Rules & Regulations

While the pitcher takes the signal, her stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher's plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she CANNOT move it to increase the distance behind the pitcher's plate. In addition, the pitcher must take or appear to take a signal while in the pitching and signal-taking positions.

The no-pitch intentional walk rule will be used and requires that a coach or catcher signal the plate umpire to award first base to a hitter without the pitcher having to throw four balls outside the strike zone. This can be declared at any time during the at bat. The ball is dead.

We use the written NFHS courtesy runner rule, which states the courtesy runner must be an eligible sub that has not been in the game at any capacity. Teams that bat the lineup will utilize the last recorded out as a courtesy runner, those who do not bat the lineup must utilize an eligible substitute.

Players who have played in college at any level and completed college coursework are not eligible to play below the A classification.

During all games we allow free defensive substitutions, excluding Pitchers and Catchers — a declared substitution must be made for Pitchers or Catchers not in the game to come into the game. All other defensive substitutions need not be declared as official substitution. Teams may bat the entire roster in pool play games.

During bracket play teams may utilize one EP and bat up to 10. They may utilize the DP/Flex rule in addition to the EP; the flex player would be listed last. The EP may play anywhere on defense only if it is properly reported.

Lineup Options:

1. Straight Nine — Those nine can play any position on defense without reporting to the umpire.
2. DP/Flex — 10 players listed, only 9 bat. The DP can bat for any designated player (Flex, listed 10th).
3. EH/EP — Bat 10 players, any 9 can play defense. Can be placed anywhere in lineup.
4. DP/Flex + EP/EH — 11 players listed, only 10 bat, any 9 play defensively. Flex listed at bottom.

15 runs after 2 innings, 10 runs after 3, 8 runs after 4, and 6 runs after 5. The standard game time is 1:10 and finishes the inning. This can be modified by the Tournament Director at their discretion and will be listed under the rules section of the event page.

During each half-inning of the tiebreaker, the offensive team must begin its turn at bat with the player scheduled to bat last in that respective half-inning being placed at second base. For example, if the #5 batter leads off, the #4 batter is placed on second base. A substitute may be inserted for the runner.

The call on the field stands. All rules will be interpreted by UIC and/or the site director. Protests involving the Director or UIC have a $200.00 fee — if you win the protest, you are refunded $150.00.

At the tournament director's discretion, fill-in players for a registered team may be used if the team has less than 9 healthy eligible players. A player can only be on one roster during the same tournament. Rosters must be submitted no later than three days before the scheduled event (or as posted on registrations page).

All teams must always have access to player proof of age eligibility. If a violation is discovered, ineligible players will be removed and the head coach will be suspended for a minimum of one additional game. No alcohol or tobacco products are allowed on the field or in the dugout.

Pool games may end in a tie; bracket games must have a winner. The international tie-breaker rule applies after the last out and time has expired.

Pool Tie Breaker Order:

1. Win/Loss Record (percentage)
2. Head to Head (only when all tied teams have played each other)
3. Run Differential (Runs Scored − Runs Allowed)
4. Random (Computer or Coin Flip)

If a spectator, parent, player, or coach is ejected from a game, they must sit out the rest of that game plus a minimum of 1 additional game. The penalty can be increased at the tournament staff's discretion. Players remain in the dugout; coaches, spectators, and parents must leave the complex and not be within sight of the field.

Teams are allowed to use one-way electronic communication devices to communicate from the dugout (on defense) and from the dugout or coach's box (on offense). Communication is one-way — coaches to field only. Use is optional for individual, several, or all on-field players.

If weather delays occur, please do not gather in shelters or dugouts. Weather updates will be posted under tournament postings. Teams should warm up on the perimeter or behind temporary home run fences, outside spectator areas, or where directed by onsite staff.