TOURNAMENT RULES / GUIDELINES

PRACTICE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP WITH NCS - We take this seriously! (NO STALLING)

SANDBAGGERS BEWARE - We will kick you out if you're not playing in the proper division. Read our Rankings Page and come legal!

Manager/Coach: You are responsible to follow our website, bring a legal team, read our rules and EVENT INFO page in case of changes to the events you have entered.

Make sure the team you created in our playncs.com website has valid email address and cell phone as we also will email and/or text updates from time to time.

Some Tournaments and Tournament Directors require upfront payment, make sure your team shows as confirmed after you have paid, if you are not showing confirmed please contact listed Director ASAP!

DO NOT spend money on flights, hotels rooms and car rentals before paying your ENTRY FEE and confirming you have an official spot in the tournament.

Please check the tournament website EVENT INFO page or with the tournament director of the event you are playing.

FYI - There are certain NCS directors and tournaments that will have special or different rules and awards depending on the region/location and type of tournament.

Please check the tournament website EVENT INFO page or with the tournament director of the event you are playing.

Some of our special events include but are not limited to:

Memorial events, Overnighters , Las Vegas Worlds, BONEYARD BLAST, Dublin Dirty, Toys-4-Tots, etc. Most of these events sell out fast! Get payment in before we are sold out or you may not make it into the tournament.

***  RANKINGS SYSTEM ***

Make sure your team is legal... Just because you are new to NCS doesn't mean you can play in any division you choose. Please use common sense and play in the division that corresponds to your team's skill level.

Read our ranking information here and email us back if you have questions

https://www.playncs.com/slowpitch/rankings 

PRE-TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES 

TEAM REGISTRATION

• Teams must register annually here at our website. Once you are registered, you as the manager can create and edit your team(s). The annual $60 registration fee is non-refundable.
• Teams must add an online roster before they play in their first event. If you do not add your roster, a $50 fee may be added to your entry fee, your team may be bumped up a division, have to run spot, or you may be removed from our tournament if roster is not on-line and updated.

WHO'S COMING LIST

• Available Spots Example
•           If your division shows 12 available spots, that is just our ideal amount of teams we'd like for that division. This DOES NOT guarantee we will end up with 12 teams in that division.
•          If other divisions are filling up and have teams waiting to get in, we won't turn those teams down. We will open up more spots in those divisions to get them in and we will lower the totals in your division since they are getting more paying teams. If you get calls, texts, and email warning you to get payment in ASAP, please take them seriously if you'd like to play.

PAYMENTS

• Some of our special events may require a deposit or full payment in advance. These payments are non-refundable unless you withdraw from the event well before the deadline, we somehow couldn't get you in the tournament, or if an agreement is made to refund your money.
• Standard Tournament: All teams must pay any balance owed IN CASH along with having an on-line roster before taking the field.
• If we do not receive full payment at game time or deadline, you will forfeit… PERIOD! If your roster is not online by the cut-off date, you will owe a $50 fee for us having to add your roster ourselves (if you need roster help, please contact Dani at Customer Support at awsdani91@gmail.com or call her at 916-919-5677)
• If you have a credit from a previous event or season, you must enter your event of choice and then email the proper director to apply the credit before the event deadline or when the event of choice is sold out. Don't assume you are automatically confirmed for any tournaments.

CONFIRMING TEAMS

• If we reach out to any team and they do not get back to us in a timely manner, we reserve the right to pull them out of any event that they have not made payment for. Please make sure we have your team's proper email address and cell phone number so we can get ahold of you, if needed.

TEAM NAMES

• Any team name that is explicit or offensive will be modified by our site administrator.
• We completely agree with free speech and we will allow for an appeal but, keep in mind, this is also a business and we do not want to alienate anyone based on race, sex, gender, or religion.
• Please also keep in mind that team names are posted on many different publicly posted online sites and must meet reasonable guidelines.

ROSTERS 

• Just because your online roster shows approved, this doesn't mean your team is legal. This just means your roster has at least 10 people added. You still have to take the next step to verify your team fits into the division you have signed up for. Click here to go to our RANKINGS page.

TEAM MATRICES

• MENS, WOMENS, and COED - Do yourself a favor and make sure you are legal for NCS events before you arrive. If you show up to a tournament and get protested and by our rankings / guidelines you are playing in the division where your players are illegal, you will be dropped from the tournament or have to spot runs. Please contact us if you feel you might be in violation of playing in a division you shouldn't be and we will gladly help. :-)

• OPEN DIVISIONS – No player restrictions
• C DIVISION - No more than (3) “B” players MAX (no “A” or higher ranked players allowed)
• D DIVISION – No more than (3) C players,  (no B or Higher players allowed)
• E DIVISION – No more than (3) “D” players MAX (no “C” or higher ranked players allowed)
• REC DIVISION – No more than (3) “E” players MAX (no “D” or higher ranked players allowed)
• Rec is Rec - Not for teams with multiple tournament victories!!
• All Forces (Click Me)

·         All Players must be able to show a legal photo ID at all times (must be 18 years of age or older). You must have your photo ID on yourself, in your bat bag, or on the park/complex’s property. In some circumstances, we will allow a player to make a run to their car in the parking lot but will not allow any travel or a wait time of over 3 min or so. Rostered names and DOB's must Match ID

·         Driver’s License is what we use for determining Men's or Women's eligibility - If DL states male or nonbinary, player is only allowed to play as a man for our events, If DL states female, player is only allowed to play as a woman for our events etc.

BE PREPARED TO SHOW YOUR ID AT ANY TIME! BE LEGAL FOR THE DIVISION YOU’RE PLAYING IN! WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY CHEATING! YOU WILL BE KICKED OUT OF THE EVENT IF YOU’RE CAUGHT! ILLEGAL TEAMS and/or PLAYERS AND TEAMS THAT GET EJECTED FROM OUR TOURNAMENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY TYPE OF REFUND!

·         NO SANDBAGGING/NO CHEATING: If we find out you are only an ASA, NSA, USSSA etc. team and you sandbag into a lower division, we may decide to remove you from our event at any time. PLEASE PLAY IN THE DIVISION EQUAL TO YOUR RANKING IN THE ASSOCIATION YOU PLAY IN REGULARLY. (i.e., if you are a "D" team in ASA, you should be playing "D" in our AWS tournaments. If you feel you cannot compete at the same level, email us for re-classification request)

·         Players may petition for re-class at any time before October 15th:

·         This must be done by filling out our Player Re-class Petition Form

HOW TO CHECK PLAYER RANKINGS

• You will want to first check here at our PLAYER RANKING PAGE . If the player is not listed on our site, then go to USSSA.com on your computer go into Slowpitch site and check for athletes or player search section.

TOURNAMENT WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES

• Should your team withdraw for any reason once the team has been entered, the cancellation/withdrawal must occur prior to the tournament being “SOLD OUT” or prior to the brackets being worked on by the director of the tournament you are playing. WHICH EVER COMES FIRST! If you can't show up for the tournament for any reason (i.e. cancelled flights, bad weather, acts of god, etc.), we unfortunately can't give you a refund. 
• An email sent or voice mail left must be confirmed by the respective tournament director by email. Until the director responds to and/or confirms your cancellation, your team is still in the tournament.    
• Should your team cancel after the specifications listed above, your team is still responsible for the entire entry fee of said tournament unless a replacement team can be found. There will be a $50 charge to all teams dropping even though a replacement team was found.
• Unpaid entry fees will result in the team and each individual player being placed on our associations’ Suspended Lists until payment is made in full. Manager is responsible for payment. If player wants to be removed from suspension, they can pay their share of 10% of total amount owed

***SPECIAL NOTE***

In the case of State, Regional, National, NIT, Al Nighters, Toys-4-Tots, and/or World events, brackets may be drawn up to two (2-4) weeks in advance. 

In situations such as these specialty events, team withdrawals must occur prior to entry deadline or completion of bracket whatever comes first. We also may use overflow fields within a reasonable distance to our main field of play.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation by notifying all tournament directors well in advance should your team withdraw from a tournament. 

PLAYING RULES

All teams agree to our rules upon entering our tournaments.

STANDARD GAME TIMES / START OF PLAY / GAME GUARANTEE

• 60 minutes (championship game is 70 minutes)
• Some events may have longer or shorter game times so please the check the specific event website/page or director before the start of play
• Some events if time does not allow, We will not play the If game - Winner takes all in championship game undefeated or not!
• All teams must be prepared to play 15 minutes before your scheduled game time. If the other team is ready to go and you are not, there could be a forfeit so be there 15 min early and ready to play
• 3GG we may use pool play followed by double elimination, or our new 3gg bracket with Gold Bracket / Silver for 0-2 and some 1-2 teams. We may rarely also use play 2 pool play + single elimination - depending on time constraints.
• The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify game times, playing locations, or tournament structure due to field conditions, time constraints, safety issues, team count, or inclement weather

STALLING (NEVER ALLOWED)

• Once the umpire physically starts the clock or verbally announces the clock has started, the home team must take the field within two minutes and the visiting team must be ready to bat once the pitcher is ready to throw the first pitch. Any team caught delaying the start of the game for any reason, will be docked in the following way: (1) run will be docked against the team delaying the start of the game after the end of the 3rd minute, an additional run will be docked against the team delaying the start of the game after the 4th minute, and a forfeit will be called against the team delaying the start of the game after the 5th minute. Also, any team not having at least 8 players to start the game (once the clock starts or once the umpire verbally announces the clock has started) will be forced to forfeit the game. NCS, our directors, and our officials appreciate your help in helping us keep the games on time so we can provide our players with the best possible playing experience.

MOUND VISITS

• There will be a maximum of one mound visit per inning and two mound visits per game.

REGULATION GAME

• Shall consist of seven innings, or the end of the time limit, or the end of the innings advertised.

• COIN FLIP
  

• In pool play there will always be a coin flip to determine home team throughout the tournament until playoffs or the championship game, at this point higher seed will have the choice to be visitor or home team. If one of the teams is undefeated and the other team has (1) loss or more, the undefeated team would get the choice of home or visitor.

RUN SPOTTING (We do not run spot or mix divisions at World Events)

• When a lower-level team plays a higher ranked team the homerun rule will be leveled
• The full number of runs spotted will be given at the start of game and not per inning (typically 6 runs per division we may choose more or less runs if director feel its warranted)
• We do not allow teams that are two or more divisions higher to play any of our E or REC teams

In most of our events, we will not combine divisions. If we do combine divisions to get enough to have a competitive tournament and we end up having more than 1 upper-level team, they will play a separate playoff/championship game. If there ends up being just 1 upper-level team in the tournament or 1 team in your division, the said team may not be eligible for championships or awards and can only play in our pool play portion of the event.

·         DETAILS:

·         If only 1 team is entered in your division, you may only be allowed play in the pool play portion of our event.

·         Teams of higher level will spot lower teams runs in pool play - then play only other teams entered in the same division for playoffs/championships -

       If 3 or less rec teams are in a division, you may have to play E teams the entire event and be spotted runs. If we get enough in each division, we will not mix divisions.

·         

TEAM JUMPING

• There will be no team jumping at the same tournament Players can't play on 2 teams in same division.
• Men can only play on (1) Men’s team (Open, D or E) and (1) Coed team (Open, D or E) but can also play in the 40’s division as well. Men cannot play in the women’s division.
• Women can only play on (1) Women’s team and (1) Coed team (Open, D or E). Women cannot play in the men's division.
• 40 & Over Players can only play on one 40's team not AAA and Major etc.
• If on multiple rosters - player can still only play on one team in same division for each event- and must stick to team he starts with.

*** Players caught jumping teams will be ejected from the tournament, the game will be forfeited, and the team in question may also be kicked out of tournament! ***

HOMERUNS

Please check tournament Page/Website for specific HR rules for tournament entered.

HR Matrix

• MENS OPEN – 10
• MENS C - 8
• MENS D – 4
• MENS E – 2
• MENS REC - 1
• WOMENS OPEN - 5
• WOMENS C - 3
• WOMENS D – 1
• WOMENS E - 0
• COED OPEN – 7 
• COED D - 3
• COED C - 6
• COED E - 2
• COED REC - 1
•  All Forces (B)  – 8
• All Forces (A) -10

RUN / MERCY RULE

• 20 after 3 innings / 15 after 4 innings / 10 after 5 innings (“C” and above divisions will be 12 runs after 5 innings, FLIP FLOP RULE is in effect)
• POOL PLAY ONLY…. For seeding purposes, the max run differential is 15 runs.

TIE-BREAKER RULE (For Seeding Purposes)

Ties will be broken in the following order:

• Total Record

• Head to head with only 2 teams tied

• Run differential (10 runs MAX per game)

• Runs Allowed

• Runs scored

• NCS Points ranking

• Automated coin flip

(All games that are tied at the end of the time limit or allotted innings in pool play will end in a tie)

Extra Innings / International Tie Breaker Rule

Last batted out starts at 2B / You may use a courtesy runner 

KEEPING SCORE

• The home team and the umpire are responsible for working together to keep an accurate score.
• If the home team does not have a complete book but the visiting team does, we will have the umpire coordinate with the visiting team to keep the accurate score. (Umpire has final say)

SHORTHANDED RULES

• All teams must have 8 players to start the game
• To add a player, they must arrive before their turn in the lineup and be on roster. If you must play shorthanded, no automatic out will be given

EXTRA HITTER(s) (E.H.)

• Teams can bat as many players as there are on your roster but must finish the game with same amount you start with or take an out for players who do not finish.
• The opposing team and umpire must have the right to know how many you are batting.

COURTESY RUNNERS

• MENS AND WOMENS TEAMS – There is one courtesy runner allowed per inning and the pitcher can also always use a courtesy runner, as well (this allows time for them to get their pitcher's gear on). This can be any player on the team roster, and it does not count as a substitution move. If your courtesy runner is on base when it is their time to hit, you would have to take an out UNLESS you have a sub on the bench that can substitute in for the original batter that the courtesy runner came in to run for. That would then remove the courtesy runner from the bag without penalty and they could hit in their place in the lineup.
• COED TEAMS – We allow one courtesy runner per inning….  per gender…. and the pitcher can also always have a courtesy runner, as well (this allows the pitcher to get their pitcher's gear on). Men must run for men and women must run for women. This can be any player on the team roster, and it does not count as a substitution move. If your courtesy runner is on base when it is their time to hit, you would have to take an out UNLESS you have a sub of the same gender on the bench that can substitute in for the original batter that the courtesy runner came in to run for. That would then remove the courtesy runner from the bag without penalty and they could hit in their place in the lineup.

COED SPECIFIC RULES 5-5

• Coed teams must play at least equal number of women as men (4M/4W, 5M/5W, 6M/6W, etc.) but can play more women than men. Never more men than women.
• Women will hit the small ball

PITCHING RULES

• The pitching area shall be the area the width of the pitcher’s mound (usually 24 inches) up to six 6 feet behind the back edge of the pitcher’s mound
• Pitchers - Must wear a protective helmet not just face mask!. Pitchers are strongly encouraged to also wear full protective gear including shin guards, wrist guards, and chest/heart protection.
• Before the first pitch, the batter has automatic time out until he or she is set in the box (1 pitch only)            
• Pitchers have 5 seconds to release the ball after presenting
• Pitchers may pitch from up to 6 feet behind the rubber but must come set before release
• Each at bat starts will be a 1 ball – 1 strike count with no extra fouls
• A strike zone will be used with no mat
• The height restrictions will be a minimum of 4 feet from the ground up to a maximum of 10 feet from the ground
• Pumping/Juking will be allowed except in our REC division
• A caught foul ball on the 3rd strike is a live ball. The play is not dead, and runners can try and advance
• A pitcher will not be allowed to use tape or any other substance, including a glove, upon the pitching hand or fingers of their pitching hand
• No foreign substance can be applied to the ball at any time
• At the start of a game or when a pitcher relieves another pitcher, not more than one minute may be used to deliver not more than (3) practice pitches to the catcher or some other teammate.
• Pitchers - Must wear a protective helmet not just face mask!. Pitchers are strongly encouraged to also wear full protective gear including shin guards, wrist guards, and chest/heart protection.
  

PITCHER’S LEGAL MOTIONS THAT ARE ALLOWED IN ACTUAL DELIVERY OF THE PITCH

• After assuming the pitching position on the pitcher’s mound or in the pitching area, the pitcher must present the ball in FRONT OF HIS BODY (for at least one second) in either one or both hands before starting the delivery motions. (Note: All pitching rules that apply to the pitcher’s actions before and during the release of the pitch along with the restrictions on height, speed, etc., shall remain the same.)
• The pitcher may hold or grip the ball in any manner before delivery.
• Only a definite underhand motion is permitted in the delivery of the pitch.
• The pitcher may release the pitched ball in any manner when delivering the pitch. This includes all types of delivery.
• After the pitcher presents the ball, he may make any windup or arm motions desired, either in front of his body, above his head or behind his back, including stops and pauses in these motions.
• The pitched ball must be released within 5 seconds from the time the pitcher has the ball, and the batter has taken his position in the batter’s box. From this point, the umpire shall not give a call or signal for “time” unless something unusual occurs.
• The pitcher must face home plate on delivery of pitch.
• Realizing that the pitcher does not fool very many batters to the extent that they cannot hit the ball, it is desired that pitchers not be handicapped by technicalities, when they do develop a new technique or delivery that, perhaps, will add to the pleasure and appeal to the spectators if the pitcher adheres to the basic pitching rules.

TYPE OF PITCH PERMITTED

• The ball must be pitched in a definite underhanded motion at slow speed.
• A pitched ball must have an arc and be at least 4 feet off the ground and not rise higher than 10 feet off the ground after leaving the pitcher’s hand and before it passes any part of home plate.
• The speed of the pitch and height of the pitched ball are left entirely to the judgment of the umpire. Any doubtful pitch should be ruled as an unfairly delivered pitch. The umpire shall warn a pitcher who delivers a pitch with excessive speed. If the pitcher continues to deliver excessive speed pitches, this can lead to the pitcher’s removal from the pitcher’s position for the remainder of the game.
• A pitch that does not reach 4 feet as required (flat level pitch) may not be deemed an excessive speed pitch but merely an unfairly delivered pitch.
• The catcher must remain in the lines of the catcher’s box when the pitcher is in position and remain there until a pitched ball has reached or passed home plate or is batted.

BASES

• Base distances of 70 ft are standard (65 ft bases may be used at TD’s or parks discretion) 

BATTER'S BOX

• A batter is deemed to be in the batter's box if at least one foot is in the batter's box from the anticipation of the pitch to contact with the ball

WALK RULES

• Men and Women's Divisions - one base allowed on a walk
• COED Divisions - Men take two bases and women take one base (when walking a male, the woman hitting behind them has the option to take a walk every time (no stealing))

BATTED BALL THAT HITS RUNNER ON or OFF THE BASE

• If a batted ball hits a runner that is not touching a base, the batter is out and the runners return to their previous base. If a batted ball hits a runner standing on a base, the ball is LIVE

"RE-TOUCH" RULE (FOR SAFETY PURPOSES)

• A player has the option, when standing on first or third base with a pull-hitter up to bat, to stand off the base while the pitch is being delivered up to the point at which the batter is making contact. Once contact is made, the runner must re-touch the base before continuing onto the next base. This is to add an element of safety for the runner. 

BALL THROWN BY A DEFENSIVE PLAYER

• If a ball thrown by a defensive player inadvertently hits an offense player or a bat that is outside the dugout, the closest runner to home plate is out (the on-deck batter and bat are live and are not included in this scenario)

PLAYERS HIT WITH LIVE BALLS OUTSIDE THE DUGOUT AREA

• If the defensive team has a player or bat outside the dugout and they/it gets hit by thrown ball, the ball is dead, and all runners advance one base.
• If the offensive team’s batter or bat gets hit by a thrown ball, the closest runner to home plate is out.

ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL

• Occurs when a ball is hit fair or foul when both feet of the batter are in contact with the ground COMPLETELY outside the lines of the batter’s box, or when his foot is in contact with home plate, or when the ball is batted with an illegal bat. Also of note: No Intentional infield hits/poopies/bunts - Will result in a called out!

ILLEGALLY CAUGHT BALL

• Occurs when a fielder catches a batted or thrown ball with a mask, a cap, or with any part of his clothing detached from the proper position on the fielder’s body.

FAKE TAG

• Making the motions of a tag without the ball. This may be considered obstruction and the offender may be ejected.

FOUL TIP

• A batted ball that goes directly from the bat not higher than the batter’s head (this is only an out on the 3 strike).

DUGOUT RULES (Without Covid Restrictions)

• All players must stay in dugout or in an out of play area. We allow (1) on deck hitter to be out of the dugout.
• No alcohol and/or smoking/vaping of any kind is allowed in the dugout or in the field of play
• NO Loud or vulgar music

POOR SPORTSMANSHIP & CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED

• NO “F” bombs
• NO throwing the bat
• NO taunting
• NO loud or vulgar music inside the parks 
• NO abuse
  (any violations to these rules could result in immediate ejection from the game and/or the tournament)
• Director has the right to remove any team or players at any time for violations!

EJECTION RULE 

• If (3) players from same team get ejected in the same game the entire team is removed from the tournament.

FORFEITS

• POOL PLAY – Forfeits during pool play games will be scored as a 15-0 game in the OPEN and D divisions ,and a 10-0 game in the E and REC divisions.

• BRACKET PLAY – Any forfeit in bracket play will be scored as a 7-0 game in all divisions
• Teams do not get a refund if you run into a forfeit

DISPUTES OR PROBLEMS 

• Only managers can talk to the umpire or the on site director regarding issues during a game. If a manager is unsure on a ruling from the on-field umpire, please find the tournament director immediately. Do not wait until the game ends because it will be too late to possibly fix the situation. (Tournament Director’s Decision is Final) No Sandbagging - We do not need to wait for a protest before removing illegal teams or players from our events!

 UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

* NCS Directors have the right to suspend any players or teams from play at anytime for abuse or any unsportsmanlike conduct!

INJURED PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES

• Player/substitute, manager, coach, trainer, or other team member or umpire who is bleeding or who has an open wound shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until the bleeding is stopped and the wound covered.
• If treatment can be administered in a reasonable amount of time, the individual would not have to leave the game. The amount of time is determined by the umpire’s judgment. If excessive time is involved, the re-entry rule would apply to players.
• If there is an excessive amount of blood on the uniform or if a bandage becomes blood soaked, in the judgment of the umpire, the uniform/bandage must be changed before the individual may participate.
• A player who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems), we highly recommend the player and/or coach remove them from the game and take them to the hospital.

INJURED PLAYERS COMING OUT OF THE GAME

• If a player gets injured and needs to come out of the game, their next at bat will be considered an out and all subsequent at bats will be skipped with no out taken.

EJECTED PLAYERS COMING OUT OF THE GAME

• When a player is ejected from the game, all their subsequent at bats will be considered outs, if no sub is available.

RE-ENTRY

• There is no penalty for unannounced re-entry or substitutions.

IMPROPER RE-ENTRY

• The act of an improper re-entry is handled as a protest by the offended team. Improper re-entry is a violation after a pitch is made. Examples of improper re-entry are:
• o    Starter who re-enters in an incorrect batting position.

o    Starter who re-enters a second time.

o    A substitute who re-enters the game.

• If an improper re-entry is discovered by the defense while the player is playing offensively, the following penalties will be enforced:
• If the improper re-entry is discovered while he is at bat, player is ejected, and a proper substitute assumes any accumulated balls and strikes.
• If the improper re-entry is discovered after he has completed his time at bat, but before a pitch has been made to a succeeding batter, he is called out, and the player is ejected from the game. All base runners, if they have advanced, must return to the base occupied at the time the improper re-entry took a position in the batter’s box.
• If the improper re-entry is not discovered until a pitch is made to the next batter or the improper re-entry enters as a substitute runner, the player is ejected. All play that occurred while the improper re-entry was in the game will stand.

• If an improper re-entry is discovered by the offense while the player is playing defensively, the following penalties will be enforced:
• If the improper re-entry is discovered after he makes a play on a fair-batted ball (catch or throw) or a play on a foul fly ball before the next pitch, revert to the previous pitch, the batter and each base runner are advanced one base. The improper player is ejected. If the improper re-entry is discovered after a pitch, which did not result in a batted ball on which the improper player made a play, the improper player is ejected (this includes the pitcher)

EQUIPMENT RULES

THE OFFICIAL BALL 

• DUDLEY is our NCS official ball. The optic yellow ball…. 12-inch balls for the MEN and an 11-inch for the WOMEN.
• All Game Balls must be DUDLEY and must be OPTIC YELLOW in color. All Dudley balls are allowed for men’s play except Stadium Balls and any 47-core or higher core ball for mens.
• COED no 12inch  44/525’s / or 47 core, Stadium Balls or higher then 47 core balls allowed! any other optic yellow Dudley ball is expectable for Mens playing in the COED divisions 
• Women's/ COED 11inch ball just has to be an optic yellow Dudley
• If a team is caught throwing in an illegal ball by the opposing team or umpire, the penalties will be as follows:
• 1 time – Warning / 2 time – Batter is OUT / 3 time – Game is FORFEITED     
• Teams must throw in a ball when your team is up to bat
• Please write your team name on your own balls so foul balls can get returned to the correct team
• Umpires or TD have the right to pull any ball from any game at any time. (We will return balls after events conclusion or when team is eliminated from play) They also have the right to make teams share balls to prevent unfair play if they feel any balls may be at an advantage or throw in AWS-NCS balls if applicable.
• We "Do Not" always supply balls, so be prepared to bring your own balls.
• REC Divisions Men's or COED - No 44/525's

Teams must provide 2 legal balls and give to home plate umpire before each game starts and make sure the umpire has 2 of your balls at all times throughout each game.

Teams please write your team name on all your balls.

ALTERED BALLS (Illegal for NCS play)

• Any ball that has had its original manufactured physical structure changed in any way or balls that have been frozen, micro-waved, heated, melted, cooled, re-stitched, or the surface has been modified to be rougher or softer, etc.

BAT GUIDELINES

• All bats must have USSSA, NSA, USA, or ASA stamp (No senior, baseball, or fastpitch bats allowed)
• The REC divisions can swing ASA bats as well.
• No bat is legal for NCS play if it is badly worn, abused, damaged, altered, or shaved. Bats shall not have rough or sharp edges, or anything that would present a hazard.
• No bat is legal if there is an excessive foreign substance on the barrel or taper of a bat. (i.e., too much pine tar, stick-em type products, etc.)
• NCS Umpires or Directors reserve the right to remove any bat we feel is altered, damaged, or made to enhance ball/bat performance. We will take the bat for that game and return it upon the end of the game with the mutual understanding it will not be used for the remainder of the tournament. If the bat is caught being used a second time, the player using the bat at that time will be ejected from the tournament and will be asked to leave the park/complex. If a player refuses to give up the bat for the remainder of the game, he/she will be removed from the tournament and park/complex as well.
• Coaches of adult teams which have multiple offenses under these rules may be suspended for failing to have his or her team follow AWS rules.

FOOTWEAR

• Metal spikes of any kind are prohibited in AWS tournaments

Protective equipment Policy - (New for 2023)

Pitchers - Must wear a protective helmet not just face mask!. Pitchers are strongly encouraged to also wear full protective gear including shin guards, wrist guards, and chest/heart protection.

• Any player may wear a protective mask/helmet to prevent injury and is strongly recommended

No Metal Cleats

 Infielders - Highly recommended to wear the same as a pitcher and encouraged to play deep in the infield.

JEWELRY

• All exposed jewelry or items that are judged to be hazardous or potentially dangerous by the umpire or director may not be worn during the game

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

• Due to safety concerns, at no time can a camera, audio, or video device be worn or used by an umpire, player, or coach on the field of play. Any exception must be approved the AWS Office and CEO Jay Zetz.

GLOVE RULE

 All players can choose to use first baseman’s mitt at any position

ROSTER PROTESTS 

$150 PER PROTEST - MONEY WILL BE RETURNED IF PROTEST IS UPHELD

ROSTER PROTESTS MUST BE INITIATED/REQUESTED BEFORE THE LAST OUT OF THE 3RD INNING (unless there is proof an illegal player entered after the 3rd inning)

ONLY THE MANAGER OF THE TEAM CAN MAKE A PROTEST and MUST BE STILL IN THE GAME

*Protests and illegal players are not always cut and dry - We will also use common sense when making a protest ruling (As things do fall through the cracks sometimes - Tournament Directors decision will be final) 

THE (3) TYPES OF PROTESTS THAT WE ALLOW:

·         Checking (1) player that you know is ranked higher than the allowable player matrix (i.e., a protest of a “C” player playing illegally in the “E” division. You would point out the player in question. We would ask for their ID and then check the player to see if they are legal or not based on our rules)

·         Checking (4) chip players that you know are above the allowable limit of chip players (i.e., a protest of a team having too many “D” chip players playing in an “E” tournament. You would point out the (4) players in question. We would ask for all their ID’s and then check each of them to see if they were counted as chip players based on our rules)

·         Full roster ID check to see if all players are listed on the roster before the first game (this is NOT an online player ranking protest) (i.e., a protest to prove a player playing in the game is not on the roster that is posted online either publicly or in our back-end at playncs.com. We would pull the roster and ask for all the ID’s for the players on the opposing team to make sure they are all listed on the roster)

RAIN OUTS, ACTS OF GOD, and GLOBAL CRISIS

• Any rain out, Acts of God, or Global crisis that causes us to have to cancel an event before or during tournament play will result in a CREDIT based on the games played (i.e. if playing in a $400 4GG tournament and only (1) game gets played, a $300 credit will be issued for a future tournament. If (2) games were played, a $200 credit, and so on. The credit is only good for tournaments run by the same director group and will expire if not used within (2) years of original entry date). 
• If the full game guarantee is met for the tournament, no credits or refunds will be given.

 (Once a game starts, it is considered a played game)

• If the cancellation occurs during the pool play portion of a tournament, no awards will be handed out.
• If a cancellation occurs during the bracket play portion of the tournament, awards will be handled as follows:
• Awards will be awarded if there is a clear-cut winner of the tournament (i.e., If there is an undefeated team playing a team from the loser’s bracket in the Championship game, the awards will be given as 1 for the undefeated team and 2 to the loser’s bracket team, etc.)
• Awards will not be awarded if there is no clear-cut winner of the tournament (i.e., If the bracket has just started and there are multiple games remaining with no clear-cut winner)

NCS Awards Details: (Basic events not always exact)

·         With 4 or less teams its winner takes all as long as we have at least 2 teams in your division.

·         1st and 2nd place prizes will be given out with 5 or more teams. 

·         1st-3rd place prizes will be given out with 20 or more teams in your division.

·         1st-4th place prizes will be given out with more than 30 or more teams in your division.

PARK RULES

•  NCS have standard park rules during tournament play which include but are not limited to the following:
• NO alcohol / NO Smoking / NO glass containers / NO loud or vulgar music
• There are always going to be PARK SPECIFIC rules that each city sets forth so please check the city’s park website to check on the following additional rules:
• NO dogs at most parks - Some parks may allow dogs on a leash so make sure you check the website to make sure it is ok before you bring them out / NO scooters / NO bikes / NO skateboards / NO sunflower seeds

Player Re-class Request Form