2012 Tournament Rules

2012 OHIO STINGRAYS COLLEGE SHOWCASE RULES

The Ohio Stingrays are happy to host our annual ASA Girls Fastpitch Tournament again at The Ohio State University's Fred Beekman Park and Coffey Road Park facilities and the Pickerington Central and North High School Softball Complexes. Our organization greatly appreciates The Ohio State University and the Pickerington Local School District making these facilities available for our tournament because they are among the premier venues for fastpitch softball in Ohio. In order that we may continue our good relationship with The Ohio State University and the Pickerington Local School District, we ask that everyone adhere to the following facility rules:

1. No stake is to be driven into the ground for any reason at any time - this includes hitting nets.

2. No ice should be dumped on the grass at any time.

3. No soft toss should be done into any of the permanent fencing or backstops of the facilities.

4. We ask that each team clean its dugout after each game.

5. As the weekend goes on, The Ohio State University requests that we vary the warm-up areas so none of the grass is worn thin. Stay out of painted areas indicating worn grass.

6. No signs are to be taped to any building, door, pole, fence, etc. Signs and/or banners are to be secured with non-adhesive products such as zip ties.

7. The Ohio State University and the Pickerington Central and North Softball Complexes are smoke free zones - smoking is not allowed.

8. The Ohio State University and the Pickerington Local School District do not allow the use of alcohol. Anyone caught drinking alcoholic beverages will be ejected from the playing site and could face other disciplinary measures.

The Ohio Stingrays appreciate your cooperation in following the above rules so that we may continue our tournament at these fine facilities in the future.

SPORTSMANSHIP

The competitive purpose of this softball tournament is to provide a quality venue with like teams so that the softball athlete can state her case for why she should be playing at the next level. Even though this applies primarily to the 16U and 18U age groups, it is not too early for the 10U, 12U, and 14U age groups to get accuntomed to the competitive nature of this event. We expect that all teams will compete hard, but fairly in order to showcase their skills. Our ASA Umpires will do their very best to make the correct call as they see it. In light of that, any excessive player or adult behavior that leads to ejection from the playing field may possibly affect that team's standing for entering the Showcase in 2013. Excessive arguing of calls will not be worth it. The Ohio Stingrays appreciate your adherence to these principles.

CHECK-IN

All teams must present proof of insurnace at check-in (team or ASA individual cards are accepted) and ASA sanctioning. All playing sites will have their own check-in station.

FORMAT

This tournament consists of a 5-game minimum. Teams will play (4) pool games and will be seeded #1 through #X into a single elimination bracket that will be determined with a point system as follows:

Win = (2) points
Tie = (1) point
Loss = (0) points

If there is a tie at the end of pool play among teams, the following will be used to break the tie:

1. Least amount of runs given up. If still tied, then.....
2. Most amount ot runs scored. If still tied, then.....
3. Head to head. If still tied, then.....
4. Lowest numnerical zip code on head coach's address of record on entry form.

For pool play games, no new inning will begin after 1 hour and 15 minutes.

For elimination games, no new inning will begin after 1 hour and 15 minutes. If the score is tied at the completion of that inning, the International Tie Breaker will go into effect for all future innings until a winner is determined.

For championship games, there will be no time limit - a complete 7-inning game will be played. If the score is tied after (7) innings, the International Tie Breaker will go into effect for all future innings until a winner is determined.

Standard 2012 ASA mercy rules will apply to all age groups in all games.

WARM-UPS

During the first inning, each team will be allowed (3) warm-up pitches and (1) throw-down by the catcher. Infield and outfield warm-up will be allowed during the first inning only. For all innings after the first, there (1) warm-up pitch and (1) throw-down by the catcher. No infield or outfield warm-ups are allowed after the first inning.

HOME TEAM/SCORKEEPERS

The Home Team will be determined wih the umpires prior to the start of a game via the ball roll from home plate to the pitching rubber. Each team must turn in an official line-up card to the home plate umpire and a copy of their starting line-up to the opposing team.

TOURNAMENT RULES

The Ohio Stingrays Showcase will be governed by the 2012 Official Rules of Softball as published by the ASA (www.asasoftball.com). Please make note of the following:

1. Pitching distances will be:

- 35 feet for the 10U age group

- 40 feet for the 12U age group

- 40 feet for the 14U age group (unless ASA mandates 43 feet)

- 43 feet for the 16U and 18U age groups

2. So that there is no ambiguity, metal cleats are allowed for 16U and up ASA play.

3. Umpires are free to check all equipment before the start of each game to insure that it meets 2012 ASA guidelines.

Also, the following exceptions will apply:

1. Teams will be permitted unlimited defensive substitutions in all games.

2. Teams may bat any number of players in all games from a conventional ASA 9-player order through the maximum number of players on the team - it is up to the coach and must be declared before the start of the game. However, the total number of offensive players starting the game must be the same at the end of the game. Any team batting less than the maximum number of players on the team can make an offensive substitution, but it must be reported to the umpire and the opposing yeam. If a team bats all their players and an injury occurs to any player and that player is not able to continue, that player's spot is recorded as an out.

3. Pitcher and Catcher may have a courtesy runner. Courtesy runner is to be last batted out or any other player not in the game.

The Ohio Stingrays will provide (1) new softball and (1) used softball for each game.

PROTESTS

In light of the Sportsmanship Guidelines listed earlier, we would surely hope that teams do no resort to a protest. However, if it does, the following will apply:

1. Cost will be $150 cash payable by the protesting team and will go directly to the Stefanie Spielman Fund whether the protest is won or not.

2. Protests will be directed to the Umpire-In-Chief and will be resolved by the following:

- Umpire-In-Chief
- Tournament Director
- Assistant Tournament Director