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USSSA Play – Colorado/Wyoming Tournament Rules (2025 Edition)

USSSA Play Colorado/Wyoming – Tournament Rules

ZERO TOLERANCE TOWARDS UMPIRES/COACHES/STAFF

No Artificial Noise Makers will be allowed

Music will be allowed if not a distraction to other games in play – Be Respectful

Over the fence Home run balls may be kept but a coach/player/family must ask for a replacement ball at the TD desk (no charge) and return the new ball to the umpire in the game as quickly as possible to avoid disruptions. All non-over-the-fence balls including foul balls should be returned to the game immediately.

Winning Team is Responsible for Reporting Scores

(Scores not reported by the end of pool play, will be scored as a 7-7 tie – No changes can be made once the Bracket have been released)

Please have a Coach or representative check-in before the start of the first game

  1. This is a USSSA Girl’s Class A/B/C or Open Fast Pitch Qualifier tournament
    • By entering this tournament, you agree to participate at your own risk.
    • This is a non- protest tournament
      • Any disputes will be settled by the Umpires and/or the UIC before play resumes
      • THEIR DECISION IS FINAL!
    • The USSSA rulebook will be followed unless otherwise noted in these amended rules.
  2. RULE 2 – EQUIPMENT
    • Only USSSA Optic Yellow Ball will be used.
      • Any other Ball returned to the umpire, other than the tournament ball, could lead to ejection for the remainder of the game
    • All Bats MUST MEET USSSA 1.20 BPF standards – see Rule 2 Section 10
      • Easton Ghost USSSA Fastpitch Bat 2019 is approved for USSSA play
      • Bats will be inspected prior to every game
    • RULE 2 EQUIPMENT, Sec 13, page 17 (new)
      • Authorizes use of one-way communication devices for defensive and offensive players
      • No two-way communication devices, such as cell phones, watches, walkie talkies are permitted
  3. RULE 4 THE GAME
    1. Sportsmanship: Coaches, Players and Spectators
      • Rule 11 – Rule 12
        • Any Coach/Player/Fan that is ejected
          • Current game +1 game
          • Players are restricted to the bench
          • If Ejected during the last game of the event, suspensions will be carried over to the First Game of the next tournament
    2. No warm-up practice on the infield (inside the baselines) before the game
      • Once games have started, Teams may warm up behind the temporary fences or in Designated Areas
    3. Time Limit for All Games – The Umpires on the field will keep the official time
      • Game time is forfeit time – Unless a team is delayed by a late running game or changing fields
      • Teams that play back-to-back will be allowed reasonable time complete Line-Up cards
      • Saturday/Pool
        • 75 minutes Finish the Inning
        • No New Inning after 70 minutes or after time has expired
        • An inning begins immediately after the third out of the preceding 1/2 inning
      • Sunday/Bracket
        • 75 minutes Finish the Inning
        • The Championship games will be 90 minutes or seven innings
        • ITB rule will be used after time has expired or 7 innings have been completed for all bracket games
    4. Home Team vs Visitor Team
      • Pool Play – Coin toss by the Umpire will determine the home team
      • Bracket Play – Higher Seed will be the Home Team per results posted in the Scoring System
    5. On-Deck batter will occupy circle near team’s dugout
    6. On-Line Roster
      • Your On-Line Roster must be current, prior to the start of the event
      • Guest Players must be Registered through the USSSA Guest Player Registration
        • This is done by logging into your USSSA Team Account
    7. Lineup Cards
      • Rule 5 Section 1-B
        • Lineup card shall include:
          • First name, Last Name, Jersey No and Position in the batting order of each starting player
          • No Duplicate Numbers
        • Each eligible substitute must be listed on the card
      • Pool Play is Bat Your Lineup OR By the Book (Coaches Choice)
        • Free Substitution or by the book
          • Must report Pitcher/Catcher Changes to the umpire
      • Bracket Play is By The Book Only
        • 9 players – must be listed on your lineup
        • 2 AP’s may used – this will put your line up at 11 players
        • DP/Flex may also be used
    8. Run rules are in effect for all games including the Championship Game
      • 10 runs after 3 innings – 8 runs after 4 innings – 6 runs after 5 innings
      • EXCEPTIONS for 10U will be in effect for all games
        • Pool Play is 6 Runs per Inning or 3 outs, whichever comes first
        • Bracket play: 1st inning 6 run/3 outs, 2nd-7th inning regular rulebook
      • If a game is suspended before 3 innings, 2 1/2 innings are completed – Rule 4 Sec 6.C.1
        • Games will be resumed at the point of interruption
        • Otherwise, interrupted games will be considered a complete game at the point of interruption
    9. USSSA of CO/WY Fastpitch tournaments will play with a modification to Rule 5 Sec 2 Playing Short
      • A team shall be allowed to play with one batting position unfilled
        • The batting position the team cannot fill shall be designated as the absent player
        • When the absent player is scheduled to bat, an out shall be declared for each turn at bat
      • A team may play short under the following circumstances:
        • Whenever a player leaves the game for any reason other than ejection and no substitutes are available
        • If the player leaving the game is the batter or a runner, they shall be declared out
        • Exception: If the player is injured, the player may be replaced by the player not currently on base who had the last completed time at bat
        • This exception does not apply to any future time at bat
      • The players who have left the game cannot return to the lineup
        • Exception: a player who has left the game under the blood rule, may return
      • A team may begin the game with eight (8) players in a 9-player lineup
        • The absent player shall be listed in the ninth (9th) batting position
        • the team will be required to take an automatic out in the ninth position in the batting order
      • Under no circumstances shall a team be allowed to have less than eight (8) players in the batting order
      • The team may not play short if there is an eligible substitute available
        • If an eligible player arrives, they must enter the game immediately
    10. Team awards will be given to the top two (2) teams in each age group
      • Placement is determined by results on the Scoring System (ISTS) of the last complete round of play
    11. Prior to leaving the dugout – clean up their respective dugouts
    12. Alcohol is prohibited in all Public Parks
      • Alcohol consumption is not permitted at ANY USSSA YOUTH event
      • Violators will be ejected from the tournament
      • Teams will be subject to forfeiture of the tournament
    13. Smoking is prohibited in all Public Parks
      • Smokers, including coaches, will be asked once to retreat to the parking lot to smoke
    14. JEWELRY – (Youth only – 18 & Under and younger)
      • Exposed jewelry, which is judged by the umpire as dangerous, is not permitted and must be removed
      • MEDICAL BRACELETS or CHAINS if loose, must be taped down with warnings exposed