Re: 2011 Fastpitch Finale - July 29th to July 31st
Tournament Rules
1. All games are played under USSSA sanction and rules Unless specified. 8u teams/tournament is COACH PITCH and has a specific set of rules set forth below.
2. ALL games will have two (2) umpires.
3. Teams will play three (3) pool plays and then seeded into a single elimination event.
4. Seeding into the single elimination event is based on these tie breakers: Best record, head to head, runs given up, runs scored, coin flip.
5. ALL teams/Coaches must check in at the Tournament Director Booth ONE (1) hour prior to their first game . The booth will be located near the concession stand.
6. NO team will be allowed to take the field for their first game unless a USSSA roster, a hard copy of team insurance and entry fee is totally paid.
7. The use of illegal players by a team will result in the team forfeiting all games previously played and dismissal from the tournament and any more games.
8. If a team fails to field eight (8) players by game time, the umpires will declare a forfeit in favor of the opposing team. There is NO grace period.
9. ALL players must wear a face mask if warming up the pitcher on the field.
10. A flip of the coin will determine who is home team in the pool play games. Top numbered seed will determine who is home or visitors in the single elimination event. Top seed has their choice of home or visitors.
11. Home team will keep the official scorebook.
12. Time limits: In pool play it is 80 minutes and no new inning. Bracket games there is a 90 minute time limit and no new inning. A new inning starts with the final 3rd out of the inning.
13. Proof of age must be available. This is a copy of a birth certificate. If a players age is contested, proof of age must be submitted immediately. A game will be held up for five (5) minutes for proof of age to be submitted. Tournament officials will resolve any age /eligilbility issues. Players must come out of the game after five minutes. If by the end of the game a coach cannot submit proof of age.. the team will forfeit and dismissed from the tournament.
14. Bleeding players must be removed from the game until all garments and their person is clean from blood and no blood is present.
15. Game time is forfeit time. Teams should be prepared to play 15 minutes prior to their start time on any field during the tournament. EXCEPTION: Teams will be afford a 15 minute break between games if playing back to back and requested by the coach.
16. ALL teams must provide their own equipment and must have insurance.
17. Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted at Smith Park and violators will be asked to leave the complex immediately.
18. Smith Park is pet friendly BUT ALL pets must be on a leash. Pet owners are responsible for their pets and the tournament staff does not encourage families to bring their pets. Please pick up after your pets as well.
19. Protest will be decided by tournament staff at the time of the protest. There is a $50.00 dollars protest fee and this will not be refunded if your protest is overuled.
20. Harassment of tournament officials, teams, players and parents will NOT be tolerated. Any abusive lauguage, gestures, or threats will result in the offending person to be ejected from the park.
21. The manager is responsible for coaches, players and parents/fans at all times. Any individual who is ejected must leave the park immediately or the coach will be ejected from the game and premises as well. Failure to do so will result in the team forfeiting their game.
22. WAIVER: The Tournament Director, the City of Middletown, Ohio Hawks Fastpitch and Ohio USSSA Fastpitch assumes all teams are participating at their own risk and will not be liable for accidents, injuries or other losses. Entry into this event constitutes agreement to these conditions.
SPECIFIC RULES
1. All games will be seven innings, unless shortened by darkness, weather, field conditions or time limits. If shortened by darkness, weather, field conditions or time limit and less than four (4) innings have been completed, the game will be resumed from the point of suspension. However, if four (4) innings are completed or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is leading, the game is complete.
2. Run Rules are the same for all games ( 12 after 4 and eight (8) after 5 innings )
3. Pitching distance will be:
a) 43 feet for Open divisions 14u, 16u, 18u and Rec HS school divisions
b) 40 feet for Open 12u and Rec 12u and Rec 14u
c) 35 feet for both 10u Open and Rec divisions
4. Teams may bat up to 12 batters and any nine (9) can play in the field. If an injury occurs.. the batter's position is skipped over and NO out is given to that injured player's batting spot.
5. A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher. The last out becomes the courtesy runner when a team bats it's entire lineup ( and has no subs).If the last out is the pitcher or catcher position.. then a team may go back to the next out in the lineup. If available, a bench player is the first option for becoming a courtesy runner.
6. There is no extra time for late starts or weather delays. For every game that starts late, each game on that field is running behind so please be ready to start early if needed.
7. Uniforms are NOT a protestable item and the only requirement is that each player display a unique number.
8. Short hand rule: If a teams loses a player due to injury, NO out will be taken for this player. However, once a player is skipped in the batting order, that player cannot return to the lineup and game. A team must have at least eight (8) rostered players to play a game.
9. Ejection rule: If a player is ejected and leaves a team shorthanded.. the team will take an out when that batter/ejected player's postion comes up in the order.
10. Brackets change often and game times, game lengths and the amount of games are not guarenteed. The Tournament Director reserves the right to make changes at his discretion. Check the brackets often to stay up on changes.
11. This tournament and it's staff are in no way affiliated with the City of Middletown or any attending vendors.
