2025 NC/SC PGF

Softball Tournament Rules

1. A copy of Team Insurance must be emailed to the tournament director prior to the beginning of the tournament.

 

2. All teams must be sanctioned with Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) for 2025.

 

3. By registering for any NC/SC PGF Softball tournament, Teams Agree to Abide by NC/SC PGF Softball Tournament Cancellation/Refund Policy as well as Code of Conduct Policy.

 

4. A paper roster must be completed and Submitted at Team Check In prior to the first game.

 

 5. Birth Certificates must be available at the park upon request by Tournament Director/UIC.

 

6.  The home team will be the official scorekeeper. Home team is decided by coin toss in pool games, the higher seed will have the choice of home or away in bracket play.

 

7. Time Limit/Run Rule: Time Limit - The tournament director emails time limits for all games. Run Rule is 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings and 8 runs after 5 innings.

 

8. Teams may bat up 9 - 10 - 11 by using 2 EP’s in pool or bracket play.  We also allow DP/Flex as well.

 

9. Courtesy Runner MUST be an available unused substitute. If you don't have substitutes in your lineup then you don't have courtesy runners.

 

10. All Players should be listed on the line-up sheet.

 

11. Any Player entering the batter’s box with a non-approved bat, will be declared out upon appeal or if detected by an umpire. The batter and head coach will be ejected on the first offense.  Easton Ghost Blue Bat (ASA Stamp) is legal. * Easton Ghost Gold Bat (USSSA Stamp) is not legal.

 

12. Any coach/player/spectator ejected twice during a tournament will be banned from the park for the remainder of the tournament. In some cases, you may be banned immediately.

 

13. In the event of rain, inclement weather or other reasons beyond the control of NC/SC PGF Softball, the Tournament Director reserves the right to change the tournament format to ensure completion of  tournament. In the event that the tournament cannot be completed due to rain, inclement weather or  other reasons beyond the control of NC/SC PGF Softball, tournament entry fees will be issued as  FUTURE CREDIT as follows: 

A. Before the start of the tournament 100% Refund less a 15% Administration fee

B. After a team has played one (1) game 50% Future credit (Paid Entry Fee Only) 

C. After a team has played two (2) game 25% Future credit (Paid Entry Fee Only)

D. After a team has played three (3) game: 0% Refund 

 

Gate Fees are not part of the refund. Gate Fees will not be refunded. Please note: If a game has started, that game shall be considered played for purposes of this rule. When Future Credit is used, it must be used within 45 days or prior to Fall Season ending. 

 

14. All Gate Fees are: NO RAIN CHECKS / NO EXCHANGES / NON-REFUNDABLE / NON-TRANSFERABLE. ALSO APPLIES WHEN GATE FEES ARE INCLUDED IN ENTRY FEE. 

 

15. Players may play on one team only in the same tournament. Penalty, both teams will be removed from the tournament with NO refund/NO credit.

 

16. Protest fee is $100.00 cash and must be a legal and a valid protest to be accepted. 

 

17. Rain Delay: Teams will be emailed using the email address when you registered your team. We will do everything possible to notify teams; however, it is the team’s responsibility to verify ALL game times for possible changes on Tourney Machine.

 

18. Teams need to be ready to start 30 minutes earlier than game time listed.

 

 

 

NC/SC PGF Softball

 

Teams participating in any NC/SC PGF sanctioned tournaments will be expected to follow our Code of Conduct Policy:

 

1. Unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated from any participant. This includes but not limited to: Coaches, Players, Parents, Spectators

 

2.  Any Coach who is ejected from a game must leave the field area for the Game he is ejected, along with the next game his team plays. If associated with more than one team, he cannot participate in any games until sitting out the required game with the original team.

Example: Coach coaches both a 10U team and 12U team and is ejected in a 10U game, he cannot coach with either team until he sits the next game the 10U team plays.

 

3. Any player ejected from a game due to unsportsmanlike behavior, will be required to sit that game along with the next game her team plays.

 

4.  Any parent / spectator who is asked to leave the park for unsportsmanlike behavior, will not be allowed back inside the park for the remainder of the TOURNAMENT. In addition, any spectator asked to leave the park, the HEAD coach will be ejected from that game and must sit out the next game his/her team plays.

 

 

 

NC/SC PGF Softball

 

TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION REFUND / CANCELLATION POLICY

 

Any team participating in any PGF Softball sanctioned tournament will be granted a refund/credit if the following occurs:

 

1. IF a team drops out of the tournament ten (10) days or more prior to the advertised start date of an event, your entry fee will be refunded less 5% for the Credit Card fees.

 

2. IF a team drops out less than ten (10) days prior to the start of an event, your entry fee will be forfeited. If you have not pre-paid your entry fee, you will be responsible for payment in FULL if you cancel less than ten (10) days prior to the start of an event, Fields and umpires will have been contracted and booked at this point.

 

3. IF a team is participating in a tournament and the tournament has been started but cannot be completed, a team is issued FUTURE CREDIT to a NC/SC PGF Softball Tournament, to be used during that season within 45 days of the tournament being canceled. The amount of FUTURE CREDIT will be outlined in that specific tournament rules but will not be less than:

 

 

A. Before the start of the tournament: 100% Refund less 15% Administrative fee

B. After a team plays one (1) game: 50% Future credit (Paid Entry Fee Only)

C. After a team plays two (2) games: 25% Future credit (Paid Entry Fee Only)

D. After a team plays three (3) game: 0% Refund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES OF PGF

RECOGNIZE THE NFHS RULEBOOK

(National Federation of High Schools)

 

All games will be played by NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) rules, with the following exceptions:

1. PGF Pitching Rule Change (Start Back Rule)

The stride (non-pivot) foot may be on or behind the pitching 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 can take sign OFF the rubber but must simulate taking the pitching signal from the required pitching position (on the pitcher′s plate with hands apart).

2. Home team will be the official scorekeeper in all tournament games.

3. Pre-game Conference and coin flip between team manager and umpires will take place prior to the start of ALL games. Official Game Time starts when the pre-game conference ends at home plate.

4. No organized infield practice before the games. Teams may warm up beyond the baselines or in foul territory while infield is being prepared. No live batting practice is allowed on the field or in the complex at any time・ Batting nets are allowed.

5. Time limit for all games will be determined by the Event′s Director prior to its start. Time Limits will be NO LESS THAN 60 minutes and not to exceed 90 minutes or 7 innings. Time begins after the pre-game conference. Time limit could change in case of tournament interruptions. All teams should be prepared to start their game up to 30 minutes early in case We are ahead of schedule. (This will help the tournament stay on schedule).

6. Regulation games will be defined prior to the start of the tournament.

8. Only Head Coaches may consult with the umpires. Players, spectators, sponsors and other coaches are to keep out of discussions.

9. No smoking, tobacco use or vape use on the field, dugouts or within the playing area.

10. METAL CLEATS are allowed in Age Divisions 14U – 16U - 18U unless playing on turf fields or mats.  METAL CLEATS are NOT allowed in Age Divisions in Ages 8U - 10U - 12∪.

11. Batting Lineups (In pool play or bracket play 11 players max may bat.

12. Teams May use the DP/Flex Rule

13. Injury: 

A: Batter: IF a batter cannot fulfill her time at bat due to injury or illness, that player can be substituted for with a player who has not been in the game. IF a batter cannot be replaced by a bench player due to injury or illness, her spot will be skipped in the batting order. Teams will not be required to take an automatic out UNTIL they drop below nine (9) players. B: Runner: If a runner cannot continue her time on the bases, that player may be substituted for by first, a player not in the game or with the last completed at bat. 

RESULT in either A or B, player will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the game. The lineup will compress when her spot comes to bat. Teams must have eight (8) players to continue the game. Player must receive clearance from the tournament UIC and/or director.

14. Ejections: A player ejection while roster batting will result in the team losing that player for the entire game. Hers spot in the batting order WILL be an automatic out unless teams have an available substitute.

15. Courtesy Runners: Teams may run for the pitcher and catcher the entire game. Courtesy Runner must be an available substitute.  If you do not have a substitute, you cannot run for the pitcher or catcher.

16. Player Shortages: Teams may begin a game with 8 players. If the additional players arrive after the start of the game, they will be handled in the following manner: Rulebook batting line-up:  Teams may add a 9th player to the line-up・ Any additional players will be designated as substitutes.

17. Tie Breakers: The following procedure will be used to determine the seedings after pool play: A:             Won/Loss Record

B:         Head-to-head games (only when 2 teams are tied, if 3+ teams are tied we go to runs allowed)

C:         Runs Allowed

D:         Runs Scored

E:         Coin Flip

Once a level of tiebreaker is used or skipped, We DO NOT revert to any steps of the tie-breaking procedure. We will continue down the list until all ties are broken.

If a team is playing an extra pool game, the runs allowed and the Win/Loss in that last game will not count towards your total.

18. The Tournament Director reserves the right to delay and or change the schedule, and or change Game Guarantees, Format and Time Limits of any Tournament, in the interest of getting the event completed. Every effort will be made to complete the event before it is canceled.

19. NO REFUND OF GATE FEES

20. Deck Batters must remain in the on-deck batter′s circle nearest their own dugout.

21. Jewelry may be worn if approved by Home Plate Umpire and/or UIC.

22. During non-charged defensive conferences (Players only) Base runners must remain on base.

23. Batter may be intentionally walked. You are not required to pitch to the batter. Ball is dead.

 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!

THIS INCLUDES EVERYONE, MANAGERS, COACHES, SPECTATORS, OR UMPIRES.

ANYONE USING ABUSIVE LANGUAGE OR BEHAVIOR WILL BE SUBJECT TO EJECTION FROM THE PARK AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN FOR THE DURATION OF THE TOURNAMENT.

ANY PLAYER / COACH / SPECTATOR EJECTED MUST RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM THE UIC AND/OR TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR BEFORE RETURNING FOR NEXT GAME(S)

 

Thank you for respecting the game and your opponent. We appreciate you playing with Diamond Direction Events.

 

 

April 2025