Understand the Game: Rules & Guidelines

BMSPL follows the SoftBall Canada Slo-Pitch Rules except where overridden below.

1. General

1. Players must wear their current season team shirts.
2. Players are guaranteed equal playing time, regardless of ability.
3. Teams or players who are too competitive will be encouraged to find a more suitable league in which to demonstrate their skills.
4. Profane language, rough play, unsportsmanlike conduct and fighting will not be tolerated. Such actions may result in the offender being ejected from the game or being suspended from the season with no refund.
5. No illegal substances or alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the playing field or on the benches. Such actions will result in forfeiting the game.
6. The commissioners of the league reserve the right to make changes deemed necessary to ensure the safety and efficient operation of the league.
7. The length of a season is generally May through August and game scheduling will be at the discretion of the league commissioners.

2. Players

1. A team must have a minimum of eight (8) players to start the game, otherwise the game is forfeited.
2. Ten (10) players are allowed on the field at one time.
   • Maximum of six (6) men on the field. They may play any position.
   • Minimum of three (3) female players on the field. They may play any position.
3. Substitutions are allowed only at the end of an inning, unless there is an injury.
4. During tournaments, teams must have a minimum of six (6) players from their regular team, or the game is forfeited.
5. During the regular season, and if both captains agree, a team with an insufficient number of players can borrow players from the opposing team to be able to play the game.
   • If the opposing team captain agrees, the game can be played and the win or loss recorded accordingly.

3. Player Spares

1. All spares must be players who have registered and paid for the current season. NO EXCEPTIONS!
2. Opposing team captain must approve all requests for player spares, however:
   • They cannot force a forfeit. They must allow player spares up to a total of 8 players.
   • Subsequent player spares are permitted only with opposing team captain’s approval.
3. There may be instances where a team has more than 10 players for a game (rostered and spares combined). In such cases, it is expected that teams will adhere to the spirit of good sportsmanship and fair play and allow the game to proceed.
4. Regular team members can join the game up to the top of the 4th inning but must be placed at the bottom of the batting order.
5. Spares must be placed at the bottom of the batting order.

4. Games

1. All games must start at the scheduled start time and are scheduled for 75 minutes.
2. A game shall consist of seven innings or 75 minutes, whichever occurs first.
3. Five (5) completed innings constitutes a complete game.

5. Inclement Weather and Rescheduling

On days where it is raining or there is forecasted inclement weather, the captains (or team representative) of the 6pm games are to meet at the diamond in advance of their game and collectively decide on playability.

1. If during a game the weather makes the field unplayable, the following rules will apply:
   • Once five innings are completed, the game is considered complete and will be recorded in the standings.
   • If the game is less than five innings, the game will be considered incomplete and may be rescheduled.
2. If lightning occurs during a game, the team captains must consider the safety of all participants when deciding on whether to continue the game.
3. In the event that the City of Ottawa closes the fields, the league commissioners will notify all captains. BMSPL is not permitted to return to the fields until the city reopens them.
   
   Incomplete games due to inclement weather may be rescheduled at the request of the two team captains. Teams must notify the league commissioners within two weeks. The league commissioners will work with the City in an attempt to secure an available diamond. Rescheduling of games is not guaranteed.

6. Equipment

1. BMSPL adheres to the SPN bat policy.
2. No metal cleats or metal spikes.
3. Only Worth PROTAC – Hot Dot C-LOK Compression – SPN Slo-Pitch National (SPN12HDSY – W605439) balls provided by the league can be used in games.

7. Disputes

1. Any disputes that arise during the games are to be discussed and resolved by the two Captains.
2. Complaints should be brought to the attention of the league commissioners.

8. Standings

1. League standings will be determined by wins, losses and ties.
2. In the event of a tie in the standings at the end of the season, the following formula will be used to break the ties:
   1. Record against each other; best record gains higher standing
   2. Team with most wins
   3. Team with highest run differential
   4. Team with highest runs for
   5. Team with lowest runs against
   6. Flip of a coin

9. Injuries

1. If a player is injured during the game, play stops and runners return to their bases.
2. The team captain must notify the league of an injury within 48 hours.
3. Depending on the severity of the injury, the league may require an incident report be completed.

10. Officiating

1. The catcher is responsible for loudly, clearly, and decisively calling foul balls.
2. Batting team is responsible for base coaches:
   • First Base coach is responsible for making calls at home plate and first base.
   • Third Base coach is responsible for making calls at second and third bases.

11. Pitching and Batting

1. Batting team pitches to their teammates. Three (3) pitches per batter.
   • If a pitcher is hit from a batted ball (self-defense) resulting in interference it will be considered ‘No pitch’ and the ball pitched again with no penalty.
2. Men may not bat ‘back to back’. At least one (1) woman must bat between men.
3. A bunted or chopped ball shall be considered dead and runners will not advance.
4. A batted ball that does not travel beyond 5 feet 8 inches (2 bat lengths) shall be considered dead and runners will not advance. This will still count as one of the 3 pitches.
   • The catcher may legally prevent a batted ball from traveling beyond 5 feet 8 inches (2 bat lengths) and runners will not advance.
5. A thrown bat will result in a team warning; the next warned batter to throw a bat may be ejected at the discretion of the defensive captain.
6. Any foul tip that is caught by the catcher without touching the ground is an out. There is no requirement for the ball to travel a minimum height.

12. Base Running

1. Sliding is not allowed. Any runner sliding into a base is an automatic out.
2. Stealing is not allowed. Any runner stealing is an automatic out.
3. Leading off, intentionally or accidentally is not permitted.
   • Up to the mid-season tournament, teams may be given a warning by the opposing team’s captain, after which any subsequent infractions will result in the base runner being called out.
   • Following the mid-season tournament, warnings for leading off will no longer be issued and the runner will be called out.
4. BMSPL utilizes the Commitment Line and Safe Line.
   • A base runner touching home plate is an automatic out.
   • All plays at home plate are considered force plays.
   • A player can be tagged by any infielder before they reach the commitment line. Upon reaching the commitment line, the ball must be caught by the catcher before the runner crosses the home plate line.
5. Maximum of 3 courtesy runners per team, per game. A player can only be the courtesy runner once per game.
   • Courtesy runner must be the same gender.
   • Courtesy runner must be last batter out, or if no qualifying last batter out, must be the player immediately preceding them in the batting order.
   • Courtesy runner may not be used from home plate.

13. Fielding

1. BMSPL does not utilize the Infield Fly rule.
2. BMSPL utilizes Rovers.
   • Three (3) outfielders must start each inning. (i.e. If you only have 3 players for the outfield, they must be outfielders. You cannot have 2 outfielders and 1 rover.)
   • Maximum of two (2) Rovers are permitted.
3. BMSPL utilizes a Fielding/Rover Line, approximately halfway between the edge of the infield and the outfield fence.
   • Three outfielders must start each at bat beyond the Fielding Line (deep). Penalty: Batter will be awarded first base, other runners advance.
   • Rovers start each at bat on the grass.
4. No defensive player can stand closer than the baseline within fair territory before the batter’s swing or the ball crossing home plate. Penalty: Considered no pitch and play resumes.
5. Throwing to First Base:
   • Rovers starting an at bat on the grass but not beyond the fielding line (deep) may throw to first base.
   • Rovers starting an at bat beyond the fielding line (deep) and Outfielders cannot throw to first base in order to prevent award of the base. Penalty: Batter Runner will be awarded first base, other runners advance.
   • Rovers starting an at bat beyond the fielding line (deep), and Outfielders may throw to first base only after the runner has reached first base, has made an attempt to reach second base, but opts to return to first base.

14. Run Rules

1. Maximum of six (6) runs per inning until the final inning, which will be unlimited.
2. A team trailing by twelve (12) or more runs may end the game after five (5) innings. (“Mercy Rule”)
3. Match-Plus-One Home Run Rule: At no time during a game will the number of over the fence home runs hit by one team be more than one (1) above the number hit by the opposing team. Any over the fence home runs in excess of one (1) will result in the batter being declared out.Example: Team A hits a home run. Team A is now “plus one” and any further home runs by Team A will result in the batter being out. Team B hits a home run. The two teams are now “matched”. Either team may hit a home run to become “plus one”.
4. Ground rule doubles: On fields where there is no fence, a ball rolling past the home run line, untouched by a fielder, will be considered a ground rule double. If a ball bounces over a fence, untouched by a fielder, this will also be considered a ground rule double.