SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES 2011 NATIONAL FEDERATION of HIGH SCHOOLS APPLY DPL RULES SUPERSEDE

Updated 3-8-2011
Time Limits:		Regular season time limits will remain in place throughout the play-offs. Coaches and umpires should synchronize watches and agree on start time on the first pitch. Time is based on the moment the last out is recorded at the completion of a full inning.
Run Limits (per inning)
		JV Softball:   5 Throughout the play-offs Varsity Softball:   None Throughout the play-offs JV Baseball:   5 Quarter-finals & prior     None Semi-finals and finals Varsity D2 Baseball:   5 Quarter-finals & prior     None Semi-finals and finals Varsity D1 Baseball:   None
Mercy Rule:		10 after 5 15 after 4
Rain / Suspended Games:		Should a game be suspended due to darkness or inclement weather, it will be resumed from the exact point that it was stopped. All teams must return with the same personnel as when play was suspended. Should a player be unable to return, then an eligible sub must be inserted in that spot. If no eligible sub is available, then an out will be taken in that spot. Any JV game that has completed 4 full innings (3 ½ if home team is winning) will be considered official. Any Varsity game that has completed 5 full innings (4 ½ if home team is winning) will be considered official.
Protests:		Games may be protested only under the following conditions. The protest must be made on a mis-application of a rule (not a judgment call) which has a material effect on the outcome of the game. A legal protest must be made calmly to the home plate umpire at the field, and must also be made in writing no later than 9:00 am on the following day. A protest deposit of $200.00 must be paid for the protest to be considered. If valid, the money will be refunded. If not, it will be used toward DPL scholarships in 2010-2011.
Pitching Limitations (Baseball Only):		Pitchers may pitch in no more than seven innings total over two consecutive games in a 7 day period. The following sequences would be legal 7-0-7; 5-2-5; 4-3-4, 4-0-7.  These would not be legal 7-0-8, 4-3-5, 4-2-6.  The last game of the regular season is counted as the 1st game of the consecutive games if the 1st play-off game is less than 7 day since the last regular season game. Violations will result in a forfeit.
		Coaches are to remain as flexible as possible with scheduling. Rainouts should be expected. Please have your teams prepared just in case. Our championship dates are set, so all prior games must be completed. Church and school conflicts take priority over all else. Athlete conflicts take priority over coaching conflicts. The DPL will moderate if coaches are at an impasse. Once dates are set, the DPL will schedule at an available facility.