January 24, 2006


TOURNAMENT RULES

Teams must be registered with the Michigan Amateur Softball Association ( MASA ) to be eligible to participate. Teams automatically acquire membership when their registration fee is accepted by the state association or agent and runs through December 31 of the current year.
All MASA sponsored tournament games will be played according to the rules set forth in the Official ASA Guide and Rule Book with the following exceptions:
1. MASA HOME RUN RULE. The MASA Home Run Rule applies to all MASA Adult Male and Coed Slow Pitch Tournament play including qualifiers, districts and state final play. For tournaments involving out of state teams, such as; Area, National Tournaments and National Championships, the ASA Home Run Rule would apply.
 
CLASS

HOME RUN LIMIT

 PENALTY IN EXCESS
A Eight 8 * Out
       
B Four 4 * Out
      Coed Major
       
C Three 3 * Out
       35-Over Division 1, Coed Class A, and Men's Seniors Class AAA
       
D Two 2 * Out
       
E One 1 * Out
      35-Over Division II, and Coed Class B
       
F NONE 0 * Out
     

Coed Class C
       
NOTE:    

Asterisk ( * ) indicates any home run in excess of
the totals shown will result in the batter being ruled out


2. COMPLETE GAMES. If for any reason other than a forfeit, all tournament games suspended before completing 4 1/2 innings, the game will be continued from the point of suspension. County, Pre-District and District tournament games are complete if 5 innings ( 4 1/2 if applicable ) have been played at the time of suspension. 
a.  In all MASA qualifier, State and Regional Finals, a full seven innings must be played, unless a weather emergency is declared by the state commissioner or his designee, ( 6 1/2 if applicable ) unless the run ahead rule is invoked.
b. Exception: In all Junior Olympic pool play, the time limit will be 1 hour and 40 minutes. If the game is still tied after the time limit has expired, the tiebreaker rule shall be in effect at the start of the next inning.
3. JUNIOR OLYMPIC RUN AHEAD RULE. The MASA Run Ahead Rule for all MASA Junior Olympic State Tournament play is as follows:

Fifteen ( 15 ) Runs Ahead After Three Innings.
Twelve ( 12 ) Runs Ahead After Four Innings.
Eight ( 08 ) Runs Ahead After Five Innings.


Complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the run ahead limit while at bat. Whenever a run ahead limit is used and the visiting team reaches the limit within the required number of innings, the home team must have their opportunity to bat in the bottom half of the inning.

 

4. JUNIOR OLYMPIC HELMETS: 

OFFENSE. All adult fast pitch, modified pitch and all Junior Olympic offensive players, including the on-deck batter, and Junior Olympic players acting as coaches in the coach’s box, must properly wear double ear flap NOCSAE-approved batting helmets.  Any other offensive player may wear an approved helmet. All Junior Olympic batting helmets shall be equipped with chin straps. All Junior Olympic Fast Pitch batting helmets shall be equipped with a securely fastened NOCSAE approved, face mask/guard.. Batting helmets that are broken, cracked, dented, or that have been illegally altered are prohibited from use.

EFFECT: Failure to wear the batting helmet when ordered to do so by the umpire shall cause the player to be removed from the game. Wearing the helmet improperly or removing the helmet during a live ball play and judged by the umpire to be a deliberate act shall cause the violator to be declared out immediately. The ball remains live. Calling a runner out for removing a helmet does not remove force play situations. Umpires should use discretion as to the intent of the rule concerning player safety.

NOTE: A NOCSAE-approved mask is only compatible with certain NOCSAE-approved helmets. Failure to ensure proper compatibility may create unsafe conditions and may affect any manufacturer's product liability obligations. Contact the manufacturer or supplier of the helmet and the mask to ensure proper compatibility and approval of your specific mask-helmet combination.

5. DOUBLE ELIMINATION: All qualifiers, State Regionals and State Finals must play double elimination, unless a weather emergency is declared by the state commissioner or his designee.

Exception: Pool Play.  In Women's "Open and Class "C" Slow Pitch, Men's 9-Man Class "A" Modified Pitch, all MASA Junior Olympic Girls’ Fast Pitch Class A and Class B State Tournament Finals, qualifying pool play (providing each team with two games) shall be used to draw teams onto the official association championship bracket.
DEADLINE FOR CHANGING ROSTERS
1. The deadline for all roster changes is the league deadline or July 01, whichever is earlier

Exception: Junior Olympic roster deadline in June 01, of the current year.
2. In the event championship play ( Qualifying Tournaments ) should begin earlier, the roster deadline would be one ( 1 ) day earlier than the beginning of championship play.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. THE ROSTER WILL BE FROZEN for any team that earns a berth for further ASA / MASA tournament play through participation in any qualifying tournament. Only players listed on the roster utilized upon qualifying shall be eligible to participate with that team in all ASA / MASA tournament play for the remainder of the current season. Once a team has qualified, there shall be no roster additions.
2. INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS may sign the roster of one and only one team within a division of play throughout the season in all MASA tournament play.
3. THE MANAGER shall present his teams' proper identification to the Tournament Director.
a. The manager is that person duly registered on the Official Roster filed with the MASA or has so indicated in writing to the State Office.
b. The manager is responsible for the following:
01) The eligibility of all players upon his respective team. He will be held responsible for the appearance of the players and their conduct on and off the field.
02) Upon the request of the tournament committee, the manager shall present any and all members of his respective team for the purpose of identification.
03) All players will be required to present positive identification before participating in any MASA tournament play.
04) Teams entering any portion of state elimination play shall fulfill all team commitments. Failure to do so will subject the manager and the team to possible disciplinary action. In the event of emergencies or Acts of God, exceptions shall be allowed by the State Commissioner or his agent.
c.
Conduct of players. refer to ASA Competition Procedures in the ASA Official Rules of Softball.
4. ONCE THE TOURNAMENT BRACKET HAS BEEN DRAWN, there will be no refunds of the entry fees.
5. GAME TIME is forfeit time.