2026 NSA BANANA BALL - BANANA RULES FOR THE WEEKEND - JOIN US FOR A CRAZY WEEKEND OF FUN!

WELCOME TO THE WILDEST, MOST ENTERTAINING NSA SOFTBALL EVENT EVER!

THE BANANA BALL — FASTPITCH EDITION — IN MANATEE COUNTY!

Think fastpitch…
Think entertainment…
Think non-stop action…
Think fans jumping into the game…

Think Banana Ball — NSA Softball style.
Teams are encouraged to add their own entertainment!! In between innings, after the catcher "Throws Down" teams will have 1 minute to do a routine to their own music. It's not required every inning or at all. Just something for them to do if they should choose. 

2026 BANANA RULES — FASTPITCH EDITION

These rules supplement official NSA Softball rules.
When in doubt, umpires rule based on the spirit of the game: fast, fun, and full of chaos.

 SPECTATORS
Sit behind your team’s dugout or directly behind home plate.
No mixing with the opponent’s side.
Unsafe or aggressive fan behavior = removal behind the outfield fence.
Refusal to comply → Team Forfeit.

RULE ONE — WIN THE INNING, WIN THE POINT
Each pool play inning = 1 point.
Score more runs → win the inning → earn the point.
In the final inning, every run counts.
Home team walk-off = inning ends instantly.
Pool play games may end in a tie.

RULE TWO — TIME LIMITS
10U–18U: 1 hour 15 minutes

RULE THREE — NO STEPPING OUT
Step out of the box → automatic strike.
One team warning.
Umpires may allow time for injury or equipment only.

RULE FOUR — BUNTING
Any foul bunt attempt → OUT.
Fair bunt with runner safe at first, batter/runner advances to 2nd and all other runners advance if forced.

 RULE FIVE — STEAL FIRST BASE
On any pitch — passed ball, wild pitch, anything.
A step toward first = declaring your attempt.
Once live → standard softball rules apply.

RULE SIX — NO WALKS ALLOWED (THE SPRINT)
Ball Four = THE SPRINT
Batter takes off immediately.
1B, 2B, SS, 3B, C must touch the ball once (no possession needed) before it becomes live. Defense does not need to be in their positions to touch the ball.
All baserunners may advance at their own risk.
Once live → traditional softball rules resume.

RULE SEVEN — NO MOUND VISITS
No coach, catcher, or player may visit the mound.
Injuries/safety only.
Unapproved mound visit = pitcher removed.

RULE EIGHT — FANS CAN RECORD OUTS
A fan catches a foul ball in the air → OUT.
Must be a clean catch — not off fences, nets, sheds, etc.
Unsafe fan behavior = relocation or removal.
Coaches are NOT considered fans.

 RULE NINE — THE GOLDEN BATTER

Once per game, send ANY hitter up at ANY point.

Does not replace the lineup — it inserts.
Last batted out becomes the runner for Golden Batter situations.

RULE TEN — BRACKET PLAY
Bracket games = traditional NSA Softball rules.
BANANA RULES ARE POOL PLAY ONLY.

WHO’S READY TO GO BANANAS WITH NSA SOFTBALL?!
Get ready to run.

To steal.

To sprint.

To catch.

To play loud.

TO PLAY LIKE A BANANA!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION (Gotta bore you with all the regular stuff):

·      ALL TEAMS MUST BE SANCTIONED FOR THE NEW SEASON (2026) TO PLAY THIS WEEKEND!  IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT CHRISTY RANDOLPH AT (727) 348-7301.  ALSO MAKE SURE YOUR INSURANCE IS CURRENT.

·      EVERY TEAM IS REQUIRED TO HAVE AN ONLINE ROSTER. YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT CHRISTY IF YOU ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH YOUR ROSTER.

·      PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU OR A REPRESENTATIVE FROM YOUR TEAM CHECKS IN WITH THE SITE DIRECTOR BEFORE YOUR FIRST GAME, EVEN IF YOU HAVE PRE-PAID. CASH & CHECK PAYMENTS ONLY!

·      ANY PLAYERS NOT ON ONLINE ROSTER THAT ARE PLAYING WITH YOU THIS WEEKEND WILL NEED TO BE ON A GUEST PLAYER FORM (SEE BELOW BY SEEDING SCHEDULE). 

ADDITIONAL INFO:

*PLEASE CHECK THIS SITE OFTEN FOR WEATHER UPDATES & SCHEDULE CHANGES.

*ALL BATS MUST HAVE NSA STAMP. (NO EXCEPTIONS!)

*PITCHERS IN ALL DIVISIONS MUST WEAR FACEMASKS.

*PAPER SCOREBOOKS ARE REQUIRED.

*ALL CHANGES ON DEFENSE ARE SUBSTITUTIONS AND MUST BE REPORTED TO THE UMPIRE.

*ONLY ONE SET OF TWINS IN THE LINE UP IS PERMITTED.

INFO FOR THIS WEEKEND:

FEE:  $575

SITE DIRECTOR (CHAOS COORDINATOR):    CHRISTY (727) 348-7301