Tournament Rules

We will follow USA Fastpitch Rules

unless specified different below

Home team will be determined with umpires prior to start of game which involves a coin flip.

A coin flip will be done for all games both in Pool Play & Bracket Play. Be prepared to start early if situation allows. No infield practice between games.  The score should be verified between the two teams at regular intervals during game. One of our tournament workers will report the scores to the main tent.  Home team is the official book and that scorekeeper needs to make sure that the tournament worker receives the score. At games end that worker should be at the home dugout to request the score.

MERCY RULE

15 runs after 3 innings ………. 8 runs after 5 innings

Rule will apply to both Pool Play and Bracket Play.

Fields will have fencing placed at 200’. We request that teams warming up to play the next game please use the area between the temporary fencing and the permanent fencing. Use the area on the field that your team will be playing. There should be two teams warming up in those areas preparing to start their game. Please also have your teams up at the fields prepared to get on field immediately after the finish of game – don’t wait to move up to the dugouts. Be ready to get on field – your help in this matter will allow us to give you our longer times to play the game without making the times back up. Also teams finishing game, once handshakes are done please clear our your dugout quickly and have your team meeting somewhere outside the playing area. Your promptness will be a great help in keeping game times running smoothly. BE PREPARED TO START EARLY - THANKS FOR CO-OPERATING.

Reminder that when pitchers are warming up with their catchers, the catcher MUST be wearing her catching helmet.

That includes your pre-game warmups and also warm ups during the game

First inning each team will be allowed three (3) warm-up pitches and one throw down by catcher & infield and outfield warm-up allowed in first inning only. ALL INNINGS AFTER THE FIRST WILL BE ONE (1) WARM-UP PITCH AND A THROW DOWN BY THE CATCHER – NO INFIELD OR OUTFIELD WARM-UPS. Make sure your leadoff batter is prepared to step in box after the pitcher’s first warm-up pitch. We are looking to keep games on time and play as many innings as possible. PLEASE MAKE YOUR PLAYERS AWARE PRIOR TO GAME OF THIS WARM-UP RULE AND HAVE THEM HUSTLE ON AND OFF THE FIELD. Play will be resuming quickly – umpires will be enforcing this for it allows a better opportunity of teams playing their seven innings. EACH COACH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE THEIR TEAMS PREPARED TO RESUME PLAY QUICKLY FROM DEFENSE TO OFFENSE.

Because we give you a large time limit – please keep the game and the players hustling.

No new inning may start after one hour and thirty minutes – even if teams have not reached the 5^th inning. Inning will be completed if time expires during that inning already having started. NO TIE BREAKER FOR POOL GAMES – GAME WILL END AS A TIE GAME.

Pools will consist of 5 teams unless otherwise specified in the schedule.

ALL TIED GAMES AFTER THE 7^th INNING OR TIME LIMIT WILL BEGIN WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TIE BREAKER.

No Time Limit in the Final Game of the Championship Bracket

Age Divisions will be seeded into Bracket Play based on their pool play record.

Consists of Championship Bracket with loser of first game going into a consolation bracket.

Single game knockout after your first game – unless stated otherwise on the bracket.

1. Head to head results (doesn’t apply to a three way tie)

2. Lowest total of runs allowed in pool games

3. Most runs scored

4. Blind draw by tournament director – teams need not be present.

TOURNAMENT GAME SCORES WILL BE KEPT ON TOURNEY MACHINE

Bracket Play Format

Single Elimination for Championship Bracket.

If you lose your very first game in Championship Bracket you will be placed in the Consolation Bracket to be sure you receive your sixth game.

Be sure to note that in Championship Bracket it is possible to lose a second game and still enter the Consolation Bracket. That would be in cases where then first game seeds into a game where the awaiting team would be playing their first game.

Playing a Double Elimination Tournament for all ages would not be workable for the time and fields that would be needed.

During Pool Play & Consolation Brackets Only

Teams may bat up to their entire roster.

DP / Flex can be used. When batting up to all rostered players, any additional batter(s) shall be listed as an EP and maybe listed anywhere in the batting order and may play defense at any position.

Free Substitution during Pool Play & Consolation Bracket only.

Any defensive changes of the Pitcher or Catcher Must be reported to the umpire. Any player can be used as a Courtesy Runner for the pitcher and catcher. (Not necessarily the last out).

If the Courtesy Runner is on base when it’s their turn at bat:

 The player who the Courtesy Runner is running for is Called Out. The Courtesy Runner will be removed from the base and take their turn at bat. The Courtesy Runner can only run for the Pitcher and Catcher marked on the Official Lineup or must have played that position in the previous half inning.

All players and coaches are expected to behave in a professional manner.

No inappropriate behavior will be tolerated.

All games are to be played in a respectful manner towards players, coaches, umpires and fans.

No profanity will be accepted.

Umpire-in-chief will have final authority on all matters regarding a game dispute.

ANY EJECTIONS … YOUR NEXT GAME WILL BE SAT OUT … NO APPEALS

We have a responsibility as coaches to set the example of proper game conduct.

There will be no inappropriate behavior towards umpires, a judgment call is exactly that .. an umpire’s judgment.

UIC will handle all protests - No protests on judgement calls

You can make the players and fans have a respect for the game … if you display that respect in a leadership role.

IN CASE OF RAIN

Tournament Director may have to adjust schedule – this procedure will not be debatable.

Be aware that if weather occurs that makes us drop games and sites we may have to eliminate games

Weather Delays will go out to Head Coaches via a text message,  email  and appear on our web page.