2011 Gourley Park - Co-Ed Slo-Pitch Rules

1.    HAVE FUN!!!!!
2.    A minimum eight (8) players constitute a team.  Ten (10) players constitute a full team.  Should a team be below the minimum number of 8 players then player(s) should be borrowed from the other team to equal the teams out and allow all players an equal amount of playing time.  The team short of players forfeits the game and it shows up as a loss.
3.    Normal positions are deemed pitcher, catcher, 1^st base, 2^nd base, short stop, 3^rd base and 4 outfielders (Left, Left Center, Right Center & Right field).  Outfielders may move around and have the 4^th outfielder as a rover.
4.    Pants long enough to cover the knees “at all times must” be worn other-wise the Umpire will not allow the game to proceed if a player dressed in inappropriate attire attempts to play.
5.    The outfielders are not allowed on the infield dirt before a hit.  Any outfielder may make a play in the infield where the situation warrants.
6.    Seven runs or three outs end an inning.  The last inning is always open.  The game will end when a team losing by 15 runs has had five at bats (this is a mercy).  A team losing by 20 runs may decide that the game is over at anytime before this, at the LOSING team’s discretion.
7.    Regular season games will be five to seven innings.  The length will be mutually agreed upon by both teams and reported to the Umpire before the first pitch other-wise the game will be five innings only.  No new inning will start after 7pm (game 1) or 8:15 (game 2).
8.    The batting order will be followed as listed on the game roster.  Any late player will be placed at the end of the batting order at any time.  No changes in the batting roster are permitted once the game has begun unless it is removing a player from the game due to injury or having to leave the park early.  A player may only re-enter the game after having missed a turn, if and only if, their injury allows them to.
9.    Each team will utilize a minimum of 3separate pitchers who may not pitch more than 2 consecutive innings in a game of 5 innings or more.  Pitchers will pitch from a minimum distance that intersects 1^st and 3^rd base.  Minimum arc on the ball must be 6 feet, maximum 12 feet.  In the event an illegal pitch is called the play will be repeated unless the batter decides to swing at the pitch at which point the ball becomes live and a strike or hit will be called.
10. The player in the pitcher’s position “ MUST”  wear a catchers mask or helmet with face mask  for safety.  If a pitcher isn’t wearing a helmet, the Umpire will ensure that the game will not resume until a mask/helmet is worn.
11. No intentional or fake bunts are allowed.  If a batter squares to bunt and turns and makes a full swing, they will be out.
12. The Umpire only will be responsible for calling fair or foul balls.
13. The Umpire only will be responsible for calling safe or out. End of discussion since the Umpires we are utilizing have many years of experience umpiring competitive ball.
14. The Umpire only will be the one to call “Time” once the play has reached its logical conclusion.  They will not allow teams to have players run at will on expected overthrows.
15. Each batter will see a maximum of 6 pitches.  Ball 4 constitutes a walk.  Strike 3 constitute an out.  Tipped ball for strike 3 is an out.
16. Caught foul balls must exceed the batters height to be considered an out.
17. If the pitcher is hit with a batted ball, it is a DEAD BALL.  No pitch counted towards the batter.
18. If a ball is overthrown that goes out of play (i.e. over or under the fence), or into the bench area – all runners are awarded the next base from the time of the throw.  Umpires discretion as to what bases are awarded.
19. The fence is considered live with respect to overthrows.
20. A runner’s foot may not leave the base until the batter has contacted the ball.  Any runner leading off is OUT.  Anticipation will be called by the umpire and the runner will be out and a no-pitch called.
21. There is NO sliding.
22. It is the responsibility of the base runner to avoid any contact with a fielder but must not go off of the 3 foot baseline leeway.  Should a fielder interfere and block the base path then the next base may be awarded by the Umpire.
23. Once time has been called or the ball has been thrown towards the pitcher, the play is dead and runners may not advance.
24. A commitment line will be drawn 20 feet from home plate.  Once a runner crosses this line they may not retreat to third base otherwise they will be declared out.  Once the commitment line is touched their only option is to go home and pass the safety line.
25. A line will be drawn horizontally from the top of home plate towards the back stop as a “safe line”.  Any runner between this line and the commitment line will be called out when the ball is held by a defensive player in contact with home plate.
26. Any runner touching the plate will be called out.
27. Any player running the bases must touch each base or they will be called out by the umpire upon touching the next base or the base missed is tagged by a defending player in control of the ball.
28. Absolutely no TAGGING between the commitment line and the safe line.  No tagging between home plate and 1^stbase.
29. Rubber or plastic cleats may be worn.  No metal cleats are allowed or cleats with metal studs in the individual cleats
30. The home team is responsible for taking down the diamond.  All bases are to be put “IN” the Equipment Shed.
31. Both teams are responsible for cleaning the benches after each game to a condition better than they found them.
32. All equipment must be kept within the bench area which extends to one pole beyond the bench to the end of the fence directly in front of the bench.
33. No Mouth Rule – Players and Coaches are required and expected to act in a civil manner towards “ALL” other Players, Coaches and Umpires.  Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and will be subject to suspension and/or ejection from the League as per the City of Hamilton’s Zero Tolerance Policy (found under the Public Works section on the City of Hamilton’s website).
34. Play smart, play hard, learn and most importantly HAVE FUN !!!