SFS Tournament Rules - 2025

ROSTERS

• All rosters must be submitted by March 16, 2025, via www.bridgeplay.org.

• All submitted rosters require approval by the SFS Review Committee.

• No player may play on two teams in the same tournament.

• Rosters may include up to 15 players.

• Each player must have previously registered on www.bridgeplay.org and must check in with identification at the Standings Table on the day of the tournament.

​

TOURNAMENT FEES

• A non-refundable deposit of $200 (in the event your team drops out) must be submitted to Bridge Play Foundation Inc. by February 28, 2025.

• The full tournament fee of $400 is due by March 28, 2025 — NO EXCEPTIONS!

​

UMPIRE FEES

• A fee of $25 per game, per team is required before the start of each game.

• Each team must hand their umpire fee directly to the umpire before the game begins.

​

RAIN DATE / REFUNDS

• In the event of inclement weather resulting in tournament cancellation, Bridge Play Foundation Inc. will refund all teams, including deposits.

• The tournament (SFS) will be rescheduled for a later date.

​

RULES OF PLAY

• All participants must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

• The umpire is the official scorekeeper for each game.

• If a team questions the score, the issue must be raised before the first pitch of the next inning.

  • No score disputes will be addressed after the first pitch of an inning — the score will stand as recorded.

​

EQUIPMENT

• Footwear: Sneakers, turf shoes, or molded rubber cleats are required.

  • NO METAL SPIKES allowed.

• Uniform Requirements:

  • Hats or beanies (hats must be worn forward).

  • Matching jerseys or shirts.

  • Matching team shorts or baseball/softball pants.

• Bat Regulations:

  • Only 100% wood bats are allowed.

  • NO Corndogs or composite-enhanced bats.

• Balls and bases will be provided by tournament officials (SFS).

​

GAME OFFICIALS

• Games will be officiated by one umpire.

• The Championship Game will have two (2) umpires.

• The head umpire governs all gameplay and issues all final rulings.

• Umpires have complete and final authority on the field and may remove anyone — including a manager, coach, player, or anyone in the dugout — who acts in an unprofessional or unsportsmanlike manner toward another coach, player, umpire, or tournament personnel.

• It is each team’s responsibility to ensure that all players understand and follow the rules.

• Be ready to play 10 minutes before your scheduled game time.

​

Tournament Officials

• The following are considered Tournament Officials:

  • Tournament Commissioner

  • Staff and Volunteers, including scorekeepers and bracket leaders

• The game announcer is part of the official event staff and must be treated with respect at all times.

  • Their role is to add entertainment and energy to the tournament experience.

  • The announcer is not an official scorekeeper unless explicitly noted by tournament officials on the day of the event.

​

SCOREKEEPER

• Scorekeepers are the official scorekeepers for the umpires and tournament officials, not for team managers or coaches.

• Scorekeepers must remain neutral at all times and may not provide reminders, advice, or strategic information to any team.

• Managers are responsible for keeping their own scorebooks and records throughout the game.

• Scorekeepers will be used only in the event of an official protest. Their book is final for ruling purposes.

• Managers may verify general game information (such as inning, score, or number of outs) with the scorekeeper, but may not rely on them for confirming or correcting:

  • Courtesy Runners

  • Substitutions

  • Batting order or eligibility issues

• For these matters, the manager must present their own scorebook to the umpire if clarification is needed.

• Scorekeepers will not participate in resolving disputes unless an official protest is declared and reviewed by the umpire or tournament director.

• Attempts to argue with, pressure, or influence the scorekeeper may result in disciplinary action or ejection.

​

MANAGER BOOKS

• Managers are responsible for maintaining their own scorebooks and for notifying the umpire of any rule violations or lineup errors made by the opposing team.

• If an ineligible Courtesy Runner, incorrect batting order, or similar violation occurs, it will only result in an automatic out if the opposing manager brings it to the umpire’s attention at the time of the infraction.

​

GAME BALLS

• Game balls will be provided by tournament officials.

• Teams are not required to supply their own balls for official games.

• The official game balls used will be white Clinchers.

​

PITCHING

• Pitching in the SFS Tournament shall follow ASA official slow pitch softball rules.

• The pitch must be underhand and may be either flat or have a hump.

• The pitcher’s arm may not go over the shoulder.

• The pitcher must start with one or both feet in contact with the pitching rubber.

• The following are considered illegal pitching styles in SFS and will result in an automatic illegal pitch:

  • Modified, Windmill, Shotgun, Sidearm, Fast pitching

​

BATTING

• Batters start with a 1-1 count (one ball, one strike).

• Two foul balls after the second strike will result in an out.

• A team must have a minimum of 9 players to start a game.

• Any team may use a Designated Hitter (DH) and up to two (2) Extra Hitters (EH) in the lineup at the same time.

• Teams may have a maximum of 10 players on the field, 12 in the lineup, and 12 involved in the game at one time.

  • If a team starts the game with 9 players, they may only add position players — not a DH or EH.

  • The 10th player must be added by the completion of the first inning; otherwise, the team must continue the game with 9 players.

• Once a team begins a game, they must finish with the same lineup of players in the same batting order, though defensive positions may change. (ASA Rule 4)

• Names on the lineup card must match the official roster to be eligible.

• All batters must have at least one foot inside the batter’s box.

• No bunting or intentional chopping at the ball — results in an automatic out.

• No running up to hit the ball (i.e., charging forward or stepping toward the pitcher while swinging).

  • Batters must remain in the batter’s box during their swing.

  • Stepping or running out of the box to strike the ball results in an automatic out.

​​​

LINE-UPS

• Lineups must include only the players who will start the game, including the pitcher.

  • Example: If a manager fails to list the pitcher in the lineup — even if a Designated Hitter is included — and the opposing manager notifies the umpire, then the pitcher will be removed from the game, and the Designated Hitter and that corresponding lineup spot will be declared an automatic out for the entire game.

  • This rule applies to any position omitted from the lineup.

• Substitutes do not need to be listed in the starting lineup; however, all substitutes must appear on the official roster.

​

DESIGNATED HITTER (DH)

• The Designated Hitter (DH) is optional and must be declared before the game begins.

• The umpire must be informed if a team chooses to use a DH.

• The DH may be used for any player who is playing in the field but will not be hitting in the lineup.

• The DH can only substitute for a player who is batting, regardless of their fielding position.

• Once the field player being hit for by the DH is removed from the game, the team loses the DH for the remainder of the game.

• The DH may only enter the game as a fielder if the player he is hitting for is completely removed from the game.

​

EXTRA HITTER (EH)

• The Extra Hitter (EH) is optional, and teams may use up to two EHs per game.

• The EH may bat in the lineup without playing a defensive position.

• Each EH may swap with a position player once per game.

  • After the swap:

    • The EH becomes a fielder.

    • The position player becomes the EH.

• Only one swap is allowed per EH during the game.

• Defensive positions may change freely, but the batting order must remain the same.

• The umpire must be informed before the game begins if EHs will be used.

​​

RE-ENTRY RULE

• Only starting players may be substituted and re-entered once during the game.

• A re-entered player must return to the same spot in the batting order, but not necessarily the same defensive position.

• A re-entered player must complete at least three defensive outs before being substituted again. (SFS Rule, ASA Rule 4)

• A re-entry may occur at any time during the game.

  • Example: If a player starts the game and is subbed out in the 1st inning, they may re-enter in the 6th. That counts as their one re-entry.

​

INJURED PLAYER

• If a player is injured and, in the umpire’s judgment, requires immediate attention, the umpire will call "Dead Ball" and allow for or seek first aid.

• The umpire may also award bases the player would have reasonably reached had the play continued. (ASA Rule 4, Section 11)

​

SUBSTITUTES

• A substitute may replace a player whose name is in the batting order.

• The coach must notify the plate umpire when a substitute enters the game.

• The plate umpire will then inform the opposing team’s coach.

• If a substitute enters the game without notifying the umpire, and a pitch (legal or illegal) has been thrown or a play has occurred, the player will be disqualified upon discovery. (SFS Rule, ASA Rule 4)

​

COURTESY RUNNERS

• A team may use up to two Courtesy Runners per game, and they must be used for the same two batters throughout the game. (ASA Rule 6)

Usage Options:

• Option 1: Two Courtesy Runners for the entire game.

• Option 2: One Courtesy Runner plus one optional (may be used later in the game).

General Guidelines:

• The last recorded out (not a force out) is typically used as the Courtesy Runner to keep it simple, especially in tournament play.

• If a player is substituted out, they lose their Courtesy Runner eligibility.

• In the event of an injury, an additional Courtesy Runner may be used, but the umpire and opposing manager must be informed.

• If no players are available on the bench, a coach or manager may serve as an emergency Courtesy Runner.

  • In such cases, the opposing team may choose who runs — typically selecting the slowest available player — to prevent abuse (e.g., faking injuries for speed advantages).

• If an ineligible Courtesy Runner, incorrect batting order, or similar violation occurs, it will only result in an automatic out if the opposing manager brings it to the umpire’s attention at the time of the infraction.

• Scorekeepers must remain neutral and not remind managers of the last recorded out.

​

BASE RUNNING & LEADS OFF FIRST BASE

• Base runners cannot leave any base until after the pitch is released by the pitcher.

• Stealing bases is NOT allowed.

​

DOUBLE BASE (Extra Base at 1st Base)

• A double base is used at 1st base for safety reasons, as per ASA rules.

• The base runner or fielder may use either side of the base (fair or foul side).

• The two bases at 1st base are considered one base under ASA rules.

• If a runner passes 1st base and makes a turn toward 2nd base, they must return to 1st base and touch either side of the double base.

​

TAGGING UP RULES

• In games with only one umpire, only the lead runner (i.e., the furthest advancing runner) is allowed to tag up on a caught fly ball.

  • All other base runners must remain on their base until the ball is no longer in play.

• In Championship Games with two umpires, runners may tag up from all bases on a caught fly ball, provided they properly retouch their base after the catch.

• Any violation of this rule (e.g., tagging from a non-lead base in a one-umpire game) will result in the runner being called out upon appeal or at the umpire’s discretion.

​

FIELDING

Pickoff Attempts

• Catchers may attempt to pick off a runner.

• The ball only needs to beat the runner to the base—a tag is not required.

• If a catcher makes a bad throw, the runner may only advance after returning to the base first.

• All runners must return to their base before attempting to advance to another base.

Overthrows

• From the outfield: Runners are awarded two (2) bases on an overthrow that goes out of play.

• From the infield: Runners are awarded one (1) base on an overthrow that goes out of play.

Obstruction

• Any fielder (defensive player) who is not in possession of the ball, or not actively fielding or receiving the ball, will be called for obstruction, and the runner will be awarded the base.

No Phantom (Fake) Tags Allowed

• Refer to ASA rules.

• If a player fakes a tag (phantom tag) and it prevents a runner from advancing or returning:

  • The umpire may award the runner a base.

  • The player may receive a warning.

  • Repeated offenses may result in ejection, especially if injury occurs.

Blocking the Plate

• Catchers may not block the plate without the ball.

• The runner must have access to the plate.

• Accidental collisions may occur — it will be at the umpire’s discretion to determine whether a collision was accidental or intentional.

Interference

• Interference occurs when an offensive player impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to make a play.

Examples of runner interference:

A runner is hit by a fair ball.

A runner bumps into a fielder who is watching the ball.

A runner fails to slide or avoid a tag when the catcher has the ball.

A runner barrels into or leans into the catcher to force a dropped ball.

Runners must slide, give themselves up, or avoid contact when a catcher has the ball.

​

CRASHING THE FIELDER

• Any player who intentionally collides with a fielder on a tag play or at home plate will be ejected from the game.

• All players must slide or give themselves up on any close play. (ASA Interference Rule)

• Failure to do so will result in the player being called out.

​

MERCY RULE

• If a team is leading by 10 runs at the completion of the 3rd inning (meaning both teams have had a chance to bat for three full innings), the game will end and the leading team will be declared the winner.

• This rule also applies to the Championship Game; however, there will be no time limit for the Championship Game.

​

INFIELD FLY RULE

• An infield fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when:

  • There are runners on first and second, OR

  • Bases are loaded, AND

  • There are fewer than two outs.

• Any defensive player positioned in the infield at the start of the pitch is considered an infielder for this rule.

• The infield fly is ruled when the ball reaches its highest point relative to the closest fielder.

• The umpire shall immediately call “Infield Fly”:

  • The batter is out.

  • The ball remains live.

  • Runners may advance at their own risk once the ball is touched by the fielder but must tag up before leaving their base.

 

EXTRA INNINGS

• If a game goes into extra innings, both teams will start with a runner on 2nd base.

• The runner must be the last batted out from the previous inning.

​

DUGOUT RULES

• All players must remain inside the dugout when not on the field or in the on-deck circle.

• If a player is outside the dugout, the batter will start with:

  • Two strikes if the violating team is at bat.

  • Two balls if the opposing team is at bat.

• Only the on-deck batter and base coaches are allowed outside the dugout.

• If a ball touches a player outside the dugout, the play will be called dead at the umpire’s discretion.

​

FORFEIT

• Each team has up to 10 minutes after the scheduled game time to field a team.

• Any team unable to field the minimum number of players within that time will forfeit the game and be given a loss.

• Using illegal players will also result in a forfeit. (Refer to the Ejections section as well.)

​

BEHAVIOR AND DISPUTES

• Only team managers may argue calls or plays with the umpire.

• No other players or coaches are allowed to dispute calls.

• Disrespect toward umpires will not be tolerated at any time and may result in ejection or suspension.

​

LIABILITY

• The league is not responsible for any loss of personal belongings.

• Players participate at their own risk.

• No refunds will be issued to any team that chooses to leave the tournament for any reason.

​

NO SMOKING OR DRINKING POLICY

• Smoking and drinking are strictly prohibited during tournament games and on the premises.

• If a player is caught smoking or drinking in the dugout:

  • Their team’s batter will start with two strikes.

  • If the opposing team is in violation, their batter will start with two balls.

• Excessive or repeated violations may result in suspension or removal from the league.

• No hookahs allowed on the premises.

​

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR WEAPONS

• There is zero tolerance for any weapons, including possession, brandishing, or threatening use.

• Tournament officials will fully cooperate with the NYPD.

• Any player or manager found in violation will be permanently removed and banned from all Bridge Play Foundation Inc. tournaments, leagues, and events, indefinitely.

​

EJECTIONS

• If a player is ejected from a game:

  • The umpire and opposing team must be informed of the next batter in the lineup.

  • A substitute may replace the ejected player in the lineup.

• If an ejected player refuses to leave the field or does not cooperate with tournament personnel:

  • They will be suspended from the tournament.

  • They may be banned from future SFS tournaments (NO exceptions).

  • Their team will forfeit the game.

 

TEAM RESPONSIBILITY

• The team manager is responsible for the behavior of all individuals in their dugout, including:

  • Coaches

  • Players

  • Spectators affiliated with the team

• Managers must ensure their team understands and follows all tournament rules and code of conduct expectations.

​

GAME LENGTH

• All games will be played to 5 innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first. (updated on 4/1) 

• The Championship Game will be played to 6 innings with no time limit.

Additional Game Length Guidelines: (updated on 4/1)

• If there are only five minutes remaining before the time limit, a new inning should not start.

• If an inning has already started and the visiting team takes the lead, the home team must be allowed to complete their turn at bat.

• The home team always gets the last opportunity to bat, even if the time limit has expired.

​

GENERAL RULES

For any rules not specifically listed in this document, the tournament will follow ASA (USA Softball) rules.
​

GROUND RULES: (updated on 4/3)

• Umpires will discuss ground rules during the managers’ meeting before each game.

• One of the most frequently asked about ground rules is the short right field fence on both fields at the new field location SFS Tournament was moved to: P.O. Serrano Park on Lafayette Ave & Castlehill Ave .

  • The umpires have determined that any ball hit over this fence will result in an automatic OUT.

• There will be further discussion regarding specific points around the gate and other unique field conditions.

• Ground rules are subject to adjustment as needed to ensure fairness and consistency throughout the tournament.

​

BRACKET SETUP

• Eight teams will compete in the tournament, divided into two brackets:

  • Bracket West (4 teams)

  • Bracket East (4 teams)

• Only the top two teams from each bracket will advance to the semi-finals.

• Teams will compete within their respective brackets, and the two teams with the best records in each bracket will move on.

• Elimination: Teams that do not finish in the top two of their bracket will not advance to the semi-finals.

​

SEEDING

• The eight teams will be randomly assigned into two divisions:

  • West Division (4 teams)

  • East Division (4 teams)

• Assignments will be announced a few days before tournament day.

• Each team is guaranteed to play three (3) games during the seeding round.

• Only the top two teams from each division will advance to the semi-finals.

• Elimination: After three seeding games, any team not in the top two of their division will not move on.

​

SEMI-FINAL MATCHUPS

• West Division:

  • Best Record from the West vs. 2nd Best Record from the East

• East Division:

  • Best Record from the East vs. 2nd Best Record from the West

• Both winners advance to the Championship Game.

​

RUN DIFFERENTIAL (SEEDING TIEBREAKER)

• If teams have identical records, seeding will be determined by:

  1. Lowest total run differential (favoring fewer runs allowed).

  2. If still tied, higher earned run differential will determine the higher seed.

​

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

• The Championship Game will be officiated by two (2) umpires.

• It will be 6 innings with no time limit.

​

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SUSPENSION & OFFICIAL GAME DETERMINATION

• If the Championship Game is suspended due to uncontrollable circumstances (e.g., weather, park light failure, etc.), the following applies:

Official Game Status

• The game will be considered official if a minimum of four (4) complete innings have been played, or three and a half (3½) innings if the home team is leading.

Determination of Winner

• If the game is official, the team leading at the last completed inning will be declared the winner.

• If the game is tied at the time of suspension and is official, it will be recorded as a tie.

Suspended Game Protocol

• If the game is not official, it will be treated as a suspended game.

  • Officials will determine if the game can be resumed at a later date, OR

  • If resumption is not feasible, the game may be declared as having no winner.

Seeding Consideration

• If the game is not official and cannot be resumed, the team with the higher seed entering the Championship Game may be declared the winner at the Tournament Commissioner’s discretion, depending on tournament bylaws.

​

POT & TROPHY

• The winning team will receive:

  • A check from Bridge Play Foundation Inc., payable to the manager of the winning team

  • Trophies & medals will be presented immediately after the final game

​

The Spring Fever Showdown One Day Classic under the Bridge Play Foundation Inc. has its own tournament-specific rules while also following ASA rules. These guidelines ensure fair play, consistency, and a structured game environment. All teams and players are expected to adhere to both the tournament-specific rules and ASA regulations, with any disputes being resolved accordingly.

​

MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A printed version of this document will be provided to all managers on the day of the tournament to sign.

​

By signing below, I acknowledge that I and my players have read, understand, and agree to abide by all rules and regulations outlined in the Bridge Play Foundation Inc. 2nd Annual Spring Fever Showdown Tournament Rulebook.

 

I understand that failure to comply with these rules may result in penalties, including player ejection, team forfeiture, or disqualification from the tournament.

 

This signature serves as a commitment to uphold the integrity, sportsmanship, and spirit of the tournament.

PRINT NAME (Manager): __________________________________________

 

SIGNATURE: __________________________________________

 

TEAM NAME: __________________________________________

 

DATE: __________________________________________​​​​​​​​​​