Please arrive 15 minutes early to set up fields and start your games on
time. Games are comprised of 7 innings, with a time limit of 1.5
hours.Please agree on one person to act as timekeeper.
i. Teams are comprised of eight (8) players with a minimum of two (2) of
each gender on the field. A default will occur if any team cannot
field a squad 15 minutes after the official start time.
ii. A team can play with a minimum of 6 people, as long as there are
three (3) of each gender. Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding
minimum people but this should be decided before the game starts.
3. General Rulesi. The
"home"team will be determined by a coin toss (rock - paper - scissorsis
also welcomed).
ii. Foul
ball calls should be made by the catcher. Calls at each of the bases are
to be made by base-coaches (i.e. extra players on the offensive team).
Teams should do their best to ensure that base coaches are being used.
If base-coaches are not being used, all close calls should be made by the
pitcher. Please do your best to ensure that the game is being called in
a fair manner.
iii. The game
score at the last full inning (7th or at the end of 1.5 hrs.)
will determine the winner. The score can be tied in regulation games.
4. Pitching and
Batting
i. Each
team will ‘pitch’ to their own team
ii. Every
batter can receive a maximum of three (3) pitches. All foul balls, wild
pitches, strikes and balls count as one of the three pitches. The only
exception is a ball that hits the pitcher
iii. If a hit ball touches the pitcher, the ball is declared dead and the
pitch is redone - base runners return to their previous bases and the
pitch count is restored. (Pitchers should do their best to avoid making
contact with a hit ball).
iv. The
ball is put into play when the pitcher (from the offensive team) rolls
the ball toward home plate without any bounces
v. The
pitcher must stand behind the pitching strip and avoid getting in the way
of the defensive team
vi. There
is no bunting or faking to bunt. However, a ball that is kicked with a
full swing, but does not go past the pitcher IS a live and playable ball.
vii. A
team must use their full roster for batting (i.e. players cannot only
play defense) and all players must bat before a player of the same gender
can bat for the second time
viii. The
golden rule when making a batting order is that at no time should 3
men bat in a row. Therefore, whether you alternate genders for the
batting order (i.e. male 1, female 1, male 2, female 2, etc.) or have two
men followed by one woman (male 1, male 2, female 1, male 3, male 4,
female 2, etc.).
i. There is
absolutely no sliding. Any base runner that slides is automatically out.
ii. There
are no leadoffs for base runners; you must wait until contact with the
ball is made.Please respect this rule.
iii. Players cannot steal bases. Runners may only advance once contact
has been made with the ball.
iv. All ties will go to the runner
v. A runner may advance only one base if the ball is overthrown
vi. 1st
base and home plate will have "safety bases". As such, there will be a
base for the first baseperson and the catcher to touch and a separate
base for the runner to step on.
vii. There
is a "suicide-line" halfway between 3rd base and home plate marked with
an extra base. Once the runner has crossed this line, they cannot return
to 3rd base. If they do, it is an automatic out.
viii. In
order to prevent injury and protect the defensive player attempting to
make a play on a base runner, the base runner will be called out if s/he
remains on her/his feet and deliberately, with force, crashes into a
defensive player holding the ball, waiting to apply a tag.
i. A team
can only score a maximum of eight (8) runs in one inning. EXCEPTION: A
team has no run limit in the final inning of the game.
ii. Mercy
rule: If a team is up by 15 runs or more after the 5th inning of play,
the losing team has the option of calling the game or choosing to
continue.
8. Outs
i.Three outs by a team completes their half of an inning
ii.
An out
occurs in similar situations as a softball game. For example:
iii. A "force out" will always be in effect between home plate and first base. (i.e. the defensive player only has to touch their base and not tag the runner to achieve an out). As well, a force out will always be in effect between 3rd base and home plate once the runner has crossed over the "suicide line". There is no force out at 2nd or 3rd base unless the bases before them are full (e.g runner on 2nd must run to third since runner at 1st base is coming to 2nd) - these players must be tagged.
5. Discrepancies: All games are self-refereed. Disputes about a possible infraction are to be discussed amongst the people involved in the play. If an agreement cannot be reached, don't waste time arguing the play - simply redo the play. Please play safely and with good spirit.
6. Rough Play: ANY ROUGH OR PHYSICAL PLAY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM FURTHER LEAGUE PLAY AND MAY RESULT IN LIFETIME LEAGUE EXPULSION. PLEASE SEE THE SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB POLICY SHEET FOR OUR OFFICIAL POLICY ON THIS SUBJECT. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable - however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.