Slo-Pitch

 

Fields

• The League rents fields from the city to provide our leagues. Please respect the fields so we can continue using them.
• Please be courteous to homeowners and the community. Be respectful when it comes to noise levels and garbage.
  • If approached by someone regarding any issue be polite and report any issue to The League.
• If there are any issues with one of the neighbours, please be courteous and polite, and report any issues to The League office.
• The League and the city do not allow alcohol or any controlled substance on any fields. No smoking on the fields.
• Players are responsible for all property damage.

Rosters & Default

• A full team is 10 players. Teams may play with 7 players without defaulting the game.
  • A team can also play with 2 females without defaulting, but they must take an automatic out where the third female would bat.
• Teams are also encouraged to have subs if needed.
• Teams can add to their roster at any point. Player info for every additional member must be sent to The League prior to them being allowed to play.
• If a team does not have 7 players or 2 females by the scheduled start time, they may wait 10 minutes if the opposing team agrees. If after ten minutes, the roster is not full they will default the game and a score of 10-0 will be recorded.
• If a team defaults one game then they will be required to pay a default fee by e transfer before their next game. If this is not paid then all games will be updated as a default loss and the team will not be scheduled anymore games.
• If a team misses two games then another default fee will need to be paid in order to have any future games scheduled. A meeting with the league will occur to determine if this league is the right fit for your team. If a second default fee is not paid then the players on the roster will not be allowed to play in any future sports.
• If a team misses more than two games then this is not the right league for your team. You need a drop in league and the players on the roster will not be allowed to play in any future sports.
• If both captains agree, the minimum requirement rule can be waived and the game will count towards the standings. This must be decided upon before the start of the game and teams cannot change their minds once the game has started.

Game Times

• Please arrive at the field 15 minutes prior to the start time indicated on the schedule. This will allow time for teams to warm up and have the game start and end on time.
• Games are 7 innings or 1.5 hours long. Games must start and end on time, as there are other scheduled games on the same field.
• Captains are responsible to ensure that games start and end on time.
• There will be no games on long weekends for Sunday Leagues (unless necessary). Games will be made up with double headers.

Pre-Game

• A coin toss will determine which team takes the field first.
• Captains should discuss any obstruction in the field prior to the game and determine what course of action will be played if the obstruction interferes with the play. For example: an automatic double, homerun, etc.
• Team captains will bring a score sheet to all games.
• Teams must track the batter results each inning for their own team and runs scored by the other team. Captains should confirm with each other at the end of each inning what the score is.
• A team can score a maximum of 7 runs per inning except the final inning there is no maximum.
• In the bottom of the 7th inning, once the batting team scores a run to take the lead the game is over. If the team batting last has the lead after the top of the 7th inning, the score is final at the end of the top of the inning. If there is time, you may play the bottom of the 7th inning, but the score does not change.
• A tie is a tie. Due to time constraints extra innings are not to be played, except for playoff games.

Equipment

• Bats must meet NSA approved list. You can find this list at nsacanada.ca
• The home plate mat should be approximately 3 feet long by 2 feet wide and placed with 1 inch of the front of the plate showing. If you have a home plate mat with the triangle cut out it should be placed at the back of the plate to form a rectangle.
• All teams must have the required bases. They can supply their own or rent from the league for a rental fee.
• Cleats are allowed but can not have metal spikes
   

Pitching

• Pitchers should wear protective gear to protect their head and face.
• The pitch must be between 6-12 feet high.
  • Generally, if it is over the batter’s head it will be high enough.
• If the balls arc is less than 6 feet or more than 12 feet and the batter swings, the pitch counts. If the batter does not swing, the pitch is declared a no pitch and the captain should politely let the pitcher know the pitch was too high or too low.
• A strike occurs when:
  • A batter swings and misses.
  • It is a foul ball.
  • It is a foul tip.
    • A foul tip is when the ball goes directly from the bat to the back-catcher’s glove and is caught and held (with no arc and does not rise above the batter’s head). A foul tip is a strike in all instances. If the batter has two strikes and then a foul tip the batter is out. The batter does not get a second attempt as they would with a normal foul ball. If the ball has an arc and rises above the batter’s head before it is caught by the back catcher the batter is out.
  • if the ball lands on the strike mat, the 1-inch part of the plate, or any part of the home plate that is showing. (If a mat with a triangle is used, the entire plate is showing, and the entire rectangle area is a strike).
• Each batter can receive up to three strikes or 4 balls. On the fourth ball the batter walks to 1st base. On the third strike the batter is out.
• Captains can decide on the pitching mound prior to the game if it is not clearly identified.

Hitting

• Batters should wear helments
• A maximum of three males may bat in a row at any time in the batting order. This includes going from the top of the order to the bottom. A team cannot finish the order with two males and then start at the beginning with three males. If a team is short females, they will take an automatic out where the female should be in the batting order.

      For example:  M-M-F-M-M-M-F-M-M-F

• Teams can have more than 10 players on the batting order as long as there are enough females in the rotation to not have three males batting consecutively more than once.
• Teams can also have players take turns rotating in, both batting and defence.
• “Infield rule” applies. When the ball is hit at least 8 feet in the air and does not go past the infield with less than 2 outs and a player on 1st, 1st and 2^nd, or 1^st, 2nd and 3rd, the batter is automatically out. (This eliminates the infielders from purposely dropping the fly ball to force an out).
• Captains should agree prior to the game on automatic home runs or ground rule doubles.
• No bunting.
• If a male batter is walked with 4 balls in a row and with zero strikes or fouls, and a female batter follows, she has the option to bat or automatically go to 1st (the male batter will go to 2nd base if the female batter opts to go directly to first).
• If the batter has two strikes, then hits a foul ball, the batter is not out, but if the batter hits a second foul ball with two strikes he or she is out.

Base Running

• Base runners should wear helmets
• No lead offs. If a runner leaves the bag before the bat contacts the ball, the runner is out.
• If a runner leaves the bag when a batter swings and does not make contact, the runner is out.
• Sliding into 2nd and 3rd only is permitted.
• Tagging up and running on a caught outfield fly is permitted.
• 3rd out fly out – If the third out occurs on a fly out the inning is over once the ball is caught. No runs can be scored.
• Pinch hitting/running is allowed for injured players. The last male/female out should run for the injured player of the same sex. The runner can start from the home plate.
• The batter running to 1st must run to the orange safety base. After over running 1st base, the batter must return to the white portion of the base.
• The batter may round first using the white portion of the base when the ball is hit through the infield or outfield.
• When tagging up, you may use the white portion of the base.
• Bases will be 60 feet apart and the home plate will be 40 feet from the pitching mound.
• Captains need to draw a safe line from the home plate for runners to run to.
• Captains should draw a commitment line 2/3^rd of the way between third base and home plate. Once a player has crossed the commitment line they can't turn back.
• Runners are to run to the safe line not the home plate.
• If a base runner is hit by a fair ball when off the base, before the ball passes any defender other than the pitcher, the runner is out and the play ends with all remaining runners returning to the base they were at prior to the hit ball.

Defense

• Infielders must stay on the base line and cannot pinch in until after the ball is hit. Outfielders must stay approximately 30 paces from the infield lines. This rule does not apply to the rover.
• If an overthrow occurs, the runner may advance one base from the last base made (excluding 1st base) if the overthrown ball is thrown out of bounds.
  • Out of bounds is considered 10 feet beyond the baselines or in line with the corners of the backstop.
• A ball caught out of bounds is a foul ball not an out. A foul ball caught in bounds is an out.
• The back catcher must stand on the home plate to get a runner going home out. The back catcher cannot tag the runner. Any other player may tag the runner
  • Example: If the pitcher catches a throw from the outfield and tags the runner on the third base line the runner is out.
• When a runner is forced to run you don't need to tag the runner, you only need to be on the bag first with the ball. A play that is not forced requires the defence to tag the runner.
  • Example: If a player is on 2nd base and no one is on first base when the ball is hit, the player on second base is not forced to go to third. If the player goes to third, in order to get that player out, the runner must be tagged.

Officiating

• All leagues are self officiated. This means players are responsible for making their own calls.
• This is an adult rec league and we rely on our players being honest. When you are guilty of an infraction don’t assume no one saw you. Captains should speak up and call their own players fouls if they see them.
• If a team continues to not call themselves report this to The League.
• Not calling your own infractions will also negatively affect your team’s sportsmanship rating and standings.
• Captains are responsible to ensure that games start and end on time. Team captains should assign someone to be in charge of keeping time and they should let everyone know when there is five minutes remaining in each half.
• If a game starts late, it does not run late. Games are scheduled back to back, so games must end on time.

Any reckless, aggressive, threatening or unsportsmanlike behaviour will result in being ejected from the game or league. Team captains should report any issues with the opposition

Umpiring

• All games are self officiated. The batting team must provide the home plate umpire and may provide 1st and 3rd umpires if they choose. These players must know the rules and be prepared to make quick calls.
• If the two captains disagree with a wrong call and they agree to change the decision or to replay they may do so. Only the captains can make this decision. There is to be no arguing between players.

Playoffs

• All teams get two playoff games, but only the top four teams are eligible to win The League championship.
• If a playoff game is tied after 7 innings teams will play extra innings. Once one team is winning at the end of full inning the game is over.

Alcohol Consumption

• The League and the city do not allow open alcohol at any public venue.
• Any player or team found to be under the influence of alcohol, or other controlled substance, will be automatically ejected from The League without refund.
• All fines will be the responsibility of the teams. Teams will lose every scheduled game and will not be scheduled any other games until all fines are paid.

Weather

• Because the season is short and field availability is limited, rescheduling games is very difficult.
• When deciding to use a diamond during or after inclement weather:
  • Do not use the diamond if there is standing water (e.g. puddles) on the field.
  • Do not use the diamond if water squishes under one’s feet when walking on the turf.
• If it is raining prior to your game, teams are to show up at the field regardless and wait 15 minutes for the rain to stop. If the rain does not stop and it is raining too hard to play, the two captains are to agree on a day to reschedule.
• If it has been raining for a prolonged period of time the fields will not be open.
• If the fields are closed, out of respect you should contact the opposing teams captain (if they are not present).
• If it begins to rain after you started the game and you can play though it, you should do so. It is up to the captains to decide if the game cannot continue.
• After half time the game will not be rescheduled and the leading team after half will be declared the winner.
• If you do not contact the other team to let them know you are not going to make it and they show up, then it will count as a default to your team. If the fields are open games should take place and will not be made up.

Rescheduling

• The League will not reschedule games for any other reason than weather.  Should you cancel your game you will lose by default.
• We will make up rained out games, but it is the captain’s responsibility to discuss with the opponent when a suitable day/time to make up will be. We do have fields availability on many days and games can be made up on any of these days, as long as both captains must agree.
• Once a date and time have been agreed upon The League should be notified and then we will schedule your game on an available field.
• All games must be made up prior to the final regular season game. If they are not made up before the final game then the score will not count towards the standings.
• If the final regular season games are rained out then the games can be rescheduled but the playoff schedule will be made without it.

Sportsmanship

This is a rec league and we expect all players and teams to have a fun first attitude. To help enforce this style of play we ask all teams to report the sportsmanship rating of the opposing team after every game.

2 – Good, fun spirited team, respected their opposition and made the game enjoyable.
1 – Was not unsportsmanlike, but didn’t go out of their way to make the game enjoyable.
0 – Was not a fun team to play. They made the game less enjoyable and did not respect the opposition.

If a team gets two 0 ratings in one season the league will decide whether the team is fit for this league and may remove them from the schedule.
Any complaints about the opposing team should brought to the attention of The League and be done in a respectful and polite way at the after of the game.

Scores

• Captains are responsible for sending scores and sportsmanship rating following games within 24 hours.
• Captains should confirm scores between each inning.
• Teams are to track both teams scores.
• Not reporting scores will impact your sportsmanship rating and standing in The League.
• If scores are not reported they will not count towards the standings.
• Scores are to be emailed to scores@saskatoonrecleague.com

Refunds
Registration fees are fully refundable, minus a $20 processing fee, up to 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the season. After this, the league assumes you have committed and all fees are non-refundable. We require this time frame in order to create teams and to complete scheduling.