2011 Rules & Regulations*

* The Dorval Tournament follows the rules and guidelines of Softball Canada, unless otherwise stated below.

A. GAME RULES

1. In order to follow scheduled game times, line-ups are to be given to the scorekeeper no less than 10 minutes before each game.

2. To start a game, a team is required to have a minimum of 8 players and of which 6 are their team members.

3. After a 15 minute delay, the game will be awarded to the team with enough players to start the game at the stipulated time.

4. All players must be in the batting line-up for the whole game. If a player decides to leave a game for any reason other than an injury, they will be scratched from the line-up and will be counted as an automatic out for one time only.

5. No regular player is allowed on the field without their uniform, with the exception of spares. All captains will have an extra jersey in their bags at all times. A player not wearing her jersey will be deemed an automatic out during her first at bat.

6. In order to play, a player must be present before the beginning of the 4th inning.

7. A maximum of 5 runs per inning (mercy rule). No limit of runs in the last inning. This rule also applies during the playoffs.

8. A regular game consists of 7 innings. Once an inning is started it must be completed. It is not necessary to complete the second half of the last inning if the winner is already determined. This rule does not apply during the playoffs.

9. 4 complete innings constitutes a valid game.

10. Points: Winning team: 2 points Losing team: 0 points

In the event that the score remains tied after 7 complete innings, extra inning(s) will be played. Each extra inning will begin with the player who completed the last at-bat in the previous inning starting as a runner on second base. Each team at bat will start with 1 automatic out. The inning will be considered as an “open” inning. Extra innings will be completed until a winner is determined.

11. The standings (based on A.10) will be determined at the end of the regular season. In the event of a tie between two or more teams, the following will determine the leader:

§ Head to Head: wins vs losses between the teams that are tied

§ Combined runs in 1^st inning of tied teams head to head games

§ Coin Toss (2 way tie only)

§ If more than 2 teams are tied and above tie breakers do not determine a winner, team will be drawn at random to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, etc.

12. Only captains are allowed to call time-out to talk with the umpire.

13. At the discretion of the Executive committee, disciplinary measures may be applied to any player who misses 3 season games without notifying her captains.

14. All unsportsmanlike conduct can be reported by members of the league to the ombudswoman, although only the captains have the authority to bench any player for unsportsmanlike conduct.  Once a player is benched, she cannot return to play for that game.

15. All Umpire rulings on the field are final.

B. POSITIONS

PITCHER: - Must be 40 feet from the plate.

- Must have both feet in contact with the rubber before starting the pitching motion.

- At least one foot has to be on the rubber when releasing the ball. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more than one step, which must be forward, towards the batter and simultaneous with the delivery of the ball to the batter. No step back is permitted.

- The ball must be visible to the batter at all times.

- Must wait until the batter is ready to receive the pitch or until the umpire tells her to start pitching.

- The strike zone is between the shoulders and the knees from the standing position of the batter.

- No intentional walks. If the umpire determines that a batter has been walked intentionally, the batter will be awarded 1 base. Any runners already on base will advance 1 base (if forced).

- The pitch shall be released at moderate speed, with a perceptible arc. Pitches that are judged to be “flat” by the UMPIRE will be counted as a Ball. Before each game, captains & umpires should emphasize this.

BATTER: - The batter is allotted one minute to get in the batter’s box. Next batter must be ready on deck.

- Not allowed to touch the plate when batting.

- Must ask for “time” before stepping out of the batter’s box once the batting stance has been taken.

- Must use an ASA approved softball bat.

- If the batter is hit with a pitched ball, the batter will advance to 1^st base.

- The batter is not allowed to throw the bat.

- The batter is out after the third strike, even if the catcher drops the ball.

- Bunting is permitted.

- The infield fly rule does not apply.

- Balls hitting the outfield nets are playable. In the event of a ball being caught off the net, it is ruled a ground rule double and play stops.

- If the ball rolls under the fence or disappears under the bushes, the fielder must raise their hand and stop fielding the ball. The play is deemed a ground rule double.

- All players must be in the batting line-up for the whole game. If a player leaves a game for any reason other than an injury, she will be scratched from the line-up and will be counted as an automatic out for one time only. If the scorekeeper becomes aware of an error in the batting order, it should be brought to the umpire’s attention immediately and is an automatic out for the player who was supposed to be up.

RUNNER: - Can run 3 feet inside or outside of the runner’s line with the exception of 1^st base, where the runner must stay to the right of the line.

- When running to first base, if the runner turns left towards 2^nd base, the runner is still in play and can be tagged out.

- No leading or stealing. Runners may leave their bag only after contact has been made with the ball. No “fall-off” or anticipatory step(s) allowed.

- After a pop fly is caught, a runner must tag-up before proceeding to the next base(s).

- If a ball is thrown out of play, the runner is awarded 1 base and the ball is dead.

- Batters are allowed a pinch runner if they have been injured during the game. The batter must run to 1^st base & wait until play has stopped before calling time out. The pinch runner (who must be the last out) may take her place at this point. Once a batter uses a pinch runner, she must continue to have one throughout the game. If the player was injured in previous games, a pinch runner may be allowed, only if the coaches from both teams agreed prior to the start of the game.

- Runners must cross the safe line to score. Any runner that touches home plate is out.

CATCHER: - The catcher must wear the appropriate equipment (chest protector, face mask and knee pads).

- The catcher must stand clear of the incoming runner as it is no longer necessary to tag the runner with the safe line in place (see Runner).

C. SPARES POLICY

SPARES COORDINATOR shall be responsible for:  Providing replacement player(s) in the event that a team has less than 10 players on its roster, with a minimum of 6 regular team members. 

CAPTAINS shall be responsible for: Informing the spares coordinator of the need for a spare(s) by 12:00 p.m. (noon).

1. All spares (including pitchers) must be of equal or lower rating than the players they are replacing. 

2. A spare pitcher may be called only if:

a.  the team has more than 10 players with no designated pitcher.

b. the team has less than 10 players and the total amount of spares do not exceed 4 (including the spare pitcher).

c. only players specifically drafted as pitchers may spare for other pitchers.  If there are no designated pitchers available to spare, the team without a pitcher must select a player from their own roster to fill in as a pitcher. 

3. In the event that a team falls short of ten (10) players at game time a spare(s) may be picked up at the park, but only upon mutual agreement of the captains from both teams slated to play. 

4. In the event that a regular player will be late and a spare player has been provided, if the regular member of the team arrives prior to the onset of the fourth inning, the spare player shall be removed from the field and the batting line-up.  The regular player shall replace the spare only between innings. The captain of the opposing team must be notified prior to the beginning of the game. 

5. In the event that a regular player has called to say she will not be at the game, but she shows up prior to the onset of the fourth inning, the spare shall not be removed from the game.  The regular player cannot be added to the roster.

6. NO SPARES WILL BE ALLOWED DURING THE PLAYOFFS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PITCHERS.

D. PLAYOFFS

1. Players must play a minimum of 50% of the regular season games to be eligible to play in the playoffs.

2. A regular game consists of 7 innings. Once an inning is started it must be completed. It is necessary to complete the second half of the last inning regardless if the winner is already determined.

3. The standings will be determined at the end of the round robin (there are no ties in the Semi Finals and/or Finals). In the event of a tie between two teams, the following will determine the leader:

§ Head to Head - wins vs losses between the two (2) teams that are tied

§ When more than 2 teams are tied after the round robin the following will determine the leader:

· run differential (head to head games only)

· most runs first inning (head to head games only)

· team will be drawn at random to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, etc.

4. A maximum of 5 runs per inning (mercy rule). No limit of runs in the last inning.

5. No spares will be allowed during the playoffs, with the exception of pitchers.

E. SAFETY FIRST!

1. Metal cleats are not permitted. Shorts are permitted at the player’s own risk. Long pants are recommended.

2. Helmets are recommended.

3. Jewellery is prohibited (with the exception of a medical bracelet).

4. For safety reasons, smoking, drinking alcohol or use of narcotics is prohibited in the dugout or on the field during the games. If an umpire deems that a player is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the player will be asked to leave.

F. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

1. No refund of the registration fee after June 1, 2011.

2. In order to get back your team jersey refund, team shirts are to be returned at your last game or, by the latest at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Before playing the following year, you must return the shirt without refund to be able to play or if the jersey cannot be returned (i.e. lost), then the player shall pay the additional costs incurred by the League for a replacement jersey.

3. In the event that a player is unable to pick up her shirt refund at the AGM or make arrangements for someone to pick it up on their behalf, a check will be mailed to her registered address.  Please note that a $5.00 fee will be deducted to offset the cost of the check and postage.

4. In the event that a check needs to be reissued because of loss or damage, the bank fees and check costs will be deducted from the reissued amount. For the 2011 season this will be $15.00. If the damaged check is turned in, then only the reissue cost of $5.00 will apply.

5. All NSF checks will be charged a fee of $42.50 which is the amount that the TD Bank charges our account.