Pool Play Rules

• No lineups will be submitted for Saturday pool play games.

• Batting order, courtesy runners, and defensive substitutions are handled at each coach’s discretion, allowing teams to freely rotate players throughout the game.

• This format enhances game flow, allows pitchers to rotate more frequently, and ensures all players receive at-bats regardless of order.

• Sunday Bracket Play will follow NFHS rules, with CFT-specific exceptions listed below.

Run Rule

• Game ends if a team is ahead by 10 runs after 4 innings.

Tie Games

• Ties are allowed only in pool play.

• Bracket games must have a winner. If tied after 7 innings or time expires, the next inning will begin with the last scheduled batter on second base.

Game Time & Forfeits

• Scheduled game time is forfeit time, unless delayed by CFT.

Home Team Designation

• Coin flip for all pool play games.

• Higher seed is home team on Sunday.

Courtesy Runner Rules

• Pool Play: Courtesy runners allowed for any player due to open substitution.

• Bracket Play: Courtesy runners allowed only for pitcher and catcher, and must be someone who has not yet participated in the game.

Time Limits

• Pool Play: No new inning after 80 minutes; Drop Dead at 90 minutes.

  • If the inning is not complete at drop dead, the score reverts to the last completed inning.

• Bracket Play: Finish the inning after 80 minutes. A winner must be determined.

Drop Dead Rule Modification

• If pool games fall one hour or more behind, the Tournament Director may implement a drop dead finish for remaining pool games. In this case, final score stands at time of stoppage with no inning reversion.

Dugouts

• Top half of the bracket occupies third-base dugout.

• If a team remains from a previous game, they may keep the same dugout.

Protests

• $100 cash deposit required, submitted to the UIC.

• If upheld, the fee is fully refunded. If denied, the fee is non-refundable.

• All protests must be made before the game is officially completed (i.e., before umpires leave the field).

• Games will continue under protest until a ruling is made by the UIC or Tournament Director.

Rosters

• Rosters must include first name, last name, and date of birth.

• Rosters must be submitted before the team’s first game.

• Teams must provide proof of insurance at check-in.

• College players are not allowed to participate in any CFT event. If a player listed on a college roster is found participating, the team will be disqualified.

Pitching Rule Modifications

• Stride foot may begin on or behind the pitching plate.

• Once the stride foot is set, it cannot be moved to gain distance.

• Pitchers must take (or simulate taking) a signal from the catcher.

• Pivot foot may become airborne, but replanting is not allowed (formerly known as “leaping”).

Intentional Walks

• May be requested by coach, pitcher, or catcher at any time during the at-bat.

• Considered an official at-bat and counts as a pitch for appeal purposes.

Game Balls

• CFT will provide all official game balls.

Metal Cleats

• 10U & 12U: Metal cleats are not allowed.

• 14U, 16U, 18U: Metal cleats are permitted, unless restricted by the facility.

Ejections

• Ejected players, coaches, or spectators may be suspended from their next scheduled game.

• Final determination will be made by the UIC on a case-by-case basis.

Final Authority

• UIC has final authority on all rule interpretations and behavior issues.

• Tournament Director will handle game times, team logistics, and special requests.

Lineup Options: DP/Flex & EP Rules

Option 1 – Straight Nine

• Bat 9 players. Any may play defense.

Option 2 – DP/Flex

• 10 players listed; 9 bat.

• DP bats for designated Flex (listed last).

• If Flex leaves the game, it counts as a substitution. Flex may return.

Option 3 – EP (Extra Player)

• Bat 10 players. Any 9 may play defense.

Option 4 – DP/Flex + EP

• 11 players listed; 10 bat. Flex still listed last.

• Substitution rules apply as in Option 2.

Defensive Substitutions

• Free defensive substitutions.

• Only pitcher and catcher changes must be reported.

Division-Specific Rules

10U

• 35′ pitching distance

• 11″ ball

12U

• 40′ pitching distance

• 12″ ball

14U, 16U, 18U

• 43′ pitching distance

• Metal cleats allowed

Seeding Procedure

Two-Way Tie

1. Head-to-Head

2. Runs Allowed

3. Runs Scored

4. Run Differential (max 10 runs)

5. Coin Flip

Three or More Teams

1. Runs Allowed

2. Runs Scored

3. Run Differential (max 10 runs)

4. Coin Flip

Insurance & Background Check Requirements

RAIN OUT, FREE ENTRIES, & REFUND POLICY

Full Tournament Cancellation

• If an entire tournament is cancelled due to rain or any unforeseen circumstance, your paid entry fee will be applied as a credit toward another California Fastpitch Tourneys (CFT) event.

• If an event is cancelled after Friday at 3 pm but before games start on Saturday, a 100 dollar administrative fee will be applied to each team to cover administrative costs such as website costs, fence setups, tourney machine, field crew, etc.

Withdrawal After Scheduling Begins

• If you withdraw after the schedule has been started (typically 10 days prior to the event) or once the schedule has been posted on the CFT website, your entry fees will be non-refundable.

Rain Out or Stoppage Mid-Event

• If an event begins and is later stopped due to rain or another issue, 50% of your paid entry will be refunded or credited.

• The remaining 50% is non-refundable due to expenses already incurred.

• The non-refundable portion may increase at the discretion of the Tournament Director, based on actual event costs.

Partial Event Completion

• If games have been played before the tournament is stopped, a credit will be issued for games played based on the original 50% refund structure minus a percentage based on the number of games played. Games will be considered complete if more than 50% of the allocated time for that game has passed as determined by the plate umpires time left in the game.

• The remaining eligible refund amount will be issued via check sent by mail. 

Overcapacity Refund

• If your team is accepted and paid but cannot be placed into the event due to capacity limits, you will have the option to apply your payment toward a future tournament within the same calendar year.

Free Entry Policy

• Free entries cannot be used for showcases or qualifiers.

• Money Ball Events Credit Policy: Credits may be applied to Money Ball events; however, teams will be charged 50% of the standard entry fee, rounded to the nearest $10 (e.g., $447.50 rounds to $450). Fully free entries remain eligible for non-monetary, non-showcase, and non-qualifier events only.

• CFT reserves the right to revoke earned free entries or reset the event count required to earn a free entry if necessary.

• Example: If your team pencils into an event and backs out, this negatively affects the tournament and other teams. In such cases, even if your team had already played in two prior events, CFT may reset your free entry progress back to zero.

Thank You

Shannon Dubois (209-639-2079)

California Fastpitch Tourneys tourneys@CaliforniaFastpitchTourneys