Please take the following into consideration
at the diamonds:
·
Drinking In Public: Drinking alcohol in a public place is illegal. If you choose to
bring alcohol you are taking a risk of being fined. If
you must bring alcohol we strongly recommend that you bring
cans not bottles, be discreet and take all empties when you
leave. (If you are using a private field with an onsite bar,
you may NOT bring in your own alcohol.)
·
Urinating In Public: Our fields are not equipped with portable toilets. It is against
the law to urinate on public property.
·
Respect: Homeowners, the police, by-law officers
and anyone else who questions your behavior. If someone
approaches you with a complaint, be polite and attempt to help
with the concern in anyway you can. Any teams or players that
are rude to local residents or facility workers, who then lodge
a formal complaint about the SSC, will be removed from the league.
·
Property Damage:
Players are responsible for property damage. Please
play with care, and report any problems to the SSC immediately.
·
GAME TIMES
·
Please arrive at the time suggested on your schedule, usually
15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. This will
allow
some warm-up time so the games can start on time.
·
Games are 7 innings, unless darkness prohibits a full game. If
darkness may potentially end the game, the captains must confer
on an inning by inning basis as to when the last inning will
be called.
·
IF A GAME IS CALLED BECAUSE OF DARKNESS, THE FINAL SCORE WILL
BE AS IT STOOD AT THE COMPLETION ON THE LAST FULL INNING PLAYED.
Act
on the side of caution regarding darkness, if you do not think
you can finish a FULL inning, do not start it.
·
Some diamonds will host a 6:30pm and an 8:00pm game. The two captains in the early game must ensure that
the game gets started on time and is finished by 8:00pm.
·
All teams qualify for playoffs; however, only
the top 4 teams in each league qualify to win the league.
·
All teams will get 2 playoff games.
·
PLAYOFFS: If the score is still tied at the end of 7 innings, then
there will be an extra inning played. Both teams get a chance
to hit. If after 1 complete extra inning the game is still
tied, the next extra inning will be played using the “International
Scoring Rule”.
International Scoring
Rule: When hitting, each
team will start with the player who was the final out of the
previous inning on
2nd base, then proceed as normal from there.
·
WAIVER
·
All players must sign a waiver before playing in our leagues.
This is to be filled out online. All subs must also sign waivers.
CLICK HERE to
sign the waiver.
·
Refunds are generally not issued for players who sustain
an injury and are unable to continue play in the league
ROSTERS
·
A full Recreational division team
is 9 players. Rec plus and Experienced division teams
have a pitcher, so they will field 10 players.
·
A minimum of 3 females must be on the field at all
times.
·
If a team is short players, it could field the
following combinations without default:
·
Rec Plus and
Experienced divisions: 8 players (one less infielder
and outfielder)
Note:
if only 2 females are present, 3 females must still appear on
the batting order with the '3rd' female batting being
an automatic out
o
Note: at its sole discretion, the
other team may agree to provide a catcher, thus allowing an
8 player team to have 4 infielders. Whether the catcher
is an active player (fielding
all balls as a member of the team or just returning pitches)
must be decided amongst the captains prior to the start of the
game.
·
Recreational division: 7 players (one less outfielder and
one less infielder)
o
Note: batting order rule for females still
applies as above.
o
Note: at its sole discretion, the
other team may agree to provide a catcher, thus allowing a 7
player recreational team to have
4 infielders. Whether the catcher is an active player (fielding all balls as a member of the team or just returning
pitches) must be decided amongst the captains prior to the start
of the game.
DEFAULTS
·
At game time any teams not meeting the minimum
player requirements will default the game.
·
Minimum player requirements (to avoid a default)
for all SSC leagues:
o
7 players on a recreational team
or 8 players on a Rec plus/Experienced team are
ready to start. At least two of the players must be female.
·
Default scores are recorded
as 0-20 and -1 for sportsmanship.
·
The $50 default fee will
be processed each night a team defaults. Teams must provide
the fee before being allowed to play their next games. If you
cannot pay before your next game, contact the club to make arrangements.
Do not default your next game unless the club has directed
you not to show up. If a team defaults on a second night, their
status in the league will be under review. The team defaulted
against will receive a SSC Gift Certificate in the amount of
$25 that can be used towards league or tournament fees in the
future, the remaining $25 will be given to a not for profit
organization.
SUBS
The SSC feels
that defaults should be prevented whenever possible. Teams pay
to PLAY.
·
A team may bring in subs
that are not listed on the roster. Subs at any time must not
have, or currently play at a higher skill level than the player(s)
they are replacing.
·
If you are playing in
a league where games may be played before yours, you may only
borrow players from the previous games to prevent your team
from defaulting. You can not add players from a previous
game if it increases the number of players
on the roster beyond a minimum full roster.
·
Teams may bring in subs
for playoff games but these players must have played during
the regular season with the team.
There is one exception to this rule: Your team is going
to default due a lack of players. In this case, new players
will be allowed to play but teams may only field a minimum full
roster (see above).
o
Note: it is each team’s responsibility to NOT bring in ‘ringers’ – respect
your opponent and the league by making it a fair game!
·
A sub-list can be requested
from the office. If you recruit a sub, it is your responsibility
to ensure they are ready to play
(know the rules and have submitted a waiver).
REPORTING RESULTS
·
Each captain is required to report the scores
and sportsmanship rating to the SSC online at http://www.calgarysportsclub.com/slo-pitch/scores.shtml
by 3:00 PM the day following the game.
·
MERCY RULE: If a team gains a lead of
20 runs in a game the score will freeze (for reporting)
and the two teams may continue to play for fun with no tracking
of runs.
·
If your opponent defaults please record
a score of 20-0.
SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB LEAGUE RULES
*Please make sure you bring the SSC provided bases and markers to
each game.
GENERAL
RULES
·
Keeping Score
o
Both captains will bring a score sheet to every game. A coin
toss determines who takes the field first.
o
Teams must track the batter results each inning for their own team and
runs scored by the other team. Please confirm with the other
captain at the end of each half inning what the score is.
Confirm the score with the other captain at the end of the
game. If there is a discrepancy at the end of the game, please
resolve it at the field.
o
A team can score a maximum of 7 runs per inning except for
the final inning where there is no maximum.
o
If the team due to bat in the bottom of the
7th inning is leading the game, the game is over and the score will stand as is.
There is no situation where this rule does not apply.
o
In the bottom of the 7th inning, once the batting team
has scored the winning run the game is over. This means that
once the winning run crosses the plate the game is over.
Any more runs that come across DO NOT count and the fielders
do not have to
'get the ball in'. The final score would stand as the
winning team winning by 1 run.
o
Playing extra innings to break a tie is not
encouraged, but the captains may decide on this issue if time
permits.
o
Both captains are required to turn in their Scores and
Sportsmanship Ratings to the SSC by 3:00pm the next day. Failure to report
scores and sportsmanship results in:
o
The non-reporting team
getting a '0' for spirit and the other team a '+1'.
o
The score reported by the team stands regardless if a discrepancy is noted later
by the non-reporting team.
o
Scores are to be submitted on-line: http://www.calgarysportsclub.com/slo-pitch/scores.shtml.
If you have any questions regarding scores, please call the
office before submitting them.
·
Standings will be updated within 48 hours and posted weekly to the
website.
·
Standings are first determined by games won. Ties in the standings
are first broken by sportsmanship ratings (your cumulative rating
as the season progresses) and then by run differential.
·
Pitching
o
Recreational teams pitch
to their own players - each batter will receive a maximum of
3 pitches.
o
Rec Plus/Experienced teams pitch to the opposing team.
o
The pitch must be between 6 feet (generally, if it’s over the batter's
head it is high enough) to 12 feet or it will be deemed a ball.
If the ball arcs less than 6 feet or is over 12 feet, and
the batter swings, the pitch counts. A 'strike' occurs on
a foul ball, a swing and a miss, or if the batter takes the
pitch and it lands fully on the strike matt - if the ball hits
any part of home plate it is deemed a 'ball'. In this format
each batter will receive up to 3 strikes or 4 balls. On the
fourth ball, the batter walks to 1st. On the third
strike, the batter is out.
o
If a male batter is walked on 4 straight balls, and is followed
by a female batter, the male batter will automatically
advance to 2nd base on the walk. The female
batter up next has the option to bat or automatically take first
base. Other runners already on base will advance only if the walked batter
forces them.
o
Captains set out the pitching mound location
prior to starting the game.
o
In the Recreational league, the pitcher
does not field the ball. If the pitcher on a hit inadvertently
touches the ball, the play is cancelled and re-pitched.
o
To stop a play, the infielder will throw
the ball to the pitcher. In the recreational league,
the pitcher should not field a ball thrown from the outfield.
·
Hitting
o
BATTING ORDER: 3 Male
batters may bat in a row in 1 part of the batting order in ALL
DIVISIONS.
o
Example: M-M-F-M-M-M-F-M-M-F
– this is a legal batting order for Rec plus/Exp.
M-F-M-M-M-F-M-M-M-F – this in NOT a legal batting order for
Rec Plus/Exp
REC Division: 3 females must appear
on the batting order and be in the first 9 batters. If only
2 female players are present at the game then every 3rd
female spot is an automatic out and only 6 male batters may
appear in the order. There is no limit on the size of a batting
order as long as the male to female ratio stays intact and there
are enough female players physically present to increase the
size of the batting order.
REC Plus / Experienced: 3 females must appear on the
batting order and must be in the first 10 batters. If only
2 female players are present at the game then every 3rd
female spot is an automatic out and only 7 male batters may
appear in the order. There is no limit on the size of a batting
order as long as the male to female ratio stays intact and there
are enough female players physically present to increase the
size of the batting order.
o
NOTE: For teams that have more male players than can fit on the batting
line up they are can rotate in the lineup with another player
(offensively and defensively).
o
Example: Steve and John can rotate in an out of the game continually
for each other. Steve plays 1st inning, John 2nd
inning etc….. These players will always bat in the same place
in the batting order (only 1 of them bats each time through
the rotation).
M-M-F-John/Steve-M-M-F-M-M-F, either John or Steve can hit or
play defense each inning.
o
There is no bunting allowed in any
division
o
Traditional Slo-pitch hitting rules will apply to the Rec Plus and
Experienced divisions. This means that any batter who has two
strikes and then hits a foul ball is out. (Note: Rec division
Slo-pitch is 3 pitches only – no balls or strikes).
o
When any player is hitting, the ball does not have to pass the pitcher
to be ‘live’, but the batter must have taken a full swing at
the ball.
o
The infield fly rule applies - if there are
less that 2 outs, with runners at 1st and 2nd, then on an infield
fly (the hit must be 8' or higher and does not go past the
infield), the batter is automatically declared out, thus preventing
the fielders from purposely dropping the fly ball in an attempt
to force out runners.
o
If there are potential obstructions in the outfield
or the outfield is unusually short: the captains should agree before the game, on ground rule
doubles and automatic home runs.
o
A foul ball is a ball that is hit so that it does not stay between
the lines (the foul lines) that define the width of the playing
field. If the ball hits the 1st or 3rd
base, it is considered “fair” and playable.
o
If a batter steps across or on the home plate
and/or strike mat to attempt to hit a ball, it is an automatic
out.
o
Homeruns are limited to 5 per game for each
team. A hit is considered a homerun if a
player hits the ball over or past the opponent’s defense and
can score with ease. It is NOT considered a homerun
if the defense commits errors and a player is able to score.
Any long hits (homeruns) hit after the 5 per game limit
has been reached will be considered doubles (player stops at
second base).
o
Definitions of over or past the opponents defense:
·
Over: If the ball is hit in the air past the outfielders and the batter
can score easily, it is a homerun.
·
Past: If the ball is hit on the ground or in a gap and gets past the
outfielders and the batter can score easily, it is a homerun.
·
Base Running
o
No lead-offs - the runner is called out if they leave the
bag before the bat makes contact with the ball.
Example. If the batter misses the ball, and the runner
has left the bag, the runner is out.
o
When running to first base, the runner must not touch the white base
or they are out. The runner must tag the orange safety base.
If the 1st baseman touches the orange safety base, the runner
is safe. If the runner is rounding 1st base on a hit where
there will be no throw to 1st base, they are allowed to
touch 1st base instead of the safety base.
The 1st baseman must move out of the runner's path as he/she
rounds 1st base.
o
When running from 3rd base towards home plate the runner is to keep
outside the baseline and is considered safe if (s)he passes
the home base line before the catcher has the ball while
touching home plate. If a base runner touches the home
plate while attempting to score it is an automatic out.
To record an out, the catcher must touch home plate (no tagging),
with possession of the ball, before the runner passes the line.
o
A commitment line will be drawn 1/2 way between 3rd base and home
plate and marked with a red cone. Once a runner passes
this line they must proceed to home plate (there are no exceptions
to this rule). Therefore, they are out if the catcher with the
ball, touches home plate before the runner crosses the home
line.
o
Sliding into 2nd or 3rd base is permitted.
o
Tagging up and running on a caught outfield
fly is permitted.
o
3rd Out Fly Out- If the third out occurs on a fly-out
the inning is over once the ball is caught. No runs can be
scored.
o
Pinch Running - Pinch runners are allowed for injured players.
A pinch runner can step in at anytime. If the batter is
not running at all, the pinch runner must start from behind
the plane of the plate.
·
Defense and fielding
o
The 'respect line' rule applies: infielders cannot pinch in -- they
must stay along the base lines; outfielders must stay at least 30 paces beyond the infield lines.
The opposing captain only, should point it out in a respectful
manner out when fielders are not adhering to this rule.
Captains should use 2-4 wos markers in the field to mark
the respect lines. The rover does not have to observe the
outfield respect line.
o
If on a play an overthrow occurs and the ball rolls out of
play:
o
The runner advances 1 base beyond where they were heading.
Example. If the runner is between 1st and 2nd, they can
advance to 3rd.
o
'Out of play' is considered to be 10 feet beyond the base
lines (a good marker on most fields is the corners of
the backstop and thus the line that would extend parallel to
the first and third base lines).
***Note: A ball that is caught 'out of play' is considered foul
ball only and not considered a 'caught' ball (i.e. an 'out')
o
To start the games, captains should line the outfield
foul lines with 2 coloured pylons on each side to help identify
when an automatic base advance applies.
o
A foul ball exceeding 8' and caught by the catcher
is an out (less than 8' is simply a strike). Captains or umpires
should quickly decide when players are unsure. If not resolved,
the ruling will be in favour of the batter.
o
Interference: We have no formal ruling on interference plays
as these are difficult plays to call at the best of times.
Interference occurs when a base runner and a fielder actively
fielding a ball collide. To avoid conflict our ruling
is there is no call... JUST REPLAY IT. All base runners
return their bases prior to the hit and batter will resume his
count prior to that hit.
·
Umpiring
o
All SSC games are self-officiated. Teams playing in the game
supply the 'umps'.
o
Batting team must supply 1st and 3rd base umps.
-- These umps
must know the rules and be willing to make the tough calls at
all bases. In the rec
plus/experienced divisions, the hitting team must also provide
a home plate umpire to call balls, strikes and foul balls and
any plays at home.
o
If an umpire makes a clearly 'wrong' call because they didn't see
the play or know the rules, the two captains will quickly agree
on the call (please, no other players are to get involved!).
REMEMBER THIS LEAGUE IS FOR FUN, PLAYERS MAKE MISTAKES AND
SO WILL THE UMPS. A 'BAD' CALL IS ONLY GOING TO
BE UPSETTING, IF YOU LET IT UPSET YOU. If you
are player who cannot remain calm or just walk away from a 'bad'
call without argument or upset - you are playing in the wrong
league!
·
Equipment Returns
o
All equipment must be returned at the end of the season. From the date of your final game, you have 10 days
to return the equipment and have your deposit returned.
Any equipment not returned to the SSC may automatically lose
their deposit after that date. Once the season is completed
or close to completion we will schedule an equipment drop-off
night at the SSC office - captains will be notified of time
and date by email.
o
From Spring to Summer: If you are continuing in the Summer
Leagues, you keep your equipment and return it at the end of
the summer season.
