2023 DAIRYLAND CLASSIC
SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT RULES

THE OFFICIAL 2023 SOFTBALL PLAYING RULES ADOPTED BY USA SOFTBALL (USA/ASA) WILL BE FOLLOWED FOR THE 2023 DAIRYLAND CLASSIC TOURNAMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:

1. A Team:
• Cannot play with less than 8 players.
• May bat up to 12 players (10 fielders and 2 extra players)
• May start with 8 players and add 9th and 10th players
• May start with 9 players and add 10th player
2. Teams can reduce the number of players during the game without penalty only as a result of injuries. If the number of players on a team is reduced due to ejection of a player, it will be an automatic out.
3. All players must be registered before playing. No players can be registered after the conclusion of the Pool Play games. Exceptions for extraordinary circumstances may be granted by the Tournament Director.
4. Divisional Placements: Teams will be placed into one of three divisions based on team ratings, calculated by the sum of the top ten ratings on the team, as indicated below:
• C Division A a team rating of 140 or lower (no player rating over 15*)
• D Division A a team rating of 110 or lower (no player rating over 12*)
• E Division A a team rating of 75 or lower (no player rating over 8*)
5. C and/or D Divisions are eligible to be split into two separate divisions respectively (i.e. C-Competitive/C1 and C-Recreational/C2) based on the number of teams registered and the team ratings of registered teams. The Tournament Director(s) solely reserves the right to place/move teams in different divisions as they see fit to ensure the fairest possible competition for ALL Divisions. E division teams may be placed in a D (D-Recreational/D2) division at the discretion of the Tournament Director(s).
6. ALL PLAYERS MUST BE RATED. 2023 PLAYERS RATINGS WILL BE UTILIZED FOR THE TOURNAMENT. ANY PLAYER REGISTERED FOR THIS TOURNAMENT AND NOT A MEMBER OF A NAGAAA LEAGUE MUST BE RATED BY THEIR COACH AND SAID RATING SUBMITTED WITH REGISTRATION.
7. Uniforms are not mandatory, but similar colored / style shirts are preferred. Each player's shirt must contain a number that is at least 4" high, on the back of the uniform, and unique for the team. Uniform exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Umpire or Tournament Director.
8. Visible jewelry such as watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, facial piercings, and other similar type items may NOT be worn by players or coaches during games. Rubber banded fitness tracking devices and medical condition bracelets are an exception to this rule.
9. No team will be allowed to take the infield or conduct batting practice on the fields being used for the tournament unless designated as use for a practice field.
10. In pool play, each team will be assigned at least one home and at least one away game. Any odd number of pool play games will result in a random selection of the home team by the Tournament Director. Pool play schedules and home/away assignments will be completed before the start of the tournament.
11. In double elimination, the home team shall be the higher seeded team in that game, except that a team without a loss in double elimination may not be the away team when facing a team with a loss in double elimination that is higher seeded. In the If game, if necessary, the home team will be determined by a coin toss.
12. The tournament may utilize real-time scorekeeping including player stats by designated scorekeepers. This is a beta program in our tournament and may be discontinued at any time at the discretion of the tournament committee. Information gathered during games will be provided to each team manager after the tournament. This information may also be used by the tournament directors as identified in the Protest Rule (Rule 27)
13. The umpire will maintain the official score. The official designated scorekeeper will provide assistance to the umpire. It is each team's responsibility to verify that the score is correct after each ½ inning. Substitutions should check with the other team, as well as the designated official scorekeeper, but are not required to check-in with the umpire. After the game, Managers from both teams are required to sign the game's official scorecard maintained by the umpire during the game. The umpire will turn in all game scores to the tournament committee.
14. The tournament will be played with a 3 BALL / 2 STRIKE count (batter begins with 1-1). A foul ball on a second strike is an out. There is no courtesy foul.
15. Time Limit: All games are scheduled for seven innings; however, a time limit is in effect and will supersede the innings. The umpire will notify the managers of the official start time for each game. For Pool Play games, no new inning will begin after 50 minutes. For double elimination games, no new inning will begin after 55 minutes. Games involving 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place will be 7 innings (or 65 min) until there is a winner. Beer Cups game will be 55 minutes – if applicable.
16. USA Softball (USA/ASA) Run Rule will be in effect: 20 runs after 3 innings, 15 runs after 4 innings, and 10 runs after 5 completed innings will apply to Pool Play and Double Elimination games.
17. Tie Games at the End of Regulation Play: Pool Play games will end in a tie. During tournament games, the international tie breaker will be utilized for games ending in a tie during regulation play. Game shall commence as one-pitch game during tournament games.
18. Seeding for Double Elimination play will be based on the following, in the order listed:
• Win/loss/tie record
• Head-to-head (if applicable)
• Runs Allowed
• Coin toss
19. Courtesy Runners: Each team is allowed one courtesy runner per inning. The courtesy runner shall be any player listed on the lineup card or roster of that team. The umpire may require a team to provide a courtesy runner at any time due to the "blood rule" The umpire's discretion will determine if a team will be charged for an official courtesy or if they may use additional courtesy runners due to the "blood rule" If a batter qualifies as an ADA player, this will not count as a courtesy runner and must be declared to the tournament director prior to the first pool play of the DLC, as well as the umpire in pregame meeting.
20. All legal USA/ASA bats can be used.
21. Metal cleats are illegal.
22. Stealing is NOT allowed in any division.
23. It is the umpire's decision to eject a player or coach for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct CANNOT be protested. Any Player ejected from a game due to unsportsmanlike conduct is NOT eligible for his/her next game.
24. Once a game begins, the game is under the jurisdiction of the umpire. Umpires shall have the authority to rule on any specific point not covered in these rules.
25. Home Runs: In the C Division, one (1) over-the-fence Home Run per team per game is allowed. In the D and E-Divisions, no (0) over-the-fence Home Runs are allowed. If a Home Run occurs after the limit per game is reached, the result will be an automatic out. The out accorded for a Home Run exceeding the limit shall only end the at-bat inning if it is the third out of that at-bat.
26. If a batter hits an allowed homerun (under the allowed limit), they are only required to touch first base. They are not required to touch all bases.
27. Protests: Umpire decisions on Balls, Strikes, and Safe/Out calls, as well as individual player rankings are not grounds for protests. There will be no protests of calls made by umpires. There will be no protests accepted from or initiated by teams and/or players. The Tournament Director(s) solely reserve the right to challenge all aspects of ratings and divisional placement, including but not limited to, player ratings and team ratings.
28. The Tournament reserves the right to change or modify any rule at any time due to USA/ASA rule changes, weather conditions, or SSBL League rule changes. Managers will be provided a current copy of the rules prior to beginning play in the tournament.