ELIGIBILITY…
Players must be 45 years of age by December 31st of the applicable playing year. Each team will be allowed a maximum of 5 players between the age of 40 – 45.

TEAM ROSTERS…
1. Each team will submit a preliminary roster to the league by the First League game. Only players appearing on the team roster and having played at least one-third of the league games will be eligible to play in the Black & Blue wind up tournament.
2. There is no limit to the number of players on a team roster. Insurance?

PLAYING RULES…
1. It will be the responsibility of each team manager/representative to inform his players of all team and playing rules of the South Hill Old Boys’ Slo-Pitch League.
2. All play will be governed by the Canadian Amateur Softball Association (C.A.S.A.) and Slo-Pitch National Softball Inc. (SPN), Official Slo-Pitch Softball Rules, with the following exceptions:
a) A minimum of eight (8) players is required to start a game. A ninth (9th) or tenth (10th) player from another team can be picked up at the park. If a late player(s) from the short-handed team arrives, the pick-up player(s) is dropped. The pick-up player(s) may play any position except pitcher and must bat last and second last.
b) Minimum uniform requirements are a baseball shirt with a matching hat. No cut-offs and no jeans.
c) Baseball shoes: no metal spikes allowed.
d) Game time is forfeit time.
e) Each team must keep proper records in a regular softball score book for league tournament and/or playoff eligibility.
f) An umpire who understands the game and who is willing to take an active part to get into position to make the proper call, will be supplied from a non-playing team for each league game (as per the printed schedule). No abuse of umpires will be tolerated. Any abuse should be reported to the league executive and the board of governors.
g) One new ball & one reasonable back-up ball will supplied by the league for each new game.
h) A mat, two (2) feet by three (3) feet will be used to call strikes and balls. The top portion of the mat to be positioned over, and in line with, the front of home plate. The measurement for the pitching rubber will be fifty (50) feet from the rear corner of home plate to the front edge of the pitching rubber. However, in accordance with SPN rules, the pitcher will be allowed to pitch a ball, either from the pitching rubber or anywhere from within a two (2) foot wide zone located between the pitching rubber from 50 to 65 feet from the rear corner of home plate.
i) There are no substitution limitations… A team may bat as many players as it wishes. However, a team’s batting order must be followed throughout the game, unless a substitute replaces a player. When this occurs, the substitute must take the turn at bat of the player he replaces in the original batting order.
j) Each batter starts his turn at bat with a one (1) ball and one (1) strike count.
k) A Double-Base will be used at first base with the white portion securely fastened in fair territory and the orange portion securely fastened in foul territory. The following rules apply to the use of the Double Base: A batted ball hitting any part of the white portion is a fair ball. If it hits completely on the orange portion, it is a foul ball. If a play is being made at first base on a ball hit to the infield, the batter/baserunner’s first attempt at touching first base must be to the orange portion of the base, otherwise he will be called “out”. A defensive player shall only use the white portion of first base at all times. Once a baserunner has attained first base he must them use the white portion of the base. This includes after over-running first base; after rounding first base; when tagging up; and, when returning to first base as a result of a pick-off attempt. Effect – if the baserunner uses the orange portion at any time after his first attempt at first base and is not in contact with the white portion, then he is considered to be out if tagged or leading off.
l) Force Plays… baserunners must not intentionally interfere with the play. Specifically, in double play situations, where it is most likely that the lead baserunner will be forced out, it is the lead baserunner’s responsibility to make an honest attempt to get out of the way so not as to impede the continuation of the double play. Should interference arise, in the opinion of the umpire, the double play will be deemed to have been completed. However, in the event that the baserunner “gives himself up” on what appears to be a most likely force play and an error is committed nullifying the force, the baserunner will be deemed “safe” and awarded the base. On close plays, baserunners do have the option of sliding to the base, but may not intentionally slide into a defensive player.
m) No Stealing, No Lead-Offs. If a baserunner fails to keep contact with the base to which he is entitled until a pitched ball has bounced in front of, reached or passed home plate or is batted, the ball is immediately dead, “No Pitch” is called and the baserunner is declared out. Baserunners who have left the base legally (after a pitched ball has bounced in front of, reached or passed home plate) but the ball has not been hit, are not declared out, but must immediately return to their base and the ball is dead.
n) Home Plate Rule… All plays at home plate are force outs. A baserunner who has stepped over and touched the ground on or past the commitment line between third base and home plate (twenty (20) feet up the third base line from the closest corner of home plate) must continue on towards home plate. The catcher cannot tag the runner out once he has passed the commitment line, but must be in control of the ball with some portion of himself or the ball touching the home plate mat prior to the runner stepping down on or past the imaginary scoring line that extends out from the plate in line with first base. If the baserunner makes contact with the catcher while the catcher is in contact with the home plate mat, the baserunner will be called “out”. If there is clear intent by the baserunner to make contact with the catcher, the baserunner is “out”, he will be ejected from the game and will be subject to a suspension. The baserunner must never touch the home plate mat under any circumstances. The baserunner is “out” if he touches the home plate mat even after a home run.
o) When a ground rule double occurs a baserunner will advance two (2) bases from the base that he was on when the ball was pitched.
p) Courtesy Runners…In the case of an injury to a baserunner, a courtesy runner is eligible to run in his place. Courtesy runners may not be used to run for an injured player from home plate to first base. Courtesy runners may be used for a runner at first base or second base. If an injury occurs during base running, the player may be substituted at any base. The last available player in the batting order may be used as a courtesy runner or any player on the roster not currently in the batting order; however, the same player may only be used once per inning.
q) There will be a maximum of five (5) runs per inning per team with the exception of the last inning, which is open.
r) Games are scheduled for seven (7) innings with a one hour and ten minute time limit per game. An inning must be completed before a game is ended by the time limit. No new inning will be started if there is less than 10 minutes of playing time remaining. League games that end in a tie will be finalized as a tie. Warm-ups and infields will not be allowed after the first inning. A continuing pitcher will be allowed a maximum of 3 practice throws after the first inning.
s) A minimum of five (5) innings constitutes an official game.
t) Flip Flop Rule…In the event that at the end of the sixth (6th) inning the home team is ten (10) or more runs behind, they will become the visiting team and will bat first in the seventh (7th) inning.
u) Every effort will be made to play all games. The rescheduling of rainouts is the responsibility of the teams affected. The determination of an official rainout is the responsibility of the manager of league operations. Rescheduling of league games must be done in concert with league operations and scheduling. If any game is not played due to rain or mutual decision of the two (2) teams, no points may be awarded or claimed.
v) Any team failing to field a team for two (2) weekends during the season will be automatically fined and may be subject to expulsion from the league.
w) Unsportsmanlike conduct from a team, team member or fans will be reviewed and acted upon by the league executive and the board of governors.
x) Fighting will result in automatic expulsion from the league.
y) Home Run Rule… Consistent with SPN rules, each player is allowed an unlimited number of homeruns per game provided that, at the time he hits the ball out of the park his team is less than 2 homeruns ahead of its opposition. A team can be a maximum of 2 homeruns ahead of its opposition at any time. Any ball hit over the fence by a player, which does not comply with the foregoing, shall be deemed a strike. Inside-the-park homeruns are exempt from this rule. In the event that there is a runner(s) on base, representing the fifth run in a non-open inning, and the ball is hit out of the park, the following applies: the batter will be credited with a strike if his team is ahead by 2 homeruns or, if his team is not ahead by 2 homeruns, the hit will be counted as a home run for the Home Run Rule purposes, even though the batter for scoring purposes will only be credited with the appropriate base hit that would force in the 5th run. A team may not score more than 5 runs per non-open inning (see rule 2Q). It is the responsibility of both teams playing to keep the umpire informed of the homerun status of the game.

3. VIOLATIONS…
a) Not providing an umpire when it is your team’s turn as per the schedule.
b) Where applicable, not setting up or taking down the field equipment when it is your team’s responsibility.
c) Not having a team representative at a league meeting and on the board of governors.
d) Not having enough players (minimum 8) to start a game.

4. FINES…
Every violation is subject to a fine of $25.00 that will be drawn from a teams $150 performance bond. The first violation is not charged. After 3 fines the team in violation will be asked to replenish its performance bond to the $150 level. This must be done within forty-eight (48) hours of the 3rd violation with payment being delivered to the league’s secretary-treasurer.

5. BAT ELIGIBILITY…
All composite bats plus the Worth PST are banned from use. This will be on the honour system and umpires are requested to remind teams of this league decision. If a team is uncomfortable with a bat being used by the other team, it will be removed from that game upon request. If a team feels the bat is legal, the team must request a ruling from the league executive. Please do not hold up games for the use of a particular bat. Remember this rule is in place to protect the safety of all players.

6. League Dispute Committee. Each year three representatives from different teams will be chosen (elected) to deal with any disputes arising during the season.
Representatives are:
Tom Lewis, Buzz
Frank Price, Rowdies
Ray (Radar) Durante, Firemen

(revised MARCH, 2010)