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. Division I 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. Division II Tournament Draw / Schedule - The tournament draw is based on seeding criteria established by the district. Set schedule and times for all games, if not already done. Notify assigning officer of local association of district tournament schedule, times and sites as soon as possible.
  3. Game-Ending Procedures - By mutual agreement of the opposing coaches and the umpire-in-chief, any remaining play may be shortened at any time, or the game terminated.

    The international tie-breaker will be used beginning in the 10th inning. The international tie-breaker places the individual scheduled to bat last in the inning as a runner on second base to start each inning. The same process is repeated until one team has scored more runs than the other at the end of a completed inning and is declared the victor.

    A suspended game shall be continued from the point of suspension if not enough innings have been played to consider it a regulation game. NFHS Softball Rule 4-2-2 will be followed, which states a game will be considered a completed regulation game provided:
    1. Five full innings have been played; or if the home team has scored a greater number of runs in four and a fraction turns at bat than the visiting team has scored in five turns.
    2. Play has gone beyond the five full innings and is called when teams have not had an equal number of completed turns at bat. The score shall be the same as it was at the end of the last completed inning; unless the home team, in its half of the incomplete inning, scores a run (or runs) which exceeds the opponent's score, in which case, the final score shall be recorded when the game is called.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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 are allowed to be accepted as passes and admit one person only. The card holder MUST be in possession of the physical card. Photos of TSSAA ID cards cannot be accepted. The Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association (TACA) card will provide complimentary admittance for one person per card.
  8. 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.
  9. 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 30 cents per mile per official.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Tournament Awards - TSSAA provides a district championship plaque and a district runner-up plaque. Awards will be shipped to the tournament director, provided the tournament director is provided to the state office prior to April 17, otherwise the state office will select the school/Athletic Director that will receive the awards.
  13. Submitting Results & Region Tournament Information - Upon completion of the district tournament, please email your district champion and runner-up to: tssaa@tssaa.org. In addition, region semifinal and region final hosts please submit the site and time of your game to tssaa@tssaa.org as soon as possible.
  14. Region Tournament Guidelines - Download the information for teams advancing to the Division I Region Tournament.