HAMPTON CO-ED SLO-PITCH LEAGUE BY-LAWS
By-law #1
The HCSPL shall abide by the rules of the game of softball prescribed by the Softball Canada Slo-Pitch Rulebook or as amended by HCSPL.
By-law #2
Team registration
All teams must be registered no later than May 24 th to ensure a spot in the league, as well as, obtaining voting rights at the annual meeting.
By-law #3
Player’s registration
Registration on SoftballNB website must be completed by the Team Captain for all players and proof of registration shall be provided to the executive before May 24th. Any persons fifteen years of age or older (during the current season) are eligible to play in this league.
Any player not registered by this date, June 9th, cannot and will not participate in any regular league games. Any late additions (after June 24 th ) must be approved by the league executive.
By-law #4
Protests
All protests are to be made out in writing by the team representative, stating the by-law number or ruling in question and forwarded to the league executive within 48 hours of the game accompanied by a cheque or money order payable to the league for $25. If the appeal is won, the money is refunded. If lost, the league retains the money.
The team must notify the umpire that the game is being played under protest. If a team decides to protest after the game, the executive will contact the umpire.
By-law #5
Defaults, forfeits and rainouts
There will be no rescheduling of games in the playoffs. There will only rescheduling during the regular season due to rain or if the town needs the field. Rainouts will be rescheduled. If rainouts are not possible to be rescheduled the next game or the last time you played each other will be a 4-point game.
Any team who cannot field a team at the time of the game, are given the chance to pick up a maximum of 2 players from another team but they must be registered with the league (i.e., another team). THIS IS NOT ALLOWED DURING PLAYOFFS. A game shall not be played with less than 8 players (minimum 3 females). Also, a grace period of 15 minutes may be given. If at that point the team still cannot field a team (minimum of 8 players – 5 male 3 female) that team will be required to pay the full umpire fee of $40.
On days of inclement weather, the parks department may close the fields by 4:30pm. All teams are responsible to check this prior to their game. The number is: 832-6449. If the fields are open and it starts raining prior to game time, teams playing that evening are responsible
to be at the field ready to play. Games cancelled after 4:30pm must be done so by the umpire at the field.
The executive will have the power to cancel a game under special circumstances.
By-law #6
Umpires
All umps are required to be registered umpires.
Umpires require 48-hour notice to cancel a game with the exception of weather cancelations.
Teams will pay the umpire fee before the start of each game. The fee will be $20 per game from each team.
By-law #7
Ties
Ties are permitted during regular season. Two teams tied for positioning will follow softball Canada format.
Ties will be permitted in the playoff round robin. Ties will not be permitted in the semi-final or final game.
By-law #8
Suspensions
The umpire has the right to eject any player who behaves inappropriately. If this happens, the coach or captain can also be ejected.
Any team, who verbally or physically assaults another player, whether they are on his or her team or the opposite team, will be immediately given a warning by the umpire. If this does not rectify the situation, the offender will be ejected from the game. Foul or abusive language can result in a player being ejected from the game. If a player is ejected from a game, he/she will also be suspended from the following game. All suspensions are eligible for review by the executive.
After the first occurrence, any further misconduct by this player will subject him/her up to a 10-game suspension. The number of games is determined by the executive. This by-law is subject to appeal by the player involved following proper appeal procedures. Any team member who strikes an umpire will be suspended for the remainder of the year, plus the following year. There will be no appeal in this decision. Any team has the right to issue a written complaint to the executive of the league about an inappropriate conduct of any player, coach, or team member.
By-law #9
Voting delegates
Two voting delegates are to be named from each registered team to be eligible to vote when called on by the president.
By-law #10
Softballs
Balls are required to be slo-pitch worth grey or hot dot core .40. The league will provide each team with a new ball for each team’s home game. Teams are to provide one new ball for each home game and the away team is to provide a second ball.
By-law #11
Money
No monies are to be loaned, donated, or expanded in any way or form without the consent of the executive.
Each team is responsible to pay the president or vice president(s) their field fees. Field fees must be paid on or before the 1 st week of June and cheques are to be made out to “Hampton co-ed slo-pitch league”.
Individual teams may earn money if they so desire, but shall not use the name of the league to do so.
They can use their individual team names.
By-law #12
Games
All games have a 75-minute limit for 2021 season. If grace period is used, the game is 1 hour. An inning may not start within 5 minutes of the time limit.
The 1 st base safety bag is to be used for all league games. All bases are to be tied down at 65 feet.
Each team must field at least 8 players (maximum 5 males minimum of 3 females). If there are 9 players (maximum 6 males, minimum 3 girl). If there are 10 players (maximum 6 males and minimum 4 girls).
There will be no games scheduled on Fridays or Sundays of a long weekend.
At the beginning of each game, a representative from each team will meet with the umpire. The time started will be checked and each team will understand the end time. The umpires request maximum hustle. This is the only way they can judge whether there is an unreasonable delay of game when time is running out.
Helmets are optional for players WITH THE EXCEPTION of minors (Under the age of 19), who must wear a helmet when batting.
Only three courtesy runners are allowed per team per game. Courtesy runner can be any player in the batting order of the same gender.
The batting order shall consist of no more than 2 male batters in a row.
There shall be 7 innings, a maximum of 7 runs per inning allowed except for the last full inning (determined by umpire) being deemed an open inning (until 3 outs).
Sliding at home will result in the runner being called out automatically.
A baserunner touching the mat (home plate mat) will be called out (this area is for the catcher)
The base runner should avoid all collisions in all areas.
A batting order must be given to the opposite team.
Extra players on the team may substitute for starting players.
Starting players may be substituted and re-entered by the same player as per softball Canada (one re-entry, occupying the same batting position).
Team players may be added as they arrive to the bottom of the batter order, provided the lead-off hitter has not had two plate appearances; otherwise, they may enter the game by substitution of one of the starting players.
There will be a commitment line approximately 20 feet from home plate. If the line is crossed or touched, the runner cannot go back to third base.
If pitcher pitches 4 balls in a row to a male batter, he is awarded a walk. If followed by a female batter, she has the option to hit or walk.
Each team is allowed 3 out of the park homeruns. Any homeruns after these 3 will be considered an automatic out. In the park homeruns will not count towards the allowed 3. Additionally, any ball touched by a defensive player which then goes over the fence in fair territory shall be a “4-base hit” and not considered a home run.
All foul tips caught by the catcher shall be considered an out.
By-law #13
Cleats
No steel cleats are allowed.
By-law #14
Pitching
The pitched ball must have a perceptible arc of at least 6 feet and shall not exceed 12 feet at its highest point. All pitchers will pitch inside the pitcher circle.
A mat will be used to determine strikes. The mat is 24 x 36 and if a ball lands on it with the correct arc, it is a strike.
By-law #15
Tournaments
All tournaments run by the HCSPL will follow league rules and every team from the league must contribute, if possible, to the organization and running of the tournament.
By-law #16
Proper protocol
All teams will receive a list of the executive and their phone numbers. Any problems, questions orconcerns will be directed to the executive.
