5.13.1

Refer to General State Carnival Rules.

5.13.2

UNIFORMS

Players are to wear Area / Association uniforms that are numbered without duplication. Players can not take the diamond with a shirt that is not numbered, unless agreed upon at the Managers' Pre-Carnival Meeting.

5.13.3

CONDUCT OF COMPETITION

(a)

Where less than twelve (12) teams are present, a full round robin will be played.

(b)

When more than twelve (12) teams are present, two (2) pools will be played with a crossover semifinal and finals for all placings being played.

(c)

(i)

When twelve (12) teams are present, three (3) pools will be played. The seedings to be decided on previous year's results.

POOL

A

B

C

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

(ii)

On the first day each team will play the other teams in their pool once. At the conclusion of Day 1 the teams will be ranked in order from 1 to 4 in each pool.

(iii)

• Teams ranked 1 and 2 in their pool are placed in Pool X to play each other once over the following two days.
• Teams ranked 3 and 4 in their pool are placed in Pool Y to play each other once over the following two days.

(iv)

Final positions will be determined on points gained from all games, with Pool X: 1st to 6th and POOL Y: 7th to 12th. Teams finishing equal in Pool X will be declared joint winners.  Teams finishing equal 2nd in Pool X will be declared joint runners up.

DRAW OPTION - Click here to download the draw option for 12 Teams.

(d)

(i)

In the event of two teams finishing level on points in a pool, the placings
shall be determined by:

• The result of the pool game between the two teams will determine the higher placing.
• If the game was a draw, the higher placed team will be determined on the least number of runs scored against them throughout the round.
• If the runs against were equal, the higher placed team will be determined on percentages.
• If percentages were equal, the higher placed team will be determined on the high number of runners left on base in the game involving the two equal teams.
• If runners left on base were equal, the higher placed team will be determined after a tie break is played which will be considered a continuation of the drawn game between the two equal teams.

(ii)

In the event of three or more teams finishing level on points in a pool, the placings will be determined on percentages in the games involving only those teams.

(e)

When two (2) pools are played and in the event of a drawn semi-final, a tie break will be played to determine the winner. In the event of the final being a drawn game, both teams will be declared joint winners.

(f)

When two (2) pools are played and in the event of a drawn preliminary play off game, a tie break will be played to determine the winner.

5.13.4

(a)

The host Area / Association shall supply bases, home plate, pitchers plates and shelters.

(b)

Safety bases are to be used.

(c)

Each team will supply its own gloves, mitts, catchers protective equipment, bats, batters helmets and score books.

(d)

All batters, base runners and junior base coaches (under 18) must wear helmets.

(e)

Catchers are to wear helmets, face masks with throat protectors, body protectors and leggings. While catchers are taking warm up pitches from the pitching plate or in the warm-up area, he/she must have on all the above protective equipment. Any other member of a team, including officials, must wear a helmet, mask and throat protector while receiving warm up pitches from the pitcher’s plate.

(f)

All players must wear shinpads.

(g)

It is recommended that players wear mouth guards especially infield players.

5.13.5

MATCH BALLS

The official match ball to be used at the New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association Carnivals will be an 11 inch leather ball. Match balls will be supplied by the New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association

5.13.6

(a)

A team at bat may declare its innings at NSWPSSA Softball Carnivals.

(b)

The 'Run Ahead' rule does not apply at NSWPSSA Softball Carnivals.

(c)

The 'Intentional Walk' rule does not apply at NSWPSSA Softball Carnivals.

5.13.7

MATCH RULES

Match rules shall be in accordance with the official rules of the Australian Softball Federation except:

(a)

(i)

Pitching distance for the Girls Carnival shall be 10.67 metres (35').

(ii)

Pitching distance for the Boys Carnival shall be 12.19 metres (40')

(b)

The period of play shall be regulation game with a maximum time of one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes. The game will be extended by a time equivalent to any ‘time off’ requested by a Coach in the last five (5) minutes of the game.

(c)

When injury, illness or removal results in a team having less than the required number of players, the game will continue. When the absent player is due to bat it is an automatic out.

(d)

Catcher Speed Up Rule
When the batting side has two (2) out and the catcher is on base, the batting team may elect to have a runner replace the catcher. The replacement runner can not be one of the next five (5) batters in the line up but can be any player listed on the line up card. This is not considered a substitution.

5.13.8

PROTESTS

All protests involving game rules are to be settled by the Umpire in Chief. Protests relating to the scoring of runs in a game must be lodged within (10) ten minutes of the completion of the game in question.

5.13.9

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE

A Judicial Committee of three (3) shall be formed at the Managers’ Pre-Carnival meeting to deal with any player reported by an umpire.

5.13.10

BLOOD BIN

The ‘Blood Bin and Spitting Policy’ of Softball NSW will apply in all NSWPSSA fixtures.

5.13.11

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the case of inclement weather, a legal game is when there has been an equal number of innings completed by both teams after half of the allocated game time.

5.13.12

COACHING

Coaching by a team official, who must be a teacher, currently employed, permanent or temporary, by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, Catholic Education or Independent School systems or a team member, may take place from the particular area known as the coach's box.

5.13.13

SELECTION COMMITTEE

The Selection Committee shall be made up of the State Coach, State Convener and a coach/manager representing each of the pools elected at the Managers’ Pre-Carnival Meeting. All other Area/Association Coaches/Managers will be consulted throughout the selection process.