1. All games will be regulation, seven inning games, with no new innings after 1 hour, 45 minutes, unless the following occurs:
- Mercy Rule: One team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 5 innings or any complete inning thereafter;
- Weather and/or light does not permit (umpire's discretion);
- If the game is tied after the time limit expires, international rules apply. (1 extra inning will be played).
2. Games are to start at their scheduled time. Players should allow enough time to warm up, and, if home team, to set up the diamond prior to game time. A team is allowed a 15-minute grace period if waiting for players to show up in order to make a legal team (see rule 3).
3. Teams are to field 9 registered players (6 & 3). A legal team can consist of 8 players (6 & 2, 5 & 3). The 9th batter will be an automatic out until the position is filled. There must be a minimum of 2 female players on the field at all times, and no more than 6 male players at anytime.
4. The home team is responsible for providing a new ball and back-up ball; and setting up the diamond (drag/rake infield, measure and install bases, pitching rubber, and place foul line markers) as follows:
- base paths are 60’ from the back of home plate to the far edges of 1st and 3rd bases. 2nd base is 84’ 10 1/4" from the back of the plate to the center of the base.
- the pitcher's rubber is 43’ from the back of home plate to the front of the rubber.
- the visiting team is responsible for dragging the complete infield after each game.
5. Complete (first & last names) line-ups must be provided to the plate umpire and the opposing team prior to the game.
6. Pitchers will be allowed to throw 5 pitches at the start of the first inning, and 3 pitches every inning after.
7. Batting helmets are required from dugout to dugout. All helmets (except the catcher's helmet) must have double ears. This is mandatory due to insurance regulations.
8. Throat protectors, masks and helmets are mandatory for catchers, including during warm-up.
9. There must be a batter on deck before the batter enters the batter's box. If not, the on-deck batter may be called out.
10. There can be no substitutions of males for females except when starting with more than 3 females.
11. The infield fly rule is in effect.
12. Bunting is allowed. If a bunt is foul on the third strike, the batter is out. Slash bunts are not allowed.
13. No metal cleats allowed. Metal toe protectors may be worn by pitchers and must conform to Softball Canada regulations.
14. Third strike rule: the batter becomes a base runner if the catcher fails to catch the 3rd strike before the ball touches the ground, if there are less than 2 outs and first base is unoccupied, or any time there are 2 outs.
15. Lead-offs are allowed once the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
16. Stealing is allowed.
17. Teams should be familiar with obstruction rules and interference rules as outlined in the Softball Canada Rule Book (fast pitch rules).
18. Jewelry(rings, watches and necklaces) must be removed before the game, with the exception of earrings and other facial jewelry. Earrings and facial jewelry should be removed or covered with tape, but players should use their own discretion in this area. If an umpire feels that any jewelry is a danger to other players, they may enforce the covering of that jewelry if it can’t be removed.
19. No smoking on the field during warm-ups or games.
20. Dugouts and parks are to be left clean after each game.
21. The winning team is to report the score, as well as the number of umpires, to the League Scorekeeper within 48 hours. If a team does not report a score within the 48 hours, they may lose a point. Scores can be updated by the winning team on the league website.
22. Banned bats are as per the banned bat list (ASA Non-Approved Bat List) used by Softball BC. Bat approval and restrictions will be handled by the assigned Bat Committee (Booker is the contact). If there is a request to restrict or add a bat it must be presented to the Bat Commmittee, giving a week notice for a decision. Use of a banned bat during a game will result in an ejection from the game for the player and the coach. A second offence in the same game and the team will forfeit the game. If a player or coach has a second ejection in the season the League Suspension rules will go into effect.
23. The plate umpire is to compare, and sign both score sheets at the end of the game.
24. No courtesy runners allowed, unless agreed upon by both coaches prior to the start of the game!
25. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE TO BE CONSUMED AT THE PARK!
26. Each team is to have their own scorekeeper. In league and playoff games, the home team's sheet will be the official score sheet. At the end of each game, the score-keepers are to compare scores to ensure they are the same. This could be important should there be a tie at the end of league play. Sheets are to be kept and supplied to the league executive if requested.
Operating Rules U> B> P>
Fines & Penalties B> P>
1. If a team representative is not present at each scheduled meeting, the team will lose 2 points, or be fined $25.
2. Any deadlines not met for submitting rosters, dues, etc., may result in a team not being allowed to play any games, until deadlines are met. All un-played games will be forfeited.
3. Teams will be fined $75 if they forfeit a game. A game is considered a forfeit if:
- A team cannot field 8 player’s who are on the team’s league roster, within the 15 minute grace period at the start of the game.
4. The league does not condone the consumption of alcohol at the field.
All fines are to be paid prior to the start of the team's next game. Fines may be paid to any member of the executive. The team at fault will be charged the umpire fees, and any subsequent points earned will be forfeited until the fines are paid in full.
Protests must be filled in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Softball BC Handbook (Article 19) in the effect at the time of the protest.
Discretionary calls made by an umpire (including calling a game because of weather or light) are not subject to protest. If a protest involves the umpire's interpretation of a playing rule, the protest must be made to the plate umpire prior to the next pitch, and recorded on both score-sheets by the scorekeepers.
On completion of the game, the protest must be submitted in writing to any member of the executive within 48 hours, accompanied by a $25 deposit. If the protest is allowed, the $25 will be refunded. If the protest is disallowed, the $25 will be forfeited.
Protests involving use of illegal (non-registered) players:
- Opposing team is to be informed and the protest is to be recorded on both scorebooks before the umpire signs them;
- In the case of a suspected illegal (non-registered) player, the offended team has 48 hours to call the league secretary to inquire about suspected illegal player. If the player in question is deemed illegal, the offending team will automatically forfeit the game, and receive a $75 fine.
Protests will be decided by the executive board (excluding members involved), at a meeting called specifically for the purpose. If a decision cannot be reached, the protest will be dealt with at the next coaches' meeting, with the decision being made by committee, excluding the members involved.
