Rules
1. Teams should have 10 players (with 3 being females). Teams can play with 8 or 9 players, as long as 3 of them are females. The team must play, short in the field but there is no automatic out. A team may play with only 2 females, but they must play, one short in the field, and that spot in the batting order is an automatic out. If a team only has 8 players, the opposing team must supply a catcher for the sole purpose to throw balls back to the pitcher (pitcher or another player must make all other plays at home). Visiting Team can start with 7 Players as long as the 8th Player is at the park or on the way but the 8th Player must be able to be dressed and ready to take his turn at bat and/or be ready to take the field with his team in the bottom of the inning. Failure to do this will result in a default.
2. If a team only has 1 female or 7 or less players, they will default the game.
3. If a team defaults, it is scored as a 7-0 score and the defaulted team loses $100.
4. Fifteen (15) minute grace allowed from official start time. (15 min. is inc/ in start time).
5. Home team is team on right side of schedule, they must supply bases & Safe-Base with pegs, slo-pitch mat or board and ball or forfeit home game. If both teams do not have bases or a ball then it will be a double default. Visiting team must supply a back-up ball. (Bases are 65 feet - where available). Safe-Base must be 1 piece, no 2 piece bases allowed.
6. All games will be 7 innings or 1 hour and 15 minute time limit. Once the inning starts, the inning must be completed. If tied after 7 innings or time limit, the game remains a tie.
If time permits or in Playoffs extra innings may be used using the International Tie-Breaker Rule with last out starting at 2nd Base with 1 out. If time runs out, game remains a tie.
7. The Safe-Base will be used at first and all Safe-Base rules will apply.
8. No sliding or diving at home. (You can slide or dive at 2nd or 3rdand 1st if on orange).
9. MERCY RULE: 12 runs after 5 innings or 4 ½ if home team is winning. (Home team must bat in the bottom of the inning if being mercied).
10. ANTICIPATION will be allowed. (Once a pitched ball has reached or passed or bounced in front of home plate, you may leave the base). If you leave the base before, you will be called out for a LEADOFF. (No pitch is declared, ball is dead, runner, is out).
11. No BUNTING, it must be a full swing or you are automatically called out.
12. No CHOPPED BALLS. A chopped ball is a batted ball whereby the batter swings the bat downward with a chopping motion with intent. If this is done the batter with automatically called out and all runners must go back to the base held prior to play.
13. If a male is walked and a female or an automatic out in a female spot is batting directly behind him, he will be awarded second base. Base runners only advance if forced.
14. At Blantyre Park any ball that hits the road in the air in left field will be an automatic home run. At Thomson any ball that is hit over the fence will be a Homerun. There is No Homerun Hitter Rule. Any ball that hits tree branches or bounces on road will be a double.
15. The mat or board will be used and all mat/board rules will apply. If a team has a cut out mat than the plate will be considered a strike.
16. Uniform rule will be in effect after the 3rd week. All players must have matching tops (same body colour). Any player that doesn’t will be fined $5.00. Certain situations may be okay under very hot or extremely cold conditions.
17. No Fake Tags, Metal spikes or Intent to Injure, players will be ejected.
18. All regular strike, balls, illegal pitches will be taken from SPN Official Rule Book, if you foul your third strike off, you will be called out.
19. COMMIT LINE will be used. All commit line rules will apply. All plays at home will be force plays. NO TAGGING runners between the commit and scoring lines, if this is done runner is automatically called SAFE. Runners can, not touch home plate or mat, if they do, they will be called out.
20. Three (3) courtesy runners per game. (Any one in line-up, same person can run more than once, male for male, female for either sex)
21. Six Runs per inning (New this Year, 5th, 6th, 7thand extra innings are open)
22. If a game is called due to poor field conditions, power failure or otherwise, the game will be replayed. If the game was called after 4 complete innings or 3 ½ if the Home team was winning than it is considered a complete game.
23. NO TITANIUM BATS, Altered, Hard Ball and other illegal bats (due to weight and length) or banned bats according to SPN Rule Book are allowed. Any one that comes up to bat with one of these bats will automatically be called out (same as jewellery rule). If done twice in a game the batter and coach may be ejected. PLEASE NOTE AS of 2008, all 100 mp/h bats previously grand fathered by SPN are now considered illegal. This includes Synergy 2, original Miken Freak (please check list on SPN website at www.slo-pitch.com)
24. NO SUBSTITUTIONS: Everyone bats. You can bat as many batters as you like (18 max), with guys and girls in any order that you want, as long as you do not bat more than 4 guys in row (including wrap around). You must have a minimum of 3 girls in the field at all times (except rule#1). You may have more girls than 3 if you wish. All players must be in the batting order, if they have not arrived by the time the team has gone through their batting order, than that player is ineligible to play in that game. If a player, can not continue to bat, due to injury ejection or otherwise, they will be an automatic out in the order. (Except for Rule #25). If a team has only 8 or 9 Players or 2 females than they can add that player at the bottom or for an automatic out when they get there even if they have already went through the order. Player must be present and entered in the line-up by the bottom of the 5th.
25. NOTICEABLE INJURY: If a player gets a noticeable injury (broken leg, etc.) the coach may ask the opposing coach or umpire if they can remove the player from the line-up due to noticeable injury, if one of them agree than the player is removed from the line-up and no automatic out is given. The rule is only in effect for guys and a team with 4+ girls.
26. A player may only change a defensive position, once an inning, if a 3rdBaseman moves to shortstop he/she must stay at shortstop the rest of the inning (this includes rovers and outfielders). Infielders can do a Delgado shift but you can only physically take over another person’s position, once an inning. (excludes pitchers)
27. Outfielders can’t throw the ball to first base to record an out on a base hit. If they do the batter will be called safe and the outfielder will be warned and could be ejected. However once the batter reaches 1stbase they are now a base runner and can be thrown out from the outfield at 1st if they attempt to go to 2ndbase. An outfielder can throw the ball to 1stbase to make a double play on a fly ball or line drive. NO RELAYS ARE ALLOWED.
28. Outfielders and rovers must be even or behind pylons until the ball has crossed home plate. Once the ball has passed through the strike zone, outfielders and rovers can move in. If an outfielder or rover moves in past the pylons before the ball crosses the strike zone, umpires may call time, award batter first base and all runners move one base if forced. If the umpire notices it before the pitch is made, he will just warn the player and if they player keeps moving in, they may be ejected. UMPIRE JUDGMENT CALL.
29. All players in the batting order must play 1 inning in the field. (Unless injured and okayed by opposing team). If you feel a player has not played an inning, tell the umpire by the 5th inning and he will make the player play at least 1 of the last 2 innings.
30. Pitchers rubber will be 55 feet from home plate but pitchers have an option to pitch anywhere they want from 55-70 feet and 2 feet from either side of the rubber.
31. Any player ejected from a game will automatically be suspended from next game.
TEAMS MUST LET LEAGUE KNOW IF ONE OF THEIR PLAYERS HAS BEEN EJECTED within 24 hours or the player and coach may be ejected for 2 games each.
32. Any player ejected twice in a season will automatically be suspended for the next (3) games. Any Player ejected (3) times in one season will be suspended for the Season.
33. Any player ejected from a game may be suspended for more depending on severity. Any player or coach who physically or verbally threatens, makes a racial slur or touches an umpire, player or executive member during or after a game or at a League Banquet, Meeting, Tournament or Function will get a minimum 10 game suspension and possibly a Life Time Ban depending on a League Review. They also will be written up to SPN and face a possible 3 Year Suspension. Any Player that owes money to the League will also be Banned from the League and by SPN and SPO until the money is paid.
34. Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on park property. Any player caught drinking during the game will be Ejected. Any player who the umpire feels is under the influence will be ejected from the game. Anyone caught drinking at Blantyre Park may get a 2 game suspension, the coach may also get a 2 game suspension.
35. Jewellery Rule will be in effect. Taping may be allowed on certain situations.
36. Pregnancy Rule: No one pregnant will be allowed to play.
37. NO PROTESTS: UMPIRE DECISION IS FINAL.
38. Games are played Rain or Shine. Umpire has final decision on Field conditions.
39. Umpire/Executive may make up rules, that is in the best interest of the League.
40. All other rules not listed will be taken from SPN OFFICIAL RULE BOOK.
ROSTERS
1. Anyone can play on a SMRSPL Team as long as they are 18 years of age and not on the League Ineligible list or SPN/SPO Ineligible list. Players under the age of 18 must be approved by League and have parents consent form signed to be eligible for League Play.
2. All Players should sign official SPN roster. Only players that have signed official SPN roster and have handed it back to the League will be eligible for insurance. (20 max)
3. You can use other people that are not on your official SPN roster, to avoid a default but they must be 18 Years of age and follow Rule #1 and they must not play on any other Team in the League or follow Rules #4. In order to be eligible for Insurance purposes you must add them to your SPN roster. You can add Players to your SPN Roster throughout the year but they must get enough games in to be eligible for Playoffs. (see Rule #7)
4. Any player that has played for one SMRSPL Team, can not play on another team that season unless they get permission from the League. If a player does change teams he can not go back to his original team until next season and he must get enough games with his new team in order to be eligible for playoffs. Any Team that is caught using players from other teams will forfeit games that the ineligible player played and face severe suspensions.
5. Winning Teams must email scores to the League at least 3 days after the game or forfeit the game. Both teams must hand in a line-up card to the Umpire before every game for playoff eligibility. Line-up Cards must be readable with first and last names (no nicknames).
6. If a player is Injured/Pregnant and present at a game, they may have there name listed on the Line-up Card for Playoff Eligibility.(mark injured/pregnant beside their name), you must also point out the player to the umpire to confirm that the player is present at the park
7. In order to be eligible for playoffs, you must have played Eight (8) League Games. You are allowed one male player and one female player with less than Eight (8) games but they must have played at least Four (4) Regular Season games. (you must designate who this player is before the Playoffs begin). If a game is cancelled and not replayed, defaulted or forefited all players on the roster will get credit with a game played. If a game is started but called because of rain, darkness or otherwise, only players present at the Park will get credited with a game played.
8. Scores and Line-up Cards should be checked at the end of the game, if teams can not agree on score and umpire can not figure it out, than the home team score will be used.
9. Teams will now have their own password and will be able to put in the scores of their games as well as who played in the game for Playoff Eligibility. We hope that all Teams do this after every game but at least up date it every 2 weeks at the latest. The rosters will be updated and it will be easy to see who is eligible for Playoff Eligibility. If teams do not update Games Played, than only the Players listed on the website with enough games played will be eligible for Playoffs. We will still be keeping Line-up cards, Umpires and League Executive will be doing Random Checks. Any Team that we find that has falsified records will have any of the players involved in the false records be ineligible for Playoffs and the Team Rep that has falsified the records will be given a 10 game suspension.
10. During Rain, if Teams have not heard from League Executive they must show up to the ballpark. The Parks Department usually cancel the permit for poor field conditions by 4:00pm on Friday. If they do we will try to email or call Team Reps by Friday Night. If Permits are not cancelled and it rains after that, the Umpire will have Final decision on all playing conditions. If he calls the game, due to poor field conditions than, teams do not have to have enough players present. If the Umpire calls “Play Ball” and one or both Teams do not have enough players than the game will be defaulted. (see Rule # 3 in Rules Page). Umpire will also decide if games should continue or not during Rain, it is his Final Decision, be prepared to play in Rain (see Rule #22 in rules). If a Team has a Rainout, they have an option to take a 7-7 Tie or a have the Game re-played. If both Teams wants the game re-played than they must pay $50 each to have the League find a park to replay the game at a later date. If only 1 Team wants the game re-played and the other team refuses than the team that wants it re-played will win the game 7-0. After the 2nd Week of August if the Games do not mean anything in the Standings the Teams will not have an option and all rained out games will be recorded as a 7-7 Tie. All Rained Out Games in Playoffs will be re-played and Playoff Games suspended for Rain, darkness or otherwise will be re-scheduled and picked up where the game left off. Teams will not have to pay extra for Rained Out or Suspended Playoff Games. League will cover it.
11. Once the Schedule is made there will be no changes to it. If a Team can’t make a game for any reason they must give the League 72 hours notice. If they do they will lose the game 7-0 and be fined $50. If a Team does not give the League 72 hours notice and the opposing Team shows up to the Park than the Team will lose the game 7-0 and be fined $100. $50 will go to the League and the other $50 will go to the opposing teams Bond that showed up to the Park. If both teams default, both Teams must pay $100 to the League. A 7-7 Tie will be recorded in all double default situations. Once a Team defaults they must top up their default fee to the League by their next scheduled game or forfeit that game. This Rule applys for all Games in the Mandatory League Tournament on Fri, Sat and Sunday.
12. If an Umpire decides to end the game because of bad conduct from a Team, they will lose the game 7-0 and be fined $100. If the Umpire ends the game because of bad conduct from both teams than both Teams will be fined $100 and the score will be a 7-7 Tie. Suspensions can also follow for several players. Teams may also be expelled from the League.
13. There will be 3 Meetings a Year. All Meetings are Mandatory, any Team that does not have a Team Rep present at the Meeting will be fined $50 (NO EXCEPTIONS). There will also be a $50 fine on all NSF Cheques, all fines will be taken out of Default Fee.
14. If there is a tie in the Standings, the following Tiebreaker Formula will be used:
1)Wins
2)Head to Head
3)F-A Differential (whole season)
4)F-A Differential (between all Teams Tied)
5)Least Runs against (whole season)
6)Most Runs for (whole season)
7)Flip of a coin
* Please note, that if more than 2 Teams are tied, Head to Head will only be used if 1 Team beat all the other Teams tied, if not disregard Head to Head).
15. League Executive will decide Playoff Format, Prize Money and Rules each year.
16. Each Team must play in the Mandatory Tournament as some of the games will count in the Standings. If Teams can’t play in the Tournament for any reason they can have their 3 games from the Tournament made up later in the Year but they must pay an extra $300.
17. If Teams decide to Leave the League, they will have their Default Fee returned to them (providing they did not Default). If a Team decides to Leave the League or is expelled from the League after they have paid a Deposit for the following Season or Current Season at the October or Winter Meetings. The Deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE and will not be returned.
18. Teams will be given 5 Free Tickets for the Banquet included in League Fees. If they would like additional Tickets, cost are $20 each. Teams must pay for extra tickets at the October Meeting. Any Team that orders tickets, must pay for them regardless of players showing up.
19. If any Team still owes money after the Season has started, they will forfeit all games 7-0 until all the money is paid. Teams may also be expelled from the League and all Teams that had games scheduled against them will be awarded 7-0 victories. Any League Teams that enter a Hammertime Tournament and cancel less than 48 hours before the Tournament, will have to pay the full cost of the Tournament by their next League Game or they will lose all games 7-0 until Money is Paid and possibly be expelled from the League. SPN will be notified for any Team that owes money to the League and all players on the roster will be banned from the League and all SPN/SPO Leagues, Tournaments, Provincials and Nationals until the money is paid to the League.