Rules of Play
These rules are from 2009 and will be updated in September 2010.
ALL ASA RULES SHALL APPLY EXCEPT AS MODIFIED HEREIN:
1) BALL COUNT
Start with a ONE BALL-ONE STRIKE count; with an extra foul. Since ASA rules prevail, the extra foul is live if caught and dead if not caught.
2) TEAMS
Must have a minimum of 9 players to start and finish. May add a 10th player at any time (11th or 12th only before game starts). If team starts with 10, 11, or 12 players and one player is injured, a substitute must enter or an out will be recorded. All games will be played with a maximum of twelve (12) players, consisting of ten players on the field and the eleventh and twelfth player as the extra hitter (EH). If a player is ejected, a team may NOT continue to play shorthanded (less than 9 players). If no substitutes are available the game is a forfeit.
3) GAME TIMES
All teams must be at their playing field by game time. All Round Robin games have a 50 minute time limit and Double Elimination games have a 55 minute time limit. No inning will start after time limit has expired.
4) COURTESY RUNNERS
Two per game (a courtesy runner is the player in the lineup that made the last out in the current inning. If there are no outs in the inning, the courtesy runner will be the last batter from the previous inning). If an incorrect runner touches a base and is properly appealed (before next pitch), an out will be recorded.
5) RUN RULES
15 runs after 4 innings; 12 runs after 5 innings
6) SLIDE RULE
Any runner advancing to the next base (where a play can be made at the previous base) must slide or be out of the base path when the defensive player is making a play (the defensive player must attempt to make a play) PENALTY – a dead ball is called, the runner not sliding or getting out of the base path is out and the runner at the base behind him/her is also out.
7) HOME RUNS
Open division "C" - one (1) over-the-fence home run; then a recorded out
Open division "D" - no over-the-fence home runs; a recorded out
NOTE: When a home run is hit, the batter and all runners must touch one base and immediately return to the dugout. This will speed up play.
8) TIE GAMES
Round Robin Games: will end as a tie
Double Elimination - International Tie Breaker (Each team will place the last batter from the previous inning on 2nd base with no outs.)
9) HOME TEAM DESIGNATION
Round Robin - Home Team determined by a coin flip.
Double Elimination - Home Team is always the higher seed until the championship games, and then a coin toss will be used.
10) EQUIPMENT
BATS: ASA APPROVED only (1.20 BPF or less - no titanium)
BALLS: All Softballs will be supplied by tournament director
No metal cleats or metal screw in cleats are allowed.
No jewelry is allowed on players while playing.
11) REGISTRATION
All players must register with proper identification before they are eligible to play in any game. Players not registered will not be allowed to play until they register. Registration will close after the round robin is completed for the respective divisions.
12) TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Teams will be seeded based on the win-loss record during round robin games. Teams tied with the same record will use run differential first then coin flip to break the ties.
13) RATINGS GUIDELINES
The Ocean State Cup Classic complies with the 2009 NAGAAA ratings and division criteria. A player's rating is determined by their designation on the 2009 NAGAAA roster or their most recent rating if one was not submitted in July 2009.
Players without a current NAGAAA rating will be allowed to play under the following conditions:
1) The player's coach will need to rate these players and submit the full NAGAAA ratings sheet with all 27 questions answered Y/N. Contact the commissioner for a copy of the correct ratings guidelines to use.
2) Each team will be allowed a maximum of three such players.
14) PROTESTS
There will be no protests for player ratings. All player ratings will be checked with the NAGAAA database and once verified cannot be challenged. Coaches submitting a ratings sheet for each player will be kept with the tournament director.