Onaping Falls Mixed Slo-Pitch League

RULES AND REGULATIONS 2017

1. A team will consist of 10 players on the field at one time, of which the maximum number of men will be five.

2. All games shall be seven (7) innings, unless both teams decide to stop play.  There is NO open inning during regular season games.

3. Only 10 batters may appear at the plate per inning.  When the tenth batter comes to the plate, the umpire will announce “last batter”.  No balls will be counted against the batter, (s)he must hit or strike out.  The inning ends if a fly ball is caught or by touching the board with the ball in hand.  If the 10th batter hits a fair ball, where the ball must go to the Home Board to end the inning, and the fielder throws the ball out of play, the batter and runners will score.

4. Batters shall alternate sexes.  Each team is responsible for their own batting order and allowing only ten batters maximum per inning.

5. The pitcher shall deliver the ball with an arc of between 6-12 feet from within the pitching circle.  If the ball is illegally pitched, the umpire will call a NO-PITCH before the ball crosses the board.  The pitch is counted as a ball.  If a no-pitch is called, the batter still has the option of trying to hit the ball.  In his case, the no-pitch call is cancelled and regular rules apply.

6. No pitcher shall intentionally walk a batter (4 balls, no strikes, male or female).  If the batter is intentionally walked, the batter will advance to second base.  The next batter will have the choice to hit or advance to first base.  Any existing base runners will only advance if they are forced to advance.

7. No bunting allowed.  Steel cleats shall not be worn.

8. The batter is considered out if:  on the third strike, (s)he hits a foul ball.

9. If the ball hits the board, it is a strike.  The batter is considered out if the batter does not swing and it is a strike.

10. Pitching Fence:  A fence will be placed six feet in front of the pitching mound to protect the pitcher.  If the ball hits the fence off the bat, then the batter is automatically out.  If the pitcher hits the fence while pitching, a ball will be called in favour of the batter.  If the ball hits the fence at any other time during the game, the ball is still in play.

11. No base stealing.  The batter must make contact with the ball before the runner steps off the base.  If the batter does not make contact with the ball, and the runner leaves the base, the runner is out.

12. Orange/white base (1^st base) – the orange base is for the runner only.  If the first baseman/woman is touching the orange base, the runner is safe.  If there is a play at first base, the runner must make contact with the orange base only.  If the runner touches the white base and there is a play at first base, the runner is out.

13. Only one male and one female will be allowed to hit a home run per inning.  All other home runs will be a SINGLE.  Any runner already on base will advances 1 base, only if it is a force.  The batter and runners have to option to “walk off” the field without touching all the bases.

14. Ground Rule Double - all runners will advance 2 bases.

15. A commit line will be drawn 20 feet from the board on the third base side.  If a player passes this line, they must continue towards home plate. 

16. Safety line - All base runners must cross the safety line at home board located in foul territory to be awarded a run.  If any runner touches home board, (s)he will be called out.  Catchers must stand on any part of the board and catch the ball before the base runner’s foot crosses and touches the ground line to be called out. NOTE: there is no tagging once base runner crosses the commit line.

17. No sliding is allowed.  The runner will be called out if (s)he should slide.  Runners may overrun all bases.  They must turn towards the right to end the play.  If the runner rounds a base towards the next base or turns to their left as they overrun the base, they are in play.  If a runner overruns a base, turns right and then decides to advance to the next base, they must first re-touch the (white) base they have just overrun.

18. Infield fly rule is in effect.  Batter is automatically out when (s)he hits an infield fly with base runners on 1^st & 2^nd or 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd with less than two out.  The ball must be in fair territory and easily catchable by an infielder.  The runners have the option to advance at their own risk.  If the ball is caught, the runner must still tag up.  The umpire must call an infield fly while the ball is in the air.

19. Each team shall supply a competent umpire while their team is at bat.  The umpire must enforce all rules of play.

20. Registered players must be at least 19 years of age before September 1^st of the current season.  Player may only be registered on one team for the season.

21. League fees:  Fees can be paid directly to an Executive member or at the Caisse Populaire Dowling.  If the fees are paid in full by the end of the day on May 19, total fees will be $900 per team.  If the fees are paid between May 20 and up to and including June 9, total fees will be $1000 per team.  After June 9, the total fees will be $1200 per team.  After June 23, the team will be removed from the schedule.  Any games already played against a team will not be included in the final win/loss record.  The fees cover each player for the season and tournament play. 

22. Each registered player must have played in at least five (5) games to qualify to play in the year-end tournament and must live in the Sudbury area.

23. All players and their equipment shall be kept behind the fence during play (except the on-deck batter).

24. League will not be responsible for injuries incurred because the catcher fails to wear a mask.  Although it is optional, it is recommended that each catcher wear a face mask.

25. Female players who are pregnant are not allowed on the field or on the player’s bench.  Their registration is voided due to insurance regulations.  Please notify executive of this situation.  Children are not allowed on the playing field or the player’s bench.

26. All injuries incurred during play are subject to an incident report.

27. Pick up players may be used during the regular season.  Discretion is left to the two opposing teams’ agreement.

28. Rosters have a maximum of twenty (20) players.

29. All players must be registered with SPN and have agreed to their waiver.  Deadline to complete waiver is June 23, 2017.

COACHES AND CAPTAINS RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Attend all meetings on behalf of their team, carry out responsible representation, provide information from the general/captains meetings to team players, and mind the fine structure for lack of attendance ($20 / meeting).  If there is a fine for failure to attend a meeting, it is due before preparations for scheduling of year-end tournament games are made.  Generally, this will be at the meeting to submit score sheets.

2. Collect entry fees and other payments in good faith, and submit as per deadlines.  Liaison for correspondence with executive and other team representatives.

3. Inform players of rules and regulations and insure players of proper playing positions.  Provide team players a copy of the rules, schedule and share information received at meetings.

4. Promote etiquette ie. no throwing bats, no cursing, no bullying, not starting a new inning after 8pm, letting a team finish their game peacefully, allow scheduled teams access to the field.

5. Only team captains and the umpire should be present in the discussion of any on field disputes.

6. Insure no alcohol is consumed on the field, the benches or the bleachers.  First offence - $100 fine, non-refundable and must be paid prior to continuing with league play.  Second offence – team is terminated from the league and person who was consuming the alcohol will have a lifetime ban from league.  City also has rules regarding consumption of alcohol on City property.  Please see April 9, 2013 minutes.

7. If a game is canceled due to field or weather conditions, the President, Tracy Peura, League Reschedule, Cindy Hykin, AND the opposing team are to be notified at least 1 ½ hours before game time.  If a game is canceled for any other reason, the President, League Rescheduler and opposing team must be notified a least a week prior to the game.  Failure to advise will result in a $60 fine (equivalent to the cost of the field).  The fine must be paid prior to final meeting of the season, September 1, 2016.

8. Provide responsible volunteers to help when called upon by Executive, specifically, scorekeepers during tournament.

9. Home team is responsible for the bases and board, which is the top team on the paper schedule.  This includes setting up, returning them to appropriate destination, ensuring boxes are locked, and turning lights off.

10. Captains are responsible for keys.  There will be a $5.00 fee to replace a key.

11. Complete an incident report for all injuries and provide a copy to the League Executive.  An incident report is included in your SPN packages.  Make copies as necessary..

12. Home team is responsible for the score sheets.  Please ensure both team names are documented on the score sheet and the final score is legible.  Score sheets must be signed by the captain or a representative from each team after every game.

13. At the end of each game, both team captains are to advise Tina Pitre of the result of the game, including the score.  The website will update at Tina’s earliest convenience.

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