triple crown fastpitch rules

TRIPLE CROWN SPORTS RULES

*The rules below are TC Fastpitch General Rules. Each event will have their own set of rules that are specific to that event. Please go to that event page to find specific rules.
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rules that apply to all teams/divisions for all tc fastpitch events

Age Eligibility:
Age Cutoff: August 31, 2025

• Triple Crown Sports age restrictions are as follows: The age of the player on August 31, 2025, indicates what division they must play (example: if a player is 12 on August 31st, they can still play 12U, if they are 13 on August 31st they must move up to play 14U)
• Teams must have something on hand to verify players’ age. This can be copies of birth certificates, ASA cards, PGF cards or anything with proof of players’ age.
• Any player who has played on a college roster (JUCO, NAIA, NCAA) or who has completed college coursework after high school, is NOT eligible to play in this event. High school seniors who are taking summer coursework before their college freshman year, can still play in TCS events.

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PROTESTS:
‍All protests must be accompanied by a $300 fee.

• Roster Protests:
  
  • All roster protests must be made at the plate by the opposing team’s manager only and presented before the final out has been recorded. Triple Crown will provide due diligence regarding the player’s eligibility and return the fee in the event of a successful protest.
    
    • PENALTY: Ineligible players will be removed at the time of the discovery and suspended for the remainder of the tournament. The head coach will be removed from the game, suspended a minimum of one additional game and UP TO one year at the discretion of TCS.
• Rules Protests:
  
  • Varies by event. Please see event specific rules.

ROSTERS:
‍Every team must have a roster on the TCS website signed digitally by ALL parents/guardians.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIORS/EJECTIONS:
‍Any player or coach ejected any time during the tournament will also be ejected for the next game. Any player, coach or fan displaying said behavior will subject themselves and/or their team to suspension from the game and/or forfeit the game/tournament. This could also prevent the team from future participation in the tournament. The Triple Crown Sportsmanship Committee will be the final arbiter on all ejections and suspensions.


*Triple Crown is not a sanctioning body but will follow the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball rules with a few modifications that are listed below.

PITCHING MODIFICATION:
‍While the pitcher takes the signal, her stride foot may be on or behind the pitcher’s plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she CANNOT move it to increase the distance behind the pitcher’s plate. In addition, the pitcher must take or appear to take a signal while in the pitching and signal-taking positions.

ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION:
All defensive and offensive players may have digital one-way communication from the dugout, the use of a smart watch (ex: IOS or Android) is illegal and subject to the penalty listed below. Audio one way communication can go from the dugout to the catcher ONLY. The communication device cannot be used for two-way communication and will carry the same penalty. Go Rout is Triple Crown's preferred partner for communication devices.

PENALTY: The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender(s) of that team will be ejected along with the head coach.

INTENTIONAL WALKS:
All pitches including a pitchout must be legally pitched to the catcher and ball is live.
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GAME BALLS will be provided by Triple Crown Sports.

NO alcohol or tobacco products allowed on field or in dugout.

FASTPITCH ELIGIBILITY:
Assigned female at birth – (Protest ineligible players)