Playing Rules

GENERAL RULES

For the 2009 season, the NSA CANADA Rules Will Be Followed, with the Following Exceptions:

1. The base path shall be 60 feet, when the diamond will not allow 65 feet.
2. A board is to be used for home plate, the size being 2 x 3 feet, x 1/2″ thick.
3. Ties will remain as a tie during the regular season games and round robin tournaments.
4. The home run rule is NOT in effect.
5. The mercy rule is to be 15 runs after seven innings.
6. Five full innings constitute a complete game. If more than five innings are played, then the last inning completed will constitute the complete game.
7. If a male batter, followed by a female batter, is walked, on a 4 – 0 count, he proceeds to second base. The following batter (female) must take her turn at bat.
8. Visiting team supplies a second ball of quality acceptable to the umpire.
9. A team may carry a maximum of 20 players on its roster.
10. All players in the starting line up must bat unless injured, suspended or substituted during the game.
11. The batting order will be fixed for both teams after one complete turn through the batting order. However, players arriving late may be added to the bottom of the batting order, up to ten (10) players, and the batting order follows, Section M, General Rules 16.
12. If a player leaves the game for any reason, except injury, he/she is an automatic out, unless a substitute is available. If a female batter is injured during the game, the female batters will rotate in order to the position of the injured player (as long as there are still 3 females playing). This will change the fixed position of the batting order for the female players.
13. A player must play a minimum of four (4) complete innings to qualify as a game played for playoff eligibility. (see Section M. GENERAL RULES, Item 14).
14. Players must play in at least 1/3 of the regular scheduled games to be eligible for playoffs.
15. There will be a maximum of 6 male and 4 female players on the field. (see Section I. FORFEITS, Item 1.)
16. For every female player, a team may have two male batters in the batting order. A team may not bat more than two (2) male batters in a row including the transition from bottom to top of the order. (e.g. Male, Female, Male, Male, Female, Male, Male, Female, etc.)
17. If a team fields 6 male and 3 female players, the tenth batter is an automatic out. If a team fields 5 male and 4 female, or, 4 male and 5 female players, the tenth batter is not an automatic out.
18. If a team fields 8 players, 3 of which are female, the ninth and tenth batters are not automatic outs.
19. Base runners coming home shall cross a safety line to score a run. There is no sliding at home. The runner is automatically out if he/she touches home plate. The catcher must have control of the ball, and contact with the board to constitute an out. Base runners may be tagged out prior to crossing the commitment line.
20. If a player is injured during the game, an injury runner shall be allowed (if both teams agree). The injury runner (must be the last out of the same gender) can run from the screen and can try to obtain any base. This rule was put in place to accommodate a team from forfeiting an ongoing game due to a shortage of players because of said injury. It was not to be used as an every game situation unless the team is in the same position where they may forfeit due to a shortage of players.
21. A player may only play in one division for one team.
22. Pregnant players are NOT insured and are NOT allowed to play.
23. No illegal bats as determined by the ASA bat policy will be permitted for use. (See Bat Policy for details)

THE PITCH

The pitch shall have a minimum of a 6-foot arc. There is no maximum.

DELIBERATE WALKS

The pitcher may indicate to the home plate umpire his intent to walk the batter and the umpire will instruct the batter to advance to first base. A deliberate walk on a male batter is a 4-0 count and will result in the action as outlined in Section M. General Rules, Item 7.

UNIFORMS

1. All team members shall have matching outer jerseys that are consistent of colour and design, with a minimum 4″ legible number on the uniform. Full uniforms, however, are encouraged.
2. Any player not wearing a proper uniform will be deemed an ineligible player, and will not be allowed to play.
3. A grace period of 30 days will be allowed at the beginning of the season for teams to get their uniforms. If a team is having difficulty with the supplier and can’t meet the deadline, the President should be notified and the grace period may be extended, at the discretion of the Executive.

RAIN OUTS / CANCELLATION

1. The home team is to contact the Statistician to arrange a make up game for rainouts.
2. Minimum 48 hours notice to the League President (with approval from opposing team) and the Umpire Association is required to cancel a game. The team that cancels a game has one week to reschedule with the other team and it is the responsibility of the canceling team to book a date, find a diamond and also book an umpire or they will forfeit.
   A maximum of 2 cancelled games per team is allowed.
3. Teams must show up to the diamonds unless notified of a rain out or cancellation. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit.
   The League will make an attempt to contact team reps when possible but does not guarantee that contact can/will be made. It is the responsibility of the team reps to relay this information to their players and ensure that they arrive for all games scheduled.

TIMING

1. Early games begin at 6:30 p.m. with a 10-minute grace period. No new inning may be started after 8:00 p.m.
2. Late games begin at 8:15 p.m. with a 10-minute grace period. No new inning may be started after 10:15 pm.
   HOME TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TURNING OUT THE LIGHTS! Fines will be issued to the Home team if lights are not turned out. The fine will be $100.00.
3. Teams will be fined $25.00 for every game started late after the grace period is used three (3) times during the season. (e.g., fourth late start costs $25.00).

UNIQUENESS

Guelph Township Coed Slo-Pitch League is unique compared to other slo-pitch leagues due to its customized rules. In order to protect the league as it was intended none of the “FOUNDATION” rules may be changed unless a quorum of 75% team designates vote for a change.

1. 6 MALE, 4 FEMALE
2. 6′ UNLIMITED ARC
3. ROUND ROBIN OPENING AND CLOSING TOURNAMENTS, FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY (SUNDAY RAIN DAY)
4. AWARDS FOR REGULAR SEASON AND PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS.