Rules

Team registration

All Teams must be NCS sanctioned to be eligible to participate in our 2026 Fastpitch Turf Tournaments
NCS Sanctioning Fess Are Non-Refundable
All Teams must submit their team rosters and insurance online prior to weekend tournament play
All Fastpitch Turf Tournaments will follow NCS National Fastpitch Rules (except as noted)
NCS National Fastpitch Rule Book
All Refunds Take 8 to 10 Weeks To Process

Tournament Check-In

Check-In is 45 minutes prior to your first game – your team should be ready to play 30 minutes prior to scheduled game time
A Fastpitch Turf Representative will be at each ballpark to facilitate team check in
Official brackets and game times are posted on our website

Fastpitch Turf Refund policied (withdrawl and rain out)

Fastpitch Turf will provide a full refund minus a $300 withdrawal fee for any team withdrawing from tournaments up to 45 days prior to scheduled start of the event
Tournament Withdrawals Inside of 45 Days From Tournament Start Date Forfeit All Tournament Fees
Fastpitch Turf Does, If Needed Mix Ages/Divisions To Form Brackets – Tournaments Are 4 Teams
0 games played=full refund minus $75 of tournament fees
1 game played=50% refund
2 games played= no refund
All refunds (Withdrawal and Rainout) Take 8 to 10 weeks to process
In the event of rain or cancellation, trophies and plaques are awarded based on seeding and only if championship game teams have been established.
Awards are only awarded at park

The following fastpitch turf rules apply, all other rules follow ncs national fastpitch rules

In pool play, coin flip will determine the home team – teams that forfeit pool games, regardless of reason, do not advance to bracket play
The coin flip will be conducted by the umpiring crew at ground rules
During bracket play, the higher seeded team will be the home team in all games
Inclement weather could force Fastpitch Turf to modify tournament game time and/or facilities on any given weekend
Two softballs per game provided – each team should supply two slightly used balls at ground rules – all teams must chase foul balls or provide replacement balls
Both teams should keep score books and should report the game score to the home plate umpire between innings. Umpires will maintain game card for all games
Home team will maintain official game book and start time. Game start will be announced immediately after ground rules and confirmed with home team
Max 3 coaches and score keeper allowed in dugout – head coach, two assistants, and score keeper
Defensive coaches are not allowed on playing field during your respective teams defensive 1/2 inning – defensive coaches should remain in dugout

Game Time Limits

All games will be 1 hour and 10 minute time limits.
If time expires during inning, inning will finish.
2026 Spring/Summer Time Limits
- 8U | 55 Minutest | 1 Hour Championship Game (If Last Game of Day)
- 10U – 18U | 1 Hour and 10 Minutes | 1 Hour and 20 Minute Championship Game (If Last Game Of Day)

Age	Time Limit	Field	Innings	Max Runs Per Inning
8U – CP or MP	1 Hour and 5 Minutes	60′	7 Innings	5 Run Max Per Half Inning Mercy Rule: 12 After 4 10 After 5
10U	1 Hour and 10 Minutes	60′ x 35′	7 Innings	Unlimited
12U	1 Hour and 10 Minutes	60′ x 40′	7 Innings	Unlimited
14U – 16U – 18U	1 Hour and 10 Minutes	60′ x 43′	7 Innings	Unlimited

Game Procedures - Pool and Championship Play

Fastpitch Turf Does Not Collect Birth Certificates Prior To Tournament Events

Pool games will end in ties after allotted time has expired or full innings have been completed
If elimination games are tied after time expires, Fastpitch Turf Tie-Breaker Rules Are Played – Each team will start with the previous innings last batted on 2nd base with one out
The following Pool Play Tie Breakers will be used for seeding in the championship rounds
1. Head to Head Play
  (If Only Two Teams With Same Record)
2. Total Runs Allowed
  (Used When More Than 2 Teams Have Same Record)
  (There Is No Head To Head At This Point)
3. Run Differential (10 Max Per Game)
4. Total Runs Scored
5. Coin Flip
All Forfeits, All Ages Will Be Recorded As 7 – 0 – Any Team That Forfeits A Pool Game Is Not Eligible For Bracket Play
Game Umpires do not have the authority to call a game forfeit.
Team Managers are required to verify Game Scores and Game Cards of all games immediately following completion of game. Signed game cards are the official scoring for each game played. Failure to sign Completed Game Card assumes acceptance @ 10 minutes after completion of game

8U Machine and coach pitch

Pitchers Rubber 35 ft
5 runs per inning
10 fielders per team (4 outfielders)
Stealing is not permitted for any base
Machine Speed will be set to 35-36 MPH
Prior to each game, the umpire will have each coach feed at least one pitch and obtain consensus that the machine is set correctly
The umpire may adjust the machine if he/she believes it is needed, this includes any time the machine has been hit and is not set correctly
A coach cannot adjust the pitching machine without umpire approval
- First offense will be a warning
- Second offense will be automatic removal from the pitching machine position

Scheduled Game Time Starts

All teams should be prepared to start game 30 minutes prior to scheduled start time as this allows Fastpitch Turf to keep pace with the overall scheduled tournament

Mercy Rule

12 after 3 innings
10 after 4 innings
8 after 5 innings

Complete Game Rain Rules, All Games Complete After

All games, All ages- 2 ½ innings if home team in lead
45 min in time limit played- score revert to the previous finished inning
In the event of rain and if game are incomplete- games will be started over if move to the next day due to rain or weather
No new inning may start after the time limit elapsed. A new inning automatically begins after the 3^rd out is recorded in the bottom half of the previous inning.
The official time starts after ground rules are completed- umpires will confirm official game start with home team book scorekeeper

Cleats

Metal cleats are allowed in the 14U – 18U Divisions – No metal cleats allowed on turf fields. Will result in automatic Ejection
No metal cleats, gum or seeds are to be used on turf fields – Zero tolerance – Player will be ejected for that game if caught using metal cleats and/or chewing gum or seeds on turf fields

Line-Up Cards

Each team should prepare a written line-up, listing first and last names and numbers of all players/subs prior to each game. Line-ups must be given to the plate umpire at ground rules. Line-up cards will be provided to each team at check-in.
Subs not listed on Fastpitch Turf Game Card are not eligible for that game

Rules of Conduct – Disruptive Behavior

Fastpitch Turf strives to provide a great softball and family atmosphere for its tournament participants and guests. No unsportsmanlike conduct by participants or fans will be tolerated, and penalty for such behavior will be removal from the grounds for the remainder of the tournament.
Coaches are responsible for themselves, their players, and families at all times. Any suspension/ejection imposed by umpires or Fastpitch Turf officials will be served during the game in progress and the next tournament game and/or tournament weekend. Applies for Coaches and Parents. Players are eligible for next game. Ejected Coaches or Parents will need to be outside the park or near the foul line and foul poles during the game of which they are suspended.
Ejected coaches and players should leave playing field and report to Tournament Check In. At the time the Tournament Site Director will escort Player or Coach Outside the Park and Playing Area. Game clock continues during ejections and all time associated with the ejection. Failure to leave the field and park in a timely manner could result in a Game Forfeit. Forfeit would result in a 6 – 0 loss.
Game Umpires do not have the authority to call a game forfeit.
Max 3 Coaches and Score Keeper Allowed In Dugout – Head Coach, Two Assistants and Score Keeper
Defensive Coaches Are Not Allowed On Playing Field During Your Respective Teams Defensive 1/2 Inning – Defensive Coaches Should Remain In Dugout

Fastpitch Turf Photo Policy

Fastpitch Turf may use film, voice or photographic records of Fastpitch Turf Tournament Participation in the activities for its promotional and/or commercial purposes. This includes (but is not limited to) social, media, and other means of marketing via photography, video, live stream, etc.