and pitching discretion is left to the team Manager. 13U: 60/90 with full HS Federation Rules no warnings on balks no head first sliding into home no minimum mandatory play rule for players and pitching discretion is left to the team Manager -5 or -3 bats only. 14U & 15U: 60/90 with full HS Federation Rules no warnings on balks no head first sliding into home no minimum mandatory play rule for players and pitching discretion is left to the team Manager -3 bats only. Willie Hernandez njusssa@nj.rr.com