Clarence Softball Tournament — 2026 Rules

Download the 2026 Tournament Rules (PDF)

1. The 2026 USA Softball Age Chart determines player age eligibility.
2. USA Softball official rules will apply with exception of:
   • Team rosters must be submitted, and proof of insurance shown to tournament officials one (1) hour prior to the start of your first game. Copies of birth certificates do not need to be produced at registration, but copies should be carried by a coach/manager and be available upon request at the tournament.
   • Fifteen (15) players’ maximum per roster. A player may be listed on only one roster for the tournament weekend. Players may play for only one team and one age group during the tournament weekend even if their team is eliminated.
   • The mercy rule will be a 12-run differential after 3 innings, a 10-run differential after 4 innings, and an 8 run differential after 5 innings. Mercy applies to pool play and bracket rounds.
   • Forfeits are recorded as a 7-0 score.
3. Games will be 7 innings except no new inning will start after 90 minutes of play. The international tiebreaker will be used for pool play games that are tied after 7 innings if the game is still within the 90 minute timeframe. Pool play games CAN end in a tie. Championship games will be untimed unless shortened by rain event. The international tiebreaker will be in effect for tied quarter/semi-final games exceeding 90 minutes and finals games after 7 completed innings.
4. Pool play team standing tie breakers are loaded into Tourney Machine:
   • Best record
   • Head-to-Head
   • Least number of runs allowed
   • Run differential (8 max per game) — please try not to "run up" scores
   • Coin flip
5. Home team is determined by coin flip in first round. The highest seed is home team for bracket round. Home team is official scorer but both teams should report scores to tournament desk to avoid errors.
6. Teams may "Bat the Bench" for both pool play and bracket play at no risk. If you bat the bench and a player is hurt while base running and cannot continue, the injured base runner may be replaced without penalty by the "last out." If a player leaves the game because of an injury, you will not be forced to take an out and the girls that follow her would move up in the batting order. If the injured player misses her turn in the batting order, she will not be allowed to re-enter the game.
7. No batting or infield practice allowed on game diamonds. Outfield practice is permitted.
8. Courtesy runners for the pitcher and catcher can be used any time during the game. The courtesy runner must be the last batted out or a player not in the lineup.
9. All scores, schedule and game related updates will be updated regularly on Tourney Machine throughout the tournament weekend.
10. Clarence recreational parks have a No Smoking / No Alcohol policy, and No Dogs are allowed. Also, we will not allow a large congregation of parents/fans to gather behind the outfield homerun fences as this may become distracting to outfielders.
11. Metal spikes are allowed for the 14U and older age groups only.
12. NO metal spikes or food are allowed on the high school turf field.
13. Managers and coaches are responsible for cleaning out dugouts after each game.
14. This is a zero-tolerance tournament. Please make sure you keep your coaches, players and fans under control or the head coach will be ejected for the remainder of the tournament.

10U Age Group (Only) Additional Rules

• The batter is out on a dropped third strike
• Stealing of all bases is allowed
• The infield fly rule is NOT in effect

Concessions

Full-service concession stands are located at both Main Park and Memorial locations. Beverages include soft drinks, sport drinks, bottled water and coffee. Tournament t-shirt and softball item vendors will be set-up at the Main Street Town Park and the Memorial Park locations.

Weather

Changes in the schedule due to weather during the tournament weekend will be made by the Tournament Director and Head of Umpires. In the event of inclement weather, the tournament director reserves the right to modify the tournament format, shorten games, and/or change the number of games.

In the event of cancelation due to inclement weather or poor field conditions, the following refund policy will be applied:

• Zero games played: 75% refund
• One game played: 50% refund
• Two or more games played: no refund

Refund Policy

There will be zero refunds if a team cancels after April 1st.

Thank you for participating in our tournament, enjoy the facilities and parks, and GOOD LUCK!!!

Updated 04/2026