Playing Rules
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AMIS 2024 Playing Rules
General
1. Any rules not stated in this document will be covered by SPN rules.
- NEW 2024: Any player removed from another league in Airdrie Mens, or Airdre Friday night league, will be removed from AMIS as well. This is in compliance with all leagues.
2. No outside alcohol is permitted on the diamonds at any time. Teams caught will be issued a major offense.
3. Teams must have 75% of their full-time roster that is currently playing the majority of the games, live in Airdrie.
4. Teams must have 65% returning players in order to keep their team actively in the league.
5. Players must be at least 18 years old to play.
6. A team’s full-time roster is defined by the players listed as of July 31 each season per the SPN database.
7. Players must be listed on a team’s SPN AMIS roster and have signed their waiver before to be eligible to play
8. AMIS is made up of three divisions: A, B, and C.
a. The top and bottom team of each division will swap based on their previous regular season record from the year prior (e.g., bottom A team moves to B, top B team moves to A)
i. Notwithstanding above – if both teams mandated to swap mutually agree to stay within their respective divisions they may do so. If no agreement the swap will not occur.
b. Teams new to AMIS are put in the bottom of the B division.
9. Regular season games are self-ump, playoffs have SPN sanctioned umpires.
10. Games are 7 innings with the following conditions:
a. Time - No new inning can be started 1 hour and 20 minutes after the scheduled start time of each game. Teams must leave the field quickly after the conclusion of their game. If it is a mercy, please leave the game before your time is up.
b. Mercy – A home team is up by 13 runs after 5 innings, or 7 runs after 6 innings.
11. Worth “Hot Dot” softballs shall be used. 12” for men, 11” for women. Women may choose to hit a 12” ball.
12. The home team is responsible for:
a. Taking out or putting away the strike mat. If a home team is found to have missed this their team will be fined $50.
b. Ensuring all bases are in the correct position and secure
i. Bases shall be put at the flags further from home plate
ii. Pitching plate shall be put at the flag further from home plate
c. Drawing the backward “L” of the commitment line and baseline offset (see Figure 1 at end of document)
d. Providing 1 new men’s softball and 1 new or gently used women’s softball at the backstop
13. The away team is responsible for providing one gently used men’s and women’s softball at the backstop.
14. Teams that hit a ball out of the fenced area of the field must provide a replacement ball (new or gently used) by the next at bat. Failure to do so will result in the next batter being called out.
15. Only the team manager or captain may speak to the umpire during a game.
16. In order for a player to be eligible for playoffs they must have played at least ¼ of the regular season games. (7 games)
17. A player’s given first name is to be recorded on the score sheet. No nicknames may be used.
18. Game results must be entered on the AMIS website within 14 days.
19. No metal cleats.
20. AMIS encourages the use of personal protective equipment.
21. Players may only play full time for one team in our league. They may switch once during the regular season and will be dropped off the other teams roster and added to their new team. Players can not sub for any other team within AMIS at any time.
a) all players, even subs, must have signed the SPN waiver before they play on our diamonds.
22. Bats must meet the following requirements:
a. Have the USSSA “thumbprint” label - see Amis Bat Testing under Handouts
b. Be tested annually by a member of the AMIS executive, and show the “testing passed” sticker
23. Any attempt to injure a player, bystander, or any person at any time will result in expulsion a major fine being issued.
24. The AMIS Executive may demand that any player, bystander, or person leave the diamonds at any time, for any reason.
25. Harassment of any kind towards any player, bystander, AMIS Executive, or person will not be tolerated. The AMIS Executive reserves the right to remove any person/player, levy fines, issue suspensions or have that person removed from the league. A major offense may also be issued.
Rescheduling and Forfeits
1. During the regular season the following forfeit fees apply:
a. $70 per game with a minimum of 12 hours’ notice before the scheduled start time.
b. $100 if the minimum notice is not met.
2. During playoffs the following forfeit fees apply:
a. $300 for a team that forfeits playoffs if 3 weeks’ notice before the first scheduled playoff game
b. $500 if proper notice is not given, or if a team forfeits any game during playoffs
3. The president must be notified of all forfeits immediately, before the actual game is to be played. Each team is responsbile for reaching out to the other team that they are playing as well, to let them know of the forfeit.
4. All fines are due immediately. No team is allowed to play their next game, with a fine not paid. This will occur more fines for every game forfeited after that.
5. A team that forfeits more than ¼ of their regular season games may be removed from the league at the AMIS Executive’s discretion.
6. The president or vice-president may cancel games due to field conditions or weather. Often this is a game-time decision as Alberta’s weather is unpredictable.
7. Games will only be considered for a rescheduled due to weddings or funerals. This is at the discretion of the AMIS executive, a reschedule is never guaranteed.
8. Teams may not reschedule a game without permission from the AMIS executive.
9. Suspended Game result when the game is stopped for anything from an act of God, or protests in accordance with the rules, that precludes immediate continuance of the game to the conclusion of the full seven innings, or as required.
a. When a suspended game is resumed, it must be started at the point of interruption, with the identical situations and line-ups as when the game was suspended.
Game Rosters
1. A maximum of 10 players may take the field at any time, a minimum of 3 being female.
a. A team with less than 10 players will take an auto-out for each missing position in the batting order.
b. During the regular season a team may play with 2 females, but an auto-out must be taken for the missing female’s position in the batting order.
c. During playoffs teams must start each game with 3 females otherwise they will be considered to have forfeit.
d. If a female is injured during a regular season or playoff game that team is not in default (forfeit), but they must take an auto-out at that position in the batting order.
2. Teams may have a batting order of minimum 8 players to a maximum of 12.
a. Batting orders with 8, 9, or 10 players must have a minimum of 3 females and take an auto out for missing players
b. Batting orders with 11 or 12 players (EPs) must have a minimum of 4 females New for 2023
i. A team starting the game with extra players (EPs) must finish the game with those same players, otherwise an auto-out is taken for the missing player’s position in the batting order.
Playing
1. Maximum of 6 runs per team per inning.
2. Maximum of 5 home runs per team per game hit by male batters. HRs hit by a female do not count toward this total.
a. Batters may not run the bases after a home run, just walk back to dugout to preserve pace of play
3. No bunting for men. Women may bunt, no “fake” bunting is allowed. If a bunt is shown that is the only acceptable type of hit, or the player may leave the pitch and take a ball/strike. A woman who shows a bunt then swings at a pitch will be called out.
4. No defensive player can stand closer than 50’ to home plate during pitch delivery. After the batter hits this rule is no longer in effect.
5. No stealing of lead offs. All runners must stay on base until a batter hits the ball.
6. No sliding to 1st base or home plate. Runners who do so will be called out.
7. Runners must run beside the home plate/mat in the desginated Backwards L area. A runner who touches the home plate or mat will be called out.
8. A commitment line will be marked out 21’ from home plate towards 3rd base (tallest fence pole). A runner starting on 3rd base who crosses this commitment line must run home, and cannot turn around. A runner past the commitment line is considered a force.
9. Runners to home plate may not be tagged out, plays must be made to the catcher and their foot on home plate. See diagram below. In case of a over thrown ball, a catcher may tag a runner if they are in the backstop area.
10. Hits in to foul territory on a 3rd strike will result in the batter being out.
11. There are two bases on 1st base, orange and white. The white base is for the infielder, orange for the runner. On any ball playable by the infield the runner must use the orange bag or they will be called out. If at any time the infielder's foot touches any portion of the orange bag, the runner will be called safe.
12. Both home plate and home mat count as the strike zone. New for 2023.
13. For an out at home the catcher must have their foot on a portion of home plate. The home mat does not count. If a catcher’s foot is entirely on the mat the runner is safe.
14. When a male batter is walked with four straight balls in four pitches and a female is on deck, the male batter will take 2nd base, and the female will be given the option to either take first base, or take her turn at bat. NOTE: If a strike is delivered at any time with the four balls, this rule is void.
15. Pitchers may verbally walk a batter but only after at least one strike has been thrown. A batter must be given one strike before they are given notice to walk. This allows them the opportunity to try to hit to even the playing field
16. For pitching - if a pitcher is starting their delivery from the plate, they must have their foot on the plate and advance 1 step. See - SPN rule book. This is for safety purposes. If they are starting between the plate and 2nd- this rule does not apply. Pitchers must stand facing forward for their delivery. No side stance.
17. Courtesy runners may be used subject to the following conditions:
a. Teams may use a courtesy runner maximum 3 times per game and it must be a different courtesy runner each time.
b. The batter must reach 1st base. After the play has finished the courtesy runner can swap out at 1st base. Announce “courtesy runner” to the umpire.
c. If a runner goes past 1st base they lose their right to use a courtesy runner.
d. Courtesy runner must be a player listed on the batting order, and is playing in the game.
f. A female courtesy runner can be used to cover a male or female batter
g. A male courtesy runner can only be used to cover a male batter
18. Tomahawks are not allowed – see SPN Rule 7 Sec. 3 (C)
Major Offense
Teams issued a major offense for any reason will be subject to:
1. First offense - $100 fine and recorded warning
2. Second offense - $300 fine and recorded warning
3. Third offense – removal from the league
Major offenses are cumulative for any reason. For example, a team issued a major offense for outside alcohol then subsequent major offense for an untested bat at a later date would be their 2nd offense.
