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 MODIFICATION:
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.
COLLEGE PLAYERS*- Players who have played in college at any level and completed college coursework are not eligible to play in most Triple Crown events such as National Events, Qualifying events, Colorado 4th of July, World Series, or other camps and showcase events that may have event specific requirements. *If your team is playing in a local state or area event without special qualifying circumstances or any other specialty Triple Crown Event, it will be at the discretion of the tournament director to allow a college player (JUCO only) to play in that tournament and/or showcase event, but must be communicated with the event director prior to the event. Please contact the event director if you are uncertain of the status of your event.
LINEUP MODIFICATIONS:
All POOL PLAY games in TC Colorado Series events are free substitution (keeping the integrity of the batting lineup). BRACKET PLAY will not be open substitutions. Below are several options for your lineups. Lineup cards must be turned in at home plate for every game.
Lineup Options: Any option listed below may be used: it will not be free subs or bat your lineup.
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 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 TOURNAMENT RULES for local TC Colorado Series Event Games
Game Balls- will be provided. However, there is a limited supply of balls for each event as the global supply chain is affecting delivery of game balls. PLEASE HELP SHAG ALL BALLS!!
Scorecards & Scores- one scorecard will handed to the home plate umpire of each game that will be used to report scores online by our TC Staff. Scores will be recorded on Tourney Machine. No paper brackets will be posted.
Coaches only home plate meeting- A coin flip will determine the home team in all games.
Pool games may end in a tie, bracket games must have a winner- ITB will be used after seven innings and in all innings beginning after the time limit has expired and be progressive (runner at 2B, then runners at 2B/3B, then bases loaded)
Run Rules: 10 runs after 3, 8 runs after 4, and 6 runs after 5.
Game Times: 1:30 finish the inning or 7 innings for all games. Championship games will be 1:45 minute time limit or 7 innings. There will be no "IF" games played in Steamboat Mountain Magic, winner take all! Run rule in effect. ITB will be progressive. Game time is forfeit time. Any exceptions will be ruled on by the tournament director.
AWARDS- will be presented at the end of game.
Warm Up Areas- teams should warm up on the perimeter or behind the temporary homerun fences OR outside of the areas where spectators sit.
Pre & Postgame and Huddles- Pre or Postgame handshakes or lines are at the discretion of each team as with huddles, and meetings at the pitching mound.
Rosters and contact information will be retained by Triple Crown for each team in order to support contact tracing efforts.
Weather Delays- If weather delays occur, please do not gather in shelters or dugouts. Weather updates will be posted under tournament notes on tourney machine.
Signage- Please read and follow all posted signs in the facility in regards to entry, exit, and other requirements asked of you by the facility.
Zero Tolerance- There will be zero tolerance for verbal abuse of TC Staff, tournament staff, city staff and umpires. Failure to treat staff with respect will result in dismissal from the facility with possible forfeiture of games or future participation.
TRIPLE CROWN BRACKET SEEDING RULES
Two-Way tie (Same Pool): 1. Win/Loss Record, 2. Head to Head, 3. Total Run Differential, 4. Least Runs Allowed, 5. Most Runs Scored 6. Coin Flip.
Three-Way tie (Same Pool): 1. Total Run Differential, 2. Least Runs Allowed, 3. Most Runs Scored, 4. Coin Flip.
IMPORTANT: 1. Maximum Run Spread per game is 7, regardless of score, 2. Forfeits will be scored 7-0.
To continue with our Protect the Game and supporting our officials and/or tournament and facility staff,we will adhere to the following for game play: "
Coaches may not enter the playing field to dispute any calls made during the game. If a legitimate question about a rule interpretation exists, the HEAD COACH ONLY may request time to discuss it with the umpires. This discussion will take place at home plate, maintaining social distancing. Once the question has been asked and a ruling made, no further discussion shall be allowed. Respectful conversations on matters of rule are encouraged when necessary. All other calls and matters under umpires purview are not to be argued, and under no circumstances may anyone leave their position in a coaches box or a dugout to dispute such a call. For violation of these provisions, a warning shall be issued to the offending team. Failure to immediately comply with this rule following the warning, or any subsequent violation by the offending team, shall result in the offending person and the head coach being ejected from the contest."
WARNING
YOU ARE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL FOR:
Verbal or physical abuse of an official or staff
Foul or profane language towards an official or staff
Relentless questioning or ridicule of an official or staff
Enjoy the game and don’t confront officials or approach staff with respect
#CheerForYourKid
