Tournament Rules
Effective January 1, 2020 Triple Crown will be using National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball rules with a few modifications that are listed below.
PITCHING MODIFICATION:
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.
INTENTIONAL WALKS:
All pitches including a pitchout must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
LINEUP MODIFICATIONS:
Any option listed below may be used:
Option 1: Straight nine- Those nine can play any position on defense without reporting to the umpire.
Option 2: DP/Flex- 10 players are listed on the line-up, but only 9 bat. The DP can bat for any player that you designate prior to the start of the game. That player is designated as the Flex and should be listed in the 10th spot on the line-up card. Any of the 10 players can play on defense.
Option 3: EH/EP- This gives you the option to bat 10 players and any 9 can play defense. This player can be placed anywhere in the line-up.
Option 4: DP/Flex and the EP/EH- This allows you to have 11 players listed on the lineup, only 10 will bat any 9 of these players can play defensively. The Flex is listed at the bottom of the lineup.
RUN RULES and GAMETIMES:
Run Rule for all age groups is 10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings.
Bracket play tie breaker - International tie breaker
Game Time Limits: 1 hour 30 minute, finish the inning,
Teams must be ready to play 15 minutes before their schedule game time, Games can start earlier.
If you would like to order a NFHS Softball rule book you may do so by going to https://nfhs.com and selecting the 2020 Softball Rules Book. Triple Crown Sports DOES NOT receive any portion of the cost of the NFHS rule book, all proceeds go to NFHS.
Coaches, players and/or spectators who have been asked to leave the game must immediately depart the field and go to the parking lot. The ejected individual then must sit out the following game. Should an ejected coach/spectator/player not comply and begin to verbally/physically contest the ejection, the site director has the right to forfeit the game.
Players can only play on one roster during the tournament. Any player who has played on a college roster (JUCO, NAIA, NCAA) or has completed college coursework after high school, is NOT eligible to play in this event. First offense will be a warning, second you will forfeit the game.
Two-Way tie (Same Pool): 1. Win/Loss Record, 2. Head to Head, 3. Total Run Differential, 4. Least Runs Allowed, 5. Most Runs Scored, 6. Last Actual Run Differential (LAD) 7. Coin Flip.
Three-Way tie (Same Pool): 1. Total Run Differential, 2. Least Runs Allowed, 3. Most Runs Scored, 4. Last Actual Run Differential (LAD), 5. Coin Flip.
IMPORTANT: Maximum run spread per game is 7, regardless of score; forfeits scored 7-0.
It is NOT free substitution or bat your lineup during any game. Each team will need to turn in a lineup at the home plate meeting.
ALL GAMES will flip for home team
Game balls will be provided, 1 hr at the site directors table before your first game. You must use the TC game balls.
Umpires will have ONE scorecard at the beginning of each game given to them by the TC site director. Coaches are to verify the score after the game. TC site directors will enter the score provided to them from the scorecard from the game umpire.
NO PROTEST TOURNAMENT
Teams listed first or on top of the bracket will occupy third base unless playing back-to-back.
Scorecards used for all games.
If you would like to order a NFHS Softball rule book you may do so by going to https://nfhs.com and selecting the 2020 Softball Rules Book. Triple Crown Sports DOES NOT receive any portion of the cost of the NFHS rule book, all proceeds go to NFHS.
PITCHING MODIFICATION:
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.
INTENTIONAL WALKS:
All pitches including a pitchout must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
LINEUP MODIFICATIONS:
Any option listed below may be used:
Option 1: Straight nine- Those nine can play any position on defense without reporting to the umpire.
Option 2: DP/Flex- 10 players are listed on the line-up, but only 9 bat. The DP can bat for any player that you designate prior to the start of the game. That player is designated as the Flex and should be listed in the 10th spot on the line-up card. Any of the 10 players can play on defense.
Option 3: EH/EP- This gives you the option to bat 10 players and any 9 can play defense. This player can be placed anywhere in the line-up.
Option 4: DP/Flex and the EP/EH- This allows you to have 11 players listed on the lineup, only 10 will bat any 9 of these players can play defensively. The Flex is listed at the bottom of the lineup.
RUN RULES and GAMETIMES:
Run Rule for all age groups is 10 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings.
Bracket play tie breaker - International tie breaker
Game Time Limits: 1 hour 30 minute, finish the inning,
Teams must be ready to play 15 minutes before their schedule game time, Games can start earlier.
If you would like to order a NFHS Softball rule book you may do so by going to https://nfhs.com and selecting the 2020 Softball Rules Book. Triple Crown Sports DOES NOT receive any portion of the cost of the NFHS rule book, all proceeds go to NFHS.
Coaches, players and/or spectators who have been asked to leave the game must immediately depart the field and go to the parking lot. The ejected individual then must sit out the following game. Should an ejected coach/spectator/player not comply and begin to verbally/physically contest the ejection, the site director has the right to forfeit the game.
Players can only play on one roster during the tournament. Any player who has played on a college roster (JUCO, NAIA, NCAA) or has completed college coursework after high school, is NOT eligible to play in this event. First offense will be a warning, second you will forfeit the game.
Two-Way tie (Same Pool): 1. Win/Loss Record, 2. Head to Head, 3. Total Run Differential, 4. Least Runs Allowed, 5. Most Runs Scored, 6. Last Actual Run Differential (LAD) 7. Coin Flip.
Three-Way tie (Same Pool): 1. Total Run Differential, 2. Least Runs Allowed, 3. Most Runs Scored, 4. Last Actual Run Differential (LAD), 5. Coin Flip.
IMPORTANT: Maximum run spread per game is 7, regardless of score; forfeits scored 7-0.
It is NOT free substitution or bat your lineup during any game. Each team will need to turn in a lineup at the home plate meeting.
ALL GAMES will flip for home team
Game balls will be provided, 1 hr at the site directors table before your first game. You must use the TC game balls.
Umpires will have ONE scorecard at the beginning of each game given to them by the TC site director. Coaches are to verify the score after the game. TC site directors will enter the score provided to them from the scorecard from the game umpire.
NO PROTEST TOURNAMENT
Teams listed first or on top of the bracket will occupy third base unless playing back-to-back.
Scorecards used for all games.
If you would like to order a NFHS Softball rule book you may do so by going to https://nfhs.com and selecting the 2020 Softball Rules Book. Triple Crown Sports DOES NOT receive any portion of the cost of the NFHS rule book, all proceeds go to NFHS.
