1. GAME RULES:

All playing rules and regulations for the tournament will be governed by the 2006 ASA Official Guide and Rule Book.

A. The homerun limit in the Major Plus Division will be nine (9) then the one-up rule. Over the fence homeruns beyond the limit are outs.

B. The homerun limit in the Major Division will be six (6).

C. The homerun limit in the AAA Divisions will be three (3).

D. The homerun limit in the AA Divisions will be one (1).

E. No homeruns are allowed in the A Division.

F. A tie ball game will begin the eighth inning using the International Tie Breaker Rule (See Rule 5.10 of the ASA Code). During pool play any game shortened by the time limit (if used)that ends in a tie will continue using the Tie Breaker until a winner is determined.

NOTE: The number of divisions in each age classification will depend on the number and rating of the entered teams. Some classifications may only have two divisions of play, such as Major and Class A. When divisions are combined the lower homerun limit will be in effect.

2. FORMAT:

Play on the first day will begin with preliminary pool play 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 the five team pools will be broken by head-to-head then fewest runs allowed.  Teams will be scheduled a minimum of four (4) games. (The format for preliminary pool play may vary depending on the number and rating of the teams).

Championship play will be double elimination.

3.     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. 

4.   LINE-UPS:

Tournament officials will provide line-up cards if needed.  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.

5.   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 for Preliminary Games and Double Elimination games unless field conditions require otherwise.

6.     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.

7.     BENCH AREA:

Players, coaches, sponsors and a bat person are the only individuals allowed in the bench area.

8.     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.

9.   RUN RULE:

The twelve (12) run rule is in effect after 5 innings and a twenty (20) run rule will be in effect after 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.

10.  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 (703) 368-1188.

11.  HOME TEAM 

The Home Team is determined by a coin toss prior to the start of each game.

12.  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.

13.     SPECIAL DIVISION RULES:

In the 65+ men’s divisions and up and all women’s 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.

14.     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.

15.     ELIGIBILITY:

Participation in ISSA World Championships is open to amateur players only. A player may only play with one team per Age Division. A player on two rosters in different age classifications must be at the same skill level. All United States teams should refer to the ASA code and check with the Tournament officials for clarifications and interpretations. The 2006 ASA Rule Book has established residency requirements for team rosters. EXCEPTION:  Beginning with the 2006 ISSA World Championships, California and Florida will no longer be treated as a "stand alone" state.  The rules governing residency requirements are now the same for all states.

Teams must play with the same roster that was used to determine their classification by the National Rating Committee. The use of any pickup players must be approved in writing by the tournament staff prior to the tournament and may result in a higher team classification. A complete and accurate player softball history must accompany any request to use pickup players.

Non-rated teams must submit their roster in advance for approval and team classification. Teams with no playing history will not be placed in the AA Division (ISF Class C and D) under most circumstances.

16.     ADMISSION:

There will be no admission charge.

17.     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.

18.         AWARDS:

The following awards will be given:

1. All Divisions:

2.  All-World Team selections will be made for all divisions of play. The number of players selected will be as follows: Division Champion (4), Runnerup (3), Third Place (2), Fourth thru eighth (1).

19.     BATS:

All bats used in ISSA play must be official softball bats approved by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) unless prior approval given by the tournament officials. 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. Any team protesting a bat alleging it to be altered must post the Bat Protest Fee of $350.00.

20.      BALLS:

All balls used in the ISSA Senior World Championship are ASA-COR44, 375 psi Compression.

21.     SOUVENIRS:

Souvenir T-shirts will be available throughout the weekend at some venues.

22.     ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES/PETS:

NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES may be brought into any of the parks. Park Rangers monitor the parks and any player(s) caught with alcoholic beverages may be disallowed in the park system for the remainder of the tournament. Pets are not allowed to run loose in any of the parks.

24.      MANAGERS MEETING:

There will be a manager’s meeting on Thursday, August 17 at 7:00 pm at Old Town Inn, 9405 Main Street, Manassas, VA 20110. 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.

25. CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS:
The players on the winning team in each division of play are eligible to purchase a 2006 ISSA Championship Ring.
Ring orders can be made directly with Jostens by contacting their local representative, Scott Miller at 540-786-0110, 11220 Glen Park Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 or email at scott.miller@Jostens.com