TOTTENHAM OLDTIMERS SLOPITCH RULES OF PLAY

 

Article 1 TIME LIMIT:

One hour and thirty minutes is the maximum time allowed for the completion of a game.  A full game will consist of seven (7) innings; five (5) innings must be played to constitute a legal game. If the Umpire calls the game before five (5) innings it must be re-played to its entirety.  If the home team is leading, only four and a half (4-1/2) innings are required. If an inning has begun before 1 hour and 5 minutes has elapsed, it must be completed.  No new inning can commence after 1 hour and 15 minutes has elapsed.

Article 2 RULES:

(S.P.N. rules will apply subject to the following clarifications)

a)      A game will be forfeited if a team does not have six (6) of their own players to start a game. A ten (10) minute grace period is allowed from the normal starting time of a game in order for a team to field at least six (6) players. Two (2) points will be awarded to the non-offending team. If a team starts with six (6) players, but finishes with less due to injury, etc. the game is still legal. If a team starts with six (6) players, the 7, 8, 9 and 10 batters are not out automatically.  A player entering the game late must go to the bottom of the batting order. All games must be played or rescheduled, if a game cannot be rescheduled both teams receive ‘0’ points.

 

b)     Free substitution is allowed in the field any time, but the player must be on the batting list and bat in his proper order.

 

c)      All players on the roster must bat and must play at least three (3) innings in the field.  A player that does not field (3) innings will be considered an illegal player. The opposing Captain must notify the Umpire by the end of the sixth inning. The penalty for a violation of Article 2 C) is forfeiture of the game.

Any player arriving to the game after the player’s first scheduled at-bat will be placed at the bottom of the batting order. Players arriving after 4 complete innings are ineligible to play.  Does not apply to games that are shortened by time or weather.

d)     The Umpire must be notified before the game starts that a certain player has an injury and will require a courtesy runner.  A courtesy runner will be awarded at the end of the play.  Once the player declares a courtesy runner is required, that player must take a courtesy runner for the duration of the game. Exceptions are home runs or where the umpire motions him to proceed to second base.  Should a runner proceed beyond 1st base without a noted exception being in play, the out will be recorded and treated as a force out at 1st base.  A courtesy runner will be given at any base to a player with a legitimate injury sustained while in play.

 

If a courtesy runner is required, that runner shall be the last out - regardless of the inning. In the event of the first inning with no outs, the runner shall be the last available batter.  The Umpire will have final ruling in the event of a dispute.  A player requesting a courtesy runner during the game, who has not announced to the Umpire prior to the game and has not previously taken a runner, will be granted a runner at the discretion of the Umpire.

 

e)     There will be no warm-ups if this would interfere with the game being started at the designated time. There will be no warm-ups during the course of a game.

 

f)       A commitment line 3' long approximately 40' from 3rd base will be placed perpendicular to the third base line before the game. Any player who puts his foot down and across this line in an attempt to reach home plate has to proceed to home. It then becomes a forced play.  A player who retreats back over the commitment line will be automatically out.

 

g)      A safe line in line with first base line and home plate will be clearly marked on the field. In order to be called safe, the player running from third base must have his foot down and across this line before the catcher receives the ball.  The catcher must have a portion of his foot on home plate and have full possession and control of the ball in order for the runner to be called out. If a runner touches home plate or the mat he will become an automatic out.  The defensive player may not tag the runner for an out after the runner crosses the commitment line. 

h)     No sliding is allowed at home plate. A runner who slides will be called out automatically.

 

i)       The team captain does not have to be a paid player member of the league. 

 

j)       Team Captains must inform the Executive at the first Captain’s meeting of the season if they wish to keep their jersey colour for the upcoming season.  If they elect not to keep the jersey colour, a lottery system will determine an order of teams to choose available colours.

 

k)      All aspects of the strike mat, including but not limited to construction, dimensions, material and colour will be determined by and agreed to by our Executive Board prior the start of each season.

Article 3 EQUIPMENT:

The home captain is to supply a new ball for each game. At the conclusion of each game the Umpire is to give all usable balls to the home team.

Prior to the commencement of all games the home team is responsible for the proper placement of the bases on the field of play and for turning on the field lights if required. The home team is also responsible for securing equipment, removing bases and turning off the field lights if there are no further league games to follow,

Only League supplied bats are permissible for play. The Executive Board will determine the type and specifications of the ball that is to be used throughout the season.

No steel spikes are allowed.

 

A protective mask is optional for current pitchers.

Effective January 1st 2019, a protective mask is mandatory for all P1’s and P2’s who were not registered as P1’s or P2’s prior to this date.

Effective 2019, helmets are used at the discretion of players and two (2) helmets will continue to be provided by the league to each team.

Article 4 UMPIRES:

One Umpire will be supplied per game. Additional umpires may be assigned at the discretion of the Executive Board for playoff games.

The Umpire has the final authority to decide if a game is to commence and /or to continue-due to rain, darkness etc.

Article 5 COMMITMENT:

A player must provide his Captain or Co-Captain appropriate notice - if possible 24 hours or at least 2 hours notice) prior to the game if the player knows that he is unable to play, unless an emergency arises. This will provide the Captain or Co-Captain enough time to call for a substitute. In the case of emergency, the player should call the Captain or Co-Captain as soon as possible to inform the Captain or Co-Captain of the emergency.

If a player does not show up for a game and does not give appropriate notice to the Captain or Co-Captain the following actions will occur:

i.        1st no show incident – discussed between Captain and player; warning notification forwarded to the executive

ii.      2nd no show incident – warning by the Executive

iii.     3rd no show incident – suspension for the remainder of the year; forfeit of league fees.

Article 6 SUBSTITUTION:

There will be a Substitute List supplied to the Substitute Controller(s) of those players who wish to substitute for other teams. This list shall include the current ranking of these players.

When a Captain calls the Substitute Controller and advises him/her that he requires a Substitute for a player, the Substitute Controller will ask who the players are that will be absent. He shall verify the rankings of the missing players to determine which Substitute(s) will be contacted.

The method of determining the proper Substitute(s) will be as follows:

i.        If a team knows that they will only be able to field eight of their own players, for example, and would like to receive two Substitutes, the Substitute Controller will average out the missing players.

ii.      He will create a Substitute List that is divided into three (3) categories:

a)      Category A - players rated 1 through 4

b)     Category B - players rated 5 through 8; and,

c)      Category C - players rated 9 through 12 or higher.

From his Substitutes List, he will average the missing player(s) rating(s) and identify Substitutes from the appropriate categories.

iii.   He will then call the Substitutes and advise them that they will playing for "such-and-such" team at the designated park and at the designated time.

iv.   In any event there shall be no more than four (4) A category players/substitutes on any team for a game.  Further, no team shall have more than two players rated number one (1), for any game, including both the team roster as well as substitutes. 

No team shall call for additional players if they have ten (10) available players, the only exception being that a team is always eligible for a sub if they’re missing their P1. If a substitute assigned by the Substitute Controller arrives at the park and the team he has been called for has ten (10) available players at game time, the substitute will be given the option of playing or not. Substitutes will be placed on the bottom of the batting order.

If a team arrives at the park expecting to have the minimum of ten (10) players, and at game time the team is shorthanded, a substitute from the stands may be used as long as both Captains agree. 

If a player is suspended and the team involved cannot field a team with the tenth man, during the span of said suspension, then the suspended player's ranking may be taken into consideration to categorize a suitable substitute.

A Captain may request the other team to supply a substitute catcher if their team can only field nine (9) or less of its own players, including substitutes. The designated catcher must participate (i.e., make defensive plays) to the best of his abilities.

Article 7 EJECTION:

Players ejected by an Umpire for any reason are suspended that game plus the next game in the teams schedule, including make up games. The elected Executive Board will meet within 2 days to determine the appropriate penalty for the ejected player.

For the safety of all involved, anyone arriving at the park intoxicated with the intention to play is subject to a possible ejection from game by the Umpire. To prevent penalizing the offending player's team, a suitable replacement may enter game under the substitution rules.

Article 8 PROTESTS:

To make a formal protest during a regular scheduled or play-off game, the protest must be made to the Umpire prior to, or during, the playing of said game. The Umpire will make note of the protest by telling both the scorekeeper and the opposing team at the point the protest was presented. Protests that arise from an Umpires’ safe/out decision during the course of a game shall not be the subject of protest. The Executive Board will hear all protests and determine the appropriate outcome.

 

 

 

Article 9 STANDINGS:

Standings will be determined on the basis of points earned during regular season games.               Win =2 points Tie = 1 point Loss = 0 points

In the case of a tie in the standings, the higher place in the standings will be determined by:

i.        Head to head record, determined by points.

ii.      If still tied, by the highest number of wins in the overall league statistics.

iii.     If still tied, by the highest number of runs for in the overall league statistics.

iv.     If still tied, by the lowest number of runs against in the overall league statistics.

v.       If still tied, by a coin toss.

The higher placed team during the Regular Season will have a choice to be the home or away team for each Playoff Round-Robin game.

 

Article 10 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RUNS PER INNING:

The maximum number of runs that can be scored in any inning with the exception of the designated last inning is seven (7). The designated last inning can have an unlimited number of runs scored.

Article 11 AMENDMENTS:

Rules of play may be amended, added to or deleted by the Executive Board on an interim basis during the course of the season. All changes must be formally approved at the first available Annual General Meeting for inclusion in the permanent Rules of Play documentation.

. 6

 

 CONSTITUTION

 

MANDATE:

The mandate of The Tottenham Old-timers Slo-Pitch League is to provide recreational baseball in a manner that promotes the ideals of sportsmanship and friendship while minimizing the potential for injury.

Article 1: EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of the President, three (3) Vice President(s), Immediate Past President, Secretary- Treasurer and the Captain and Co-Captain of each team in the league. The Executive Board will manage the affairs of the league. The President, Vice-Presidents, and Secretary-Treasurer will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. Individuals who wish to stand for positions but cannot attend the Annual General Meeting must indicate their acceptance of an Executive Board position(s) in writing prior to the meeting. An individual present at the meeting must second the written declaration.

The Captains and Co-captains will be selected and approved by the elected Executive Board.

The Statistician, Substitution Controller, and other volunteer positions are considered to be ex-officio (i.e., non voting) members of the Executive Board.

Article 2: VOTING

Each elected member of the Executive Board with the exception of the President and past President will have one vote. In addition, each team shall have one vote. Someone who is not an elected member must make the team vote.

If a Captain or Co-captain cannot attend an Executive Board meeting, they may delegate a registered player from their team to attend for voting purposes.

A motion must be passed by a majority of those present. Dissenting votes will be recorded if requested. The President will vote in the event of a tie vote.

Article 3: QUORUM

No motion may be passed at any Executive Board meetings where a quorum of members is not present. A quorum is duly constituted when a majority of teams plus one is represented and three elected Board members are present. (See Article 1)

Article 4: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the League will be held on the third Saturday of November each year at a time and location to be determined by the Executive Board.

 

 

Article 5: FEES

The Executive Board will set the annual enrollment fees.

Player registrations are considered to be complete only when fee payment has been made (post-dated cheques are only permitted up to the final date of registration). All players who do not end up on a team roster will have their fees reimbursed.

Requests for team sponsorships will be accepted up to the day of the draft, only if the artwork and payment is included with the application.

Additional team sweaters can be ordered up to the day of the draft, only if the sweater details and payment are submitted to the captain.

Article 6: PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION PROCESS

In order to be eligible for membership in the league a player must be male and reach their 35th birthday by December 31st in the current playing year.

The Executive Board will annually determine the number of divisions, teams and the number of players per team based on divisional requirements. New teams will be drafted each playing year.

The Executive Board will determine a process to attempt to notify all current players of their eligibility for participation in the next season’s league play. In the event that an excess number of applications are received then the following shall be the order of selection:

i.        Previous year’s players

ii.      Players on leave from last season

iii.     Waiting list players.

Players from previous years may only be on leave to a maximum of one (1) year after which they revert to the new player waiting list. New players and existing players who missed the registration deadline, will be added to the waiting list based of their registration date. If a previous year’s player chooses to have his name removed from the draft for the current year and subsequently wishes to return after the draft is completed, he will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list.

No new player will be assigned to a team on or after August 1st each season. Any player(s) remaining on the waiting list as of August 1st will no longer be eligible to play in the current season. Any player(s) remaining on the waiting list as of August 1st (i.e., ineligible to play in the current season) and who register the next season will be placed at the top of the next season’s waiting list.

When possible, players within their respective division will be classed by their individual ratings from their previous year’s performance. A ratings subcommittee will submit a ratings list for approval by the Executive Board. Once approved, a random draft will be held to determine team membership.

If, for any reason, a player must be removed from a team roster for the remainder of the season BEFORE August 1st, then the affected team will be assigned a Replacement Player from the waiting list, if there is one available. Replacement players will be ranked (A) (B) (C) by the ratings committee and a team will receive a replacement player as close to the rating of the exiting player as possible, based on their priority on the waiting list. For the remainder of the season the Replacement Player will assume the rating of the player they are replacing.

Article 7: SUB-COMMITTEES

The Executive Board can approve such sub-committees and ad hoc committees, as it deems necessary to operate efficiently and effectively throughout the year.  A Vice-President shall chair all sub-committees.

The President is considered to be a member of all approved committees.

Article 8: EXPENSES AND SIGNING AUTHORITY

The Executive Board will approve all invoices and expenses. All cheques and payments must be authorized by a minimum of two of the three following individuals: President, 1st Vice President, and the Secretary Treasurer. The Secretary Treasurer will provide regular and current financial statements to the Executive Board.

A comptroller will be elected annually at the AGM whose responsibility is to review the financial transactions of the Tottenham Old-timers as a method of oversight to the financial records. The comptroller will provide a report at the AGM. The comptroller cannot have bank signing authority for either organization. The review must be completed before the financial statements are presented to the AGM.

The scope of the review is to:

i.        Audit the final bank reconciliations

ii.      Validate that all cheques have two authorized signatures

iii.     Validate that the financial statements reasonably reflect the financial status of the organization

Article 9: EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

The Executive Board will meet on an approved schedule throughout the year. These meetings are open to all league players and invited guests. Non-executive members must submit their request to address the Executive Board prior to the meeting. The President (or his delegate) must authorize and approve any unscheduled Executive Board meeting.

Article 10: TEAM CAPTAINS

It is the responsibility of all Captains and Co-Captains to:

i.        Conduct their teams in a manner that effectively promotes the philosophy of the league.

ii.      Provide an effective conduit for communications between the players and the league executive.

iii.     Provide timely submissions of game sheets and player ratings.

iv.     Effectively manage their teams with respect to league communications, scheduling, line-ups, spares and make-up games.

v.       Attend all league meetings and if not able to attend to appoint an alternate.

 

vi.     All players are encouraged to bring any team or league issues forward to their captains for consideration by the captains, or as necessary, by the league executive. In the event that the player feels they do not get an adequate or timely response they should bring the issue forward directly to the league president.

 

NEW CAPTAIN SELECTION PROCESS

New captains will be approved by a majority at an executive meeting. The captains will be approved by the executive board as a group of 2. Prior to the meeting for approving captains a notice will go out to all the players in the league indicating that new captains are required.

Any two players can put their name forward and all captains will be considered.

Some of the things that will be considered in selecting the captains will be as follows:

·        Previous experience

·        Demonstrated league qualities as a player, as defined in our mandate

·        Have a demonstrated history of volunteering in the league

·        Good understanding of baseball 

Captain applicants will submit to the executive a one-page document explaining why they would make good captains. The template of this document will be approved by the Executive Board at the beginning of each season.

If multiple captains apply, the voting process will be as follows:

·        All executive board members will be provided with each set of captains’ submissions at least one week prior to the decision-making meeting.

·        The decision-making meeting will be a closed meeting restricted to the Executive Board only.

·        All applicants will be included in the voting process. If a clear majority does not occur on the first ballot, the applicant captains with the lowest count will be eliminated. The process will continue until a set of captains have a majority count.

In the case of a single (co)captain stepping down, the process shall be that the replacement captain & existing captain should submit an application using the same criteria as the new Captain selection process.

·        Once the application is submitted, it would allow for a vote for approval at the next scheduled Captain's meeting.

·        This newly selected individual will remain captain of this team as long as the original captain remains a co-captain of the team. If both original captains have stepped down, this team will be removed and a new set of captains will be selected using the criteria as stated in the new Captain selection process.

 

Article 11: PLAYER BEHAVIOUR

The Executive Board has the right to review the behavior of any player/captain in the league to ensure that the philosophy of the league is being upheld. This authority is not limited and can include suspension of the player/captain from the league for any period of time.

Captains and Co-Captains have the right to issue a warning to a player if a player demonstrates behaviour contrary to the league philosophy of fun, fair play, and sportsmanship. If a warning is issued, the Captain must advise the President of the incident within 24 hours.

A player/captain’s attendance at all ballgames is a key element to a successful ball league. The Executive Board has the authority to review the attendance at any time to determine what action needs to be taken with respect to a player’s attendance.

Article 12 AMENDMENTS

This Constitution shall only be amended at the Annual General Meeting. All potential amendments must be duly motioned and seconded. A simple majority of those present is sufficient to pass a motion. Proxy amendments or votes shall not be accepted.