THE CITY OF SOUTHAVEN IS PROUD TO ADOPT USSSA RULES, WITH EXCEPTIONS, AS THE PRIMARY RULEBOOK GOVERNING ALL TOURNAMENT PLAY.
EXCEPTIONS
Any National Qualifying, State Tournament and/or National Championship play will be governed strictly by the sanctioning host rulebook.
TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES
Tournament entries are only guaranteed after receipt of the entry fee. You may mail the entry fee to: City of Southaven Parks Dept. -- Softball Tournament Operations; 3335 Pine Tar Alley; Southaven, MS 38671.
TEAM INSURANCE
All teams are required to provide proof of team insurance. A copy of the teams certificate of insurance must be provided at the team check-in.
PROOF OF AGE
It is the Head Coaches responsibility to have his players proof of age in his possession and be able to produce on demand his players birth certificates or legally accepted proof of age in the case of any question regarding the age of his players.
GAME TIME LIMITS AND RAINOUTS
|
Age Division |
Time Limit |
Game Length |
Full game in event of rainout |
|
ALL |
1 hour 5 minutes |
7 innings |
4 innings |
Full refund if no games are begun; 2/3 refund if 1 game is started; 1/3 refund if 2nd game begins but is not completed. No refund once second game ends. No gate refunds, or rain checks at any time. Tell your players and fans, if play is in doubt due to inclement weather or rain to wait until play begins to enter park.
RUN RULES
|
Age Division |
Winner of Game Declared if any team is: |
|
ALL |
12 runs ahead after 3 innings |
|
ALL |
10 runs ahead after 4 innings |
|
ALL |
8 runs ahead after 5 innings |
HOME TEAM
Will be determined by coin toss. Home team scorekeeper will be the official score keeper and must record starting time in scorebook.
GAME TIE BREAKERS
During the initial round of pool/divisional play games, at the end of regulation time limit, if the score is tied,it will be ruled a tie. During the single or double elimination championship rounds extra innings will be played utilizing “International Rules”* until a winner is determined.
*EXCEPTIONS: District, State, Regional and World Series tie games will be governed by the sanctioning host tournament guidelines.
DIVISIONAL / POOL PLAY TIE BREAKERS
At the end of divisional pool play teams may be tied going into the final championship rounds with the same won/loss record. The following tiebreakers* will determine which team advances and in what order of finish.
1. Head to head competition
2. Fewest runs allowed in all games
3. Run Differential (Runs scored minus Runs allowed)
4. Coin Toss
*EXCEPTIONS: District, State, Regional and World Series divisional/pool play tie breakers will be governed by the sanctioning host tournament guidelines.
SPORTSMANSHIP
By players, coaches and fans are expected at all times. Protest must be accompanied by $100.00 cash, refundable only if protest is upheld. The Umpire in Chief or his designee will rule on all protest and handle any rule misinterpretation (no judgment calls will be addressed) immediately and finally. Coaches will be responsible for their own fans behavior. Razzing, heckling, chanting or making disparaging remarks towards opponents, in any manner, is prohibited.
TEAM CHECK IN
Teams must check in at the Tournament headquarters 30 minutes – 1 hour before commencing play in their first game. Please be prepared to produce all tournament documentation, i.e. certificate of insurance, sanction # (if required), roster (if required), etc. Failure to check in will result in a delay in starting your first game.
LINE-UP CARDS
Each manager must prepare a minimum of 3 written copies of his line-up, listing first and last names, and numbers of all players and substitutes prior to each game. Line-ups must be provided to the plate umpire, opposing manager, and opposing scorekeeper. A game shall not start until this is completed. Managers are responsible for providing their own line-up cards.
PREGAME WARMUP
All team pregame warm-ups will only be allowed in designated warm up areas, or in the outfield of a ball field. Absolutely No Soft Toss (including plastic balls) allowed into any fencing within complex.
AWARDS
Awards will vary depending on the tournament event. However, individual awards will always be presented to all players of the top two finishing teams. Team awards will vary by tournament.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT ALTERATIONS
The City of Southaven reserves the right to alter, change or abbreviate tournament formats, when necessary, in order to complete the tournament.
GATE ADMISSIONS
All City of Southaven Tournament events will have an admission charge for all persons age 6 or over. Children ages 5 or younger and players will always be admitted free. Gate fees will vary depending on event (i.e., State Championships, World Series).
PETS
No Pets Allowed.
COACHES’ PASSES
Each team will receive THREE (3) coaches’ passes upon check-in at the Tournament Office. Coaches who lose, forget or misplace their passes will be required to pay a non-refundable gate admission. Individuals who abuse or miss-use these passes shall forfeit their passes for the duration of the tournament.
TOBACCO
Use of tobacco products is prohibited throughout the entire complex.
FOOD / BEVERAGES
NO outside food or beverages are allowed to be brought into the ballpark. ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED.
The City of Southaven provides Water Coolers with ice water in each dugout. Please bring your own cups. Teams are also allowed to bring their own circular (5 or 10 gallon) Cooler with pre-mix sports drink. Individual bottled water or bottled sports drinks are NOT allowed. NO CHEST COOLERS ALLOWED.
Coaches, Please help us to prevent an embarrassing situation at the gates by informing your team’s parents of this policy. We do allow small personal coolers for towels and “Florida” Water to help keep the PLAYERS cool during their game that MUST be kept in the dugout. HOWEVER, our gate workers will ask to inspect the coolers for any outside food or drink. No Chest Coolers of any kind will be allowed into the park.
FINAL NOTE
The City of Southaven venues will be without question some of the finest, most well maintained youth sports facilities available. Teams are expected to pick up trash and debris in the dugout before departure from all games. Your assistance in keeping these facilities in pristine shape would be greatly appreciated. Please urge your coaches, players and fans to use all trash receptacles provided. We believe that the respect of a ballpark and ball fields is something that coaches, parents and fans can, by example, teach young players along with learning how to play the game we all love.