Triple Crown Tournament Rules
Triple Crown is not a sanctioning body but will follow the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball rules with a few modifications that are listed below.
Rosters: Triple Crown Sports age restrictions are as follows NEW FOR 2025: The age of the player on August 31, 2024 ( example: if a player is 12 on August 31st they can still play 12U, if they are 13 on August 31st they must move up to play 14U).
Zoom Into June Specific TOURNAMENT RULES
DURING THESE SHOWCASE EVENTS ONLY... (Zoom Into June, All 'City of Lights' Events, Xtreme Summer Showcase, Xtreme Fall Showcase, Ronald McDonald, and Don Battles On) - Players may play on multiple rosters with the following requirements:
PITCHING MODICATION:
When the pitcher takes the signal, she may be on or off the pitching plate. 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.
ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION:
All defensive players may have digital one-way communication from the dugout using wristbands showing pitch, shift etc, the use of a smart watch is illegal and subject to the penalty listed below. Audio one way communication can go from the dugout to the catcher ONLY. The communication device cannot be used for two-way communication and will carry the same penalty.
PENALTY: The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender(s) of that team will be ejected along with the head coach.
ALL COMMUNICATION IS FOR DEFENSE ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED ON OFFENSE.
INTENTIONAL WALKS:
All pitches including a pitch-out must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
THIS IS A NO PROTEST EVENT
All rule questions will be interpreted by the Triple Crown tournament director using COMMON SENSE and the spirit or intent of the rule as written by the governing body.
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.
Any player who has played on a college roster (JUCO, NAIA, NCAA) or who has completed college coursework after high school, is NOT eligible to play in this event. High school seniors who are taking summer coursework before their college freshman year, can still play in TCS events.
No alcohol or tobacco products allowed on field or in dugout.
Rosters: Triple Crown Sports age restrictions are as follows NEW FOR 2025: The age of the player on August 31, 2024 ( example: if a player is 12 on August 31st they can still play 12U, if they are 13 on August 31st they must move up to play 14U).
Zoom Into June Specific TOURNAMENT RULES
- Game Time - 1 hour 35 minutes drop dead, complete the current at bat. Score reverts back to last completed inning. If home team is winning at the end of the time limit, then the score at that time is final.
- Run Rule - 10 runs after 4 innings, 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.
- 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 on defense (please keep the integrity of your batting order). Team may bat their entire roster if desired.
- Courtesy runners- anyone on the roster can run for any player.
- Lineup cards do NOT need to be turned in to umpires or other teams.
- No printed rosters required; every team must have a roster on the TCS website signed digitally by ALL parents/guardians.
- Game balls will be provided by Triple Crown Sports.
DURING THESE SHOWCASE EVENTS ONLY... (Zoom Into June, All 'City of Lights' Events, Xtreme Summer Showcase, Xtreme Fall Showcase, Ronald McDonald, and Don Battles On) - Players may play on multiple rosters with the following requirements:
- Coaches of all teams involved must approve a player to play for another team
- Players must be added to the roster with a parent/guardian digital signature under THEIR LEGAL NAME
- If these requirements are not met, suspension of a coach or team may occur.
PITCHING MODICATION:
When the pitcher takes the signal, she may be on or off the pitching plate. 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.
ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION:
All defensive players may have digital one-way communication from the dugout using wristbands showing pitch, shift etc, the use of a smart watch is illegal and subject to the penalty listed below. Audio one way communication can go from the dugout to the catcher ONLY. The communication device cannot be used for two-way communication and will carry the same penalty.
PENALTY: The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender(s) of that team will be ejected along with the head coach.
ALL COMMUNICATION IS FOR DEFENSE ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED ON OFFENSE.
INTENTIONAL WALKS:
All pitches including a pitch-out must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
THIS IS A NO PROTEST EVENT
All rule questions will be interpreted by the Triple Crown tournament director using COMMON SENSE and the spirit or intent of the rule as written by the governing body.
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.
Any player who has played on a college roster (JUCO, NAIA, NCAA) or who has completed college coursework after high school, is NOT eligible to play in this event. High school seniors who are taking summer coursework before their college freshman year, can still play in TCS events.
No alcohol or tobacco products allowed on field or in dugout.
