​POOL PLAY / BRACKET PLAY GAMES

     

Pitchers Foot Positioning / Step / Stride 

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• All pitching plates will be set at 43 feet.

• Pitcher’s Stride Foot Positioning

• The stride (non-pivot) foot may be on or behind the plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not step, drag or slide it back any farther. This will be following the NCAA rules for pitchers this season.

• To allow pitchers to disengage from the playing surface during the delivery. The pitcher’s pivot foot could become airborne with one push from the pitcher’s plate. However, pitchers would not be allowed to replant their pivot foot resulting in pushing off from a second point and the pitcher being farther away from the pitcher’s plate.

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Electronic Equipment

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• Team personnel, including players, are prohibited from carrying or wearing any device capable of transmitting information while on the field (e.g., cell phone, smart watch). Use of a cell phone camera in a team area is prohibited from the start of the pregame meeting with the umpires until the game’s conclusion. Exception:

• Exception: An exclusively one-way electronic communication device may be used by the defense to relay the pitch or play call from the dugout to the field.

• Only allowed to be used by defensive players to call a pitch or a play.

• Digital signal devices (e.g., wristband) may be used by any defensive player.

• In-ear/hat/helmet audio devices may only be used by the catcher

 

Batting Restrictions

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• POOL PLAY: Teams may utilize any number of batters they prefer. Any player not listed in the batting lineup shall be listed as a substitute. The lineup may utilize free defensive substitution. NOTE: Regardless of the number of players you have, you will need to provide a line-up to the officials and announce your line-up format at the pre-game conference with the officials.

• Last available player may be used as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher, in addition to substitutions.

• Last available player is defined as the player in the batting order, not in the field of play, that is furthest from coming to bat.

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Ejections:

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• Whether a warning is issued or not, umpires have the authority to remove a player and/or other team personnel from further participation in a game for rule violations, unsporting acts, or behavioral or verbal misconduct.

• Player ejected in the batting order WILL be an automatic out if no substitute is available.

• The penalty for stepping in the batter’s box with an illegal bat is both the player & head coach are ejected from the game.

• Ejected non-playing personnel must leave the playing field, dugout and other team areas and be out of sight and sound until the umpires’ jurisdiction ends. Out of sight and sound means unable to view the remainder of the contest and the umpires cannot hear any additional comments. They shall not communicate (visually, electronically or verbally) further with the teams or umpires. Exception: An ejected coach may participate in a limited capacity during a game only to attend to an injured or ill player or to ensure the safety of players when their safety is in question.

• Teams are allowed just 1 automatic out per game. Any more than 1 will be a forfeit. This out will be assessed during the batters spot in the lineup

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GENERAL POOL PLAY AND BRACKET RULES

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• Home team will be the official scorekeeper in all tournament games.

• Pre-game conference and coin flip between manager and umpires will take place 5 minutes prior to the start of the game.

• No organized infield practice before the games. Teams may warm up beyond the baselines or in foul territory while infield is being prepared. No live batting practice is allowed on the field or in the complex at any time. Batting nets are allowed and batting cages are provided for team use. 

• Illegal Bats: Pool Play ONLY: If an Illegal Bat is brought into the batter’s box, the bat will need to be replaced and the team will be given 1 warning. Bracket Play: If an illegal bat is brought into the batter’s box the batter shall be declared out, and the batter & head coach ejected.

• Federation Rule Book on Bats: “Bats must bear either the 2000,2004 or the USA Softball All Certification mark and not appear on the USA Softball Bats with Certification not approve list”

• Time limit for all games is 80 minutes. Time begins after the pre-game conference. Time limit could change in case of tournament interruptions. All teams should be prepared to start their game up to 10 minutes early in case we are ahead of schedule. (This will help the tournament keep on time)

• Blue Ghost bat is LEGAL. Yellow Ghost bat is ILLEGAL

• Run rules: 12 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings.

• Team manager may consult with the umpires; players, sponsors and other coaches are to keep out of discussions.

• No smoking or tobacco use on the field or in the dugouts.

• All teams must have their roster and team insurance uploaded and submitted June 23rd.

• No Players, Parents, or Spectators will be allowed in the “College Coaches Only” designated areas. This also includes the Hospitality area (Administration Building) and the umpires’ tent/area.

• Players are not allowed to wear metal cleats. Molded cleats or turf shoes only.

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POOL PLAY RULES 

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• Games will be 80 minutes of finish the batter.

• Free Defensive substitutions throughout .

• You may bat a minimum of 9 & no maximum number of hitters. The integrity of the line-up must remain throughout the game.

•  Courtesy run for pitcher/catcher only.

•  Batters hit by pitch may take a “Ball” and continue at bat.

• Walked batters must take their base and may have a sub runner if taking another at bat for showcase purposes.

• There are no makeup games for Pool Play. 

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BRACKET PLAY RULES 

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• Games will be 80 minutes of finish the inning. Games that are tied at the end of regulation will use the ITB rule until a winner is declared.

• Defensive and offensive substitutions must be  reported to the umpire.

•  You may bat a minimum of 9 & no maximum number of hitters (any combination of DP, EPs, and Flex).​​​​​

• Last available player may be used as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher, in addition to substitutions.

• Last available player is defined as the player in the batting order, not in the field of play, that is furthest from coming to bat.

• ALL defensive and offensive substitutions must be reported to the umpire

• USA softball rules are in effect

• In the result of a tie you will enter into an international tiebreaker.

• Walked batters must take their base. No consecutive at – bats

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TOURNAMENT SEEDING/TIEBREAKER:

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The following procedure will be used to determine the seedings after pool play: i. If three or more teams are tied with the same record in a division, head-to-head may or may not be used to break ties.ii.

 

Once a level of tie-breaker is used, we DO NOT revert back to any steps of the tie-breaking procedure. We will continue on down the list until all ties are broken.

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1. Most Wins

2. Head-to-Head Games

3. Runs allowed per game

4. Runs differential (+/- of 8 runs per game)

5. Coin Flip

6. In case of a rain-shortened tournament, pool play games can be deemed official after 2 ½ innings of play (with home team winning)  This policy will only be used through pool play. In addition, if games are canceled due to weather, there may be an adjustment in application of the tie-breaking procedures.

7. A flip of a coin between the two teams shall determine the home team for each pool play game. The highest seeded team shall be the home team for bracket play games in single elimination brackets. If both teams are of equal seed (1st Place Pool A vs 1st Place Pool B) the home team will be decided by coin flip.

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