Rules

Fastpitch Turf

General Tournament Rules

  • 6 Innings or 1 hour 10 min whichever comes first
  • No Lead Offs Until The Ball Is Released From Pitchers Hand
  • Batting Helmets Are Required At Bat, On Deck, and On Base
  • Catchers in all divisions are required to wear helmets, face masks, throat protectors, body protectors and shin guards.
  • The manager and/or coach can make 3 defensive trips per game
  • Face guards are encouraged, but not enforced
  • Free defensive substitutions will be allowed in all divisions, except as restricted at the pitcher’s position. A player may be removed from a defensive position at any time and may re-enter the game at the position or any other position.
  • Ages 10u and up may choose to play 9 bat 9 with a DH or EH
  • In pool play, a coin flip will determine the home team – teams that forfeit pool play games, regardless of reason, do not advance to bracket play
  • The coin flip will be conducted by the umpiring crew at ground rules 
  • During the bracket play, the higher seeded team will be the home team in all games
  • Both teams should keep score books and should report the game score to the home plate umpire between innings. Umpires will maintain official game card all games.
  • Home team will maintain official game book and start time. 
  • Game start time will be announced immediately after ground rules and confirmed with Home Team.

PITCHING MODIFICATION

Pitchers may start back, but cannot step back to start pitch. While the pitcher takes the signal, her stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher’s plate as far back as desired.  Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she CANNOT move it to increase the distance behind the pitcher’s plate.  In addition, the pitcher must take or appear to take a signal while in the pitching and signal-taking positions.

COURTESY RUNNER

We will be using the written NFHS courtesy runner rule, which states the courtesy runner must be an eligible sub that has not been in the game at any capacity.

PROTESTS

Any roster protests must be accompanied by a $250 fee, be made at the plate by the opposing team’s manager only and presented before the final out has been recorded. The manager then has 5 minutes to present their protest, citing the specific rule to justify their protest to the Tournament Director along with submission of a $250  forfeit fee – cash.  If the manager does not file their protest within the 5 Minute time frame, the protest will be considered as dropped and no action will be taken Fastpitch Turf will provide due diligence in regards to the player’s eligibility and return the fee in the event of a successful protest.

Time Limits

All games will be 1 hour and 10 minute time limits.

If time expires during inning, inning will finish.

AgesRubberBasesBall Size
10U35 feet60 feet11 inches
12U40 feet60 feet12 inches
14U-16U-18U43 feet60 feet12 inches

Age Chart: Proof of Age

Fastpitch Turf Does Not Collect Birth Certificates Prior To Tournament Events

  • It is the Managers responsibility to have his players birth certificates or accepted proof of age identification in the case of any question regarding the age of his players—failure to produce birth certificates and sanctioned Fastpitch Turf Roster will result in a forfeit if roster is protested by opposing team
  • At times and at certain parks, Fastpitch Turf will adjust base distances to adapt to park setups and field constraints
  • In rain shortened timed games, Fastpitch Turf does run hard stop time limits—game is stopped at designated game length (deteremined at ground rules), at that time score reverts to previous finished inning’s score

Age

Birth Date

Innings

Max Runs Per Inning

18U

Born On or After May 1st, 2005

6 Innings

Unlimited

17U

Born On or After May 1st, 2006

6 Innings

Unlimited

16U

Born On or After May 1st, 2007

6 Innings

Unlimited

15U

Born On or After May 1st, 2008

6 Innings

Unlimited

14U

Born On or After May 1st, 2009

6 Innings

Unlimited

13U

Born On or After May 1st, 2010

6 Innings

Unlimited

12U

Born On or After May 1st, 2011

6 Innings

Unlimited

11U

Born On or After May 1st, 2012

6 Innings

Unlimited

10U

Born On or After May 1st, 2013

6 Innings

Unlimited

9U

Born On or After May 1st, 2014

6 Innings

See Rules Section

8U

Born On or After May 1st, 2015

6 Innings

See Rules Section

7U

Born On or After May 1st, 2016

6 Innings

See Rules Section

 

10U Special Rules

  • Pitchers Rubber 35 ft 
  • 5 runs per inning 
  • 1 warning per pitcher per inning on illegal pitches 
  • 10 fielders per team (4 outfielders) 
  • Stealing home and dropped third strikes are allowed 
  • Bat 9/10 play 9/10 with DH or EH or Bat line up with free substitution.  Must inform umpire prior to each game.

12U

  • 9 fielders are allowed 
  • No pitching limit 
  • 7 runs per half inning 
  • Bat 9 play 9 with DH or EH or Bat line up with free substitution.  Must inform umpire prior to each game. 

14U - 16U - 18U

  • Metal cleats allowed 
  • No run limits 
  • 9 fielders are allowed 
  • Bat 9 play 9 with DH or EH or Bat line up with free substitution.  Must inform umpire prior to each game.

Mercy Rule

  • 15 after 3 innings
  • 12 after 4 innings
  • 8 after 5 innings

Rainout Policy

  • 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

Complete Game Rain Rules, All Games Complete After

  • All games, All ages- 2 ½ innings if home team in lead
  • 40 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 3rd 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

Game Procedures-Pool and Championship Play

Pool games will end in ties after allotted time has expired – pool play games that are tied after regulation, will continue if time remaining on clock

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. Total Runs Scored

  4. Coin Flip


½ Point Rule Established For Ties In Pool Play Games

All Forfeits, All Ages Will Be Recorded As 6 – 0 – Any Team That Forfeits A Pool Game Is Not Eligible For Bracket Play

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

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