PlayFPN Rules

PlayFPN Rule Books and Documents

Go to the rules tab on the schedule page for any specific event rules. 


What are the PlayFPN playing rules?

  • The base rule book for PlayFPN tournaments is the NFHS (National Federation of HIgh Schools) rule book. This is the same rule book used to govern high school softball across the country.
  • The NFHS rule book is available for download for $7 or in hard copy for $10. See the NFHS website.
  • More information about rules can be found at playfpn.com/rules.

Does PlayFPN have team strength classifications and tournaments or divisions for those classifications?

  • We offer team strength classifications.
  • Some events are listed as a particular strength classification and more often event divisions will be created on the fly when making a schedule based on what teams have entered. In open events, we use the classifications to assist in scheduling pool play.
  • Teams self-select a classification upon registering and we will monitor a team's progress as they play in the season to determine if re-classification is required.
  • These are the strength classifications we use:
    • E - Elite, any team considered to be a top-level team or National level team that can compete at the top level of the game wherever they play. A very small percentage of teams qualify for E.
    • A - Any team considered to be the highest-level competitive travel team regionally. If your team is normally in or should be in contention to win each tournament you enter and you beat the "better" teams in your state, and you have multiple front-line pitchers, then you should consider yourself an "A" team. A small percentage of teams qualify for A.
    • B - Any team considered to be a solid but average to above average travel team. If your team is occasionally in or should be in contention to win a tournament you enter and you are competitive with most teams like you in your state, and you have good but not overwhelming pitching, then you should consider yourself a "B" team. The majority of teams qualify for B.
    • C - Any team that typically plays in a local league or town league or a team that might only play in one or two tournaments a year.  A "C" team is also any team considered to be an entry level or novice travel team with kids new to travel softball and lacks the experience and number of skilled players and pitchers to compete with “A” and “B” teams.  A small percentage of teams qualify for C.
    • PlayFPN reserves the right to adjust your strength based on your results in our events and/or external events.

What are the PlayFPN roster rules?

  • PlayFPN keeps rostering simple and easy.
  • Teams are free to roster as many players as they wish.
  • Teams are free to add and remove players as they wish.
  • Rosters are never locked or frozen to prevent removal or adding players.
  • Players can be on more than one roster, hence a guest player process is not required.
  • The players on a team's roster prior to the start of an event, is their official roster for that event. However, a player cannot play for more than one team in a tournament other than in exhibition games.
  • Once a tournament has begun, a player cannot be added to a team’s roster unless injury forces the team to have less than 9 players. Then players can be added to the roster to bring the roster up to no more than 9 players.

What is the season and playing age determination dates?

  • The season runs from 9/1 to 8/31. Each fall, teams will be required to make a new team for the new season (9/1 to 8/31). However, Jan. 1 of the season will be used to determine playing age for the full season. So, whatever the actual age of the player is on Jan. 1 will be that player’s playing age for the entire season.
  • For example, a player is 13 as of Jan. 1, 2021 and plays 13U during the 2021 season. That season ended on 8/31/21.
  • On 9/1/21 the 2022 season started. The player will be physically 14 as of Jan. 1, 2022. So, her playing age for the full 2022 season (9/1/21 to 8/31/22) is 14U.

    What are the PlayFPN bat rules?

    • Bats with either a valid USA/ASA or USSSA stamp will be allowed.

    What insurance is required and can I purchase insurance through PlayFPN?

    • PlayFPN does sell insurance directly and therefore cannot mark up the cost of insurance as the do in a sanctioning body.
    • As a value add to our teams, PlayFPN works with New England’s top sports insurance agency, Fairway Underwriters Inc., to offer team insurance. More information about purchasing insurance can be found at playfpn.com/insurance.
    • Team insurance is required to play in any PlayFPN event. When a team registers on the PlayFPN website, there is a place to upload the team’s insurance certificate. The certificate must name Fastpitch Nation Inc. as an additional insured. Details regarding the additional insured certificate is available in the team manager’s account.
    • Each tournament host will let teams know directly about any other particular needs for the insurance certificates.
    • Teams can use any team insurance providers’ coverage (USA, USSSA, Private, etc.) to play in a PlayFPN event.
    • Teams must have a minimum of $1,000,000 of liability coverage per occurrence and a minimum aggregate of $1,000,000.