General Rules:

1. All teams must submit proof of insurance that lists Spring Ford Youth Athletic League, 190 S. Wall St, Spring City, PA 19475 as additional insured and your official tournament roster, prior to their first game of the tournament. These rosters will be locked in for the duration of the tournament.

   1. No player shall be rostered on more than one team at the same tournament.

2. Tournament officials or umpires may determine the end of games due to weather, darkness or other factors. Suspended games will be resumed, if possible, from the point of suspension (same baserunners, score and count on the batter). If it is decided that any suspended games are unable to be resumed, they will be considered complete games at the last completed inning recorded.

3. Dugouts are on a first come first serve basis. All teams are required to clean out dugouts of all trash at the completion of each game.

4. GameChanger will be used for scoring games throughout the tournament. Games must be scored in the tournament on GameChanger. Both coaches must verify and agree the final score and innings pitched is correct in GameChanger at the completion of the game. Results must be turned into tournament officials at that time.

5. Each game shall be six complete innings unless after three complete innings, either team leads by 12 or more runs, after 4 complete innings a team leads by 10 or more runs or after 5 complete innings a team leads by 8 or more runs. There will be a five-run limit in every inning but the sixth. 

   1. No new inning will start after 1 hour and 20 minutes of play for pool play games and 1 hour and 30 minutes for elimination games. 

   2. No time limit in the championship game. 

   3. No infield/outfield warm up balls between innings. Pitchers are allowed five warm up pitches. 

   4. Teams should be ready within 15 minutes of their scheduled start time in the event that the game prior finishes early. 

6. No pitcher can pitch more than 6 innings in any two consecutive games on the same day. One pitch in an inning constitutes a full inning pitched. 

7. All players on the roster will bat in order. An injury to a player does not result in an out in the lineup. Free substitution will be allowed for all positions except the pitcher. Only the starting pitcher may re-enter as a pitcher, one time providing she is eligible and has not been removed on a second trip to the mound. Once a pitcher is removed from the mound for any reason, she may not re-enter as a pitcher but may re-enter in any other position. 

8. Each team must bat their entire roster, so long as there is an equal number of players on each roster. To the extent that one roster has more players than their opponent, before each game begins, the team with more players has the option to (i) bat all players on their roster or (ii) bat at least the number of players of their opponent. Any player not in the lineup on the team with more players shall be on the bench and must be substituted according to Babe Ruth rules. Players on the bench are not eligible for free substitution until they have been brought into the game. All substitutions must be reported to the opponent and the umpire. 

9. Any pitcher must be removed from the mound when a manager or coach makes two trips to the mound in the same inning. 

10. The infield fly rule will NOT be in effect. 

11. Bunting is allowed. 

12. There is NO dropped third strike. 

13. No fake bunts. Batter cannot pull back and swing once she shows bunt. 

14. Continuation on a base on balls is not allowed. The batter may take first base but cannot continue on to second base.

15. Stealing is allowed. Runners may leave the base when the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand. 

    1. Overthrows on the throw from the catcher to a base does not allow a runner to advance. However, if there is a pick off attempt and overthrow, advancement is permitted.

16. A coin flip prior to each game will determine the home team during pool play. The higher seeded team will be the home team during bracket play. 

17. The home team is required to keep the official scorebook, including recording who pitched for each team and how many innings, and report score to the tournament director.

18. Unless stated above, we will follow all rules as stated in the Softball Division of Babe Ruth Rules and Regulations Handbook for 10 and under girls’ tournament play. 

19. Tie breaker rules for pool play: 

    1. Head to head 

    2. Fewest runs allowed 

    3. Run differential with a maximum of 10 per game

    4. Runs scored 

    5. Coin toss 

20. International tie breaker rules are in effect for bracket play. The person who batted last in the previous inning shall be placed on second base with no outs to start the inning for each team.