Triple Crown 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 MODICATION:
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 pitch-out must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
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.
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 GAME TIMES:
Run rules and game times used will be per the Event Director’s discretion. The run rules and game times being used will be listed for each event under the rules section of the event website (please see below).
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.
THIS IS A NO PROTEST EVENT
All rule questions will be interpreted by Triple Crown using COMMON SENSE and the spirit or intent of the rule as written by the governing body.
PLAYERS MAY ONLY PLAY ON ONE ROSTER DURING THE EVENT
Ineligible players will be removed at the time of discovery and suspended for the remainder of the tournament. The head coach will be removed from the game, suspended a minimum of one additional game and UP TO one year at the discretion of Triple Crown Sports.
Any roster protests must be accompanied by a $100.00 fee, be made at the plate by the opposing team’s manager only and presented before the final out has been recorded. Triple Crown will provide due diligence in regards to the player’s eligibility and return the fee in the event of a successful protest.
Any coach or player ejected from a game will sit out a minimum of the following game and UP TO one year at Triple Crown Sports discretion.
The Triple Crown Sportsmanship Committee will be the final arbiter on all ejections and suspensions.
No alcohol or tobacco products allowed on field or in dugout.
ADDITIONAL Zoom into June TOURNAMENT RULES
PITCHING MODICATION:
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 pitch-out must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
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.
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 GAME TIMES:
Run rules and game times used will be per the Event Director’s discretion. The run rules and game times being used will be listed for each event under the rules section of the event website (please see below).
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.
THIS IS A NO PROTEST EVENT
All rule questions will be interpreted by Triple Crown using COMMON SENSE and the spirit or intent of the rule as written by the governing body.
PLAYERS MAY ONLY PLAY ON ONE ROSTER DURING THE EVENT
Ineligible players will be removed at the time of discovery and suspended for the remainder of the tournament. The head coach will be removed from the game, suspended a minimum of one additional game and UP TO one year at the discretion of Triple Crown Sports.
Any roster protests must be accompanied by a $100.00 fee, be made at the plate by the opposing team’s manager only and presented before the final out has been recorded. Triple Crown will provide due diligence in regards to the player’s eligibility and return the fee in the event of a successful protest.
Any coach or player ejected from a game will sit out a minimum of the following game and UP TO one year at Triple Crown Sports discretion.
The Triple Crown Sportsmanship Committee will be the final arbiter on all ejections and suspensions.
No alcohol or tobacco products allowed on field or in dugout.
ADDITIONAL Zoom into June TOURNAMENT RULES
- No new inning after 1:30 and drop dead after 1:40
- Run Rule - 8 runs after 5 innings.
- IF BOTH teams choose to keep playing due to college coaches watching, you are able to. The run rule score is final no matter what happens in the remaining play. IF a run rule has happened and teams continue to play, the game will become drop dead at 1:30 of play.
- Protests - NONE. Decision of field umpire crew is final.
- Home team will supply the official scorekeeper
- Home team will be decided by coin flip
- Team listed first occupies the first base dugout unless already occupied from the prior game
- Games may end in a tie
- Free substitution as agreed upon by both teams (please keep the integrity of your lineup)
- NO printed rosters required; every team must have a roster on the TCS website signed digitally by ALL parents
- No player enrolled in any college is allowed to participate, including JUCO players
- Players are allowed to be listed on and play games for ONE roster only during the event.
- Game balls will be provided by Triple Crown Sports.
