DISCLAIMER

All players, coaches, parents, and fans agree, by entering an FDF (FLORIDA DIAMOND FASTPITCH) Tournament, to allow FDF to use and publish, without compensation, pictures/videos to be used for marketing purposes in print and/or social media for the life of FDF (FLORIDA DIAMOND FASTPITCH). 

FLORIDA DIAMOND FASTPITCH FORMAT

 At Florida Diamond Fastpitch (FDF) we offer a 4 Game Guarantee that is  2/2 format. 2 Pool games on Saturday and 2 Bracket games on Sunday. The Bracket games format is a TRUE Double Elimination with NO "IF" game for the Championship game. This format is for 2 day Tournaments. 

At Florida Diamond Fastpitch (FDF) we offer a 4 Game Guarantee that is 3/1 format. 3 Pool games into a Single Elimination games. This format is for 1 Day Turbo Tournaments. This will ensure your team does TRULY get that 4 Game Guarantee. 

GATE FEES

At Florida Diamond Fastpitch (FDF) we don't have any Gate Fees at any of our tournament locations. The only time any Gate Fees will be applied is IF the fields require a team gate fee (which is VERY rare).  

ADDENDUMS, EXCEPTIONS, OR ADDITIONS TO OUR GOVERNING RULES (NFHS)

1. Florida Diamond Fastpitch (FDF) does allow dual roster players for different age divisions within the same tournament. Dual-roster players can only pitch in one age division. Players are NOT allowed to play on 2 teams in the same age division  

or play down in age division regardless if you are age eligible if you are originally rostered with a team. This also applies even when your team is not playing in an FDF Tournament. No team may dual roster players if they have 10 original players or more (8U is the exception).  A coach cannot remove an original player to put in a dual-roster player.  The dual roster rule is meant to be used in emergencies only.

         2.  Division 8U will have a 6-run rule per inning including the last inning.

         3.  A team May start with 8 players without the penalty of receiving an out for the missing 9th player. A team cannot finish with less than 8 players.  

         4.   Rosters should be updated online with all players no later than 7:00AM of the day of the tournament. The rosters will be locked at 7:01 AM and cannot be changed after that without permission from the tournament director.  This is the manager/coach's responsibility to make sure all players including guest players are registered online prior to the first game of the tournament starting.   

IF NO ROSTER IS UPLOADED OR UPDATED ON TOURNEY MACHINE  AND A CHALLENGE IS MADE REGARDING THE ROSTER, THE CHALLENGE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND THE TEAM WILL FORFEIT THAT GAME FOR PLAYING A NON-ROSTERED PLAYER, THAT NON-ROSTERED PLAYER WILL BE REMOVED FROM PLAYING THE REMAINDER OF THE TOURNAMENT.  

COACH/PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

• If a coach and or parent(s) are ejected from a game for Code of Conduct violations, this will be a TWO-game ejection on the same day.  The coach and or parent(s) once ejected must leave the park immediately.  If the 2nd game happens to fall to the next day and you only serve a ONE game ejection.  If the same coach and or parent(s) are ejected for a second time in the same tournament, the ejection will be for the remainder of the tournament.  
• If a Coach and or parent(s) displays any behavior deemed unsportsmanlike towards anyone including Umpires, they will be issued a warning.  If a Coach and or parent(s) use any Vulgar language on or off the field or displays any aggressive behavior towards ANYONE, there will be no warning. They will be ejected for the game and the next game in the same day. If the behavior continues the next day they will be removed from the tournament, FDF reserves the right on next steps. 

FDF RULES ARE NFHS WITH EXCEPITIONS
Please see any Addendums, Exceptions, or Additions below:

FDF AGE CHART

The age of the player on December 31st of the PREVIOUS year determines division age.  

The date for the youth age eligibility is December 31st of the PREVIOUS-sanctioned season. The players' age on December 31st of the PREVIOUS SANCTIONING SEASON will be the age group the player is eligible for during the ENTIRE sanction year. All players must meet the age requirements to be put on a current year’s roster.  

PITCHING REGULATION RULE

The pitcher cannot step back from their set position, or the pitch is considered illegal.  The pitcher can start back not step back. The pitcher's hands must be apart upon stepping on the rubber. Once hands come together the back foot cannot relocate.  Pitching limits are at the Head Coaches' discretion. "Florida Diamond Fastpitch" considers the safety and health of our players to be a high priority and we ask that coaches and parents be mindful of the number of pitches a player throws throughout the weekend.  

DEFENSIVE COACHES RULES

All coaches, with the exception of 8u, when on defense must remain inside the dugout or in the doorway of the dugout with the door closed completely at all times. Defensive coaches are NOT allowed on the filed. If there is no door to close, then the coach entire body must be COMPLETLEY inside the dugout. The coach may not bring ANY foreign item/object onto the field and MUST not interfere with the play of the game.  Coaches who violate this rule will be issued one warning before being restricted to the dugout. This rule is to ensure player safety.

TIME LIMITS FOR GAMES

2-Day tournaments are One Hour 15 Minutes.  No new inning after 1 hour and 15 minutes.  

1- Day tournaments are considered Turbo and are One Hour. No new inning after 1 hour. 

There will be no time outs allowed by either defense or offense coaches in a game if there is 5 Minutes or less on the clock, this will eliminate a team trying to delay the game. FDF umpires may determine any exceptions necessary to this rule for the safety of the players.  

ALL COACHES SHOULD HAVE THEIR TEAMS READY TO PLAY 30 MINUTES before THE POSTED GAME TIME. THE 8:00 AM GAME NEED TO HAVE THEIR TEAMS READY TO PLAY 15 MINUTES before THE POSTED GAME TIME.

TIME BETWEEN INNINGS

FDF follows the NFHS rules regarding the time limits in between innings.
 

UMPIRE FEES

ALL games will have TWO umpires.
$50 per game, per team. 

RUN/MERCY RULES

Games shall be declared complete games and ended upon fulfillment of any of the following run/mercy rule criteria. 

12 runs after 3 innings
10 runs after 4 innings
8 runs after 5 innings

TIEBREAKERS

1. Win-Loss Record
2. Fewest Runs Allowed (actual runs)
3. Runs differential
5. Coin Flip

*Note: This calculation is determined by taking the total runs scored minus the total runs allowed. The maximum run differential per game is +10 or –10. Our system auto defaults to a 10-run differential.

FORFEITS

In the event of a forfeit before a game begins, the forfeit will be recorded at an 1-0 score. The Team who elect to forfeit must still pay the umpire fee for the scheduled games. If one team elects to forfeit and the other does not wish to forfeit, the team electing to forfeit must pay both umpire fees.

COURTESY RUNNERS

Teams may utilize courtesy runners for the catcher or pitcher. Courtesy runners must first come from the pool of eligible substitutes in the dugout. If a team has no eligible substitutes, the player who was the last completed at bat shall become the courtesy runner.

ELECTION OF THE HOME TEAM

During pool play, the home team will be decided by a coin flip.
During Elimination Games the higher seed has the election of being the home team.  
Championship Game:   the home team will be decided by a coin flip.

ADVANCE TEXAS TIE BREAKERS

In the event of a tie score at the end of regulation play, either by time limit or inning limit, a Texas Tiebreaker will begin. The Texas Tiebreakers will begin with the LAST COMPLETED AT BAT of the previous inning starting on SECOND base and there are NO OUTS in the inning. If at the end of one inning the game is still tied, FDF will use the ADVANCED Texas Tie Breaker from this point forward.  In the second inning, the LAST COMPLETED AT BAT will go to  SECOND base and the batter PRIOR to the last completed at bat will go to THIRD    base and there are NO OUTS. In the third inning, and for the duration of the game, the LAST COMPLETED AT BAT will go to  SECOND base, the batter PRIOR to the last completed at bat will go to  THIRD   base and the batter PRIOR to that will go to FIRST base and there are NO OUTS. 

ALL DP/FLEX Rules Apply.  ALL Substitution Rules Apply to the Texas Tie Breaker.

RAINOUTS

In the event of unforeseen circumstances or inclement weather causing games not to be played during the tournament, the team fees paid for the tournament shall be as follows:
1. If the team finishes 4 full games, no credits shall be issued.
2. If the team finishes 1, 2, or 3 games, the team shall be issued a prorated credit to the next FDF event they choose to attend WITHIN THAT SAME SEASON. Either Spring or Fall. NO credit will be applied from Spring to Fall and Vice Versus.  No credit will given for games that have completed  at least 3 innings. 
3. If the event is completely rained out, the tournament fee shall be refunded. (Meaning ZERO games were completed in the Tournament in any division).
4. FDF reserves the right to charge a registration fee up to $75.00 to cover out of pocket expenses when issuing the prorated credits. 
5.  The amount of credit given will be determined by the amount of games played.

WEATHER 

When we are in a lightening and/or weather delay, EVERYONE must exit the facilities and seek shelter. Any team not following the rules (including spectators) is subject to immediate ejection/forfeit/suspension. Note: Spectators not following the rules will subject their team to ejection/forfeit/suspension. Coaches and/or Mangers are responsible for their team (including spectators), not FDF.

POOL PLAY/REGULATION GAMES POLICY

Games that do not make it to regulation (4 complete innings for a 6-inning game) due to weather/darkness the game would be considered complete at the end of the last complete inning  regardless if it is one inning or more that has been completed. However, there must be at least one inning completed for this rule to apply. If tied at the end of the last complete inning, then the game would stand as a tie.  If the game has not started or one inning has not been completed and the Tournament needs to move to Bracket play, the game will end with a 1-1 tie. 

ELIMINATION GAMES FOR WEATHER

A)  If NO Elimination games have not started in your division, due to weather or darkness, FDF will revert to Bracket Seeding.

B) If an Elimination game begins in your division but one full inning is not completed, due to weather or darkness, FDF will revert to Bracket Seeding. 

C) If an Elimination game begins in your division but is not complete, due to weather or darkness, FDF will revert to the last COMPLETED inning to determine the winner.  If the last completed inning is a tie, a coin flip will take place for the team to determine who will be the winner and advance to the next game for award purposes.

D) If a lower-seeded team beats a higher-seeded team, the winner will assume the higher-seeded team’s Bracket ranking.  For example, the #6-seeded team wins their first game against the #4 seeded team, the #6-seeded team will take the place of the #4 seeded team with regard to Bracket Seeding. 

E) If an Elimination game reaches the championship game but did not start due to weather or darkness, FDF will determine the winner by Higher Seed and will refer to Rule "D". 

F) If an Elimination game reaches the championship game but did not finish or due to weather or darkness, FDF will determine the winner by the last completed inning. If the last completed inning was a tie then FDF will  determine the winner by Coin Flip.

TEAM COOLERS

Each team will be allowed 1 team cooler, brought in by a coach that may contain bottled water, ice packs, wrap, etc.  Personal coolers are permitted.  

CHALLENGES/PROTESTING

To challenge the eligibility of a player, the head coach must pay a $100 fee and name the specific player that is being challenged. The director will then review the birth certificate of the player in question and render a ruling.  If a player's age is officially challenged, it is the responsibility of the head coach to produce a copy of the player's official Birth Certificate.  This can be either a hard copy or electronic.  If the coach is not able to produce the official Birth Certificate, the player in question will be deemed ineligible and the coach will have to forfeit all games that the player participated in. The Coach WILL receive the $50.00 back if they win the Challenge. 

 If a coach wishes to protest a game, the head coach must pay a $100 fee. Protests can ONLY be made on the basis of a Rule interpretation and must be done so before the game as completed. The director, will then review the rule and render a ruling. The Coach WILL NOT receive the $100 back. The fee is for the protest process, not the result.  

TEAM CANCELLATION POLICY

1. Once you have registered for a Tournament or asked an FDF staff member to register your team in a Tournament, you are considered playing and FDF has reserved a spot for your team.  
2. Once a team confirms entry and/ or the schedule comes out, they cannot back out without paying the full tournament fee. 

 Managers/Coaches you are responsible for the conduct of every person associated with your team.  If you or a member of your team (coach, player, parent or guest) becomes disrespectful to anyone (umpires included) or a distraction to the game, you/they will be given a warning to address the situation.  If the behavior continues, the manager and the person causing the issue(s) will be ejected from the game and complex.  

Attendance into an FDF tournament, showcase or other events is an acknowledgement of consent by ALL (players, coaches, and spectators) that they understand FDF, and its representatives may use actual pictures, photos, videos, and or likenesses from any FDF event they attend for social media posts and FDF advertisements.

8U COACH PITCH RULES:

         1.  During Coach pitch, the Coach does not have to stand on the pitching rubber but, the coach must have his/her feet inside the circle 

               when pitching.

         2. The time limit is 1 hour and 15 minutes.  The max number of runs per inning is 6.  The game will be played to the time limit  set by   

              the tournament in Pool Play.  In Bracket Play in the event, one team is behind by more than 6 runs and calculated that the one 

               team can not catch up in the time limit or 6 inning game, then the game will end.

          3. NO STEALING.  The runner may begin to their lead when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.  The catcher may attempt to pick off the           

               runner. If the catcher throws the ball to a base, the runner MUST return to that base.  This is a LIVE ball, and the runner(s) can    

               advance AFTER touching the base they came from. This rule is intended to teach runners to lead off, not steal. 

          4. There are NO pass balls, and a runner cannot advance on a pitched ball the catcher misses.    

          5. During Coach pitch, the coach will pitch FIVE pitches or THREE strikes, whichever occurs first to the batter.  No matter the strike 

              count, the batter must hit or foul off the fifth pitch to avoid being out. There are NO walks by the Coach or pass ball.  If the Coach is 

              hit with a batted ball, the play is dead, and all runners and batters are given one base. 

           6. THERE WILL BE NO COACHING FROM THE COACH PITCHING TO ANY PLAYER OR BASE COACH.  The Coach pitching may use 

               their one offense time out to coach 

            7. STOPPING RUNNERS:  This can be done in two different ways.  First, any defensive player can be in front of the lead runner.  The 

                player MUST raise their hands and yell "TIME".  Once this happens the Umpire will call time and the play is dead.  Second, the 

                PITCHER must be in the pitching circle, with the ball, raise her hands and yell "TIME".  At this point the play is dead.  Once the play 

                is stopped by the Umpire, the halfway line is used to determine if the runners must go back to the previous base touched or 

               proceed to the next base.  

            8. A batter may not run on dropped 3rd strike; the batter will be automatically out on a dropped 3rd strike.

            9. Bunting is NOT allowed.  NO Slash bunting is allowed.

            10. The infield fly rule DOES NOT apply.

            11. Slap hitting is allowed in 8U. 

            12. Illegal Pitches: illegal pitches will not be called.