Rules

SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR 2023-2024

Event Administration

SoftballFest tournament management will make every effort to treat all teams with fairness. If questions or disputes arise about policies and procedures, coaches shall bring them to the attention of the Tournament Director to be dealt with. Any interpretation and decision of the Tournament Director shall be final.

Officials

Professional umpires have been assigned to each game. Coaches should treat them with respect. With regard to on-field calls, the decision of the umpires shall be final.

Rosters, Insurance and Waivers

All teams must submit an online roster, certificate of insurance, and waivers as directed by SoftballFest in pre-event correspondence. All teams must check in upon arrival to verify and approve their Official Roster and receive an information packet. Once a roster is verified, it is frozen for that weekends’ tournament. Teams cannot begin tournament play until their roster is submitted and verified. Teams who fail to submit a roster may be subject to a forfeit.

Scores and Standings

SoftballFest relies heavily on its proprietary Score Zone technology for allowing teams to get scores and standings from mobile phones and mobile devices. In the event of a technical failure (server, etc.) or human error (score keyed in incorrectly, etc.), the Tournament Director will work to correct the error as quickly as possible, and will post and/or communicate updated information. Teams should check back regularly in case changes are made that impact standings, seeds or brackets. In the unlikely event of a serious technology failure or outage, teams are required to send a representative to tournament headquarters for updates.

Spectator Admission Fees

There will be spectator admission fees or parking fees for some events. Once spectator admission fees or parking fees are paid, there will be no refunds or rain checks. Specific spectator information for each event can be found online at SOFTBALLFEST.COM.

Arrival Policies

Teams shall arrive on site 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, as games may start prior to published times. Teams may start and finish games with eight (8) uniformed and roster players. If a team has to play with eight (8) players, the ninth spot in the batting order is an automatic out. If a ninth uniformed and roster player arrives, that player may be inserted into the ninth spot in the batting order and the automatic out shall stop. If a team has seven (7) or less uniformed and roster players to start a game, or at any point during the game, the game shall be declared a forfeit. The forfeit score shall be 7-0 for tiebreaker purposes.

Home Team

The home team for pool games shall be determined by a coin flip. The team that has traveled the greatest distance will call the flip. Either an umpire or a member of tournament management must be present for the flip. The higher seed based upon the original seeding will be the home team throughout the playoffs.

Dugouts

Teams should fill first and third base dugouts on a first come, first served basis, irrespective of home and away designation. If a team has back to back games on the same field, they should always remain in the same dugout, to avoid the extra time involved in moving bags, etc.

Pregame Warm-Ups

There will be no infield practice. Teams are allowed to play catch in the outfield area if the time allows. Never do flip drills into fences or step on foul lines.

Scoring Reporting

Both teams shall report the final score to the Tournament Director or his/her designee immediately following each game. Since tiebreakers often come into play, accurate score reporting is critical. The event staff will provide scorecards to be turned in after each game. Teams who fail to turn in a scorecard within 4 hours from the conclusion of a game (or prior to the end of the last game of any given day) may be subject to the score turned in by the opposing team.

Tiebreakers

If a tiebreaker is needed to determine playoff teams (wildcards, etc.), the following tiebreakers shall be used:

Overall won-lost record
Head-to-head (only applies when two teams are involved)
Least number of runs allowed throughout the tournament
Total runs scored
Coin flip

Modifications

The Tournament Director may modify the number or length of games when necessary due to weather, field conditions, or scheduling issues. This includes modifying the time limit if games get backed up.

Scoreboard Volunteers

Each team shall provide one (1) parent or volunteer to assist with scoreboard operation, etc. as needed.

Local Policies and Ordinances

All teams are required to adhere to local park policies and ordinances. Alcohol and/or tobacco shall not be brought into the confines of the tournament venues. The Head Coach shall be ultimately responsible and accountable for the conduct of his players, assistant coaches, and spectators.

ROSTERS AND BIRTH DATES

A player may only be on one roster in any given tournament, regardless of age division.

While we encourage teams to have matching player uniforms, there is no penalty for players on a roster that participate with a different jersey and/or different numbers than listed on the roster.

Team rosters contain personal information such as player date of birth, email addresses and coach’s personal information. In the interest of protecting player and coach privacy, rosters can only be viewed by SoftballFest staff. Only a Head Coach may ask the Tournament Director about players listed and if they meet the age and/or roster qualifications. To protest a player’s eligibility, see the policy below.

Any Head Coach that would like to formally challenge the eligibility of a player shall make this known to the Tournament Director at least one (1) hour prior to the player’s next game. A $100 cash challenge fee should be posted at the time of the challenge. The purpose of the fee is to minimize unsubstantiated challenges. Provided this process is followed, the Tournament Director or his/her designee will investigate. If the player is ruled eligible, the $100 cash challenge fee shall be forfeited. In the instance of an age challenge, if the birth certificate cannot be produced before game time, the player in question is ineligible to play for that game. If the birth certificate shows the player is over age, the team must forfeit all games the player in question participated in. The forfeit score shall be 7-0 for tiebreaker purposes. If any player eligibility challenge is valid and upheld, the $100 cash challenge fee shall be promptly returned.

Please find the specific birthday cutoffs for each Age Division below. Each Head Coach shall have copies of player birth certificates on hand at every game, and shall be prepared to present them to the Tournament Director upon request.

PLAYING RULES

The official playing rules for the tournament shall be the NFHS (National Federation High School) rules with the following exceptions:

Length of Game

Ages 8U – 12U will play six (6) innings; ages 14U and above will play seven (7) innings.

Batting Order and Extra Players

Teams have the following three (3) options with regard to batting order and extra players:

Continuous batting order: All players in uniform (unless injured) in the batting order and listed on the lineup card. If a late player arrives after the lineup cards are exchanged, then the player must be entered into the last spot in the batting order. Free defensive substitution for all players throughout the game.
Straight Nine: Nine (9) players in the batting order and listed on the lineup card. No designated hitter. All other players are substitutes, subject to the NFHS substitution rules (starter can re-enter into her original spot once, etc.).
Ten Players with DP and Flex: Ten (10) players in the batting order and listed on the lineup card. The name of the player whom the DP is batting (Flex) will be placed in the 10th position in the line-up.

DP/Flex Reminders:

The DP can never play defense only.
The Flex can never be on offense only.
The DP and Flex can never play offense at the same time. If the Flex is going to play offense, they have it do it in the original DP’s position, therefore only one of them can play offense at a time.
The Flex and DP can play defense at the same time. The DP can play defense for any player other than the Flex and no one has left the game.
The player starting DP and starting Flex have one re-entry just as all players do.
Once the game is started with the DP/Flex positions in the lineup, those positions are available for the entire game. Even if the starting DP or Flex has left the game a second time, the position is still available and an eligible substitute can enter the game as the DP or Flex.

Time Limits

The game start time shall begin with the first warm up pitch. The home plate umpire or base umpire shall monitor the official time, and it is preferred that the time be announced publicly to minimize confusion later. All games shall have a 1 hour and 15 minute time limit, except the championship game. Expiration of the time limit shall be ruled upon at the moment the final out in a half inning is recorded.

An inning may be finished, but a new inning cannot be started after the time limit expiries. If the home team is ahead when the time limit is reached, the game is over(a) immediately after the top half of the inning is finished or (b) at the moment the time limit is reached and the home team is ahead in the bottom half of the inning.

The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify time limits in the event of weather or scheduling issues.

Mercy Rules

Mercy rules shall be fifteen (15) runs after 3 innings, ten (10) runs after 4 innings, and eight (8) runs after 5 innings. In the 10U age division and below, if a team scores ten (10) runs in one half inning, the half inning shall be over once the tenth run crosses the plate. Mercy rules shall be in effect for all games, including the championship game.

Base Distances and Field Dimensions

Every effort will be made to make sure base distances, pitching distances, and field dimensions are accurate. Since SoftballFest works with many different public and private facilities, dimensions are sometimes slightly off. So long as the field dimensions are reasonable and the same for both teams, play shall not be stopped to reinstall bases or pitching rubbers.

Bat Restrictions

The official bat must be ASA or USSSA certified by the manufacturer, and shall be no more than 34 inches long nor exceed 28 ounces in weight. The Official bat shall not be more than 2.250 inches in diameter at its barrel. Illegal Bat Penalty for All Ages: It is the responsibility of the Head Coach to insure the bats used by players meet the requirements of the Game Day USA published bat restrictions. A batter is in violation of the rule when said batter steps into the batter’s box with an illegal bat. An illegal bat must be pointed out to the umpire prior to the first pitch to the next batter, or before all defensive players leave fair territory. Penalty: The batter is out. All outs recorded during the time at bat count. Runner(s) will not be allowed to advance on a batted ball. If there are two (2) infractions by the same team during a game, the team’s Head Coach will be ejected.

Official Softballs for Tournament Play

The Wilson A9275 11-inch and the Wilson A9031 12-inch and the Rawlings C11RYSA 11-inch and C12RYSA 12-inch are the Official Softballs of SoftballFest. Game balls will be provided to start each game, but will not be replenished throughout the game. Teams are expected to assist in retrieval of foul balls and home run balls. Teams should always have tournament quality used softballs on hand to toss in if the original game balls are lost or not returned to umpires.

Metal Spikes and Footwear for Synthetic Turf Events

Metal spikes are not allowed in age groups 8U-12U. Likewise, metal spikes are generally prohibited for all ages on fields with synthetic turf. Any athlete that may play on a synthetic turf field must be prepared with non-metal footwear. Acceptable footwear in these cases includes turf shoes, plastic cleats, molded cleats, or gym shoes.

A pitcher CANNOT wear molds (not even plastic) on the mounds when pitching they have to be in turf shoes. If they wear molds they will eject them from the game.”

Extra Innings and Tie Games

For all Pool Play Games, if a game is tied after the time limit expires or when the regulation innings have been completed, the game shall be recorded as a tie.

For Bracket Play Games, if a game is tied after the time limit expires or when the regulation innings have been completed, the following tiebreaker will be used. In the first extra inning and every ½ inning thereafter, each team will start with a man on second base and 1 out. The base runner will be the last batted out from the previous inning. Each batter will start with a 1-1 count. The game will continue in this format until a winner is determined.

Ejections

If a coach is ejected from a game, he/she will be suspended for the remainder of the game and for the next game the team plays. If a player is ejected during a game, she will be suspended for the remainder of the game. If a team is batting their entire lineup and/or no substitutes are available, the name of the ejected player will remain in the batting order and count as an out when the batting order reaches that player.

Injuries and Early Departures

If a player becomes injured (as ruled by the umpire) and is unable to continue playing, her spot in the batting order shall be skipped with no penalty. Once an injured player leaves the batting order, she is done for the remainder of that game.

Game Schedules

SoftballFest will release the Official Schedule for each event on the Tuesday prior to the event by Midnight or sooner if possible. For mid-week events, SoftballFest will release the Official Schedule on the Thursday prior to the event by Midnight or sooner if possible. Teams must be prepared to play in any of the time slots for the scheduled days of the event.

Honor The Game

SoftballFest management emphasizes that the primary purpose of all tournament events is to create positive competition experiences and lifelong memories for the participants. All adults (coaches, parents, officials) should conduct themselves with this fundamental notion in mind. Comprising the integrity of the game or making a travesty of the game are unacceptable and will be grounds for disqualification.

Game Called Due to Weather or Field Conditions

A game will be considered complete if weather, darkness or field conditions prevent the game from being completed:
6-inning game = 3 innings or 2 ½ if home team is leading, will constitute a completed game. 7-inning game = 4 innings or 3 ½ if home team is leading, will constitute a completed game.

If a game is not official as described above, the Tournament Director will either:
(a) Suspend the game and arrange to have it resumed where it left off, or
(b) Cancel the game such that it does not count toward tournament standings.

Should a championship game be interrupted by weather, darkness or unplayable field conditions, and is not an official game per the above rule, the championship team will be determined by the score at the end of the last full completed inning. If the score was tied at end of last completed inning or if the first inning of the game is not completed, the higher seed shall be named champion.

Refund Policy

Once an entry fee is paid for an event, no cash, check or credit card will be issued for any reason, unless SoftballFest cancels the event in advance of the event weekend due to insufficient participation. If a team registers and subsequently is unable to participate, provided reasonable notification in writing:

Team can be transferred to another SoftballFest tournament, subject to availability;
Team can receive a full credit, valid through the following season; or
Team can transfer the credit to another team and receive compensation from the transferee team

If an event is cancelled at any time or shortened due to inclement weather or field conditions, SoftballFest will issue credits as follows:

0 games: 100% credit toward a future SoftballFest event either later in 2023 or 2024.
1 game: 50% credit toward a future SoftballFest event either later in 2023 or 2024.
2nd game started: 25% credit toward a future SoftballFest event either later in 2023 or 2024.
2 or more games completed: No credits due.