DIVISION I DISTRICT GIRLS’ SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES

The tournament director/host school(s) should coordinate a meeting with district coaches to clarify the following items prior to the start of the tournament.

Communication with district coaches can be initiated through the TSSAA Portal by clicking on the following tabs:

Sports > Memberships > Members

Here you will find email distribution lists for all district athletic directors and head coaches. You will also find a no-cost conference call line with an access code that is unique for your district.

  1. Tournament Draw / Schedule – The tournament draw is based on seeding criteria established by the district. Set the schedule and times for all games, if not already done. Notify assigning officer of local association chosen to work the tournament of the district tournament schedule, times and sites as soon as possible. The tournament must be completed by the dates outlined in the TSSAA Calendar
  2. Suspended Games / Run Rule – A suspended game shall be continued from the point of suspension at the next earliest opportunity to play.  Tournament games do not have to go the full 7 innings.  Coaches, plus the umpire-in-chief, can mutually agree to terminate a game early and a winner declared.  Coaches must also mutually agree to the 10 run rule after 4½ innings (with the home team leading) or 5 innings in order for the rule to be enforced.
  3. Tournament Site – In selecting the site of the district tournament, consideration should be given to the facility that is in the best interest of the schools involved, the participants, and spectators.  Adequate softball facilities may include but are not limited to:
    1. Ability to charge admission.
    2. Skinned infield.
    3. Minimum fence requirements (185′ – 235′) – Outfield fence requirements as set forth in the NFHS Softball Rule Book.
    4. Availability of lights.
    5. Adequate dug-outs.
  4. Tournament Director -The tournament director shall be selected by the schools within the district.  It shall be the duty of the Tournament Director to handle all financial arrangements for the tournament and to make financial reports to the participating teams.  Additional responsibilities include:
    1. Arranging for scorekeepers, ball boys, ticket sellers and takers.
    2. Make arrangements for concessions. Profits from the concessions will go to the host school or to those appointed by the host school to handle them.
    3. Purchase softballs (The Wilson A9011 (NFHS Polycore) will be used in the TSSAA State Softball Tournament.). The cost of these balls shall be part of the game expenses. The unused balls should be divided between the participating teams after the game is completed.
  5. Tickets / Price of Admission – Ticket prices for the tournament should be agreed upon by the schools. They are not set by TSSAA. Arrangements for tickets should be made by the host schools.
  6. Tournament Passes – The host school(s) along with the teams in the district should agree on the passes that will be accepted at the gate, as well as the number of passes that will be honored for players and staff of participating teams. TSSAA ID cards, TSSAA Championship Event cards, and TACA cards are not to be accepted as passes.
  7. Tournament Rosters – A team may place an unlimited number of players on the roster for district tournament play. Coaches should have their line-up written out and ready to give to the scorekeeper and the umpire when going over the ground rules.
  8. Game Officials – Game officials shall be supplied by the umpire association recognized by TSSAA that was chosen by the coaches of the schools in the tournament.  The entire group must have an opportunity to vote on the association to be used in the district tournament.  Game officials shall be paid regular season rates plus mileage at 15 cents per mile per official. Mileage is to be paid only if travel for the official is outside the county in which the official resides and should be based on mileage from city to city.
  9. Financial Arrangements – TSSAA shall receive 18% of the gross gate receipts. Postseason financial forms must now be completed through the TSSAA Portal.   All checks for district, regional, and sectional tournaments and playoffs must be distributed within 10 business days of the completion of the tournament or game. Failure to do so will result in a $100.00 late fee to be paid to TSSAA and is to be used in the A.F. Bridges sportsmanship program to go to schools or students receiving awards. Failure to distribute funds within 20 business days will result in an additional $200 late fee (total $300.00). Failure to distribute funds within 40 business days will result in an additional $200.00 late fee (total $500.00). The school may not host any tournament or playoff until the principal or athletic director appears before the Board of Control to explain their reasons for not distributing the checks within the required time frame. The Board would then determine whether the school can host tournaments or playoffs in the future.
  10. Video / Videostream / Radio – Video taping or filming is permitted as long as the taping or filming is for private use or used by the two schools involved and not for public or commercial use. Video taping or filming must be done from the individual’s seat. Individuals will not be allowed to use tripods. A school taping or filming its own game may use a tripod. A school will not be allowed to tape or film a game unless its team is involved in the game. All taping or filming by a school must be approved by the local Game Director and the Game Director shall assign space, when available, from which to tape or film. Any media entity or school wishing to videostream or tape delay any part of the district tournament must get permission from the tournament director. If such permission is granted, a minimum fee of $250 (tape delay) or $500 (live telecast/videostream) is required. The fee will be paid to the game director and shall be included as part of the gate receipts.
  11. Tournament Awards – TSSAA provides a district championship plaque and a district runner-up plaque.  Please check the list of the Softball Awards Coordinators to determine where the district plaques have been sent. Tournament directors are encouraged to contact the Athletic Director of the school that received their district’s awards and make arrangements for delivery.
  12. Submitting Results & Region Tournament Information – Upon completion of the district tournament, please email your district champion and runner-up to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In addition, region semifinal and region final hosts please submit the site and time of your game to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.
  13. Region Tournament Guidelines – Information for teams which advance to the Division I Region Tournament, can be found here.



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