2012 Big 10 Series Rules.
Rosters: In 2012 rosters must be entered online at www.isasoftball.com printed out turned into the tournament director before your first game. First and last names, signatures (Legible with no nick names), address, phone number, email address, and signatures. Managers are responsible to ensure this is done and each manager must sign and date the roster turned into the tournament director. If there’s no roster turned in and there’s a protest, the team in question will be eliminated from the tournament placed last in the standing and no points awarded. 80% of your roster must live and have a
Starting April 1, 2012: Rosters must be completed on the ISA web page. If this isn’t done, 3 points will be subtracted from your weekend total acquired.
Home Team: Teams that have to use the grace period will automatically be the visiting team.
Strike count: In 2012 the strike count will be 3 balls and 3 strikes and no extra foul.
Homerun Rules: (
“C”- 6 Homeruns with the one-up homerun rule in place. The home team can’t go up in homeruns in the bottom of the 7th and beyond.
Lower E- Any homeruns hit will be outs.
Recreation- No homeruns, any homeruns hit will be declared an out and inning ending out.
NOTE: National Homerun Rule will apply for all NITS and National Tournaments.
Altered Bats: Teams who have a player or players that is caught using an altered bat may be eliminated from the Big 10 Series. The player or players will be brought up for suspension with their State Director.
Dropping out of tournaments: Teams that drop out from a tournament after the drop out time has expired (Wednesday at noon) will have 20 points deducted from the Big 10 Point Total.
Frozen Rosters: Rosters will be frozen at the State Tournament for the Big 10 Series. Once the State tournament is over you have until August 1st, to add 1 player to your roster (if you have a roster spot remaining) and the player isn't from a team still in contention for the Big 10 Finals. After the series is completed and you have roster spots remaining you may add up to three players if you are planning on playing in a National or the World Series tournaments.
Team Sanctioning: Georgia ISA sanctioning is $30.00 if paid with the online sanctioning; however, if you pay at your first tournament instead of online the fee is $35.00.
Team Registration: Teams must register in
Bad Checks: Anyone or team submitting a bad check will be suspended until the matter is taken care of. Each member of the team will be individually liable for the debt and will be suspended until the debt is paid in full. Players may pay a fee of $25.00 to be removed from the suspension list. A $50.00 bad check charge will be applied to all bad checks.
Parks with Curfews: Some parks have curfews where they charge extra for games that run past this time. We all need to be aware of this so when the umpire calls give me a batter you will know he/she is trying to keep the games on time. The tournament director may at his/her discretion change the format to adjust for this if games are running behind.
Entry Fees: Must be paid and your online completed roster (completely filled out) turned into before your team first game of the tournament. Due to in the increase of bad checks entry fees, must be paid in cash unless prior arrangements have been made with the tournament director.
Equalizer Rule: When classes are combined during the 2012 season we will be using an equalizer rule to try to promote fair play within the classes of participation. The home run rule for your team’s classification will be used in an equalizer tournament.
Men’s C plays a Lower D – Both Classifications gets 5 homeruns with the one up rule in place and Lower D is spotted 4 runs.
Lower D plays a Upper E- Both classifications hit 3 homeruns and the Upper E is spotted 4 runs.
Upper E plays Lower E – Both classifications will hit one homerun and the Lower E team will receive 4 runs.
Lower E plays a Recreation- Recreational teams will receive 4 runs and no IEO.
Run Rules: These run rules will for all games including the championship game:
15 after 3 inning
12 after 4 innings
10 after 5 innings
Base Burglar: The base burglar may run for the same runner more than one time per inning. Example: If you lead off and the base burglar is used and the teams bats around and the original batters gets another hit the base burglar may be used again for this player only.
Flip/Flop Rule--All Programs: In the inning when the Run Rule for that particular program is exceeded (after the second inning) and the home team is losing, the home team will remain at bat and become the visiting team. If the team (new visiting team) does not score enough runs to reduce the run difference below the Run Rule the game is over. If they reduce the run difference to below the Run Rule, then the new home team will bat. If they subsequently score enough runs to exceed the Run Rule the game will be over, if they do not, the game will continue under that format. If the situation reverses, the teams would flip/flop again.
Number of Players: In all adult programs a minimum of 9 players can start a game with no out recorded. These players MUST be present at the field. Batters may not be walked to reach that spot. The tenth player can be added any time before the end of the game. A team that starts with 9 or 10 players may never add the 11th player. Any team that starts with 10 or 11 players may drop to a minimum of 9 players to finish a game; however, all vacant spots in the lineup will be declared an out. Note: Subs must be told to the home-plate umpire if not the manager will be ejected from the game.
Round Robin Formats: When possible we will try to guarantee four games. Forfeits and byes count and games played. Score of 7-0 will be recorded as the final score.
Dropping Out of a Tournament: The official drop out time is noon on Wednesday.
No Show Policy: Teams that do not show up for tournaments once entered will be required to pay ½ the entry fee if this is the first offense. The second offense will require full entry fee for that particular tournament before they will be allowed to play in another Georgia ISA tournament. Teams will be considered in a tournament once the deadline has passed to be taken out of the tournament.
Brackets: It is the MANAGER/COACH'S responsibility to read the bracket board and to know his/her teams next game time and location.
Scorekeepers: When no official scorekeeper is present, the umpires will be the official scorekeeper.
Softballs: Teams will hit the Big 10 Series ball during tournament play. All 12 inch MEN'S softballs must be stamped (.44 COR/375 comp) with the ISA and Big 10 logo stamped on the ball. Each team must start the game with a new softball. Softballs may be changed in and out of the game when fouled out of play, or between innings, or at umpire's discretion. This will be the defensive teams responsibility to ensure your opponent is using the correct ball, if not bring this to the attention of the home plate umpire. Note: The penalties for using an illegal ball in the same game shall be: 1st offense: warning to the offending team 2nd offense: Strike will be called on the batter (batter will be called out if this is the second strike). 3rd offense: Coach will be ejected from the game and possibility the tournament. It is up to the pitcher from the opposing team to make the plate umpire aware of an illegal ball. Once the pitch has been thrown, any ensuing action will be counted. The ball will be removed prior to the next pitch.
Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather, the tournament format may be changed, (to eliminate the loser's bracket, one pitch, 5 inning games, or coin flip).
Weekend and Big 10 Final Prize Packages: Due to most teams having 13 players on their rosters, all weekend and Big 10 Final tournaments there will be 13 individual prizes given away.
Youth Waiver/Release of Liability: Any player under the age of 18 must have a YOUTH WAIVER/RELEASE OF LIABILITY signed by a parent or legal guardian before they can play in a GA ISA softball tournament.
Alcohol: No alcoholic beverage is allowed in any County or City owned facility complex that Georgia ISA is holding a sanctioned tournament.
2012 Protest Rule: Any player playing in the starting lineup must be protested by the bottom of the third inning or no protest will be allowed. If an illegal player is entered after the 3rd inning he must be protested as soon as the defense has knowledge of the illegal player entering the game. A protest fee of $125.00 cash per protest must be given to the tournament director before a protest will be granted or denied.
Judgment Calls: There will be no protest umpire judgment calls.
Umpire or Tournament Official: Any player, coach, or spectator physically abusing an umpire or tournament official will be suspended immediately.
Protest: Any protest regarding application or interpretation of either official printed playing rules or ground rules or adopted ground rules must come from team manager or coach. All players participating in adult ISA tournament play shall have a photo ID available, failure to do so may result in you being suspended from further play in GA ISA. The offending team loses the game, is ejected from the tournament and forfeits all awards and berths. EXCEPTION: If the loss incurred by the offending team was its first loss of the tournament and if the player(s) in question can subsequently furnish a valid photo ID prior to their next scheduled game, the offending may remain in the tournament.
Ineligible Players: Players found ineligible maybe suspended by the State Director along with the Manager if the State Director chooses. If the ineligible player is discovered during the game, the offending team loses the game, is ejected from the tournament, placed last in the standings, and forfeits all awards, sponsor travel money and berths that would have been awarded at that tournament. If the ineligible player is discovered after the completion of the game (but during the tournament), the game shall stand as played. However, the offending team is ejected from the tournament and assumes the same penalties as above.
Profanity Rule: Any team using profanity may cause their team to receive one warning, warnings are a courtesy, and players could be ejected without a warning. The third player ejected could cause the game to be a forfeit if your team doesn’t have any replacements. Any team member after being ejected, who continues to use profanity will be ejected from the tournament, further abusive language could lead to suspension from future ISA sanctioned events. When a player, coach, or anyone affiliated with a team is ejected, that individual has 60 seconds to be out of SIGHT and SOUND or the team risks forfeiture of the game. NOTE: Use of profane or abusive language or taunting will not be tolerated. Players ejected from the first inning until the end of the forth (4th) inning will have to sit this game only. Players ejected after the fifth (5th) inning will sit out this game and the next game.
Leaving Bench Area: No player shall leave the bench area during an altercation and cross the foul lines of the playing field. Failure to comply with this rule will result in an immediate ejection from the game.
Any player, coach or other team member physically abusing an Umpire or Tournament/League official will be suspended immediately. When a player(s) or manager is ejected from a softball game, the tournament director can eject the individual for the remainder of the tournament based on the severity of the ejection. Men’s Lower E homerun ejections are not included in this rule.
Offensive Blood Rule: Blood rule to include: while on offense if a player has to leave because of the blood rule while on base, he/she must be replaced with the last batted out or if there or no outs recorded in that inning then the runner must be the closest batter behind him that is not on base.
Defensive Blood Rule: If a defensive player has to leave the game because of the blood rule than he/she must be replaced with an EP until that player can become legal. If a team is playing with 10 or less than sufficient time must be given to allow for the player to become legal. If decided he will not become legal in a reasonable time then that team must play with the short handed rule
N.I.T. Rosters: Rosters for the N.I.T. Tournaments will not harm your Big 10 Series rosters due to this is a National Tournament. If your team isn't playing on a N.I.T. weekend and you would like to play with another team for this weekend only this will not affect your Big 10 roster.
National Tournaments: Teams MUST participate in their respective National tournament to be eligible for the World tournament.
Frozen Roster Add-On: Players must meet the following requirements: 1. Players cannot be on another team's qualified roster. 2. Players who are added may NOT have played for a team of a higher classification (any exceptions must have State Director approval). 3. All roster additions must be approved by the State Director or Executive Board.
State Tournaments: All teams earning a berth to a National or World Tournament are REQUIRED to play in their respective program's State Tournament, provided one is held. Teams earning a World Berth must play in their State Tournament and their Division's National Tournament or forfeit their berth. (Teams must play in at least 3 tournaments in Georgia to be eligible to play in the State tournament, unless approved by the State Director or have won an NIT with a World Berth, with which the requirement is to play in the State and National Tournaments to keep the World Berth). ISA sanctioned league teams must participate in one (1) tournament in order to maintain a state berth. Georgia ISA, reserves the right to award at large and/or hardship berths when deemed necessary.
World Tournament: to become eligible or qualified for a World Tournament, teams must meet one of the following requirements:
Win a NIT- Must have won or received a paid or unpaid World berth.
National at large berth- Berth will be unpaid.
State at large berth- Your team must have played in three (3) ISA tournaments to retain the berth and the berth will be unpaid.
Win a State tournament- Your team must have played in three (3) ISA tournaments to retain the berth and your berth will be paid.
Win a National tournament- Your berth will be paid.
Released Players: After a team’s roster becomes qualified (frozen), released player cannot be replaced on the roster. Any player released may not return to that team during the year. A player may be released from only one qualified roster during the season. After June 1st, the player (s) can only be released from a roster by a letter from the coach. The player must have the release with him/her at all times if not they may be subject to ejection from a tournament.
Reclassification: Any team being reclassified to a lower class will not be allowed to add any players without the State Director or Boards approval. All players are bound to this roster unless released with the proper release form. Players from a frozen roster moving up a class must get the proper release form. Rosters must be signed by the team manager for all qualifiers, NIT, State, National, and World Series.
Classification Appeals: Appeals must be made through the
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email address. Players requesting to drop down in classification must have the form submitted by Monday afternoon at 6:00 to be heard by the recommendation committee. No player will be dropped for the weekend tournament after Tuesday and the player will have to wait until the next week before dropping down.
Player Additions: Once your roster has qualified any player that is injured during the course of the 2011 season and has a written doctor form stating that he can’t play for the remainder of the season due to the injury, he may be replaced by another player. A copy of the doctor form must be submitted to the State Director before this addition may take place.
Big 10 Released Players: Any player released from his team must have the release form on him at all times and a copy sent to one of the board members before he can play with another team. If you are caught playing without the release form with you and the team you are playing on will be ejected from the tournament.
Big 10 Finals Qualifications: Top 10 teams as of August 1st, plus automatic berth winners (Total of 12 teams). If automatic (see more information in the 2010 Points) berth winners are already in the top ten points, then next team(s) from the point series will be taken into the finals.
Big 10 Final Tie Breakers: In case of a tie the following tie breaker will be used:
A. Most Big 10 Series tournaments played
B. Most ISA tournaments played
Big 10 Final Teams: Teams that drop out of the series once the finals are set, the next team with the highest points will be awarded their spot in the finals.
Big 10 Tournaments Played: Men’s Lower D, Upper E, Lower E, and Recreational teams must play in seven (7) BIG 10 Series Tournaments plus the State Tournament and Triple Point Tournament before becoming eligible for the finals. This will make a total of nine (9) total tournaments played. You must show up and play in the State and Triple Point Tournaments, forfeits will not count as a tournament played. (Example: Pay your entry fee and show up and play in the tournament).
Big 10 Team Ejections: Teams ejected for any reason in a Big 10 tournament will receive no points.
Big 10 Points For Moving Up In Classification: Teams that get moved up by the Classification Board or State Director will receive 1/2 of your team’s points.
Big 10 Points For Moving Down In Classification: Any team moved down by the ISA Board or State Director will take ½ their points them. Their roster is frozen. Before you may add anyone to your roster you must play in 4 tournaments before adding players. Any players that you want to add, the players must be approved by the classification committee. Before you can get double or triple points the team must have played in three (3) tournaments in the classification your team was moved down to be eligible for double or triple points.
Big 10 Final Location: The Big 10 finals will be held at ______ August 4, 2012. This will be a two day tournament.
Big 10 Finals Entry Fee: The entry for the Big 10 Finals will be $180.00 per team.
2012 Big 10 Point Reset
As of June 1st the points will be reset to the following along with your bonus points.
1st-1000 Pts 2nd-998 Pts 3rd-996 Pts 4th-994 Pts 5th-992 Pts
6th-990 Pts 7th-988 Pts 8th-986 Pts 9th-984 Pts 10th-982 Pts
1th-980 Pts 12th-978 Pts 13th-976 Pts 14th-974 Pts 15th-972 Pts
16th-970 Pts 17th-968 Pts 18th-966 Pts 19th- 964 Pts 20th- 962 Pts
21st- 960 Pts 22nd-958 Pts 23rd-956 Pts 24th-954 Pts 25th-952 Pts