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Rules 2014.doc
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PLEASANTVIEW SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION RULES

ALL RULES FOR PLEASANTVIEW SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION (PSA) WILL BE APPLIED AS PER THE SOFTBALL CANADA RULEBOOK WITH THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONS/MODIFICATIONS WHICH TAKE PRECEDENT INCLUDING WHEN A CONFLICT IN THE RULES OCCURS.

  1. Team sponsored jersey must be worn for all games.

  1. Bat rule...only bats with Official Softball Bat can be used.  Bats must also have either the ISF or the ASA approved stamp.

  1. Catchers must wear all equipment provided by the league - catchers helmet, face mask, chest protector and shin guards - NO EXCEPTIONS!!

  1. Each home team is responsible for supplying the bases and a new game ball…failure to supply either one, will result in loss of home team advantage.  

  1. Game times:  6:45pm sharp for early games and 8:45pm sharp for late games.  Line-ups are to be exchanged ten minutes prior to start of game.  Once the line-ups are exchanged, there are no changes in order. Players may be added as substitutions at any time. No new inning after 8:15pm or 10:15pm.  The last inning must be completed.

  1. Team trailing in score shall bat first going into the last inning only if the run differential is 5 runs or more.  (Optional in play-off rounds)

  1. There will be a maximum 10 minute grace period for the early game only.  **Should a team utilize the grace period, then that team will be penalized with an automatic out to start the first inning.**

  1. All games will be 7 innings in duration, however, if the time limit makes it impossible to complete the 7 innings, then a regular season game will be considered complete based on the number of innings played.  All innings are played with a five run mercy rule except in the last inning which is open. **There is a mercy on the game, 15 runs after 5 innings**

  1. When a game is called due to weather or technical issues, the game will be replayed only if the teams have not completed more than five innings or four and a half if the home team is winning.

  1. If a player is injured and removed from the line-up, there is no penalty; this applies to both male and female (the female rule takes precedence).  If a player chooses to forgo their turn at bat, but is not being removed from the line-up, their turn at bat will be recorded as an out.  EXCEPTION is if a player is injured and there is blood, they will be given the remainder of the current inning and the entire next inning to decide if they are well enough to return to the game with no penalty to the team. The Blood Rule also comes into effect.

  1. Courtesy - only three courtesy runners per game.  The courtesy runner will be the last out and must be declared prior to the first pitch of the next batter.  (One additional courtesy runner will be awarded in extra innings)

  1. Catcher courtesy - catcher must be replaced if they are on base with two outs.  The runner will be the batter directly preceding the catcher.  This is based on the catcher catching the next inning.  If your catcher is not removed, they will not be allowed to catch the next inning.  If you are removed and not catching, this will burn one of the regular courtesy runners.

  1. Designated Runner - each team is entitled to one DR per game.  The DR must be declared at the home plate conference prior to the start of the game.  The runner will be the last out.            

  1. Windmill pitching is not allowed! – pitching is underhand.  The arm must remain straight.  (See pitching rule in the Softball Canada Rule Book for any further rule clarifications)

  1. Substitutions - A substitute may take the place of a player whose name is in the team's line-up. The substitute must be announced to the plate umpire and the other team.  There are no re-entries.  N.B. The substitution rule can only be utilized with a full roster of 12.

  1. An automatic out occurs when a player has been ejected from the game. The out will take affect at the start of every inning.  (ejection means…leave the park area – the other side of the walkway)

The rule even applies to the female rule; which means that if the ejection happens to a female, and that takes you below the required number of females, then the female rule takes precedence.

  1. No jewellery is allowed.  Medic-Alert is the only exception.  

  1. There is to be no alcohol in the park, as governed by the permit, and absolutely no smoking on the field or in the dugouts.  Should the need arise for a cigarette; you must be behind the dugout.  Drinking in the park area during a game will result in a team forfeiture and two points will be deducted from current standings.

  1. For safety reasons, any persons found to be intoxicated before or during a game will be removed from the game.

  1. Metal cleats are not allowed.

  1.  Illegal/Altered bats - please see the Softball Canada Rule Book. If you are caught using an Illegal bat, the bat will be removed from the game and said batter will be an out with their hit being nullified.  If you are caught using an Altered bat, the bat will be removed and the batter will be ejected from the game.

  1. There is minimal tolerance for foul language. Any such actions will be dealt with accordingly either by the umpire or the executive or both and could result in a suspension.

  1. Pitchers' rule (fair play/common consideration) applies to any pitcher when pitching to a female batter.

  1. Rosters are capped at 16 players.  However, the maximum players at any given game is 12.

  1. A team must have at least seven players, with a minimum of one female, to begin and/or end a game.  Any less, including by ejection, will result in a forfeiture.

  1. In the event of a forfeiture , there will be a $100 fine.  This fine will cover the cost of the umpires.  It is your responsibility to notify Teralyn of a forfeiture 24 hours prior to game time.

  1.  The winning team must either email or text the final score within 24 hours of the game or receive a 7-0 loss score.

  1.  Female Rule - there must be at least one female present and playing for each game.  Less than that will result in an automatic forfeiture.

Should the female be injured then there will be an automatic for her at bat and the team will be required to field one short on defence.

  1.  Protests - a protest can only be made if there is a rule infraction.  A protest is $50.

  1.  Ground Rules - Fair batted ball in the air in the bushes, playground or the pond it is a Home Run.  Batted ball that is played on or rolls into the pond without having been played or the umpire loses sight of is a Ground Rule Double. **please note that the pathway is considered to be part of the field and has no bearing on the Ground Rule Double and Home Run rules**

  1. In the event of a rain out, 1 point will be given to each team.  There will be no make up games.

SUSPENSIONS

In the event of an ejection, you are required to leave the park, if you fail to do so then you face further suspension. An ejection will result in the following;

Suspensions can also be imposed, based on behaviour and/or blatant disregard for our league rules, even if no ejection is called. The abuse of umpires WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!! Suspensions will be equally as harsh as your behaviour.

Coaches will serve a five game suspension for the use of any illegal players (an illegal player is defined as one who is not on the teams' submitted roster).

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PLAYOFFS