Due to COVID-19 all players must sign a COVID-19 waiver before they will be eligible to compete in any TampaBaySoftball event. If a player is found to not have completed a COVID-19 waiver, they will be asked to leave the premises until a completed waiver is submitted.
Tournament Rules (CO-ED):
Modified Official Rules Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA)
Each batter starts with a ball and a strike, except for extra innings which are one pitch. No courtesy foul ball.
Rosters: Rosters must be completed and submitted prior to tournament day. All players will be checked for possible rankings. Changing of players on event day: No roster player may be replaced with a higher-ranking player, if a roster player needs to be replaced the replacement must be “same as player”.
After the tournament begins, a team can only add players to maintain their ratio. Meaning, if a team has 3 girls and loses one, the team can pick up one to make 3 again or if a team loses a guy to drop below 7 guys then the team can pick up a guy to make 7.
The roster can be up to 15 but ONLY up to 13 prizes will be awarded. Prizes only awarded to 12 signed roster player and 1 coach.
Only the coach/captain may speak with the director about removing and replacing players. Only the coach/captain may speak with the umpire about appeal plays, discussion on calls, etc…
All players, including added players, must sign their team’s roster/waiver before the start of their game and must have played at least one game to be eligible to play in the championship game. Playing with ineligible players will result in a forfeit. It is the responsibility of the team captains to make sure all players in their line-up card are eligible players for all games. Designated runner must be marked on the card but does not have to be in the lineup
Pick Up Players: Teams will be allowed to pick-up one player per gender for their first game of the day. This is not available at any other time during the day (only your first scheduled game) at the approval of the tournament director.
Divisions: All teams will be placed in divisions, by the skill level of the team, ranking level of players, or based on information provided to TBS. Subject to change at the discretion of TBS.
E Division/REC – Allowed 1 male D drop. No female drop allowed. Any male player ranked D plus or higher with TBS will not be allowed to be a drop for a E/Rec team.
D division/Intermediate – Allowed 1 male B drop. Females may be any rank.
Advanced – 1 A or higher or conference male. Females may be any rank.
When we don’t have enough teams for divisions: If a team is considered to be a higher ranking team, that team will give 7 runs or an extra fielder to the lower teams.
Home Run Rule:
E Division/Rec division: 2 home runs, IE if illegal HR
D Division/Intermediate division: 4 home runs, 1 up, with IE if illegal HR
Advanced division: 6 home runs, OUT for each one over limit
All home runs count, no matter the gender.
If the event is a mixed E/D event, home runs are 3 and 1 up, with IE if illegal HR
Homerun bracelets: When applicable. If a player wearing a bracelet is walked, the homerun drops down. Meaning one player on the team can hit a homerun and it not count towards the team total until the player wearing the band comes back up to the plate. Bands may not be traded among players. If you wish to change the person with the band, you must turn in the band and purchase a new one. If team is found to be switching bands, the bands will be revoked without refund and that game will be a forfeit.
Hit and Sit: Batter does not have to touch bases with an over the fence home run.
4 Base Error: (an outfielder touches the ball before it goes over the fence) batter must touch all bases. If all bases are not touched, batter is out.
Players: All players are responsible for signing the team roster before taking the field. Absolutely no alcohol allowed on the premises, as per county ordinance. Any player considered to be intoxicated will be removed from the game and will not allowed to continue to play for the remainder of the day
All players must be at least 18 years of age and signed the roster with liability waiver prior to the start of any game. 16 and 17 year-old players may play with a signed release by a legal guardian. If the legal guardian is not present at the field for us to witness the signing, a notarized waiver can be signed off sight and brought to the field.
If umpire or director observes a player not listed on roster and/or not having signed the roster/liability waiver, that illegal player will be ejected.
A team may start with 8 players, 3 of the 8 players must be female. A ghost player MUST be on the lineup card and replaced with a player as they arrive. 3 girls must always be on the field. A ghost player will be an automatic out until the actual player arrives. Once a team has batted thru the line-up card, they cannot add players. They can only replace the ghost player with an actual player. A team may bat up to 12 batters. A team may not add a 4th ghost female in order to bat 8 guys and 3 girls.
If a batter bats out of order, it will be the opposing team responsibility to bring the illegal batter to the attention of the umpire. If the batter has taken a position in the box, it is an out. (This is not retroactive meaning the opposing team must call it before the play).
Any batted ball that strikes a runner while advancing to another base is out, dead ball is called.
Any batted ball that strikes a runner while standing on or has any contact with any base, is a live ball. Runner is not out when hit with a batted ball while maintaining contact with base.
Protested player: If player is protested by a team, and protest is found valid, the game is a forfeit. A protest fee of $100 must be paid to director before a determination can be made. The game will be paused until a decision is rendered from the director. If the team is found to be taking an extreme amount of time with the protest, the game will continue at the director’s discretion.
The protested player may sign the roster for remaining games, if their name is already on roster or the team drops below ratio. A player must play 1 game to qualify to play in championship games.
Protest must be done by the end of the game.
Substitution: A starter may be withdrawn from the game and re-entered in the same spot in the batting order once. Players may not re-enter a second time, and the starter and the
substitute may not be in the game at the same time.
Format: 7/3 or 8/4 format. Team must have 3 girls. 3 girls must be on the field. If team cannot field 3 girls, it will be considered a forfeit. A team cannot bat more than 12 players. Batting order can be random.
Forfeit: Is deemed as a 7-0 win.
Protest: There is a $100 fee for any protest including rosters. Refundable if protest found to be valid. Roster protest must be done before the game ends. Ranking protest is based on TBS rankings first, if no ranking, then we will rely on another association. Protest fee must be paid before review begins. If not done timely, the umpire will be instructed to continue with the game.
If a team has won 3 tournament(s) in a 3 month period or 2 consecutive tournaments and has 6 players of that sanctioned roster, the team roster will be reviewed for possible reclassification of the sanction roster. Once moved up and played 3 tournaments a request can be made to drop back to a lower division. (Discretion of the tournament directors)
Fielder’s position: A defensive player may not impede a runner’s progress by standing in the baseline, unless the defensive player is actively fielding a batted ball… Blocking of the bag without the ball shall result in an obstruction call. A warning will be issued to the offending player and the runner will be awarded the base. There are no set positions for fielders. Meaning, you may play male or female in any fielding position. However, in the lower division no designated outfielder may play on the dirt or infield and no designated infielder may play on the grass while a female is batting, if the female batter has hit (no matter where the ball has landed) she will be awarded first base. The catcher may not interfere with the batters ability to swing, this means the catcher must remain behind the batter’s box for their safety. Any catcher who interferes with the batter by reaching into the batter’s box will be issued a 1st offense warning. If the catcher interferes 2nd time, the batter will be awarded 1st base. No designated fielders, any and all fielders must be placed in the batting order and bat.
Outfielder’s position: No co-ed line. Girls has choice of 11″ or 12″ ball. In the lower division, no infielder may play on the grass and no outfielder may play on the dirt while a female is batting. (4 person outfield and 6 person infield only)
Courtesy runners: Designated or pinch runners will be allowed when requested. The DR must be listed on the lineup card, if not listed on the card no DR will be allowed. The DR does not have to be in the batting order or play the field. If the DR is in the lineup and is on base when his/her turn comes to bat, the player remains on the base and takes an out at the plate. Once a DR has been established for that game, it may not be changed. It will be the responsibility of the opposing team to determine the other team DR once the line-up card is turned into the umpire.
Line-Up Card: Once the line-up card is turned into the umpire, it may not be changed unless adding a player to the bottom before the team has gone through said line-up.
Injured players: Any injured player must report the injury immediately to the umpire and complete an incident report. If the injured player requires medical attention or feels they can no longer play, the director will be notified of the injury and determine if the player should be removed from the roster. If an injured player is removed from the roster, the team may replace with a “same-like” player. This player can have been on another roster of a team that has completed all their games for the day. The player must play at least one game with this team to qualify for the championship game. If a replacement player is not available, the team may condense the lineup without taking an out. Heat exhaustion: A player who is obviously suffering from heat exhaustion, may be removed and may return once the player is no longer suffering from heat exhaustion. Other than heat exhaustion, once you remove yourself from the game due to injury, you cannot go back in during that game.
If your injured player is also your designated runner you can declare a new designated runner. Note This is the only way you can declare a new runner mid game.
Profanity: Profanity will not be tolerated and may be grounds for an out or ejection at the discretion of the umpire. No F word should be directed at anyone. The umpire will give one warning to the individual, then act as deemed necessary to control the situation.
Ejection from game: Once ejected a player remains ejected for that game. Fighting, wrestling, or pushing will not be tolerated and may result in multi-game suspensions or ejection from the event. Verbal abuse of officials or players, fighting, foul language, spitting, kicking of dirt and continued rough play could result in player ejections. If a player is ejected, the player is an out at bat and cannot play the field. The team may not replace that player with another player for that game even if it means the team has less than 10 players.
Walks: If a guy is walked, he is awarded second base, if a female follows him in the lineup. If a male follows him in the line-up, he is awarded first base. All runners must touch every base.
Two out rule: If a guy walks after two (2) outs and a female batter is next to bat, the female batter has the option to bat or take the walk. A male batter cannot be intentionally walked to get to a female batter. Intentional call is made by the umpire discretion.
Running to first base: If orange base “safety base” is being used at first base, players must step on the orange base when overrunning said base or when there is a legitimate play at first base (ball still in the infield). Players stepping on the white base when the ball is in play in the infield will be called out. Balls that have reached the outfield will allow the runner to touch the white base in an attempt to advance to second base. Runner may overrun first base. Any attempt towards second base allows a fielder to make a play on the runner. There must be an attempt made and is umpires’ discretion.
Home plate and bases: All plays at home plate and or a base where the fielder is in possession of the ball require the runner to slide to avoid any injury. The player must slide or give up, any un-sportsman like conduct will not be tolerated. The runner may not run out of the base line (more than 3 feet) to avoid the tag.
If the fields are damaged due to standing water, a 2nd home plate potentially be used. All runners will be required to touch the 2nd plate and not the original plate, which is now deemed unsafe. It will be a force play. If the ball is thrown to the original home plate and reaches that plate prior to the runner touching the 2nd home plate, the runner is out.
If a runner is on either 1st or 3rd base and feels unsafe with the batter at the plate, they may ask the umpire to step off said base. Once the batter has batter, the runner must re-establish with said base before proceeding to next base. If runner does not re-establish, runner will be out.
Stealing: Runners may attempt to advance once the ball has crossed the back corners of home plate or when the pitched ball has landed on the ground behind home plate. The ball is dead if the batter has swung and missed, foul tips, or if the ball lands in front of home plate or on home plate,. Runner may not advance if a fake swing in an attempt to distract the catcher.
NO BATTER shall impede the catcher when throwing the ball to a fielder while a base runner is attempting a steal.
An overthrown ball from the catcher while the ball has is live allows the runners to advance at their own risk. A runner on 3rd may advance to home at their own risk. The ball must be a live ball, meaning if the ball is declared dead from landing on or in front of the plate it remains dead until the pitcher presents the ball.
Batter: Any batter standing in the batter’s box must be ready to bat or ask for time out. A verbal request to the umpire is enough.
Pitcher’s mound: All pitches are thrown underhand. (No side arm pitching) The pitcher may pitch starting up to 3 ft behind the rubber mound marker before throwing a pitch. The pitch must be one continuous motion. No fake pumping will be allowed. No pitch shall be made or release in front of the pitcher’s net, if applicable. No ball shall be pitched in a motion to distract the batter. If the pitcher is releasing from the side of the plate or from the front of the plate, the pitcher must maintain contact with the pitcher’s mound. Any part of any foot may maintain contact.
Arch of Pitch: not less than six (6), not greater than ten (10)
Strike zone: Shoulder to knees as the ball crosses the plate
Pitcher: At coin toss a decision will be made if the pitcher is using a mask or a net. If pitchers do not both agree to use a net, the pitcher who selects the net will be responsible for rolling the net on and off the field to be used each inning. If the pitcher does not want to use the net, they must have full head protection (helmet). Pitching nets are to be place at pitcher’s stride in front of the rubber and must cover at least 1/2 of the area on the pitcher’s glove hand.
Use of net only: Pitcher may not field until the batted ball has been touched by another player. After release of pitch, the pitcher must immediately make an attempt to get behind the net. If a pitcher not using head protection fields a batted ball, the batter will be awarded 2 bases and the pitcher will be warned. 2nd offense the pitcher will be removed from the pitching position.
Use of Mask: Must still use the net. Mask may be removed after the threat of sustaining an injury from a batted ball has subsided. After release of pitch, the pitcher must immediately make an attempt to get behind the net but may come out from behind the net after contact with the ball is made. Pitcher may be the first to field the ball if they were behind the net after release.
Use of Helmet: No net required. The pitcher is playing at his/her own risk. If the pitcher is hit with a forceful batted ball (umpire’s discretion), the bat will be tested. If failed, the bat may be retained and shipped for research. TBS has the right to take necessary measures to determine if the bat has been altered. If altered, the manufacture of the bat will be notified, and player will have a 5 year suspension with TBS. (unsportsmanlike conduct)
If any staff member over hears a player making threats of hitting up middle, the staff member will bring it to the attention of the director or umpire, who will then warn the player. If the player does hit up middle, he/she will be ejected and suspended. Pitcher is pitching at their own risk, if they refuse a net. No penalty to batter unless batter has threatened by making comments of striking the pitcher intentionally with the ball.
Any batted ball that hits the net on the first hit is a strike, if there are 2 strikes on the batter, the batter will be out. If the batter hits the net a second time at the same at bat, the batter will be out. If the batted ball hits the pitcher, the bat will be tested. If failed the bat will be removed for the day and tagged on TBS list of illegal bats. If caught using the illegal bat, the player will be suspended.
Game time: Game time is forfeit time, unless first game of the day. Regular games have a 55 minute game time, games will start on time. A 10 minute grace period will be allowed only for the first game time. The 10 minutes will be deducted from the official 55 minute game time. If a team has played 5 innings and game is stopped due to rain or any reason, game is official at the end of the 5th inning.
Championship game will have a hour and 15 minute game time. Double dip game will be 55 minutes Games may be reduced in time at TBS discretion due to acts of nature. This includes changing the format to a one (1) pitch format.
Rainouts: If a tournament already in progress gets rained out, we will finish out the bracket using a coinflip. We will use 3 coinflips per game whichever team wins the best of three flip will move on to their next position on the bracket. If it’s clear that inclement weather is approaching, and we don’t think we can get everyone through at least 2 games we will cancel the event the day(s) before.
Throwing Equipment: Intentionally throwing any equipment in anger or frustration after you’re at bat is not tolerated and will result in an automatic out for the batter (when up to bat again). If a thrown bat hits another player, the batter will be ejected. If the bat is thrown in anger directed at a player or official, this will result in player’s immediate ejection.
Run Rule: If a team is winning by 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 after 4 and 10 after 5 the game will cease, and winner declared. This rule also applies to Championship game. If a team is winning by 10 runs in the 5th inning the flip flop rule will be in force.
Tie Games/Eatra Innings: A Texas tie breaker will be enforced to break a tie. If the game is tied, play continues until a decision is reached, by using the Texas (or international) tie-breaker rule. Starting in the top of the inning, the batting team starts with the last batted out on second base. The game will continue as a one (1) pitch until there is a winner. This includes if times runs out and game is in a tie. No games will end in a tie.
Fake tags: Are prohibited. A fake tag will result in the base runner being awarded one additional base (the base they were running to, plus one) The fielder faking the tag will be warned. The 2nd offense from any player on the team faking a tag will be ejected.
Appeal play or protest: Appeal play must be made after the play has ceased and before the next pitch. Protest can only be done by the team captain.
Guaranteed games: A team may have more than the 3 games due to the number of teams entered in the tournament. All teams are only guaranteed 3 games. If this is a seeded tournament. Seed positions will be determined by the first 2 games played if there is an unequal amount of games played per team.
EQUIPMENT: Each team is responsible for their equipment to include game balls.
NO metal cleats. It is up to the team captain to make sure no metal cleats are worn prior to start time. All players must have proper footing attire.
Bats: will be randomly tested at directors or umpire’s desecration. Failure to comply will result in a 3-month suspension. No SR Bats, no Ultra’s and no bat on any unapproved list. Each individual and captain is responsible for using legal bats. If a batter steps into the box with an illegal bat, the batter is out, even if the bat has not been used. TAMPABAY SOFTBALL and the umpires reserve the right to disallow a bat should it be thought the bat may be doctored. If any injury occurs from a batted ball, TBS staff has the right to seize the bat to determine if the bat was altered.
USSSA Bats – Must not be on a banned list.
ASA Bats – Must not be on the ASA banned list. (A printout of the ASA banned bat list will be available at the fields)
Balls: ASA or ISPS 44 core, 375 compression balls. 12 inch for men, women may choose to use an 11-inch or 12-inch ball. Balls will be available at the field for purchase. Illegal ball is an out at the plate
Refunds: There are NO refunds.