Any player who has played on a college roster (JUCO, NAIA, NCAA) or has completed college coursework after high school, is NOT eligible to play in this event.
This is a 2025 roster event. All players must be age eligible August 31, 2024.
General Triple Crown Fastpitch 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 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.
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.
LINEUP MODIFICATIONS:
You may bat up to your entire lineup during the pool play games. You must keep the integrity of your original lineup you turn in at the plate meeting, you may not add a batter to the lineup if they were not on the original lineup they would at that time be a sub.
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 GAMETIMES:
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.
THIS IS A NO PROTEST EVENT
All rule interpretations will be interpreted using COMMON SENSE, the spirit or intent of the rule as written by the governing body or TCS specialty rule.
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 RULES
A coin flip will determine the home team, with the exception of double elimination championship games. The winners bracket undefeated team will have choice of home or visitor in these games. All IF NECESSARY games will be coin flipped.
Bracket games must have a winner. ITB will be used after seven innings and in all innings beginning after the time limit has expired.Run Rules:10-8-6 after 3-4-5
Game Times:
1:45 finish the inning for all games. 7 innings for championship game. Run rule in effect
Teams must be ready to play a minimum of 15 minutes before their scheduled game time.
Game time is forfeit time. Any exceptions will be ruled on by the tournament director.
Triple Crown Bracket Seeding Rules:
Two-Way tie (Same Pool): 1. Win/Loss Record, 2. Head to Heat, 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 10, regardless of score, 2. Forfeits will be scored 10-0.
