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TGE Rules

Rules

2024 Top Gun Events Rules
REVISED 3/14/2024

All games will be played by NFHS (Federation) rules. with the following exceptions:
Unreported Substitute Rule :
An unreported substitution is an appeal play:
• If the coach in violation informs the plate umpire before the offended team appeals – no
penalty and the unreported player is officially in the game.
• If reported to the umpire by the opposing team before a pitch is made – no penalty and the
unreported player is officially in the game.
If the offense has an unreported player and the defense appeals:
• If the batter is still at bat and pitches have been thrown – she is called out; all other play
while she was at bat is legal.
• If the batter has completed her at-bat but the next pitch has not been thrown – she is out; all
other play as a result of her becoming a batter-runner is nullified.
• There are other rules if the unreported player is the tie-breaker runner or pinch runner, if
appealed and she is still on any base – she is out; and if a pinch runner, she is declared
officially in the game.
If the unreported player is appealed by the offense before the defensive coach informs the umpire:
• If the unreported player has made a play and the next pitch has not been thrown – she is
declared officially in the game; the offense has the option of taking the result of the play or
having the last batter return and assume the ball/strike count she had before the hit; each
base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the last pitch.
• If the unreported player has made a play and the next pitch has been thrown – she is
declared officially in the game and all play will stand.
If the unreported player has not made the last play – she is declared officially in the game and all
play will stand.

PITCHING RULE:
NOTE: ALL PITCHING WILL FALL UNDER THE NCAA GUIDELINE OF NCAA RULE 10: PITCHING
Pitcher’s Stride Foot Positioning
The stride (non-pivot) foot may be on or behind the plate as far back as desired. Once the pitcher
initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not step, drag or slide it back any farther. This will be
following the NCAA rules for pitchers this season.
Pitchers Step/Stride
To allow pitchers to disengage from the playing surface during the delivery. The pitcher’s pivot foot
could become airborne with one push from the pitcher’s plate. However, pitchers would not be
allowed to replant their pivot foot resulting in pushing off from a second point and the pitcher being
farther away from the pitcher’s plate.
Taking the Signal
• The pitcher is permitted to look at their signal arm band or one-way communication device
prior to being positioned on the pitcher’s plate without penalty. Once in legal position on the
pitcher’s plate, pitchers must follow NCAA Rule 10.2.2 and NCAA Rule 10.2.3 in taking a
signal.
• Once in the legal position on the pitcher’s plate, the pitcher must give, take or appear to take
a signal as stated in NCAA Rule 10.2.2 and NCAA Rule 10.2.3. The pitcher may not simply
step into the pitching position, put their hands together and start the pitching motion.
• As always, once the pitcher contacts the pitcher’s plate, if the pitcher takes a signal while in
an illegal position (e.g., pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and entire stride foot
outside the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate), it is an illegal pitch. Once the pitcher
contacts the pitcher’s plate, the only signal that is to be given or taken is from the legal
pitching position outlined in NCAA Rule 10.1 .1 and 10.2.1. NCAA Rule 10.2.2 and 10.2.3 for
how the signal is given, taken or appeared to be taken also must be followed.
o NOTE: The 2024 and 2025 NCAA Softball Case Book have been updated to
reflect this updated interpretation.

Electronic Equipment
• Team personnel, including players, are prohibited from carrying or wearing any device
capable of transmitting information while on the field (e.g., cell phone, smart watch). Use of a
cell phone camera in a team area is prohibited from the start of the pregame meeting with
the umpires until the game’s conclusion. Exception:
• Exception: An exclusively one-way electronic communication device may be used by
the defense to relay the pitch or play call from the dugout to the field.
o Only allowed to be used by defensive players to call a pitch or a play.
o Digital signal devices (e.g., wristband) may be used by any defensive player.
o In-ear/hat/helmet audio devices may only be used by the catcher.
Batting Restrictions
• POOL PLAY: Teams may utilize any number of batters they prefer. Any player not listed in
the batting lineup shall be listed as a substitute. The starting lineup may utilize free
substitution. If a sub is entered into the game this shall be a substitution.Regardless of the
number of players you have, you will need to provide a line-up to the officials and announce
your line-up format at the pre-game conference with the officials.
• BRACKET PLAY: Rulebook Batting Line-up: Only allows 1 option: TRADITIONAL lineup 9
batters with (or without) DP/FLEX.
NOTE: ROSTER BATTING IS NOT ALLOWED DURING BRACKET PLAY

Injured Player
• Batter: If a batter cannot fulfill her time at bat due to injury or illness, that player will be
eliminated from that entire game. Teams will be required to take an automatic out if no
eligible substitute is available.
• Runner: If a runner cannot continue her time on the bases, that player will be substituted
with the last batter not on base during pool play. During bracket play you must use a legal
substitute to replace the injured runner. In either scenario once the runner is removed from
the game she will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the game.

Ejections:
• Whether a warning is issued or not, umpires have the authority to remove a player and/or
other team personnel from further participation in a game for rule violations, unsporting acts,
or behavioral or verbal misconduct.
• Player ejected in the batting order WILL be an automatic out if no substitute is available.
• Ejected non-playing personnel must leave the playing field, dugout and other team areas and
be out of sight and sound until the umpires’ jurisdiction ends. Out of sight and sound means
unable to view the remainder of the contest and the umpires cannot hear any additional
comments. They shall not communicate (visually, electronically or verbally) further with the
teams or umpires. Exception: An ejected coach may participate in a limited capacity during a
game only to attend to an iniured or ill player or to ensure the safety of players when their
safety is in question.
• Teams are allowed just 1 automatic out per game. Any more than 1 will be a forfeit. This out
will be assessed during the batters spot in the lineup.
Courtesy runner: will be allowed for pitcher and catcher at any time. The courtesy runner will be
designated by the following rules:
• BRACKET: Per rulebook designation. The same courtesy runner may not be used for both
the pitcher & catcher at any point during the game.
• POOL PLAY ONLY: Must follow the following order: 1. Eligible Sub 2. Last Completed At Bat
(LCAB)

Note: Teams may begin a game with 8 players. If the additional players arrive after the start of
the game. they will be handled in the following manner: Teams may add a 9th player to the
line-up. Any additional players will be designated as substitutes.

PROTESTING
Sec 1. Umpires will work to settle all problems on the field. Protests from the offended team will be
allowed for rule interpretations and Player eligibility only.
Sec 2. The Tournament Director may at their discretion charge a protest fee of $100. Protests of
player eligibility shall be charged per player.
Sec 3. The Plate Umpire shall suspend all action and notify the Tournament Officials of any protest.
Tournament officials and the UIC will rule on all protests and their decision will be final.
Sec 4. Rule interpretation protests must be declared to the Plate Umpire before the next pitch
following the dispute. No rule interpretation protest will be allowed once the Umpires have left the
field at the end of the game. In tournament play, all rule interpretation protests must be settled,
before any play can be resumed.
Sec 5. Player eligibility protests made during the game must be declared to the Plate Umpire. Player
eligibility protests made after the game must be declared to the tournament director. During pool
play, protests on player eligibility must be made before pool play has concluded and bracket
seedings have been established. During bracket play, protests on player eligibility must be made
before either team has begun their next game. If a player eligibility protest cannot be resolved at the
time of the protest, the game shall be completed.
• A. If the eligibility protest is upheld before the game is completed: the offending team loses
the game, is ejected from the tournament, is placed last in the standings and forfeits all
awards, sponsor travel money and berths that would have been awarded at that tournament.
• B. If the eligibility protest is upheld after the game is completed but during the tournament:
the game shall stand as played. However the offending team is ejected from the tournament,
and assumes the same penalties as above.
• C. If the eligibility protest is upheld after the tournament is completed, the team shall be
placed last in the tournament standings and the standings shall be adjusted accordingly.

TEAM ELIGIBILITY
Sec.1. No team shall be allowed to compete in Top Gun Events sanctioned leagues or tournaments
without paying their Top Gun Events registration fees. Tournament and league directors must ensure
that all participating teams are properly registered in the Top Gun Events online system prior to the
beginning of an event.
Sec.2. A team must be composed of not more than twenty-three eligible players. Coaches or
managers are not included in the twenty-three in order to be eligible to play.
Sec.3. The cut-off date for adding players to the roster shall be determined by the Top Gun Events
Staff.
Sec.4. Team sponsor travel expense monies may be awarded at all Top Gun Event tournaments. A
team winning a tournament and advancing to a higher tournament may be allowed expense money
in accordance with advance rules governing the tournament, which rules shall be promulgated by
the National Headquarters of the association and are consistent with the constitution of Top Gun
Events. Such expense monies shall be presented to the team and not the individual players and
must be used by the team to offset team expenses. The same rule shall apply to any such rule
governing league winners advancing to tournaments
Sec.5. Top Gun Events has the authority to reclassify any team during the current season.

Sec.1. A player is eligible to compete in a Top Gun Events Tournament as long as they abide by the
fastpitch by-laws and playing rules, when listed as a member of an eligible team.
Sec.2. A player shall not compete in any sanctioned tournament of the association with more than
one team during the same tournament.
Sec.3. A tournament director may not manage, coach, participate as a player, or Umpire in any
tournament in which they serve as tournament director
Sec.4. There is no specific requirement or deadline for a Top Gun Events Director to freeze or lock a
roster, however once a roster is frozen teams are allowed to add up to three players. All players
added to a frozen roster must meet the following requirements: 1. Players cannot be on another
frozen team’s roster. 2. All roster additions must be approved by the Top Gun Events Director.
Sec. 5. Guest Players. A player already rostered on a team may be a “Guest Player” for another
registered team, as long as the player’s original team is not participating in the event. The manager
of the team seeking the guest player must add the guest player to their online roster at,
www.tagupsoftball.com and abide by its policies and rules. Adding a guest play must be done the
day before the tournament begins.
Sec.6. A player that is in violation of the Association’s fastpitch by-laws or playing rules and
regulations shall be considered an ineligible player.
Sec.7. Any time during a game or after, if the tournament director discovers an ineligible player they
have the authority to apply penalties as described in the Top Gun Events Rules.
Sec.8. All players participating in a Top Gun Events Tournament shall have proof of age in the
possession of their team manager at all times. Proof of age must be verified by a government issued
document that identifies the player by name, gender and birth date. Failure to produce a copy of
such document upon demand by a tournament official or producing documents determined to be
fraudulent will result in the player being deemed ineligible. The penalties for use of an ineligible
player are the offending team losing the game, being placed last in the standings and forfeiting all
awards, sponsors travel money and tournament berths that would have been awarded at the
tournament.
Sec.9. Suspension Enforcement. It shall be the responsibility of the tournament director and/or event
leadership team to enforce suspensions within events for coach ejections in accordance with Top
Gun Events Code of Conduct.
Sec.10. Egregious Acts. A coach and/or player may be suspended for additional games if the
offending act is viewed as egregious and the additional suspension is approved by Top Gun Events
Staff. Egregious unsporting conduct, fighting and gross malicious contact are examples of such acts
and may warrant additional suspension at the discretion of the Top Gun Events Staff.
Sec.11. Suspension Transfer to Future Events. If a suspended coach or player does not meet the
obligation of the suspension in the current event, it is the responsibility of the tournament director to
communicate the unserved suspension to Top Gun Events who shall ensure that the penalty is
enforced at the next Top Gun Events that the participant is scheduled to take part in.

AGE REQUIREMENTS
Sec 1. A player’s age on December 31 , of the previous sanction year (which ends on an August date
immediately after the second full weekend in August to be specifically determined annually)
determines the age classification in which the player is eligible to participate. For example, a player
who turns 11 on December 30th, 2023 must play 11 U or older in the 2024 event year which will
begin on August 16, 2023. NOTE: Any player who reaches their 19th birthday, or who
graduates from High School in the calendar year of the current Top Gun Championships,
shall be eligible to participate in Top Gun Events Tournaments. A player doesn’t have to
attend high school in the 2023-2024 season. If a player has participated in any practice,
conditioning or play with any Junior College or 4 year college/ university in the current
school year (September 2023 through July 2024) they are not eligible to play in any
sanctioned Top Gun Event Tournament.
Sec 2. The fastpitch season and team registration will run from a date immediately following the
second full weekend in August (to be specifically determined annually) until a corresponding August
date the following year. Tournaments played after the season end date can qualify teams for the
following season’s Invitationals and Championships. All teams playing between the season start date
and December 31 must play by the following Top Gun Events playing year’s eligibility classifications.
Sec 3. Restrictions
• Players can play in a higher division, subject to minimum age requirements for each division,
but cannot play in a lower division for which they are not age eligible according to the criteria
in Section 1.
• A player shall not compete in any sanctioned tournament of the association with more than
one team during the same tournament.
• Team and player eligibility rules not specifically covered above shall be referred to the Top
Gun Events Rules Committee. The Rules Committee shall have a policy and procedures
manual or information data to be used by Tournament directors.
2024 TOP GUN EVENTS BIRTH YEAR CHART
BIRTH YEAR AGE DIVISION
2005 OR YOUNGER 18 & UNDER
2007 OR YOUNGER 16 & UNDER
2009 OR YOUNGER 14 & UNDER
2011 OR YOUNGER 12 & UNDER
2013 OR YOUNGER 10 & UNDER
TIME LIMIT/ RUN RULE/ EQUIPMENT
• Home team will be the official scorekeeper in all tournament games.
• Pre-game conference and coin flip between manager and umpires will take place 5 minutes
prior to the start of the game.
• No organized infield practice before the games. Teams may warm up beyond the baselines
or in foul territory while infield is being prepared. No live batting practice is allowed on the
field or in the complex at any time. Batting nets are allowed.
• Illegal Bats: Pool Play ONLY: If an Illegal Bat is brought into the batter’s box, the bat will
need to be replaced and the team will be given 1 warning. Bracket Play: If an illegal bat is
brought into the batter’s box the batter shall be declared out, and the batter & head coach
ejected.
• Federation Rule Book on Bats: “Bats must bear either the 2000,2004 or the USA
Softball All Certification mark and not appear on the USA Softball Bats with
Certification not approve list”
• Time limit for all games is 90 minutes. Time begins after the pre-game conference. Time limit
could change in case of tournament interruptions. All teams should be prepared to start their
game up to 10 minutes early in case we are ahead of schedule. (This will help the
tournament keep on time)
• Regulation games will be defined by the type of game that it is. There will be two types of
games played in the different formats that Top Gun will be using: 1. Pool play: Games will be
7 innings or time limit. If the game is tied at the end of regulation (7 innings), it will be
declared a tie even with time remaining.
Note: Any inning that begins before time expires will be completed.
• Bracket Play: Games will be 7 innings or time limit. Games that are tied at the end of
regulation will use the 1TB rule until a winner is declared.
• Blue Ghost bat is LEGAL. Yellow Ghost bat is ILLEGAL
• Run rules: 12 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings.
• Team manager may consult with the umpires; players, sponsors and other coaches are to
keep out of discussions.
• No smoking or tobacco use on the field or in the dugouts.
• 1Ou divisions: 80-minute game time limit

TOURNAMENT SEEDING/TIEBREAKER:
The following procedure will be used to determine the seedings after pool play: i. If three or more
teams are tied with the same record in a division, head-to-head may or may not be used to break
ties.ii. Once a level of tie-breaker is used, we DO NOT revert back to any steps of the tie-breaking
procedure. We will continue on down the list until all ties are broken.
1. Highest Winning Percentage (number of wins divided by number of games with a result.
2. Most Wins
3. Head-to-Head Games
4. Runs allowed per game
5. Runs differential ( +/- of 8 runs per game)
6. Coin Flip
7. If a team is playing an extra pool game, the runs allowed and the Win/Loss in that game will
not count towards your total. However, the result of the game (win/loss) will be used in
head-to-head consideration if a tie in pool play occurs.
8. In case of a rain-shortened tournament, pool play games can be deemed official after 2 ½
innings of play (with home team winning) or 45 minutes of elapsed game time. This policy
will only be used through pool play. In addition, if games are canceled due to weather, there
may be an adjustment in application of the tie-breaking procedures.
9. A flip of a coin between the two teams shall determine the home team for each pool play
game. The highest seeded team shall be the home team for bracket play games in single
elimination brackets. In double elimination brackets, the highest seeded team shall be the
home team until the championship game. In the championship game, the team in the
winners bracket shall be the home team and a coin toss shall determine the home team for
the “IF” game. If both teams are of equal seed (1st Place Pool A vs 1st Place Pool B) the
home team will be decided by coin flip

You'll Never See a Better Pitch,
Better Take a Swing.