Text Scores to: 765-860-6929
All Fields at all parks are turf. No Steel Cleets allowed. Turf, Molded, or Tennis Shoes

October 14-15, 2023
Parks:
Grand Park - Westield
Grand Park - Kokomo
Noblesville Field of Dreams

POOL GAMES’ RULES
2023 Basic NFHS rules apply with these additions:
• Open lineup
• Continuous batting optional.
• Free Defensive Substitutions
• Coin Flip for home during pool play
• Courtesy runner for pitcher/catcher
• Pool Games can end in tie
• Run Rule 12, 10, 8 after 3, 4, 5.
• Any coach or player ejection will have to sit the next game.
• Artificial noise makers are not permitted. Failure to comply will result in removal from the park and or forfeiture of the game.
• There are no protests allowed in this tournament.
• Time limit: 75 minutes finish the inning.

Teams are responsible for trash collection of dugouts following their game. PLEASE MAKE SURE DUGOUT IS CLEAN WHEN YOU LEAVE IT. PLEASE HAVE PARENTS AND PLAYERS RETRIEVE FOUL BALLS.

Pitching Rules:
The pitcher may now have both feet off the ground at the same time as long as both feet remain within the 24 inch width of the pitching plate and the pitcher does not replant the pivot foot. NFHS 6-1-2c.

*Pitching signals from the catcher may be given only when the pitcher is in the pitching position on the pitcher’s plate.

These games are NON Protest games. Umpires’ decision on the field is final.

POLICY ON UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR

We are committed to providing every participant with a positive softball experience. The fabric of a sports event is held together by good sportsmanship and mutual respect of everyone involved. We believe that every participant deserves to be treated with respect. We institute this policy recognizing most of our Coaches, Players, Spectators and Umpires behave in a sportsmanlike manner. They model sporting behavior and do this within the boundaries of good judgment. We are also not naive enough to realize that unsportsmanlike behavior has increased and feel the need to address those behaviors within this policy.

We want to communicate our clear expectations for the behavior of our Coaches, Players, Spectators, and Umpires. The guidelines that we are addressing are common sense and reasonable measures for everyone’s behavior.

I. Coaches
A. Coaches are allowed to ask location of pitches and appeal if they feel the batter swung at a pitch. Coaches are not allowed to argue or make unsporting comments on a ball / strike call.
B. Coaches are allowed to ask Umpires to confer with a partner and if the Umpires feel they need more information, they will confer together as a crew. Coaches may calmly ask the Umpire what elements of the play dictated the call that was made. Coaches cannot yell at or berate an Umpire in an unsporting manner if they do not agree with their judgment. Once the Umpire gives their judgment, no further arguing will be allowed.
C. Coaches are allowed to ask for rule interpretations during the game. Coaches are not allowed to verbally address an Umpire in an abusive or profane manner and cannot incite the spectators to poor behavior. They can never make contact with an Umpire.
D. Unsporting behavior at its simplest is defined as any deliberate action that makes an Umpire feel physically threatened, verbally intimidated or emotionally humiliated. Disrespectfully objecting to calls, yelling at, constantly disagreeing with an Umpire or by any action can be deemed unsportsmanlike. Coaches and Managers should always show decorum, respect and observe all game rules whenever questioning an Umpire about a call.
The consequences for violating any of these guidelines will be clearly communicated by the Umpire. If behavior indicates a more severe penalty the consequences can be escalated, resulting in an immediate ejection.

1st Violation - Verbal warning to the Coach
2nd Violation (by any coach) - The Coach in violation will be restricted to the dugout the remainder of the Game.
3rd Violation (by any coach) - The Coach in violation will be ejected from the Game.
“A coach who is ejected shall leave the vicinity (out of sight and out of sound) of the playing area immediately and is prohibited from any further contact (direct or indirect) with the team during the remainder of the game.” NFHS Rule 3.6.20.
“The Umpire should notify the ejected Coach that that failure to comply as noted above will result in a forfeit. If the directive is not obeyed in a timely manner, a one minute forfeit warning shall be issued to the Head Coach. If the warning expires, a forfeit shall be declared in favor of the team not at fault.” NCAA Rule 13.1 Effect.

We hope the consequences serve as a reminder. We realize Coaches become intense and sometimes exhibit poor behavior and this behavior is not representative of their normal behavior. These behaviors are expected as part of the Game, but repeated offenses will result in these consequences:

1st Incident – 1 game suspension for the Coach regardless of coaching history, coaching experience or program involvement. This suspension will be in addition to any suspension due to an ejection from the Game.
2nd Incident (within the same season) – 3 Game suspension.
3rd Incident (within the same season) – TBA

II. Players

Umpires want to be able to proactively address player behavior with a Coach, ensuring we do not need to activate the consequences. In most cases this is enough to change the behavior. However, the same consequences will apply to individual players as do coaching staffs. If a player is ejected – “A player who is restricted or ejected shall remain in the dugout/bench area.” NFHS Rule 3.6.20. An ejected Player will not participate in the next scheduled Game and will abide by NFHS Rule 3.6.20 referenced.

III. Spectators

This is a part of our game that has become an increasing problem and has risen to levels that warrant our intense scrutiny. Because of this, when an Umpire feels the situation escalating, they will ask Coaches to remind their spectators of unsporting or threatening comments, disrespectful cheers, or any abuse toward opposing players and spectators will not be tolerated. The same will apply toward the Umpires.
We realize Coaches have many responsibilities, but know they also have a strong influence on their spectators. If the behavior continues, they will be removed from the venue the remainder of the day or tournament depending on the severity. Coaches will be asked to provide the names of any spectators suspected of these behaviors when requested.

Players and Spectators
1st incident - 2 game suspension
2nd incident – 4 game suspension
3rd incident – TBA

We sadly feel the need to strictly enforce this consequence without exception.

Any incident that involves physical abuse by bodily threat, shoving, bumping, or harming an umpire will result in the notification of law enforcement personnel.


Umpire performance:
NFHS Officials Code of Ethics: Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interaction with athletes, coaches, colleagues and the public. Officials shall remain mindful that their conduct influences the respect that athletes, coaches and the public hold for the profession.