Dates: May 9–11, 2025
Location: Southwest Colorado
Tournament Director: Miranda Elliott – (970) 570-5107
Registration Contact: Morgan Head (Registration Fee due by Saturday at 11:00 AM)
Team Registration Form:
https://forms.gle/a7qDpKFfsSNxRwSr9
USSSA Rules Reference:
USSSA Fastpitch Rulebook (PDF)
All games will follow USSSA Fastpitch rules unless otherwise noted below.
2025 Schedule on Google Sheets
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQQEr_NRqlJO-zwGSgcVODsJdliVWVoEUF19eD34Vo/edit?usp=sharing
Please note that all games will be entered into leagueapps and used during the tournament. - Currently working on getting all games entered
Leagueapps Schedule and Standings:
8U : https://swcll.leagueapps.com/tournaments/4604282/schedule
10U : https://swcll.leagueapps.com/tournaments/4604283/schedule
12U : https://swcll.leagueapps.com/tournaments/4604286/schedule
14U : https://swcll.leagueapps.com/tournaments/4604289/schedule
HS : https://swcll.leagueapps.com/tournaments/4604290/schedule
Zero Tolerance Policy: Unsportsmanlike conduct towards umpires, coaches, players, or tournament staff will not be tolerated.
No Artificial Noisemakers: Absolutely no artificial noisemakers allowed at any time.
Sportsmanship: Coaches are responsible for ensuring good behavior from players, spectators, and themselves.
Pool & Bracket Play: Teams may freely substitute and may bat their entire lineup.
Championship Games: Teams must bat 9 players and may use the DP/Flex rule per USSSA standards.
Players are permitted to play on only one rostered team for the duration of the tournament.
All bats must bear the USSSA 1.20 BPF “Thumbprint” Certification Mark or be an approved wood softball bat.
Bats without this certification will be removed from play.
Bats with the old USSSA mark and the current thumbprint mark are considered altered and will not be allowed (Per Rule 2, Sections 10E, 10EI, 10F & 10M).
Bats will be inspected before each game, either at the plate meeting or prior.
Game Type Time Limit Game Format
Pool Play 1 hour (Drop Dead) Complete the current batter when time expires
Bracket Play 1 hour, 30 minutes No new inning may begin after time expires
Championship Game 1 hour, 45 minutes or 7 innings Game ends at 7 innings or when time expires, whichever comes first
10-Minute Breaks between games will be observed.
Game time is forfeit time. Teams delayed by preceding games will be allowed reasonable transition time.
Umpires and Home Team scorekeeper will serve as official timekeepers.
Run Rule (All Games):
12 runs after 3 innings
10 runs after 4 innings
8 runs after 5 innings
Per Inning Run Limits:
8U: 6 runs per inning (stop play)
10U–12U: 7 runs per inning (stop play)
14U & Up: 8 runs per inning (play continues until normal end of play)
Note: These rules accommodate our field conditions (slow-pitch fields) and are intended to promote fair but realistic scoring given limited home run potential.
Play continues until:
All runners stop advancing
Pitcher has control of the ball in the circle
A third out is made
Runners who are at least halfway to the next base may advance.
Runners not halfway must return to the previous base.
International Tie-Breaker will be used in bracket play after time expires or after 7 innings.
Higher Seed will be home team in bracket play.
Home Team is official scorekeeper.
Winning Team must report final score to the central scoring table (located by the central building).
Teams must clean their dugouts after each game.
Spectators should dispose of all trash before leaving the stands.
Coaches must turn in lineups to:
The Umpire
Opposing team’s scorekeeper
Coach Ejection: Remainder of game + next game (carries to next tournament).
Spectator Ejection: Remainder of game + next game (carries to next tournament).
Player Ejection: Remainder of game + next game (player may remain in dugout).
Severe Offenses: May result in immediate forfeiture or removal from the tournament.
Allowed:
Stud/post earrings, tight bracelets, tucked-in necklaces
Medical jewelry (must be taped with visible warnings)
Not Allowed:
Dangling earrings, hoops, or loose jewelry of any kind
Every effort will be made to complete the tournament as scheduled.
In the event of weather delays, tournament officials may:
Shorten games
Adjust schedules
Modify format
Team officials are responsible for staying in contact with tournament staff for any updates.
Two Tournament MVP will be selected for each age division.
MVP selections will be made by umpires after the Championship Game.
📝 Liability Disclaimer
By participating in this tournament, you agree to participate at your own risk. The local park, recreation department, sponsors, or tournament officials shall not be held liable for any injuries incurred during the event.
RULE 15. 10 & UNDER AND YOUNGER RULE EXCEPTIONS Rule 15 is for FASTPITCH play; for rules governing Coach and Machine Pitch, See Rule 17 (Pages 69-71)
1.1 The pitching distance shall be 35 feet.
2.3 The 11-inch softball shall be used. 8.1 (8 & Under and Younger). Stealing: A runner may steal as explained below:
a. A runner on 1st or 2nd can advance/steal only one base per pitch even in the event of an overthrow in live ball territory. If they advance more than one base, they are liable to be put out. At end of the play, if the runner is safe and has advanced more than one base, the umpire will return the runner to the correct base.
b. A runner cannot steal home. If they advance home they are liable to be put out. At end of play if the runner is safe and has advanced the umpire will return the runner to the correct base. ( STEALING HOME IS ALLOWED) c. A batter runner, who has received a base on balls, cannot attempt to steal second base.
d. Awarded bases will apply to all runners. This includes an overthrow into dead ball territory. 17th Edition (Printed 1-2024) 69
e. Runners can only score on:
i. A batted ball
ii. A base on balls or hit batter with bases loaded
iii. An awarded base when the ball goes out of play to include a pitch that goes out of play
8.4.B (8 & Under and Younger) The batter is out on a third strike. If a batter strikes out and the ball is not caught, the batter is out and cannot advance to first base. The ball remains live.
8.17.H (8 & Under and Younger) The infield fly rule will not be used.
RULE 17. COACH PITCH and MACHINE PITCH RULES
Play will be governed by the USSSA Rule Book, unless specified in this section.
1. Ball: 11-inch USSSA approved ball, optic yellow in color with a maximum compression of 375# and a COR rating of 46.25 +/- 0.75 will be used.
2. Innings: A regulation game shall be seven (7) innings for World Series play.
4. Runs per Inning: A maximum of 6 runs can be scored each inning by each team.
3. Time Limits: World Series and 7 inning games shall have a 75 minute limit. Games can end in a tie during pool play. Bracket games that are tied at the end of regulation or upon completion of an inning with time expired shall go to the International Tie-Breaker method.
5. Run Rule: As per Rule 4 Section 4, the run rule will be 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, and 8 runs after 5 innings. f time has expired and either team is behind and cannot catch up or go ahead, the game shall be over immediately.
6. Offensive Lineup: The batting lineup may be any number from eight (8) to all players present. An automatic out will be taken if only eight (8) batters. When 70 17th Edition (Printed 1-2024) batting more than eight (8), if any position in the batting order is left open due to injury, illness, or ejection it will be an automatic out if a sub is not available.
7. Courtesy Runner: A Courtesy Runner is permitted for the catcher only, subject to all applicable sections of Rule 8.3.
8. Defensive Positions: The defensive team must have a minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of ten (10) defensive players in the field, but no more than six (6), including the catcher, can be positioned inside the infield baselines.
NOTE: The use of a DP/Flex is not allowed. All players listed on the lineup card will hit.
Coach pitch only: The player pitcher must have at least one foot in the pitcher’s circle when the batter’s coach is pitching. No other defensive players may be positioned inside the pitcher’s circle at the same time. The outfield is defined as the turf area on a regulation sized youth field or at least 10 feet beyond the baselines for other playing surfaces.
9. Batting: The batter will receive five pitches or three swinging strikes, whichever occurs first. Each pitch will count as one of the five even if the batter does not swing. If the fifth pitch is hit (not bunted) foul the batter will remain at bat as long as they continue to foul off pitches.
a. The batter is out on a third strike whether caught or uncaught.
b. There shall be no Base on Balls (walk) awarded.
c. Hitters hit by a pitch will not be awarded 1st base.
d. Bunting is NOT allowed. PENALTY: The ball is dead, and the batter is out if the ball is contacted. All other runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
10. The infield fly rule is not in effect. The ball remains “live” with all runners in jeopardy of being put out or advancing.
11. A runner may not leave a base until the pitch:
a. (Travel ball) leaves the pitcher’s hand/pitching machine.
b. (Rec/All-Stars) reaches home plate.
PENALTY: The ball is dead, a “no pitch” is declared, and the runner is declared out. A runner who leaves a base on a pitch is at liability to be put out, even on a non-batted ball. On a non-batted ball, the runner must immediately return to her original base. If the defense chooses not make a play on a runner (who fails to return to her original base), the Umpire may call “Time” and order her return to expedite pace of play.
17th Edition (Printed 1-2024) 71
12. Time will be called when:
a. (Travel ball) a defensive player has possession of the ball in advance of
the lead runner.
b. (Rec/All-Stars) a defensive player has possession of the ball in advance of the lead runner, OR the ball is returned to the player-pitcher with at least one foot on (or inside of) the line of the pitcher’s circle. If a runner is more than half way to the next base when time is called, the runner will be awarded the next base. If they are not half way to the next base when time is called they will be returned to the previous base safely. The defensive team may have a maximum of 3 defensive conferences per game.
13. Additional Coaches: In addition to base coaches, only a coach in the pitcher’s circle is allowed on the field of play. The coach pitcher must deliver the pitch with one foot in contact with the pitching plate. The pitching coach/machine pitch coach may only coach the batter prior to the pitch. He/she may not coach the batter-runner at ANY time.
PENALTY: The batter is charged with a PITCH
Coach pitch only: The pitching coach must make an effort to avoid interfering with the play.
If in the umpire’s judgment, a coach interferes unintentionally with the batted ball and/or defensive play, the ball will be declared dead and the pitch replayed. If in the umpire’s judgment, a coach interferes intentionally, the lead runner is out and the play replayed. If there are no runners, the batter is out.