2024 Florida State Softball Championships

During the Florida State Tournament we play by Babe Ruth post-season rules which can be found in the 2022 Published Rule Book (with the exception of 8U). During the regular season each league can request waivers from their district commissioners in order to maximize each players training and development. Many of our post season rules are very different than your local league rules. It is your responsibility to read and understand all post season rules. Here are a few general post season items:

1) There is no must play rule in post season play. Each teams roster is comprised of 12 to 18 players and each individual team manager controls playing time.

2) There is no run limit per inning in post season play in the Diva Elite bracket (a team has the ability to score as many runs in any inning - there is one exception 6U division). Any Babe Ruth Softball tournament game must be terminated once becoming regulation if one team is ahead by fifteen (15) or (10) runs and has had equal times at bat, or the home team is leading. Inning will vary based on age division.

3) A team may elect to add a tenth hitter to the batting order for tournament games. Prior to the beginning of the game, this player will be indicated in the line-up as the “EP”. The “EP” will be treated as any other starter, and cannot be eliminated during the course of the game. If you start the game with an EP you must finish with one, penalty is forfeit of the game.

4) No pitcher in 10U/12U tournament play shall be allowed to pitch in more than nine (9) innings in any two (2) successive tournament games within the same tournament level. Games in which an ineligible pitcher has been used, as specified in paragraph 12, shall be declared forfeited.

5) Tournament rules and regulations as may be deemed advisable to meet with local conditions may be established by State Commissioners.

6) The bat shall be marked “OFFICIAL SOFTBALL” or “OFFICIAL FASTPITCH” by the manufacturer. If the bat can not be clearly identified, it shall be removed from the game. The on-deck batter may loosen up only with official softball bats or approved warm-up bats. Nothing may be attached to a bat such as a donut, fan, etc. when loosening up.

7) Uniforms for team managers and coaches – The team manager and coaches will be required to wear identical uniforms consisting of the following: (1) a shirt in the same colors as the team’s uniform, (2) dress shorts or pants of the same style and in the same colors as the team’s uniform, and (3) athletic footwear including running shoes, sneakers, cleats and excluding open toed footwear.

8) The catcher or anyone acting as the catcher shall wear a catcher’s mask while warming up the pitcher at home plate or at any other location. Penalty: Manager will be ejected from the current game

9) Players or coaches in uniform shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands during a game.

10) No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer, spectator or bat boy/girl shall at anytime, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the playing field, or elsewhere—  (1)Incite, or try to incite, by word or sign a demonstration by spectators;  (2)Use language which will in any manner refer to or reflect upon opposing players, an umpire, or any spectators;  (3)Make intentional contact with the umpire in any manner. (b)  No fielder shall take a position in the batter’s line of vision, and with deliberate unsportsmanlike intent, act in a manner to distract the batter. PENALTY : The offender and the team manager shall be removed from the game and shall leave the playing field.

11) Any umpire’s decision which involves judgment, such as, but not limited to, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, or whether a pitch is a strike or a ball, or whether a runner is safe or out, is final. No player, manager, coach or substitute shall object to any such judgment decisions.  PENALTY : The offender and the team manager shall be removed from the game and shall leave the playing field.