Softball rules
HomeSoftball rules
All rules will refer to NFHS if not specified here.
Game Times:
– Pool Play- 1 hour 15 mins drop dead
– Bracket Play- 1 hour 15 mins finish the inning
– All time limits are subject to change due to director’s discretion.
Run Rules
20 after 2
15 after 3
8 after 4
Tie Breaker System
All pool play can end in a tie.
In a bracket game, if time or innings have concluded we will go to the TDS Tie Breaker. Bases will be loaded, there will be one out, and each batter will come up to the plate with a 1-1 count.
Ejections
OUR EVENTS ARE ABOUT THE PLAYERS. If a parent or assistant coach gets ejected, the head coach is ejected as well. They are gone for that game as well as the following game. Coaches are responsible for their players and fans. The head coach is the one who goes to the plate meeting. Players and head coaches, if ejected, will be serve at least a one game suspension according to director’s discretion. SPORTSMANSHIP is a MUST.
Lineups
You can bat as many or as few players as you would like with a minimum of 9. All players, including subs, are eligible to free defensive substitution.
PLAYER MINIMUM
A team can start with just 8 players ONLY if all other rostered players are injured, sick or otherwise incapacitated. That team will be allowed to bat only 8 with no penalty. If the number of players dips below 8, then an automatic out shall be recorded for those spots in the lineup less than 8.
Bats must be USSSA approved
IN-GAME INJURIES
When a team chooses to bat the entire lineup, if a player is injured during the game, their spot in the lineup is skipped with NO PENALTY. Once the spot in the lineup is skipped due to an injury or illness, that player is not eligible to return to the game in any capacity. Game time rules still apply during injury (the clock does not stop) unless injury is severe and at the director’s discretion.
COURTESY RUNNERS
Courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher allowed at any time. If substitutions exist, the courtesy runner must be a sub. If not, the courtesy runner must be the player who made the last batted out.
Protests
$100 to protest a roster or an illegal bat. If any player is illegal, that player and the coach will be ejected for the entire duration of the event. If a game is stopped due to a rule, there is no fee. The director will clarify it, and the game will continue. Time will be stopped with directors discretion.
Visits
You will get complimentary visit per pitcher. On the second visit to any pitcher, they must be removed from the game.
Age Regulations
8U Division
Players who turn 9 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 2nd grade. Also, any player turning 10 prior to September 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 8u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.
10U Division
Players who turn 11 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 4th grade. Also, any player turning 12 prior to September 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 10u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.
12U Division
Players who turn 13 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 6th grade. Also, any player turning 14 prior to September 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 12u are eligible for this division regardless of their grade.
14U Division
Players who turn 15 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 8th grade. Also, any player turning 16 prior to September 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 14u eligible are eligible for this division regardless of grade.
16U Division
Players who turn 17 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are a sophomore in High School.
WEATHER RELATED REFUND POLICY for a 3 game guarantee tournament
No games played: 100% credit towards any TDS future event.
1 game played: 40% credit towards any TDS future event.
2 or more games played: 0% credit towards any TDS future event.
WEATHER RELATED REFUND POLICY for a 4 game guarantee tournament
No games played: 100% credit towards any TDS future event.
1 game played: 40% credit towards any TDS future event.
2 games played: 20% credit towards any TDS future event.
3 or more games played: 0% credit towards any TDS future event.
BRACKET SETTING DETERMINATIONS
1. Record
2. Runs allowed
3. Head to head
4. Runs scored
5. Overall past record with TDS
6. Coin flip