Welland District Slo-Pitch Rules
2. Forfeited games - are defined, as a game in which a team can not field a nine player team, either at the game or inside of 48 hrs. notice period required to cancel a game. The guilty team will lose the 2 points and pay a $50.00 fine coming off the performance bond ($15.00 applied to opposing teams' performance bond for umpires, and $35.00 forfeit fine). Performance bond must be replenished prior to next game or umpire will be instructed to not officiate the game.
3. Cancelled games -
3.1) A game cancelled by the league will be done by 5:00 p.m. due to unplayable field conditions. A message stating the field conditions will be e-mailed to the 4 team contacts. A message will also be placed on the hotline and if time allows SCOREBOOK.COM. Unplayable field conditions after 5:00 p.m. will be at the discretion of the umpires. Teams will be e-mailed with cancellations if we are notified by previous playing teams. These games will be rescheduled.
3.2) A game where one team is not be able to field a team on the scheduled date and time. They will notify the scheduler of this prior to the 48 hour notice period as well as notifying the opposing team prior to the 48 hour notice period. The 2 points will be awarded to the opposing team and there will be no fine. This game will not be rescheduled.
4. Complete game - consists of 9 complete innings or curfew. If tied after 9 innings, curfew permitting, 1 extra inning will be played time permitting standard rules apply. In the event of bad weather, 5 complete innings will be considered a complete game. Ties will mean a complete game. Less than 5 innings the game will be rescheduled. Mercy rule: 12 runs ahead anytime after 7 complete innings. *Equal number of bats per SPO rules*.
5. Rescheduled Game - Only these games cancelled by inclement weather conditions or games cancelled by the scheduler due to extenuating circumstances will be rescheduled. We will attempt to give the teams a minimum of 48 hrs. notice and the game must be played.
6. Curfew Time Limit - Curfew is 1 hour and 30 minutes from the first pitch. (Games will be timed from the first pitch unless the teams are delaying the start of the game unnecessarily) No inning will start after 1 hour and 25 minutes. Playoffs will have the same curfew rules. Grace time affects curfew time; grace time used will be deducted from curfew time.
7. Player Additions - Each team is allowed player additions at no cost until Wednesday June 18th, 2014 and any additional player additions at the cost of $35.00 per player until June 26th, 2014.. NO NEW PLAYERS are allowed to be added to your roster after June 27, 2014. The player addition form must be signed by the President at the bottom. The player addition form must be submitted to the president 48 hrs. prior to the player participating in a game. The player must be approved and the form signed prior to the player playing. If the player plays and the team protests the name the team with the illegal player will receive no points for the game. As well, the player and listed team representative will be suspended for one game. Any player leaving one team to play for another must sign the Roster Release Form.
8. Equipment provided by the teams - Permanent bases are provided at all diamonds for league play. Home team must provide one good used ball and one new ball. The visiting team will provide nothing. If the scheduled home team does not have the equipment they will lose home field advantage. The visiting team will then provide the necessary equipment. If you are home team where the diamond provides permanent bases, the first scheduled home team will be responsible for placing the bases and the mat and the last scheduled home team for the diamond is responsible for placing them back in the enclosed light houses. They will have to cap the spikes for each base. Should the scheduled home team neglect to do this they will be fined the cost of replacing the bases and/or mat. This fine will be payable prior to the next game played or it will be a forfeit and subject to forfeit fines. This will continue until all fines are paid in full. This cost is $350.00.
9. Game Times - as per your schedule provided from WDSPLI.
10. Lights on - Umpires will determine when the lights are to be turned on. The scheduled home team is responsible for turning on the lights. The last scheduled home team is still responsible for turning out the lights and locking up the lighthouses.
11. Divisional Standings - All winning teams are to submit a score report via email to Norma McPherson via email with the information in rule #12, these reports must be submitted immediately after the game. Scores may also be texted. These reports are to be filed to the league secretary within 48 hrs. of the scheduled start time of the game. Scores submitted after the 48 hr. period will not be accepted. Neither team will be awarded points. NO REPORT, NO POINTS.
12. Procedure for reporting game as follows: -
1) Teams playing
2) Diamond
3) Date and Time
4) Winning team
5) Score
Example: Bulls vs. Falcons @ Plymouth Park, Mon. May 2nd, 7:45 p.m. Bulls win 15 - 9
13. Playing rules will be in accordance with the SPO 2007 Hand Book with the exception of the following rules: -
A. Male players can only play on one men's team. If you play coed and men's, you can only play on one of each.
B. Short Handed Rule: Teams may start a game with a minimum of nine (9) players. However, an out shall be declared when the tenth position in the line-up is scheduled to bat. Any team that starts a game with ten or more players may drop to the minimum of nine players to finish the game. All vacant spot(s) in the line-up will be declared an out every time that line-up position is due to bat. The next batter will be the next same sex player in the batting order. Coed refers to Rule #425. If the 10th player arrives prior to the start of the fourth inning he/she may be inserted into the 10th spot in the batting order. A team may not add extra player(s) at a later time. Any player that leaves the game for any reason may not return to the game. If a player is ejected from the game for any reason leaving the team with less than nine players, the ejected player's team must have a substitute available to replace the ejected player or that team will forfeit the game. If a team starts with 10 players and 1 is ejected, that spot in the batting order is declared an out. Exception: A player, who has left the game under the blood rule, may return.
C. Teams not having enough players to start the game at the scheduled time can use the Gentlemen's option #1 as written in subsection #29 or use a 10 minute grace period. You cannot use both. If you use the grace period and the team player does not show up, the game is forfeited.
D. Sliding is allowed across the safe line only in the men's division.
E. No tagging between the commitment line and the safe line.
F. 3 home run limit Men's Division 1 and 2. Two home run limit for Men's Division 3 and 4. Co-ed 2 home run maximum on all fenced parks no designated home-run hitter.
G. No player will be allowed to play in a division that is not in their ranking. Meaning no men ranked A, B and/or C playing in our Div. 1 may drop down and play Men's Rec. Same rule applies to women with higher rankings. Players are only allowed to drop 1 division.
14. Umpire fees - they are $32.00/game, $16.00 per team per game. $50.00 for 2 man system. Umpire fees are to be paid prior to the start of the season or in 2 payments. Payment is due April 24, 2013 with 2nd payment due June 13, 2013 (full payment can be made in April). Teams that have not made these commitments will not be allowed to continue play.
15. NO alcoholic beverages allowed in the parks. -
16. Playoff Rule - There will not be a minimum of 48 hours required notice for a team to be given their game time. You will have to play at the time and date given to you or you will forfeit. There is no discussion about this rule.
17. Banned Bats - WDSPLI will use their discretion in regards to the bats allowed and not allowed to be used. Any bat banned by SPO will not be allowed to be used during any game played under WDSPLI jurisdiction in league or tournament play.
18. Age restrictions - They may participate at the age of 16 with parental consent and a signed letter stating that the parents are aware and take full and complete responsibility for any injury or liability that may be incurred to the player or other players of WDSPLI. This parental consent must be handed in prior to the season's start. A copy of this letter must be with the player or teams at all times during play. Any player playing on any team at any time for WDSPLI is required to be a minimum of 16 years of age. Players are not eligible to participate until they reach the age of 16.
19. Strict adherence to the 2011 Code of Conduct will be enforced. -
20. Game suspensions - Any player ejected from a league game will automatically be suspended from their next scheduled game to be played. The offending player will also pay a $10.00 fine to the charity fund created by the executive, e.g., 1st game $10.00, 2nd game $20.00, 3rd game $30.00. This fine must be paid before the offending player can play again (can be deducted from performance bond). Future opposition will be informed of the ejection. If they do not abide by this ruling they will be suspended for 3 additional games. If a player is ejected from a game it is the responsibility of both team reps to report this to the President via email with a written report. If the offending team rep does not report the ejected player he/she will receive a 3 game suspension. The team rep is ultimately responsible for their team therefore it is their responsibility to ensure the suspended not play. Further suspensions will occur if violated. Players can not appeal to this decision. All ejections will be reviewed by the President and Vice-president. Teams have 24 hours to report ejections to the President. All ejections accompanied by an umpires report will result in the immediate indefinite suspension of the offending player. This suspension will be reviewed by the President and any further actions will be taken.
21. Games can only be worth 2 points - 1 game = 2 pts. Playoffs are first team to pre-set point's total (to be decided at the playoff meeting).
22. Man Rule - Teams are also permitted to have one player designated who gets a free runner every time they are on base that is not counted against the three. This rule shall be known as the "Man Rule". This player is to be identified the first time a runner is used for him. Coed will be allowed to use 1 male and 1 female for the man rule. Man Rule applies to a batting position.
23. Coed substitution rule - Women are allowed to substitute for men. Men are not allowed to substitute for women (with one exception to follow). If at the beginning of the game there are more females than males please refer to coed 3-pitch rule unequal batting order. If a female substitutes for a male during the game there can be 3 females batting in order. This position remains a male position which means that the male may re-enter or another male may substitute for that position.
24. Coed 9-player Rule - Minimum 4 women in the batting order, 10th batter is an out, cannot walk 9th batter to get the third out. In only this situation will you have two males back-to-back as an out will have occurred between them.
25. Coed 10-Player Rule -
Option 1
5 males 5 females can have extra batters either male or female must use 3-pitch alternating batting order as written in SPO handbook.
Option 2
6 males 4 females must use a 9 player defense. 5 males and 4 females must defense but all 10 may bat offensively, the 3-pitch alternating batting order must be used. If the 5th female arrives before the completion of the third inning, then that female can be added to the order allowing a 10 player defense, teams must continue with the alternating batting order. If there are more than 6 males then teams may use the extra batter rule and must use the 3-pitch alternating batting order as written in SPO handbook.
Option 3
Teams with more females than males to start the game with either 9 or 10 must use the 3-pitch alternating batting order. Males arriving prior to the completion of the third inning can be added to the order but teams must continue with the 3-pitch batting order.
26. Coed Extra batter Rule - Teams with more females than males or more males than females can use the 3-pitch alternating batting order. This will allow teams to use all players offensively. Any player who arrives after the completion of the third inning can only be used as a substitute player.
27. Gentlemen's Rule Shorthanded players -
27.1) for men's or coed, the opposing team has the option of lending the short handed team a player. This is only so the game can be played. A PROTEST WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR AN ILLEGAL PLAYER IN THIS CASE.
27.2) (new for 2011) for men's or coed, If a team knows in advance of the start of a game that they will be shorthanded they may ask a player from a division of the same caliber or lower to play for them. This player must be a signed member in good standing of Welland District Slo-pitch League. The opposing team must be presented with this player as a non-roster player, and give approval for this player to participate in the game. This is only so the game can be played. The approved player must be identified on both score sheets and signed by the umpire in charge. A PROTEST WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR AN ILLEGAL PLAYER IN THIS CASE.
27.3) The Gentlemen's rule is not eligible for use during the playoffs.
28. Affiliates rule -
28.1) A team from WDSPLI may affiliate 2 players (no more than one (1) player per lower caliber roster) from within WDSPLI, who are registered on an approved electronic roster. These players must be eligible and in good standing with WDSPLI. A player is only permitted to participate as an affiliated player with one (1) WDSPLI team of a higher division or category during the regular season (not eligible or for use during playoffs). Players will not be assigned without informing the management of the team with whom they are officially registered and the approval of the President of WDSPLI. A player shall not be approved after May 31.
28.2) any player participating in a game as an affiliated player must be indicated on the score sheet having "AP" beside their name. Appearance on the score sheet shall be considered participation in the game. Affiliate players are not required to report to the opposing team as they will have already been approved for participation.
28.3) Players designated as affiliated players will be identified on SCOREBOOK.COM electronic roster with the terms "affiliate" on the higher teams' roster and "registered "on the lower teams' roster. Players identified as affiliate players will not be registered with Slo-pitch Ontario as a member of the higher teams' roster but only with the lower teams' roster.
28.4) Affiliate players are only eligible during the regular season play.
29) New for Men's Division 1 - All Batters start with a (1) Ball (1) strike count