Bobby Bonds Annual Softball Tournament Rules

• Tournament is co-ed. Teams must have a minimum of two women in the field and in the batting lineup at all times.
• Teams may field a maximum of 10 players.
• Teams must field a minimum of 8 players.
• Teams must bat a minimum of 8 players (there is no maximum amount of players allowed in the batting lineup). If batting 8, a team will take an automatic out when the missing player comes up in the lineup.

• USA/ASA/USSSA stamped bats only.
• Men swing wooden bats (corn dogs allowed).
• Women swing any stamped bat.
• .52 COR, 300 lb. compression, ASA-stamped balls ONLY (ex. AD Starr Tattoo or equivalent).
• Metal cleats are not allowed.
• Any team found to be in possession of altered equipment (bats, balls) of any kind will be subject to immediate forfeit and required to leave the premises. Participation in all future events will not be allowed for teams and players found in violation of this rule.

• 70’ bases
• 50’ pitchers mound
• “Dead Ball” areas will be determined by the umpire with representatives of each team at the beginning of each game and are unique to each field. Decisions will be made at the umpire’s discretion, prioritizing safety.
• Each of the 4 outfields at Pennypack on the Delaware is unique and presents different obstacles beyond the reasonable playing field (parking lots, wooded areas, etc.).
  • Ball enters these areas on a hop → Ground Rule Double (must be signaled by outfielder raising both arms)
  • Ball enters on the fly → Home Run
  • Final ruling is at the umpire’s discretion, prioritizing safety

• Batters start with a 1-1 count
• 6–12’ pitching arc
• Pitches that hit the plate = ball
• Pitches that hit the mat = strike
• Foul ball on two strikes = out (no foul to give)
• Games are 6 innings
• 45-minute time limit (no new inning after 45 minutes)
• Championship game has no time limit
• No ties allowed
• 5-run limit per half inning (except 6th inning)
• No limitations for field substitutions
• Pitcher may have a pinch runner without restriction
• 2 additional pinch runners per inning allowed
  • Men for men, women for women
  • If runner is on base when their turn to bat comes → automatic out
• Mercy Rule:
  • 15 runs after 3 innings
  • 12 runs after 4 innings
  • 10 runs after 5 innings
  • Minimum 3 innings must be played
• Home/away decided by:
  • Coin flip (seeding round)
  • Higher seed (elimination rounds)

Any rule not covered here will follow the official USA Softball Rulebook and be enforced by umpires and tournament officials. All decisions will prioritize safety.

Please remember—this is a charity tournament. We’re here to have fun and support a great cause.