Rules - FIREWORKS SPARKLER NIT SHOWCASE
Effective January 1, 2020 Triple Crown will be using National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball rules with the modifications that are listed below.
NFHS Softball rules, plus Triple Crown rules will apply.
Age Cutoff: December 31, 2023
Saturday Games:
1. Mercy rule: 10 after 4 innings or 8 after 5 innings for all games.
2. Lineups: Teams must exchange lineups. Free defensive substitution. You may bat your entire roster or use one of the lineup options listed below.
3. Courtesy Runners: If you are batting your entire roster, you may use your last recorded out as a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher. If you are not batting your entire roster, then NFHS Softball rules apply.
4. Time Limits: All Saturday games will be drop dead at 1 hour 30 minutes.
5. Team listed first - First base dugout unless occupied from previous game.
6. Home team determined by coin flip.
7. Home team will supply official scorekeeper.
8. Protests -- NONE -- the decision of the field umpire(s) will be final.
9. Games may end in a tie.
10. Clean dugout after each game.
11. Decisions: The Tournament Director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
12. Any coach, player and/or spectator ejected from a game may be required to not participate in their next scheduled game.
Sunday Games:
1. Time Limit for Bracket Play games is no new inning after 1 hour and 30 minutes.
2. Run rule: 10 after 4 innings or 8 after 5 innings for all games.
3. Tie: Bracket Play: Must have winner. If at the end of 7 innings, or time limit expires, the next inning starts with a runner (the batter scheduled to bat last in the respective half inning) at second base. Consolation games may end in a tie.
4. Ball: TCS will provide the game balls.
5. Game Time: Game time is forfeit time unless the delay is created by Triple Crown.
6. Extra Hitter: Teams may insert an Extra Hitter anywhere in their line-up at the beginning of the game, giving them 10 hitters, any 9 can play defense.
7. Home Team: Flip for home team in each game.
8. Dugouts: Team Listed 1st on the schedule will occupy the 1st base dugout.
9. Protest: All protests will be accompanied be $100 cash before the protest will be discussed or ruled on. All protests must be made at the time of the play or ruling in question. Cannot protest judgment calls.
10. DP/Flex: DP and Flex players may be used. Example: The DP hits for the flex player anywhere in the batting order. The Flex may play any defensive position, and may enter the game offensively only in the DP position.
11. Championship Games: No time limit. Run rule still in effect.
12. Decisions: The Tournament Director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
13. Any coach, player and/or spectator ejected from a game may be required to not participate in their next scheduled game.
14. Courtesy Runners: Must follow NFHS Courtesy Runner Rule.
LINEUP OPTIONS - DP / FLEX and EP Rules:
SEEDING PROCEDURE (First factor is Win-Loss record)
Two Way Tie
1. Head to Head between tied teams
2. Total Run differential
3. Runs Allowed
4. Runs Scored
5. Actual run differential in last pool game
6. Coin Flip
Three (or more) Way Tie
1. Head to Head (if sweep)
2. Total Run differential
3. Runs Allowed
4. Runs Scored
5. Actual run differential in last pool game
6. Coin Flip
IMPORTANT: Run differential maximum
1. Forfeits will be scored 7-0
2. Maximum run spread per game is 7 regardless of score.
NOTE: Franchisees May Have Variations
If you would like to order a NFHS Softball rule book you may do so by going to www.nfhs.com and selecting the 2024 Softball Rules Book. Triple Crown Sports DOES NOT receive any portion of the cost of the NFHS rule book, all proceeds go to NFHS.
NFHS Softball rules, plus Triple Crown rules will apply.
Age Cutoff: December 31, 2023
Saturday Games:
1. Mercy rule: 10 after 4 innings or 8 after 5 innings for all games.
2. Lineups: Teams must exchange lineups. Free defensive substitution. You may bat your entire roster or use one of the lineup options listed below.
3. Courtesy Runners: If you are batting your entire roster, you may use your last recorded out as a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher. If you are not batting your entire roster, then NFHS Softball rules apply.
4. Time Limits: All Saturday games will be drop dead at 1 hour 30 minutes.
5. Team listed first - First base dugout unless occupied from previous game.
6. Home team determined by coin flip.
7. Home team will supply official scorekeeper.
8. Protests -- NONE -- the decision of the field umpire(s) will be final.
9. Games may end in a tie.
10. Clean dugout after each game.
11. Decisions: The Tournament Director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
12. Any coach, player and/or spectator ejected from a game may be required to not participate in their next scheduled game.
Sunday Games:
1. Time Limit for Bracket Play games is no new inning after 1 hour and 30 minutes.
2. Run rule: 10 after 4 innings or 8 after 5 innings for all games.
3. Tie: Bracket Play: Must have winner. If at the end of 7 innings, or time limit expires, the next inning starts with a runner (the batter scheduled to bat last in the respective half inning) at second base. Consolation games may end in a tie.
4. Ball: TCS will provide the game balls.
5. Game Time: Game time is forfeit time unless the delay is created by Triple Crown.
6. Extra Hitter: Teams may insert an Extra Hitter anywhere in their line-up at the beginning of the game, giving them 10 hitters, any 9 can play defense.
7. Home Team: Flip for home team in each game.
8. Dugouts: Team Listed 1st on the schedule will occupy the 1st base dugout.
9. Protest: All protests will be accompanied be $100 cash before the protest will be discussed or ruled on. All protests must be made at the time of the play or ruling in question. Cannot protest judgment calls.
10. DP/Flex: DP and Flex players may be used. Example: The DP hits for the flex player anywhere in the batting order. The Flex may play any defensive position, and may enter the game offensively only in the DP position.
11. Championship Games: No time limit. Run rule still in effect.
12. Decisions: The Tournament Director shall have final decision on all tournament questions.
13. Any coach, player and/or spectator ejected from a game may be required to not participate in their next scheduled game.
14. Courtesy Runners: Must follow NFHS Courtesy Runner Rule.
LINEUP OPTIONS - DP / FLEX and EP Rules:
- OPTION 1 - Straight nine: Those nine players can play any position on defense.
- OPTION 2 - DP/Flex: 10 players are listed on the line-up, but only 9 bats. 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 must be listed in the 10th spot on the lineup card.
- OPTION 3 - EP: This gives you the option to bat 10 players and any 9 can play defense. This player can be placed anywhere in the lineup.
- OPTION 4 - DP/Flex and the EP: This allows you to have 11 players listed in the lineup. Only 10 will bat any 9 of these players can play defensively, but the Flex must always play defense. The Flex must be listed in the 11th spot on the lineup card.
- OPTION 5 - Saturday Games Only - You may bat your entire roster, but must keep the integrity of your lineup.
SEEDING PROCEDURE (First factor is Win-Loss record)
Two Way Tie
1. Head to Head between tied teams
2. Total Run differential
3. Runs Allowed
4. Runs Scored
5. Actual run differential in last pool game
6. Coin Flip
Three (or more) Way Tie
1. Head to Head (if sweep)
2. Total Run differential
3. Runs Allowed
4. Runs Scored
5. Actual run differential in last pool game
6. Coin Flip
IMPORTANT: Run differential maximum
1. Forfeits will be scored 7-0
2. Maximum run spread per game is 7 regardless of score.
NOTE: Franchisees May Have Variations
If you would like to order a NFHS Softball rule book you may do so by going to www.nfhs.com and selecting the 2024 Softball Rules Book. Triple Crown Sports DOES NOT receive any portion of the cost of the NFHS rule book, all proceeds go to NFHS.
