The rules below apply to STLPlaySports events only
Home team will be the official scorekeeper in all tournament games.
Home team will be determined as follows: pool games = coin toss; bracket games = higher seed
All softballs will be provided.
A copy of your lineup must be given to the home plate umpire at ground rules regardless of whether you are batting roster or batting by the book. All player names, numbers and positions must be included on your lineup card.
No organized infield practice before the games. Teams may warm up beyond the baselines or in foul territory while infield is being prepared. No live batting practice is allowed on the field or in the complex at any time. Batting nets are allowed.
Time limit for all games is 75 minutes. All teams should be prepared to start their game up to 20 minutes early in case we are ahead of schedule.
Regulation games will be defined by the type of game that it is:
Pool play: Games will be 7 innings or time limit. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, it will be declared a tie.
Bracket Play: Games will be 7 inning or time limit. Games that are tied at the end of regulation will use an “Accelerated” ITB rule until a winner is declared. First inning of ITB – runner on second with no outs. All subsequent ITB innings will start with runners at 2nd & 3rd and no outs
Run rules: 12 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings.
Team manager ONLY may consult with the umpires. Players, sponsors and other coaches are asked to keep out of any discussions.
Use of alcohol/tobacco products on the field or in the dugouts is strictly prohibited!
Roster batting will be allowed throughout the tournament
Courtesy runner will be allowed for pitcher and catcher at any time. The courtesy runner will be designated by the following rules:
Rulebook batting line-up: Per rulebook designation
Roster batting line-up: The player with the last completed at-bat. If pitcher and/or catcher are next then move up in the order to find your courtesy runner
Teams may begin a game with 8 players. If the additional players arrive after the start of the game, they will be handled in the following manner:
Rulebook batting line-up: Teams may add a 9th player to the line-up. Any additional players will be designated as substitutes.
Roster batting line-up: Teams may add any and all players to the end of the line-up. These players must be listed on the line-up card submitted prior to the game. If the players are not present for their time at bat, their spot will be skipped until they arrive with no automatic out being charged (unless below 9 players).
The following procedure will be used to determine the seedings after pool play:
If three or more teams are tied with the same record in a division, head-to-head may or may not be used to break ties.
Once a level of tie-breaker is used, we DO NOT revert back to any steps of the tie-breaking procedure. We will continue on down the list until all ties are broken.
Winning Percentage – descending
Number of wins – descending
Number of losses – ascending
Tied teams(vs. each other) Winning Pct – Descending [Only valid if ALL TIED TEAMS have played each other]
Average runs allowed – ascending
Average run differential (8 max) – descending
Ranking points – descending
Date team entered USSSA database
If a team is playing an extra pool game, the runs allowed and the Win/Loss in that game will not count towards your total. However, the result of the game (win/loss) will be used in head-to-head consideration if a tie in pool play occurs.
In case of a rain-shortened tournament, pool play games can be deemed official after 2 ½ innings of play (with home team winning) or 45 minutes of elapsed game time. This policy will only be used through pool play. In addition, if games are cancelled due to weather, there may be an adjustment in application of the tie-breaking procedures.
Tournament director reserves the right to alter the tournament format as needed when weather dictates.
