Tri County Fastpitch League

Q:  How can my association join Tri County or who do I talk to to find out more information?
A:  For associations interested in joining the Tri County League please contact Tom Bye, Tri County Director.  E-mail him here or call his cell 651-270-0219

Q:  Who is Tri County Affiliated with?
A:  Tri County has been affiliated with the MMFL (Minnesota Metro Fastpitch League) for the past six years.  The MMFL has done a great job at supporting our leagues and working with the local associations.  The MMFL runs the largest State Tournament and is the host of the largest Fall Softball League.

Q:  Why is Tri County no longer sanctioning with any National sanctioning body?
A:  The directors of Tri County unanimously voted not to sanction with any national organization in 2010.  With all the demands that the national organizations were placing on the leagues it no longer is a viable option for the leagues to administer.

Q:  What National body can my team sanction with?
A:  Tri County does NOT control who your team sanctions with or what tournament you play in.  However, you should read the fine print.  If you win a tournament and earn a birth to advance to a national tournament, you may have to play in their state tournament to actually advance to the national event you already won or you may have to buy their insurance etc.

Q:  When will the schedules be out?
A:  Schedules are typically out one week prior to age specific season starting.  For example, the 12U season starts on May 2, 2012, their schedule should be posted by April 20th, 2012. Schedules will be posted in order of start date.

Q:  What if there is a conflict with one of our scheduled games and can't play?
A:  The schedules are final.  The coach needs to call the opposing coach and work something out.

Q:  The field location is not correct or our association is not listed?
A:  Contact your associations director and have them pass on the correct information to the web master.

Q:  What rules does the Tri County League follow?
A:  Our league for the 2012 season is following the NAFA rule book.  Any specific Tri County rule is outlined under the league game rules tab.

Q:  Why are the 10U rules changing for the 2011 season?
A:  Because it's a National rule and the Tri County Directors voted in the January meeting to be in line with the National rules at 10UA and 10UB, 10UC is NOT changing and will follow a modified rule. Here is the rule taken from the bylaws:

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.