Tri County Fastpitch League

There are game specific list of rules found in the back inside cover of the 2011 League Score Book.  Please refer to those rules on the field.

The following rules are taken from the Tri County By-Laws:

ARTICLE VIII  Competition

A.   Scheduled Games

1. The TriCounty Fastpitch League will schedule 18 and Under, 14 and Under and 10 and Under games on Tuesday and Thursdays.  These games may be rescheduled by mutual agreement of the respective coaches.

2. The TriCounty Fastpitch League will schedule 16 and Under, and 12 and Under games on Monday and Wednesdays.  These games may be rescheduled by mutual agreement of the respective coaches.

3. Double header games (all levels) will begin at 6:00PM unless another starting time has been agreed on by both teams.  Double header games shall be seven (7) innings.  No new inning shall begin after 65 minutes of play following the first pitch.  Single games shall be (7) innings, no new inning shall begin after 90 minutes of play. Games must be a minimum of 3 innings, or 2 ½ innings if home team is ahead.

4. Games tied after 7 innings shall be played with the “international tie-breaker Last Batter on second” rule.  When the time limit is applied to the game, the inning shall be completed.  If the game is tied at the completion of the inning, the game shall end in a tie.  No new inning shall be begin after the time limit has been reached.

5. Any team not in attendance fifteen minutes after the established game time will forfeit the game.  Teams not in attendance within an additional 15 minutes will forfeit the second game.

6. During a league contest, any team ahead by ten (10) runs after the third full inning of play shall be declared the winner and the game is complete.

7. Coaches may negotiate a different run limit rules prior to competition.  Such as inning run limit or game run limit.  The umpire will be informed prior to start of play.

8.   The Host team will be the home team during the first game of double headers, the opponent will be the home team for the second game.  Each team is required to provide one new game ball per double header.

9.  In 10 and under only: In league play and Tri County qualifier, 10U A and 10U B will play following the national rules (same as all age levels) and continue to play at 35’ pitching distance, use an 11” ball, and be limited to 5 runs per inning. For 10U C, dropped 3rd strike, runners can only advance home on a batted ball, base on balls, or hit batter with the bases full, or on an awarded base by the umpire. Runners may advance to 1st base on a dropped third strike. Catchers must throw the runner out as the 10U C dropped third strike rule now follows all other age group rules for the runner advancing. With the bases loaded, runners cannot advance on a dropped third strike.

10. 10 and Under will start season playing double headers one night per week on Thursday, and after the school year play games on Tuesday and Thursday.

11. Elite level teams can play on other nights to facilitate multiple team schedules, all Tri County League teams are required to play ½ of the approved schedule for weeks during the summer season.  This is required as won/loss record determines seeding.

12.  Steel cleats to be allowed at 16U and 18U.

13.  43' pitching distance for 14U, 16U and 18U.

B. Postponed Games

1. Teams needing a postponement shall notify the opponent at least 24 hours prior to the game.  Umpires shall be notified by the host team.

2. The home team shall notify the opponent and the umpires as soon as possible if field conditions warrant a postponement.  A fee may be charged if the call does not reach the umpire prior to the game start.

3. Until game time the home team coach may postpone the game for unplayable conditions.  After game time the umpire shall decide if the field is playable.

4.  The rescheduled game shall play a complete new game and not where the inning left off during the postponed game.

5. Postponed games shall be made up within a reasonable time.  If an impasse develops, the League Director shall have the authority to set a game date and time.  If either team cannot play, the team in attendance at the rescheduled place and time shall be declared a forfeit winner.

ARTICLE IX  League Tournament

A. All Tournaments will be conducted as double elimination tournaments.  Age levels with more than 32 teams  shall have a consolation tournament for teams that are winless (0-2) in their first two games.  Age levels with more than 48 teams will have a single elimination brackets to determine 48 seeded teams.

B. Umpires and game balls will be furnished by the Tri County Fastpitch league.

C. Tournament Seeding

1. League record for all teams will be used to seed the teams using the cutoff dates listed on appendix 1.

2. Representatives will check a record of their game for on-line seeding  on the dates listed on Appendix 1.

3. Teams will report scores to the Age Level Coordinator bi-weekly.  On-line seeding requires all the teams to report their season results and participate in creating the pool for tournament competition.  All Teams will  know their opponent and the time and location of their first Tournament game during the on-line seeding, all questions or concerns must be addressed the evening of on-line seeding, and the game times are final.

4. All teams are required to play at least ½ of the scheduled weekly games, and all teams will be seeded by won/loss record and the team is responsible to make sure the record reported is correct..

5. Ties will be broken by the flip of a coin (incoming seeding procedure only).

6. Once seeded, the draw will be done according to a standard tournament bracket.

D. Tournament games are timed at 70 minutes or 7 innings.  However, no new inning may start after 70 minutes.  The international tie breaker rule shall be used after 7 innings or in the top of the first new inning after time expires.  Last batter out is placed on second base beginning the first inning after 70 minutes.  Games shall be played until a winner is decided on the field of play.

E. In the event of delays due to inclement weather or extenuating circumstances:

1. The tournament director is empowered to shorten game times to no less than 45 minutes.

2. Games suspended after 3 complete innings or 2 ½ innings if the home team is ahead, which are not tied, may be declared complete games by the tournament director.

3. Every effort must be made to complete the tournament however if playing conditions are untenable, the tournament director is empowered to cancel the tournament.  (see Article X for state seeding rules in this eventuality).

F. ALL 10U and 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U at B and C levels bat the roster.  At 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U at A and Elite levels bat 9 (DP/Flex)

G. Run rule applies.  15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 and 8 runs after 5 innings.

H. Home team shall be determined by coin toss.