2008 Rich Atalese Memorial Tournament

Format

General Rules for the “Tournament”:

We will utilize general ASA Softball rules.

Games are scheduled to be 1 hour and 20 minutes long. No new inning to begin after 1 hour and 10 minutes. Hard stop after 80 minutes.

We will not enforce the need to limit the batting order to 9 players with an EH. If you wish, you can bat everyone on your team if you elect to – so substitutions can be free flowing into and out of the field. If you do elect to not bat everyone, you can still rotate players in and out of the field. We want you to have flexibility to let everyone play (if you wish) and mix things up so everyone’s involved. Cinderella batting is encouraged.

Once a team bats 10 players, their at bat is finished and the next half inning begins. In this

way, all teams will be able to bat, field, pitch, and play defense.

The championship games will be played following the normal games, the top 2 teams will be decided by wins and runs scored. 10u games will be 6 innings, 12u and 14u games will be 7 innings. Both with a 90 minute hard stop, no new inning after 1hour and 15 minutes.

In the event of rain, games may be cancelled and not made up. All teams are requested to be flexible in the case of inclement weather. Rain dates will be the following Sunday June 8th.

Pre-tournament check-in

All team Managers must check-in at the administrative desk, for teams playing at Palmer the check in will be at the entrance to the Softball fields at the tent. For teams playing at Rock Spring Park the check in will be at the pavilion in the center of the complex. Each team must submit their rosters and proof of insurance.

Rules

ASA with the following exceptions and clarifications:

Teams may consist of a maximum of 15 players
Teams must present a roster of all team members, listing names, age, and uniform number to the tournament director
Insurance coverage is the responsibility of each team and must be presented before playing the first game
Umpires: - 1 umpire per game.

No smoking is permitted in the playing field areas and no pets.

All decisions to change time limits will be the sole responsibility of the tournament director.
The home team will be determined by a coin toss.
All teams must present lineups to the umpire and opposing coach prior to the game.
Game start time is to be recorded as home team takes field in home scorebook. If a game starts more than 10 minutes after scheduled start, the official start time will be 10 minutes after scheduled start.
The umpire has the official and final say on all scorebook disputes.
Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher & catcher at any time.
Courtesy runner must not be in the game at the time of pinch running (unless there are no bench players – then last batted out

· The game length is seven innings for 12’s and 14’s, --- Six innings for 10’s

The mercy rule is: 10 runs after four innings.
Pitching distance is: 35 feet for 10’s - 40 feet for 12’s, 14s.

Managers are expected to control themselves, their coaches, players, parents and spectators. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the game and ejection from the game, multiple games or the tournament.
No protests will be allowed – Umpires calls are final.

Long Valley travel softball will supply the game balls..
Infield practice prior to the game is forbidden. Teams must warm up on the grass.
DH, or EH, is allowed in tournament if not using Cinderella Batting Format.

10 & under exceptions

Once a team scores 5 runs in an inning their at bat is finished and the next half inning begins. This will make the games move faster and let all players rotate in.

· Teams may choose to have just 10 players in the batting order with subs. (If elected, the team is bound by normal substitution rules.

· Teams may also choose to bat all players (Cinderella). They would then have free substitution in and out of all field positions. Cinderella batting is encouraged.

Lineup type that you start with at the beginning of the game is what you use for the entire game. It is a team choice. (One team can play it one way and the other do it their way)

Leading on release is permitted.
Runners will be allowed to steal third base and only third base. Stealing of second or home will not be permitted. No advancing on overthrow after steal of third is allowed. We want to involve catchers in the game and let them try to throw out runners.
Runner is eligible to be put out if caught off base with their lead.
No dropped third strike, No infield fly rule
Pitching distance is 35’
Once a team scores 5 runs in an inning, their at bat is finished and the next half inning begins.

Enjoy the day, we have put this together for the players and families involved.