Tournament Rules

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Tournament Structure: 

• Tournaments are scheduled as a (3) Game Guarantee.
  • (2) Pool play games.
  • (1) Tournament game guarantee. 

Note: Tournament Structure may be different but will be specified in event details. 

Umpires: 

• Umpires are to be paid at the plate during ground rules. 
  • (1) umpire is $35/team cost
  • (2) umpires are $60/team cost

Competition Level

Competition Levels: Ohio TNT allows coaches to choose the best division/level for their team, based on an assessment of their team’s skill level. At any time, Ohio TNT is made up of 3 very easy-to-understand division level:

• Division 1 (D1)
  • Major/All-Levels of AAA, Gold, Elite/Advanced, Competitive Nationally and Super-Competitive Regionally

• Division 2 (D2)
  • Medium AA/High AA, Silver, High-Level Intermediate, Competitive Regionally and Super-Competitive Locally

• Division 3 (D3)
  • Low AA/All-Levels of A, Bronze, Low-Level Intermediate/Beginner, Competitive Locally

Note: Ohio TNT has the right to adjust a team’s level based on their performance of play.

Tournament Awards

Awards will be provided to the Champion and Finalist for each age group. Standard awards will be rings. Special awards may be provided instead of standard issued rings, but special awards will be listed on the tournament details and/or informational event flyers. If an event is cancelled before bracket place is completed awards will not be provided. 

Tournament Communication

All Ohio Top Notch Tournaments (TNT) events are scheduled through SportEngine Tourney Machine (https://www.tourneymachine.com/Home.aspx). Tourney Machine provides TNT direct accessibility to all Managers, Coaches, Parents, Players and Family Members by allowing individuals to follow the teams of their choice.

The Official Rules of Ohio Top Notch Tournaments are the same as the National Federation of State High School Association except where modified by the following rules listed in this handbook. The National Federation State High School Softball rules can be found at www.nfhs.org. The following are the rules that which Ohio Top Notch Tournaments will follow.

1. Coolers - Outside Food & Beverage Policy

Many of the concessions provided at our events are offered by our Host Organizations which are made up of Volunteers from High School Teams, Little League, Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, American Legion and other Community Groups. The following guidelines are noted here at their requests. It is the responsibility of each Team Manager to make all of the Families and Fans with his team aware of this Policy.

    A. No Personal Coolers of any size or design.

    B. No Outside Food or Snacks.

    C. No Alcoholic Beverages (none from outside the venue)

2. Sportsmanship

The primary objective of Ohio Top Notch Tournaments is to promote a Positive Environment for the young baseball player and all attendees. It is the responsibility of the Team Manager to review this policy and to share it with all parties associated with his team. It is also the responsibility of the Team Manager to maintain order so that good Sportsmanship is displayed at all times. All the following are considered “Poor Sportsmanship” and those in violation are subject to suspension or dismissal:

    A. Badgering or Taunting an Umpire, Player, Coach, or members of the other team

    B. Disruptive Behavior, to include Cursing.

    C. Personal Insult or Verbal Threats.

    D. Physical Contact

3. Event Format

Most events will consist of 3 game guarantee, 2 pool play games and a single elimination bracket unless otherwise stated in the tournament details. 

Disclaimer: The Tournament Director has discretion to amend the Game Schedule as it may become necessary due to Inclement Weather or other Natural Causes. This includes the shortening of time limits, number of innings played, deletion of games, addition of games, modification of brackets, venue locations and game times.

Player Eligibility

1. Age Determination:

A player’s age on August 31st of the previous sanctioned year determines the age classification in which the player is eligible to participate. For example, a player who turns 11 on September 1st, 2020 can play 10u or older in the sanctioned year. 

2. Proof of Age:

Coaches should, at all times, have a copy of birth certificate or other legal records of birth as listed below.

• Photocopy of the player’s birth record from the state, county or municipal bureau of vital statics of the place      of birth. HOSPITAL RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED.
• A photocopy  of the delayed registration of birth, if the athlete’s birth was not recorded on the day of birth, issued by the same bodies. Consular Service Form FS240, “Report on Birth”, issued by the U.S State Department.  Immigration and naturalization forms l151 and l25 and   Form No.43R3117issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.
• A valid passport, driver’s license or Homeland Security card. 

3. Illegal Player:

• A player who is in violation of these rules is considered an illegal player.
• If a player  is found to be an illegal player and is discovered during or after a game or event, the offending team can be ejected from the event and placed last in the standings with the team forfeiting all awards from the event. This decision will be made by the Tournament Director.

Team Requirements:

1. All rosters can consist of no more than 20 eligible players.
2. All teams must complete an Online Roster that includes:
   • Player First & Last Name
   • Uniform Number. 
     1. This can be completed on http://www.Ohiotnt.com

1. All players may only participate on one      team during the event.
2. All Team Managers are required to sign their Team Roster on first day of event before the first game. Your Site      Director has a hard copy of your roster and this is your last and only      opportunity to write in a player that may have been previously omitted.
3. Once a team begins their first game of the weekend their roster is frozen until the end of the tournament.

Proof of Insurance:

All teams must upload a Certificate of Insurance prior to the event on http://www.Ohiotnt.com. 

1. There are Risks involved in competitive sports and It is the sole responsibility of the team and all involved members (including parents) to provide insurance for their players and coaches.

Uniforms and Equipment:

1. No one can protest uniforms. Only the Tournament Director can make rulings on uniform legality.

2. Participating players must be uniformed with proper and safe baseball attire. 

It is recommended that the numbers are at least 4” in height on all jerseys.

3. All offensive players participating in Top Notch Tournament events must wear a double ear flapped  legal helmet while on the playing field. 

• All fastpitch batting helmets shall be equipped with an approved face       protector.
• Youth coaches under 18 years of age must abide by this rule too.

4. The catcher must wear a head protector, body protector, protective cup, shin guards and a mask with a throat protector. 

• The throat protector, which is part of or  attached to the mask, must adequately protect them. 
• The helmet must have full ear protection. 
• The head, face, dual ear flaps and throat protector must be one piece.

5. Age divisions 12U and below cannot wear metal cleats.

6. All bats must be made of an approved      material, and they must be smooth and round.

7. All bats should have a BPF rating of 1.20 or less stamped on the bat.

8. A batter using an altered bat is declared out and all runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. 

• A batter is deemed to have used or       attempted to use an illegal bat if the player brings such a bat into the batter’s box. 
• Any out or outs made during the play stand.

9.If the umpire observes any violation of      these rules, he or she directs the violation to be corrected.

10. For Events Marked as Wood Bat Play:

• All bats must be made of an       approved material, and they must be smooth and round.
• All bats Any species of Wood, Bamboo or Hybrid - Wood Composite are approved for play.

11. 10u and under will use the 11 inch softball. All others will use the 12 inch softball.

Game Rules 

1. Determining Home Team: 

A coin will be flipped between two teams in pool play. Winner can select home or away. For Bracket play, the higher seed will assume home team unless the higher seed prefers to be visitor.

1. Addressing the Umpires: 

Our umpires are approachable. All game related questions or concerns shall be initiated by the “Head Coach” only. 

• Judgement calls:      Safe-Out, Foul-Fair and Ball-Strike are each Umpire judgement. 
• Rule Questions:     If you have a rule question, FIRST call TIME and make the umpire aware of your concern prior to the next pitch being thrown. Then request the assistance of the site director. Getting help on a rule is not a      protest. 

1. Batting Order: 

Teams can bat 9 players, add up to 2 EH to get to 10 or 11, or bat the entire roster. 

• If a team shows up with 13 players they can bat 9, 10, 11 or 13. 
  1. They cannot bat 12 with 1 sub. 
  2. If a coach chooses to roster bat, he must bat all legal players. 

• Extra Hitters can move freely in defensive positions.
• If a team chooses to roster bat, players can move freely in defensive positions.
• If eligible, a courtesy runner can be used any time for the current pitcher and catcher. Courtesy runner is defined as a player not in the game or the last batted out if roster batting.
• For teams not roster batting, the starting players can only re-enter the game once, and only in the same batting order slot. Once a pitcher has been removed from the pitching position he or she may not re-enter to that position. 
• Teams can play an official game with an 8-player lineup.If a team plays with an 8-player lineup an out is recorded      each time the 9th batting position is up. The team with 8 players shall be      the visiting team. 
• Teams must have a minimum of 8 players to start a game. If the number falls below 8 at any point the game will be suspended and considered a forfeit.
• If a 9th player arrives after the start,      they shall be allowed to occupy the 9th spot in the batting order. This must be announced to the Umpire and opposing team. 
• If a team is roster batting and players      show up after the start, they shall enter as the last spot in the batting      order.
• If a team drops below 9 players due to      illness/injury an automatic out is NOT recorded. 
• If a team drops below 9 due to ejection or any other reason than illness/injury, an automatic out will be recorded in      the players vacant batting order slot unless there is an eligible sub.
• If a team drops below 8 players for any reason, the game is suspended and ruled a forfeit. 
• If a player leaves the game due to      illness/injury that spot will be skipped in the batting order. The player      leaving due to illness/injury will not be allowed to re-enter the game. 

1. DP/FLEX:

Refer to NFHS for details. www.NFHS.org/activities-sports/softball

1. Intentional Walks: 

Intentional Walks given upon request.

1. Legal Slide: 

A slide can be feet first or head first. If the runner slides, he or she must slide within reach of the base with a foot or hand. 

• A runner is not required to slide. They are required to attempt to avoid malicious contact. 
• If a tag play is imminent the runner should slide or seek to avoid contact. Jumping over a player is not considered an act of avoidance and will result in an out.

1. Malicious Contact: 

No player can initiate malicious contact. It is the umpire’s judgement call whether he or she believes the runner attempted to avoid contact. Remember “intent” is the key word. There may be contact and still no intent as the younger players are learning the game. 

1. Official Game Status: 

For a seven (7) inning game, at least 3 and one-half innings should be completed if the home team is winning and 4 complete if the visitor is winning. 

9. Time Limits:

A regulation game consists of 7 innings unless the game is shortened due to time limit, mercy rule, weather or extended due to a tie. 

1. All games with exception to championship games will have a time limit of 1 hour and 15 mins. No new inning shall start at that point. Championship games will play to      completion.

Note: All teams must be prepared to begin play at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time.  Time limits may be adjusted due to weather related delays. 

10. Mercy Rules (all ages):

1. 15 runs after 3 innings
2. 10 runs after 4 innings
3. 8 runs after 5 innings.

• 10u Pool Play Run Limit: 
  • Maximum of 6 runs allowed per inning for pool play, bracket play does not have a run limit. 

11. Field Layout:

               AGE                                PITCHING                      BASES                           INNINGS

                10U                                     35’                                 60’                              7

                12U                                     40’                                 60’                              7

                14U                                     43’                                 60’                              7

                16U+                                   43’                                 60’                              7

12. Tie Breaker Rules:

1. Record
2. Head to Head (2 Teams Only)
3. Runs Allowed 
4. Run Differential (Max 8 per game) 
   1. Example: Score of 16-0 is only 8       differential points
5. Runs Scored 
6. Coin flip

13. Ejections:

When a manger, coach, player, fan is ejected from the game, he or she can take no further part in the game and must leave the park. 

14. Game Balls:

1. 1 New Game Ball per game provided by the tournament
2. 1 gently used back-up ball per game will be provided by the tournament
3. Any ball hit out of play is the responsibility of the offensive team to recover or replace with gently used ball. 

15. Umpires:

Umpires are paid at the plate by each team participating in the game. (Unless otherwise noted in Tournament details)

1. 10u-12u will have (1) umpire for all games at a per team/per game cost of $35. 

• 2 umpires will be used for Championship games at a per team/per game cost of $70 unless stated differently in individual tournament rules.

2. 14u will have 1 Umpire in Pool Play at a      cost of $35 per team/per game

• 2 umpires will be used for Bracket play at a per team/per game cost of $60 unless stated differently in       individual tournament rules. 

3. 16u & Above will have (2) umpires for      all games at a per team/per game cost of $60 unless stated differently in individual tournament rules. 

16. Gate Fees:

All parks will have an on-site Gate Fee of $10 per day for ALL Adults. Children 16 and under, Players, and 3 Coaches are FREE. 

1. Specified tournaments may have a team gate fee (This is listed in tournament details during registration)

17. Awards:

Awards will be provided to the Champion and Finalist for each age group. Standard awards will be rings. Special awards may be provided instead of standard issued rings, but special awards will be listed on the tournament details and/or informational event flyers.

18. Refund Policy:

There are no refunds after the schedule is posted except as outlined below:

1. If rainouts, lighting failures or other      situations beyond our control cause a team to play less than the      guaranteed games, that team will be credited. 
2. For 2-day events:

a. 3 games played- No Refund
b. 2 games played- 25% of entry fee paid
c. 1 game played- 50% of entry paid
d. 0 games played- Full refund of entry paid.

   C. No refunds/credits for forfeits and disqualifications.
   D. Gate fees are non-refundable. 

19. Withdrawal from Event After Schedule is Released: 

If a team fails to show, or withdrawals from a Top Notch Tournaments event after the schedule has been released will be withdrawn from future events. Free tournaments operate on “good faith” as we do not typically require an entry free for our events. If teams fail to report, this could ruin the experience for all teams registered for the event.

20. Protests:

No protest will be allowed for judgment calls. Protests will be allowed for rules only and must be decided before restart of play. A Protest is only “Official” if accompanied with a $100.00 fee and done before the next pitch to the tournament director. This same fee will apply for protests of player age or rosters. Protests must be completed by the manager during the game in question. 

Tournament Policies

Team Rosters: 

All Coaches are required to submit their roster for each Ohio Top Notch Tournaments event. This is to be completed on the teams ‘Tourney Team’ account. Rosters are required to be completed/updated by 12:00pm the Monday prior to the events scheduled date. Removal of teams with incomplete rosters may occur if Ohio Top Notch Tournaments is unable to assist in uploading required information. 

Player Waivers: 

Players waivers are electronically generated from the Managers Rosters. Players are required to be have their waivers completed by 12:00 the Tuesday prior to the events scheduled date. This allows players 24 hours to complete the waivers after the managers roster deadline has expired. Ohio Top Notch Tournament Player is required to be completed by a legal guardian of the player. 

Refund Policy:

There are no refunds after the schedule is posted except as outlined below:

1. If rainouts, lighting failures or other situations beyond our control cause a team to play less than the guaranteed games, that team impacted may be subject to a credit. 
2. For Events: 
   • 3 games played- No refund
   • 2 games played- 25% of entry fee paid
   • 1 game played- 50% of entry paid
   • 0 games played- Full refund of entry paid. 

1. No refunds/credits for forfeits and disqualifications. 
2. Gate fees are non-refundable.

Withdrawal from Event After Schedule is Released: 

If a team fails to show, or withdrawals from a Top Notch Tournaments event after the schedule has been released will be withdrawn from future events. Free tournaments operate on “good faith” as we do not typically require an entry free for our events. If teams fail to report, this could ruin the experience for all teams registered for the event.

Awards:

Awards will be provided to the Champion and Finalist for each age group. Standard awards will be rings. Special awards may be provided instead of standard issued rings, but special awards will be listed on the tournament details and/or informational event flyers. In the event bracket play is incomplete, awards will not be distributed. 

Tie Breaker Rules:

1. Record
2. Head to Head (If only 2 teams)
3. Runs Allowed
4. Run Differential (Max 8 per game)
5. Runs Scored 
6. Coin flip

Coolers - Outside Food & Beverage Policy

Many of the concessions provided at our events are offered by our Host Organizations which are made up of Volunteers from High School Teams, Little League, Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, American Legion and other Community Groups. The following guidelines are noted here at their requests. It is the responsibility of each Team Manager to make all of the Families and Fans with his team aware of this Policy.

    A. No Personal Coolers of any size or design.

    B. No Outside Food or Snacks.

    C. No Outside Beverage including Yeti type containers.

    D. No Alcoholic Beverages (none from outside the venue)

    E. One Dugout Cooler for team use only is allowed at all our venues.

Note: In the event the hosting site does not have concessions or food trucks, email communication will be received prior to the event. 

 Alcohol Policy: 

Alcohol is prohibited in the parking lots and playing fields, including dugouts.  

Umpires:

Umpires are paid at the plate by each team participating in the game. (Unless otherwise noted in Tournament details)

1. 9U-12U will have (1) umpire for all games except championship at a per team/per game cost of $35. Championship game will have (2) umpires at a cost of $60 per team. 
2. 13U will have 1 Umpire in Pool Play at a cost of $35 per team/per game
   • 2 umpires will be used for Bracket play at a per team/per game cost of $60 unless stated differently in individual tournament rules. 

1. 14U & Above will have (2) umpires for