League Rules

 

Hamilton Mountain Slo Pitch League

2024 League Rules 


PLAYER CONDUCT RULE

 

This is a recreational league designed for all participants to have fun and to enjoy the sport of slo pitch.  All members and spectators of the HAMILTON MOUNTAIN SLO PITCH LEAGUE will be expected to act in a mature and responsible manner.  If in the opinion of the umpire, league convener or designate, a particular player or spectator fails to uphold this rule through their actions, the player may be removed from the game.  That player must leave the park immediately and will not be permitted to play in any league games until a review is completed by the league convener.  

Spectators are the responsibility of the league participant and may be asked to leave the park.  A spectator or player that refuses to leave the park and causes delay to a game will result in a forfeit to the offending team.

  

Good luck to all players, and please maintain respect for the league, participants, the facility, and all involved with our organization.

 

ROSTERS & WAIVERS

  1. Official Roster/Waiver must be submitted prior to the first game of the season for insurance reasons.

  2. Players may not participate in a game unless they have signed the Roster/Waiver.

    • Players joining a team after the first week may be added registration/waiver form and the form must be re-submitted.

  3. A maximum of 26 players are permitted on the roster.

  4. A person can be registered and play for only one team in this league per season.  

  5. All games that an ineligible player plays will be forfeited to the opposing team.

  6. Players must play a minimum of 6 games to be eligible for the playoffs.  Exceptions may be requested in advance and allowed the convener’s discretion.

  7. All players must be in uniform Team Shirts. 

TEAM DEPOSIT

  1. Each team is required to submit a $75 deposit as part of their team registration.  This deposit will be refunded in full provided that no penalties are applied to a team.  

NUMBER OF PLAYERS

  1. Games should be played with 10 players, consisting of a maximum of 6 males on the field.

    • Each team will field nine players at the traditional positions, with the 10th player in a rover position in the outfield.  

  2. Playing with less than 10 players:

    • An out is recorded every time the 9th and 10th batters are scheduled at bat.

    • 7 players or less will result in a forfeit.

    • Teams may borrow players from another team to reach a maximum of 9 players.  This should be recorded on the game sheet.  A team may do this no more than 3 times per season.

    • If a team has 8 players, it may request from the opposing team a player to serve as catcher.  The catcher will not participate in play other than returning the ball to the pitcher.  

  3. A minimum of 4 females must be in the line-up.  The game may be played as an official game if the team arrives with only 3 females, but the team must play short 1 player in the field, and an out will be recorded any time that female would be scheduled to bat.  Any less than 3 females, at any point in the game, will result in an automatic default.

    • Please see Batting Rules listed below for details regarding rotational batting order.

 

SCHEDULE

  1. A default will occur regardless of the amount of notice given to the convener if a team is unable to field a full team on any given date on the schedule.  

  2. A 5-minute grace period will be given if a team has fewer than 8 players at the scheduled start time.  Otherwise, the team will forfeit the 2 points to the opposition for the victory.  This grace period will be considered the start of the game time.

  3. All games are 7 innings in length, or 75 minutes, whichever comes first.  

 

Game Start Time

No New Inning After

Game End Time

6:00 

7:10

7:15
7:20 8:30 8:35

 

RAIN OUTS & INCLEMATE WEATHER

 

The City of Hamilton may, at time, close diamonds.  A link is provided on the league website to check diamond closures.

 

Prior To Game

The league facebook page will be updated and the Team Captains will be notified by 5:00 p.m. by the convener in the case of a rainout.  It is in your team’s best interest that the contact information provided on your registration form is current and a person is available to accept the call/text or email.  If there is no call made, teams should consider the game as scheduled, with the playing/delay/postponement being at the umpire’s discretion once arriving at the park. Teams should also consult the City of Hamilton Diamond Closure page.

 

During Game 

An umpire may call a game in process due to; threatening weather, field conditions, or darkness.

 

In this case, 4 complete innings will constitute a complete game, with the final official score being at the end of the last completed inning.  If 4 innings are not played, the game will be rescheduled or continued at the next possible date, at the convener’s discretion.

 

Rescheduled games due to weather will often be played on Tuesday nights in the second game timeslot at Eleanor Park.

  • Special 10 minute delay will be permitted to allow for travel between diamonds when a team is already playing at Bobby Kerr in time slot one.

  • To the best of the convener’s ability 2 weeks notice will be provided. Notice will be sent via email or text, and will be posted to the league FB Page and website. If a team cannot field a team on that re-scheduled date, then the game will be considered a forfeit regardless of the amount of notice given.

 

FORFIETS

  1. In the event that a team will not be able to field a team, the league convener must be notified by phone, email or text so that the umpire and opposing team can be contacted.

  2. No notice, or notice given inside of 24 hours will result in a $25 penalty which will be drawn from the team deposit.

THE GAME

 

Roster

  • All players in attendance and appearing in the line up must bat.  

  • Players do not have to field to bat.  

Players Arriving Late

  • Players who arrive late and were not listed in the batting order may be added provided that the batting order has not completed a rotation
  • Players who are listed in the batter order but are not present, will be counted as an out to maintain their position in the batting order or moved to a new position in the batting order (provided that the batting order has not completed a rotation),  or scratched from the line up (therefore are not eligible to play).

  • If a team has only 3 females, an out is recorded each time the 4th female is scheduled to bat; the following  batter shall be next male due up.  If a team is short players (8 or 9) but has the required number of females, then an out is recorded each time the 10th (or 9th and 10th) batter is scheduled to hit.

Commitment Line: A commitment line will be drawn by the umpire half way down from 3rd base to home plate, parallel to the scoring line. Once a player has crossed this line they have committed to going home.  An out will be called if the runner returns pass the line toward 3rd base.

 

Scoring Line: A scoring line will be drawn by the umpire at home plate.  To score the runner must cross the line without touching or jumping over the board.  Touching the board will result in an automatic out.  No tag can be made between the commitment line and home plate.  (Force out at home at all times).  If a tag is made, the runner will be declared safe, and the run will count.

 

Encroachment Rules:  Outfielders may not move into the infield until the ball has been hit, and is in play.  Infielders may not encroach upon the batter, and must remain behind the baselines until the ball is in play.

 

Mercy Rule:  After 6 scored runs, the inning will be declared a mercy and the fielding team will now take their next turn at bat. This rule does not apply during the final at bats for both teams and will be managed at the umpires discretion during games called for time or weather.

 

Injured Players: Injured players should also be listed on the game sheet with the date of the injury in order for these players to be given credit as games played.  

 

HOME TEAM:

  • is responsible for setting bases marked 60 feet apart and foul line cones placed in the outfield under the umpires direction

  • shall take the 3rd base bench  

  • shall provide a game ball

  • is responsible for notifying the convenor of the game result either by text, or email within 24 hours. 

  • Score books will be used for tracking player attendance and participation.  Injured players should be noted as such for game credit.  

  • In the event that a score is not reported, and a game sheet is not available at the time of a standings report to confirm the results, the visiting team will be awarded 2 points for the victory

  • For double headers, the home team for game 1 will leave their bases set up for game 2.

 

VISITING TEAM:

  • shall provide a second gently used game ball

  • shall occupy the 1st base line bench

 

SCOREKEEPING

  1. It is the responsibility of both teams, using the scorebook provided, to track each at bat for their own team.

  2. The scorekeeper for each team will check with the opposing scorekeeper after each inning ensuring agreement on the number of runs scored.

  3. It is the responsibility of the HOME TEAM to track each at bat for the VISITNG TEAM, making this the official game record.

    • Should the HOME team not have extra players or spectators who are able to act as a responsible scorekeeper, then the teams shall agree prior to the start of the game that the VISITING TEAM will track all at bats for BOTH Teams (should they have extra players or spectators) making this the official results.

      • If neither team has extra players or spectators each team will be responsible for tracking their own score and the home team’s results shall be ruled official.

SAFETY

Hamilton Mountain Slo Pitch League will permit the use of any softball bat that does not exceed the legal limit as per the USSA Bat Certification program.  Be sure you know where your new "legal looking" bat has come from. Some illegal bats are being repainted or 'doctored' and sold as "legal" bats. These bats can be dangerous and if someone was injured by one of these altered bats, the batter, and the person repainting/selling it, may be liable and any liability insurance they have could be null and void. Ignorance of where a bat came from or that is has been altered is not an excuse. This also means one should be careful when borrowing a teammate's bat unless you know for sure it is a legal bat. For reference, anyone purchasing a new model bat should make sure it has the new "USSSA BPF 1.20" (Thumbprint) logo on it. 

  • Sliding is permitted, though overly aggressive sliding as determined by the umpire may fall under the Player Conduct Rule.

  • On an initial play when a ball is hit into the outfield by a batter, no fielder may (under any circumstances) attempt to throw out the runner attempting to achieve first base.  

  • Should the runner round second in an attempt to reach it, then retreat back to first, a throw may be attempted by any fielder. 

  • A fielder may attempt a throw on a caught fly ball in attempt to throw out the runner on first tagging up on the play.

  • A hit ball may not be relayed into first.

  • The intention of this rule is to minimize the number of overthrown balls to first base that strike the runner.
  • Players may elect to wear protective equipment including but not limited to; shin pats, batting helmets, face shields.

Jewelry: There is a NO jewelry rule in effect (with the exception of Medical Alert) and will be addressed at the umpire’s discretion.

 

Health & Wellness: Each individual is responsible for monitoring their own health & well-being before participating in each scheduled activity.  Individuals who are injured, recovering from injury or have signs, symptoms or have recently been exposed to an infectious disease should not attend or participate in league activities.  The league is not responsible for regulating the health and well-being of participants or spectators. 

 

PITCHING

  1. The pitcher must pitch from a distance of at least 46 feet but no more than 50 feet from home plate.

  2. The pitcher may stand up to a maximum of 2.5' to either side of the centre line between home plate and second base. 

  3. Pitches must have a minimum height of 6 feet, and a maximum of approximately 12 feet. 

  4. Home Plate will be a ¾” plywood base, three (3’) by two (2’) feet.


BATTING

  1. Batter order is determined at the teams discretion but no more than 2 males may bat consecutively.

  2. A batted ball that makes contact with home plate is in play unless it travels to foul territory.

  3. Bunting is not permitted.  A deliberate bunt will result in a dead ball with the batter declared out.

  4. The infield fly rule will be in effect for all games.

  • An infield fly is a fairly batted ball, not a line drive, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second, or first second and third bases are occupied with less than two out.  

  1. One foul ball is allowed on a 3rd strike.  A strikeout is recorded if a 2nd foul is hit (Strike 4).

  2. When ANY BATTER (male or female) receives an intentional walk (determined as 4 straight balls in pitches 1-4), they are awarded second base and the following batter may take an award of first base, or they may take their turn at bat.  If one or more strikes are pitched prior to the batter being walked, they will be awarded first base only, with the following batter taking the next scheduled at bat. This applies regardless of the batting rotation selected.

  3. A foul ball that is caught by the catcher must have traveled at least the height of the batter to rule as an “out”.

  4. If any player bats out of order, that batter will be called out.  This rule will come into effect after the first pitch to the batter (but prior to the 2nd) has been thrown.

  5. Batted balls that cross the path or outfield hill at Eleanor Park in the air, shall be deemed a home run.  Batted balls that cross the path or travel up the hill bouncing or rolling shall be ruled a ground rule double.

BASE RUNNERS

  1. Base runners that come into contact with a hit ball in fair territory are called out unless they are in contact with a base in which case they are an extension of the base and play continues.

  2. Anticipation is permitted when the ball is crossing the plate within the swing zone.  This means that a player on base may step off the bag, anticipating that the batter will attempt a swing and make contact with the ball.  If no contact is made they must return to the base.  They may not be tagged out on a throw to the base.

OUT OF  BOUNDS

  1. Out of bounds territory will be marked by an imaginary line directly from last fence post towards foul territory in the outfield, and will be described by the umpire to the team captains prior to the start of each game.  

  2. On an overthrow by the fielding team, which travels out of bounds, the runner will advance to the base he/she is approaching plus one additional base. On an overthrow that stays in bounds, the ball is alive, and the runner may take as many bases as possible.  If the ball hits the out of bounds marker/pylon/fence, or other objects, the ball is alive and the runner can advance at his/her own risk.

  3. Any player can overrun 1st base.  If a player runs to the left he/she is live, and can be tagged out.  The first baseman must use the white bag only or the runner is automatically safe. On infield hits, the runner must use the orange safety bag on all singles or the runner will be declared out.


MISCELLANEOUS

  1. Injury Runners:  A team with an injured player (limited ability to fully participate in the game) may be declared as such at the start of the game and marked on the game sheet and in the batting order.  This player will take their regularly scheduled at bats but is limited to achieving first base only.  A runner may be substituted.  This runner can be any player listed in the batting order.  Males run for males, ladies run for ladies. Any player in the batting order may be declared the runner.  Players may only run once until each player in the batting order has be called as a substitute runner.

  2. Courtesy/Pinch Runners: Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 courtesy runners per game.  Males may run for males, ladies for ladies.  A batter must reach 1st base, but is not limited to only 1st, on his/her own accord prior to being replaced with a pinch runner.  This runner can be any player listed in the batting order.  Males run for males, ladies run for ladies. Any player in the batting order may be declared the runner.  Players may only run once until each player in the batting order has be called as a substitute runner.

  3. All bats, gym bags, balls, gloves and other equipment must be kept inside the dug out or behind fencing.

  4. There is a ZERO ALCOHOL Policy in effect on the bench and for active players in the game.  A team will receive one warning if a player is consuming alcohol or believed to be intoxicated.  An immediate rejection from the game will follow the warning.

  5. Smoking at the park is also not permitted as per the City of Hamilton by-law 11-080.


CALLS MADE BY THE  UMPIRE

 

Ground rules should be covered at the start of each game.  

 

In game rule disputes;

  1. Prior to approaching an umpire, the team captain shall refer to the rules of play.  Only the team captain or alternate will discuss any ill-applied rules of baseball with the umpire in a respectful sportsmanlike manner.

  2. An umpire may alter a call.

  3. Any judgment call will remain as called by the umpire.  

 

Any questions with regards to rules, play, or calls which are not controversial can wait until after the game, if time permits, or prior to the next game.

 

Anything not covered in these rules will be decided upon by the umpire during play, or league convener.

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