LP4U Queen of The Hill Qualifier
June 1-2, 2024
Families of Faith Church 24466 W Eames St. Channahon, IL
POOL GAMES’ RULES
2024 NFHS rules apply except for the following:
1. A Coin toss will be conducted at Home Plate to determine the Home/Visitor team.
2. Pool Games will be 75 minutes finish the inning (if necessary) or 7 innings , whichever occurs first. The Game begins at the conclusion of the Pre-Game Conference. Pool Games may end sooner than 75 minutes, or 7 innings, if the Run Ahead Rule is invoked (10 after 4, 8 after 5, 6 after 6). A Pool game may end in a Tie.
3. At the beginning of each half-inning, or when a pitcher relieves another, NO MORE THAN ONE MINUTE may be used to deliver no more than five pitches to the catcher, or other teammate. The one minute time limit BEGINS FROM THE THIRD OUT of the previous half-inning. NFHS 6-2 Article 5.
4. The Final Score will be verified by both Umpires and both Head Coaches before they leave the Field of Play. Each Head Coach will initial the Umpire’s Game Card.
5. Teams may bat a minimum of 9 players, any number of players, or utilize a continuous batting order of rostered players.
6. Free defensive substitutions are allowed including players listed on the roster but not listed in the batting order.
7. Courtesy runner for the Pitcher or Catcher will the last batter due up if using a continuous batting order, or eligible substitute if batting less than entire roster.
8. Pitching Rules:
The pitcher may now have both feet off the ground at the same time as long as both feet remain within the 24 inch width of the pitching plate and the pitcher does not replant the pivot foot. NFHS 6-1-2c.
Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher to prepare for the next pitch, the pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch. NHS 6-2 Article 3.
The PGF “PITCHING RULE CHANGE” will be in effect as listed at www.premiergirlsfastpitch.com.
*The stride foot may be on or behind the plate as far back as desired. Once the Pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may NOT step, drag or slide it back any farther.
*Pitcher must take the pitching signal only from the required pitching position (on the pitcher’s plate, hands apart).
*Hand signals/verbal may come from the dugout prior to the pitcher being on the pitcher’s plate.
*However, armband information must be gathered by the pitcher while on the pitcher’s plate and in the pitching position.
*Pitching signals from the catcher may be given only when the pitcher is in the pitching position on the pitcher’s plate.
NCAA is emphasizing that illegal pitches be called for violations of this rule.
9. “There is a product called Gorilla Gold that is used to help grip a softball for the pitchers. The product is legal at the NCAA level and is now legal at PGF. It is a yellow towel that helps the pitcher if humid or rainy. It was never illegal but because of the stickiness, many umpires weren’t sure. Now it’s officially legal for all PGF events.” Bill Conroy 4-21-2023
10. These games are NON Protest games. Umpires’ decision on the field is final.
COACHES ONLY
Seeding: Pool play results determine seeding into the Bracket. Teams will receive 2 points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss. If Pool play results in a tie, Pool standing will be determined by: a) head to head results between the tied teams. When two or more teams tie, head to head will be used only if one team has beaten all other tied teams or one team has lost to all other tied teams: b) run differential; c) fewest runs allowed in all Pool games: d) coin flip. When more than two teams tie, after a team is selected during any step, the tie breaker reverts back to step a) to select the next team.
LP4U Queen of The Hill Qualifier
June 1-2, 2024
Families of Faith Church 24466 W Eames St. Channahon, IL
BRACKET GAMES’ RULES
2024NFHS rules apply except for the following:
1. A Coin toss will be conducted at Home Plate to determine the Home/Visitor team.
2. Bracket Games will be 95 minutes, finish the inning (if necessary), or 7 innings, whichever occurs first. The Game begins at the conclusion of the Pre-Game Conference. A Bracket Game may end sooner than 95 minutes or 7 innings, if the Run Ahead Rule is invoked (10 after 4, 8 after 5, 6 after 6). N.B. Championship Games will have no time limit.
3. At the beginning of each half-inning, or when a pitcher relieves another, no more than one minute may be used to deliver no more than five pitches to the catcher, or other teammate. The one minute time limit begins from the third out of the previous half-inning. NFHS 6-2 Article 5.
4. The International Tie Breaker will utilized if the score is tied when the conditions of Rule 2 are satisfied. The runner placed on 2nd Base will be the last player to have completed her turn at bat in the previous inning.
5. The Final Score will be verified by both Umpires and both Head Coaches before they leave the Field of Play. Each Head Coach will initial the Umpire’s Game Card.
6. Teams may bat a minimum of 9 players, any number of players, or utilize a continuous batting order of rostered players.
7. Free defensive substitutions are allowed including players listed on the roster but not listed in the batting order.
8. Courtesy runner for the Pitcher or Catcher will be the last batter due up if using a continuous batting order or, or eligible substitute if batting less than the entire roster.
9. Pitching Rules:
The pitcher may now have both feet off the ground at the same time as long as both feet remain within the 24 inch width of the pitching plate and the pitcher does not replant the pivot foot. NFHS 6-1-2c
Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher to prepare for the first pitch, the pitcher has 20 seconds to release the pitch. NFHS 6-2 Article 3
The PGF “PITCHING RULE CHANGE” will be in effect as listed at www.premiergirlsfastpitch.com.
*The stride foot may be on or behind the plate as far back as desired. Once the Pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may NOT step, drag or slide it back any farther.
*Pitcher must take the pitching signal only from the required pitching position (on the pitcher’s plate, hands apart)
*Hand signals/verbal may come from the dugout prior to the pitcher being on the pitcher’s plate.
*However, armband information must be gathered by the pitcher while on the pitcher’s plate and in the pitching position.
*Pitching signals from the catcher may be given only when the pitcher is in the pitching position on the pitching plate.
NCAA is emphasizing that illegal pitches be called for violation of this rule.
10. These games are NON Protest games. Umpires’ decision on the field is final.
11. “There is a product called Gorilla Gold that is used to help grip a softball for pitchers. The product is legal at the NCAA level and is now legal at PGF. It is a yellow towel that certainly helps if humid or rainy. It was never illegal but because of the stickiness, many umpires weren’t sure. Now it’s officially legal for all PGF events.” Bill Conroy 4-21-2023
EDUCATION THROUGH ATHLETICS / LET’S PLAY 4 U POLICY ON UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR
Dave Betcher and ETA / LP4U is committed to providing every participant with a positive softball experience. The fabric of a sports event is held together by good sportsmanship and mutual respect of everyone involved. ETA / LP4U believes that every participant deserves to be treated with respect. We institute this policy recognizing most of our Coaches, Players, Spectators and Umpires behave in a sportsmanlike manner. They model sporting behavior and do this within the boundaries of good judgment. We are also not naive enough to realize that unsportsmanlike behavior has increased and feel the need to address those behaviors within this policy.
ETA / LP4U wants to communicate our clear expectations for the behavior of our Coaches, Players, Spectators, and Umpires. The guidelines that we are addressing are common sense and reasonable measures for everyone’s behavior.
I. Coaches
A.Coaches are allowed to ask location of pitches and appeal if they feel the batter swung at a pitch. Coaches are not allowed to argue or make unsporting comments on a ball / strike call.
B.Coaches are allowed to ask Umpires to confer with a partner and if the Umpires feel they need more information, they will confer together as a crew. Coaches may calmly ask the Umpire what elements of the play dictated the call that was made. Coaches cannot yell at or berate an Umpire in an unsporting manner if they do not agree with their judgment. Once the Umpire gives their judgment, no further arguing will be allowed.
C.Coaches are allowed to ask for rule interpretations during the game. Coaches are not allowed to verbally address an Umpire in an abusive or profane manner and cannot incite the spectators to poor behavior. They can never make contact with an Umpire.
D.Unsporting behavior at its simplest is defined as any deliberate action that makes an Umpire feel physically threatened, verbally intimidated or emotionally humiliated. Disrespectfully objecting to calls, yelling at, constantly disagreeing with an Umpire or by any action can be deemed unsportsmanlike. Coaches and Managers should always show decorum, respect and observe all game rules whenever questioning an Umpire about a call.
The consequences for violating any of these guidelines will be clearly communicated by the Umpire. If behavior indicates a more severe penalty the consequences can be escalated, resulting in an immediate ejection.
1st Violation - Verbal warning to the Coach and written on lineup card
2nd Violation (by any coach) - The Coach in violation will be restricted to the dugout the remainder of the Game.
3rd Violation (by any coach) - The Coach in violation will be ejected from the Game.
“A coach who is ejected shall leave the vicinity (out of sight and out of sound) of the playing area immediately and is prohibited from any further contact (direct or indirect) with the team during the remainder of the game.” NFHS Rule 3.6.20.
“The ejected Coach must sit out the remainder of that game and the following game which must actually be played (i.e.-a non-played forfeit game will not satisfy the sit out requirement). They are barred from coaching in the Tournament until that team has completed their next game.” USSSA Rule 12.1
“The Umpire should notify the ejected Coach that that failure to comply as noted above will result in a forfeit. If the directive is not obeyed in a timely manner, a one minute forfeit warning shall be issued to the Head Coach. If the warning expires, a forfeit shall be declared in favor of the team not at fault.” NCAA Rule 13.1 Effect.
We hope the consequences serve as a reminder. We realize Coaches become intense and sometimes exhibit poor behavior and this behavior is not representative of their normal behavior. These behaviors are expected as part of the Game, but repeated offenses will result in these consequences:
1st Incident – 1 game suspension for the Coach regardless of coaching history, coaching experience or program involvement. This suspension will be in addition to any suspension due to an ejection from the Game.
2nd Incident (within the same season) – 3 Game suspension.
3rd Incident (within the same season) – TBA by Dave Betcher
II. Players
Umpires want to be able to proactively address player behavior with a Coach, ensuring we do not need to activate the consequences. In most cases this is enough to change the behavior. However, the same consequences will apply to individual players as do coaching staffs. If a player is ejected – “A player who is restricted or ejected shall remain in the dugout/bench area.” NFHS Rule 3.6.20. An ejected Player will not participate in the next scheduled Game and will abide by NFHS Rule 3.6.20 referenced.
III. Spectators
This is a part of our game that has become an increasing problem and has risen to levels that warrant our intense scrutiny. Because of this, when an Umpire feels the situation escalating, they will ask Coaches to remind their spectators of unsporting or threatening comments, disrespectful cheers, or any abuse toward opposing players and spectators will not be tolerated. The same will apply toward the Umpires.
We realize Coaches have many responsibilities, but know they also have a strong influence on their spectators. If the behavior continues, they will be removed from the venue the remainder of the day or tournament depending on the severity. Coaches will be asked to provide the names of any spectators suspected of these behaviors when requested.
Players and Spectators
1st incident - 2 game suspension
2nd incident – 4 game suspension
3rd incident – TBA by Dave Betcher
We sadly feel the need to strictly enforce this consequence without exception.
Any incident that involves physical abuse by bodily threat, shoving, bumping, or harming an umpire will result in the notification of law enforcement personnel.
Umpire performance:
NFHS Officials Code of Ethics: Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interaction with athletes, coaches, colleagues and the public. Officials shall remain mindful that their conduct influences the respect that athletes, coaches and the public hold for the profession.
Dave Betcher Events/Let’s Play 4 U recognizes that Umpires possess unique personalities and that their performance may affect any game situation. Coaches are encouraged to contact Dave Betcher Event/Let’s Play 4 U Staff regarding Umpire performance as it relates to game management.
