Region of Peel Employees Baseball League Rules

GENERAL

1. The official rules of the Canadian Amateur Softball Association (Softball Canada) shall govern play, together with the following league rules.

2. All games are to start promptly as noted on the schedule.

1. A forfeit occurs if one team does not have at least 8 players, of which at least 3 must be female, from their roster ready to play 10 minutes after the scheduled start time. combined with the following:

1. In the event that a team can not field 4 eligible females, and is short 1 female, the following will apply:

1. 1. When at bat, the team will begin the inning with an automatic out. At least every third batter will still be required to be an eligible female player (see Rule 16).

   2. When in the field, the team must field the 3 eligible female players and a maximum of 6 male players, regardless of the number of male players available. This will allow a maximum of 9 players on the field.

2. Players arriving after the game has commenced may be inserted into the lineup at any time, provided they are added to the bottom of the batting order.

   NOTE: All players present are eligible to bat, per Rule 15, and adjustment to the batting order is permitted to maintain that at least every third batter must be a female, per Rule 16.

   If neither team has the required number of eligible players, both teams forfeit and the game will not be rescheduled.

3. Games shall be 7 innings or 1.5 hours in length, whichever is the shorter.  The time limit means that the last inning must begin 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the next game (7:20; 8:50).

4. Score sheets signed by the captain of each team must be forwarded to the Commissioner of R.O.P.E. baseball the morning following each game.

5. Protests concerning applicable eligibility and/or rule infractions must be submitted to the Commissioner of R.O.P.E. Baseball. In the absence of a "Commissioner of Baseball" for the League, any protest will be resolved by a designated captains committee. The designated committee members who are not directly involved in the protest will adjudicate all protests throughout the balance of the season.

1. Protests must be submitted in writing prior, or up to, the game of the following week.

2. Upon receipt of an appeal the Commissioner/designated captains committee will notify all parties concerned, in writing, of the substance of the protest and will set a date for a hearing.

3. At the hearing all parties concerned will make orderly presentation to the Commissioner/designated captains committee.

4. After hearing all applicable presentations, the Commissioner/designated captains committee will rule on the protest and the decision shall be final.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

6. Team rosters:

1. Shall be limited to a minimum of 16 players, all of whom may play in a given game. Replacement player(s) may be added to a team's roster during the season due to the loss of a player because of a new job, injury or family/work commitments. No increase, however, is allowed in the size (number of players) of the team's roster. The request, along with the reason, to add the replacement player will be forwarded to the League and all team captains will be so advised.

2. No person may play for a team unless (s)he is listed on the roster of the team.

3. No player may be listed on more than one roster.

4. Each player listed on the roster of a team must sign the master team roster.

The penalty for any violation of this rule is default of the game.

7. Each player on a roster must have paid his/her baseball registration fee and signed the master team roster prior to playing in his/her first game.  All team registration fees and rosters must be submitted to the League prior to the start of the fourth game of the season.  Default will result in the forfeit of the game.

8. Each player on a roster must be a Region of Peel, Region of Peel Police Department, City of Brampton, Children's Aid Society (CAS) or Atlantis Systems International employee, the spouse thereof or child 16 or older thereof, or have played in the league the previous season.

9. In order to be eligible for the playoffs:

1. Players must have played in a least 3 regular season games together with fulfilling the league requirements in rule 6.  The penalty for using ineligible players in the playoffs is default of the game.

2. Any team which defaults more than 3 regular season games shall not be eligible for post-season play, regardless of the place that team finished in the standings.  Such a team will be considered to have finished last for the purpose of determining the teams eligible for the playoffs, and all other teams will advance up one position.

RULES OF PLAY - GENERAL

10. The home team is responsible for providing an umpire for 3.5 innings and the visiting team for 3.5 innings.  If possible, a spectator should be used to umpire the game.

11. The use of baseball shoes with metal cleats is prohibited.  The penalty is suspension of that player from the game.

12. Rules regarding the distance from home plate to first base, third base, and the pitchers mound:

    1. The distance from home plate to first base and from home plate to third base shall be 60 feet (18.3 metres).

    2. The distance from the pitchers mound to home plate shall be 45 feet (13.7 metres) where a pitching rubber is to be located. The pitcher must be contacting or be behind the pitching rubber when releasing a pitched ball.

13. The following rules apply to the double base at first base (Softball Canada 1990 Rule Book):

1. This is a double base used at first base, designed to reduce collisions, tripping and other mishaps that could result in injury.

   The double base is rectangular, with one half white and the other orange.  The white portion is securely fastened in fair territory and the coloured portion securely fastened in foul territory.

2. A batted ball hitting the white portion is declared fair, and a batted ball hitting the orange portion is declared foul.

3. If a pitched ball is hit to the infield, the batter-baserunner must use the coloured portion of the bag.  If a play is made and the batter-baserunner either interferes or makes contact with the defensive player, or slides into first base, the batter-baserunner is out.

4. After over-running the base, when tagging up for a fly ball or on an attempted pick-off play, the batter-baserunner must return to the white portion.

5. On a hit through the infield or directly to the outfield, the batter-baserunner may use either the white or coloured portion of the base.  After passing first base, s(he) must return to the white base when tagging up or retreating to first base.

6. A defensive player must use only the white portion of the base at all times.

7. A defensive player is allowed to tag the runner going to first base in order to achieve the out. The defensive player is not allowed to interfere with the runner advancing down the first base line. If interference occurs, the runner shall automatically be awarded first base.

NOTE: If the ball is hit down the line ahead of the batter-runner and the defensive player fields the ball cleanly in order to tag the runner, the runner is out (even though the fielder is between the base and the runner). This does not constitute interference. If, however, the fielder does not field the ball cleanly and impedes the runner from advancing towards first base in anyway, the runner shall be deemed safe as a result of interference.

14. Rules regarding the commitment line and safe line at home plate:

1. The commitment line is a line parallel to the first base line, drawn through the base line between third base and home plate, 25 feet (7.6 metres) from home plate. The safe line is a line, parallel to the first base line, drawn through the third base corner of home plate to the screen. The purpose of these lines is to reduce collisions, tripping and other mishaps that could result in injury.

2. The baserunner is safe at home by crossing the line before the catcher or any other defensive player, who must be touching home plate, gets possession of the ball.

3. The baserunner is out if s(he) touches home plate.

4. The baserunner is committed to going home if (s)he crosses the commitment line, within 25 feet (7.6 metres) of home plate.  Once committed (s)he is out if (s)he crosses back over the commitment line in an attempt to return to third base.

RULES OF PLAY - BATTING

15. Whether in the field or not, all players in the game bat as listed on the game sheet.

16. At least every third batter must be female. If a team cannot provide a female batter in the proper position in the batting order they will be assessed an out.

17. No male player can bat again until all other players in the lineup have batted. A team may list female players in the batting order more than once to fulfill the gender requirements above. Substitutions into female positions must be made in the order of initial appearance in the batting order so that no female bats twice until all females have batted once and no female bats three times until all females have batted twice.

18. Each batter shall receive a maximum of three pitches. The team at bat supplies its own pitcher.  Any hit ball touched by the pitcher shall result in an out.

19. Pop-ups behind home plate constitute only one strike, even if the ball is caught in the air.

20. Bunting is not permitted. A struck ball in fair territory must travel a minimum of 30 feet (9.1 metres) from the plate. A struck ball travelling less than this distance will be considered a strike and out of play. An arc 30 feet (9.1 metres) from home plate between the first and third base lines will be marked to identify the minimum distance that a fair ball must travel. A struck ball fielded within the 30 ft arc will be considered dead and a strike.

21. Three outs or 5 runs or 10 batters will result in the side being retired.

22. No more than 5 runs may be scored in any half inning except in the seventh inning, which can continue until there are 3 outs or 10 batters. If the home team is losing at the bottom of the seventh inning, it can take its last at bats. The home team does not bat if it is winning at the bottom of the seventh inning.

23. In the seventh inning only, when the tenth batter comes to the plate, the side may be retired by either of the following plays:

1. The batter hits a ball in the air which is caught, or

2. Upon the tenth batter hitting the ball the team in the field may automatically throw the ball to the catcher and only those runs which have scored prior to home plate being touched by the team in the field, while in possession of the ball, shall count.

(NOTE: The umpire will announce the tenth batter when applicable)

24. In the event of a tie:

1. After 7 innings, extra innings shall be played until a winner is determined, or the 1.5 hour time limit expires.

2. If a game is tied after the 1.5 hour time limit has expired the game is over and both teams will be awarded one point in the standings.

25. Runners may advance only on a hit ball.  Any player advancing before a hit ball will be declared out for "leading off".  A player may advance around the bases on the continuous play of a hit ball.  In the event of a fly ball a player must be at or return to the base they were at prior to the hit and remain at such base until the fly ball is caught after which they may leave the base and attempt to advance to the next base.

26. Pinch runners will only be permitted in the event of an injury.  The pinch runner will be the last out of the same sex as they are replacing on base, unless prohibited due to injuries. Any pinch runner who violates this rule shall be declared out by the umpire upon protest to the umpire prior to the next pitch.

27. A player is allowed to hit only one "Over the Fence Home Run" per game. Any subsequent balls hit over the fence during the game by the player will constitute an automatic double.

RULES OF PLAY - FIELDING

28. There shall be no more than 10 players in the field. Each player in the line up must play at least two innings on the field.
    
    At least 4 of the players in the field must be female.  The only exceptions to this rule are; non-enforcement due to injury, or Rule 2(i).  The penalty for intentional violation of this section is default of the game.

29. In the event of an overthrow out of the field of play, the runner will be awarded the base to which (s)he is closest plus one more base.  No play can be attempted on a runner so awarded.

30. No infielders shall encroach on the batter:

1. All infielders must position themselves behind the base lines prior to the ball being hit by the batter.

2. Outfielders, including rovers, must remain stationed on the outfield grass until the ball is hit by the batter.

3. An infraction of the above will result in the batter being safe.

31. On a hit ball, no outfielder (defined as starting position on the grass) shall make a throw directly to first base to record an out of the batter-runner which hit the ball. It is permissible for the outfielder to relay the throw to an infielder in order to record the out legally. However, an outfielder may record an out by throwing directly to first base after the runner has passed and turned towards second OR if a runner fails to tag up on a fly ball per normal rules.

32. Infield Fly Rule: An Infield Fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second, or first, second, and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder that positions himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

NOTE: When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declare, "INFIELD FLY, IF FAIR-THE BATTER IS OUT," for the benefit of the runners. The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or re-touch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared infield fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared infield fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an infield fly.

RAINOUT DETERMINATION & RESULTS

33. As it is recommended that as many games as possible be played in order to avoid scheduling conflicts, the following process and guidelines are to be followed:

1. Each team is required to have one (1) representative, ideally a captain or co-captain (but not mandatory), in attendance immediately prior to their scheduled game to assess ALL field conditions and make a decision regarding the "playability" of EACH field.

(Please refer to the FIELD CONDITION GUIDELINES provided below in order to help assess the field conditions):

1. This applies for each of the 6:00PM, 7:30PM, and 9:00PM games.

2. Each game and time slot are to be assessed independently of each other.

3. All 4 team representatives, from both diamonds of the same time slot, will discuss the condition of BOTH fields and vote on the playability of each field independently of each other.

4. if either field decision results in a tie, the tie-breaker vote will be held amongst ALL the remaining roster players present for each diamond, again, independently of each other (i.e. All players from both diamonds will vote for the RED diamond and then vote separately for the GREEN diamond, if needed).

5. If a tie remains, the field shall be considered UNPLAYABLE (Note: This does not necessarily mean the game will be re-scheduled, this will depend on how many players from each team actually show up for the game).

6. Please refer to the RAINOUT MATRIX (Figures 1.1 & 1.2) below for FINAL GAME OUTCOME RESULTS based on field condition and number of players showing up.

2. 1. 2. Should a game "in-progress" be interrupted by weather to the point of being stopped, that game shall be deemed FINAL if at least 4 full innings have been completed. The FINAL score will be determined based on the score at the close of the last fully completed inning once the minimum of 4 innings has been completed.

      *If possible, it is urged to wait out a weather system in order to complete any games in progress. Captains are to make this determination.

      FIELD CONDITION GUIDELINES

      The following field criteria and subsequent results are to be used as a general guideline for assessing the field playbility. Special circumstances and conditions may apply, as a result, the decision remains up to the ultimate discretion of the team representatives involved in the process.

      1. Excessive (or multiple areas of) standing water on any part of the field ( except the batter's box or any other obvious indentation in the infield surface that would easily accumulate water and can be easily drained), infield or outfield, RESULTS IN THE FIELD BEING UNPLAYABLE.

      2. Any visible sighting of lightning in the immediate area RESULTS IN THE FIELD BEING UNPLAYABLE. It should be noted here, that if the team representatives decide that the storm system may pass quickly, they should try to wait it out in order to still play the game. Ultimately, this is up to their determination based on the weather conditions at that time.

      3. In the event of thick fog, players not able to see the "ball being hit off the bat" OR outfielders not able to see infielders, RESULTS IN THE FIELD BEING UNPLAYABLE. Sometimes play can continue during fog events, but should the fog become sufficiently thick that the above applies and poses a threat to player safety, the play should be suspended.

      FIGURE 1.1 : Field is determined to be PLAYABLE Field is  Playable  Team B # of Players Present 0* <6 6-7 >=8 TEAM A 0* Both Default Team B Wins by Default Team B Wins by Default Team B Wins by Default <6 Team A Wins by Default Both Default Both Default Team B Wins by Default 6-7 Team A Wins by Default Both Default Both Default Team B Wins by Default >=8 Team A Wins by Default Team A Wins by Default Team A Wins by Default Play Ball

      FIGURE 1.2 : Field is determined to be UNPLAYABLE Field is UnPlayable Team B # of Players Present 0* <6 6-7 >=8 TEAM A 0* Both Default Team B Wins by Default Team B Wins by Default Team B Wins by Default <6 Team A Wins by Default Both Default Team B Wins by Default Team B Wins by Default 6-7 Team A Wins by Default Team A Wins by Default Re-schedule Game Re-schedule Game >=8 Team A Wins by Default Team A Wins by Default Re-schedule Game Re-schedule Game

      FINAL STANDINGS TIE-BREAKER RULES

      34. In the event of a tie in the standings at the end of the regular season schedule, the following tie-breaking criteria (in order) will be used to determine the order of final standings and subsequently which team(s) advances to post season play. This assumes everyone has played the same number of games:

      1. Points.

      2. Number of Wins.

      3. Head-to-Head Record.

      4. Run Differential.

      5. A one-game playoff (only if the tie being broken is for first place [Regular Season Champs] or eighth place [Final Playoff Spot]. If not, proceed to (vi)).

      6. Coin Toss.

      Updated: April 19, 2019