LEAGUE  RULES  FOR  2010  SEASON

 Slo-Pitch Ontario rules apply.
(open link, then select playing procedures, and the category you wish to view)

  Plus the following amendments:

all players must be 40 years of age as of May 1st to be eligible to play in our league (players between the ages of 35-39 are eligible if they were on a team roster in a season prior to 2010).

all players must be registered with the league and league fees must be paid in full to be eligible to play.  Team rosters may be made up of full time and pool only players, with a minimum of 14 full time players and a maximum at the discretion of each team and the league.

all players at the game will bat.

a lead off will be called if a runner leaves a base before contact is made with the ball and that runner will be called out. This includes a runner from home plate who must remain behind a line running from third base through home plate to the screen, and one bat length back away from first base. The runner must keep his hand on the screen until the ball is hit. If he removes his hand or crosses the line before the ball is hit, he will be out.

any foul tip caught by the catcher is an out.

a batted ball striking the plate and rolling fair is considered in play.

sliding will be permitted at second and third base. Sliding is not permitted at first base or home.  A runner who slides into first or home will be called out. A slide is defined as when a runner has two or more parts of the body touch the ground when advancing to a base.  Sliding is only permitted to help ensure safety for all.  If any player uses a slide for aggressive purposes, he will be called out and referred to the disciplinary committee.

a runner will be permitted to dive back to a base to avoid being tagged out only if he over runs the base. Diving back after rounding a base will be an out.

if the catcher has possession of the ball and is in contact with home plate before the runner's foot touches the ground on the other side of the scoring line extended from the first base line to the backstop, the runner is out.

the runner will be called out if for any reason he steps on home plate while running from 3rd base.

a bunt is an automatic out.

a legal pitch has to be a minimum height of 6 feet and a maximum of 12 feet (usual height of backstop).

a game will be nine innings, unless the captains agree on less innings before or during the game.

the team at bat must supply an umpire whose decision is final.

no inning is to start after 8pm if there is an 8:15pm game.

courtesy runners are allowed at any base for injured players.  The courtesy runner is the last out. If that person cannot run, then it is the person who was out before him and so on.  Any player using a runner must do so for the entire game.

overthrow rule (as per Slo-Pitch Ontario) the runner is awarded two bases from the time of the throw, from the outfield or the infield, and not when the ball goes out of play.

on Bridgeport #2 diamond, a double will be awarded for a ball rolling into the long grass and the fielder must signal this by raising his hands.

there will be no maximum number of home runs, with the following exception: a team may have no more than 2 home runs more than the opposing team at any time.  Any more home runs will be considered a walk and only baserunners who are forced will advance a base.

if a team has less  than  nine  players, they will have a 10 minute grace period, and then will have to forfeit the game. All players present will be divided into two teams and play a game for fun only.

to avoid lopsided scores, a maximum of  5 runs may be scored by any team in each of the first seven innings at which time the half inning is over regardless of the number of outs.

the mercy rule: the game will be called any time after 7 complete innings of play are complete and one team leads the other team by 20 or more runs. If the home team is behind by 20 or more runs, they will get their last at bat.

 the extended line from the backstop screen determines the out of bounds.

 no abusive language or alcoholic beverages are allowed.

 pool players will bat at the bottom of the batting order in all games.

 there will be no infield warm up balls allowed after the first inning.

In the event there is a tie in the playoff standings:

1.       in the case of a 2-way tie , the head to head games in that round of the playoffs will be used to decide the winner. If there is still a tie, then the team with the overall season head to head game advantage would advance, and if there is still a tie then the overall season standings will be used to break the tie.

2.       In the case of a 3 or more-way tie, the overall season standings will be used to break the tie.

Home team for the consolation final and East/West finals shall be decided by the flip of a coin.

Physical altercations both on the field or in the park area will not be tolerated. The team captains are to notify the league Commissioner as soon as possible of any incident and the player or players involved will be suspended indefinitely until the Disciplinary Committee can meet and review the matter.

 Abusive behavior towards an umpire, official or opponent will not be tolerated.

Please remember this league was started so all players could get some exercise and have some fun and enjoyment.