Tournament Information

Londonderry Lightning 8U Tournament Rules

• Tournament Format: 4 Game Guarantee (weather permitting) with a 3-Pool game Round Robin followed by a Single Elimination round.

• MACHINE PITCH ONLY 4 pitches. 

• Each game will have a 75 minute time limit. (No new inning will start after the 75 minute mark, an inning in progress will finish.  Unless the home team is at bat and winning at the 75 minute mark, the score at that point will be the final score.  

• Round-Robin games can end in a tie. 

• Finals will be timed (Sunday), all other games both in pool play and elimination play will be subject to the 90 minute time limit. 

• Dead ball: The play is “dead” or completed when the umpire declares the play over such as returning to the infield and controlled by an infielder. This is a judgment call to keep with the spirit of the Babe Ruth League Rules.  Note that the infield completing a play does not end a play on the bases already in process.  If a runner is en route to the next base they get that base and no more.

• If a batted fair ball hits any part of the pitching machine without touching any defensive player first, the ball is immediately dead. The batter will be awarded first base. All other runners return to the base that they occupied before the ball was hit unless forced to advance as a result of the batter being awarded first base. (Rule 5.09f and 7.04a) If a batted fair ball is first touched by a defensive player and then hits any part of the pitching machine, it is a live ball. Revision Approved 01/26/2017 Remains in effect until further notice.

• The “10-run Rule” is in effect after an official game (3 1/2 innings) 

• 10 players to play the field at one time.

• Dropped 3rd Strike IS NOT in effect (batter is out if catcher drops 3rd strike)

• Infield Fly rule IS NOT in effect

• Stealing IS NOT allowed

• Sliding into a base is allowed. 

• Player or fielder masks REQUIRED BY ALL FIELDERS.

• Batting order options:

• Continuous batting order for all rostered players.  There are no substitutes off the bench. Defensive position changes do not need to be reported.  The courtesy runner will be the last out.

• 10 batter line up - use of substitutions. Courtesy runner will be a person not currently in the line up.  Players can be a courtesy runner even if subbed out of the game.

• 10 batter line up + EH - use of substitutions. Courtesy runner will be a person not currently in the line up.  Players can be a courtesy runner even if subbed out of the game.

• Continuous batting order is highly encouraged especially in pool play.

• In the event of an injury to the player, the game continues and that batter will be skipped in the order and will not be considered an out.  If at any point in the remainder of the game the player is able to return to the line up they will resume their original batting position.

• 5 RUNS PER INNING (HARD CAP). In other words, you may finish out the play however the additional runs scored beyond 5 will NOT count. 

• There will be no run-limit in the 6th inning of the game or in the final declared inning.  By that if the umpire declares at the start of the inning, prior to first pitch that the inning will be the final inning there will be no run-limit in that inning.

• An official 11” softball will be used (hard ball; not soft safety balls) 

• Home team will be the official book. Coaches should verify the score every inning. Game Changer app can be used as the official scorebook.

• Every effort will be made to start games on time.Each team should be ready to play 15 minutes prior to scheduled start time to ensure we keep on schedule.

• Home team will be decided by a double flip of the coin for Round Robin rounds. 

• Highest Seed will be the home team for Single Elimination rounds. 

• Seeding’s will be determined by the follow format: 

• Win-Loss Record (if tied) 

• Results of Head to Head (if tied) - NOTE IF 3 OR MORE TEAMS HAVE SAME WIN-LOSS RECORD THIS TIE BREAKER IS SKIPPED AND FEWEST RUNS AGAINST IS USED AFTER WIN-LOSS RECORD.

• Fewest runs given up (if tied) 

• Run Differential (with a maximum of 10 runs per game)

If head to head is not an option; seeding will be based on #1, #2, #3, and #4.  If a tie still exists, seeding will be decided by coin flip. 

• If not listed above Babe Ruth Tournament rules apply

Londonderry Lightning 10U Tournament Rules

Current National Federation of High School (NFHS) softball rules and regulations will apply to all Londonderry Lightning 10U Tournaments unless modified in the document below. 

Tournament Formats: Pool-play to single elimination.

Games:

 All games will have time limits.

1.      Pool Play Games

·       No new inning after 1:15 - Finish the inning

·       If the home team is ahead and batting when the time expires, the game is over.

·       Pool games can end in a tie. - No international tie breaker for pool play games

2.       Elimination Games

·       No new inning after 1:15. - Finish the inning

·       If the home team is ahead and batting when time expires, the game is over.

·       The international tiebreaker is used for Elimination games.

3.       Semi-final Games

·       No new inning after 1:25 finish the inning, if necessary.

·       If the home team is ahead and batting when time expires the game is over. 

4.       Championship Game

·       No new inning after 1:35 finish the inning, if necessary

·       The game is 7 innings unless the mercy        

Rules

1.       Choosing Home or Away team

·       During pool play a coin toss determines home and away - The choice of dugout is first come, first served.

·       During single elimination, the higher seeded team can choose home or away.

2.       Every effort will be made to complete every scheduled game within the scheduled time limit.  The Tournament Director reserves the right to reduce time limits and/or change the format of the tournament if the weather dictates changes.

3.       In single elimination of a Championship game is called due to weather, the higher seed will be considered the champion.

4.       Pool play seeding and tie-breaker criteria:

·       Total Number of Wins, followed by

·       Winning Percentage, followed by

·       Average Runs Allowed (total runs allowed/games played,) followed by

·       Average Runs Scored (total runs scored/games played) followed by

·       *** Head-to-Head is used only in situations where only two teams are tied at any level in the tiebreaker chain. If more than two teams are tied in any criteria, then head-to-head is ignored.

5.       The game is in control of the umpires on the field.

6.       Teams Must be prepared to play 30 minutes prior to game time.  If circumstances permit games to start early, the umpires will do so.

7.       No warming up on the infield prior to games.  Warmups must be beyond first or third base.

8.       The manager is required at the plate conference, payment to the umpires is made at this time.

9.  The manager is legally responsible for all the team’s equipment.

10.  The manager is responsible for the team’s spectators’ actions.

·       Spectators/parents associated with a team are the responsibility of the Manager. 

·       It will be the manager’s responsibility to control their spectators which may include ejection.

11.  The clock begins immediately after the pre-game plate conference.

·       Game time is in the control of the umpires.

·       The clock is not stopped for any reason except in this circumstance:

i.       The clock is stopped if an injury requires the injured person to remain on the field while an ambulance is called to transfer the injured person.

ii.        The UIC and the Tournament Director are the only people authorized to stop the clock.

12.  Mercy rules are in effect for all games including the finals: 12 after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings.

13.  Only coaches and rostered players are allowed inside dugouts and on the field. Defensive coaches are NOT allowed on the field of play when the ball is live during games.

14.  At the conclusion of the game, both teams need to confirm the score and text the Tournament Director with the results of the game.  It is the Manager’s responsibility to make sure all scores of their team are listed accurately on the Tournament Website. 

15.  Jewelry is allowed. However, jewelry that is judged by the umpire to be dangerous, must be removed and may not be worn during the game.

16.  Penalty - illegal equipment shall be removed or made legal.  The umpire shall issue a team warning. The next offender and the Manager shall be restricted to the dugout/bench for the remainder of the game.

17.  Metal cleats are not allowed for teams.

18.  Line-ups/Rosters - There are multiple options to use in a line-up.

·       Traditional line-up with or without substitutes.

·       Traditional line-up, utilizing two additional players with or without substitutes.

i.       Up to two Additional Players (APs) can be used to increase the batting order to 10 or 11 batters. The AP(s) will be placed in the batting order in the positions to be occupied.

  ii.        The AP(s) can also be used on defense but must keep the same position in the batting order. The AP(s) if used, must be selected prior to the start of the game, and their name(s) must be included on the line-up card presented to the Umpire. Failure to declare the use of the AP(s) prior to the game precludes the use of the AP(s) in that game.  If a pinch hitter or pinch runner for an AP, that player becomes the new AP.  The original AP(s) may re-enter like any other player under the re-entry rule.  If an AP is used, the position must be used the entire game.

 iii.        Aps may play defense for any player, that player is still in the lineup and bats.

iv.        If the AP plays defense for the Flex, the Flex leaves the game and counts as a substitution when she re-enters.

·       Traditional line-up utilizing two APs with or without substitutes and utilizing the DP/Flex option (Max 11 hitting).

·       Roster or continuous batting where everyone is in the lineup hits is allowed in all games in the tournament. However, then there are NO substitutions. This means all players in the lineup will bat. APs and DP/Flex can still be used.

·       NOTE: Whichever lineup is used, it must be declared when lineups are exchanged at the plate conference and remain in effect throughout the game.

19.  Courtesy Runners - will be allowed for the pitcher and catcher at any time by a legal courtesy runner. If a team does not have a legal substitute remaining in their lineup, they can use the last out as a courtesy runner subject to the same rules and restrictions as a regular courtesy runner.  

·       NOTE: the same courtesy runner cannot run for the pitcher and catcher in the same inning.

20.  Ejections:

·       If a Manager, Asst. Coach or Team Personnel, or someone other than a player gets ejected from the game, they MUST leave the vicinity (out of sight, out of mind) of that playing field immediately and be prohibited from any further conduct directly or indirectly with the team during the remainder of that game. Failure to leave or comply will be a team forfeit.  Any ejection deemed extreme by the UIC and Tournament Director may warrant an additional game ejection. Any threat made to an official will mean ejection from the Tournament and the involvement of law enforcement. 

21.  Protests –

·       Any protest regarding umpire judgement is NOT allowed.

·       Protests regarding rule or procedural interpretations must be made prior to the next pitch of the game and must be decided upon before the game can continue.

·       Protests on rules or procedures that occur at the end of the game must be made before the next game begins.

22.  The protest committee will be made up of any part of the following people:

·       Tournament Director

·       Site Director

23. NO DROPPED 3rd Strikes in 10UC Tournaments

Londonderry Lightning 12U and 14U Tournament Rules

Current National Federation of High School (NFHS) softball rules and regulations will apply to all Londonderry Lightning Tournaments unless modified in the document below. 

Tournament Formats: Pool-play to single elimination.

Games:

 All games will have time limits.

1.      Pool Play Games

·       No new inning after 1:15 - Finish the inning

·       If the home team is ahead and batting when the time expires, the game is over.

·       Pool games can end in a tie. - No international tie breaker for pool play games

2.       Elimination Games

·       No new inning after 1:15. - Finish the inning

·       If the home team is ahead and batting when time expires, the game is over.

·       The international tiebreaker is used for Elimination games.

3.       Semi-final Games

·       No new inning after 1:25 finish the inning, if necessary.

·       If the home team is ahead and batting when time expires the game is over. 

4.       Championship Game

·       No new inning after 1:35 finish the inning, if necessary

·       The game is 7 innings unless the mercy        

Rules

1.       Choosing Home or Away team

·       During pool play a coin toss determines home and away - The choice of dugout is first come, first served.

·       During single elimination, the higher seeded team can choose home or away.

2.       Every effort will be made to complete every scheduled game within the scheduled time limit.  The Tournament Director reserves the right to reduce time limits and/or change the format of the tournament if the weather dictates changes.

3.       In single elimination of a Championship game is called due to weather, the higher seed will be considered the champion.

4.       Pool play seeding and tie-breaker criteria:

·       Total Number of Wins, followed by

·       Winning Percentage, followed by

·       Average Runs Allowed (total runs allowed/games played,) followed by

·       Average Runs Scored (total runs scored/games played) followed by

·       *** Head-to-Head is used only in situations where only two teams are tied at any level in the tiebreaker chain. If more than two teams are tied in any criteria, then head-to-head is ignored.

5.       The game is in control of the umpires on the field.

6.       Teams Must be prepared to play 30 minutes prior to game time.  If circumstances permit games to start early, the umpires will do so.

7.       No warming up on the infield prior to games.  Warmups must be beyond first or third base.

8.       The manager is required at the plate conference, payment to the umpires is made at this time.

9.  The manager is legally responsible for all the team’s equipment.

10.  The manager is responsible for the team’s spectators’ actions.

·       Spectators/parents associated with a team are the responsibility of the Manager. 

·       It will be the manager’s responsibility to control their spectators which may include ejection.

11.  The clock begins immediately after the pre-game plate conference.

·       Game time is in the control of the umpires.

·       The clock is not stopped for any reason except in this circumstance:

i.       The clock is stopped if an injury requires the injured person to remain on the field while an ambulance is called to transfer the injured person.

ii.        The UIC and the Tournament Director are the only people authorized to stop the clock.

12.  Mercy rules are in effect for all games including the finals: 12 after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings.

13.  Only coaches and rostered players are allowed inside dugouts and on the field. Defensive coaches are NOT allowed on the field of play when the ball is live during games.

14.  At the conclusion of the game, both teams need to confirm the score and text the Tournament Director with the results of the game.  It is the Manager’s responsibility to make sure all scores of their team are listed accurately on the Tournament Website. 

15.  Jewelry is allowed. However, jewelry that is judged by the umpire to be dangerous, must be removed and may not be worn during the game.

16.  Penalty - illegal equipment shall be removed or made legal.  The umpire shall issue a team warning. The next offender and the Manager shall be restricted to the dugout/bench for the remainder of the game.

17.  Line-ups/Rosters - There are multiple options to use in a line-up.

·       Traditional line-up with or without substitutes.

·       Traditional line-up, utilizing two additional players with or without substitutes.

i.       Up to two Additional Players (APs) can be used to increase the batting order to 10 or 11 batters. The AP(s) will be placed in the batting order in the positions to be occupied.

  ii.        The AP(s) can also be used on defense but must keep the same position in the batting order. The AP(s) if used, must be selected prior to the start of the game, and their name(s) must be included on the line-up card presented to the Umpire. Failure to declare the use of the AP(s) prior to the game precludes the use of the AP(s) in that game.  If a pinch hitter or pinch runner for an AP, that player becomes the new AP.  The original AP(s) may re-enter like any other player under the re-entry rule.  If an AP is used, the position must be used the entire game.

 iii.        Aps may play defense for any player, that player is still in the lineup and bats.

iv.        If the AP plays defense for the Flex, the Flex leaves the game and counts as a substitution when she re-enters.

·       Traditional line-up utilizing two APs with or without substitutes and utilizing the DP/Flex option (Max 11 hitting).

·       Roster or continuous batting where everyone is in the lineup hits is allowed in all games in the tournament. However, then there are NO substitutions. This means all players in the lineup will bat. APs and DP/Flex can still be used.

·       NOTE: Whichever lineup is used, it must be declared when lineups are exchanged at the plate conference and remain in effect t

LAFA Complex (LAF)

17 Sargent Road
Londonderry, NH 03053

Matthew Thornton Field (MTF)

275 Mammoth Road
Londonderry,, MH 03053