Diamonds & Player Conduct

Any problems with fields or lights call the following. Sesquie and Blue Oak (416) 806-6784, (416) 806-6506 or (905) 874-2906. Chris Gibson (905) 874-2920.

The City of Brampton strictly prohibits the use of drugs and consumption of alcohol at their facilities. Violation of this rule could result in a personal fine ($135 per person) and loss of use of the diamonds.

Foul language and un-sportsmanlike behaviour will not be tolerated. Depending on the severity of the behaviour, the umpire may warn and/or eject a player and/or team who commits this offence. Excessive or repeated offences may result in a suspension.

If a player gets ejected, their spot in the batting order becomes an automatic out. If a player leaves the game due to injury or prior commitments, then their spot is deleted from the lineup and will not count as an out.

Rosters

Team Captains must submit their roster containing the full name, address and phone number of each player prior to the start of the season for insurance purposes. A team roster can have a maximum of 20 players, but only 16 may dress for a game with 4 of the players being female. All players must be 18 years of age to play.

“A” rated players are not permitted to play.

Pregnant women are prohibited from playing.

Field Setup

The home team is responsible for putting down the bases. The bases shall  be placed 65 feet apart and the pitcher’s rubber shall be placed 46 feet from the front of home plate. All teams must use a first base safety bag.

The Game

Teams should exchange lineups prior to the start of the game to avoid any conflicts with scoring.

The umpire will call the Captains to home plate 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. At this time each team will provide a ball for the game. The home team will provide a new ball and the visiting team will provide a used ball in good condition. Both teams will provide a new ball for the first game of the year and the playoffs (if they have any left).

Games are to start promptly at 6:50 PM and 8:40 PM and will play for a duration of 7 innings or 1 hour and 40 minutes (which ever comes first) from the umpire’s call of “Play Ball”.  If 7 innings cannot be completed in the allotted time, the umpire shall call the game and the score will count from the last completed inning.

Teams can start play with a minimum of 7 players (5 males, 2 females). No more than 9 males may be in the lineup when only 2 females are playing. Players arriving late can be placed at the bottom of the order. No player may join once the fourth inning has been completed. If a team cannot field 7 players 10 minutes after the umpire calls “Play Ball”, then that team shall forfeit the game.

Teams may only score a maximum of 5 runs during innings 1 through 6. The seventh inning will have no limit.           

The home team must complete a full inning (3 outs or 5 runs) for that inning to count towards the final score. A minimum of  4 innings (3 1/2 if the home team is winning) must be completed for the game to be official.

All players must wear a team jersey (exceptions are made for cold weather) or the same color shirts. Cleats are not necessary, but are recommended. Metal cleats are not allowed.

Players are not allowed to wear rings, bracelets, earrings or watches during the game. If a player comes to the plate wearing any of the mentioned items, they will be called out by the umpire.

Defense

Teams can field a maximum of 10 players with 3 of them being female. If   a team can only field 2 females, then a maximum number of males allowed on the field is 6. All players must take a turn in the field and are asked to hustle on and off the field.

Catchers must wear a mask, chest protector and shin guards at all times.

The rover and outfielders are not allowed on the infield until the ball has been hit.

Infield/outfield warm up is allowed during the first inning, but prohibited after the first inning.

Hitting

All batters (at the plate and on deck) and base runners must wear a CSA approved batting helmet with double ear flaps. A better has 30 seconds to step into the batter’s box once the umpire calls “Batter Up” or they can be called out.

For safety reasons, the on deck batter is not required to stand in the on deck circle. They are required to identify themselves to the umpire and the other team prior to the first pitch being thrown to the current batter.

If a male batter is walked and a female batter follows, the male is to proceed to second base. If there are runners on base, they shall advance accordingly. If there are less than 2 outs, the female must take their turn at bat. If the walk occurs with 2 outs, the female has the option to hit or proceed to first base.

Only ASA approved bats are to be used. Anyone caught using an illegal bat will be called out and any runs scored off the preceding play will not count and the side is out.

Base Running

On a play at first base, the batter must touch the orange section of first base. If the runner touches the white section, they will be called out. The first base person must touch the white section of the bag for the batter to be out. If the first base person touches the orange section, the batter will be called safe. The hitter is not allowed to slide into first base. Once a hitter has been called safe at first, the orange section is no longer in play.

Base stealing is not allowed. Runners are allowed to lead off once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. In the event of a ball, called strike or foul tip caught by the catcher, the catcher can try to pick a runner off any base. If the ball is caught by the fielder and beats the runner back to the base, the runner is called out. No tag is necessary as the force play is in effect. The runner is not allowed to advance on an overthrow.

There is a commitment line between third base and home plate. If the runner touches or crosses this line, they must continue home. Tagging of the runner once they cross the commitment line is not allowed. The catcher or fielder must have possession of the ball and be in contact with home plate for the runner to be out. If the runner touches the plate or passes through the batter’s box, they will be called out. For the runner to be safe, they must cross (in the air or on the ground) or touch the safety line before the catcher or fielder touches home plate with the ball. Sliding is not allowed at home plate.

Teams are allowed to use 3 pinch runners per game. It must be male for male and female for female. The pinch runner must be the last recorded out. If the catcher is on base with 2 outs, the catcher may use a pinch runner. This does not count against the allowed 3 runners.

Pitching

The pitcher is allowed 5 warm up pitches to start the game and 3 every inning after. A new pitcher is also allowed 5 warm up pitches provided they did not pitch earlier in the game.

The pitcher must start with at least one foot on the rubber and maintain contact until the pitch has been delivered. The ball must be released after one step has been taken forward. Starting behind or walking up to the rubber is not allowed.

A medium to fast pitch is allowed. Female batters are allowed to ask the umpire to have the pitches slowed down.

No windmill or sidearm pitches are allowed. The pitcher’s arm must go straight back and forward releasing the ball in a hand or palm up position. The pitcher’s hand must not go higher than their head on their backswing. Failure to do so will result in an illegal pitch.

The umpire can remove a pitcher from their position if they deem the pitcher does not have control over their pitches.

Rain Outs

When rain falls on game day, the fields will be inspected by 4:30 PM by a league official. If the fields are unplayable, the captains will be notified. If a league official does not call, all games will go ahead as scheduled as long as there is no lightning. Games started and interrupted by weather will be delayed for 30 minutes total. Such games will be played until 4 innings (3 ½ if home team is winning) are completed. Once the first pitch has been thrown, the decision to stop will be that of the Umpire. 

Playoffs

Players must play in at least 50% of their team's regular season games to participate in the playoffs. Special exemptions will be allowed due to player shortage because of school, work or injury. Only players on the submitted roster at the begining of the year will be allowed. There is no time limit on playoff games. All games must complete 7 innings. If a game is tied after 7 innings, each inning will start with one out and a runner on second base (the last player to get out) until a winner is declared.

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns about these rules or any other league related issue, please contact a league official to discuss.