Official FASA Rulebook

Overview & Qualification

The following rules are the official FASTPITCH AMERICA Softball Association rules in effect at all Regional and National tournaments. Local areas may modify these rules to conform to their local high school and recreational league rules only. Optional rules are common for coach pitch versus machine pitch in younger divisions. Local options are not necessarily endorsed by FASTPITCH AMERICA but demonstrate the flexibility and tolerance of the association.

Safety rules are NOT flexible. We will adhere to all safety rules in their fullest, including those mandated by the governing body of softball. To keep this rule book streamlined, FASTPITCH AMERICA refers to the National Federation of High School's (NFHS) rule book for all rules and case studies.

Intent and purpose: the restrictions the rules place upon players are intended to create a balance of play, provide equal opportunity between offense and defense, and create an atmosphere of sporting behavior and fair play. A player or team should not be permitted an advantage not intended by a rule, nor should play be permitted that places a player or team at a disadvantage not intended by a rule.

World Series & Nationals qualification guidelines:

• 1. Teams must be FASTPITCH AMERICA sanctioned.
• 2. Attend the FASTPITCH AMERICA State Tournament in your home state, or a Regional Qualifier Tournament for your area.
• 3. Receive an at-large berth.
• 4. Roster: up to three pick-up players may be added to a team's roster after the State Tournament / National Qualifier / NIT.

1. Definitions

• 1.1 Altered bat: when the physical structure of a legal softball bat has been changed.
• 1.2 Appeal: a play or rule violation on which the umpire does not rule until requested by a coach or player. Judgment calls (balls, strikes, safe, outs) are not appealable.
• 1.3 Base runner: an offensive batter who has just put the ball in play becomes a base runner.
• 1.4 Bunt: when a batter taps the pitched ball and attempts to put it in play. The bat does not have to remain still to be a bunt attempt.
• 1.5 Conference: anytime a head coach gets permission to suspend play to talk to the players. Only one offensive or defensive conference is allowed per half-inning without penalty. On the second defensive conference in a half-inning the pitcher must be replaced and must pitch to at least one batter; the replaced pitcher may return to the pitcher's position once per half-inning.
• 1.6 Stalling: the umpire may end a conference early if a team is trying to stall. This call cannot be questioned or appealed.
• 1.7 5-Minute Rule: the umpire stops the clock if a time out is called by either team or an injury occurs in the last 5 minutes of the game. The umpire keeps the official time.
• 1.8 Leap: an act by the pitcher which causes both feet to be airborne at the same time on the initial move from the pitcher's plate.
• 1.9 Crow Hop / Replant: the act of a pitcher who steps, hops, or drags off the front of the pitcher's plate, replants the pivot foot to establish a second starting point, and pushes off from the new point to complete the delivery.
• 1.10 Dead ball: when the ball is not in play. The umpire declares “Dead ball.”
• 1.11 Fake tag: when a defensive player makes the motion of tagging a base runner when no play is being made. Penalty could be ejection of the offending player.
• 1.12 Foul tip: a batted ball that goes sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher's mitt or hand and is legally caught. It is a strike and remains a live ball.
• 1.13 Hit by pitch: when the pitched ball hits the batter who is not swinging and a strike is not called. Dead ball results and the batter advances to first base.
• 1.14 Illegal bats: a bat that does not meet the requirements of an official bat as dictated by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
• 1.15 Infield fly rule: a batted pop fly in the infield with one or fewer outs and runners on first and second, or first, second, and third. When the umpire judges the ball can be caught with reasonable effort, he indicates/verbalizes infield fly and the batter is out.
• 1.16 Live ball: any time the ball is in play, until the umpire calls “time” or “dead ball.”
• 1.17 Age groups: a player's age on 8/1 of the seasonal year. The seasonal year runs 8/01 of the calendar year until 7/31 of the following year.
• 1.18 Age update: all players age up on 8/01 of the calendar year. Example: a girl who turns 17 on 08/01 may play 16U until 07/31 of the calendar year, then must play 18U starting 08/01.
• 1.19 All 8U players, all 10U infielders, and 12U pitchers and corners (1st and 3rd) must wear protective face guards. Face guards are optional for 14U and up.
• 1.20 Online rosters are required. Penalty: if a team's roster is not online and the opposing coach protests a player's eligibility, the protest is upheld; the team without the online roster forfeits the game and the player is disqualified for that weekend.
• 1.21 Players are allowed on only one roster as a rostered player. If a girl is on two rosters as a rostered player, she is officially on the roster of the first team that submitted her and must be a pickup player on the second. Coaches are responsible for correct rosters.
• 1.22 Up to 3 pickup players are allowed, but the team must use the online pickup player form. Penalty: a player who should have been on the pickup form is treated as a pickup unless the team already has 3 pickups listed; if so and she is rostered on another team, the player is disqualified and the team forfeits the current game.

2. Basics of Playing the Game

These are the basic playing rules adopted by FASTPITCH AMERICA. Universal fundamentals (balls, strikes, outs, foul/fair, home run, walk, etc.) are not restated.

• 2.1 The plate is fair territory. A hit ball that hits the plate and remains fair, or rests on the plate, is a fair ball.
• 2.2 The strike zone: a pitched ball that crosses any part of the plate in width and crosses anywhere from the batter's knees to her solar plexus.
• 2.3 The game is seven innings (6U and 8U are six innings) unless a run rule applies or a time limit / fewer innings are set in advance.
• 2.4 Run rule: 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings.
• 2.5 In games pre-determined to be 5 innings (timed or untimed): 12 runs after 2 innings, 10 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.
• 2.6 Tied game after regulation/time limit: leagues may play extra innings until a winner; tournaments use the International Tiebreaker (the last completed at-bat of the previous inning starts at second base; play until a winner).
• 2.7 Determining home team: leagues may pre-set on a schedule or use a coin toss; tournaments use a coin toss before the game or assign the highest seed as home.
• 2.8 Ball is dead when: “no pitch” is called; a foul fly is not caught; offensive interference; the batter/runner is hit by a batted ball before a fielder touches it; the umpire calls “time”; or a bucket (allowed on the field for signals only) is hit by or interferes with a fielder (interference/blocked ball/obstruction at the umpire's judgment).
• 2.9 Ball is live: any batted fair ball; any fair ball in the playable field; any time before the umpire calls “time”; when an umpire is hit by a thrown/batted ball; when a base coach is accidentally hit by a thrown ball.
• 2.10 Protests are decided when they occur (before the next pitch). Play is halted and a ruling made. The final decision is the tournament director's (or acting director's). Protest fee $100.00 per protest; only the coach at the plate meeting may lodge a protest. The entire roster cannot be protested, but player eligibility can be protested individually.
• 2.11 Intentional walk: a batter may be intentionally walked at any time during the at-bat. An intentional walk before a pitch is thrown counts as a pitch for protest purposes.
• 2.12 Illness: a girl removed due to sickness or injury may not re-enter that game but may resume the next game.

3. Official Pitching Rules

FASA allows the “Step Back,” the “Start Back,” or the traditional both-feet-on-the-rubber stance.

• 3.1 Before pitching, the pitcher must: have possession of the ball in the pitching or glove hand; have both hands separated as she steps onto the rubber; have the pivot foot in contact with the rubber; take or simulate taking signs while on the rubber from the catcher only; (on delivery the pivot foot may slide across the plate); if using “Start Back,” step back before the pitch begins; if using “Step Back,” begin the step-back motion as or before the hands separate.
• 3.2 The pitch begins when the hands are no longer separated. The delivery can be aborted by stepping off the rubber with a backward step of the plant foot.
• 3.3 The delivery must start no less than 1 second and no more than 10 seconds after the hands are together.
• 3.4 Pitcher's delivery: windmill or slingshot is acceptable; arm movement must be underhand; Start Back, Step Back, or traditional are allowed; the hand shall be below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow; a Crow Hop (replanting the pivot foot and pushing off again) is not permitted during the delivery; leaping is legal.
• 3.5 The pitcher cannot stop her motion before the ball leaves her hand.
• 3.6 If the pitcher stops her wind-up (unless the umpire calls time) without releasing the ball, an illegal pitch is called and a ball is awarded. No action by a batter, coach, or fan can cause an illegal pitch.
• 3.7 The pitcher cannot have anything distracting on her pitching arm, hand, or wrist. Any sweatband must be flesh-colored on the pitching wrist/arm. The umpire may prohibit any item that distracts the batter.
• 3.8 The pitcher may ask the umpire for a different ball before the start of her pitch. In wet conditions a coach may request permission to towel-dry the balls.
• 3.9 Intentional walk: the pitcher may notify the umpire at any time during the at-bat; no pitches need be thrown.

4. Batting and Base Running

• 4.1 The girl is the batter when she takes her place in the batter's box.
• 4.2 The batter may call time by lifting her hand; the umpire may grant it. If not granted, she takes the called pitch.
• 4.3 Batting out of order may be appealed by the defense: during the illegal batter, the correct batter takes over and assumes the count; after the illegal batter bats but before the next pitch, the girl who should have batted is out and base advances revert. The next correct batter follows the girl called out. After the next pitch, the play stands. Lineup positions are determined by the player's name, not jersey number (number errors are correctable).
• 4.4 The batter is out when: she steps on the plate while hitting (fair or foul); she steps out of the box while hitting (fair or foul); she fouls off a third strike while bunting; the catcher catches a third-strike foul tip.
• 4.5 The batter advances to first when: pitched four balls; hit by pitch (unless in the strike zone or swung at); the catcher drops a third strike with one or fewer outs and first base unoccupied, or with two outs regardless (a ball that hits the dirt and is caught counts as a dropped third strike; if the batter enters the dead-ball area, outside the field fence or in the dugout, she is out); or the catcher interferes with the bat during the swing or at any other time during the pitch. If the ball is put in play during the interference, the offensive coach may take the play or the interference.
• 4.6 The base runner must run the bases in order when advancing or retreating.
• 4.7 A missed bag is appealable to the umpire by the defense before the next pitch (except coach pitch).
• 4.8 Look-back / hesitation: if a runner attempts to advance while the pitcher has the ball in the circle, she must continue; any retreat (without the pitcher making a play) results in an out. The runner may turn the corner and immediately look for the ball · that is not an attempt to advance.
• 4.9 Runners may steal only after the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
• 4.10 A runner cannot run more than 3 feet out of the base path to avoid a tag (out). The base path is the direct line between the runner and the next base.
• 4.11 A runner should avoid contact with a defensive player making a play. Any aggressive act results in an out, or ejection at the umpire's discretion.
• 4.12 No defensive player may block a base, home plate, or the base path without possession of the ball.
• 4.13 A runner cannot interfere with a fielder making a play (out; other runners return unless forced; the batter-runner is safe at first).
• 4.14 If a batted ball hits a base runner before passing or being touched by a defensive player · non-pitcher, unless the pitcher has touched the ball or made a play on it · the runner is out. Interference with a fielding attempt also results in an out. A runner must retouch on a caught fly and may not advance until the ball is touched by the defense.
• 4.15 Obstruction: any act by a player, coach, or fan that impedes the batter's fair opportunity to hit, or hinders a runner from reaching the next base (physical, visual, or verbal).
• 4.16 Interference: any act by a player, coach, or fan that impedes the defense from making a play (physical, visual, or verbal). A checked swing or attempted bunt with the bat pulled back is not interference.
• 4.17 On-deck batters may use either on-deck circle.

5. Official Lineup of Players and Substitutes

• 5.1 Rosters are required at all FASA sanctioned tournaments.
• 5.2 Teams cannot play down in age group.
• 5.3 Players can play on only one FASA team on a given weekend (penalty: forfeit and player ejected). Exception: players may play in two separate one-day tournaments that start on separate days (e.g., a Saturday tournament and a Sunday tournament).
• 5.4 A team must start with nine defensive players.
• 5.5 Extra Players (EP): a team may use nine regular players plus up to three EPs (10, 11, or 12 batters); any nine may field. A DP/FLEX may also be added; if using a DP/FLEX with only 9 batters, one of the 9 is the DP. 8U may use DP/FLEX but must bat 10. The FLEX must remain on defense unless inserted once for the DP or replaced (eliminating the FLEX for the rest of the game).
• 5.6 Lineups are required before the game; players may not be added after the first pitch.
• 5.7 Substitutes must be listed on the lineup sheet and may enter at any time. The starter may re-enter once; the substitute may re-enter once.
• 5.8 Courtesy runners are allowed for pitchers and catchers. Selection: (1) any player on the lineup sheet not currently in the batting order · a player who has been in the order is the second choice, behind one who has not (the FLEX counts as in the lineup and cannot be a courtesy runner); (2) if all players are in the batting order, the runner is the last completed at-bat (the last girl scheduled to enter the dugout; if that was the pitcher or catcher, it reverts to the batter immediately preceding her); (3) a courtesy runner may run for the pitcher OR the catcher per half-inning, not both; (4) in the top or bottom of the first inning with no completed at-bat, the courtesy runner is the player in the last position in the batting lineup.
• 5.9 Lineup sheets are turned in at the start (one copy each to the plate umpire and opposing team). An available substitute takes the spot of a player lost to injury/illness. Without a substitute, her spot is scratched unless fewer than 9 remain, in which case that spot is an out (no penalty as long as at least 9 remain).
• 5.10 An ejected player's spot is an out unless a substitute is available. A team must have at least 9 on the lineup card but may finish with 8 (the missing spot is an out). Fewer than 8 fieldable players results in a forfeit.
• 5.11 A player's age on August 1 of the seasonal year determines her age classification. Seasonal years run 8/1 to 7/31; teams and players age up 8/1 of the calendar year.

6. Equipment

Equipment must be standard, approved, and marked “Official Softball” or similar. All official safety equipment must be used. Any deviation places liability on the head coach.

• 6.1 All bats must be unaltered official softball bats; the umpire checks bats before the game and removes illegal bats. Use of an illegal bat is an automatic out for that player and the coach is restricted to the dugout for the game (ejected on a second occurrence).
• 6.2 A FASTPITCH AMERICA stamped game ball (or equivalent) must be used. 12U through 18-Over use a 12″ ball with .47 COR and .375 compression; 8U and 10U use an 11″ ball with .47 COR and .375 compression. Core and compression must be clearly visible.
• 6.3 Non-compliance leads to the offending coach being ejected.
• 6.4 All batting helmets and catching gear must be approved and in original condition (personalized designs are okay). Player safety is the main concern.
• 6.5 Shoes and socks must be worn; plastic cleats are recommended. Metal cleats are allowed for 14U, 16U, 18U, 18-Over, and 16/18U. Coaches may wear open-toed shoes.
• 6.6 Hats and visors are optional per player; they may be worn backwards only with a face shield.
• 6.7 Hair bows, braids, and decorations are allowed if they create no safety hazard.
• 6.8 Numbers must be worn, with no two players sharing a number (09 and 9 are separate). Number errors are correctable.
• 6.9 Multi-colored gloves are allowed if not the same color as the softball.
• 6.10 6U and 8U players, 10U infielders, and 12U pitchers/1st/3rd must wear clear face shields. 14U and older: recommended, not required. Heart guards are highly recommended.
• 6.11 Electronic scorebooks may not be the official book.

7. Regulations of the “Playing Field”

Basic field dimensions by age group. Maximum fence distances may be farther only if the field cannot be brought into legal distance; temporary fences are recommended.

• 7.1 A 16-foot diameter circle is drawn evenly around the pitching rubber.
• 7.2 The batter's boxes are 3 feet wide and 7 feet long, with 4 feet toward the pitching rubber from the center of the plate.
• 7.3 Base lines extend 3 feet on both sides of the base, parallel to the center line.
• 7.4 Coaching boxes and on-deck batter's boxes are suggested.

8. Umpire's Rights and Responsibilities

• 8.1 The umpire enforces the rules in a fair and equitable manner.
• 8.2 The umpire keeps control of the game.
• 8.3 The umpire may eject any player, coach, or fan for unsportsmanlike behavior.
• 8.4 Judgment calls cannot be protested.
• 8.5 A call that may misinterpret the rules can be protested.
• 8.6 A head coach may appeal a check swing to the plate umpire (the field umpire may have a better view); the plate umpire need not grant the appeal.
• 8.7 The umpire may suspend play for any reason (acts of nature, unruly conduct, etc.).
• 8.8 Everyone is responsible for sportsmanship. An unruly fan may place the entire team in jeopardy of ejection or forfeit.

9. Special Tournament Rules

9.1 6-Under Tee-Ball:

• 1. Each half-inning ends with 3 outs or 10 batters, whichever comes first.
• 2. Free substitution on the field; no more than 6 players in the infield.
• 3. Two defensive coaches may be present to assist with positioning; they must stay behind the deepest fielder and may not interfere. If a coach touches the ball or a player, interference is called and each runner is awarded the base she was running to plus one additional base (the umpire rules on the play).
• 4. All infield defensive players except the pitcher must remain no closer than 10 ft in front of an imaginary line between first–second and second–third until the ball is in play. The pitcher must keep at least one foot in the circle until the ball is hit. Outfielders must be 10 ft behind the imaginary base line before the pitch.
• 5. On an overthrow during an attempt to make a play at a base, runners get only one additional base provided the ball is retrieved and immediately returned to the pitcher in the circle. If a fielder gets the ball after the overthrow and attempts a play, the ball remains live and runners may advance.
• 6. The batter gets a maximum of 5 swings from the tee unless the 5th and consecutive swings are foul. A coach may be at the plate to assist with the tee.
• 7. “Time” is called when the fielding team has returned the ball to the pitcher in the circle and controls it, or when the runners have stopped.
• 8. All players present at the start are in the batting lineup (“bat the roster”). A late arrival is added to the bottom of the order. No pinch runners unless a player is injured.
• 9. A batted ball must travel at least 10 ft to be fair (designated by an arc between the foul lines). Incidental contact with the tee is allowed as long as the ball is also hit fair.
• 10. If the 10th batter hits the ball, the defense may end the inning with an out on the lead runner regardless of the number of outs. Returning the ball to the pitcher in the circle calls time.
• 11. There will be no walks.
• 12. There will be no infield fly rule.
• 13. Fielders cannot stand on a base unless they are receiving a throw.
• 14. A throw is the ball thrown overhand to another player. Rolling the ball is not allowed and is not a throw (no “bowling”).
• 15. There will be no base stealing.
• 16. Catchers may not throw down on runners on any base.
• 17. 6U may use a combination of coach pitch and tee-ball (the coach gets 3 pitches, then the batter gets 2 swings off the tee).
• 18. All players MUST wear a face shield.

9.2 6-Under & 8-Under Coach Pitch:

• 1. 8 runs or 3 outs per half-inning. After the 3rd out or 8th run, all play stops to prevent injury.
• 2. 10 defensive players allowed; no more than 6 infielders; outfielders at least 10 ft beyond the bases. A team with 10 defenders must bat 10. DP/FLEX may be used only when batting at least 10 with an 11th listed as the FLEX.
• 3. 5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes; the 5th and consecutive fouls are not counted against the 5-pitch count.
• 4. If the coach-pitcher is hit by the ball, it is a no-pitch do-over; the batter returns to the box and assumes the prior count.
• 5. The player-pitcher must remain in the circle until the ball is pitched and may not interfere with the coach-pitcher. The coach-pitcher may pitch from any distance inside the 16-ft circle within the 24-inch rubber boundaries, using a straight-ahead approach (no pitching from either side to gain a directional-hit advantage). Penalty: if the coach-pitcher steps outside the circle or the 24-inch boundary before release, a strike is called.
• 6. While the ball is in play, runners advance at their own risk. The defense stops play by stopping the lead runner; once the lead runner is safely stopped, the ball is thrown to the circle and no runner may advance. If instead the lead runner is TAGGED OUT before reaching the next base, the ball is NOT dead · the next runner becomes the lead runner and may continue to advance at her own risk until she is out or her progress is stopped.
• 7. Approved balls: COR .47, .375 compression, 11-inch, optic yellow.
• 8. Two coaches may stand in the outfield foul area only, 15 ft beyond the bases, one on each side.
• 9. Runners may leave the base when the coach releases the pitch.
• 10. Run rule: 12 runs after the 3rd inning, 10 after the 4th, 8 after the 5th.
• 11. Unlimited players on the roster.
• 12. Teams may bat up to 13 players (a lineup of 10 with up to 3 EPs).
• 13. If the coach-pitcher interferes with a defensive player making a play on the ball, it is a dead-ball out and no runners may advance.
• 14. No base stealing. Throwing down behind a runner is allowed, but if the catcher throws down behind a runner she is making a play on the runner and ALL runners may advance (and may be tagged out). On a clean catch returned to the pitcher, runners must retreat.
• 15. Bunting and slapping are allowed.
• 16. No smash hitting (faking a bunt and then hitting away).
• 17. There will be no infield fly rule or intentional walk for 8-Under.
• 18. A throw is the ball thrown overhand or underhanded to another player. Rolling the ball is not a throw; if the umpire judges the ball was rolled, the runner is declared safe.
• 19. The catcher may not catch a foul ball unless she is in the catcher's box and in the normal catching position when the pitch is thrown; otherwise it is a non-caught foul ball.
• 20. All players MUST wear a face shield.

10. Special Rules by Division

10.3 8-Under Modified Girl Pitch:

• 1. The player-pitcher pitches 5 pitches or until there are 3 balls on the batter, whichever comes first. If the batter does not hit or strike out, a coach assumes the count and may pitch up to 3 pitches; if the batter fouls off the second coach pitch she remains at bat until she hits fair or strikes out.
• 2. There will be no walks; the batter must hit or strike out. The only time a batter takes first base is when she is hit by a player pitch.
• 3. The umpire records balls and strikes on the batter.
• 4. The pitching distance is 35 ft with an 8-ft circle.
• 5. The bases are set at 60 ft.
• 6. All batters and runners must wear a batting helmet.
• 7. There are 10 players on offense and defense. The player-pitcher remains in the circle when the coach pitches.
• 8. Catchers must wear full protective equipment (mask/throat protector, chest protector, shin guards).
• 9. If the catcher does not occupy the catcher's box in the squatted position until the coach-pitcher pitches, a caught foul is not an out (it is a dead-ball foul).
• 10. A throw is the ball thrown overhand to another player. Rolling the ball is not a throw.
• 11. There will be no base stealing or throwing behind the base runners.
• 12. There will be no infield fly rule.
• 13. All players MUST wear a face shield.

10.4 8-Under Machine Pitch:

• 1. 5 hittable pitches = 5 strikes (if the ball is fouled off on the last pitch, the batter continues to bat). A ball that is not hittable is called a no-pitch.
• 2. The runner may lead off when the ball leaves the machine.
• 3. 10 defensive players are allowed, with 4 outfielders behind the base path. The pitcher must keep one foot in the circle and be even with the machine.
• 4. Minimum of 9 players per team. A team with 10 defenders must bat 10; DP/FLEX may be used only when batting at least 10 with an 11th listed as the FLEX.
• 5. Two coaches are allowed on the field in the outfield.
• 6. The machine is set to approximately 35 MPH.
• 7. Bunting and stealing are allowed. No smash hitting (faking a bunt then hitting away).
• 8. The bases are set at 60 ft.
• 9. Time is called when the ball is back in the pitcher's circle.
• 10. One base is awarded on any overthrow trying to pick off a runner.
• 11. A throw is the ball thrown overhand to another player. Rolling the ball is not a throw.
• 12. Runners may not steal home. If a hit ball strikes the pitching machine or coach, it is an automatic one base for all runners.
• 13. Play stops when the ball is back in the circle or the lead runner is stopped.
• 14. There is an 8-ft circle around the machine.
• 15. All players MUST wear a face shield.

10.5 10-Under:

• 1. An 11-inch diameter game ball must be used in all FASA sanctioned tournaments.
• 2. The pitching distance is 35 ft.
• 3. 10U teams play by the same rules as the older age divisions, with the only exceptions being ball size and pitching distance.
• 4. Heart guards are recommended for pitchers.

10.6 High School Division:

• 1. A combined age group of 16U and 18U.

11. Sportsmanship Guidelines

• 11.1 If a player is hurt, the umpire calls dead ball after play stops; until then runners advance at their own risk. Player safety is monitored by all coaches and umpires.
• Unsportsmanlike behavior by a player, coach, or fan is an ejectable offense.
• Umpires should be fair, impartial, and never speak rudely. They are human and may err as coaches and players do; disrespect toward them will not be tolerated. FASTPITCH AMERICA pursues the best decision-makers to call its tournaments.
• Coaches follow the rules of sportsmanship, never stall a game, are gracious in winning and losing, and are responsible for the sportsmanship of their own players and fans.

12. Team Classifications & Pickup Players

In an effort to classify teams more accurately, FASA considers winning record and run differential in bracket play to determine team classification.

12.1 Team classifications:

• Class A – winning percentage of 75% and a run differential greater than 10 in bracket play only.
• Class B – winning percentage of 51% and a run differential greater than 10 in bracket play only. All unpaid teams are classified Class B.
• Class C – winning percentage less than 51%.
• FASA REC – a team formed from and playing in a drafted league.
• FASA SELECT REC – teams from or playing in a non-drafted league (fewer than 5 girls on any team were not in the open draft).
• Classifications are based on win percentage and run differential and can bump teams up or down a class.

FASA clarification: a run differential of exactly 10 also qualifies for Class A/B · the platform applies the threshold as 10 or more, not strictly greater than 10.

12.2 Pickup players:

• Pickup players must be listed on the team roster as pickup players.
• Teams in Class C tournaments may pick up only 1 player from a Class A or B team; the other 2 pickups must come from a Class C team.
• Pickup players may play down in classification but not in age. Players “playing down” may not pitch or catch in Class C tournaments (penalty: player ejected, team forfeits).
• If a player is not on a FASA roster, FASA will check other organizations' rosters; if she is on a FASA roster, only the FASA roster is checked. FASA does not use GameChanger for roster verification.