2023 Tournaments

OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES OF PGF recognize the NFHS Rulebook.
(National Federation of High Schools)

1. All games will be played by NFHS(National Federation of High Schools) rules, with the following exceptions:
   1. Home team will be the official scorekeeper in all tournament games.
   2. Depending on the Event, Game Balls may or may not, need to be provided by the teams.  Event by Event basis.
   3. Pre-game conference and coin flip between manager and umpires will take place 5 minutes prior to the start of the game.
   4. No organized infield practice before the games. Teams may warm up beyond the baselines or in foul territory while infield is being prepared. No live batting practice is allowed on the field or in the complex at any time. Batting nets are allowed.
   5. Time limit for all games will be determined by the Event’s Director prior to its start.  Time Limits will be NO LESS THAN 75 minutes, and not to exceed 90 minutes or 7 innings.  Time begins after the pre-game conference. Time limit could change in case of tournament interruptions. All teams should be prepared to start their game up to 10 minutes early in case we are ahead of schedule. (This will help the tournament keep on time)
   6. Regulation games will be defined by the type of game that it is.  There will be three types of games played in the different formats that PGF Heartland will be using:
      1. Pool play:  Games will be 7 innings or time limit.  All pool games will finish the inning once time expires.  If the game is tied at the end of regulation, it will be declared a tie.
      2. Showcase Games :  Games will be 7 innings or time limit.  Showcase Games will typically have no score kept at the end of regulation time, and will end with Drop Dead finish the batter.
      3. Bracket Play:  Games will be 7 innings or time limit.  Games that are tied at the end of regulation will use the ITB rule until a winner is declared.
   7. Run rules for Pool & Bracket Games: 12 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings.  Showcase Games will not have run rules, as no score will typically be kept.
   8. Only Head Coaches may consult with the umpires. Players, sponsors and other coaches are to keep out of discussions.
   9. No smoking or tobacco use on the field or in the dugouts.
   10. METAL CLEATS are allowed in Age Divisions 14U - 18U
   11. Molded Cleats are required in Ages 10-12
        
2. Batting Lineups.  Showcase Games: OPEN SUBSTITUTION.  ROSTER BATTING ALLOWED.
3. Pool Play Games:  ROSTER BAT or STRAIGHT BOOK.  You must do one or the other.  If you don't bat your roster, you must use the book, which is 9 or 9 w/ DP-Flex and report subs.  If you bat your roster in a Pool Game, you still must submit a Line Up Card establishing that.
4. Bracket Games: STRAIGHT BOOK.  9 or 9 w/ DP-Flex.
5. IN POOL PLAY GAMES & BRACKET GAMES, coaches must submit a Lineup Card to Umpire at pre-game conference.  
6. Injury:
   1. Batter: If a batter cannot fulfill her time at bat due to injury or illness, that player can be substituted for with a player not in the game. If a batter cannot be replaced by a bench player due to injury or illness, her spot will be skipped in the batting order.  Teams will not be required to take an automatic out UNTIL they drop below 9 players.
   2. Runner: If a runner cannot continue her time on the bases, that player will be substituted for by first, a player not in the game, or, with the last batter not on base, if all players were in the game prior to the injury or illness. She will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the game. The line-up will compress when her spot comes to bat.
7. Ejections: A player ejection while roster batting will result in the team losing that player for the entire game.  Her spot in the batting order WILL be an automatic out.

         6.  Courtesy Runners. Teams may run for the pitcher and catcher the entire game.  IF, there    are players on a team not in the game, they must run for the pitcher and or catcher.  IF, all players are in the game and on the lineup card, the last batted out will run for the pitcher or catcher.  If the last available out is a pitcher or catcher, the next available position player in the lineup will be used.

Player Shortages:

1. Teams may begin a game with 8 players. If the additional players arrive after the start of the game, they will be handled in the following manner:
   • Rulebook batting line-up:  Teams may add a 9th player to the line-up. Any additional players will be designated as substitutes.
   • Roster batting line-up: Teams may add any and all players to the END of the line-up. These players must listed on the line-up card submitted prior to the game. If the players are not present for their time at bat, their spot will be skipped until they arrive with no automatic out being charged (unless below 9 players).

Tie Breakers:

The following procedure will be used to determine the seedings after pool play:

 If three or more teams are tied with the same record in a division, head-to-head may or may not be used to break ties.  Once a level of tie-breaker is used, we DO NOT revert back to any steps of the tie-breaking procedure. We will continue on down the list until all ties are broken.

Head-to-Head Games
Runs Allowed
Runs Scored
Coin Flip
 

1. If a team is playing an extra pool game or exhiblition game, the runs allowed and the Win/Loss in that game will not count towards your total. However, the result of the game (win/loss) will be used in head-to-head consideration if a tie in pool play occurs.

CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY

In case of a rain-shortened tournament, pool play games can be deemed official after 2 innings of play (with home team winning) or 45 minutes of elapsed game time. This policy will only be used through pool play. In addition, if games are cancelled due to weather, there may be an adjustment in application of the tie-breaking procedures.

If the Tournament is forced to be cancelled before it begins due too weather, Full refunds will be issued to the participating teams, MINUS a $100 admin fee. 

College Showcase event refunds will be determined on an event by event basis, and will be declared in the Events Announcement.

Regional Qualifier Refunds will be handled in the below listed manner:

•  1 Game played.  65% of entry fee refunded.
• 2 Games played.  50% of entry fee refunded
• 3rd game started.  NO REFUND.

The Tournament Director reserves the right to delay and or change the schedule, and or CHANGE Game Guarantees, Format and Time Limits of any Tournament, in the interest of getting the Event completed.  Every effort will be made to complete the event, before it is declared as canceled.

Pre Event Policy:

- If a team enters an event, and then withdrawls 2 weeks prior to its start date, and schedule has NOT been released, 40% of entry fee will be refunded. Any withdrawls outside of 2 weeks result in a 25% admin fee assessed then refund is sent.

-  If a team withdraws after schedule is released, NO REFUNDND