SISTERHOOD SOFTBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS - April 12, 2023

 

The league shall operate under the current SPN playing rules (as interpreted by the umpire), in addition to the following “League Specific Rules” as adopted.

 

1.1 Players must be 18 years of age as of December 31 of the playing year.

1.2 Proof of identification may be required to verify eligibility

 

2.1 As specified in SPN’s Code of Conduct, no player, umpire or spectator shall:

 

• No player, umpire or spectator shall:
• Demonstrate behaviour contrary to this Code both on and off the field.
• Cause any form of personal abuse, including verbal, physical and emotional abuse, towards other players, officials, spectators and others.
  • Penalty: Ejection from the game, venue, and possible ejection from the league; possible charges being pressed
• Refuse to abide by an official's decision, threaten an official, or at any time lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, or make incidental physical contact with the body or kick dirt or other matter on the official or attempt to cause physical contact when disputing a decision. This includes causing or attempting to cause physical contact with another participant at SSL events.
  • Penalty: Ejection from the game, venue, and possible ejection from the league; possible charges being pressed
• Make any disparaging remarks or actions towards other players, officials, Sisterhood Softball League, Slo-Pitch National, spectators and others.
  • Penalty: Warning by Umpire OR Chair
• Neither react in a violent manner to any incident nor use any form of profane, vulgar, obscene or abusive language or gestures, whether it is directed at an official, opponent, playing colleague, or spectator. Neither will they tolerate profane, vulgar, obscene or abusive language or gestures from any supporters and other members of their team.
  • Penalty: 1. Warning by Umpire OR Chair 2. Ejection from the game and venue
• Use intimidating or threatening behaviour towards officials, opponents, playing colleagues, or spectators nor will they permit any others to openly or maliciously criticize, badger, harass, or threaten an official, opponent, playing colleague or spectator.
  • Penalty: Ejection from the game, venue, and possible ejection from the league
• Make objectionable demonstrations by throwing bats, gloves or other equipment in a forceful manner.
  • Penalty: Ejection from the game and venue
• Discuss publicly with participants and spectators in a derogatory or abusive manner any decision by the officials or any opinions of players.
  • Penalty: Warning by Umpire OR Chair
• Cause the destruction of property belonging to others.
  • Penalty: Ejection from the game, venue, and possible ejection from the league
• Smoke, vape, use alcohol and/or narcotics during the course of the game, or appear to be in an intoxicated condition while participating in a game.
  • Penalty: Ejection from the game, venue, and possible ejection from the league
• Harass, heckle, insult, jeer, or use verbal tactics to embarrass or insult any umpire, league official, opponent, team member or spectator at the site before, during or after a game.
  • Penalty: 1. Warning by Umpire OR Chair 2. Ejection from the game and venue
• Make derogatory, disdainful, disparaging comments or remarks regarding any person or program connected to any umpire, league official, opponent, team member or spectator on any public forum, or social media platform.
  • Penalty: 1. Warning by Umpire OR Chair 2. Ejection from the league
• Use any improper and unapproved equipment. Penalty: Warning by Umpire OR Chair
• When requested by the game official, will refuse to assist him/her in the enforcement of this Conduct of Members and the control of players making threats.
  • Penalty: Warning by Umpire OR Chair
• Engage in a continuous verbal attack upon an official or other participant or spectator after they have been ejected from a game or make a verbal threat of physical violence upon an official.
  • Penalty: Ejection from the game, venue, and possible ejection from the league

2.2 Any player ejected will automatically be suspended from further play pending an executive decision by Resolution Committee.

2.3 Any player ejected must be reported in the scorekeeping book and/or tablet.

2.4 If a player is ejected from a game, the umpire and team captains of each team must provide a written report of the incident to the league’s Resolution Committee within 48 hours of the incident.

2.5 Any player ejected from two games will be ejected from the league.

2.6 Any player with multiple warnings will be subject to the following:

• 1st warning - verbal warning
• 2nd warning - suspension and/or fine
• 3rd warning - league ejection

2.7 Suspension/Bad Standing means the temporary withdrawal of rights and privileges such as, but not limited to, the right to play or otherwise administer or participate directly or indirectly in Sisterhood Softball League’s or its members’ activity; such standing is governed by SSL Bylaw Article III. Any person or group (team, player, etc.) that has been suspended shall be in less than good standing for the entire term of the suspension with all rights and privileges withdrawn unless specifically stated
otherwise by the suspending authority.

 

 

3.1 BASES

• Bases will be set at 65’. 
• The commitment line is to be drawn on the third base line 20 feet from the corner of home plate closest to third, and will be perpendicular to the third base line and extend to the fence.
• All bases will be fastened down.
• First base shall be a dual bag, orange and white, with the orange bag on the foul side of the first base line.
• Home plate will be a Strike board with a length of thirty-six (36) inches and a width of twenty-four (24) inches. Strike board will be constructed from plywood.
• Ten minutes prior to game time, the home teams for the 8:00am games are responsible for:
  • setting the bases (including Strike board) using the measuring tape
  • measuring and marking the commitment line
  • measuring and marking the pitcher’s line
  • Failure to do both will result in loss of home game advantage. Continued failure will result in a Team Fine of $50.00* per occurrence.
• The home teams for the 11:00am games are responsible for removing the bases and handing them over to the home teams of the following week according to the equipment schedule.

3.2 BALLS

• Home teams to supply Umpires with one new game ball - 11” Worth Hot Dot at the start of the game. These games will be provided by the League to each team at the start of the season.
• Away teams to supply Umpires with a secondary good condition used game ball - 11” Worth Hot Dot

            

3.3 BATS

• Any bat used in games will have either the existing USSSA compliance mark or the new USSSA compliance mark located on the bat (as seen in image).
• If a non-approved or altered bat is discovered, the umpire will warn the offending team and keep the bat until the end of the game. This incident will be reported to and recorded by the UIC and League Executive. If a bat which has been recorded and is discovered in use in a subsequent game, then the player who comes to the plate with the bat be called OUT and will be ejected from the game and face a minimum one (1) game suspension. The team may also face possible further actions.

3.4 SHOES

• Metal spikes on cleats are not permitted.

3.5 PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• For safety reasons, it is strongly recommended that players wear protective equipment while playing and soccer style shin guards may be used by all players.
• SSL especially advises that all pitchers wear a fielder's mask. Any pitcher that chooses not to, does so at their own risk.

3.6 JERSEYS

• All players must wear their current team league issued jerseys with appropriate visible numbers. 
• Penalty for a player not conforming will be an automatic out the first time the player is to bat.
• Warmer attire may be worn over the jersey during inclement weather with the umpire’s agreement.

* Any funds collected as a result of any fine will be donated to charity.
 

 

4.1 GAME TIMES

Game times will start according to the schedule:

• Regular Season: 1 hour and 30 minutes, no new inning after 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Playoffs - Quarterfinals and Semifinals: 1 hour and 30 minutes, no new inning after 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Playoffs - Finals: 7 innings (no time limit), but mercy rule still in effect (12 runs after 5 complete innings or 4 ½ innings if the home team is leading)
• Unless otherwise stated, the home team will be the team listed first in the schedule and will be the defensive team at the start of each inning.

4.2 SUBSTITUTE PLAYERS

• A substitute player can only be used if the team has less than 9 players to avoid a forfeit, depending on substitute player availability. The substitute player can play any position but must bat last. 
• Requests for substitute players must be made to the League Executive by submitting the “Request for Subs” Google Form by Friday 12pm preceding that Sunday’s game. The League Executive will contact the Substitute Players’ List and the spot will be given on a first come first serve basis. The appointed Substitute Player(s) must send an EMT of $10 to payments@sisterhoodsoftball.com by Saturday 5pm to confirm their spot.
• Subs must play in uniform. Captains will be asked to keep their spare team jersey in their team bag to provide to their sub player, and collect back after the game.
• Sub protocol:
  1. The purpose of Subs is to prevent a forfeit, not to replace players
  2. Subs will only be granted to a team less than 9 players
  3. Due to a limited availability of subs, priority will be given to whoever submits a Request for Subs first
  4. The deadline for requesting subs is Friday noon. 
  5. We cannot guarantee any subs for any notices after the deadline. It is very hard to find Subs on short notice 
  6. It is important to communicate this deadline to your teammates, so they understand how last minute notices of absence can impact the team. 
  7. Subs will be confirmed after the Friday deadline and Captains will be notified of their sub for the week.
  8. Subs will bat last, but have no fielding restrictions. 
  9. Subs must play in uniform. Captains will be asked to keep their spare team jersey in their team bag to provide to their sub player, and collect back after the game.

4.3 FIELDING A TEAM

• A team must have a minimum of 9 players before a game may start. A 10 minute grace period is allowed from the scheduled start time to allow for the 9th player to arrive. During the 10 minute grace period, there will be no play and players are expected to stay in their dugouts.
• A minimum of 9 players are required to field, otherwise a forfeit will occur (score will be 7-0).
• The home team has the option of forfeiting home team advantage if they only have 8 players with their ninth player knowingly on the way to the game. If after 3 outs or the team goes through their batting order and the ninth player has not arrived, a forfeit will occur (score will be 7-0). The home team will not be permitted to force the visiting team with 8 players (with the ninth on the way) to take home field advantage, thus forcing a forfeit (For example, if the 10 minute grace period has passed, and the 9th player hasn’t yet arrived, if this team is the home team, they may switch to become the visiting team and start batting. If, by chance, in the first inning, the team goes through all 8 batters, and the 9th player is not there to bat, then the game is over and is deemed a forfeit. Otherwise, as soon as there are 3 outs, and the ninth player has still not arrived in time to take the field, a forfeit will occur).

4.4 TEAM MEMBERS

• The bench, dugout, coaching, and base coaching is reserved for only team members in uniform.

4.5 PLAYER PARTICIPATION

• All players participating must be on the lineup scoresheet and take a regular turn at bat, and must play a minimum of 2 innings defensively.
• If there are any changes to the starting line-up, the team rep must submit the changes to the scorekeeper before the game.
• Late arriving players (the 10th, 11th or 12th player) can be added to the lineup upon their arrival. They will assume the last position in the batting lineup if they have not arrived when it is their turn to bat. If the player does not arrive and their turn to bat comes, then they will not be able to play in the game.

4.6 PLAYER WITHDRAWAL FROM GAME

• If a player is removed from the game for an injury (as determined by the umpire’s discretion), they will NOT be declared an out. The player may not return to the game. However, if this reduces the number of players to below the 9 minimum, then the game will be declared a forfeit in favour of the non-offending team (score will be 7-0).
• If the player were a base runner at the time they withdraw from the game, then a courtesy runner must be used to replace the player withdrawing.

4.7 PLAYER WITHDRAWAL FROM MULTIPLE GAMES

• 🆕 If an injured player has to miss multiple games, after the 3rd consecutive game missed, their situation will be evaluated by the Resolution Committee for if/when they may be able to return and/or replaced. 
• A player missing game(s) due to extenuating circumstances (illness, grief, etc) may be given special consideration at the League Executive's discretion.

4.8 PLAYER WITHDRAWAL FROM SEASON

• If a player has to withdraw from the season because of an injury or personal reasons, a list of similar calibre players (based on assessments) to the player withdrawing will be provided to the Captains to select from.
• The Captain and League Executive must ensure that the replacement player is at par with the player they are replacing, in order not to create an advantage or disadvantage to the team. While 100% parity will not be possible, due diligence must be done.
• The replacement player would have a prorated number of games they will be allowed to miss in order to determine playoff eligibility. Our current missed game allowance is 5 of 13 games = 38%. The same percentage would be applied to the replacement player, according to the weeks left once they join the season.
• Replacement players can be added to the roster up to, and including, the last regular season game.
• Steps to replace players:
  1. Player withdrawing notifies captain
  2. Captain sends an email to notify League Executive
  3. Player withdrawing sends an email to notify League Executive
  4. eague Executive provide Captain with a list of lateral replacement players
  5. Captain and Co-captain choose a player from that list
  6. League Executive contacts chosen player to inquire if they are interested to join the season at a prorated fee determined by League Executive
  7. Replacement players sends in payment to confirm their registration

 

4.9 INTENTIONAL WALKS

• Intentional walks are not considered to be part of SSL values and are highly discouraged.

4.10 COURTESY RUNNERS

• Each team shall be allowed a maximum of five (5) courtesy runners per game (no separate courtesy runners for players declared injured prior to start of the game). Courtesy runners can be used at any time after the batter has safely reached at least first base.
• The intent of utilizing a courtesy runner must be made known to the opposing team and the plate umpire prior to an at-bat.
• The same courtesy runner can be used more than once. If a courtesy runner is on base, and their turn to bat comes, another courtesy runner may take their place. This replacement courtesy will count as one of the maximum 5 courtesy runners per game.

4.11 MERCY RULE

• There is a maximum of 5 runs per inning, with the exception of the last/open inning, which is unlimited runs (last/open inning is the 7th inning or as called by the umpire).
• An open inning must be played to conclusion where warranted.
• A game will be declared a mercy if a team is leading by 12 or more runs after 5 innings (4 ½ innings if the home team is leading) in both Regular Season Games and Playoffs.

4.12 GAME SCORES

• All teams are responsible for keeping track of scores for their games. It is strongly recommended that the teams confirm scores between each inning. All game scores must be reported by the winning team to the Scorekeeping Committee. In the event there is a discrepancy between the winning team’s score and the Scorekeeping Committee’s score, the Scorekeeping Committee’s score shall be the official score card.

4.13 INCLEMENT WEATHER/FIELD CONDITIONS

• All players must plan to arrive for the start of the game during inclement weather, unless otherwise communicated by the League Executive.
• Any games cancelled or stopped due to weather conditions will be deemed as a tie (score of 7-7), unless 4.5 innings have been completed. An inning is complete when the home team is up to plate. If the game is called off before the 7th inning is complete, then the score after the 6th inning will be used to determine the winner.

4.14 GAME DEFAULTS

• Teams who know in advance that they will be unable to field a team with a minimum of 9 players must submit a sub request form at least 24 hours prior to scheduled game time.
• Any team which defaults the game without 24 hours notice to the League Executive may be subject to league fines. Game Default also includes failure to report to the park during inclement weather. Remember that there is another team who has arrived to play. 
• If a team is in default, a Penalty fee of $25.00* may be charged by the league, and a recreational game will be played by the teams and available players. The umpire will stay and officiate. The default score shall be 7–0 in favour of the non-violating Team.
• Should there be fines owing, they must be paid before the next game. Teams will forfeit any subsequent games for default fees unpaid. 

4.15 GAME FORFEITS

• A game shall be declared a forfeit (score of 7-0) by the Umpire if the team:
  • a) fails to field the required number of players prior to or within 10 minutes of game time or after having gone through the batting lineup with just 8 players present;
  • b) refuses to continue the game after a suspension of play;
  • c) intentionally tries to delay or hasten the game;
  • d) intentionally violates a rule of the game after being warned by the umpire;
  • e) a player, ejected from the game by an umpire, does not leave the park immediately. When a player is ejected they must leave the ballpark, that player must move far enough away so that they may not be seen or heard by the participants of the game and may not participate with the game in any manner.
• If both teams forfeit, the game will be declared a double forfeit (score of 0-0)

4.16 PROTESTS

• Any captain who wishes to register a protest on a ruling must verbally advise the umpire at the time of the Occurrence, record/mark down on the scoresheet that this is the case, and have it signed by the Umpire. The captain then has 24 hours after the scheduled start time of the game in question to formally register the protest in writing. All protests must be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee and accompanied by a written incident report and a $50.00* fee which will be refunded if the protest is upheld.

 

* Any funds collected as a result of any fine will be donated to charity
 

 

5.1 PITCHING

• Pitching distance is 50-65 feet from home plate.
• The pitch shall be delivered with an underhand motion and at a moderate speed.
• The ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc of at least 6’ from the ground. The pitched ball shall not reach a height of more than 12’ at its highest point from the ground.
• A pitch will be called a strike, providing it meets the rules of delivery and hits a portion of the Strike Board prior to contacting the ground.
• Illegal pitched balls include:
  • a) Any pitched ball that does not conform to all the requirements of a legally delivered pitched ball.
  • b) All pitches made by the pitcher, when not conforming to pitching restrictions.
  • c) Delivering a pitch from other than the pitching zone and pitcher’s position.
  • d) The pitcher failing to face the home plate on delivery of the pitch.
  • e) When the pitcher moves towards the batter after releasing the pitch.
• Pitcher is allowed five (5) warm up pitches before the first inning. Innings after, a pitcher is only allowed one (1) warm up pitch before starting. New pitchers entering a started inning are allowed only three (3) warm up pitches.

5.2 BATTING

• 🆕All batters will begin their turn at bat with a 1 ball 1 strike count according to the new SPN Rules.
• No bunting is allowed. An attempted bunt shall be called a strike, and if contact is made on an attempted bunt, it is an automatic out.
• Any foul fly ball legally caught by a fielder regardless of height and number of strikes shall be called an out. The ball is live.

5.3 BATTING OUT OF ORDER

• A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when failing to bat in his/ her proper turn, and another batter completes a time at bat in place of the proper batter. (1) The proper batter may take a position in the batter’s box at any time before the improper batter becomes a runner or is retired, and any balls and strikes shall be counted in the proper batter’s time at bat.
• When an improper batter becomes a runner or is retired, and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before the first pitch to the next batter of either team, or before any play or attempted play, the umpire shall (1) declare the proper batter out; and (2) nullify any advance or score made because of a ball batted by the improper batter or because of the improper batter’s advance to first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise.
• When an improper batter becomes a runner or is retired, and a pitch is made to the next batter of either team before an appeal is made, the improper batter thereby becomes the proper batter, and the results of such time at bat become legal.
• When the proper batter is called out for failing to bat in turn, the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of the proper batter thus called out;
• When an improper batter becomes a proper batter because no appeal is made before the next pitch, the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of such legalized improper batter. The instant an improper batter’s actions are legalized, the batting order picks up with the name following that of the legalized improper batter.

5.4 BASE RUNNING

• No stealing is allowed.
• Sliding is allowed at all bases (first, second, and third) excluding home plate.
• Base runner must not touch the home plate. If they do so, they will be an automatic out.
• If a ball is thrown out of the playing area (i.e., into the dugout), each base runner is awarded one base.
• The first baseman (fielding team) must only touch the white bag and the runner (batting team) must only touch the orange bag unless running/rounding to second base.
• A player can overrun first base ONLY, and they must stay in foul play when doing so. If the player overruns first base into fair play, they can be tagged for an out.
• A batter/runner running to first base must touch the orange safety base. They will be called out if they touch the white base only. Similarly, a fielder must be in contact with the white part of the base in order to record an out.
• Anticipation while running is allowed. Lead offs are not allowed. Runner may leave the base only if the ball is hit, crosses home plate, or hits the ground.
• Once a base runner has touched or passed the commitment line, they must continue directly home.
• Any stopping or motion back to 3rd base will result in an out. Ball is still live.
• A baserunner shall not score a run ahead of a baserunner preceding them in a team’s batting order if the preceding baserunner has not been put out.

5.5 DEFENCE

• Infielders cannot start any closer than 50’ from home plate until the ball crosses the plate or contact is made.

5.6 INFIELD FLY

• Infield fly rule (IFR) is in effect when there are runners at first and second base, or if the bases are loaded with less than two out. In these situations, if a fair pop-up is hit that, in the Umpire’s judgement, is catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort, the batter is out regardless of whether the ball is actually caught in flight. To invoke the rule, the umpire will announce “infield fly” when there is a pop-up in the infield. IFR does not apply to line-outs or fly balls in the outfield. IFR does not apply to foul balls.

5.7 ENCROACHMENT RULE

• Infielders are not permitted to step over the baseline until the ball crosses the plate or is hit. 
• Outfielders, including rover, must stay on the grassline until the ball crosses the plate or is hit.

5.8 UMPIRES

• The umpire is responsible for determining whether or not a diamond is playable.
• The umpire’s watch shall be the official timepiece.
• Game is official when 4 innings are complete (3 ½ innings if home team is leading) if the game is called by the umpire due to time, weather, etc. Whichever team leads at the end of the inning, that team will be proclaimed the winner. If the score is tied, then both teams will receive a point. An inning is complete when the home team (team batting second) has completed all 3 outs.  If the game is called off before the 7th inning is complete, then the score after the 6th inning will be used to determine the winner.
• The umpire’s decision is final.

5.9 STANDINGS

• League standings will be determined by total points:
  • Two (2) points for a win
  • One (1) point for a tie
  • Zero (0) points for a loss
• If two or more teams are tied at the end of the regular season, the tie(s) will be broken with:
  • Results of only the games between all teams tied, based first on their won/lost record; and if that fails  to break the tie,
  • Then on the total net runs scored by each team (runs for, minus runs against), and if that fails to break the tie,
  • Total runs scored and if that fails to break the tie,
  • If two teams are still tied, a sudden death game will be played,
  • If three or more teams are tied, then the total net runs scored by each team in all league games will be used.

5.10 PLAYOFFS

• Players must play a minimum of 62% of regular season games to be eligible to play in the playoffs.
• The same percentage would be applied to a replacement player, according to the weeks left once they join the season.
• Format for playoffs/finals will be determined each year, pending number of teams.
• Higher ranked team will be the home team.
• No ties allowed. There must be a winner for every game.
• International tie breaker will be used immediately after the regular game is ended should there be a tie.
  • “International Tie-Breaker Rule” - Under this rule, each team starts the inning with 1 out and the player who completed the last official turn at bat, as a base runner on 2nd base.
  • Each subsequent inning will start the same until a winner has been determined.
• Quarterfinals and Semifinals: 1 hour and 30 minutes, no new inning after 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Finals: 7 innings (no time limit) shall constitute a complete game. 

*Any situation that arises that is not clearly explained in these rules will be at the discretion of the Umpire.

 

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