Tournament and Showcase Rules

Tournaments

USA Sanctioned | Tournament rules will follow USA Softball Rules and Procedures
When registering for events listed as pay at the plate, teams must have cash in full for umpires at each game. Amount for pay at the plate will be listed on the Elite Softball Website and will be included in teams’ tournament emails.
All Games are 70 minutes in length finish the inning, unless the home team is winning.
- A new inning starts at the completion of the third out.
- Official start time is at the umpire’s discretion at the conclusion of the plate meeting. The umpires may suspend the clock at their discretion for instances of injury, field conditions, etc.
- Tactics designed to speed up or slow down games will not be tolerated and may end up in ejections of forfeits.
Run Rule (for all games): 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, and 8 after 5 innings.
A forfeit is a 7-0 win as per USA softball.
Championship Games will be 90 minutes in length, or 7 innings, whichever comes first.
Format: 3 Pool Play Games (Saturday) into Single Elimination (Sunday)
- Pool play games can end in a tie.
- Bracket play requires a winner.
  - ITB will begin after the time expires (or 7 innings have been player) if there is a tie.
  - The last out from the offensive team will be placed second.
  - A substitute with eligibility may be used to run in this situation.
Pool Tiebreaker

1. Record (Winning pct, number Wins)

2. Head-to-Head (Used only when all tied teams have played each other)

3. Points Allowed (An average is used if teams have not played an equal number of games)

4. Points Scored (An average is used if teams have not played an equal number of games)

5. Computer Generated Coin Flip (A system random number generator breaks ties at this

stage)

The tournament director(s) reserve the right to adjust the schedules, brackets, and field locations as needed to complete the tournament due to inclement weather or darkness. Every attempt will be made to honor the game minimum – however, if a situation develops where a team forfeits or the weather does not cooperate, the Tournament Director(s) will try to reschedule games or shorten games. If the need arises to determine a champion prior ton all games being completed, the Tournament Director(s) are to determine a champion.

Showcases

Showcase rules will follow USA Softball Rules and Procedures
All Games are 70 minutes in length - finish the inning, unless the home team is winning.
Run Rule (for all games): 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, and 8 after 5 innings.
Format: 3 games into single elimination (early fall showcase), 4 games split between both days of play (late fall showcase)
No Line-Ups Required
Free Defensive Substitutions