Event Page

2024 Tournament Rules

Tournament Rules: USA Softball and following exceptions and clarifications.

1. Time Limit: 80 minutes, finish the inning.  No new inning starts after 75 minutes.  Time begins immediately after the coin flip.  All Sunday championship games are a full 7 innings EXCEPT Play-back Championship. 
   PLEASE NOTE! The play clock will only be stopped when emergency personnel is summoned or at the discretion of the umpires for weather or other unpredicted situations.

2. Home and Visitors:  Coin toss Saturday (pool play).  Higher seed choice Sunday (bracket play).

3. Run Ahead Rule:  12 after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings, 8 after 5 innings.

4. Game Time: Teams MUST be ready to play 20 minutes prior to their scheduled game (exception would be teams playing back-to-back and switching fields; time will be allowed for starting pitcher warm-up.)

5. Speed Up Rules:  5 warm-up pitches, throw down by catcher, and infield balls first inning only.  3 warm-up pitches, no throw down, and no infield/outfield balls in subsequent innings.

6. Tie Breaker:  Saturday – after 7 innings, only if there is time remaining.  Game can end in a tie.
   Sunday – start tie breaker when time has expired (or 7 complete innings) and new inning begins.

7. Protests:  A $100 cash deposit is required immediately or play will continue.  Protests on rule interpretations only.  No protest of judgement calls.

8. Lineups: USA rules for JO fastpitch apply, including the pool play for Saturday.  See attached lineup options document for full details.

9. Courtesy Runners: USA rules apply. See attached lineup options document.

10. Dugout Areas: Coaches and players are to remain in the dugout area during the game.  Dugouts DO NOT extend toward the plate/backstop area.  Please do not impede the progress of the game. 

11. Sportsmanship: Thank you in advance for demonstrating good sportsmanship. Signs of poor sportsmanship and actions meant to demean opposing players, fans, and especially umpires, are subject to be removed permanently from the game and premises.  Any coach or player ejected from a game will have their situation reviewed by the Tournament Directors with input from the Site Director prior to participating in their next game.

12. All Complexes/fields are alcohol and smoke free.

13. Bloomsburg high school softball field prohibits metal spikes.

Finally, the Tournament Directors reserve the right to adjust schedules, brackets, and field locations as needed to complete the tournament due to inclement weather or darkness.  Every attempt will be made to honor the game minimum; however, if a situation develops when a team forfeits or the weather does not cooperate, the Directors will reschedule or shorten games in an attempt to determine Champions in each division.

Best of luck and a huge thank you for visiting our beautiful valley and playing in the Bill Ditchey Umpire’s Classic!

Sincerely,

Duff Ripka and  Kaitlyn Thursby, Tournament Co-Directors

Susquehanna Valley Fastpitch Umpires Association

Site Information

Tournament Co-Directors

Duff Ripka  (570) 490-7995

Kaitlyn Thursby  (717) 269-0463 (call or text)

10U Division

Northumberland County Sports Complex (Moser Athletic Complex)

968 Comly Road

Turbotville, PA 17772

Fields #1, 2, and 4

Site Director - Cindy Fawess

Chief Umpire - Tom Aber  (570) 713-9093