Pool Play Rules

• 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, ALL GAME scores reverts to the last completed inning.

• All teams are required to be prepared to begin their games up to 15 minutes early. If you have an 8 am game time, the umpires may commence the plate meeting as early as 7:45 AM. If writing a lineup, etc is reason for delay, be communicative.

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

Drop Dead Rule Modification

• If pool games fall 45 minutes or more behind until 30 minutes or less behind from scheduled time, the Tournament Director may implement a drop dead finish for remaining pool games. In this case, we will be reverting score to the last completed inning.

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).

• Acceptable Documentation for Age Protests (Any of the following 8 forms; phsyical or digital):

  1. 1. Passport (U.S. or foreign)

     2. State-Issued Identification Card

     3. Driver’s Permit or License (typically 15U+)

     4. Military Dependent ID Card

     5. Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

     6. Tribal Identification Card (issued by a federally recognized tribe)

     7. School Records (must clearly show full name and date of birth)

  For college eligibility protests: A current student ID or proof of active college enrollment must be provided.

  Note: If you are protesting both age and college status, each protest requires its own $100 deposit.

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

• Birth Certificate (digital or physical copy)

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.

• Multiple Team Participation Policy

  Players may participate on multiple teams in the same non-qualifier event only if they are age-eligible for each age group. We do not accommodate scheduling requests to support this, and games may overlap. For example, a 12U player may play on both a 12U Lady Butterfly team and a 14U Lady Butterfly or 14U Bumblebee team—but not on another 12U team like the 12U Bumblebee team. A 14U player cannot play in a 12U division, as they are not age-eligible.

• 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

• Pitcher must pitch 4 balls to the batter to complete the at bat.

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.

Code of Conduct & Sportsmanship Expectations

California Fastpitch Tournaments – Code of Conduct Policy

At California Fastpitch Tournaments (CFT), we are committed to providing a positive, respectful, and competitive environment for all participants. To ensure the integrity of our events and the safety of our players, coaches, officials, and spectators, the following Code of Conduct is strictly enforced at all CFT-sanctioned events:

⸻

Zero Tolerance for Abuse or Unsportsmanlike Conduct

All individuals—coaches, spectators, players, and umpires—are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of respect and professionalism.
CFT has a zero-tolerance policy for the following behaviors:
    •    Verbal abuse or harassment of umpires, players, coaches, or spectators
    •    Profanity, vulgar language, or obscene gestures
    •    Physical intimidation or threats
    •    Excessive arguing with officials or tournament staff
    •    Coaching or spectator misconduct that disrupts the game or undermines the tournament environment
    •    Any behavior that violates the spirit of youth sports

⸻

Immediate Consequences for Violations

Depending on the severity of the behavior, any individual found in violation of this policy is subject to one or more of the following actions, without refund:
    •    Ejection from the game or complex
    •    Immediate suspension for the remainder of the tournament
    •    Probation for the team or organization
    •    Permanent ban of individuals or full teams from future CFT events

⚠️ Serious offenses (e.g., physical gestures, profanity directed at umpires, or abusive conduct) will result in the coach or spectator being immediately banned from the facility and possibly from all future events.

____

Coaches Are Responsible for Their Fans

Coaches are accountable for the behavior of their players and spectators. If fans become unruly or abusive, umpires and tournament staff reserve the right to:
    •    Halt the game until the issue is resolved
    •    Issue a warning to the coach
    •    Remove offending individuals
    •    Forfeit the game if behavior continues

⸻

Umpire & Staff Protection Clause

Umpires and tournament staff are to be treated with the same respect as players and coaches. Abuse toward officials will not be tolerated under any circumstance. Umpires are empowered to take immediate disciplinary action, including ejection of coaches, players, or spectators.

⸻

Final Note

CFT believes youth sports are a place for growth, discipline, and community—not hostility or disrespect. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain the highest standards at our events.

Let’s keep the focus where it belongs — on the athletes.

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@CaliforniaFastpitchTourney