Triple Crown Sports Rules
Triple Crown is not a sanctioning body but will follow the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball rules with a few modifications that are listed below.
RULES THAT APPLY TO ALL TEAMS/DIVISIONS
PITCHING MODIFICATION:
While the pitcher takes the signal, her stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher’s plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she CANNOT move it to increase the distance behind the pitcher’s plate. In addition, the pitcher must take or appear to take a signal while in the pitching and signal-taking positions.
ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION:
All defensive players may have digital one-way communication from the dugout using wristbands showing pitch, shift etc, the use of a smart watch is illegal and subject to the penalty listed below. Audio one way communication can go from the dugout to the catcher ONLY. The communication device cannot be used for two-way communication and will carry the same penalty.
PENALTY: The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender(s) of that team will be ejected along with the head coach.
ALL COMMUNICATION IS FOR DEFENSE ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED ON OFFENSE.
INTENTIONAL WALKS:
All pitches including a pitch-out must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
Any player who has played on a college roster (JUCO, NAIA, NCAA) or who has completed college coursework after high school, is NOT eligible to play in this event. High school seniors who are taking summer coursework before their college freshman year, can still play in TCS events.
Game balls will be provided by Triple Crown Sports.
Every team must have a roster on the TCS website signed digitally by ALL parents/guardians.
Any coach or player ejected from a game will sit out a minimum of the following game and UP TO one year at Triple Crown Sports discretion. The Triple Crown Sportsmanship Committee will be the final arbiter on all ejections and suspensions.
No alcohol or tobacco products allowed on field or in dugout.
SHOWCASE SPECIFIC RULES
DURING THESE SHOWCASE EVENTS ONLY… (Zoom Into June, All ‘City of Lights’ Events, Xtreme Summer Showcase, Xtreme Fall Showcase, Ronald McDonald, and Don Battles On) - Players may play on multiple rosters with the following requirements:
ROAD TO THE ROCKIES 14U SPECIFIC RULES
14u ONLY – Teams can win a PAID entry into Power Pools for the 2024 Colorado 4th July in Colorado for winner of 14u Road to the Rockies Division. The paid entry is nontransferable to another team or age division. The entry is also nontransferable to another event and no "refund" of any kind if the entry is not used for the team that wins the 14u Road to the Rockies Division.
COURTESY RUNNER:
We will be using the written NFHS courtesy runner rule, which states the courtesy runner must be an eligible sub that has not been in the game at any capacity.
LINEUP MODIFICATIONS:
Any option listed below may be used:
Option 1: Straight nine- Those nine can play any position on defense without reporting to the umpire.
Option 2: DP/Flex- 10 players are listed on the line-up, but only 9 bat. The DP can bat for any player that you designate prior to the start of the game. That player is designated as the Flex and should be listed in the 10th spot on the line-up card. Any of the 10 players can play on defense.
Option 3: EH/EP- This gives you the option to bat 10 players and any 9 can play defense. This player can be placed anywhere in the line-up.
Option 4: DP/Flex and the EP/EH- This allows you to have 11 players listed on the lineup, only 10 will bat any 9 of these players can play defensively. The Flex is listed at the bottom of the lineup.
Click here for a sample of lineups you can use during a game, if applicable.
PLAYERS MAY ONLY PLAY ON ONE ROSTER DURING THE EVENT
PROTESTS:
All protests must be accompanied by a $100 fee.
Roster Protests:
All roster protests must be made at the plate by the opposing team’s manager only and presented before the final out has been recorded. Triple Crown will provide due diligence regarding the player’s eligibility and return the fee in the event of a successful protest.
Rules Protests:
Only rules (does not include judgement calls) can be protested. A rule protest must be made PRIOR to the next pitch.
Triple Crown Pool Play Rules:
Two-Way tie (Same Pool):
1. Win/Loss Record
2. Head to Head
3. Total Run Differential
4. Least Runs Allowed
5. Most Runs Scored
6. Last Actual Run Differential (LAD)
7. Coin Flip
Three-Way tie (Same Pool):
1. Total Run Differential
2. Least Runs Allowed
3. Most Runs Scored
4. Last Actual Run Differential (LAD)
5. Coin Flip
IMPORTANT:
1. Maximum Run Spread per game is 7, regardless of score
2. Forfeits will be scored 7-0
Scorecards:
Umpires will be responsible for the scorecards of each game. Coaches must sign the scorecard at the end of each game to ensure the score is correct before the umpire turns the scorecard into the designated TC site director. If the scorecard is turned in with or without a signature and the score is incorrect, the score will be inputted as is.
RULES THAT APPLY TO ALL TEAMS/DIVISIONS
PITCHING MODIFICATION:
While the pitcher takes the signal, her stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher’s plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she CANNOT move it to increase the distance behind the pitcher’s plate. In addition, the pitcher must take or appear to take a signal while in the pitching and signal-taking positions.
ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION:
All defensive players may have digital one-way communication from the dugout using wristbands showing pitch, shift etc, the use of a smart watch is illegal and subject to the penalty listed below. Audio one way communication can go from the dugout to the catcher ONLY. The communication device cannot be used for two-way communication and will carry the same penalty.
PENALTY: The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender(s) of that team will be ejected along with the head coach.
ALL COMMUNICATION IS FOR DEFENSE ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED ON OFFENSE.
INTENTIONAL WALKS:
All pitches including a pitch-out must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
Any player who has played on a college roster (JUCO, NAIA, NCAA) or who has completed college coursework after high school, is NOT eligible to play in this event. High school seniors who are taking summer coursework before their college freshman year, can still play in TCS events.
Game balls will be provided by Triple Crown Sports.
Every team must have a roster on the TCS website signed digitally by ALL parents/guardians.
Any coach or player ejected from a game will sit out a minimum of the following game and UP TO one year at Triple Crown Sports discretion. The Triple Crown Sportsmanship Committee will be the final arbiter on all ejections and suspensions.
No alcohol or tobacco products allowed on field or in dugout.
SHOWCASE SPECIFIC RULES
- Game Time - 1 hour 35 minutes drop dead, complete the current at bat. Score reverts back to last completed inning. If home team is winning at the end of time limit, then the score at that time is final.
- Run Rule - 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings. IF BOTH teams choose to keep playing due to college coaches watching, you are able to. The run rule score is final no matter what happens in the remaining play.
- Protests - NONE. Decision of field umpire crew is final.
- Home team will supply the official scorekeeper.
- Home team will be decided by coin flip.
- Team listed first occupies the first base dugout unless already occupied from the prior game.
- Games may end in a tie.
- Free substitution on defense (please keep the integrity of your batting order). Teams may bat their entire roster if desired.
- Courtesy runners- anyone on the roster can run for any player.
- Lineup cards do NOT need to be turned in to umpires or other teams.
DURING THESE SHOWCASE EVENTS ONLY… (Zoom Into June, All ‘City of Lights’ Events, Xtreme Summer Showcase, Xtreme Fall Showcase, Ronald McDonald, and Don Battles On) - Players may play on multiple rosters with the following requirements:
- Coaches of all teams involved must approve a player to play for another team
- Players must be added to the roster with a parent/guardian digital signature under THEIR LEGAL NAME
- If these requirements are not met, suspension of a coach or team may occur.
ROAD TO THE ROCKIES 14U SPECIFIC RULES
14u ONLY – Teams can win a PAID entry into Power Pools for the 2024 Colorado 4th July in Colorado for winner of 14u Road to the Rockies Division. The paid entry is nontransferable to another team or age division. The entry is also nontransferable to another event and no "refund" of any kind if the entry is not used for the team that wins the 14u Road to the Rockies Division.
COURTESY RUNNER:
We will be using the written NFHS courtesy runner rule, which states the courtesy runner must be an eligible sub that has not been in the game at any capacity.
LINEUP MODIFICATIONS:
Any option listed below may be used:
Option 1: Straight nine- Those nine can play any position on defense without reporting to the umpire.
Option 2: DP/Flex- 10 players are listed on the line-up, but only 9 bat. The DP can bat for any player that you designate prior to the start of the game. That player is designated as the Flex and should be listed in the 10th spot on the line-up card. Any of the 10 players can play on defense.
Option 3: EH/EP- This gives you the option to bat 10 players and any 9 can play defense. This player can be placed anywhere in the line-up.
Option 4: DP/Flex and the EP/EH- This allows you to have 11 players listed on the lineup, only 10 will bat any 9 of these players can play defensively. The Flex is listed at the bottom of the lineup.
Click here for a sample of lineups you can use during a game, if applicable.
- Run Rule - 10 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings, 6 runs after 5 innings.
- 1 hour 30 minutes, no new inning.
- Home team will supply the official scorekeeper.
- Home team will be decided by coin flip.
- Pool play games may end in a tie.
- Bracket games must have a winner. ITB will be used in all innings beginning after the time limit has expired.
- Lineup cards are required to be turned in to umpires and other teams.
PLAYERS MAY ONLY PLAY ON ONE ROSTER DURING THE EVENT
- Ineligible players will be removed at the time of discovery and suspended for the remainder of the tournament.
- The head coach will be removed from the game, suspended a minimum of one additional game and UP TO one year at the discretion of Triple Crown Sports.
PROTESTS:
All protests must be accompanied by a $100 fee.
Roster Protests:
All roster protests must be made at the plate by the opposing team’s manager only and presented before the final out has been recorded. Triple Crown will provide due diligence regarding the player’s eligibility and return the fee in the event of a successful protest.
Rules Protests:
Only rules (does not include judgement calls) can be protested. A rule protest must be made PRIOR to the next pitch.
Triple Crown Pool Play Rules:
Two-Way tie (Same Pool):
1. Win/Loss Record
2. Head to Head
3. Total Run Differential
4. Least Runs Allowed
5. Most Runs Scored
6. Last Actual Run Differential (LAD)
7. Coin Flip
Three-Way tie (Same Pool):
1. Total Run Differential
2. Least Runs Allowed
3. Most Runs Scored
4. Last Actual Run Differential (LAD)
5. Coin Flip
IMPORTANT:
1. Maximum Run Spread per game is 7, regardless of score
2. Forfeits will be scored 7-0
Scorecards:
Umpires will be responsible for the scorecards of each game. Coaches must sign the scorecard at the end of each game to ensure the score is correct before the umpire turns the scorecard into the designated TC site director. If the scorecard is turned in with or without a signature and the score is incorrect, the score will be inputted as is.
