Tournament Rules
Atlantic Coast Softball Tournaments follow USA Rules for all Tournaments unless otherwise specified below.
AC Softball follows USA Softball Rules for all Tournaments unless otherwise specified below.
Entry Refunds
Outside 90 days of the start date of an event: If a team registers, pays, and then drops out prior to the 90 days, they can either transfer their entry, or receive a refund less a $150 administrative fee. Please Note: If you withdraw from an Age Division that is FULL you will not receive a refund until/if your spot is replaced by another team! ($150 Admin Fee still applies). Only applies outside of 90 days.
Within 90 days of the start date of an event: There will be no entry refunds for withdrawal from a tournament within 90 days of the start of that particular event.
Event Cancellation Team Coverage
We now offer Event Cancellation Team Coverage for teams that would like additional protection when registering for an event.
Teams that purchase Event Cancellation Team Coverage will receive a refund through ViCoverage if an event is cancelled due to unsafe playing conditions caused by weather. Refunds are issued based on the number of games played compared to the number of games guaranteed.
This coverage policy supersedes the standard event refund policy listed below.
If a tournament cannot be completed, credits will be determined by the number of games played (see below):
4-5 GG
- 0 games: entry fee minus admin fee refund or 100% credit to a future event
- 1 game: 50% credit to a future event
- 2 games: no refund or credit
6-7 GG
- 0 games: entry fee minus admin fee refund or 100% credit to a future event
- 1-2 games: 50% credit to a future event
- 3 games: no refund or credit
AC Sports All-Star Week Refund Policy
Thank you for registering for the AC Sports All-Star Week event. Please review our refund policy below:
- Full Refund Eligibility: Players who withdraw before July 1, 2026 are eligible to receive a full refund.
- Partial Refund (After July 1, 2026): Players who withdraw on or after July 1, 2026 may receive a refund minus a $50 administrative fee.
- Any player who registers after July 1, 2026 has 24 hours to request a refund without penalty.
- How to Request a Refund: All refund requests must be submitted via our support form. Refunds will not be processed without a completed request.
ACS Showdown in Steel Town Clinic Refund Policy
Thank you for registering for the ACS Showdown in Steel Town Clinic. Please review our refund policy below:
- Full Refund Eligibility: Players who withdraw before June 25, 2026 are eligible to receive a full refund.
- Partial Refund (On or After June 25, 2026): Players who withdraw on or after June 25, 2026 may receive a refund minus a $30 administrative fee.
- Any player that registers after June 25, 2026 has 24 hours to request a refund without penalty.
- How to Request a Refund: All refund requests must be submitted via our support form. Refunds will not be processed without a completed request.
ACS reserves the right to update this policy as needed.
Credits given prior to June 1 of that season must be used by August 1.
Credits given after June 1 of that season must be used by November 1.
All credits will be given in the form of a coupon code.
Any registrations received after April 1st 2020, if an event is canceled due to an act of God (or by a government agency) teams will receive a credit for a future event.
Insurance Policy
All teams registered for any AC event must provide verification of proof of insurance that lists Atlantic Coast Baseball as additionally insured with the following information:
Atlantic Coast Baseball LLC
dba AC Sports
PO Box 87
Trafford, PA 15085
Special Start Requests
Before registering, please make sure your team has no other conflicts on the listed tournament dates. AC cannot accommodate any special game time requests. Teams need to be prepared to start as early as 8 AM.
**Forfeit Note: Forfeit time is scheduled game time. Any team that forfeits cannot advance to the Championship rounds and are not eligible for any refund. At the discretion of the tournament director, that team may also be removed from the remainder of the tournament. Forfeited games will be scored 5-0.
Hotels
Hotel registration information can be found on the specific tournament webpage or the Hotels page. All teams traveling more than 75 miles are required to stay in one of our AC Approved hotels and book through T1 Housing.
Pre-Game
Games may start early (30 minutes). No infield/outfield practice. One minute between innings. No hitting into fences or within fence lines; all hitting must be off the playing field (tee hitting, soft toss, front toss, etc.)
Home Team
In pool play, the home team will be determined by a coin flip at the plate meeting. Whoever wins the coin flip has the choice of home or away. In Playoffs and Championship games the higher seed will have their choice to be home or away.
Scorekeeping
Each team must prepare a written copy of their lineup, listing first and last names and numbers of all players and substitutes prior to each game/at plate meeting. A copy of each team’s lineup card must be kept and available for the umpire upon request. With free defensive substitution, only Pitcher and Catcher positions will need to be labeled for the courtesy runner.
Both teams are required to keep score and to be checked upon throughout the game.
A completed scorecard (kept by the umpire) must be filled out and signed by each team’s scorebook keeper after each game. Please make sure to double check the game score when signing. This is done to ensure we stay on top of the scores and the results are posted accurately. A signed scorecard is deemed a verified score and cannot be changed unless agreed upon by all parties.
**In the event of a rain delay, please note time remaining, inning, score, batter, count, runners, etc. with the umpire as that information will be needed to determine a continued or final game.
Eligibility/Official Roster
All teams registered for any AC event must submit a completed roster form prior to the start of the first game. Any player not found on the online roster will be ineligible to play in that tournament and any game said player is found to have played in will result in a team forfeit (game will be scored 5-0).
**Roster/Waiver link will be sent to all team coaches.
Players cannot be double rostered in the same age division. Each team is responsible to keep a copy of each player’s birth certificates. Names on rosters must match birth certificates! No nicknames, middle names, etc. IF a team is caught using a player that is older than the cutoff for that division, that team will forfeit every game that player has played in and the team will be removed from the tournament.
**A player may also “play up” on another team as long as she is on the official roster of both teams submitted prior to the tournament.
Age cut off for 2026 season: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
Age/Division Calculator
please note this table is best viewed on larger devices
If you are on a smaller device, you may need to scroll left/right
Match month (top line) and box with year of birth. The player’s age and division is indicated on the right.
| SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | AGE | DIVISION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 5 | 6U |
| 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 6 | 6U |
| 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 7 | 8U |
| 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 8 | 8U |
| 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 9 | 10U |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 10 | 10U |
| 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 11 | 12U |
| 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 12 | 12U |
| 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 13 | 14U |
| 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 14 | 14U |
| 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 | 15 | 16U |
| 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 16 | 16U |
| 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 2008 | 17 | 18U |
| 2006 | 2006 | 2006 | 2006 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 2007 | 18 | 18U |
Time Limit
Pool play and playoff games are 75 minutes, finish the inning. Time begins as soon as the plate meeting ends.
Pool play can end in a tie. If the home team is winning after the top half of the inning and the time limit occurs, the game is over. If both teams are tied at the end of regulation, and the time limit has not expired, proceed to extra innings.
Tied games in playoffs after the time limit will use the International Tie Breaker. Championship games have no time limit.
**Time limits and inning limits may change due to weather and/or tournament format.
Official Game
Games official after 3 innings (2.5 if home team ahead). Suspended games may be resumed. If a game should be called due to darkness, weather, etc. and it is the middle of an inning, then the game will revert back to the score from the previous inning if the 3rd inning has been completed (2 1/2 if the Home Team is winning). If there are ample game slots left, the game may be re-scheduled to resume.
Re-entry
Defensive: Unlimited defensive substitutions. A player does not have to be in the batting order to play the field.
Offensive: You may bat nine players, your entire lineup (Roster Batting), or anywhere in between. After the start of the game you cannot change the number of batters you have, it must remain the same for the whole game. If you bat your entire lineup and a player should get thrown out, or injured, and no substitute (a player not in the batting order) remains, that is the risk you take and then you must take an out in that spot. Essentially the Batting Order is made up of all EH’s (Extra Hitter’s since there is Free Defensive Substitution)
If you are NOT Roster Batting, regular batting substitution rules apply. Games can start with 6 Players. Players can be added to the batting order in the order they arrive. Batting Spots 7-9 will be outs until enough players arrive.
Courtesy Runners
Courtesy Runners for Pitcher and Catcher AT ANY TIME. Must be a Player off the Bench/Player not in the Batting Order. If you are batting your entire lineup, then you may use the LAST BATTED OUT. Please remember the purpose is to SPEED UP THE GAME! If the Courtesy Runner is not ready with her helmet and at the entrance to the field at the time the Batter reaches the base, the Umpire reserves the right to refuse the Courtesy Runner option if it slows the speed of the game.
Intentional Walk
Coach must inform the umpire; batter is then awarded 1st base. The purpose of this is to speed up the game due to time limits.
Seeding Playoffs/Tie Breakers
Seeding results will be available on the tournament website once pool play games have been completed for your age division. In the event that team standings are tied after pool play, the following process will be followed:
- Head-to-head (only if 2 teams, 3 or more go to the next tie breaker).
- Fewest runs allowed.
- Run differential (capped at +/-8).
- Runs scored.
- Coin flip.
In the event there is an uneven amount of pool play games between teams due to weather, seeding may be based off win percentage.
Protests
ANY PROTEST MUST HAPPEN AT THAT POINT IN THE GAME! THE PROTESTING COACH MUST TELL THE UMPIRE, THE OPPOSING TEAM MANAGER, AND A TOURNAMENT OFFICIAL, THAT THEY ARE GOING TO PROTEST. THE PROTEST MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY $100 CASH AT THAT POINT IN TIME!
- Judgement calls by the umpire cannot be protested, rules only. (I.e. player’s age. Rostered players, substitutes, etc.)
- A protest is only “official” if accompanied by the $100 cash protest fee and is done before the next pitch. Once the game continues play you cannot protest previous “events”.
- If the protest is upheld, then the $100 will be refunded and the game will be replayed from the point of protest.
Format Alterations
Tournament reserves the right to alter rules/format due to weather or scheduling needs. This includes, but not limited to, shortening time limits in order to maintain the game schedule and to ensure all games are played.
Dugouts
Please help keep the tournament fields and common areas clean and be sure to pick up all your team’s trash after the game.
Only 3 coaches and 1 scorekeeper (or 4 total coaches) are allowed in the dugout at any time. The head coach is the only one allowed to discuss issues with the umpire.
Cleats/Sunflower seeds/Gum
Metal spikes are not permitted at any field using a turf mound or turf field! Sunflower seeds and gum are also not permitted at any field using turf.
Forfeit rule: Any team found in violation of this rule will automatically forfeit their game and may be fined $300 payable to the field owner.
Alcohol and Tobacco Policy
Many of our tournaments are hosted on college or high school campuses and community parks.These locations DO NOT permit alcoholic beverages, chew tobacco, or smoke products (this includes players, coaches, parents, and spectators). We will enforce these policies at all of our locations and events as well. AC has a Zero tolerance and law enforcement officials will be called accordingly. Failure to comply will result in the team removal from the tournament and a 1 year suspension from all AC Sport events.
Umpires
2 umpires per game (may be 1 for 8U-12U). May act as site reps if no ACS rep is present.
Softballs
ACS supplies 3 per game. Teams chase foul balls.
Wearable Technology
Wearable technology is permitted for use in game play.
Ejections
- NO WARNINGS will be given to Coaches, Players, or Fans for unsportsmanlike or unruly behavior.
- Upon ejection, the Coach or Fan must completely leave the premises including the parking lot. Failure to comply will result in a team forfeit.
- Upon ejection, the Player must leave the dugout and immediate area. Failure to comply will result in a team forfeit.
- Any Player ejected from more than one game will not be permitted on the premises for the rest of the tournament.
- Banned bat ejection: A team caught using a banned bat will result in the following: The bat must be removed from the tournament premises, the player caught using the illegal bat will be called out, ejected from that game, and the head coach will be ejected from that game. Both the coach and player may return to the next game. However, if that team is caught using an illegal bat a 2nd time the entire team will be removed from the remainder of the tournament and all played games will be marked a forfeit.
- COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FANS. IF A FAN IS EJECTED FROM ANY GAME, THE HEAD COACH WILL BE EJECTED FOR THAT GAME ONLY
Should a Coach, OR FAN, be ejected from a game, he/she will not be permitted to participate in the rest of the Tournament as a Coach, or a Fan, and will not be permitted on any Tournament Game Site for the duration of the Tournament. The Tournament Director reserves the right to excuse the ejected Coach after the first incident.
Division Rules
| 10U | 12U | 14U & Up |
|---|---|---|
| 60′ bases | 60′ bases | 60′ bases |
| 35′ mound | 40′ mound | 43′ mound |
| 7 inning game | 7 inning game | 7 inning game |
| 75 Minutes Finish the Inning | 75 Minutes Finish the Inning | 75 Minutes Finish the Inning |
| Mercy Rule | ||||
| 20 after 1 | 20 after 1 | 20 after 1 | ||
| 15 after 2 | 15 after 2 | 15 after 2 | ||
| 12 after 3 | 12 after 3 | 12 after 3 | ||
| 10 after 4 | 10 after 4 | 10 after 4 | ||
| 8 after 5 | 8 after 5 | 8 after 5 | ||
Run Rules apply to all games. Championship Games – No 8 Run Rule. Must be 20, 15, 12, or 10.
Atlantic Coast Softball 8U Division Game Rules
AC Softball 8U follows USSSA PA Rules for all Tournaments (including out-of-state tournaments) in the 8U Division unless otherwise specified below.
Pre-Game
- Games may start up to 30 minutes early.
- No infield/outfield practice. One minute between innings.
- Approved Game Ball: 11-inch ball.
Official Game Format
- A regulation game will be a maximum of six (6) innings.
- Pool Play: 60 minutes, finish the inning. Games may end in a tie.
- Bracket Play: 75 minutes or 6 innings max. If tied after regulation or upon completion of an inning when time expires, the International Tie-Breaker will be used.
- Games official after 3 innings (2.5 if the home team is ahead).
Run Limits
- Max of 6 runs per half-inning.
- Run Rule: 12 after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings, 8 after 5 innings.
- If time has expired and one team cannot catch up or go ahead, the game is declared over immediately.
Offensive Rules
- Lineup may include 8 to all players present.
- With 8 batters, an automatic out will be taken for the 9th spot.
- If batting more than 8, an open spot due to injury/illness/ejection is an automatic out if no sub is available.
- Batters receive 5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes (whichever comes first).
- Foul on 5th pitch = continue until out or ball in play.
- 3rd strike = out (caught or uncaught).
- No walks, no hit-by-pitch awards.
- Bunting is NOT allowed. Slapping IS allowed.
Defensive Rules
- Teams must field a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10 players.
- No more than 6 (including catcher) may be positioned inside infield baselines.
- DP/Flex not allowed.
- All players in the lineup must bat.
- Coach Pitch Only
- Player pitcher must keep at least one foot in the pitcher’s circle when coach is pitching.
- No other defensive player may enter the circle.
- Outfield is defined as turf on regulation youth field or 10+ feet beyond baselines.
Base Running
- The infield fly rule is not in effect.
- Runners may not leave the base until the pitch leaves the pitcher’s hand.
- Penalty: runner out, ‘no pitch’ declared.
- No stealing bases.
- On non-batted balls, play is dead and runners return to their original base unless put out. Outs stand.
- Time is called when the ball is controlled by a defensive player in advance of the lead runner.
- If halfway or more to next base → awarded next base.
- If less than halfway → returned to the previous base.
Coaches & Conferences
- Max of 3 defensive conferences per game.
- Only base coaches and the coach pitcher (in circle) were allowed on the field.
- The pitching coach must pitch from contact with the plate.
- The pitching coach may only instruct the batter before the pitch.
- Penalty for coaching batter-runner: pitch charged.
- Interference (judgment call):
- Unintentional → dead ball, replay pitch.
- Intentional → lead runner out, play replayed (batter out if no runners).
Ejections
- Ejected coach/spectator must leave the immediate field area.
- Ejected coaches will not be allowed back to the tournament for the remainder of the tournament.
- Ejected players are restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. Player can resume playing at the start of the following game