(h)
Tournaments - Tournaments are governed by daily, weekly and seasonal limitations.
(i)
Equipment
(1)
Balls must have the authenticating NFHS ball mark. Teams shall use a 12-inch softball with a
Co-efficient of Restitution not exceeding .47. Conferences are encouraged to adopt the same
kind of softball for use throughout their league play.
NOTE: Use of NCHSAA adopted balls is strongly recommended for regular season play and in
playoff rounds to ensure consistency and fair play.
(2)
Bats must meet ASA or USA Softball bat performance standards and have a certifying stamp
on each bat.
NOTE: Some bats which may have passed initial ASA or USA Softball performance standards,
could now be considered illegal. Please check the following website for an up-to-date list
ing of non-approved bats: https://usa.asasoftball.com/e/BB1P2000.asp. It is recommended
member schools perform bat checks throughout the season.
(3)
Coaches must wear a skull cap style helmet or NOCSAE certified helmet when coaching in the
Coaches Box during games.
(j)
Run Rule - A run rule has been adopted by the NCHSAA for softball
(1)
If a team is ahead by 15 runs after three (3) complete innings, the game is terminated.
(2)
If a team is ahead by 10 runs after five (5) complete innings, the game is terminated.
(k)
Doubleheaders - Permitted when mutually agreed upon by teams involved.
(1)
Doubleheaders are two back-to-back games, at the same level, with a reasonable (30 min
utes) time between contests.
(2)
Split doubleheaders are also permissible (two separate opponents).
(3)
By mutual agreement, two member schools may agree to play two five (5) inning games in a
doubleheader.
(l)
Suspended Games - North Carolina has adopted the suspended game rule, mandatory in all regular
season and state playoff games. A game called for any reason, where a winner cannot be determined
will be treated as a suspended game.
(1)
If the game is to be completed it will be continued from the point of suspension, with the line
up and batting order of each team the same as the lineup and batting order at the moment of
suspension, subject to the rules of the game.
(2)
If more than 4 1/2 innings have been played and a winner can be determined, the game is
over (including playoff games).
(3)
After 5 innings, if the visiting team scores a tying or go ahead run in their top half of the inning
and the home team does not have an opportunity to bat or complete its time at bat, the game
is treated as a suspended game.
(4)
If a game is called prior to the completion of a full inning after the fifth inning, the game becomes
a suspended game in the following situation: the visiting team has scored one or more runs to
tie the score or to take the lead, and the home team has not tied the score or retaken the lead.
NOTE: PLAY - The sixth inning begins with score H-6, V-5. Visitors score two runs in their
half of the inning. Game is called because of rain with (a) two outs in the bottom of the
sixth and the score H-6, V-7; or (b) following the completion of the home team’s turn
at bat with the score H-6, V-7.
RULING - In (a) the game is suspended and resumed on the next possible date at the
point of interruption. In (b) the game is official, with the final score H-6, V-7.
(5)
A suspended game does not count against the weekly limitations in the week in which it is completed.
(m)
Rained-Out Games - If any rained-out softball game which would affect the winning of a conference
title is to be played, it shall be rescheduled on the same field (exception: suspended games do not
have to be rescheduled on the same field), unless changed by mutual agreement of the two schools.
(n)
Postponed Games - Postponed games must be made up in the order of postponement on the next
possible date (Excluding Sunday).
(1)
In the regular season, Saturday will not be used as a make-up day unless mutually agreed
upon by both teams.
(2)
In the playoffs, Saturdays must be used. If one team will not play, the game is forfeited to the opponent.
(o)
Protest - Each conference is to establish a softball protest committee. The committee’s decision on
any properly protested conference softball game will be final.
(p)
Schedules - Schools are required to submit varsity and junior varsity schedules to their appropriate
regional supervisor by January 15.
(q)
Filming, Videotaping or Video Streaming [See Rule 2.2.17].
4.9.2
Playoffs
(a)
Playoff Qualifiers - [See Rule 4.1.11(c) for selection criteria.]
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