2003 Tournament Rules and Information

1. GAME RULES: All playing rules and regulations for the tournament will be governed by the 2003 ASA Official Guide and Rule Book unless otherwise modified by ISSA.
   1. The homerun limit in the Major Plus and Major Divisions will be six (6).
   2. The homerun limit in the AAA Division will be one (1).
   3. The homerun limit in the AA Division will be none (0).
   4. A tie ball game will begin the eighth inning using the International Tie Breaker Rule (See Rule 5.10 of the ASA Code).
2. ROSTER RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: Beginning in 2000 the ISSA has geographic limitations for players on the World Championship roster.  In order to participate a team's roster must include players from the state and/or region as described herein.   A team's "home state" is defined as the state where the most players on the roster reside.  A player's residence is the home in which he lives, receives his mail, registers to vote and serves in all other ways that usually and customarily establishes residency including paying State and Federal taxes.  Players with dual residency (snowbirds) will be handled on an individual basis and consistent with the other senior softball associations when establishing their residency. Players who have established residency in any senior association for 2002 can not claim residency in another state for ISSA competition.
   1. Players who reside in the states of Florida and California must play on a team from their own state without any players coming from adjoining states.
   2. Other teams from the continental United States may have players from all states adjoining the team's home state (except Florida and California.)
   3. Teams from Hawaii and Alaska may add up to three(3) players from any state outside their state.
   4. Teams from foreign countries must obtain approval of their roster from the ISSA Executive Director.
   5. Any foreign players desiring to participate on a United States team must make a written request and obtain approval from the ISSA Executive Director.
   6. Any exception to the ISSA Roster Residency Requirements must be requested in writing and approved in writing by the ISSA Executive Director prior to participation.
3. FORMAT: Play on the first day will be preliminary bracketing to determine seeding. In four team pools the winners of games 1 and 2 play for 1^st and 2^nd seed and the losers of games 1 and 2 play for 3^rd and 4^th seed. Ties in three team pools will be broken by fewest runs allowed and then by head-to-head. Ties  in five team pools will be broken by head-to-head then fewest runs allowed. Teams will be guaranteed a minimum of four (4) games. Championship play will be double elimination. (Some double elimination play will begin on Friday after pool play). (NOTE: The ISSA is reviewing other alternatives for 2003 and this format is subject to change.)
4. UNIFORMS: All teams are encouraged to compete in identical uniforms, short and long pants may be mixed.  Coaches should either be in team uniforms or dressed identically in the team colors. Any decision on uniforms is handled by the tournament officials and is not subject to team protest. 
5. LINE-UPS: Tournament officials will provide line-up cards for each team.  An official line-up must be submitted to the opposing team and  scorekeeper (if available) prior to the last inning of the preceding game and given to the umpire prior to game.
6. GAME TIMES: Please follow the times listed on the tournament bracket. Game time is forfeit time. Teams should be prepared to immediately  start a game once the preceding game is completed. No time limit on any games unless field conditions require otherwise. Tournament officials may move a game to an open field for tournament scheduling purposes. 
7. INFIELD PRACTICE: NO infield practice will be permitted. Warm-up is allowed in designated areas only. Teams may warm-up in the outfield grass if time permits. Teams wishing to practice may reserve a practice field by calling (703) 368-1188.
8. BENCH AREA: Players, coaches, sponsors and a bat person are the only individuals allowed in the bench area.
9. PROTESTS: The tournament committee will decide all protests. As manager, please be familiar will rules of the game including proper protest procedure. See ASA playing rule 11.
10. RUN RULE: The twelve (12) run rule is in effect after 5 innings and a twenty (20) run rule will be in effect after 3 and 4 innings. Complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the total to go ahead by the limit while at bat. The run rule is in effect for all games including the championship games.
11. RAIN DELAY: In the event of rain or any cause which interrupts a game, the game must be resumed at the exact point where it was stopped. It is the manager's responsibility to contact the Tournament Representative at the field for rescheduled game information. In the event the tournament can't be completed within the scheduled time frame and more than forty-percent (40%) of the scheduled double elimination games have been completed, the official final order of finish will be determined by the position of the teams in the bracket.  The following procedures will be used to break ties and among teams in the same spot in the bracket: a. Won-loss records except among undefeated teams. b. If only two teams are tied for a position and have played each other, the winner of that game. c. The teams will be ranked according to the fewest runs allowed per game played. d. If a tie still exists, by a coin toss. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO COMPLETE THE TOURNAMENT EVEN IF WE MUST PLAY AROUND THE CLOCK AND UNDER ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE TOURNAMENT FORMAT WILL BE MODIFIED IF NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE GAMES AND CROWN THE WORLD CHAMPIONS. TEAMS SHOULD REPORT TO THEIR SCHEDULED FIELD FOR RAIN DELAY INSTRUCTIONS. IN THE EVENT OF PROLONGED RAIN A TOURNAMENT OFFICIAL CAN BE REACHED AT 368-1188.
12. HOME TEAM  The Home Team is determined by a coin toss prior to the start of each game.
13. TEAM SEATING: The team listed first or at the top of the bracket will use the first base dugout.  The team listed second or on the bottom of the bracket will use the third base dugout. In the event a team plays back-to-back they will not be required to move to another dugout.
14. SPECIAL DIVISION RULES: In the 65+ and 70+ divisions eleven defensive players shall constitute a team. ASA rules for re-entry and extra players will apply.  Each team may use a maximum of two (2) designated hitters.
15. CONDUCT: Team Managers and coaches are asked to have complete control of their players both on and off the playing field.  Any report of damage by hotel and/or park management will be dealt with by the tournament committee.
16. ELIGIBILITY: Players may play on only one team in an age classification in  the 2003 ISSA World Championships. Players participating on more than one team (in different age divisions) must meet all eligibility requirements, both teams must be at the same skill level and the player must be on the teams rosters prior to the start of the tournament unless approved otherwise by the tournament officials. Participation in the ISSA Tournament is open to amateur players only. Please refer to the ISSA code and check with the Tournament officials for clarifications and interpretations. All players on the roster must meet the ISSA Residency Requirements unless an exception is approved in writing. Any pick-up players must come from a team(s) at the same classification per the National Rating list.  Violations may be just cause for forfeiting a team out of the tournament.  Any team with pick-up players must submit their roster at least 30 days prior to the tournament with the add-on players clearly identified with a description of their playing history.
17. ADMISSION: There will be no admission charge.
18. IDENTIFICATION CHECK: All players will be required to check with the tournament committee and produce proof of identity with a picture ID. Players are required to carry their ID at all times since random ID checks may be made prior to any game.
19. AWARDS: The following awards will be given: 1. Major and Major Plus Divisions: · Sponsor Award to the top 3 teams · 15 Individual awards to the top 2 teams · 15 member All World Team · MVP and outstanding offensive and defensive players · Most Homeruns (50&55) · Manager of the Year  2. AAA and AA Divisions: · Sponsor Award to the top 3 teams · 15 Individual Awards to Champions · Medals to All World Team Anyone wanting to purchase additional awards can contact: Champion Awards at 804-261-9335, 6919 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, VA 23228.
20. BATS: All bats used in ISSA play must be official softball bats approved by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA). Bats must have their original paint markings for complete identification. Tournament officials have the right to keep any bat suspected of being altered or otherwise illegal for a period of thirty (30) days to have it inspected and/or tested. Any bat found to be altered or illegal could result in the player and manager being disqualified from future participation in senior softball. (See attached list of recently banned bats).
21. BALLS: All balls used in the World Championships will be provided by ISSA.
22. SOUVENIRS: Souvenir T-shirts will be available throughout the weekend at some venues.
23. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES/PETS: NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES may be brought into any of the parks. Pets are not allowed to run loose in any of the parks.
24. CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS: Special rings have been designed by Jostens for the ISSA World Championship Tournament.  Any member of a Championship Team may purchase the ISSA ring. For additional information on purchasing your championship ring contact: Scott Miller at Jostens at 540-786-0110, 11220 Glen Park Dr., Fredericksburg, VA 22407 or email at scott.miller@Jostens.com.
25. MANAGERS MEETING: There will be a manager’s meeting on Thursday, August 14 at 7:30pm at the host hotel, Comfort Suites. Any manager that is unable to attend should send a team representative. It is the manager’s responsibility to obtain any information provided at the meeting.