Official Tournament Rules

1. This is a P.W.S.A. sanctioned tournament. Softball Canada Rules as interpreted by the P.W.S.A. will apply, with the exception of the following special tournament rules listed below. UMPIRE DECISIONS ARE FINAL, NO APPEALS ALLOWED.

2. Each game will be 7 innings in length while taking into account the following exceptions:

*TIME LIMIT: No new inning shall commence after 1 hour and 30 minutes will be applied to all games except the championship final.

*MERCY RULE: If any team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings or 7 runs after 5 innings the game will be called. In the event that the home team is ahead in the last inning and the visiting team scores, the home team has the right to play the bottom half of the last inning to attempt to win the skin(s). If the home team elects to not play the bottom half of the inning, the skin will be awarded to the visiting team. All outstanding skins will be awarded to the winning team.

*WEATHER PERMITTING: The tournament organizers reserve the right to reduce time limits, innings and the # of games due to inclement weather or circumstances beyond their control.

3. Final Pool Standings will be determined in the following manner:

*2 Points will be awarded for a win
*1 Point will be awarded for a tie
Final Pool Standings requiring tie breakers will be determined in the following manner:
*Total number of wins accumulated during round robin play
*If 2 teams are still tied, refer to the game played against each other.
*If 3 teams are tied, a plus-minus system will be used.
*If teams are still tied, the number of skins (innings won) will be used.

4. Teams are expected to be ready to play at LEAST 15 minutes prior to each scheduled game.

5. In the playoff and championship round, if teams are tied after 7 innings of play the International Tie breaking rule will come into effect.

6. The Orleans Amateur Fastball Association and its membership will not be held responsible for any injuries incurred by any player, coach, umpire, fan or volunteers.

7. The Orleans Amateur Fastball Association and its membership will not be held responsible for any lost or stolen articles.

8. Home team will be determined by a coin toss at home plate by the plate umpire. The team traveling from the furthest distance will have first call priority.

9. Skins will be paid out in the following amounts:

8 Team tournament:

Quarter-final innings: $5 Semi-final innings: $10 Championship innings: $20

10.   8 team tournament: (4 game guarantee)

                        *2 Pools comprised of 4 teams

                        *Teams will square off against each other

                        *After round robin, everyone makes playoffs

                        *Teams will be seeded according to round robin ranking (see rule #3)

                        *Cross divisional play throughout the playoffs, single elimination

                        1st A pool vs. 4th B pool

                        2nd A pool vs. 3rd B pool

                       3rd A pool vs. 2nd A pool

                       4th A pool vs. 1st B pool