MEMORIAL DAY CLASSIC RULES

A. Eligibility: 

1. All players must be eighteen (18) years of age prior to participating. 

2. All players should carry a driver’s license or picture identification to all games in case of challenge. If a player is challenged, they may be asked to prove age. 

B. Participation: 

1. Players may only be on one (1) team roster within the same tournament. 

2. A Roster/Liability Waiver Form will be provided to each coach before the start of the game. All Players must sign the Roster/Liability Waiver form prior to walking on the field.

After the roster lock at at the first pitch of the first game, all players must be on a team Waiver/Roster form. If someone is not on a team waiver/roster form they are considered an illegal player and that player will not be eligible to play. (This is the responsibility of the team captain.) 

C. Rosters: 

1. All rosters must contain at least nine (9) players and no more than twenty (20) players. 

2. Any person that will be in your team’s dugout must be on your team roster as well. 

3. Players may be added or deleted from the roster up until the roster lock.

4. 12 Players may bat per game and 10 may play the field.

5. Substitutions may be made by informing the umpire.

6. Failure to have at least 9 players after the (10) minute game time window will result in a forfeit.

D. Game Time: 

1. Each game is scheduled for a one (1) hour window. Clock will begin immediately after the plate meeting and line up are handed in. “Play Ball” will be announced by the umpire. 

2. A ten (10) minute forfeit time will be allowed. 

3. Games will consist of seven (7) innings or 60-minute time limit. 

4. No new inning after 55 minutes. 

7. In the event of a tie the game will end with a “Texas-Tie-Break”. 

9. The “Mercy Rule” applies to all games.

10. If a game has completed 4 innings and a game gets rained out it will be considered a completed game. At the bottom of the 4th inning if the home team is winning it will be considered a complete game. If the home team is batting in the bottom of the 4th inning and losing that game, it will not be completed, and the game will be replayed from the beginning. 

1. I. 15 runs after four (4) complete innings 

2. II. 12 runs after five (5) complete innings 

3. III. 10 runs after six (6) complete innings 

4. b) Texas Tie Break: I. If the game is still tied after either seven (7) innings or 65 minutes.

5. II. Teams will place the last batter on second base. 

6. III. The count will start 1-1 and once the team gets three (3) outs the other team will come to bat with the same rules. 

7. IV. If the Texas Tie Breaker ends in a tie. We will play another round of the Texas Tie Breaker with a 1 Pitch Rule. If it’s a ball, you walk, if it’s a strike you’re out. 

Pool Play and Brackets

1. 3 games will be played by each team in a random pool

2. The top 4 teams will enter the Gold Bracket where they will play a semi-final game and the winners will enter a championship game while the losers will enter a game for 3rd place.

3. The bottom 4 teams will enter the Silver Bracket where they will play a semi-final game and the winners will enter a championship game while the losers will enter a game for 3rd place.

4. Brackets will be decided based on 1. Pool Play Record then 2. Run Differential then 3. Most Runs Scored.

E. General Playing Rules: 

1. It is recommended that pitchers wear protective gear such as a facemask, chest protector, and/or shin guards. 

2. Each team is responsible for providing their own balls while they bat. It is recommended that teams put markings on their softballs. 

3. Umpires will be provided. The home team is responsible for keeping the “official” score book. It is recommended that the visiting team also keep a book in case of discrepancies. The umpire has the final say of the score.

4. Each player must be on a roster and line-up card and have signed the Roser/Liability Waiver Form before they enter the field of play. 

5. Team managers/captains must submit a lineup card to the home plate umpire before the start of the game. The lineup cards must contain first and last names. All players on the lineup card must be in the dugout when the lineup card is submitted to the umpire. Games will not begin until both teams’ lineup cards are submitted. 

6. Home team and away team will be determined by a coin flip.

7. Only the manager/captain may discuss a rule interpretation with an umpire. Judgment calls are not a rule interpretation. Team players may not get involved in the discussion unless permission has been granted by the umpire. 

8. All batters will start with a 1 ball and 1strike count. Once the batter gets three (3) strikes they are out. 

9. No more Courtesy Pitches. Either 3 strikes or 2 strikes and a foul ball will be an out. 

10. Metal Cleats are NOT permitted.

11. During Double Play Situations, the base runner advancing towards 2nd base must either slide or get out of the way to keep from interfering with a throw to 1st base. This play is a “judgment call” designed to keep the players safe. This play only affects plays at 2nd base. 

12. If a base runner on First or Third wishes to step off the base into foul territory, they must inform the umpire of his/her intent before they are eligible to step off. (The base runner must retouch the base in order to advance). If the base runner steps off the base without informing the official and the pitch has been thrown, It will result in a dead ball and the base runner with be out. 

13. Gate Rule: If the offensive team leaves their gate open and the ball goes through the gate, the offensive team will not be able to advance an extra base. If the defensive team leaves the gate open and the ball goes through the defensive gate, the offensive team will be able to advance the extra base. 

14. Home Runs: Teams are allowed five (5) home runs per game. 

1. All home runs after the fifth will be an out. 

2. Each team my have one designated home run hitter (DHH) per game. The designated home run hitters home runs do not count against the teams.

3. Walking the DHH results in a free home run and expires when the DHH comes back up.

15. Pitching:

a) Men bat with a 12-inch .44 CORE – 375/400 compressions. 

b) Pitchers must pitch a minimum of 4ft and a maximum of 10ft. 

c) Strikes: If the ball contacts the white home Plate or the black mat. 

d) Balls: If the ball does not hit home plate or does not touch the black mat. 

16. Pitching Screen:

a) The bottom bar of the pitching screen must not exceed the front of the first pitching rubber. (See Example A) 

b) When placed, the side bar of pitching screen may NOT exceed the width of the front pitching rubber. (See Example B) 

c) IF pitcher isn’t wearing a mask and delivers a pitch, they must step entirely behind the pitching screen and must remain there until the ball has been hit by the batter. They cannot be the first player to make contact with the ball after it has been hit by the batter. Once a fielder (other than the pitcher) makes contact with the ball the pitcher is then eligible to be a part of the play and can take off mask. 

d) If a pitcher does not step behind the pitching screen after a pitch has been delivered and attempts to field the ball, the play will be declared dead. The batter will be awarded the base. 

e) If the pitcher wishes to field the ball, they MUST have a protective mask or helmet with a face covering. 

f) Pitchers are the only players allowed to move the nets. The screens must be stationary after the pitch has been made. 

g) If the batter hits the ball in play which then hits any part of the screen the play is ruled dead, the first time will be considered a strike and second time the batter will be out. If the batter hits the net and has two strikes the batter will be out. 

h) If the ball makes, contact with a player in fair territory before hitting the screen it’s a live ball. Any ball thrown into the screen by a defensive player will be a live ball and runners may advance at their own risk. 

i) The pitcher may take the mask off and field the ball in the event of an infield pop fly. 

17. Home Plate: all games will be played with regular home plate.

18. Bats:

a) All bats must be NSA approved & have the official NSA Logo. 

b) There is NO longer an approved bat list. If your bat does not have the NSA Logo, it is considered illegal. 

c) Senior bats may be used by any player who presents their ID to the registration table prior to the start of the game and wears their 40+ wrist band.

19. Courtesy Runner:

a) Unlimited Runner

c) If a base runner is on base when it is his or her turn to bat, they will be called out. 

d) The runner will continue to stay on base. 

F. Game Officials:

1. Umpires may eject any player at any point during the tournament for one game due to conduct violations.

a) First a warning will be issued

b) 2nd time – The offending player is removed from the batting line up. The offending players spot in the batting lineup will be an out. Player may still play Defense. 

c) If a player is ejected from two games during the tournement they will be disqualified from the entire tournament.

G. Duties of the team Coach/Manager:

1. It is the duty of the coach/manager to see that the roster of his/her team is submitted in accordance with the established deadlines of the tournament director.

2. To see that his/her team warm-ups are a safe distance from all infield spectators. No warm-ups will be allowed on the infield surface of the assigned playing field. 

3. To see his/her team reports to the field for games unless officially notified of a cancellation, regardless of weather or other factors. 

4. No person under the age of 18 is permitted in the dugouts or on the playing field at any time. Only registered players are allowed in the dugout. (One scorekeeper at least 18 years old is permitted but must be on roster.) 

H. Rain Outs/Lightning:

1. The supervisor on duty will have the responsibility of determining that lightning is in the area. This determination can be visual or through use of a lightning prediction system. If the Thor Guard (lightning prediction system) sounds once, this means lightning is in the area and players will be asked to get off the fields and to safety for the time being as the facility is closed. The staff will delay the 

1. games up to 90 minutes, to give time for the lightning to clear. If the “all clear” sounds prior to 90 minutes, games will continue as normal. Once 90 minutes passes, all games will be called (including the games that follow)

2. After the start of the first game no tournament fees will be refunded.

3. If the tournament is canceled prior to the first pitch of the first game then all tournament fees will be refunded.

J. Protests and Forfeits:

1. All roster protests must be done at the time of the initial home plate meeting. This will be your ONLY chance to protest. NO EXCEPTIONS 

2. The umpire will also let the opposing team know that the game is being played under protest. 

N. Code of Conduct:

1. Physical Contact Misconduct: i. No Individual Shall: At any time, strike, shove, threaten to strike, or lay a hand upon an official, County Employee, player or spectator. 

1. ii. No Individual Shall: Use unnecessarily rough tactics before, during and after a game. 

2. iii. No Individual Shall: Threaten an official, county employee, player, or spectator with future violence such as, "I will take care of you later," or "I'll meet you in the parking lot." 

3. iv. Threats will be considered physical contact and may be filed for the above examples of misconduct. 

4. 2. Verbal and Visual Misconduct: i. No Individual Shall: Engage in an abusive, verbal attack upon any official, county employee or individual on or off the contest area. 

5. ii. No Individual shall: Use trash talk; profane; obscene; or vulgar language, under any circumstances, on or off the contest area. 

6. iii. No Individual Shall: Engage in an objectionable demonstration of dissent or unsportsmanlike conduct such as throwing equipment or any other forceful action. 

7. iv. No Individual Shall: Except the coach/manager, contest the decisions of an official or county staff employee. 

8. 3. General Misconduct: i. No Individual Shall: Refuse to abide by an official’s decision. 

9. ii. No Individual Shall: Appear in the contest area under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

10. iii. No Individual Shall: Consume alcoholic beverages on Collier County property or while the team is participating in a game or in the contest area. 

11. 4. Penalties: i. Minimum Penalty: 

• Warning by the official or Collier County Parks & Recreation staff. 

• ii. Medium Penalty: Suspension from the current game. 

• Official may call the game and award a forfeit victory to the opponent. 

• Athletic Supervisor, Parks Program Supervisor, and/or Program Leader may suspend the individual/team for one additional game or further tournament play. 

• iii. Maximum Penalty: Disqualification from tournament.

1. 5. Alcohol: i. The use of alcoholic beverages on Collier County property is prohibited. 

2. ii. First violation may result in a $75 fine and will result in a 1 game suspension. 

3. iii. Second violation may result is a $75 fine and will result in a 3-game suspension. 

4. iv. Third violation may result in a $75 fine and will result in a one-year ban from all Collier County Parks and Beaches. • $100 fine for glass containers. 

5. 6. Dogs:

6. i. Dogs are permitted in the park. 

7. ii. Dogs must be always on a 6ft leash and in control of its handler. 

8. iii. Dogs are not permitted on playing fields or in dugouts. 

9. iv. Dogs may not be tethered to a fence or a tree. 

10. v. Please clean up after your dog. 

11. vi. You may be cited with a $50 fine for not following our domestic animal ordinances.

1. STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE, MODIFY, OR ADD ANY RULES AT ANY TIME.