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Special Notes:

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP IS A REQUIREMENT.  Managers/Coaches you are responsible for the conduct of every person associated with your team.  If you or a member of your organization, coach, player, parent or guest becomes disrespectful to anyone (umpires included) or a distraction to the game, you will be given a warning and asked to address the situation with your organization, coach, player, parent or guest.  If the distraction or disrespectfulness continues, the manager and the person causing the issue(s) will be removed from the game and complex.  Once asked to leave if the person or persons, do not leave immediately the game will be stopped until the person or persons have left the complex.  If the person or persons do not leave within 5 minutes of being asked to leave, the game will be forfeited by the team causing the distraction and Law Enforcement will be called.  ANY EJECTED COACH WILL BE EJECTED FOR THE CURRENT GAME AND THE FOLLOWING GAME AS WELL.  

> Concessions will be available
> Coolers are not allowed except for the team cooler. Please respect the rules of the individual parks by not bringing coolers, alcohol, and pets. Soft Toss against the fence is also NOT allowed.
> NO SEEDS, GUM, OR METAL SPIKES on TURF FIELDS.
> Please only one team cooler per team. Thank You!!!!!
> During ALL games there will be TWO umpires.
>"Fast Pitch Orlando" does allow dual roster players for different age divisions within the same tournament. Dual roster players can only pitch in one age division. Players are NOT allowed to play on 2 teams in the same age division.  No team may dual roster players if they have 10 original players or more.  A coach cannot remove an original player to put in a dual roster player.  The dual roster rule is meant to be used in emergencies only. A coach may choose to play with 8 players. In this case, there is no out for the 9th batter because they did not start with 9. However, if at any time they do not have 8 players they must forfeit. 
>8U will have a 5 run rule per inning including the last inning. 
> Rosters should be turned in before the first game at the head table or the roster should be maintained online before the first game. This is the manager/coach's responsibility to make sure the roster is updated before the event or a hard copy turned in before the first game. IF NO ROSTER IS TURNED IN AND A CHALLENGE IS MADE REGARDING THE ROSTER, THE CHALLENGE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND THE TEAM WILL FORFEIT THE GAME FOR PLAYING A NON-ROSTERED PLAYER. All future games for that Tournament will be forfeited. 

>All players, coaches, parents, and fans agree, by entering an FPO (Fast Pitch Orlando) Tournament, to allow  FPO to use and publish, without compensation, pictures/videos to be used for marketing purposes in print and/or social media for the life of FPO (Fast Pitch Orlando).  

"Fast Pitch Orlando"  Tournament Rules 2021

GOVERNING RULES
NFHS rules with modifications. See modifications below:
PITCHING

FPO has adopted the new pitching rules set forth by the NCAA.  This means the pitcher can have their back foot off of the pitching rubber or in contact with the pitching rubber.  The pitcher cannot step back from their set position or the pitch is considered illegal.
Pitching limits are at the Head Coaches discretion. "Fast Pitch Orlando" considers the safety and health of our players to be a high priority and we ask that coaches and parents be mindful of the number of pitches a player throws throughout the weekend.
Any Pitcher is allowed back in the game unless they were removed due to limited visits. Pitchers are allowed 1 visit per inning, on the 2nd visit the Pitcher must be removed. Removing a pitcher does not count as a visit. (Per NHFS rules.) The coach is permitted to come to the mound for a conference with the pitcher three times during the game. If the pitcher is removed, the conference does not count against this limit of three. After the three conferences have been used, the coach can still come out for a fourth, but the pitcher must be removed from the mound. It is considered a conference as soon as the coach walks across one of the foul lines. During extra-inning games, one conference is permitted in each additional inning. These extra conferences cannot be saved and used in later innings.
 

TIME LIMITS
One Hour 15 Minutes.  No new inning after 1 hour 15 minutes.  ALL COACHES SHOULD HAVE THEIR TEAMS READY TO PLAY 30 MINUTES before THE POSTED GAME TIME. 
  Saturday Pool Play- Two umpires
$20 for each team per umpire
Sunday- Two umpires
$20 for each team per umpire
Umpire fees should be paid at the plate meeting before the game starts. Failure to pay the umpire fee will result in a forfeit by the non-paying team.

MERCY RULES
Games shall be declared complete games and ended upon fulfillment of any of the following mercy rule criteria. Mercy Rules do not apply when a run-rule is in place.
12 runs after 3 innings (losing team must have had 3 at-bats)
10 runs after 4 innings (losing team must have had 4 at-bats)
8 runs after 5 innings (losing team must have had 5 at-bats)

TIEBREAKERS
A. Once a tie is broken with three or more teams, teams advance to the next tie-breaker rule until the tie is broken.
B.Tiebreakers
1.Win-Loss Record

2. Head to Head wins supersedes run differential
3.  Highest Run Differential*
4.  Fewest Runs Allowed (actual runs)
5.  Runs scored
6.  Coin Flip
*Note: This calculation is determined by taking total runs scored minus total runs allowed. The maximum run differential per game is +8 or –8. Our system auto defaults to an 8 run differential: example if you win 17 to 2 the score will reflect 10-2.
C. When three or more teams are tied, the highest run differential in all pool play games is used in determining all three places. If there is still a three-way tie, the fewest runs allowed is used to determine who advances.
D. When a three-way tie is broken, and the remaining two teams are tied with run differential, the next tiebreaker is actual runs allowed in all games. If the teams are still tied, a coin is flipped.

BATTING ORDER
Extra Hitters (EH) are allowed. Consequently, a team may choose to bat 10, 11, or more players by listing the additional players as EHs. Further, if a team chooses to bat their entire lineup, they may then utilize free defensive substitutions.

FORFEITS
In the event of a forfeit, the forfeit will be recorded at an 8-0 score.
Designated Hitter-
Fast Pitch Orlando allows an EH in all age divisions.

COURTESY RUNNERS
Teams may utilize courtesy runners for the catcher or pitcher. Courtesy runners must first come from the pool of eligible substitutes in the dugout. If a team has no eligible substitutes, the player who was the last recorded out shall become the courtesy runner.
It is not necessary for the same substitute player to courtesy run for the pitcher or catcher each time a courtesy runner is utilized; however, if a courtesy runner is used for the pitcher or catcher more than once in the same inning, the same runner must be re-used.

ELECTION OF HOME TEAM
During pool play, the home team will be decided by a coin flip. Dugouts are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
During Elimination Games the higher seed has the election of being the home team.  
Championship Game: The HIGHER seed team has the choice.  In the event there is an "IF" Game played, the team that was home in the previous game will now be the visitors and vice versa for the other team.  

CLEATS
Metal cleats are NOT allowed for the 8u-12u divisions. Molded Cleats or Turf shoes must be worn by all divisions, including 13u-18u when playing on turf fields at select complexes.

Illegal Pitch / Leaving Base Early
The question comes what to do if you have an illegal pitch and a runner leaving the base early on the same play. Since the illegal pitch is a delayed dead ball, play continues. However, the runner leaving early is a dead ball. This ends the play and both penalties should be enforced. The runner who left the base early is out. The batter is awarded a ball for the illegal pitch.  No runners advance because of an illegal pitch.

ILLEGAL PITCHES
In 8u and 9u, illegal pitches will not be called. The penalty for an Illegal pitch is one ball awarded to the batter.  No runners advance unless the illegal pitch occurs with the bases loaded and this constitutes ball four.  

BATS
The 8u through 18u age groups shall be limited by the High School Softball Rules published by the National Federation of State High Schools (NFHS) regarding bat specifications.  To comply with NFHS (ASA) Rules all bats must have either the 2000 or 2004 ASA Approval Stamp or USSSA Stamp on them.  If the bat does not bear one of the ASA or USSSA Stamps the bat is deemed to be illegal.  According to NFHS rule 7.4.2. "If the batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat or is discovered having used an illegal bat and the infraction is detected before the next legal or illegal pitch, the ball is dead immediately. All runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.  When the illegal bat is altered or non-approved, the batter and head coach are also EJECTED. Runners would not return if they were put out on the play."  

INJURIES INVOLVING BLOOD
A player or coach who is bleeding or who has an open wound shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment has been administered. If medical care or treatment can be administered in a reasonable amount of time, the individual would not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is according to the umpire’s judgment. The reentry rule would not apply to players in case of a bleeding injury. If there is an excessive amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before that individual may participate.

 

DURING BRACKET PLAY, in the event of a tie score at the end of regulation play, either by time limit or inning limit, a Texas Tiebreaker will begin. All Texas Tiebreakers begin with the last RECORDED out of the previous inning starting on second base and there is ONE out in the inning.

RAIN OUTS
In the event the tournament, or any part of it, is canceled due to rain, fees paid for the tournament shall be treated as follows:
1. If the team finishes 4 full games, no refunds/credits shall be issued.
2. If the team finishes 1, 2, or 3 full gamee, the team shall be issued a prorated credit to the next Fast Pitch Orlando event they choose to attend. They must provide the email that was sent showing credit.
3. If the event is completely rained out, the tournament fee shall be refunded.

4.  Parents will receive a PARTIAL credit for their wristbands towards their next FPO Tournament PROVIDED they bring their wristband from the rained out Tournament.  If they are unable to provide the wristband, no credit will be given.  

SUSPENDED / REGULATION GAMES POLICY
Games that do not make it to regulation (4 complete innings for a 6 inning game or 5 complete innings for a 7 inning game) due to weather/darkness will be considered a suspended game and will be resumed (if possible) from the point of suspension at the earliest time available. If there is not enough time to resume a suspended game, it will be considered complete and official at the end of the last complete inning. Below are some further points to help illustrate this policy:
Pool play / Consolation games:
If a game is suspended before being official and there is not enough time to resume – the game would be considered complete at the end of the last complete inning. If tied at the end of the last complete inning – the game would stand as a tie. If the game has not started and the Tournament needs to move to Bracket play, the game will end with a 1-1 tie. 
Elimination games:
A) If one inning hasn’t been completed and the game is suspended and there is not enough time to resume - the higher seed would advance to the next round.
B) If tied at the end of the last complete inning – the higher seed would advance
C) If tied at the end of the last complete inning and the two teams are the same seed from different divisions entering the game – we would revert to the tie-breaking system in place
D) If the championship game starts and is not able to complete due to weather/darkness and there is no time to resume – the game would be considered official at the end of the last complete inning.
E) If tied at the end of the last complete inning – both teams will be named co-champions.

    10u or less   35 ft     150-225 ft
12u   40 ft    200 ft - 225 ft
14u or higher   43 ft     200-225 ft

Sec 2. The softball field shall contain a 60-foot square infield diamond and an outfield area that may or may not be enclosed by a fence. All lines on the playing field shall be marked with a material, which is not injurious to the eyes or skin. Lime or caustic material of any kind is prohibited. The catcher’s box, bases, coach’s boxes, batters boxes, and 3-foot first baseline shall be as in the “The Field Diagram”. The infield and outfield, including the boundary marks from the apex of home plate to 1st and 3rd, and their extended foul lines, are fair ground. All other areas are foul grounds. The recommended width of all marked (chalked) lines on the playing field are 2 1/2 inch.
A. Home Plate shall be a 5 sided slab of whitened rubber or other suitable similar material. The sides shall be 8 ½ inches long, the edge facing the pitcher shall be 17 inches wide and parallel to the pitcher’s plate. The sides facing the catcher shall be 12 inches long and on the foul lines.
B. First, Second, Third Base shall be 15 inches square, made of canvas or other suitable material, and not more than 5 inches high. Each base shall be securely attached to the ground.
C. The Double First Base may be used. This base shall be 15 by 30 inches and made of canvas or other suitable material and not more than 5 inches high. Half the base is white [over fair territory] and half is orange [over foul territory]. 14th Edition 7
D. The Pitching Plate shall be a rectangular slab of whitened rubber or suitable material, 24 inches by 6 inches. It shall be set in the ground with the top flush with the playing surface.
E. The batter’s box shall be 7 feet long. The front of the batter’s box shall be 4 feet forward from the center of the home plate and 3 feet wide starting 6 inches from the plate.
F. Catcher’s Box shall be 10 feet in length from the rear outside corners of the batter’s box and 8 feet, 5 inches wide.
G. Three foot running lane is a line drawn 3 feet from and parallel to the first base foul line starting halfway between home and first base and extending to first base.
H. Pitcher’s Circle shall be a circle that is 16 feet in diameter (8-ft. radius) drawn from the mid-point of the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.
I. Coaches’Boxes shall be 8 feet from the foul lines. 15 feet long from the back edge of the first and third base extending toward home plate and 3 feet wide.
J. On deck circles shall be circular, 2 ½ foot radius, a safe distance to the side and away from home plate; at least 30 feet if space allows. Neither team’s players shall warm up in the other team's on-deck circle. The on-deck circle does not have to be occupied, but if a player wishes to warm up, they shall do so in their team’s on-deck circle.
BATTING HELMET In the Youth program NOCSAE approved batting helmets with extended ear flaps, which cover both ears and temples are mandatory for all batters, on deck batters, base runners, non-adult base coach, non-adult bat & ball shaggers in the live-ball territory, even if the ball is dead. Batting helmets must have NOCSAE approved attached face mask/guard. A commercially manufactured face mask/guard may be attached to a batting helmet, provided it is attached by the manufacture; or a face mask/guard may be attached to a helmet that does not have a face mask, provided the attachment procedure is approved by the manufacture.
A chinstrap is optional.

THE BALL
The official ball to be used shall have raised seams and shall be of spherical design with a smooth surface.
All 10 year old and younger divisions shall use the 11-inch softball. All other programs shall use the 12-inch softball.

SHOES
Shoes are required equipment for all participants. All players must wear shoes with plastic, nylon, canvas, leather, or similar synthetic material uppers. Spikes must not extend over 3/4 -inch from the sole and may not be round.
A. (Youth 12U and younger) The sole may be smooth, have soft or hard rubber cleats. Shoe sole or heel protectors other than the standard shoe plate are prohibited.
In all divisions 12 and Under and younger, Metal cleats and metal toe plates are prohibited.
PENALTY: In divisions that do not allow metal cleats and toe plates, a player who participates with metal cleats or toe plates where prohibited is subject to penalties. Metal cleats and toe plates must be removed before continuing to play.
B. (Adult or14U and older ) The sole may be smooth, have soft or hard rubber cleats or rectangular metal cleats. Shoes with detachable cleats that screw into the sole of the shoe are allowed. Pitching toes are allowed for all players as long as the pitching toes are securely fastened.

JEWELRY
Players in the game are prohibited from wearing jewelry such as rings, watches, earrings whether covered with tape or not, bracelets, necklaces (including cloth and string type), or other hard decorative items. Unadorned devices with no sharp edges or points, such as bobby pins, barrettes, and hair clips, no longer than 2 inches, may be worn to control a player’s hair are permitted. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry. If worn it must be taped to the body, to remain visible. If jewelry is not removed, that player will not be able to play until the jewelry is removed.
A player who participates with jewelry is subject to penalties as per Rule 11
Coaches Wristbands (Play Indicator) are Legal.

AGE
The date for the youth age eligibility is December 31st of the PREVIOUS sanctioned season. The players' age on December 31st of the PREVIOUS SANCTIONING SEASON will be the age group the player is eligible for during the ENTIRE sanction year. All players must meet the age requirements to be put on a current year’s roster. If a player's age is officially challenged it is the responsibility of the head coach to produce a copy of the player's official Birth Certificate.  This can be a hard copy or electronic.  If the coach is not able to produce the official Birth Certificate, the player in question will be deemed ineligible and the coach will have to forfeit all games that the player participated in.

Time Limits:
All games shall have a 75-minute limit. Games can end in a tie during pool play. Bracket games that are tied at the end of regulation or upon completion of an inning with time expired shall go to the Tie-Breaker method. ALL COACHES SHOULD HAVE THEIR TEAMS READY TO PLAY 30 MINUTES before THE POSTED GAME TIME.  

Run Rule:
The run rule will be 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, and 8 runs after 5 innings. If the time has expired and either team is behind and cannot catch up or go ahead, the game shall be over immediately

TEAM COOLERS
Each team will be allowed 1 team cooler, brought in by a coach that may contain bottled water, ice packs, wrap, etc.