C Rules

C PLAYING RULES

All games will be played by USSSA rules, with the following exceptions:

Home team will be the official scorekeeper in all tournament games. Home team for pool games will be determined by a coin flip. Home team for bracket games will be the higher seeded team. In the event both teams have the same seed (EX 1st Place Pool A vs 1st Place Pool B) a coin flip will determine who the home team is for that game.
Pre-game conference and coin flip between managers and umpires will take place at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the game.
No organized infield practice before the games. Teams may warm up beyond the baselines or in foul territory while infield is being prepared. No live batting practice is allowed on the field or in the complex at any time. Batting nets are allowed.
Time limit for all games is 71 minutes. Time begins after the pre-game conference. Time limit could change in case of tournament interruptions. All teams should be prepared to start their game up to 10 minutes early in case we are ahead of schedule. (This will help the tournament keep on time)
Once time has expired, the game will end if the losing team is trailing by the number of allowed runs per half inning +1.
Regulation games will be defined by the type of game that it is. There will be two types of games played in the different formats that Iowa USSSA will be using:
1. Pool play: Games will be 7 innings or time limit. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, it will be declared a tie.
2. Bracket Play: Games will be 7 inning or time limit. Games that are tied at the end of regulation will use the ITB rule until a winner is declared.
Run rules: 12 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings.
Team manager may consult with the umpires; players, sponsors and other coaches are to keep out of discussions.
No smoking or tobacco use on the field or in the dugouts.
Roster Batting will be Optional during the entire tournament. Due to USSSA allowing roster batting, there are some additional rules that need to be clarified:
1. Injury:
  1. Batter: If a batter cannot fulfill her time at bat due to injury or illness, that player will be eliminated from that entire game. Her spot will be skipped in the batting order. Teams will not be required to take an automatic out UNTIL they drop below 9 players.
  2. Runner: If a runner cannot continue her time on the bases, that player will be substituted with the last batter not on base. She will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the game. The line-up will compress when her spot comes to bat.
2. Ejections: A player ejection while roster batting will result in the team losing that player for the entire game. Her spot in the batting order WILL be an automatic out.
Courtesy runner will be allowed for pitcher and catcher at any time. The courtesy runner will be designated as the last batter not on base.
Teams can score a maximum of 6 runs per half inning for all ages.
If an Illegal Pitch is called, the penalty will be ball awarded to the batter, with NO advancement of runners on base.
Games will end at time limit if a team is down by more than 5 runs or what they are allotted left to score in that half inning.
Teams my begin a game with 8 players. Teams may add any and all players to the end of the line-up. These players must listed on the line-up card submitted prior to the game. If the players are not present for their time at bat, their spot will be skipped until they arrive with no automatic out being charged (unless below 9 players).
The following procedure will be used to determine the seedings after pool play:
i. If three or more teams are tied with the same record in a division, head-to-head may or may not be used to break ties.
ii. Once a level of tie-breaker is used, we DO NOT revert back to any steps of the tie-breaking procedure. We will continue on down the list until all ties are broken.
1. 1) Winning Percentage – Descending
  2) Number Wins – Descending
  3) Number Loses – Ascending
  4) Tied Teams (vs. each other) Winning Pct – Descending [Not valid if all tied teams have not played each other]
  5) Avg Points Allowed – Ascending
  6) Avg Run Differential with a maximum of (8) – Descending
  7) USSSA Points – Descending
  8) Date Team Entered USSSA Database
If a team is playing an extra pool game, the runs allowed and the Win/Loss in that game will not count towards your total. However, the result of the game (win/loss) will be used in head-to-head consideration if a tie in pool play occurs.
In case of a rain-shortened tournament, pool play games can be deemed official after 2 ½ innings of play (with home team winning) or 45 minutes of elapsed game time. This policy will only be used through pool play. In addition, if games are cancelled due to weather, there may be an adjustment in application of the tie-breaking procedures.
In Double Elimination or 3GG Bracket Formats, the team in the Winner’s bracket of the championship game will be home team. If there is an “IF” game the loser’s bracket team will be awarded home team.

10 & Under C Rules Addendum

1. On defense, 4 outfielders may be employed.

2. There will be an expanded strike zone in place for 10U.

3. For 10U, players may only advance one base per pitch on a ball not put in play by contact.

4. Batters may not advance on a dropped 3rd strike.

5. No Infield Fly Rule
6. Stealing home is allowed on a passed ball or play on the runner

10C Modified Pitch Rule Set:

Player Pitch

The player pitcher pitches until the batter is either: 1) retired (e.g., strikeout, groundout, flyout, popout), 2) puts the ball in play (e.g., hit, error), or 3) is hit by a pitch, in which case the batter is awarded first base. Batter can bunt during player pitch.

There are no walks. If the player pitcher throws four (4) balls to a batter, the batter is not awarded first base. Instead, an adult coach from the hitting team goes to the pitching rubber and replaces the player pitcher for pitching only. The player pitcher remains to the side of the adult pitcher and will make all subsequent defensive (fielding) plays. The adult pitcher may not coach batters or runners while serving as the adult pitcher and must exit the playing area as soon as a ball is put in play without interfering with the play.

Adult Coach Pitch

The adult coach pitches to the batter, keeping at least 1 foot on the pitching rubber. The batter has up to 4 coach pitches to complete her at bat, one coach pitch is deducted for each strike the player pitcher threw before ball four (e.g., 0 strikes 4 coach pitches, 1 strike 3 coach pitches, 2 strikes 2 coach pitches). During coach pitch, the umpire will not call balls and strikes at pitches that are not swung at. However, the strike count carries over and, on pitches swung at but not put into play, a strike is called. The batter will either: a) put the ball in play, b) be retired via strikeout, c) be retired after allotted pitches if neither a nor b occur, or d) if the batter fouls off the last coach pitch (or subsequent coach pitches), she continues to receive coach pitches until one of a-c occurs.

Example of situation b): On a 3-1 count, the player pitcher throws ball four (4). Offensive coach comes in to pitch. On the next two (2) coach pitches the batter swings and misses. The batter is out by strikeout because she already had 1 strike from player pitch and got two more swing-and-miss strikes from the coach pitch. The batter does not receive the third coach pitch.

Example of situation c): On a 3-1 count, the player pitcher throws ball four (4). Offensive coach comes in to pitch. On the next three (3) coach pitches the batter does not swing at any of the pitches. The batter is out because the coach only gets three (3) total pitches. Batter may NOT bunt during coach pitch.

Comments: The intent for the pitching rule is to continue development from complete coach pitch to player pitch. This modified player pitch rule will allow the player pitchers to continue to learn to pitch, while at the same time move the game along without having a complete walk-a-thon. This will also facilitate better fielding skills by increasing the number of balls hit to the defense.

4 outfielders are allowed on defense. Stealing will be allowed during player pitch. One stolen base per pitch. No stealing home unless there is a pick-off attempt made at a runner already on 3rd base. (e.g., Runners on 1st and 3rd, runner from 1st steals 2nd, catcher throws to 2nd, runner on third cannot advance home on the throw. However, if the catcher throws to 3rd in an attempt to pick-off that runner, she can advance home on the play). No stealing or bunting during coach pitches.

Refund Policy Info:

3 GAME GUARANTEE TOURNAMENTS

0 Games Started: Full Refund
1 Game Started: 50% of entry fee
2 Games Started: No refunds

4 GAME GUARANTEE TOURNAMENTS

0 Games Started: Full Refund
1 Game Started: 50% of entry fee
2 Games Started: 25% of entry fee
3 Games Started: No refunds

5 GAME GUARANTEE TOURNAMENTS

0 Games Started: Full Refund
1 Game Started: 60% of entry fee
2 Games Started: 40% of entry fee
3 Games Started: 20% of entry fee
4 Games Started: No refunds

6 GAME GUARANTEE TOURNAMENTS

0 Games Started: Full Refund
1 Game Started: 75% of entry fee
2 Games Started: 50% of entry fee
3 Games Started: 25% of entry fee

4 Games Started: No refunds