PRAWN LIST 

A PRAWN (Player Rep All World Name) list will be maintained by the ISC containing each name of the two all-world teams for the most recent three years, including Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Pitcher. The PRAWN list will be released by August 30 each year and posted on the ISC Web site as soon as possible.

For 2011 and beyond, teams will be limited to 5 PRAWN players (combination of one pitcher and position players), plus age related exceptions that may have been named all-World in the last three years – only one of which may be a pitcher. All teams must name their PRAWNs to the Executive Director by June 15 each year.

Current hardship rule will be allowed given the following: the team replacing the player is still required to abide by the PRAWN limits for both players and pitchers. E.g. if the player being replaced is a pitcher with PRAWN status then that team may replace that pitcher with another PRAWN pitcher. No team may add a PRAWN to their roster until their total PRAWN count falls below 5.

AGE EXCEPTION FOR PRAWNs

If a non-PRAWN player makes an All-World team in the calendar year of or after their 45th birthday, that player will only be considered a PRAWN player for one year. PRAWN players who have made or make an All-World team in the calendar year of their 43rd or 44th birthday can request to be excluded from the PRAWN list in the calendar year of their 45th birthday or after one season on the PRAWN list by providing proof of age to the Executive Director by May 15 of each year.

PRAWN Exception

If a non-PRAWN player or players makes an all-World team in the current year, that team will be allowed to carry that player or players until such time that a PRAWN player leaves the team or drops out of the 3-year criterion. If a player makes all-World while with team A and they have 5 current PRAWN players, then team A would be able to carry 6 PRAWNs until one of the 6 leaves the team (or they fall outside the 3-year boundary), then they will only be allowed 5 PRAWNs for the following year. This exception does not apply to the 1-PRAWN pitcher stipulation.

A team may apply for an exception to the one (1) PRAWN pitcher limit provided the second PRAWN pitcher is declared ineligible in all  circumstances to pitch in the ISC World Tournament, including any hardship appeal.

Revised August 2023

Western US Region – Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Also includes the western portion of Texas including El Paso, Hudspeth, Culbertson, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties. Players in the western portion of Texas including El Paso, Hudspeth, Culbertson, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties may play in either the US West Region or the US Central Region and be considered in-region.

Central US Region – North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Illinois and all of Texas except El Paso, Hudspeth, Culbertson, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties. Players from Manitoba may play on teams based in North Dakota and Moorhead, MN and not be considered out-of-region. Players in the western portion of Texas including El Paso, Hudspeth, Culbertson, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties may play in either the US West Region or the US Central Region and be considered in-region.

Eastern US Region – Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Washington, DC.

Canada West Region – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alaska. Players from North Dakota and Moorhead, MN may play on teams based in Manitoba only and not be considered out-of-region.

Canada East Region – Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut. 

Atlantic Canada Region – Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Mexico Region – the country of Mexico in its entirety.

International Region – All countries, states, provinces and regions not specifically identified above.

Eligibility:

1) Player must reach "Qualifying Age" of 50 in the calendar year of the Designated Classification for participation.

2. A player on a ISC World Tournament roster is ineligible to participate in the Legends tournament until that World Tournament team has been eliminated or the player is released from that World Tournament roster.

3.  ISC Out-of-Region rules and fees do not apply.

4. Legends roster shall be comprised of players from the nation of registry and each team will be allowed six (6) from out of their nation, two (2) of which can be from outside of North America (Canada/USA/Mexico).

Playing Rules:

1. Tournament play will be governed by current Official Rules of USA Softball, with exceptions as noted in the current ISC Guide.

2. Official team roster shall be limited to 20 players.

3. All players and coaches must be dressed in full playing uniforms, including caps of like, style and color.

4. International Tie-Breaker rule will be implemented after the seventh inning. Last batter from the previous inning will start on 2B.

5. A 'Designated Runner' (DR) can be used in Legends competition as follows:

* DR may run for anyone, but can only be used for one player each inning.

* DR may enter game to hit or play defense, this will eliminate the DR for the game.

* DR must be listed on Official Line-up Card prior to start of the game.

* If DR is injured, a replacement DR can be inserted to replace. Original DR can not re-enter the game as player.  

6.  ISC Mercy rule is:

* 15 run lead after 3 innings

* 12 run lead after 4 innings

 * 7 run lead after 5 innings

7.  Any forfeit game will be recorded as 7 - 0 score

8.  Courtesy runner is allowed only with 2 outs for the catcher.

Criteria for seeding teams for the playoffs:

1. Won-Loss Record

2. Runs Allowed

3. Runs Differential (maximum 7 per game)

4. Runs For  (maximum 7 per game)

5. Head to Head  (if down to 2 teams)

6. Coin Flip

1. No team may qualify for or play in an ISC Championship Tournament with other than male players.

2. Any player is eligible to participate in the program of the International Softball Congress provided he has not violated any of the rules pertaining to the eligibility of the individual.

3. No player shall be permitted to receive any award other than a trophy, charm or any other appropriate honor award in keeping with his achievement.

4. No player becoming ineligible in any region will be permitted to play with any other region holding membership in the International Softball Congress until he has been cleared by the Regional Vice President where the violation occurred.

5. No one shall be permitted to participate in the program of the ISC who has misused any funds, owes the ISC fees or has property in their possession belonging to the ISC or any of its team sponsors.

6. No player shall be eligible to participate in ISC sanctioned events if under suspension from any other national amateur softball association.

7. The ISC Executive Committee determines a given team’s base of operations or home city.

8. Each ISC team is required to participate in invitational (or Qualifier) tournaments in both June and July.

9. All teams entering ISC qualifier or championship tournament play do so under the rules and jurisdiction of the ISC and acknowledge that the ISC has exclusive rights to promote and/or broadcast the games in any format. Also, the ISC may use team and/or player images or likenesses to promote the ISC.

10. Any rebroadcast, whole or in part, of any ISC World Tournament games without the express written consent of the International Softball Congress is strictly prohibited.

11. Players can appear on rosters in multiple divisions (ie ISC and Legends) but can only play in one division at a time. If a player starts to play in Legends, he will not be eligible to return to play in ISC or ISC II. Similarly, if a player is continuing to play in ISC or ISC II, he cannot start to play in Legends until his team is eliminated.

PITCHERS

Team rosters for all ISC World Tournament play shall be restricted to three (3) pitchers. Pitcher is defined as any player on an 16-man roster who pitches in ISC World Tournament competition. The three (3) pitchers for ISC World Tournament play are deemed to be the first three (3) that pitch in the ISC World Tournament.

All games played in ISC Championship play shall be played according to the Official Softball Playing Rules published annually by USA Softball. Rule books may be obtained from www.usasoftball.org. The following are exceptions:

Note that for the double base or safebase at first base, the ISC will use the WBSC rule as follows:

DOUBLE BASE

The following apply when the double base is used.

a) The batter-runner is subject to the following.

i) A batted ball hitting the fair portion is declared fair and a batted ball hitting the foul portion only is declared foul.

ii) A defensive player must use only the fair portion of the base at all times, except on any live ball play made from first base foul territory. The batter-runner and the defensive player may use either portion of the double base. When the defensive player uses the foul portion of the double base, the batter-runner can run in fair territory, and if hit by a throw from the foul side of first base, it would not be interference. If intentional interference is ruled, the batter runner would be out. The one-meter line is duplicated on either side of the foul line on throws from foul territory.

iii) If a play is made at first base on any batted ball or the batter runs on a dropped third strike the batter-runner touches only the fair portion and if the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to the fair portion of first base, the batter-runner is out. This is treated the same as missing the base and is an appeal.

iv) After over-running the base, the batter-runner must return to the fair portion.

v) On a ball hit to the outfield when there is no play being made at the double base, the batter-runner may touch either portion of the base.

b) The following applies to a runner.

i) After over-running the base, the runner must return to the fair portion.

ii) When tagging up on a fly ball, the fair portion must be used.

iii) On an attempted pick-off play, the runner must return to the fair portion.

iv) Once a runner returns to the fair portion, should they then stand on the foul portion only it is considered not in contact with the base, and the runner will be called out if:

1. they are tagged with the ball; or

2. they stand on the foul portion of the base, while the pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitcher’s circle.

ISC PLAYING RULES

• All games shall start at rainout point in case of delay, regardless of time.

• Tournament rosters shall not be changed for any reason after they have been turned in at a time to be designated by the official in charge.

• Only starting players may re-enter a game.

• Any forfeit games will be recorded with a 2-0 final score.

• The ISC mercy rule is 7-run lead after 5 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings or 12 runs after 3 innings.

• All players and coaches must be dressed in full playing uniform, including caps of like style and color, for all ISC tournament games and ISC World Tournament opening ceremonies.

• For all ISC Championship tournament games, teams are required to wear contrasting uniform tops/jerseys.

• The team placed on the top line for the game on the official bracket sheet shall wear light jerseys; the team placed on the bottom line for the game shall wear dark or contrasting jerseys. Any exception to this rule shall be cleared by the ISC Executive Director or a member of the ISC Executive Committee prior to game time. Any team that does not abide by the contrasting jersey rule will automatically be declared the visiting team for the game.

• If a bat conforms to the official measurements as listed in the ASA guide book and it passes ISC World Tournament compression testing, and has the appropriate year’s ISC sticker attached, it is deemed to be a legal bat for use in the ISC World Tournament and affiliated tournaments.

• The two-out catcher replacement rule is in effect for ISC World Tournament, ISC II and Legends. The replacement runner shall be the last available batter in the inning.

• Effective for 2025, the ISC is adopting the automatic walk rule.

• For all ISC World Tournament and affiliated tournament games, teams must start and finish with at least nine (9) players.

• A trapper-style glove can only be used by the 1st basemen and catcher.

• When possible, the Umpire-in-Chief will avoid assigning umpires from the participating teams regions as the home plate umpire.

• The official ball of the ISC is the KMaster C120 47/375. The optic ball is approved for use in ISC Championship play.

• The international tie-breaker rule will be used in all games in the ISC II and Legends tournaments.

• The home team for all ISC and ISC II championship games shall be the undefeated team. In ISC Legends, if a single elimination bracket has been used, then a coin toss will determine home team for the championship game.

• An ejection from a game of any player, coach or team official does not result in an automatic one-game suspension however, the ISC protest committee shall have the authority to impose additional sanctions on any player, coach or team official for egregious conduct.

• CHARGED DEFENSIVE DELAY (DEFINITION)

A delay caused by one or more defensive players leaving their position on the playing field to conference with another defensive player(s), which results in a delay in play. Time may or may not be called.

CHARGED DEFENSIVE DELAY 

A defensive team may only have one charged defensive delay per half inning.

Exception: Normal communication between players (including a catcher and pitcher) that does not require either to vacate their position on the field. It shall not be a Defensive Delay if players confer during a charged offensive conference, injury or other administrative delay provided they are ready to resume play upon the umpire’s request.

If a team is out of delays, the umpire will have discretion to grant a brief, escorted visit at the catcher’s request if a cross-up in signals has occurred between the pitcher and catcher.

Effect:

The second and subsequent defensive delay in any half inning shall result in a ball being awarded to the batter. A second or subsequent defensive delay immediately after a hit, walk, or putout shall result in a ball being awarded to the next batter.

IN-REGION PLAYERS

All players must maintain primary residence and be available for legal employment, as of May 15, in the region governing the team with which a player competes. A temporary residence does not qualify as a primary residence. Transfer of employment to another region is acceptable until June 15 of the current season.

Any player moving to another region after May 15 of the current year and wishing to play in an ISC tournament shall make it known and be approved by the ISC Executive Director no later than June 15. This rule shall also apply to player changes for the host team and the defending champions. It shall be the responsibility of both the commissioner and the player to get a clearance before playing with another team after moving to another region. All commissioners shall receive a list of players who have been approved to play for another team after having moved to another region. The Executive Director shall make the decision, and in no case shall anyone play if not approved by June 15.

If a player is within an ISC Region which does not send a team to the ISC World Tournament, the player may be picked up to play with another team outside that player’s designated region. This is subject to PRAWN rules and Out-of-Region form, June 15 deadline and fees.

OUT-OF-REGION PLAYERS FEES

If a player wishes to play in an ISC region outside of his geographic region of residence, whether that region be under ISC jurisdiction or not, he must email his intention to play with his current year’s team to the ISC Executive Director by June 15 to be eligible for World Tournament play. Payment via PayPal as specified by the ISC Out-of-Region Fee Schedule must be submitted by each team with the listing of its Out-of-Region players. Upon receipt of the Out-of-Region player’s email intent by the ISC Executive Director, the Out-of-Region player will be bound to that team for the entire season and cannot play in ISC programs in his or any other region until the following season.

The first three Out-of-Region players per team will be assessed $100 (USD) each payable by the team. Additional Out-of-Region players on each team, beyond three, will be assessed $300 (USD) each. All Out-of-Region fees, with properly completed notifications of intent via email, must be paid via PayPal no later than June 15 to the ISC Executive Director.

An Out-of-Region Player playing in his first ISC World Tournament will not be subject to the Out-of-Region Player fees in that year only.

Approved Out-of-Region players, whose team does not play in the ISC World Tournament, are eligible to be picked up by another team entered in the ISC World Tournament. This is subject to PRAWN rules and Out-of-Region form, June 15 deadline and fees. Notice of approved Out-of-Region players will be made to the ISC commissioners by the Executive Director.

All ISC teams who have four (4) or more approved Out-of-Region players must have their Out-of-Region players play in at least one approved ISC qualifying event or in an invitational tournament in both June and July with their current year’s team to be eligible for the current year’s ISC World Tournament. Exceptions to the preceding requirement for rostered national team players and rostered junior national team players may be requested through the appropriate national Vice President, with concurrence of the VP Operations/Communications and the ISC President, to enable the player(s) to play only in June or only in July.

Each team with four (4) or more approved Out-of-Region players will be allowed one (1) exception to the requirement that Out-of-Region players must play in an approved ISC qualifying event or on an invitational tournament in both June and July. That exception must be declared and marked on the ISC roster form and resubmitted to the Executive Director by June 15. This exception is subject to PRAWN rules and Out-of-Region form, June 15th deadline and fees.

If a player signs a letter of intent and does not play in an official ISC Qualifying event by July 1, he can notify the ISC Executive Director for a withdrawal of his letter of intent. After the June 15 Out-of-Region deadline, a team may apply to the appropriate Vice President, with concurrence of the VP Operations/Communications and the ISC President, for a player replacement due to a hardship case. If hardship is approved, the replaced player will be ineligible for ISC competition for the current year.

HOW TO ENTER ISC COMPETITIONS

Contact your Regional Commissioner or National Vice President. If more information is needed, see the Commissioners page on this site.

QUALIFYING TOURNAMENTS

All qualifying tournaments shall be under the jurisdiction of the National Vice President or a Regional Commissioner and must be held within the geographical boundaries of the region. The Vice President or Regional Commissioner shall determine the site, dates, format, and entry fee.

Umpires in qualifying tournaments must wear official ISC umpire shirts and caps.

In locations where the VP or Regional Commissioner is involved in any way with a team, a three-man committee shall be appointed by the Executive Director to help with the conduct of the tournament.

TEAM ROSTERS

The official team roster shall be limited to 16 players. Team rosters for ISC Championship play will be restricted to three pitchers, these three will be the first three that pitch in the ISC World Tournament. Of these three pitchers, only one (1) of the three may be a PRAWN. 

Players participating in the Developmental Program are also eligible to play on a World Tournament team.

Team rosters are due four times per season and should be sent via e-mail attachment to the email addresses shown on the roster form. Due dates are May 15 (pre-season roster for initial rankings), June 15 (PRAWN declaration and out of region players), July 15 (deadline for rosters to appear in championship tournament programs) and the Monday preceding the start of ISC World Tournament (final and official championship roster).

ISC WORLD TOURNAMENT AND AFFILIATED TOURNAMENTS

The operation of the ISC World Tournament and affiliated ISC Championship tournaments shall be under the jurisdiction of the Executive Committee of the ISC.

The entry fee for the ISC World Tournament and the ISC Legends Championship Tournament is $600 (USD) effective for the 2023 season. All entry fees are to be paid by July 1. Payment must be received by the deadline or a team may not be included in the schedule. Each qualifying team to the ISC World Tournament and all affiliated tournaments must meet its obligations to the ISC or entry may not be accepted. In the event a team does not meet its obligation, the total entry fee may be retained by the ISC.

Any team forfeiting an ISC World Tournament or affiliated tournament game may not be eligible to share in any tournament travel funds, and all players, coaches and managers may be suspended from ISC competition for one year.

Any team wanting to sell souvenir items at the World Tournament or affiliated tournaments must provide such items on consignment to the souvenir chairperson for approval. Items will be offered at prevailing prices, with unsold items to be returned to the team. The items to be sold and proceeds from these items will be negotiated with the World Tournament host and the team involved.

Games in ISC World Tournament and affiliated tournaments will not begin earlier than 15 minutes before scheduled game time.

Any team that does not abide by the contrasting jersey rule will automatically be declared the visiting team for the game.

All World Tournament teams must have a team picture taken by the official photographer prior to the start of their second World Tournament game.

The defending ISC World Champion team shall have the privilege of defending its World Title by invitation providing said team has nine players on its roster from the previous year. The roster with the nine players must be turned into the ISC by May 15.

The city in which the ISC World Tournament and affiliated tournaments takes place may be represented by up to two (2) Host City entries. The host team(s) may be chosen by invitation or other method with agreement of the ISC Executive Committee.

The final rankings will form the basis for seeding teams for the ISC World Tournament with the VP World Tournament having final discretion for the schedule.

DUE DATES

All ISC team entry fees and commissioners dues are due July 1 to the ISC Treasurer. A $25 penalty will be added if not paid by the due date.

NOTE:

In the event a team does not meet its obligation, the total fee will be retained by the ISC.

Appropriate awards shall be presented at the conclusion of the World Tournament to the following:

Championship team (Carrol Forbes Memorial Trophy),

Runner-up team (Marv Casteel Memorial Trophy),

Third-place team(s),

Most Sportsmanlike (Frank Porth Memorial Award selected by the umpires),

Best Dressed Team (selected by host committee),

Dedication to the game award (Denny Bruckert Memorial Award, selected by the Executive Committee),

Most Valuable Player (Cleo Goyette Memorial Trophy),

Most Outstanding Pitcher (Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Trophy),

Leading Hitter,

Most RBIs

ISC Newcomer of the Year (Kevin Herlihy Memorial Trophy)

Leon Watson Umpires Award (chosen by the umpires)

Members of the championship team will receive individual awards.

Twelve (12) players chosen for the ISC All-World first team will receive appropriate awards. An ISC All-World second team of twelve (12) players shall also receive awards.

ISC II awards shall be identical to World Tournament except as noted:

Championship team award shall be the Gord Newman Memorial Trophy, Bob McGowan Most Valuable Player Award, and the Jamie Boyd Memorial ISC II Newcomer of the Year Award. Only one ISC II All-Tournament team shall be named.

ISC Legends Awards and Youth Awards, when applicable, shall be championship team trophy plus individual plaques, runner-up team trophy, MVP, Most Outstanding Pitcher, Leading Hitter and Most RBIs. Legends will also have a 12-player All-Tournament team.

ALL-WORLD TEAMS

Only players having participated in four or more games shall be considered for the ISC All World Teams and for the ISC II All-Tournament Team. The batting champion must have a minimum of 12 times at bat or 15 official plate appearances as a batter. The Most Valuable Player and Outstanding Pitcher are mandatory members of the All-World first team.