I was under the impression that most tournaments were a guaranteed 5 game minimum.
But, after looking at most qualifiers, they only have 2 seeding games, then double elim.
totaling 4 games minimum. Where as the TOC sanctioned tournaments, have 3 seeding games, then
double elim. totaling 5 game minimum. How long has this been in effect?

Your guaranteed 3 games in Bracket play....

All of the SSUSA "TOC Qualifier" Tournaments are a five-game-guarantee format ... For divisions of five or more teams, that's generally two RR seeding games into a Three-game-guarantee bracket ... For Divisions of four or less, it's 3RR into DE brackets, for a total of five games ...

Other SSUSA sanctioned events, usually run by independent tournament directors, that do not award TOC berths are a four-game-guarantee format ... It's been that way for many years .. Generally, the entry fees for the 5GG are higher that for the 4GG format to offset the extra costs associated with the greater games demand as it impacts umpire fees, field rental and field preparation costs, softballs, etc.