2015 NTX USSSA Playing Rules and
2015 Team “Bump” List
2015 USSSA tournament play will be governed by the 2015 USSSA Rule Book with the
following exceptions:
NEW RULES FOR 2015
1.) Homeruns: Men’s B – 6 per game, Men’s C – 4 per game, Men’s D – 2 per game, Men’s E – 0 per
game and offensive ejection and an inning-ending out, Mixed C – 4 per gender, Mixed D – 2 per gender
and Mixed E – 0 per game and offensive ejection and an inning-ending out.
2.) Whenever the catcher or any fielder clearly has the ball and is waiting to tag the runner, the runner
must slide or attempt to avoid contact. If, in the umpire’s judgment, the runner deliberately and forcefully
runs into the defensive player, the runner is declared out and shall be ejected from the game. The ball is
declared dead and all other runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the collision. The
catcher or any fielder may not block the pathway of the runner unless he as possession of the ball or is in
the act of fielding a batted ball or taking a proper position to receive a thrown ball (thrown ball must
already be in flight).
3.) In Men’s E and Mixed E, if a player in the batting order is an offensive ejection after hitting a home run
earlier in the game and later appears in the batter’s box, he shall be ejected from the game and the team
must continue shorthanded.
4.) Only players, managers, coaches, trainers, sport officials or sponsors are allowed in the dugout, bench
or on the field of play before, during and after a USSSA sanctioned activity.
5.) Any player or official suspended may appeal their suspension to the Executive Vice President of
USSSA softball. The appeal form can be request from the State Director.
6.) The "protecting the pitcher" rule will be used in ALL classes, including men’s B and C and mixed C
tournament play. Each team will have a player called out and be warned after the first incident, a player
ejected from the game after the second incident, and will forfeit the game as a result of the third incident.
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The remaining rules are in effect from previous years as a reminder or have been amended:
1.) No more "extra" foul with two strikes - if the batter has one strike, the next batted ball must be in play or
the batter will be called out.
NEW RULES FOR 2015 (continued)
2.) Once a batter reaches any base and time has been called by the umpire, he may request a courtesy
runner. Only one (1) courtesy runner may be used per inning and can be anyone in the starting lineup. In
the Mixed program, the courtesy runner shall be a male for a male and a female for a female. Also, in the
event the courtesy runner is on base and his turn comes to bat, he will be an out. The player will remain
on base as the courtesy runner and the next batter in the lineup will come to the plate.
3.) "Stay Away" rule - if a batted ball hits a defenseless pitcher and the "middle" rule is invoked, all
offensive players must stay away from the bat that was used. If an offensive picks up the bat and heads
for his/her dugout he/she will be ejected from the game. If the bat is taken into the offending team's
dugout, the game will be forfeited immediately. If the player picks up the bat to hand to the umpire, do not
eject the player.
4.) Teams must provide their own "park approved" stamped softballs.
5.) The home team is determined by a coin toss, unless (after March 1st) one of the teams does not have
their roster online. In that case, the team without the online roster will automatically be the visiting team,
UNLESS the team with the online roster wishes to be the visitors, then they may do so. If the umpire fails
to enforce this and the game begins, play will continue. This rule will remain in effect for ALL games in
tournament play.
6.) Time limits will be 50 minutes per game. If tied after 50 minutes or 7 innings, the game continues with
the 0-0 count. There is NO 'one pitch' in extra innings.
7.) Run rules will be 20 runs after 2 innings, 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings and 10 runs
after 5 innings.
8.) Time limits, run rules, pitch count, etc., will apply to all games, including the championship and "if"
games.
9.) The "flip flop" rule will be used in all games.
10.) Home run limits will be as follows: Men's B = 6, Men's C = 4, Men's D = 2, Men's E = 0 (this includes
an offensive ejection and an inning-ending out), Women's C = 3, Women's D = 0, Mixed C = 4 per gender,
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Mixed D = 2 per gender, Mixed E = 0 (this includes an offensive ejection and an inning-ending out). Any
home runs over these limits will be called an "out."
11.) The "equalizer rule" will be used in all combined class tournaments. Home run limits will be decided
by the highest classed team in the tournament. 3 runs per class will be given to the lowest classified team
in each game.
NEW RULES FOR 2015 (continued)
12.) ONLY USSSA bats with the 2013 stamp may be used in any game. Bats are subject to inspection by
the tournament Director, the tournament UIC or tournament umpire.
13.) Bats will be visually inspected by the umpires before each game. Only bats made available for
inspection by the umpires may be used in the game. Players found using a bat that was not made
available for the pregame inspection will be ejected from the game. Once the game clock has started,
additional bats cannot be added into play until the game is over, unless directed by the tournament
director.
14.) "Restitched ball policy" - A team may protest an opponent's ball at any time by purchasing them a
new "park approved" USSSA softball. The protested ball will not be returned to either team.
15.) "Wrong ball policy" - If a team throws in an unapproved softball, the pitcher must call it to the umpire's
attention and another ball must be provided. If the pitcher pitches the ball to the batter and the batter hits
the ball, the result of the play stands.
16.) For the “middle rule” to be in effect, the pitcher must be in contact with the pitching box.
17.) The tournament director reserves the right to change the format and field assignments in case of
inclement weather or other unforeseen factors.
18.) The clock will begin at the appropriate game time. Teams are allowed a five-minute 'grace period' if
they don't have the required number of players to begin a game for the first hour’s scheduled games of the
tournament. If a tournament is played over more than one day, there will be a ‘grace period’ each day. A
forfeit will be awarded if a team does not have the required amount of players at the end of the "grace
period." If a team has enough players to begin before the "grace period" expires, play will continue with
the clock continuing to run. The team given the "grace period" will lose their first at-bat of the game and
will start the next inning with the #4 spot in their lineup.
19.) Any physical or verbal abuse toward the tournament director, UIC, umpires, staff or other players will
NOT be tolerated and WILL result in suspension from future tournament participation.
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20.) On an ejection regarding sportsmanship, the tournament director, UIC and umpires will determine the
ability of the offending player to continue play during the event.
21.) Teams are responsible for understanding the tournament bracket at the park. If you don't understand,
ask the tournament director. The tournament bracket at the park is the OFFICIAL tournament bracket
HOMERUN AND BUMP PLAYER LIMITS FOR EACH PROGRAM
Men’s B – Six (6) Home runs. Men’s B are allowed three (3) Men’s A players whose previous
year end class is Men’s A.
Men’s C – Four (4) Home runs. Men’s C are allowed three (3) Men’s B players whose previous
year end class is Men’s B. In addition, a Men’s C team may have 1 Men’s A player that will
count towards the 3 total bumps.
Men’s D – Two (2) Home runs. Men’s D are allowed three (3) Men’s C players whose previous
year end class is Men’s C.
Men’s E – All Homeruns are Inning Ending Outs and an Offensive Ejection. Men’s E are
allowed one (1) Men’s D player whose previous year end class is Men’s D.
Women’s B – Unlimited Homeruns
Women’s C – Three (3) Home runs. Women’s C are allowed three (3) Women’s B players
whose previous year end class is Women’s B.
Women’s D – All Homeruns are outs. Women’s D are allowed three (3) Women’s C players
whose previous year end class is Women’s C.
Mixed C – Four (4) Home Runs per gender. Subsequent home runs shall be ruled an out. Mixed
C teams are allowed Male players whose previous year end class is B or lower and Female
players whose previous year end class is A or lower. Any Mixed C team that includes a male
player whose previous year end class is Men's A or whose name appears on the USSSA Major
Player List, USSSA Major Players Watch List or who competed during the season in Men’s A
team or higher must register as a Mixed Major team.
Mixed D – Two (2) Home Runs per gender. Subsequent home runs shall be ruled an out. Mixed
D teams will be allowed three (3) players whose previous year end class is Mixed C. Mixed D
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teams shall not be allowed to have any Men or Women players whose previous year-end
classification is B or higher. Mixed D teams will also be allowed to have three (3) Men and/or
Women players whose previous year end class is C (this could be three male or three female
players or any combination thereof, but only a total of three players). Important: any male or
female player who is classified as both a Men’s or Women’s C and Mixed C will count as 1 of
the 3 allowable C male/female bumps, and as 1 of the 3 allowable Mixed C bumps.
HOMERUN AND BUMP PLAYER LIMITS FOR EACH PROGRAM (continued)
Mixed E – Home Runs are Inning Ending Outs and an Offensive Ejection. Mixed E teams will be
allowed three (3) players whose previous year end class is Mixed D. In addition, teams shall
not be allowed any Male or Female player whose previous year end class is C or higher.
COMBINING CLASSES OF TOURNAMENTS
If two tournaments, for example, advertised as a Men’s D and a Men’s E are combined by the tournament
director, then the tournament will be played using the “equalizer” rule. The tournament will use the upper
class home run rule and the upper class teams will spot the lower class teams a total of three (3) runs per
class at the beginning of the game.
If a tournament is advertised as a “combined” tournament, the tournament will be played using the upper
class rules. If a “lower classed” team enters the tournament, they do so knowing the rules and no
equalizer rule will be used.
ONLINE ROSTERS
A team must have their roster ONLINE by March 1st. If they don’t, then they will be considered “Visitors” in
any of their tournament games. If both teams don’t have their rosters online, a coin flip will be used to
determine “Home” and “Visitors.” Tournament directors in NTX will be making “roster checks” at various
times during a tournament in 2015. If a team doesn’t have a minimum of ten (10) players on its online
roster BEFORE it plays a tournament, that team WILL NOT receive any points earned from that
tournament. If a team’s online roster falls below ten (10) players at any time during the year, it will lose
any points earned during the season. It is the coach’s responsibility to make sure his team’s online roster
has the minimum number of players at any time.
FREEZING ONLINE ROSTERS
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Team rosters will ONLY be frozen at the state tournament OR if a team wins an NIT event or
accepts a passed-down World berth from an NIT event.
PERSONAL CHECKS/NO SHOWS
Beginning in 2012, NO PERSONAL CHECKS will be accepted by any NTX director for a team’s
tournament entry fees. Only company checks, cash, cashier’s checks or money orders are
accepted. Any team that “no shows” a tournament after being placed in the bracket will be
placed on the North Texas USSSA Hot List and will be suspended from any future participation
PERSONAL CHECKS/NO SHOWS (continued)
in any USSSA sanctioned events. Any player or team that has an outstanding financial
obligation to USSSA or North Texas USSSA will be suspended from any and all USSSAsanctioned events until the financial obligation has been taken care of. This will include ALL
PLAYERS LISTED on the team’s roster, both paper and the online roster. In addition, the team
name will be tagged (suspended) along with the coach and any player listed on their roster
until the debt has been paid to the satisfaction of the tournament director, the team and all of
its players will stay on the suspended list until the State Director has been notified.
Most of the area parks have their own specific date and time as to when a team can legally be
removed from a tournament without penalty. It is the coach’s responsibility to make sure that
this deadline is met. Otherwise, your team is liable for the entry fees so designated for that
particular tournament.
PROTEST PROCEDURES FOR PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
1.) A protest must be made as soon as the player or players in question are noticed or the protest will not
be honored.
2.) The protesting team must provide $50 cash to the tournament director per player for a player's
eligibility to be protested or for any additional "bumps" over the approved number of bumps on a team's
roster. This fee must be in the tournament director's hands BEFORE the protest will be considered.
3.) The protesting team's roster will be checked first. The roster must be filled out properly and must have
already been turned into the tournament director. All players on the roster must have signed the roster and
must have a valid ID with them at the time of the protest.
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4.) If the protesting team's roster is valid, then the protested team's roster will be checked for the player(s)
being protested. Those players must ALSO have signed the roster and must have a valid ID with them at
the time of the protest.
5.) If the protested player(s) is NOT on the team's roster or the protested team has too any "legal" bumps,
the protest will be upheld and the protest fee will be returned to the protesting team. The game will result
in a forfeit and the protested team will be eliminated from any further tournament play for the day
(weekend).
6.) If the protest is found to be without merit, the protest fee is forfeited and the game will continue.
PLAYERS/TEAMS CAUGHT PLAYING ILLEGALLY
A player is required to have his ID in his possession at all times. You will NOT be allowed to leave the
complex to obtain your ID. Failure to produce an ID will result in your team having played an illegal player.
Your team will forfeit not only the game being played but will be forfeited out of the remainder of the
tournament. Any player or team caught playing illegally will be forfeited from the tournament they are
currently playing in and, on the following Monday, will be automatically reclassified to their next higher
level of play for the remainder of the current season.
If a team, after being notified it is being protested, leaves the field without having ID’s checked, that team
will be considered to have been playing with an illegal roster and will be bumped up in class to the next
higher class available. In addition, all players will be bumped up to their next level in class, including any
bumps, and the team manager will be suspended for thirty (30) days as a result.
FIGHTING POLICY
For USSSA sanctioned tournament and league play, anyone caught throwing the first punch in an
altercation will be suspended for a period of no less than 1 year from the date of the incident. In addition,
anyone who retaliates by fighting will also be suspended for a period of 180 days, also from the date of the
incident. The coach of the teams, if not involved in the fight, will also receive a 90 day suspension from
the date of the incident. Any and all non-fighting players on both teams involved will be placed on
probation, to last the remainder of the 2015 season. The USSSA Code of Ethics states that “each player
is responsible for the actions of his or her teammates.”
At the first incident of “smack talking” in a game, the umpire(s) will IMMEDIATELY warn both teams that
ANY further instance will result in a player(s) ejection from the game.
RECLASSIFICATION
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HOW PLAYERS RECLASSIFY
A player can ONLY reclassify himself by having his team play in the State tournament of their
classification the first weekend of August (men’s and women’s) or the third weekend of August (mixed) or
accept a paid World berth from an NIT. For reclassification purposes, a player must be on a team’s online
roster prior to July 1st (for men’s and women’s teams) and July 15th (for mixed teams) and must play in at
least one tournament with that team prior to the State tournament. He then should sign his team’s online
state roster and play in the State tournament. If his team forfeits out of the State tournament (for any
reason), any bump player(s) WILL NOT reclassify. Exception: If a team decides to quit playing as a team
and their players move to other teams in an attempt to avoid a potential bump, the classification
committee has the right to bump those players at their discretion.
HOW PLAYERS RECLASSIFY (continued)
If a player did NOT play State in 2014, then his classification for 2015 will be at the highest level played in
2014, provided he reclassified in 2013. If he didn’t reclassify in 2013, then his playing classification
reverts back to 2012. Prior to 2012, a player’s classification will be determined by the State Director along
with help from the Classification Committee.
IT IS A PLAYER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT HIS NAME IS ONLY ON THE ROSTER HE
THINKS IT SHOULD BE. If a coach puts your name on a roster and you aren’t playing for that
coach/team, YOU, the player, need to be checking on a daily/weekly/monthly basis to make sure which
rosters your name is on. Unless a team’s roster is frozen, the coach DOES NOT have the right to keep
your name on a roster. One e-mail to one of the NTX directors will have your name removed in a timely
manner. If you, as a coach, have a question regarding a player’s classification, please send an email to
either me ([email protected]), Mike DeLatte at Rowlett ([email protected]), or Chris
Thames at SBW ([email protected]). Your request must be made in the form of an email.
REQUEST TO RECLASSIFY YOUR TEAM
The coach of a team may request in writing to the State Director to be reclassified after the State
Tournament in August. The following must be met in order for their request to be heard by the
Classification Committee.
1) Teams must play a minimum of 5 (five) tournaments in North Texas parks from March 1st through and
including the State Tournament in August.
2) Teams must have a minimum of 8 (eight) players from the previous year’s roster on their current years
roster from March 1st through and including the State Tournament.
3) The team must play in their new class State Tournament.
If the request to reclassify is granted, teams can immediately play in their new classification. Only players
listed on both years roster will be reclassified.
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REQUEST TO RECLASIFY AS A PLAYER
If a player wishes to appeal their classification for 2015, they must contact the State Director in writing,
beginning May 1st. It is the player’s responsibility to be able to prove to the Classification Committee that
they should be reclassified. A meeting will be arranged to hear the petition for reclassification.
BATS
For tournament play ONLY, the newly USSSA-stamped bat is the ONLY legal bat that can be used during
any USSSA-sanctioned tournament. Local league directors have the right to “grandfather” into their
leagues the older USSSA-approved bats. If a bat NOT having the 2013 stamp is found being used in a
USSSA-sanctioned tournament, the bat will be pulled for IMMEDIATE testing and will be processed as per
the bat testing guidelines currently in place. In addition, the player found to be using the bat will be ejected
offensively for the remainder of the current game he is involved in and any and all play that occurs as a
result of using a bat that is NOT a 2013-stamped bat will revert back to the game situation before the play
BATS (continued)
involving the NON 2013-stamped bat occurred. This is NOT the same as having a bat FAIL the
compression testing.
BAT TESTING
In 2015, bats will be tested following the same procedures as in 2014. If the middle rule is invoked or if
any additional over-the-fence home runs are hit OVER the allowed limit, the bat involved will be pulled by
the umpire and given to the tournament director to be tested. In addition, at parks using the “bucket”
system, the tournament director has the right to make random bat checks of any bat being used in a game
at any time.
With all the new bats being used, the new standard for a bat ‘failing’ a compression test is now at 210 or
below. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that the bat you swing is a LEGAL and an APPROVED bat
for USSSA play. All bats being tested that fail will be documented by the make and model of the bat, as
well as the owner/user of the bat. If a bat fails the compression test, the player has the following two (2)
options:
1.) The player/owner will give permission to have the bat destroyed. If the bat is determined to be altered
after it has been cut, the player/owner will receive a one (1) year suspension from all USSSA activity both
league and tournament play.
2.) The player/owner will give permission to have the bat sent to the manufacturer. The player/owner will
supply the bat’s warranty and $10.00 to cover postage within 7 days for further testing or the bat will be
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destroyed. If the bat comes back altered, the player/owner will be suspended for two (2) years from all
USSSA activity, both league and tournament play. If the bat is determined not to be altered, the bat will
either be given back to the player/owner or a replacement bat may be provided by the manufacturer. The
bat in question will not be allowed in any USSSA sanctioned event ever again. If the bat is found to be
used again in a future USSSA sanctioned event, a two (2) year suspension will be given.
If a bat passes the compression test but shows cracks and/or the decals are worn and can no longer be
read, the bat will be documented and will not be allowed to be used in any USSSA activity both league
and tournament play. If the bat is found to be used again in the future, the player/owner will face an
immediate suspension of one (1) year.
If a player/owner of a bat refuses to give his bat to a USSSA official for testing, the player/owner will
immediately be given a two (2) year suspension from all USSSA activity both league and tournament play.
Bat Flip Rule
Definition: Bat flips are the action where as a batter flips, throws or uses excessive force with their bat after he/she hits
the ball.
Rule: When a player flips their bat after hitting the ball, play will continue as a delayed dead ball. Once time out has
been called by the umpire, all runners will be awarded with all base obtained. However, the batter will be declared out
and ejected from the game. If the batter scored, his/her run will not count.
STATE TOURNAMENTS
Men’s B/C – Dallas – August 1-2, Rainout Date – August 8-9
Men’s D – Rowlett – August 1-2, Rainout Date – August 8-9
Men’s E – SBW – August 1-2, Rainout Date – August 8-9
Women’s – Dallas – August 1-2, Rainout Date – August 8-9
Mixed – Garland – August 15-16, Rainout Date – August 22-23
STATE TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES
A team can pay their State entry fee ($285) the date of the state tournament by either cash, cashier’s
check or money order. They can still pay online using a credit card, as well. There will be a $15 fee to the
national office if a team uses a credit card to pay their entry fee online. Contact the State Director to pay
by credit card.
WORLD TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION
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If your team wishes to participate in the World tournaments in any of the World Tournaments in
September, we want to do everything we can to help you get there. As has been the case in the past, a
winner of an NIT will earn a paid World tournament berth. Depending upon the number of teams entered
in the event, travel money could be paid. In addition, the team winning a Men’s, Women’s or Mixed state
tournament or an Open NIT will earn a non-paid World tournament berth. We will also offer a non-paid
World tournament berth to any team that wants to go to the World tournaments that participates in their
respective state tournament.
If you have any questions, please contact one of the following persons:
Arnie Burke - NTX State Director
[email protected]
Mike DeLatte - NTX Asst. State Director
[email protected]
Chris Thames - NTX Asst. State Director
[email protected]
Craig Anthony – NTX Umpire in Chief
[email protected]
GOOD LUCK IN 2015!
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