RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MAPLE CITY SLO PITCH LEAGUE Rules for 2025

Revised: January, 31 2025 RESOLVED THAT:

Membership

1(A) All members participating in the league must be at least 16 years of age.

1(B) Each team may sign a maximum of 25 members which must include players, coaches, managers and score keepers who wish to sit in the dugout during a scheduled game. The final rosters must consist of Chatham-Kent Municipality Residents. Teams will be allowed to sign up to five (5) from outside of Chatham-Kent, with these five being part of the twenty-five (25). Divisions will decide if a percentage of games are required for players to be eligible for playoffs.

1(C) All players must complete an online profile with current affiliation prior to playing in MCSPL each year.  PRO FILES ON TEAM ROSTER MUST BE COMPLETED, IF NOT, COMPLETED/ACTIVATED THE PLAYER WILL NOT BE INSURED. IF A PLAYER PARTICIPATES PRIOR TO PROFILE BEING COMPLETED, THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED ILLEGAL. EFFECT: THE GAME IS FORFEITED AND TEAM IS FINED. If players are added to team roster throughout the year, it is the team representative's responsibility to make sure the profile is completed and executive is notified.  In the event WAIVERS/ RELEASE AND INDEMINITY are required, all registered members (players/coaches) must sign and submit a waiver to the Executive prior to being able to participate. Signing new waivers will cover members for their life in the league, unless he/she changes address or last name, then they are required to sign another waiver.

1(D)Teams entering the MCSPL or changing sponsorship, everyone must have and wear team shirts or show purchase form of shirts by May 1 registered team names on shirts. Team shirts must be worn or players not in team shirts will be fined $10.00 each time they are caught not wearing the team shirt for games after June 1st. Receipt if only valid until June 1st. Note: if there is a supply problem, the team must advise the division executive for direction and extension. No profanity or derogatory statements will be allowed on uniforms. If found this member will be out of uniform. The Executive will police this rule and fines will be taken from the team bond money.

1(E) Members who sign a roster and ask to be released after the final roster date (July 1st), may become a free agent and may sign with any team upon Executive approval. The league may grant or deny player requests. Player(s) denied release by the previous team may go to the Divisional President for a hearing.

League Fees

2(A) Fees for season and playoffs will be collected as part of the League fees at the start of the season.

2)B) All new team entries to the league must pay a deposit of $250.00 (Two hundred and fifty dollars with their application-prior to acceptance.) This money will be applied toward their entry fee after a decision on acceptance is made. Acceptance of new entries or the movement of teams will be received by and placement will be made by the Executive Committee of each division.

2(C) Teams in the league must put up a $100.00 (one hundred dollar) bond for fines (ejections, forfeits, etc.) If a team is penalized, that team must be notified of the penalty and the amount of the fine. Once the bond reaches a balance of $50.00, that team must top up to the $100.00 max again within & 7 (seven) days of notification. At season's end, the $100.00 or balance remaining on account will be returned to the teams, if requested, or the bond can be held over until the next season. If a team folds and owes money to the league, players moving on to other teams will pay their share of the penalty, this is calculated by dividing the total money (penalty) by the number of players on the folding team.

Games

3(A) The second (2nd) team on the schedule is the home team for the first (1st) game of the double header. The first (1st) team on the schedule will be the home team for the second (2nd) game of the double header.

3(B) The home team of the first (1st) game will occupy the third (3rd) base bench. The home team is to supply the bases and balls. Home team must put the bases out before game time. If the home team does not have bases present at game time, then they will be given ten (10) minutes (same as forfeit allotment) to produce bases or the game is forfeited by the home team and all fines apply. The visiting team has the option to supply the bases and take-home game advantage. However, if the visiting team chooses not to or does not have their bases present, then there is no penalty to the visiting team. If teams are scheduled for 2 seven (7) inning games, they would get ten minutes for the first (1st) game and thirty minutes for the second (2nd) game.

3(C) All scheduled games are based on the 2-hour time slots put forward by the city.

3(D) The home team of the first game is responsible for reporting final scores for both games to the league Executive. A proper report in the form of an email to the appointed League Executive (maplecityslopitchleague@gmail.com) indicating the teams that played and the final scores before 10am the day following the games. Failing to meet any of the criteria under this rule will be deemed a failure to report. $5 dollar fine will apply for failure to report. Reports must be submitted regardless of the time and if a failure to report fine has been assessed.

3(E) In the event of inclement weather the team representative will be contacted no later than 5pm. If not contacted by 5pm, teams will report to the ballpark where the umpire will make the decision on the condition of the diamond.

3(F) Teams may have ten (10) minutes infield practice prior to game time. Home team for the first (1st) game begins their infield 25 minutes prior to game time and finishes 15 minutes prior to game time. The visiting team then takes the infield until 5 minutes prior to game time. Team is to have ten (10) minutes infield practice prior to game time. No teams will take batting practice on infield. If batting practice is required, it must be taken from the appropriate foul lines in the outfield.

 3(G) TIE BREAKING RULE:  In the event of extra innings being needed, each team will begin their half of the inning with the last batter from the previous inning placed at second base with zero out.

Players

4(A) A minimum of nine players must attend a game and be able to play, for the game to be official. The tenth (10th) player is NOT an out. The team below the nine will be allotted 10 minutes from start time. Where there is a double header, 30 minutes will be allotted from the time expired on the first forfeited game. Otherwise, the game will be forfeited 9-0 single games and 7-0 double headers. 

A single or double header forfeit (Less than 24 HOURS NOTICE), the forfeit fine is $25 plus half the umpires fee and diamond fee will be incurred by the forfeiting team. The opposing team will receive a credit for their half of umpire and diamond fees. These fines will be paid from the team bond as per Rule 2(C) . Also FORFEITED game is a fine $25 for single game and if a double header is forfeited the fine for first game is $25 and second game is $15 plus cost of the other team’s umpire. These fines will be paid from bond as per Rule 2(C)

4(B)i) Injured Players: When a team is playing all players and a player is injured this will not be an out. Injured player cannot return to the game or games that night. Games will not continue if an injury brings a team to less than nine players. If a player is ejected this is an out. EXCEPTION: Blood Rule.

4(B)ii) Blood Rule- Any player found to have an active injury with exposed blood must withdraw immediately from the game to stop the bleeding, clean and cover the wound. If the player is still active in the game (i.e., running the bases) a replacement player will be placed accordingly. A replacement player is defined as any player not listed in the lineup at any time during the game (either removed or active). This will not be considered a substitution. If the player is not able to return prior to  the player returning actively to the game (defensively or next at bat) the player may be replaced with a legal substitute. If the team does not have a substitute, the withdrawn player will be considered injured and their spot in the batting order skipped (this will not be considered an out). Teams must still have 9 players in order to finish the game.

4(C) Runner cannot be tagged out between the commitment line and the scoring line. In the event of safety, a player may only be put out by a catcher having possession of the ball while touching the mat before the runner crosses the scoring line. There will be no collisions at home, the runner bares responsibility to avoid all collisions.

Protests

5(A) PROTESTED GAMES: A Bond of $40 will have to be paid for the Protest and the Protest must be in writing and presented to the league's Executive within 48 hours. All protests are governed by the Rule Book of the current affiliation. If the protest is won, the money is refunded.

5(B) PROTEST committee for any division will be made up of three (3) members of the League executive and if needed UIC or designate, excluding the division from which the protest arose. The executive member of the division may not vote in the outcome of the decision.

5(C) Teams issuing Umpire complaint forms must submit the form to the President of MCSPL and the Umpire-In-Chief (UIC) within seven (7) days of the incident. Teams will be given a reply as soon as possible, seven (7) days at latest. Umpires require these reports to police and improve their membership performance.

Umpires

 6(A) The rate is to be determined at AGM meeting by the membership.

 6(B) If the umpire is late (5 minutes prior to game time) or misses the game (a missed game means 15 minutes late after game time) they will be fined if reported to the league President within 24 hours.

Cancellations

7(A) Games may not be cancelled for any reason or rescheduled by teams during the season. However, in the event a team is not able to field a lineup on a scheduled night, they may contact the league president to avoid any charges. This notification must be made prior to 24 hours before the scheduled game time. In the event a game is cancelled on the scheduled date, forfeit rules and charges will apply (Rule 4A). Cancelled games will result in a loss (or losses) for the team cancelling the game.  

7(B) i) When a game, whether seven (7) or nine (9) innings, is terminated by the umpire before its completion because of weather, darkness, unplayable field conditions or any other justifiable reason, it will be deemed for a 7-inning game to be a regulation game if at least five (5) innings have been completed or four and half (41/2) innings with the home team ahead. A 9-inning game will be a regulation game if at least six (6) innings have been completed or five and half (5 1/2) innings with the home team ahead. If the game is terminated (as above) when the score is tied, one (1) point will be awarded to each team. When a game is started and not considered official, the umpire will receive half of the game fee. If the game is not started, no game fee.

ii) PLAYOFFS ONLY: If Playoff Game is a completed game, then it stands as per By-Law #9. "Playoff Game" not completed: Rainout or darkness and game is suspended; it will be played from suspended time at the teams next game with the same lineup.

7(C) Teams must notify the executive, as soon as possible, if they plan on participating in a national or provincial tournament so schedules can be drawn with little to no interruption.

Fines / Suspensions

8(A) Teams must have a Team Contact or Team Rep at the AGM or face a $25 fine.

8(B) ALL FINES must be paid to the President or Secretary/Treasurer. If fines are not paid by the penalized member/team, they will be unable to return or play in the league. If this member/team does return without paying, they will be classified as and ineligible player.

8(C) Any team caught using ineligible members will have to forfeit all games in which the ineligible member participated in and pay a League fine of $20 per ineligible game. Team will have to prove that the member is eligible in writing to the Executive board. Players must be listed on the team roster and profile must be completed and active. 

8(D)i) Anyone ejected from a game, for any reason, will also receive an additional two (2) games suspension and a $50 fine. Ladies’ division only: one (1) additional game, unless the Ladies’ division are playing double headers then two (2) games, same fine. (NO APPEAL). If a member is ejected for whatever reason and continues with verbal abuse or swearing, an additional suspension will be added for each infraction. The penalty will be additional games and fines. The ejected player will sit out their suspension completely even if the team is short players for their next team’s scheduled games. Where a member participates in more than 1 division (player, coach) and is ejected from a game in any division, this member cannot participate in any division until the suspension has been completed in the division that the member has been ejected.

8(D)ii) A second offense will result in an additional 5 games and a $100 fine. Ladies’ division only: three (3) additional games, same fine.

8(D)iii) A third (3rd) offense will be reviewed by the Executive.

8(E) Ejections of a member from a game: Once a member is ejected from a game, they have two minutes to leave the park. Leaving the park means out of sight, out of mind. Members cannot return after the game. If this rule is not followed, a forfeit could result and if the member returns, a further suspension will be applied. An ejected member cannot return to the ball diamond when this member’s team is playing until the suspension is completed, no communication whatsoever will be allowed and there will be further suspension applied if the member does not follow this rule.

8(F)i) Any registered member who intentionally holds, pushes or attempts to strike an umpire will be suspended (including playoffs) for a minimum of 7 games from the date of suspension, to maximum of LIFE suspension and fined $50.00 (taken from bond money).

8(F)ii) A second (2nd) offense will be reviewed by league Executive with the possibility of a LIFE SUSPENSION and fined $100.00.

8(G)i) Any registered member who threatens an umpire will be suspended for a minimum of seven (7) games, including playoffs and fined $50.00.

 8(G)ii) A second (2nd) offense will result in a 1-year suspension (from the date of the suspension) and fined $100.00.

8(G)iii) A third (3rd) offense will result in LIFE suspension with the right to appeal. A $250 fee will apply for the right to appeal, (NON-REFUNDABLE). Appeal to be reviewed by the Executive.

8(H) Members ejected from a game by the umpire for intentionally trying to injure someone will be dealt with by the executive. The member will receive a hearing and the executive will then decide on the length of the suspension and fines to be paid. If the team member is from a team that includes an executive of the league, then that executive member will not rule on any suspension involving a player on his or her team.

8(I) Fighting will result in a five (5) game minimum suspension and a $50.00 fine. The aggressor in the fight will be penalized further upon review by the league executive.

8(J)i) Any player pushing/shoving/verbal name calling (no punches), three (3) game minimum suspension and fined: $50.00.

 8(J)ii) A second (2nd) offense will result in a one-year suspension from the date of the suspension and a $100.00 fine.

8(K) THERE WILL BE NO CONSUMPTION OF ANY ALCOHOL OR SMOKING OF MARIJAUNA BY ANY MEMBER/TEAM REGISTERED WITH MAPLE CITY SLO PITCH. Any team/member caught with alcohol or smoking marijuana on or near the bench are ejected from the game and will be fined $50.00 for the first offense, $100.00 for the second offense and will be ejected from all league divisions for the third offense.

8(L) There will be no slandering by any Member/Team towards the executive or umpires via social media or verbally. There will be ZERO TOLERANCE. Any concerns must be put in writing and will be addressed within seven (7) days. Any emergency will be addressed promptly. PENALTY: First offense will be a verbal and written warning to player and or the team. Second offense will be a $50.00 fine and one (1) game night suspension.  Third offense will be reviewed by the executive. 

8(M) Any suspended league member will have a hearing with the executive before a multiple suspension is handed out (six (6) or more games). The executive’s final decision will be made known to the involved league member within 24 hours of the hearing or before the member's next game.

8(N) Any suspension of more than six (6) games is accumulated from year to year and will be up for review. Second offense two (2) years in a row player will be suspended for one (1) year from the date of the offense.

Equipment

9(A) The mat will be used and moved forward to the front edge of the plate area and any pitched ball that hits the rubber will be considered a strike.

9(B) BAT RULES: To be eligible to play in the MCSPL all bats must be approved (Senior Bats will Not be approved). Bats must be in good repair (no cracks or alterations) and may only be an approved slo-pitch bat. All bats in the MCSPL will be tested for bat compression and a sticker will be applied on the bats that are approved. Bats must pass the 1.2 BPF compression test. Only the approved bats will be allowed. Bats will be checked and tested at random throughout the year with no request or approval to do so. Umpires will continue to check bats for stickers and dents or cracks. If there is no sticker, the bat will not be in the game. If bats are sold or given away the executive must be advised to whom they are sold or given away. The owner of the Bat is responsible, if the Executive is notified then the new owner of the bat is responsible.

9(C) Balls used will be Hot Dots only. The ball may be from SPN or SPO, compression is the same, the only difference is the colour of the stitching.

9(D) FACEMASK/ HELMETS: Pitchers in all division of MCSPL are required to wear protective face gear. It is to be the player’s choice to wear or not to wear additional protective equipment.

Miscellaneous

10 Any situations not covered in the constitution and/or the rules of various divisions of the Maple City Slo-Pitch League or rule book of the current affiliation will be dealt with by the applicable executive. Any situation involving more than one division will be dealt with by the league executive.

11 Membership of the MCSPL should submit any proposed motions to the By-Laws or Constitution, in writing, to the President or Vice President, 45 days before the scheduled AGM meeting, or through the course of the season.

12 DIVISION CONTACTS: Divisions must submit to Division Executives two (2) contact names, email addresses and phone numbers for each team in their division.

13 Each year, all divisions must submit to the league executive their playing rules by the 1st of April for that playing year.

14 Each year all divisions must submit a budget and year end statement and have them presented to their division membership and recorded into their minutes. Copies of the division's minutes/budget and statement are to be given to the league President.

15 No changes may take place to MCSPL playing Division League rules without a presentation and vote held by the Division executive and membership prior to the start of the season. 

TABLE OF FINES