| 1 |
The
home team is responsible for preparing the diamond before the
start of the first game. Bases (including a safety bag at first
base and a 2' x 3' strike mat at home plate) must be put in place.
The diamond must be lined (including a commitment line 21' from
home plate, a safe line at home plate, and a maximum pitching
distance line 10' behind the pitching rubber) with powder, which
is provided by the league.
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| 2 |
A
force play is in effect at home plate so runners must not slide
and must not be tagged. Runners must cross the safe line and
not touch home plate. A player will be considered to have crossed
the safe line when any part of the body touches the line or the
ground beyond the safe line.
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| 3 |
Balls
supplied by the league must be used. The home team supplies one
new ball and one good used ball for each regular season and playoff
game, and two good used balls for tournament games. There will
be a $25 fine if an improper ball is used.
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| 4 |
Playing
shoes must not have metal cleats.
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| 5 |
Pitchers
are allowed 5 warmup pitches when entering the game, and 1 pitch
per inning thereafter.
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| 6 |
Infield
and/or outfield warmup balls are not allowed after the start
of the game.
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| 7 |
All
players on the score sheet must bat, unless removed for some
legitimate reason. Upon arrival, players that are late must be
added at the end of the lineup.
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| 8 |
At
least 5 innings are required for an official game, and a complete
game will be 9 innings unless |
| |
a |
the
time limit is reached. |
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b |
there
is a rainout. |
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c |
the
umpire has called the game for other reasons such as darkness,
lightning, forfeit, etc. |
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d |
it
is a tournament game, which is 7 innings with no mercy rule. |
| |
e |
it
is a regular season or playoff game and the mercy rule is applied
at the end of the 7th inning, or any complete inning after 7,
in which a team is ahead by 15 runs or more.
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| 9 |
Ties
will stand in regular season and tournament games, but will be
broken with extra innings in playoff games. Extra innings start
with 1 out and a runner (last out) at second base.
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| 10 |
Substitution
on defence is unlimited.
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| 11 |
No
runner may leave a base until the batter has made contact with
the pitched ball.
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| 12 |
Three
courtesy runners per team will be allowed during a game.
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| 13 |
The
batter will be called out on a third strike foul ball.
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| 14 |
When
an illegal pitch is called a ball, batters swing at their own
risk.
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| 15 |
Home
Runs |
| |
a |
If
a ball hits the outfield fence and bounces over, it is deemed
a home run. |
| |
b |
If
a ball hits a defensive player/glove and bounces over the outfield
fence, it is a run on a four base error (not a home run). |
| |
c |
An
out is recorded when a player hits a home run after that team
has already hit 3 more home runs than their opponent. |
| |
d |
Players
can choose to run out home runs, or just walk off the field.
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| 16 |
The
USSSA thumbprint is required on all bats. Players will be ejected
for using an illegal bat.
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| 17 |
All
other rules are according to the Softball Canada Official Rulebook.
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