Full Tournament Rules
(updated 5/19/2023)

Rules for All Games:

1. All teams must be registered with USA Softball and be a Class 'B' or Class 'C' team as defined by the current Pacific Coast JO Handbook.
2. All teams must provide proof of insurance covering all players that will participate in the Tournament. While approved USA Softball rosters are preferred, it is understood that paperwork may not be finalized prior to the games. Under no circumstances shall a team use players not covered by their insurance or in violation of the age level for their respective division.
3. Players' proof of age is required. The burden of proof lies with the manager if challenged by an official protest. We recommend that all teams carry proof of age to all games.
4. All games will be governed by the current year's official Norcal USA Fastpitch Softball tournament rules, except as modified by the local Jan Macpherson Tournament Rules, as stated herein. 
5. Each team is responsible for knowing where and when their games are played. Game time is forfeit time. Should the prior game end early, games may start up to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. So please arrive early and be ready to play once the field is prepared. 
6. Teams listed first on the schedule will occupy the 3rd base dugout. For pool games on Friday and Saturday, the home team will be decided by coin flip.  During Sunday bracket matchups, the home team will be the higher seed and occupy the 3rd base dugout.
7. Each manager must be prepared to submit a line-up card to the umpire and opposing team 10 minutes prior to the start of the game.
8. A team consists of 9 players however a team may start and finish a game with 8 players. Should a team start a game with 9 (or more) players in the batting order with no substitutes and lose a player due to injury, that spot in the order will be skipped with no penalty. The injured player may not return to the game. Should a team not have any substitutes and a player needs to leave a contest early AND that is disclosed to the opposing coach and umpire prior to the game, when the player leaves they will be removed from the lineup without penalty. If prior notice is not given, then a substitute must be used or an out will be recorded in that spot each time it comes to bat.

Exceptions to the player limits are noted below by age level:

               8U Rec & Comp:

1. 1. A team may elect to field 10 players (4 outfielders).
   2. Continuous batting and free defensive substitutions are permitted throughout all games.  Only substitutes in the batting order need to be reported to the umpire and opposing team and normal player replacement rules apply (i.e. a starter can come out and return to the batting order once). 
   3. Courtesy runners are allowed for pitchers and catchers and can be any player from the bench or line-up. If a courtesy runner from the line-up is used and their spot in the batting order comes up while they are on base, the runner will be declared out in order to make them available to hit. The courtesy runner shall be for the pitcher or catcher of record. If the team intends to change the pitcher or catcher in the following inning and notifies the umpire as such, then a courtesy runner may be used for that player. The player, however, MUST pitch/catch the following inning as communicated to the umpire. This will help speed the game up and should not be abused.

               10U B /C:

1. 1. In the 10U division, a team can field 10 defensive players (4 outfielders).
   2. Continuous batting and free defensive substitutions are permitted throughout all games. Only substitutes in the batting order need to be reported to the umpire and opposing team and normal player replacement rules apply (i.e. a starter can come out and return to the batting order once).
   3. Courtesy runners are allowed for pitchers and catchers and can be any player from the bench or line-up. If a courtesy runner from the line-up is used and their spot in the batting order comes up while they are on base, the runner will be declared out in order to make them available to hit. The courtesy runner shall be for the pitcher or catcher of record. If the team intends to change the pitcher or catcher in the following inning and notifies the umpire as such, then a courtesy runner may be used for that player. The player, however, MUST pitch/catch the following inning as communicated to the umpire. This will help speed the game up and should not be abused.
   4. DP/Flex rule is in effect throughout the tournament in 10U. DP/Flex can be used in combination with continuous batting.

               12U/14U/16/18U:

1. 1. A team can only field 9 defensive players throughout the event.
   2. Continuous batting and free defensive substitutions are permitted throughout. Only substitutes in the batting order need to be reported to the umpire and opposing team and normal player replacement rules apply (i.e. a starter can come out and return to the batting order once).
   3. Courtesy runners are allowed for pitchers and catchers and can be any player from the bench or line-up. If a courtesy runner from the line-up is used and their spot in the batting order comes up while they are on base, the runner will be declared out in order to make them available to hit. The courtesy runner shall be for the pitcher or catcher of record. If the team intends to change the pitcher or catcher in the following inning and notifies the umpire as such, then a courtesy runner may be used for that player. The player, however, MUST pitch/catch the following inning as communicated to the umpire. This will help speed the game up and should not be abused.
   4. DP/Flex rule is in effect throughout the tournament in 12U/14U/16U. DP/Flex can be used in combination with continuous batting.

9. 8U will follow the current NorCal USA Tournament Rules, with the following exceptions/notes:

       For the 8U Comp Division:

1. A run limit of 4 runs (with NO continuation) will be in effect for the first 2 innings. After the 2nd inning, there is no run limit.
2. Player pitch only; pitch at 30 ft distance. Bases will be set at 60 feet.
3. No innings limits for player pitchers.
4. After the count of four balls, the batter will walk to first base.  
5. Batters will be awarded a base on a Hit by Pitch from the player pitcher only.
6. Stealing will follow USA Softball rules for 8C: players may steal one base per pitch. No stealing of home plate. Stealing is defined as advancing a base on a non-batted pitch. Players attempting to advance beyond one base per pitch may be put out. Should they advance more than one base and reach safely, the umpire will return the runner to the appropriate base.
7. Bunting is allowed.
8. This division will use the 10” Dudley Protector Level 1 softball for all games
9. Overthrow rules will follow NorCal USA Softball rules.

      For the 8U Rec Division:

1. A run limit of 4 runs (with NO continuation) will be in effect for the first 2 innings. After the 2nd inning, there is no run limit.
2. Player pitch to start each batter and coach to take over as noted below; pitch at 30 ft distance. Bases will be set at 60 feet.
3. 2 inning limit per pitcher. A single pitch in an inning constitutes an inning. 1 additional inning is allowed per pitcher for games going longer than 4 innings.
4. Batters will be awarded a base on a Hit by Pitch from the player pitcher only.
5. No stealing of bases in 8Rec. Players may lead off on the release of a pitch (at their own risk), but may not advance unless the ball is put in play via a batted ball. Should a runner advance and reach the next base safely, the umpire will return the runner to the proper base at the conclusion of the play.
6. Bunting allowed on player pitch only.
7. This division will use the 10” Dudley Protector Level 1 softball for all games
8. We will use player/coach pitch rather than player only pitch. The following rules will be applied:

• •  A coach from the batting team will enter to pitch when the count has reached 4 balls called by the umpire during player pitch
  • The coach will pitch from within the pitcher's circle and must throw "legal" pitches from within the circle.
  • The coach will inherit the strike count on the batter and be allowed 1 pitch for each remaining strike in the count. Each coach pitch thrown is deemed a strike, regardless of pitch location or if the batter swings.
  • If the ball is not put in play by the last coach pitch, the batter is out. Exception: if the last pitch is a foul ball, pitching continues until the ball is hit and put in play or the batter is called out on pitches.
  • If a coach interferes with the play (as judged by the umpire) the batter will be called out and runners will return to their prior occupied base(s). A batted ball hitting the coach does not constitute interference unless the coach makes no attempt to avoid contact or intentionally moves into the path of the ball. If the ball contacts a coach and interference is not ruled by the umpire, then the ball is dead and the pitch will be replayed with no strike being counted on that pitch. The coach may not provide coaching assistance during play and must remain in the circle until the play has completed.
  • Bunting and hit batters are not in effect during coach pitch and are in effect during player pitch as described above

10. The home team will be responsible for keeping the official score and reporting it to the Field Desk at their venue, immediately following the conclusion of the game.

11. A complete game will be 6 innings in 8U & 10U or 7 innings in the older divisions.

12. Game time limits per division as follows:

      8U Rec & Comp:

1. No new inning after 65 minutes during pool play
2. Ties are permitted during pool play
3. No new innings after 70 minutes during bracket play
4. Championship game time limit will be 75 minutes
5. For games tied after time expires, USA Softball score tie-breaker rules will be used for bracket games only

      10U & 12U:

1. No new inning after 75 minutes during pool play
2. Ties are permitted during pool play
3. No new inning after 80 minutes during bracket play
4. Championship game time limit will be 90 minutes
5. For games tied after time expires, USA Softball score tie-breaker rules will be used for bracket games only

      14/16/18U:

1. No new inning after 75 minutes during pool play
2. Ties are permitted during pool play
3. No new inning after 90 minutes during bracket play
4. Championship game time limit will be 100 minutes
5. For games tied after time expires, USA Softball score tie-breaker rules will be used for bracket games only

13. On fields where there is a fence marking the outfield boundary, a batted ball going over the fence without touching the ground is a home run. Any ball bouncing over, getting lodged in, or rolling under the fence will be a ground rule double. On fields where cones are used to mark the outfield boundary, a batted ball flying past the boundary without touching the ground is a home run. A ball bouncing or rolling past the fence boundary is a ground rule double. Cones will be set at a longer distance than normal to reduce the occurrence of balls rolling through.

14. Mercy rules of 15 runs ahead after 3 complete innings, 10 runs ahead after 4 complete innings, or 8 runs after 5 or more complete innings will be used for all games. If the home team is trailing and coming up to bat, they will always be given the opportunity to bat and bring the run differential inside of the Mercy rule limit. Mercy rule applies in all bracket games including the championship.

15. Points will be used to determine standings during pool play with a Win = 3 pts, Tie = 1 pts, and Loss = 0 pts. Order of finish will be determined by the number of points earned. To determine seeding for bracket games, ties will be broken using the following breakers: 1) total standings points, 2) total # of wins, 3) Head to Head (for a tie of 3 teams or less) 4) Runs Allowed 5) Run Differential with a cap of 15 run difference for a single game 6) Coin Flip.

16. Managers and Coaches will be responsible for the conduct of their respective teams and spectators. Any player, coach, manager, or spectator displaying unsportsmanlike behavior (particularly toward players or umpires), on or off the field, may be ejected from the premises by the umpires or tournament staff. Teams with fans/parents that act in an unsporting manner are subject to penalty and such behavior could impact a program’s participation in future years.

17. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises, including the parking areas. No BBQ equipment of any kind can be used at any of the locations. 

18. Nobody is allowed on the turf fields at Highlands before 7 am.  No metal cleats, sunflower seeds, or eating are permitted on the artificial turf fields at Highlands.  No amplified sound systems of any kind are allowed at Highlands and Stadium fields.

19. All protests or disputes regarding equipment, rules, or any other matter will be referred to one of the tournament directors, whose decision will be final.

(Revised 5/19/2023)