TOURNAMENT PLAYING RULES FOR 2019

GENERAL-
By registering for, and taking the field at an event hosted by Potomac Sports, all members of the team agree to abide by the rules that have been posted.

SANCTONING BODY:
All tournaments hosted by Potomac Sports during the 2017 playing season will be dual-sanctioned through the Independent Sports Association (ISA) and Softball Nation (SN).  Tournaments will be played using a hybrid set of rules. In the absence of a stated rule modification, the ISA national rulebook will govern play. 

ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
Softball is a contact sport, played with Composite, Aluminum, Wood and other approved materials in design of approved bats and softballs. The game of softball can be a dangerous sport to participate in. In playing the game of softball, the participants assume the risk of serious injury, and possibly death. By agreeing to be placed on a roster and taking the field, each participant understands these risks. To reduce the risk of injury, we highly recommend that every player wear protective equipment.

Each player is fully is aware that the ISA, SN and Potomac Sports do not carry, or provide medical or dental insurance for participants. Team coverage is offered for an additional fee, but all players are solely responsible for procuring their own insurance.

TEAM ROSTERS-
All teams participating in a Potomac Sports event must have their roster online at the ISA national website (www.playISAsports.com) by 12:00pm on Friday prior to the tournament.  Tournament staff will have a copy of each roster at the tournament site.

PLAYER CHECK IN-
Before taking the field in a Potomac Sports event, each player must check in with the director using a government issued ID.  Player check-in begins 1 hour before a team's first game.

HOME TEAM-
Determined by coin flip in all games played during the tournament.

GAME CARDS-
The manager will submit an official game card to the umpire before the start of each game.  The game card will include the official batting order and the names of any potential substitutes.  Only players that are listed on the game card can participate in that game.  No players can be added to the game card after the first pitch has been thrown.

PITCHER PROTECTION POLICY-
Potomac Sports strongly encourages all pitchers to wear a protective mask in tournament play.  

APPROVED BALLS-
Teams will supply their own optic yellow 44/400 ball with the ISA logo. Only balls with the ISA logo can be used in tournament play.  Purchase them at the park- $5 each.

APPROVED BATS-
·         All bats must meet the 1.20 bpf testing standard and have the bpf stated on the bat.
·         Bats baring only the ASA "mountain top" logo (below) are not permitted.
·         Senior bats / 1.21 bpf bats are not permitted.
·         Fastpitch bats are not permitted.
·         Gender specific bats are not permitted. 

BAT TESTING-
Tournament staff may compression test all bats before the tournament.  Bats that pass the testing standard will have an "approved" sticker attached.  Bats that do not pass the standard will be returned to the user without a sticker.  Any player that steps into the batter's box with a non-approved bat will be declared out and ejected from that game.  Anyone caught tampering with stickers, removing stickers, or applying stickers to another bat will be ejected from tournament.  The team will also be ejected from the tournament without a refund.

Each player can have 1 bat approved / stickered prior to the start of the tournament at no charge. A player can have additional bats tested at a cost of $2 each.  At any time during the tournament, the tournament staff can re-test and re-certify a bat.  Failure to comply will result in a player ejection from the tournament. 

PASS  / FAIL DECISION-
Bats will be tested in varying spots along the barrel.  A bat can be tested a maximum of 3 times.  A bat that tests above 1350 / 220 in two (2) locations will be declared legal for use in the tournament.

PITCH COUNT-
3-2, without a courtesy foul .... This is the same as 1-1 with NO courtesy foul.

PITCH ARCH-
6' - 10' from the ground with a perceptible arch.  Fakes are permitted.  Before beginning the wind-up, the pitcher must come to a stop and present the ball.  Once the wind-up has begun, the pitcher has 3 seconds to release the pitch.  If a pitch fails to meet the height requirement, the umpire will signal and verbally declare that pitch "illegal."  If a batter swings at an "illegal" pitch, the result of the play shall stand.

ISA HOME RUN RULES-
Men's Division:
Class B-C        6 HR, then outs.
Class D           3 HR, then inning ending outs.
Class E           1 HR, then inning ending outs.  

Coed, Church and Women's Division:
Upper                  6 HR, then outs
Lower                  3 HR, then inning ending outs.
Recreational         1 HR, then inning ending outs.

BASE BURGLAR-
Can be anyone on the team's lineup card, and must be identified prior to the start of the game.
The base burglar can run multiple times per inning.
If on base when his turn at bat comes due, the base burglar is declared out, then must take his scheduled turn at bat.  No substitution is allowed to avoid the out in this situation.

In coed play, a male and female base burglar can be used.   Males run for males.  Females run for females.

BASE STEALING-
Base stealing is permitted in men's play after a pitched ball hits the ground, hits home plate or crosses home plate.  If the batter takes a swing or makes any motion that distracts the catcher, the ball is dead and runners must return to the last base occupied at the time of the pitch.

Base stealing is not permitted in the coed or women's division.

MERCY RULE-
Men's B-C division:  20 runs ahead after 3 innings.  15 runs ahead after 4.   10 runs ahead after 5.
All other divisions:   15 runs ahead after 3 innings.  12 runs ahead after 4.  10 runs ahead after 5.

TIME LIMITS-
No new inning can begin after 75 minutes have elapsed.  This rule applies in all games including the championship and "if necessary" games. The clock begins at the conclusion of the home plate coaches meeting / coin flip. 

EXTRA INNINGS-
Any game that is tied after 7 innings of play, or after the time limit  has been played will continue using the International Tie-Breaker rule.  The last completed batter of the prior inning will begin on 2nd base.

SHORT HANDED RULE-
Teams can begin a game with 8 players.  The 9th and 10th player can be added to the end of the batting order at any time.   No out is recorded on the missing batters during the game because the team is already being penalized on the defensive side.  If starting the game with fewer than 10 players, the team cannot add an EH (should one arrive).  

FREE DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION-
Teams can substitute defensive players in and out of the game without penalty or requirement to notify the umpire.  All changes to the batting order must be communicated to the umpire.

PLAYER CONDUCT-
Any person that is ejected from a game for misconduct will sit out the remainder of that game, plus 1 additional game.  During the suspension, the ejected person is not permitted to be in the dugout or team area (which may include the stands).

FAN CONDUCT-

Potomac Sports does not condone or tolerate rude, threatening or abusive behavior.  We reserve the right to take any action that is deemed appropriate to create a safe, fun and welcoming environment for all in attendance.

Coaches and players are responsible for the conduct of teammates and fans.  By allowing intoxicated or otherwise un-welcome persons into the team area (dugout, stands, etc), you put your own team in jeopardy.