Tournament information
As the world appears to be healing and beginning to reopen, we are very excited and honored to be hosting the 10th Annual Patrick Rubin Memorial Softball Tournament on Saturday, August 10th 2024 at White Oak Park in Branchburg, NJ!
Last year was a resounding success celebrating and remembering Pat through the Patrick Rubin Memorial Softball Tournament. Through the entry fees to the tournament, sponsorships, 50/50 and other donations we raised over $10,000 for the Patrick Michael Rubin Scholarship Fund. We thank each one of you for your continued support.
As a reminder, donations can be made at any time on this website by clicking the “DONATE!” button. We would love to be able to continue to help others through the memory of Pat.
All donations go to:
· Autism research
· Neurofibromatosis research (a genetically-inherited disorder in which the nerve tissue grows tumors)
· Somerville High School Scholarship Awards to graduating Seniors
RULES
All teams and participants are required to complete a hold harmless agreement form each year.
All participants assume the risk of injury.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT:
· Team captains will be notified of the exact format once all teams have signed up.
· 12 team maximum
· 1st Round – Round Robin with groupings of 4 teams each (3 games guaranteed)
· 2nd Round – Single Elimination Playoff with top 1 to 2 teams advancing (depending on number of teams signed up)
TEAMS:
A minimum of ten players. Team captains are responsible for coordinating shirts/jerseys for their teams and notifying the Pat Rubin Softball Tournament Staff of any roster replacements or additions.
GAME TIME:
Games will consist of seven innings. During the competition, a “mercy” rule will be enforced. If, after the completion of the fifth inning, one team is leading the other by 10 runs or more, the game will be stopped. If a game is moving too slowly, it is at the umpire’s discretion to institute a 1-pitch format to speed up the game and tournament.
SHOES:
Shoes (sandals not included) must be worn at all times.
BATS:
Bats will be provided by the tournament. No other bats will be permitted for use. If any other bat is used other than what is provided by the tournament, that team will automatically forfeit the game in which the illegal bat was used.
If the tournament does not provide bats in a given year, the following rules will be followed:
At the beginning of each game, including playoffs, both teams will agree on the 2 bats to use from each team.
All bats must be ASA certified.
Both teams can use any of the 4 bats throughout the game.
If a player is caught using a non-agreed-upon bat, that team will automatically forfeit the game and be credited with a loss.
DISTANCES FOR PITCHING MOUND AND BASES:
The pitching mound will be 53’ away from home plate. The bases will be 65’ away from home plate for all games.
UMPIRE'S JUDGEMENT:
An umpire's judgment should not be contested. Failure to adhere to an umpire's judgment may warrant ejection. No appeals. The umpire's decisions are final. Only rule interpretations may be protested immediately following the issue in question.
BALLS AND STRIKES:
Each batter will start his/her at bat with a count of one ball and one strike. In other words, two pitched strikes equal an out and three pitched balls equal a walk. A small carpet will be affixed to the back side of home plate. If the ball lands on either home plate or the carpet, it is a strike. A batter who hits a second foul ball, including foul tips, on a count of two strikes will be out.
BUNTS OR INTENTIONAL CHOPS:
The batter will be called out if they bunt or intentionally chop at the ball.
BASE RUNNING:
Under no circumstance will stand-up collisions, at any base, be tolerated. Sliding is strongly encouraged, but not required. HOWEVER, the responsibility of avoiding contact lies with the runner. If, in the umpires' judgment, the runner fails to take the necessary steps to avoid contact, and causes contact, they shall call the runner out. On double play situations, runners tagged out at second must refrain from interfering with the throw to first base. Any interference by the base runner will cause the runner going to first base to automatically be called out for runner interference. Any excessive force used to tag a base runner out, or to force a fielder to drop a ball, may warrant an ejection.
STEALS:
No stealing is allowed. A base runner may not leave the base until either a pitched ball is hit or it crosses home plate. If the base runner leaves early, the umpire will declare "no pitch" and the base runner will be called out.
INTERFERENCE:
A fielder (catcher also) has the right to go into the base path when (a) he/she has the ball (b) he/she is in the act of fielding the batted ball or (c) he/she is in the act of fielding the thrown ball. If accidental contact is made under these circumstances, the umpires will decide if the runner will be awarded the next base. If the contact was blatantly made by the runner, then the runner will be called out.
INFIELD FLY RULE:
A batter is called out on an easily caught pop fly to any defensive player near or in the infield when there are runners on first and second or the bases are loaded and there are less than two outs. The batter is called out and all base runners advance at their own risk once the fly ball has been touched. When such a hit is made, the umpire should immediately call "infield fly the batter is out". When in doubt, the umpire should call "infield fly, the batter is out if fair", or “infield fly, if fair”.
PITCHING:
Pitches should be greater than 6 ft, but may not exceed 12 ft in arc. Any pitch outside of this range of arc will be called a ball. The arc of every pitch will be at the umpire's discretion and may not be disputed. A pitcher must keep one foot in contact with the pitching rubber during the entire pitching motion. Otherwise, it will be ruled an illegal pitch and considered a ball. On an illegal pitch, if a batter swings and misses, then it will be considered a strike. Once the batter is set in the batters box, the pitcher may pitch the ball. If the batter is not set in the box and the pitch occurs, it will be called "no pitch".
SUBSTITUTIONS:
A lineup of no less than ten (10) players must be submitted to the umpire at the start of each game. The lineup will contain the first and last name of each player, their position, uniform number, and place in the batting order. A player not starting in a defensive position should be designated as either a Designated Hitter (DH) or an Extra Player (EP). A DH will bat in the same position every time through the batting order and has the ability to rotate freely in the field at any point during the game and as many times as desired. The EP is a substitute that will bat in the order of the player that was replaced. A player in the starting lineup who has been removed for an EP may re-enter the game one time. The returning player may only replace the EP for whom they were replaced and, therefore, will retain their position in the original batting order. There is no requirement for the EP to play a minimum number of innings or bat. They are only required to bat when their place arrives in the batting order and the starter chooses to remain on the bench.
FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: