Minor Softball Inter League General Rules

February 2008

For playing rules coaches should refer to Softball Canada’s playing rules for fast pitch and the OASA bylaws. Where there is any discrepancy between Softball Canada and these rules, these Inter League rules take precedence over Softball Canada rules.

In the interest of safety, fair play, sportsmanship and player development, our three area associations have agreed upon the following general rules. These rules apply to all divisions.

For the safety of our players long pants must be worn. Sandals are not permitted. Players not dressed accordingly shall not be permitted to play. Coaches are responsible to ensure players are dressed appropriately to participate in a sports activity.
Players must wear a team jersey and ball cap as issued by their organization in order to play. Players may be removed from the game if not wearing a team jersey and ball cap.
All jewellery must be removed. Umpires will warn the player or coach once, then the offending player will be called out and removed from the game until the jewellery is removed (Medical alert bracelets and necklaces are the only exception).
A minimum of 7 players will constitute a team. There must be 7 players present when the game starts. Less than 7 players will result in a forfeited game. The umpire will announce at the beginning of the game that it is a forfeit. Although a loss will be recorded for the forfeiting team, coaches may agree to borrow/lend players and conduct an unofficial game. Even when a seventh player shows up after the start of the game, it will still be considered a forfeited game. If at any time before or during the game, a team cannot field the minimum 7 players, the game may continue, however, it will be recorded as a forfeit for the affected team. If both teams have less than 7 players, the game will not count and should be rescheduled.
Bats- It is recommended that teams only use the bats supplied by their Association. All bats must be softball bats. Bats may be randomly checked by the umpire and only the umpire has the authority to disqualify any bat and remove it from the game. It is important for safety that children use bats appropriate for their age and size. Adult bats should not be used by children in the house league.
Balls- 11” softballs with 47 core must be used for all games for Jr Mite to Intermediate. Each Association provides regulation softballs for all teams and only these balls should be used for games. Senior division will use a 12” softball with 47 core as provided by the association. Flexi-balls may be used for practices only.
In all divisions, the maximum of 10 defensive players will be allowed on the field. This rule can only be implemented where it is possible for both teams to field 10 players. Where one team cannot field ten players, the maximum number of fielders will be limited to 9.
Game time is 6:30 pm sharp and games shall be completed no later than 8:15pm. No new inning shall begin later than 7:50pm. There is no grace period If either team does not have 7 players at 6:30, the umpire will declare a forfeit for the team not able to field 7 players. In cases where a seventh player shows up after the start of the game, it will still be considered a forfeited game. If both teams have less than 7 players at 6:30, the game will not count and should be rescheduled.
Prior to each game the plate umpire will conduct a plate conference with the coaches of each team to clarify the boundaries of the diamond, confirm the number of fielders allowed and any other rules the umpire feels need to be clarified.
All batters and base runners must wear batting helmets and chinstraps must be secured.
Catchers must wear ALL safety equipment. Equipment will be provided by the local association.
Umpires must wear ALL safety equipment including a chest protector and mask
All players are included in the batting order and there is unlimited substitution in all divisions. Late players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order and may only play if the team has not gone through the complete batting rotation. This includes a 7th player who arrives after the start of the game. The player may be added to the bottom of the batting order, and may play. The game remains a forfeit for the team with insufficient players at the start of the game.
In all divisions the open inning shall be considered the 3rd inning of play
There will be a 5 run maximum for every inning with the exception of the open inning. A 15 run maximum will apply in the open inning with the exception of the seniors.
Regular season games may end in a tie.
In all divisions coaches have the option of substituting for a runner who is scheduled to play catcher in the next inning where there are two outs and the catcher is on base. The substitute runner must be the player who was the second out. This is intended to speed up the games and allow more innings to be played. This is not mandatory and is at the choice of the offensive coach.
Abuse of the umpiring official will not be tolerated. All three associations have agreed to take a no tolerance stand on umpire abuse. Coaches will be held responsible for the actions of themselves, their players, and their fans. The umpire will issue one warning should any inappropriate behavior occur before or during the game. A second offense will result in a forfeited game. There shall be no abuse of the umpires and where there is non-compliance from any member of any team including spectators/fans, the umpire has the authority to declare a forfeit to the offending team.
The decisions of the umpire on the playing field are final. The coach may request brief clarifications, but appeals and arguments are not permitted on the playing field. All protests must be made after the game by notification to the division convenor.
In the event of rain or lightning, the umpire has the authority to suspend play and call the game if necessary. Coaches must mutually agree to call game in the absence of an umpire. In the event of a called game, 3 complete innings shall be considered a game or 21/2 innings if the home team is ahead.
No game can be cancelled except for poor weather conditions or in the event of player shortage. The opposing coach must be notified in the event of player shortage at least three days prior to the game. It will be the responsibility of the home coach to notify the appropriate person so that the umpire can be cancelled and the home team coach must make all arrangements to reschedule the umpires and diamonds if a game is to be rescheduled.
Call-ups may be used for regular season, playoff and championship games if a team has insufficient numbers of players to field a team (less than 9). Coaches may call up players from any house league division below and only to complete a team roster. Call up players will play even if regular team players show up unexpectedly. Call up players must wear their own team jersey to identify them as a registered player. It is not appropriate to call up a player from a lower division for the sole purpose of improving your team.
All game scores must be reported to the league statistician within 48 hours of the game played. Game scores not reported within 48 hours will not be counted and league stats will indicate a game not played.
The home team coach will be responsible for cancellation of a game due to weather. Visiting team coach must be contacted by 5:00 pm (senior games by 7:00 pm) to cancel a game. If no contact is made by the home team coach, the visiting team coach is to assume the game is on and is to show up at the assigned diamond. The umpire has the authority to cancel or call the game at any time he/she feels the diamond is not playable.
Rained out games must be rescheduled by the home team coach and played within a two week period of the rain out. Rained out games not played will result in 0 points awarded to both teams.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

All of the above league rules apply for all championship games with the following exceptions:

Championship games will have a time limit: no new inning to begin after 1 hour 20 minutes unless a tie needs to be broken.
Championship games cannot end in a tie. All ties must be broken. Additional innings will be played until there is a winner. Full innings must be played.
There will be no maximum run limit in any extra innings played to break a tie.
The home team for a championship game will be determined by a coin toss. The coin is tossed by the plate umpire and the call for the toss will be awarded to the team with the highest standing in the league stats.