International tie breaker in softball.....

.....can someone fill us in on when it comes into play?
As we all have experienced, tie score after 7 inn.
I watched a game in Fla. that put a kid on 2b in the 8th.
And I watched a game when the tie breaker gig came into play in the 10th.
Is "how to resolve a tie game" dealt with at home plate by the umps and coaches prior to the game?
Does the NCAA, or ACC, or SEC, etc. have their own way of applying the tie-break rule?
Thanks

 

many factors

procedures are dictated at the plate, but most of the application of the event is established by conference rules...

Most conferences dictate ITB after 7 innings when playing DH.
Single game is usually 9 innings.

No ITB used in international games ( Olympics ) or NCAA Championships.