Golden Rule

This event is intended to be FUN first. We welcome players of ALL SKILL LEVELS to our fields, and therefore set rules that ensure the safety and enjoyment of our skilled players and our novices equally.

Be supportive of one another. Fighting, excessive verbal abuse, and poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated. Event organizers reserve the rights to dismiss any player from the event without refund.

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Games

Length: All games will run a full 7 innings, unless there is a run rule.

Run Rules: Games will be declared over by "run rule" if the winning team is ahead by 20 runs at the conclusion of the 3rd inning, 15 runs at the conclusion of the 4th inning, or 10 runs at the conclusion of the 5th inning or later.

Extra Innings: Games tied at the conclusion of the time limit will go into extra innings. During extra innings play, the batting team will have a runner automatically placed on second (must be the last out from the previous inning) and all batters will face a 3-ball, 2-strike pitch count when they approach the plate.

Home/Away: The coaches will meet the umpire at home plate ahead of the game, and the game timer will start. During pool play, the umpire will flip a coin to determine home team. During tourney play, the higher seed has the option of selecting home or away.

Umpires: Excessive arguing and/or abusive language will never be tolerated. Umpires may issue warnings and dismiss players from a game if they are found to be abusive. Event officials reserve the right to ban players from the event with no refund if abusive behavior continues.

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Safety

Pitching: All pitchers will be required to use either a provided safety net or helmet safety protectors. Shin guards are highly recommended, but not required.  A pitcher is allowed and encouraged to use both.  A protective mask that does not provide any protection beyond the face will be deemed insufficient and require the pitcher to use the safety net.

Unsafe Throws: Outfielders are not allowed to complete force out throws to first base. Any throw from outfield to first base for the intention of a force out will be ruled a dead ball and the runner will be awarded 2nd base. Infielders brought into the outfield grass through defensive actions are allowed to complete the throw for a force out at first base.

Hitting Middle: It's not illegal, but it is dangerous and some of our novice players may not be able to control it. But for those of you that can - don't be a jerk. If you feel the other team is hitting middle a lot, don't take revenge and escalate.

Pitching Screens: These screens are intended for safety, not to create an extra defensive player on the field. Screen must be positioned no more than three feet ahead of the pitching rubber. One of the pitching screen support legs must be lined up within the width of the pitching rubber and cannot be set to the side of the rubber. Pitchers using the screen must stay near the screen and cannot extend their defense away from it to create an extra fielder advantage. There's no multiple swapping between screen and helmet during an inning.

Injury Exceptions: In the cases of injury, some rules may be bent to avoid placing players in harm's way. Coaches facing a situation that they believe requires an adjustment must discuss with the opposing coach a recommended solution. Opposing coach must approve the solution, and such approval should not be unreasonably withheld.

Injured Player / Can Not Continue: If a player is significantly injured in the course of play and cannot continue, they shall be removed from the lineup. When their batting position comes up, it shall be skipped and not counted as an automatic out. Player is unable to return to play for that game and, at a minimum, the game following.

Commitment Line: Seniors Only - On the third base line, there will be a line drawn on the dirt. If the runner passes that line, they must commit to finishing their run to the plate and may not return to third base. Once you cross the commitment line, the play at the plate will be considered a force out, and the running player must cross the Score Line to score before the ball is caught at home plate. If a runner advancing from third touches home plate, they will be called out - the runner must cross the run line to score.  Runners may not touch home plate and if they do so, they will be called out.  

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Equipment

Metal Cleats: Metal cleats are prohibited. Please use soft or hard rubber cleats, or turf shoes only.

Equipment (Bats): Any USSSA 240-certified bat may be used in this event. Bats must be in good condition, and not modified in any substantial way (i.e. shaved). Compression equipment will be onsite to test bats to ensure bats do not exceed safety standards. We reserve the right to test and disqualify any bat that doesn't pass the standard. We will hold the DQ-ed bat until the end of the tournament and it is the player's responsibility to retrieve it. Senior division may use Senior approved bats.

Equipment (Balls): All balls will be supplied for this event, external balls are not allowed. Each team is responsible for providing the opponent with 1 12" ball for male batters and 1 11" ball for female batters. Non-binary players will play under the rules of the gender found on their official state ID.

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Coed Specific Rules

Legal Rosters: All teams have been drafted with a near-even number of women on their team, and rules are set based on this expectation. Should injuries or missing players create a roster imbalance, the tourney director shall be consulted on an appropriate course of balancing to allow teams to continue play.

Defense: A minimum of 1 female players must be on the defense at all times. If only one female is present on the field, she may not play catcher.

Walks: If a male batter is walked with a female batter coming up to bat, the male batter is awarded second base and the female batter is given the option to choose an automatic walk or to hit as normal. The decision to walk is up to the sole discretion of the batter and coaches shall not force a walk on any player who wishes to hit.

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Offense

Pitch Count: All batters start with a count of 1 ball and 1 strike. For extra innings or games quickened due to weather/scheduling issues, all batters start with a full count.  There are no courtesy fouls.

Home Runs: Home runs are limited in this event. Each team is allotted FIVE home runs without penalty. All home runs hit over the fence that are higher than the allotted total of home runs are automatically counted as an "out". Women home runs are unlimited and do not count towards team totals.

Pinch Runners: One unrestricted runner, per gender each inning. Any additional runners required over the allotted one due to injury or runner request must be supplied as the last out who matches the gender of the runner being substituted, and opposing coach must be informed of this necessity. Runners have the right to reject a coaches' suggestion for a runner. Senior Division: Unlimited runners, but a substitute runner can only run once per inning.  In the case of extra innings, the extra player who starts at second base cannot be substituted for until they advance at least one base.  In Seniors, there is no gender restriction for runners.

Score Limits: Senior Division Only: A maximum of 5 runs can be scored in an inning prior to switching the teams. The last inning will be an open inning without a maximum run cap.

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Defense

Pitching: The ball must be pitched in a definite underhanded motion at slow speed. The pitched ball must arc to 5 feet above the ground before it passes any part of home plate. The pitched ball shall not rise higher than 10 feet above the ground. No pump faking is allowed for this event. A ball batted into a pitcher's screen will be ruled as a dead ball, foul ball.  Senior Division: The Senior division will use a strike mat and will include home plate as part of the strike zone.

Minimum Innings on Defense: During Pool Play, each rostered player must complete a minimum of three defensive innings in the field. During the final tournament, the minimum innings played requirement is reduced to two.

First Team to Bat: During pool play, this is determined by a double coin flip with the umpire ahead of the game. During tourney play, the higher seed has the option of selecting home or away.