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Subscribe to our Newsletter2025 LEAGUE RULES
SPMSPL 2025 Rules
All NSA 2025 rules apply with the exception of the following:
1. GRACE PERIOD / GAME TIME: 10 minutes grace. A forfeit shall be declared if there are 8 or fewer players 10 minutes after the scheduled game start time. For EARLY GAMES, there will be no new innings 10 minutes prior to the next game start time. Captains are responsible for coordinating their "game start" watches and for completing games on time.
2. TEAM PLAYERS: 6 males - 4 females with an Extra Hitter (4 females must be listed in the first 10 batters). You mush have a minimum of 3 females on the field at all times and the vacant position is an automatic out. Less than 3 females (or 3 males if a team fields 6 females), will result in a forfeit. Each team is required to provide an "umpire" for their team for the offensive side of the inning - sanctioned umpires are provided for playoffs.
3. BATTING ORDER / EXTRA HITTERS: Unlimited extra hitters providing the first 10 eligible batters are 6 males and 4 females and they are physically present at the start of the game. With more than 1 extra hitter, you must rotate male/female or female/male after the 11th batter; accordingly, (i.e., if 11th is male, 12th must be female, 13th male, 14th female, and so on). You do not have to add one of each, but if more than one batter is added, each must be the opposite set of the previous batter. (The sex of the 10th batter does not dictate the sex of the 11th batter). No player shall be entered into a batting order more than once (male or female).
4. SUBSTITUTIONS: Unlimited defensive substitutions as long as they are part of the eligible batting line-up. You do not have to play field to bat. Substitutions must be male-for-male and female-for-female.
5. COURTESY RUNNERS: Unlimited courtesy runners are allowed, provided they are part of the eligible batting line-up, and the same gender as the runner once the batter has reached first base.
6. LEAD-OFFS - NO ANTICIPATION: Base runners may not leave their base on a pitched ball until the bat makes contact with the ball. A runner who leaves early shall be called out.
7. PITCHING ARC: 6-15 ft. for all batters. Any pitch that falls below or above the threshold must be called in illegal pitch. An illegal pitch is to be counted as a ball; however, the batter has the option to hit a called illegal pitch and the resulting play is live.
7A MANDATORY PITCHING MASKS: All pitchers MUST wear protective pitching masks. This rule is not optional.
8. STRIKE ZONE MAT: A pitched ball shall be called a strike if it hits any part of the wooden mat before it hits the ground. For mat placement, see the diagram below.
9. HOME PLATE OUTS: For force out plays at home, the defensive player must be in contact with the plate (or mat). (Touching the plate AND the board is valid for force plays). Optionally, a tag can be applied for an out before the runner crosses the commitment line.
10. WALK RULE: If a male batter, followed by a female batter, is walked on 4 pitches or fewer, he is awarded second base and the female batter must bat.
11. HOME RUNS: Maximum of 7 home runs (over-the-fence) allowed. Any additional over-the-fence home runs will result in a single. (NOTE: Fly balls hit into the right field on Diamond #6 are treated as home runs).
12. MERCY RULE: The mercy rule (15 runs) is in effect after 5 or more complete innings (or 4.5 innings if the home team has scored the 15 runs to mercy).
13. MAXIMUM RUNS PER INNING: The maximum number of runs per inning is 7 except for the last inning.
14. WARM UP BALLS: Allowed only in the first inning. Except for the pitcher who is allowed a maximum of 3 warm-up pitches.
15. BALLS: Will be supplied to the teams by the League. Males are to be pitched the large ball; females are to be pitched the small ball unless they ask for the large ball. If a male is mistakenly pitched a “small ball,” the resulting play will be nullified. If a female is mistakenly pitched a “large ball” and discovered at bat, the count will revert to 0 ball, 0 strikes, and the small ball will be pitched. If discovered after a play and before the next pitch, it becomes an “appeal play” where the offensive coach has the option to nullify the play or take the result of the play.
16. ALCOHOL: Absolutely NO ALCOHOL is allowed in any part of Centennial Park except the fenced off area around the concession which includes Diamonds 6 & 7. This area is licensed for sale and consumption of alcohol through the concession only. OUTSIDE ALCOHOL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Team captains are responsible for ensuring all of their players (including substitute players) follow this rule and any violation of this rule could result in the AGLC License being revoked and will result in personal fines and/or suspensions (suspensions may also include the team captain). Note that Centennial Park is routinely patrolled by the RCMP and could also result in fines.
17. SMOKING: No smoking on the field of play at any time. Please use the butt receptacles, keep the dugouts clean!
18. RAIN OUTS: Will be determined by checking the League website. Game cancellations may be emailed to team reps as late as 4:30pm on game day. Cancelled games are considered ties; however, teams may make-up (play) these games on their own time and diamonds. The League does not reschedule these games and they must be completed within one week or prior to the end of the round, whichever comes first. Exceptions are playoff games which must be rescheduled by the League and officiated by League sanctioned umpires. Rain out cancellations will be made on a diamond-by-diamond basis.
Games called before the end of 5 innings (or 4.5 innings when the home team is ahead) are ruled incomplete and both teams will receive a tie, or the game could be rescheduled at the Executive’s decision.
19. GAME DEFAULTS: Teams must provide 24 hours notice to the opposing teams and the Executive if they are unable to field a team for scheduled games. Failure to do so could result in a $50 fine for the offending team, and for each infraction, providing the opposing team has filed a complaint to the Executive within 24 hours of the default. If a team has defaulted 3 or more games, the team could be removed from the League and would have to re-apply to gain access back in the League at the end of the year.
Forfeits are recorded FFT-Home Team or FFT-Visitor Team. The non-forfeiting team gets a win with FFT-W and 2 points, the forfeiting team gets a loss with FFT-L and 0 points.
No runs should be recorded as no game was played and does not count towards the standings (see below)
20. ROUNDS: The season will consist of 2 rounds of games and a true double knock out round for playoffs. The first round is for reseeding of teams in divisions for competitive reasons. Seeding for playoffs will be decided in this order:
1. Points
2. Wins / Losses
3. Plus/Minus
4. Record Head-to-Head (Wins then Plus/Minus)
21. PLAYOFFS: All teams qualify. Playoff format is a true double knock out except for the final. The higher seeded team from the regular season standings is always the home team. Only players registered n the team’s roster qualifies to play. Players are not allowed to register for two or more teams unless approved by the Executive. Sanctioned umpires are provided and have the final word – please treat them with respect. The Executive will be responsible for administering sanctions against any team and/or player who verbally or physically abuses an umpire.
22. GAME SCORES: All teams are responsible for reporting the scores, both teams whether it was a win or a loss. You have 24 hours to report your scores; teams that avoid reporting scores to better their standing in the division will not be tolerated. NO SAND BAGGING!
23. TEAM ROSTERS: Team rosters are to be completed through the NSA website for insurance purposes. Rosters must be submitted by June 15th and any players not registered are not eligible to play in playoffs. Rosters will be uploaded to the website so that all teams are aware of each team's players.
See COMPLETING YOUR TEAM ROSTER in Headlines.
24. LEAGUE DIVISIONS: The League consists of 48 teams with 6 divisions (consisting of 8 teams in each division). Divisions A & B play on Wednesdays; Divisions C & D play on Mondays; and Divisions I & II play on Sundays. Monday/Wednesday Divisions may be required to swap evenings as required after seeding to ensure a balance of games for each division except the Sunday Divisions which will always play on Sunday.
25. DIVISONAL STRUCTURE: Any team can request to be placed in a particular division with the Executive making the final decision. Divisions may be affected by the number and/or calibre of new teams joining the League. The Executive reserves the right to change any team’s placement at any time.
26. GENERAL PROTESTS: All protests must be submitted in writing to the Executive at exec@spmspl.com within 24 hours of the incident.
27. RULE PROTESTS: If a team has a challenge of the rules, they must:
· Put the challenge in writing within 24 hours of the incident, and
· Submit it to the entire Executive at exec@spmspl.com the night of the incident.
· The Executive will investigate the incident and decide on the outcome.
· The complainant(s) will be notified the outcome by email.
