Tournament Rules

 TOURNAMENT RULES

1. Softball B.C. rules will apply, unless otherwise noted.

2. NO VAPING OR SMOKING ON TOURNAMENT GROUNDS

3. TIME LIMIT: No new innings can start (signified by the last out in the bottom-half of an inning)
after 1 hour and 20 minutes for all games with the exception of Gold & Bronze Medal Games,
which will be 1 hour 30 minutes. The umpire will announce the game’s official start time
immediately after the plate conference. Maximum of 7 innings for all games.

4. AFTER TIME HAS EXPIRED: The top-half of the inning is played to completion. If the visiting team
does not gain the lead in the top-half of the inning, the game is over and the score stands. If
the home team is trailing, the bottom-half of the inning is played. As soon as the home team
takes the lead in the bottom-half of the inning, or if already leading in the bottom-half of the
inning when time expires, the game is over, regardless of the outs. The score stands.

5. RUN AHEAD RULE: Applies to all Round Robin and Play-off games
        a. 15 runs after 3 complete innings
        b. 10 runs after 3½ or 4 complete innings
        c. 7 runs after 4½ or more innings
        d. Five (5) run maximum per inning, open inning after the 4th inning

6. ALL GAMES will be played with all players bat with unlimited defensive substitutions. A courtesy
runner can be used for the catcher when there are two outs. The runner shall be the last player
available in the lineup immediately preceding the catcher.

7. ALL ROUND ROBIN GAMES will have MVPs awarded to one player from each team. A player can
only receive one MVP award for the tournament. Opposing coach will pick the MVP. The home
team will be determined by a coin flip at home plate. If a round robin game is tied after time has
expired or 7 innings, the game will end in a tie.

8. PROTESTS: All games are “no protest”. Decisions of the Umpires are final and not subject to
appeal.

9. PLAY-OFF SEEDING: Teams to be seeded 1st - 6th in each pool; 5th and 6th Placed Teams will
play on the B Side
        - total points (2 for a win, 1 for a tie, 0 for a loss),
        - runs scored differential to a maximum of +7,
        - least runs allowed,
        - most runs scored.
        - Tie Breakers for play-off seeding, if needed, use a coaches race around the bases 

10. ALL PLAY-OFF GAMES will give the higher seeded team the choice of home or away. If a play-off
game is tied after time has expired or 7 innings, the game will continue in the top-half of the
inning using the “International Tie-Breaker Rule” until a winner is declared.

11. Teams may play with a minimum of 8 players. Any team fielding 8 players will not be penalized
with an automatic out in the 9th spot in the batting order. Any player showing up late may be
placed at the bottom of the batting order.

12. Any player, coach or official team representative ejected from a game will also receive minimum
next game suspension. Further disciplinary action may be taken at the discretion of the UIC
and/or tournament committee.

13. Team rosters - Pick Ups for “C” teams are not allowed without confirming with the tournament
coordinator prior to the tournament start. If a team is found using pick up players, it is up to the
tournament coordinator and umpire in chief to decide how to proceed.

14. The wearing of jewelry while playing is highly discouraged; however, it is at the discretion of the
player and coach and will not be monitored by the umpiring crew.

15. The winning team must turn in the game’s score sheet, signed by both the away and home
team score keepers, to the tournament office no later than 10 minutes after the game has
finished. Game score sheets will be included in the coaches’ packages.

16. Pitchers may warm up on the infield; however, holes must be raked prior to the start of the
game. There will be a rake available at each diamond.

17. Please be courteous and clean out your dugout after your game is over.

RAIN OUT PROCEDURE

18. Due to the climate in British Columbia and the possibility of rain on any given day, games may
be called due to heavy rain or water build up on the fields. The umpires will make the call at
game time. If there is lightning in the area get players and umpires off the fields. They will
continue to stay off the fields for a minimum of 15 minutes following the last lightning strike.

19. During inclement weather, the tournament director reserves the right to shorten games or
introduce a drop-dead time limit for games to get all or most games played. If a drop-dead time
for games is introduced, the game ends immediately at time and the score as is stands
regardless of top or bottom of inning.

20. Round robin standings will be determined by same number of games. If necessary, we will
revert to games played in the most recent full round of games and move into play-offs.

21. If necessary, play-offs will go straight to the final rounds with 1st vs 2nd and 3rd vs 4th
according to the round robin standings.

22. If play-offs cannot be completed, we will revert to round robin standings for medal awards.

23. A game is considered to have begun upon the first pitch in the top-half of the first inning. A
game will be considered a complete game for the tournament standings when 5 full innings
have been played. If teams can play or begin to play three (3) games during the tournament,
then VMFA is said to have substantially fulfilled their commitment to teams to play a certain
number of prescheduled games. If teams play in less than three (3) games, they will receive a
refund as outlined below:
        - Play or begin to play one (1) game => Receive 60% of entry fee as a refund
        - Play or begin to play two (2) games => Receive 40% of entry fee as a refund