SECTION I: FIELD OF PLAY
1.1
The home team is responsible for putting down the bases on the field each game night. If one (1) of the base straps or spikes has been damaged and is not functional, team captains shall confer and agree that there will be one play only at the base in question. Base straps need to be in working condition.

1.2
The home team supplies one new ball a night for the first game. The home team must supply any additional balls needed after that.

1.3
Each team will receive a case of new balls at the start of the season, which are to be used and paid for by the team’s league fees. Make and model: Girl hot dots – 11-inch.

1.4
We use the SPN bat rules as shown below. If a player is deemed using an illegal bat, the player will be out. If this happens more than once, the issue goes to the league for possible team expulsion from the league. All legal bats used in Slo Pitch National will have either the existing USSSA compliance mark or the new USSSA compliance mark as pictured below located on the bat.

1.5
A commitment line will be twenty (20) feet from home plate. Once a player crosses this line, they may not return to third base. The safety line follows the first base line to home plate to back stop. However, if a player is running from 3rd base to home and crosses the commitment line on a fly ball, which is legally caught by a fielder, the runner is permitted to come back to 3rd to tag up.

A line may be placed one bat length (approx. 3 ft) from the pitcher’s rubber, in a North-South direction. This is the maximum distance from home plate that a pitcher may begin their delivery. (Ump lines)

1.6
Base measurements
(A) Home to first: 65 feet
(B) Home to second: 91 feet, 10 inches
(C) Home to third: 65 feet

SECTION II- GAME PLAY
2.1
All games are to be 6-innings in length. The mercy rule will be in effect if a team is winning by ten (10) after 4.5 innings.

Season Duration May 6 – August 12: 2, 6-inning games
August 19 – September 23: 2, 6-inning games; 1-1 count

Teams will play on Holidays, except for July 1

2.2
Games will start at 6:15pm with a 15-minute grace period. If a team has enough players to field a team by 6:15pm, they must begin play.
(A) If the first game is a forfeit, the umpire will wait until 6:45pm to see if enough players show up to play the second game. If at that time no more players show up, the second game is a forfeit, and the umpire goes home.
(B) A team must start when they have nine (9) players. If play is started with nine (9) players, then other players who arrive by 6:45pm can be added to the bottom of the line-up, even if the team has gone through the batting order.

2.3
In case of rain or darkness, the umpire will call the game. The score will be the last completed inning. If a team wants to stop play before called by the umpire, it will be deemed a forfeit. If this happens in game one (1), both games will be forfeited. If this happens in game two (2), only the second game will be forfeited.

2.4
Maximum of ten (10) players on the field.

2.5
Everyone deemed to be playing in the game MUST bat in the order and defensively play one (1) inning.

2.6
A player not playing (player A) may enter the game in place of another player (player B) and player B does not play anymore.

2.7
A team can be +2 home runs. The bases must be run on a home run.

2.8
No metal ball cleats allowed. Players caught using metal cleats will automatically be ejected from the game and since that individual has been removed from the game, the batting order each time they are due to hit will be recorded as an out, unless there is someone to substitute into the game for this player.

2.9
The infield fly rule is in affect. Definition: Is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or a bunt): 1) When first and second, or first, second, and third bases are occupied. 2) That can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. 3) When there is less than two (2) outs.

2.10
A runner may be substituted at first base if a player can not run all the bases. This is the only base that a runner may be substituted.
(A) No runner will be allowed to run from home plate.
(B) No designated hitters.
(C) If a player is injured a substitution is available at any base.
(D) If a player requires a runner, it will be the last possible out
Definition: The last possible out is the last person who could possibly have been out, who isn’t on a base.

2.11
If the ball touches any part of the mat and/or plate, it is a strike.

2.12
If there are any repeated incidents involving a player displaying or behaving with unsportsmanlike or otherwise inappropriate behaviour, the umpire will make the call on the consequences.

2.13
The pitcher does not have to make contact with the rubber during their delivery. They can be up to one (1) bat length or three (3) feet in a North-South direction of the pitching rubber. Pitches must be between six (6) and twelve (12) feet above the ground in an arc. Any pitch below six (6) feet in height at its peek or above twelve (12) feet in height at its peek, will be called an illegal pitch (and a ball) by the umpire.

2.14
Pitchers must wear a full-face mask. Other players may choose whether they wear protective gear at their respective positions.

2.15
Sliding is permitted at all bases except home plate and first base.
(A) Any slides at home plate or into first base will be an automatic out.
(B) If a player is called out for sliding into first or home, the play is dead, and all runners go back to their base.

2.16
A player running home must run across the safety line indicated. Touching the plate or mat will result in an automatic out. No contact can be made with any player after the commitment line. If a player is running home and the catcher comes off the plate to try and catch the ball that is thrown wide and there is contact, the runner is not called out.

2.17
For an out at home, the catcher must catch the ball and touch home plate, not the mat. If the catcher has part of their foot on the plate and the mat, the runner is ruled out.

2.18
If a player leaves the game for any reason, the player will be removed from the lineup. A team does not have to take an out when that player is due to hit. Captains are required to let each other know when a player leaves, if no notice is given, it will be considered an out.

2.19
A team may appeal a play when it is over. If this occurs, the umpire will call both team captains to discuss the play and decide a ruling.

2.20
Any foul tip, caught by the catcher is an out.

SECTION III- CONDUCT
3.1
Absolutely no use alcohol or drug use on the ball field or in the parking lot during league and tournament play. If a player is caught using drugs or alcohol and reported to the executive, the
player will be asked to come before the captains of the league as part of a hearing, on a case-by-case basis, to determine an appropriate punishment.

3.2
Foul language and/or verbal abuse in a softball conflict will result in a game(s) suspension(s) as decided by the president of the league on a case-by-case basis, with input from captains and witnesses.

SECTION IV- ADMINISTRATIVE
4.1
Players must be seventeen (17) years of age on or before the calendar year of the regular season. Playing with an underage player will result in forfeiting any games in which the underage player has played until the required age is met.

4.2
Initial rosters and league dues as set by the league executive are to be turned into the Facebook page no later than April 15th.
(A) Teams can have up to twenty-five (25) players on their roster.
(B) Any additions after April 15th to a team’s roster must be communicated to the league via the Facebook page.
(C) Team captains wishing to make changes to their roster must submit changes on the Facebook page prior to July 31.
(D) For the year-end tournament, teams can request to add players to their roster up until two (2) weeks before the tournament. Captains must approve the additional player(s), to a maximum of two (2) players. These additions are solely to ensure teams have enough players to field a team of up to ten (10) players, preventing the need to forfeit.

4.3
All players who are on the roster are approved to play in the year-end tournament.

4.4
A team caught with an ineligible player will forfeit all games up to the point where the infraction was noted.

4.5
Following games each week, team captains will post results on Facebook page. It is the home team’s responsibility to post the score.

4.6
Teams must send one (1) representative to captains’ meetings. A team failing to attend repeated meetings will be placed on probation by consensus of the team captains. Once a team is on probation, a subsequent failure to provide a representative for a league meeting will result in the team being ejected from the league.

4.7
Any regular season games that are rained out shall be declared a 0-0 tie for stats purposes. No points will be given.

4.8
The standings will use the point system and if it’s a tie, then it will be down to differential.

4.9
If a new team wants to join the league, the following will apply and be passed in by April 1 of that year:
(A)
A $400 non-refundable deposit
(B)
Roster posted
(C)
Uniform colors
(D)
Not able to take players from other teams