Last Updated: October 7, 2025
LA Heat will be going to the 5th Annual Leighton Accardo Invitational Tournament in Chandler Arizona, December 4-7. Please sign up to join us using the link below:
For LA Heat teams:
Please Register ASAP – We are taking three teams: 10u, 12u minors, and 14u. The 10u team is currently full, but we have a waitlist. We have limited room for additional players on the other two teams.
Cost Per Player: ~$120 for returning LA Heat players (toward entrance fee). New players add $72 for uniforms & a hat.
LA Heat Teams: Teams FAQ
Women Coaches – LA Heat teams are lead by women and non-parent volunteers. Parents may be involved as assistant coaches, and in other roles.
LA Heat is not a travel team – Players are only responsible for the entry fee and uniforms. We will fundraise to support the travel expenses of non-parent volunteer coaches.
Practices – As of October, practices have begun weekly. Registered players: please check GameChanger for information on the schedule and locations.
Competition – This a competitive tournament, and we will dedicate additional time for player development in the coming months. LA Heat commits to playing time and at-bats for all players. At coaches’ discretion, families should anticipate that players’ positions will be more consistent than in some previous events – and we will do our best (with your help) to prepare players for specific positions.
Tournament Information
Last Updated: October 7, 2025
What: The Leighton Accardo Invitational (LA49) is in it’s 5th year! It is an all girls baseball tournament, and LA Heat will be there!
When: Thursday December 4th – Sunday December 7th
- Thursday: LA49 Thursday Night Social 6pm (optional)
- Friday & Saturday: Games will start early Friday morning. Pool play, 3 games (bracket play may start on Saturday night for some divisions)
- Sunday: Single Elimination Bracket Play
Where: Espee & Pima Park – Chandler, AZ (~5 min drive between the two)
- Espee Park: 450 E. Knox Road Chandler, AZ 85225
- Pima Park: 625 N. McQueen Road Chandler, AZ 85225
Hotels: This is not a stay-to-play event, but the tournament director has arranged a block rate for visiting teams:
- Book your group rate for LA49 Girls Baseball Tournament
- Book by November 14 for the group rate
- Courtyard Phoenix Chandler/Fashion Center for 159.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Friday, November 14, 2025
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler/Fashion Center for 149.00 USD – 179.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Friday, November 14, 2025
Bat Rules
- USSSA Bats are allowed.
- 14U, 16U, & 18U will swing BBCOR or Wood.
Base Paths/Pitching Distances
- 10U – 46ft mound/60ft base path
- 12U – 50ft mound/70 ft base path
- 14U – 54ft mound/80 ft base path
- 16+ – 60.5ft mound/90 ft base path
Division-specific Rules
- 10U – 5 Runs max per Inning
- 10U – No Leadoffs/Steals until ball crosses the plate.
- 10U – No Dropped 3rd Strike
- 10U – No Infield Fly
- 12U Minor – 7 Runs max per Inning
- 12U Minor – 1 Balk warning per pitcher
Pitching Limitations
- 1 pitch in an inning counts as an inning pitched
- Daily Max:
- 5 innings max in a day 10U
- 6 innings max in a day 12U
- 7 innings max in a day for 14U + divisions
- 8 innings max for the tournament (All Divisions)
- A player that pitches more than three (3) innings in one day MUST rest the next day.
- Violation of this rule will result in the pitcher being removed from the mound, and will not be allowed to pitch for the remainder of the tournament. If a Team violates this rule a second time in a tournament, that game will be forfeited.
- Scorecards that are signed by each manager at the end of the game will also be used to determine pitching infractions, make sure when you sign them that the score and pitching is correct. Teams must monitor the opponents pitching and report any violations.
- Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, that pitcher may not pitch again in that game.
- EX 1: If a pitcher throws 2 1/3 innings on Saturday, that will be recorded as 3 innings pitched. That pitcher would then be eligible to throw 5 innings on Sunday.
- EX 2: If a pitcher throws 2 innings on Saturday, they would then be eligible to pitch 6 innings on Sunday.
- EX 3: If a pitcher throws 3 1/3 innings on Saturday, that would be recorded as 4 innings, and that pitcher would NOT be eligible to pitch on Sunday.
- EX 4: A pitcher could throw 3 innings Friday, 3 Innings Saturday, and then only be eligible to pitch 2 innings on Sunday.
Time and Run Rules
- No new inning at 1 hour 45 minutes. NO DROP DEAD. Once we start the last inning, we must finish the inning.
- Run Mercy Rules: 12 Runs after 3 Innings, 8 Runs after 4 Innings
