2024 Under the Lights Tournament

Apple Valley Fusion Softball

Rules & Information

General:

1. The tournament is USA Softball sanctioned and USA Softball rules apply unless noted otherwise.

2. Teams must check in one hour prior to the start of their first game. The registration table will be near the main concession stand at each field. Please turn in your rosters if needed at this time.

3. Rosters.  MN Softball Rosters (online) will be accepted if the following are present.
   a.  ALL Players are on current roster
   b.  ALL Player’s jersey numbers are on the roster.
   
   If players are not “Compliant” (uploaded birth certificate), please have the player’s birth certificate present in case of any issues of age arise.  If you have to turn in a paper roster, the roster must be current, and have the player’s jersey numbers.  Player will be deemed ineligible if they are not on the roster or their number is not present on the roster. 

4. All protests will be settled on the field. Umpire decisions are final. No appeals will be allowed to the Tournament Director or Assistant Tournament Director.

5. The Tournament Director and Assistant Tournament Director reserves the right to shorten or cancel games in the event of bad weather or other tournament delay (this is a one-day tournament - see more details below).

6. The Tournament Director and Assistant Tournament Director reserves the right to modify any of these rules and/or conditions as necessary to ensure the success of the tournament and the safety of its participants and spectators.

7. Heckling of the umpires or opposing teams will not be allowed. The coach of the team whose fans violate this rule will be warned once. If the heckling continues, fans will be asked to leave the premises. Fans not complying within two minutes will cause the forfeiture of the game to the opposing team. Coaches, please discuss this with your fans prior to coming to the tournament to avoid any misunderstandings.

8. No outside food is allowed within the perimeter of the fields. Concessions will be available. This is an Apple Valley Fusion Softball fundraiser and we appreciate your cooperation.

9. Smoking is allowed in parking lots only.

10. Typically pets are allowed at tournaments provided they are not disruptive and owners pick up after them. However, there is a posted sign that pets are restricted from the field areas at Lac Lavon (no pets are allowed near the fields). Please plan accordingly so pets are not left in hot cars

11. For any security concerns, please go to the concession stand and ask to speak with a member of the tournament committee.

12. Tournament information will be posted on the Under the Lights Tournament page, avfusion.org/underthelights as well as on MNSoftball.
        (QR Code for site will be attached in welcome email and posted at various locations of the Tournament near the fields and concessions)

Pool Play & Bracket Play:

1. All games except the championship games will have one umpire.

2. All games will be played on Saturday. This is a one-day tournament. We need to make sure there are not significant delays as there is only a minimal amount of time between games to try and offer as many games to teams as possible.

3. Please be prepared to start at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. In the event of weather or other potential delays, games may start early if the fields become available early.

4. Lac Lavon. If the time clock on the scoreboards are used, they are NOT Official clocks. The official start time is set by the umpire. Official start time should be recorded by each team.

5. A team not ready to play within 20 minutes of the scheduled start time of their game will forfeit that game. The exception being a team that is finishing up a previous game.

6. In the event of a forfeit:

a.  During Pool Play, the winning team will be awarded a score of 7-0.

b.  During Bracket Play, winning team will advance to next round.

7. Home Team will be determined by a coin flip (or ball roll, umpire’s choice) in Pool Play (all levels).

8. Home Team will be the better seed throughout bracket play.

9. The following run rules will apply:
   a.   15 after 3 / 12 after 4 / 8 after 5.
   b.   12U teams may score a maximum of 5 runs per half inning for Pool Play and Silver Division Bracket Play.
         12U Gold Division will not have a run limit in Bracket Play.
   c.   HS & 14U may score a maximum of 7 runs per half inning for Pool Play ONLY. No run limit in Bracket Play

10. All Pool play and Bracket play games are 65 minutes, or 7 innings, or run-rule end, whichever comes first. No new inning may start after 65 minutes; innings in progress at the 65 minute mark will be completed as best possible.

11. There will be a hard stop at 75 minutes for Pool Play ONLY. Score will revert to pervious full inning.

12. Pool play games may end in a tie.

13. International tie-breaker rules will be used to determine a winner in bracket play if a game is tied after time has expired or the inning limit is reached: The last batter from the previous each half inning starts the tie-breaker half inning on second base.

14. In the event two or more teams are tied as a result of pool play, the following tie breakers (in order) will be used to seed teams into the Brackets:
    a.  Record
    b.  Head to Head (used if all tied teams have played each other)
    c.  Runs Allowed (Average is used if Teams have not played equal number of games)
    d.  Runs Scored (Average is used if Teams have not played equal number of games)
    e.  Random (Computer Coin Flip)
    Once a tie-breaker is used, previous tie-breakers do not count.

15. Bracket play will be single elimination.

16. Lineups (following MN Softball Fall League rules)

a. 12U - Your lineup shall consist of all rostered players in attendance. If you reduce a player there is no penalty until you reduce below nine (9) batters. If you reduce to eight (8), the spot is an out. If you reduce your lineup to seven (7), the game is over.

b. HS & 14U - Your team has the option to bat as many players as you want or go 9/DP/Flex. If you reduce a player there is no penalty until you reduce below nine (9) batters. If you reduce to eight (8), the spot is an out. If you reduce your lineup to seven (7), the game is over. You must declare how many players you are using before the game to the umpire and the opposing coach.

17. Please note – field lights will shut off promptly at 10:30 PM. Games will be called at this time if in progress and a winner will be determined. In the event of a tie at this time, umpires and tournament director will determine how a winner is decided. (likely a coin toss or ball roll).

18. There are no restrictions on the number of innings a pitcher can pitch.

19. For safety purposes, on-deck batters must warm up behind the batter, regardless of their team’s dugout.

20. Courtesy runners may be used for pitchers and catchers of record (last pitcher or catcher to play in the field, not a new pitcher or catcher slated to play the field in the next inning). Courtesy runners will be allowed for players injured within the game. A courtesy runner will not be allowed for a player with an injury sustained prior to start of each game.

Thank You

Apple Valley Fusion Softball