When competition begins with pool play, the official Babe Ruth League pool play format shall be used. The commissioner under whose jurisdiction the tournament falls shall determine the schedule, how many teams will advance to the finals from each division at the conclusion of pool play, and whether the finals shall be single- or double-elimination.

Participating teams will be advised, in writing, prior to the start of tournament competition how many teams will advance to the finals round, and what the format of the finals round will be (single- or double-elimination).

Pool play standings will be determined as follows:

1) WIN - LOSS RECORD
If tied:

2) RESULTS OF HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPETITION
If tied:

NOTE: If head to head were to eliminate one team from a three way tie, the other two teams revert back to criteria #2 to break THEIR tie.

3)FEWEST RUNS GIVEN UP

Note: In the event of a three way tie, all three teams shall complete criterion #3 to determine seeding. If, after completing criterion #3, the three way tie has been broken and a two way tie still remains (i.e. two teams gave up the same number of runs), the two teams remaining tied will revert back to criterion #2 to break the two-way tie. If all three teams gave up a different number of runs, no tie exists and all teams shall be seeded at criterion #3. If all three teams gave up the same number of runs, proceed to criterion #4.

If tied:
4) RUN DIFFERENTIAL WITH A MAXIMUM OF 10 PER GAME

Teams will be seeded at the beginning of the finals competition according to the position they finished in pool play.

Pitching limitations, if applicable, begin over (reset) at the beginning of the finals competition.

Note: Finals is defined as the single- or double-elimination portion of the tournament that follows pool play.