a. No metal cleats or hardball bats allowed. Only regulation softball equipment.
b. Home team is responsible for field preparation. Bases to be spiked down and game
balls supplied. Ensure the diamond is ready before game time!
c. All teams are required to have a set of bases, home plate and good game balls.
d. Home plate mats are available for sale at $25 each.
2) Game Time:
a. Games will start on time! Games go rain or shine. The only exception is if both coaches have talked to each other (no messages) and decided to cancel the game due to rain. Otherwise teams must show up and decide if you are going to play. Remember it can be raining in Vancouver and sunny in Tsawwassen.
b. Teams must field a minimum of eight players (3 females). If you cannot field a team by start time you have a 10 minute “grace” period with penalty. If you field a team within this grace time, the game will start in the second inning and your penalty is 5 runs. When the grace time expires you forfeit with a $25 fine. Your second forfeit for not having enough players is a $50 fine. If a third forfeit occurs you will be suspended from the league pending a league meeting. If you are expelled at this time you will not be refunded any money given to the league.
c. Note: On Sundays, 10 minutes from the next scheduled game time, you must play your final full inning, not matter what inning you are in or that you started late because of the other team. Starting late because of teams before you is no excuse. It is your diamond at your game time.
d. There is a 10 run mercy rule after the fifth inning on Sundays.
e. There should be a minimal warm-up between innings on Sunday’s unless you’re the last game.
3) Game Length:
a. Games will consist of 7 innings. Five run maximum per inning. Last inning is open. On Sunday’s only, if a game is tied after seven innings, there will only be one extra inning played with the international rule in effect unless you are the last game of the day. If it is still tied, it will be counted as a tie unless you want to play it out some other time.
b. International rule: The last out from the prior inning will start the inning on 2nd base and there will be no outs to start the inning.
4) Outs:
A foul ball on the third strike, the batter is out.
5) Player Positions:
Positions cannot be changed during an inning except for the pitcher. The pitcher must take that players position.
6) Batting Order:
Batting order can have a maximum of 2 males batting consecutively.
7) Pitch Height:
Arc of the ball is to be between 6’ – 12’. The call will be made while the ball is in the air so the batter may swing if desired.
8) Base Running:
a. Runners are permitted to tag up on foul or fair fly outs. Runners get original base plus either two from the outfield or one from the infield for overthrows out-of-bounds. Runners will get an automatic extra base if the ball is carried out of bounds.
b. Runners going to first should touch the orange side of first base and fielders should touch the white.
c. When the ball is in control in the infield the umpire will call time. No runners will advance.
d. Intentional blocking of a base shall result with the award of an additional base. If an injury is incurred to the base runner as a result of such action, the ump may eject the offending player from the game.
9) Plays at Home:
To reduce the risk of injuries, there is NO CONTACT with the back catcher! No touching home plate or you are automatically out. All that is required is to cross the plane of the mat, which exists from the back of the mat to the backstop. If slight contact is made it is the umps decision as to whether it could have been avoided completely. The offensive player must attempt to avoid collision when approaching a base by either sliding or stepping around the defensive players. A force play will exist at home plate after the runner has passed the 20-foot commitment line. You CAN NOT tag the runner once they’ve passed the commitment line.
10) Pinch Runners:
Pinch runners are permitted but the batter must run to first base. The last person out, of the same sex, will be the runner.
11) Pregnant players are prohibited from play.
12) Infield Fly:
Infield fly rule is in effect. Infield fly is a fair ball, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second, or the bases are loaded with less than two outs. The ball must be called in the air for the benefit of the runners.
13) Automatic Out:
Please see the chart concerning the automatic out rules and how it applies to the number of players you have. If you have 4 or more females – no auto outs. Min of 8 players required.
Total Players Males Females Automatic Out
10 5 5 none
10 4 6 none
9 5 4 none
9 6 3 1
8 5 3 1
8 4 4 none
7 -- Forfeit
14) General:
You must be ready to play upon game ending at your start time. In the event that during a game, a player is injured and a team no longer has the minimum eight players, they can finish the game with seven players if no one else is available, with out penalty.
15) Number of Batters:
You may bat 12 players ~ minimum 5 females batting and only 2 males batting consecutively. If you only have 3 females, there is an automatic out.
16) Leadoffs:
No leadoffs, there is no warning! You must wait until there is contact with the bat.
17) Bunting:
Females can bunt. If you bunt with two strikes and foul it off, you’re out.
18) Walking:
Four consecutive balls to a male with no strikes and there is a female batting behind him, the batter is awarded second base and the female has the option to hit or take first base. Runners on the other bases will stop at third unless forced home.
19) Score Sheets:
To verify players participating in games, you must keep all of your score sheets in your book (they must be legible to read) and you must also write down your opposing teams line-up. If any sheets are missing you will not get credit for those games played. You must play in a minimum of FOURTEEN league games to be eligible for the playoffs. Opening tournament does not count!
20) Garbage:
The parks must be left spotless, both teams playing are responsible. The last two teams playing on Sunday must make sure it is left clean. If it is messy before your game you better make sure the teams before you clean it up (or you’ll have to do it). If the park is left with garbage / cans, both teams will be fined $50.
21) Beach Grove Field Rules:
a. Double if the ball goes in the bushes in right field whether on the ground or in the air.
b. If the ball is touched and goes in the bushes, it is a double. If it is purposely allowed to roll in to the bushes, it should be a triple, but this is the umpire’s decision.
c. To the left of the trees in center field is open (fair territory).
22) Rosters:
a. Every team must submit a team roster by June 1st or you will be suspended from league play until one is submitted.
b. Maximum room on a roster is 20 players. Additional players can be added at a cost of $3 per player.
c. If you use a player that does not play for a team in this league, you must inform the player that they are not covered by our league insurance if they are not on a league roster.
23) Canceling Games:
a. Please give the other team as much notice as possible. If you cancel a Sunday game you must phone by Thursday night. If you cancel a weekday game, you must give a minimum of 48 hours notice. Preferably at least seven days would be best so coaches may find another team to play. It is your responsibility to get this game rescheduled with the other team. If you cancel a game and it is not made up for any reason, you lose the game. Even if the other team refuses to make it up.
b. You must e-mail the league if you win within 7 days. If it is not received within 7 days, it will be considered a loss. If a team cancels a game with you, you must e-mail the league. It will be counted as a win until the game is made up. Upon making up a forfeited game, you must e-mail the league with the win and the original game date so the standings can be updated.
c. Field usage for make up games will be on a first come, first serve basis. If the field is “OPEN” on the schedule, it is available for use. The first team that shows up will have first choice of using the diamond.
24) Using other teams players:
If you can’t field the minimum amount of players and have to use a player from another team, you automatically lose a point. (i.e. the most you receive by winning is one point and your opponent automatically receives one point even if they lose). You can use anyone, as long as they are not a member of any other team and receive no penalty. If you use an “illegal” player(s) they must bat last. You may only pick up a player to make nine or less. You can not pick up someone in the league to make ten players.
25) Refer to softball B.C. rules.
Sunday game you must phone by Thursday night. If you cancel a weekday game, you must give a minimum of 48 hours notice. Preferably at least seven days would be best so coaches may find another team to play. It is your responsibility to get this game rescheduled with the other team. If you cancel a game and it is not made up for any reason, you lose the game. Even if the other team refuses to make it up.
b. You must e-mail the league if you win within 7 days. If it is not received within 7 days, it will be considered a loss. If a team cancels a game with you, you must e-mail the league. It will be counted as a win until the game is made up. Upon making up a forfeited game, you must e-mail the league with the win and the original game date so the standings can be updated.
c. Field usage for make up games will be on a first come, first serve basis. If the field is “OPEN” on the schedule, it is available for use. The first team that shows up will have first choice of using the diamond.