The Rules

NEW FRIDAY GUILDWOOD SLO-PITCH RULES:
click here to download a printable version (ms word)

1. New for 2008:

In the event that the umpire does not show the batting team will supply a Plate Ump and a Base Ump. The game will be official.

• New ground rules for Densgrove
• Right field and right centre:
• In the trees on the ground a double.
• In the trees in the air a Triple.
• Over the trees, homerun.
• Gap between the trees are playable.
• This includes the one smaller, non-evergreen tree in right
• In left field and left centre, on the street home run.

• Leaving the bench: Automatic ejection plus one game suspension, to be reviewed by the chair. Umpires report and captains’ reports required for the review.

• Chirping Rule: First spontaneous outbreak directed at the umpire will result in a team warning. Second occurrence from anyone on the team will result in an immediate ejection. The ejection will be noted on the score sheet and reported by both teams. Repeat offences will result in a disciplinary review.

• Ghost Rule: In the event a team has only 2 females, but at least 8 players (example: 2 females and 6 males), the team can play the game with a “ghost” player. This “ghost” player will occupy a placement in the batting order and be deemed an automatic out. Defensively, no more than 7 males will be allowed on the field. The team will forfeit the game if they have less than 2 females and 8 players in total.

• Playoff eligibility: 4 game minimum will remain the requirement. It will be enforced solely on the captains honor. No exceptions, appeals will be considered.

• Age of Eligibility: Players must be over the age of 18. No exceptions.

• 2008 Clarification
• No change to the walking rule
• No change to the “anyone can make the play at the plate”
• Cones maybe introduce to help umps with the outfield encroachment rule
• Note - new list of restrictive bates

2. General:

The rules of the league shall be those contained in the Slo-Pitch National handbook unless specified below.

Those rules may be found on the NFG website www.guildwoodslopitch.com

Regular season games - will be 7 innings per game, unless tied, then continue until won by either team (subject to time) A game will be considered LEGAL after 4 complete innings.

An umpire can call the game at any time due to darkness or dangerous weather conditions such as lightning.

No new inning will start after the following time:

April – June 30: 8:30 PM

July 1 – July 30: 8:15 PM

Aug 1 – end of year: 8:00 PM

Equipment - With the exception of metal and hard plastic cleats, any standard article of softball equipment is allowed. Any player found with improper equipment will be ejected from the game.

SPN bat policy will be followed. Note that SPN follows ASA regulations regarding allowable bats. A list of allowable and illegal bats can be found at the ASA website here:

http://www.asasoftball.com/about/certified_equipment.asp

Uniforms - All team players must be encouraged to wear similar jerseys (tops). In inclement weather, a player may wear clothing over their jersey if desired. If a jersey is covered, it is the player's responsibility to show the umpire that they have a jersey.

Rosters:

Rosters are encouraged to have a minimum of 15 players including 5 females.

Taxi Squad: To avoid any forfeiting of games, the league encourages teams to register extra players that can only commit to part time play. It is up to the team to declare individuals as part-time or Taxi squad players. Taxi Squad players can also play for other teams, (at the players own discretion).

Playoff eligibility: See 2008 Above

See 2008 Above

Age of eligibility: See 2008 Above

Game Play:

Game must start with a minimum of 8 players including minimum of 3 females.

In the event a team has less than 3 females:See 2008 Above

Batting order - All players bat. Each team shall provide the other with a copy of batting order prior to the start of the game. If a player is present but is not included in the batting order, they may be added later. Players who arrive late (anytime) may be added to the bottom of the order. Deletions from the batting order shall be permitted (without recording an out) for legitimate reasons only at the discretion of the umpire.

At a minimum a batting order must consist of at least 3 females. If an injury is incurred by one of those three females and she can not continue to play the game, an automatic out will be declared in that position in the batting order. (When the team is in the field, they will play one fielder short, maintaining minimum of 2 female fielders). (Question – if an alternate female is available, can she take the place of the injured player?)

Player rotation –all players must bat, but fielding is at the discretion of the coach. Everyone must field at least once. In the spirit of the game, it is encouraged to have players bat and field.

Courtesy running - Each team shall be allowed a maximum of three (3) courtesy runners during the game. The courtesy runner must be of the same gender and the last person out (or furthest batting position away, in the first inning).

At the start of the game, a courtesy runner can be declared for the duration of the game for another player. That runner will not be counted against the 3 courtesy runner limit. The hitter must reach first on their own. The hitter is not allowed to advance beyond first.

Base running - No anticipation step allowed. A runner on base may not leave that base until the ball is hit, or forced to leave base because of a walk. The runner is out if he leaves the base before the ball is hit. If that runner is the 3rd out, the batter at the plate will bat again the next inning.

No outfielder (including the rover) can make a throwing out to first base. (Note – SPN rules as of 2006 also include that outfielders may not encroach within a 180’ radius from homeplate).

NO SLIDING

Encroachment Rule - Infielders are not permitted to step over the baseline until the ball is hit.

Outfield: A 120ft encroachment line will be used for female batters. If any of the 4 fielders (3 outfielders & the rover) are inside the line at the time the ball is hit, the female batter will receive a free pass to 1st base after the conclusion of the play. NO base runner will be in jeopardy of being put out at the next base they are going to. (The female batter could hit the ball past the fielders encroaching, in which case the play would continue) Once there is contact the fielders are free to come past the line.

Commitment / Safe Lines - The commitment line and the safe line have been added to all games for safety reasons in order to prevent injuries and make the game enjoyable for everyone.

The commitment line is to be drawn on the third base line 20 feet from the corner of home plate closest to third and will be perpendicular to the third base line and extend to the screen.

Once a baserunner steps past the commitment line, they cannot return to third base. No tagging is allowed past the commitment line. All plays at home plate are force plays.

In addition to the commitment line, a safe line will be drawn in foul territory at the corner of home plate closest to third base and would run perpendicular to the third base line and extend to the screen.

A baserunner must come in contact with the ground on or past the safe line without touching home plate or the mat prior to being forced out at the plate in order to score a run. If a baserunner touches the plate they are out.

Any player on the defensive team can make the out at home plate

Hitting - Bunting and chop hitting are not permitted and shall result in the batter being out.

A foul ball on the third strike shall result in the batter being out.

Pitching arc - The pitched ball must have a perceptible arc of at least 6 feet from the ground before it passes any part of home plate and shall not reach a height of more than 15 feet at its highest point from the ground.

An illegally pitched ball shall be called immediately when it occurs and a ball will be awarded to the batter. The umpire, base or plate, will call the illegal pitch loud enough for the batter to hear. However, if the batter swings at any illegally pitched ball, the pitch will immediately become legal. The ball is alive and in play if hit by the batter.

Intentional Walk - If the first 4 pitches are balls (including illegal pitches), the batter receives 2 bases. Runners on base are forced only.

Safe base - A safe base shall be used in all games. On any force play at first base, the white half of the base is the fielder's base and the coloured half of the base is the baserunner's base. Consequently, on force plays at first base, the runner must touch a portion of the coloured base to be safe. If the runner touches only the white portion of the base, they will be called out. The opposite is true for the defensive player who must touch a portion of the white base to get an out. If the fielder only touches the coloured base, the baserunner will be called safe.

Clarification – if there is no play to be made at first base the runner can touch either part of the base.

Board - a board shall be used in all divisions to determine balls and strikes. A pitched ball that hits the board is a strike. Home plate will not form part of the board. Any hit ball that contacts the board will be a foul ball. The player must be in contact with Home Plate to record an out. Contact with only the board will result in a safe call.See 2008 Above

Mercy Rule - An inning shall consist of three outs or seven runs (7 runs maximum per inning). The final inning will be open (unlimited runs). The game is over when 7 innings have been completed. If the home team is leading in the bottom of the last inning, that half inning will not be played.

Boundaries - The umpire shall advise the teams of the foul lines and out of play areas prior to the start of each game.

Field Preparation - Home team is responsible for setting up the bases and having a completed game form for reference.

Game Reporting - The winning team is responsible for submitting the game results through the website no later than 72 hours after the game.

Unsportsmanlike conduct - Any incidence of unsportsmanlike conduct (including spectators) shall result in the immediate expulsion of the offending player or manager from the game.

All incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct are subject to further review by the League Executive and may result in additional suspensions up to and including suspensions from the league. Written appeals will be permitted (see appeals).

Jewelry Rule - Jewelry is allowed at the players own risk.