2015 Firecracker Softball Tournament Rules
2015 Firecracker Softball Tournament Rules The default rule book for the 2014 Firecracker will be High School Rules
Rosters Teams must submit a roster form with no more than 15 players and 4 adults (1 manager, 2 coaches, and a scorekeeper). Rosters need to be submitted at least 7 days prior.
Home Team Selection: Home team will be determined by coin toss for every preliminary game. In Consolation, Semifinal or Championship, Higher Seed will have choice of being Home or Visitor.
Sportsmanship: Any player, coach or spectator ejected from the game for poor sportsmanship will be suspended for a minimum of the next game. Suspension length to be determined by tournament director & crew chief.
Equipment – BATS / Balls 10U 11 Inch 12U 12 Inch
Game Length / Field dimensions ’/60’ for 10U 6 innings; 4 innings complete game: See time limit for further clarification. 40’/60’ for 12U 6 innings; 4 innings complete game: See time limit for further clarification.
Official Scorebook The home team will keep the official scorebook.
Line-up Cards Each team must provide their own line-up cards. A copy MUST be given to opposing team and the umpire prior to each game.
Lineups U10:10 bat w/ mandatory EH, U12 9 plays in field. All teams have the option to bat the entire lineup if they choose; however, we will not force the opposing team. Batting all gives team free substitution! Rev A 6/16/2015
2015 Firecracker Softball Tournament Rules Playing time rules will not be enforced during the tournament. No NEW inning will start after 1 hour and 45 minutes from First Pitch.
Stealing 10u on pitcher release 3rd base ONLY No Stealing 2nd or HOME 3 MAX Steals per inning (immediate dead ball call if they leave early 1st offense/ 2nd offense-runner is out). This is a team warning and each team gets a warning. 12u on pitcher release (immediate dead ball call if they leave early 1st offense/ 2nd offense-runner is out) Unlimited steals all bases. This is a team warning and each team gets a warning. U10 ONLY: FORCE Play back to bag 1st and 3rd, NO advancement on bad throws.
Run on Dropped 3rd Strike No 10U YES 12U
Tagging up: YES 10U – 12U Bunting 10U- 12U YES o Note: No fake bunt and then slash full swing. Automatic out!
Infield Fly Rule No 10U YES 12U Courtesy Runners All divisions: MUST for the catcher only with 2 outs using any player not currently in lineup or last batted out provided team only has 9 players.
Rev A 6/16/2015
2015 Firecracker Softball Tournament Rules Avoiding Contact (slide, avoid or give yourself up) Players must attempt to avoid contact with other players in tag-out situations. Failure to do so or blatant disregard for the safety of another player may lead to an ejection. Head First Slides are permitted back to a base.
On-deck Batter All on-deck batters must stay near their team’s dugout or as directed by umpire
Pitching Rule (innings)
U10 - 4 innings MAX per pitcher U12 - NO PITCH COUNT RULE, BUT PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE!!!
Mound Visits Pitcher must be removed on the second visit in the same inning or the 3rd overall visit for the same pitcher
Hit Batter A pitcher is removed if she hits 3 in a game Umpire has full discretion on removal of pitcher for hit batsman if felt intentional.
Throwing Bat 1 Warning per team upon occurrence, 2nd time for a time batter is out.
Re-entry Starters may be re-entered one time, the player must occupy the same position in the batting order, provided team is not batting entire lineup.
Reporting Scores Both coaches must report scores to site director or email [email protected] Game results posted via email Rev A 6/16/2015
2015 Firecracker Softball Tournament Rules Tie-breakers Ties are possible in pool play (in the case of a three-way tie, the procedure will go to step two first). 1. Head to Head results (if applicable) 2. Total runs allowed 3. Lowest Single game runs allowed 4. Each subsequent lowest single game runs allowed (2nd lowest for each team, etc.) 5. Coin flip
Mercy Rule run mercy ALL divisions provided after 4 innings if Home Team is trailing. You can not mercy team in top half of inning. Trailing team must get chance to bat.
Time Limit Pool play- NO new inning may start after 1:45 minutes! Official start time of game is based on first pitch. Ties are allowed in pool play. Drop dead time limit is 2:15. Weather Delays don’t count against game time limit.
Intentional Delays Intentionally delaying a game to achieve a victory through the time limit is considered unsportsmanlike conduct and will not be tolerated at the tournament. The umpires and tournament officials at the game reserve the right to eject a coach or player for intentionally delaying a game and possibly declare a forfeit to that team.
Appeals A coach may request a site director at any time prior to the next pitch. All final rulings are made by the umpire. An umpire may contact tournament crew chief if necessary.
Jewelry Players are not allowed to wear jewelry during the games. Exception will be made for jewelry worn for medical reasons.
Rev A 6/16/2015
Rosters Teams must submit a roster form with no more than 15 players and 4 adults (1 manager, 2 coaches, and a scorekeeper). Rosters need to be submitted at least 7 days prior.
Home Team Selection: Home team will be determined by coin toss for every preliminary game. In Consolation, Semifinal or Championship, Higher Seed will have choice of being Home or Visitor.
Sportsmanship: Any player, coach or spectator ejected from the game for poor sportsmanship will be suspended for a minimum of the next game. Suspension length to be determined by tournament director & crew chief.
Equipment – BATS / Balls 10U 11 Inch 12U 12 Inch
Game Length / Field dimensions ’/60’ for 10U 6 innings; 4 innings complete game: See time limit for further clarification. 40’/60’ for 12U 6 innings; 4 innings complete game: See time limit for further clarification.
Official Scorebook The home team will keep the official scorebook.
Line-up Cards Each team must provide their own line-up cards. A copy MUST be given to opposing team and the umpire prior to each game.
Lineups U10:10 bat w/ mandatory EH, U12 9 plays in field. All teams have the option to bat the entire lineup if they choose; however, we will not force the opposing team. Batting all gives team free substitution! Rev A 6/16/2015
2015 Firecracker Softball Tournament Rules Playing time rules will not be enforced during the tournament. No NEW inning will start after 1 hour and 45 minutes from First Pitch.
Stealing 10u on pitcher release 3rd base ONLY No Stealing 2nd or HOME 3 MAX Steals per inning (immediate dead ball call if they leave early 1st offense/ 2nd offense-runner is out). This is a team warning and each team gets a warning. 12u on pitcher release (immediate dead ball call if they leave early 1st offense/ 2nd offense-runner is out) Unlimited steals all bases. This is a team warning and each team gets a warning. U10 ONLY: FORCE Play back to bag 1st and 3rd, NO advancement on bad throws.
Run on Dropped 3rd Strike No 10U YES 12U
Tagging up: YES 10U – 12U Bunting 10U- 12U YES o Note: No fake bunt and then slash full swing. Automatic out!
Infield Fly Rule No 10U YES 12U Courtesy Runners All divisions: MUST for the catcher only with 2 outs using any player not currently in lineup or last batted out provided team only has 9 players.
Rev A 6/16/2015
2015 Firecracker Softball Tournament Rules Avoiding Contact (slide, avoid or give yourself up) Players must attempt to avoid contact with other players in tag-out situations. Failure to do so or blatant disregard for the safety of another player may lead to an ejection. Head First Slides are permitted back to a base.
On-deck Batter All on-deck batters must stay near their team’s dugout or as directed by umpire
Pitching Rule (innings)
U10 - 4 innings MAX per pitcher U12 - NO PITCH COUNT RULE, BUT PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE!!!
Mound Visits Pitcher must be removed on the second visit in the same inning or the 3rd overall visit for the same pitcher
Hit Batter A pitcher is removed if she hits 3 in a game Umpire has full discretion on removal of pitcher for hit batsman if felt intentional.
Throwing Bat 1 Warning per team upon occurrence, 2nd time for a time batter is out.
Re-entry Starters may be re-entered one time, the player must occupy the same position in the batting order, provided team is not batting entire lineup.
Reporting Scores Both coaches must report scores to site director or email [email protected] Game results posted via email Rev A 6/16/2015
2015 Firecracker Softball Tournament Rules Tie-breakers Ties are possible in pool play (in the case of a three-way tie, the procedure will go to step two first). 1. Head to Head results (if applicable) 2. Total runs allowed 3. Lowest Single game runs allowed 4. Each subsequent lowest single game runs allowed (2nd lowest for each team, etc.) 5. Coin flip
Mercy Rule run mercy ALL divisions provided after 4 innings if Home Team is trailing. You can not mercy team in top half of inning. Trailing team must get chance to bat.
Time Limit Pool play- NO new inning may start after 1:45 minutes! Official start time of game is based on first pitch. Ties are allowed in pool play. Drop dead time limit is 2:15. Weather Delays don’t count against game time limit.
Intentional Delays Intentionally delaying a game to achieve a victory through the time limit is considered unsportsmanlike conduct and will not be tolerated at the tournament. The umpires and tournament officials at the game reserve the right to eject a coach or player for intentionally delaying a game and possibly declare a forfeit to that team.
Appeals A coach may request a site director at any time prior to the next pitch. All final rulings are made by the umpire. An umpire may contact tournament crew chief if necessary.
Jewelry Players are not allowed to wear jewelry during the games. Exception will be made for jewelry worn for medical reasons.
Rev A 6/16/2015
