RULES 2025

 

THE CURRENT SPN RULE BOOK WITH EXCEPTIONS ITEMIZED BELOW THAT SHALL PROVIDE FOR CIRCUMSTANCES NOT COVERED IN THE SPN BOOK AND / OR COMPLEMENT, CLARIFY OR OVERRIDE A SPN RULE WILL GOVERN THE LEAGUE.  BECAUSE OF OUR PARK PERMIT, INSURANCE AND SPN RULES, THERE IS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ON THE USE OF ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, SMOKING, E-CIGARETTES OR VAPING.  THESE ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE DIAMOND.

 

As a matter of courtesy please arrive at the playing field 15 minutes prior to the start of your game.  If you are unable to play on any given night, please notify your captain at least one day prior to the game.

                                                                                                                                                                                         

1. Game times will be at the discretion of the executive based on the number of teams year to year. The league executive will make the decision as to what the game times will be prior to the start of each season. This rule will be updated and posted at the beginning of each season based on the final decision.

 

2. Both team captains and umpire will meet at home plate prior to the start of every game to review rules and share any required information.

 

3. All players must sign the online SPN waiver prior to playing in the first game of the season.

 

https://registration.slo-pitch.com/Account/Login

 

4. Regular Season Games:

1. Regular season game times will be determined by the LOURL Executive prior to the start of each season and will be based on the number of games to be played and the availability of the diamond(s) as indicated by the Town of Markham Permits.
2. No new inning will start with less than 10 minutes left in a game; however, once an inning begins it must be completed with the home team batting last.
3. In the event of rain or time limit, 4 innings (3½ innings if the home team is winning) will constitute a game.  Otherwise, the game is considered rained-out.  A score of 0-0 will be awarded to each team. No make-up game will be played.
4. Home team must assist in taking out the equipment at the end of the night and locking it in the equipment box at the diamond.  Ensure key is put back inside the lockbox.

 

5. Playoff Games

1. Playoff games are 1½ hours in length.  No new inning will start past 1 hour and 20 minutes.  Once an inning has started it must be completed.

b)     Playoff format will be determined by the LOURL executive based on time and weather factors. Effort will be made to include a round robin component but cannot be guaranteed.

c)     If a round robin component occurs, the assignment of home and away teams of each round robin game will be determined by a coin flip or other equivalent process determined and led by the umpire. Teams will be re-seeded after completion of the round robin.  The higher seeded team will choose if they want to be home or away.

d)     Championship and Consolation games (depending on the season’s playoff format) will be a full 7 innings in length. Home team will be determined by the higher seeded team based on round robin results if it occurred or from regular season standings if no round robin takes place.

 

6. The infield Fly Rule is in effect – Umpire to call out infield fly when applicable (as per usual slo-pitch rules).

 

7. 3^RD Strike Foul Ball Rule –IN EFFECT – player hitting a foul ball after 2 strikes are already called, will be called out.

 

8. The pitcher’s zone is as per SPN rule which is 50-65 feet from home plate.  The pitcher’s zone is 24” wide.    Each pitch must be in one continuous motion.

 

9. Batter is out if the bat is thrown at the discretion of the umpire.

 

10. Safety bases will be used at 1^st base for all games. (The safe base is a double base used on 1^st base to reduce mishaps that could cause injuries to players.  The base is half white and half orange.  The white portion is in fair territory and the orange is in foul territory.  If an infield ball is hit or a play is made at 1^st and the batter – base runner fails to use the orange portion on the first attempt at 1^st base, the batter-base runner is out.)  If a ball is hit to the outfield and no immediate play is attempted at 1^st base, the runner does not have to tag the orange portion.

 

11. The batter must make it to first base; after a runner makes it to 1^st base, a courtesy runner may replace the batter. The courtesy runner can be anyone else in the lineup.  However, if the runner is then stuck on base when it is her turn to bat, she will be out.  Each team can use an unlimited number of courtesy runners. Runner can only take a courtesy at one, unless they get injured running to 2/3, then they may take a runner past 1^st for that play only.

 

12. Sliding is permitted at 2^nd and 3^rd bases and back to 1^st base. The slide should be used with discretion to maintain the safety of the players. DO NOT use a slide to break up a double play. If umpire deems a slide as intent to injure or unsafe, the base runner will be called out. Remember, we are a recreational league.

 

13. Recruitment/Spares List

1. Teams must field a minimum of 6 of their own players plus 3 recruited players, for a maximum of 9 players, or the team will default.  If a team has 7 original players, they may recruit players to field up to a maximum of 10 players.  Players can be recruited from any of the teams in the league but of those recruited, they cannot displace a regular team member from a position they usually play.  All recruited players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order.  Any scenario differing from this would require approval by the executive (or the majority of the executive).  A default will be called 15 minutes after the starting time if there are not enough players. The umpire’s decision is final. “AFTER DEFAULT’ the teams can play a FUN game.  The score will be recorded as 7-0 in favour of the team not at fault.
2. Players may volunteer to be placed on the spares list indicating a willingness to play for other teams who are short players.  The option to volunteer for the spares list will be on registration forms.  In addition, players may come on or off the spares list via email to the league secretary.
3. Captains who need to recruit players may do so by sending an email to all players on the spares list via the Teamlinkt app.  LOURL Executive must be cc’d on all related recruiting emails. 
4. If there are no responses by 3:00 pm on game day, or if players do not notify captains that they will be absent until after 3:00 p.m. on game day; then captains may then contact players on an individual basis.  Captains may recruit individual players prior to their game at the diamonds without having emailed the spares list, only if, without prior knowledge of a player’s absence, they are left short-handed.
5. During playoffs, teams who will have less than 9 players may recruit additional player(s) up to a total of 9.  The assigned players will be taken starting from the spares list then extended to the full registration list if no player is found from the spares list. Any players recruited for playoff games require the approval of the executive. The recruited player (s) must be at a similar level as the player being replaced.   Playoff schedule and player availability will also be a factor in selecting recruits during playoffs.
6. During playoffs, teams who have at least 9 players, but not a pitcher, may request that the executive assign a pitcher to their team.  The assigned pitcher will only field as pitcher and will not bat for the team.

 

14. Entering and Exiting a Game

a)     A player who arrives late during a game (regardless of the number of players in the line-up) may be admitted             into the game. However, no player can be added after the 3^rd inning.  The player must be placed on the bottom of the batting order (*see Rule 15)

b)     A player who needs to leave early may do so without penalty to her team.  The opposing team and umpire will be notified before the game (if the requirement to leave, e.g., for work, is known before the game).

 

15. Player rotations:

1. EACH PLAYER must sit ONCE before any player sits a second time, each player must sit twice before any sits for a third time and so on. Everyone must seat equally.  *This rule also applies to any players arriving late to the game. This rule does not apply to the Pitcher unless the pitcher also plays another fielding position during that game.
2. PENALTY:  If a protest is registered, and if it is determined that this rule has been broken, the offending team will lose the game.

 

16. There should always be an ON-DECK batter.  Otherwise, the umpire may call a strike.

 

17. Commitment Line Rule will be in effect. A runner who has touched or crossed the COMMITMENT LINE must continue directly to home.  If the runner attempts to return to 3^rd base – the runner is OUT.  The ball is still live. No tagging is allowed past the commitment line.  All plays at home are force plays. If the runner touches home plate (at any time) OR THE MAT – the runner is OUT.  (The commitment line is 20 ft. from home plate.)

 

18. Per SPN rules, a full mat that covers home plate will be used in all games to determine balls and strikes.  A pitched ball with proper arc height that hits the mat is a strike. Any batted ball that contacts the mat will be a foul ball. On plays at the plate, the catcher must be in contact with any part of the mat to record an out.

 

19. IN ALL CASES, THE UMPIRE’S WORD IS FINAL.

 

20. Mercy Rule: An inning shall consist of three outs or five runs (5 runs maximum per inning). The last inning will be an open inning.  This is for all regular and playoff games.  The umpire shall call last inning.

 

21. Base Running:  No leading off allowed.  A base runner must always have one foot on the base – if not then it is considered a lead off, apart from the Anticipation rule (**see Rule 22).

 

22. **Anticipation Rule: A player on base will not be called out for lifting her foot off the base in anticipation of a hit should the batter swing and miss the ball. 

 

23. NO STEALING is allowed. 

 

24. Team jerseys must be worn while playing.

1. If a player does not wear a team jersey during a game, the player will be called out at their first time at bat.
2. In inclement weather, a player may wear clothing over the jersey if desired. If a jersey is covered, it is the player’s responsibility to show the umpire she has a jersey.
3. This rule will not apply if the jersey is missing due to an issue of jersey orders, the transferring of jerseys from a retiring player to a new player or other issues outside of the control of the player.

 

25. Jewelry: Jewelry is allowed at the individuals/umpire’s discretion. LOURL is not responsible for any jewelry-related injuries.

 

26. Pitching Arc: The pitched ball must have a discernible arc of at least 6 feet from the ground before it passes any part of home plate and shall not reach a height of more than 12 feet at its highest point from the ground. An illegally pitched ball shall be called immediately when it occurs, and a ball will be awarded to the batter. The umpire will call the illegal pitch loud enough for the batter to hear. However, if the batter swings at an illegally pitched ball, the pitch will immediately become legal. The ball is live and in play if hit by the batter. Foul tip caught by the catcher is an out, regardless of height of the ball.

 

27. Rainouts: A rainout will be called by the umpire on a game-by-game basis unless the City of Markham has revoked game permits due to inclement weather.  Please show up to your scheduled game and expect to play.  Your captains will notify you if your game has been cancelled.  The cancellation will also be posted on the league website https://leagues.teamlinkt.com/lourl and the LOURL Facebook page.

If a game is cancelled because of weather, it does not mean that all games that night are also cancelled. Each game is unique to the weather at the time of the game. Unless otherwise advised, players are expected to be at the park and ready to play at their scheduled game time.

 

28. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: LOURL is a recreational league.  Outlined below is the players’, captains’ and spectator code of conduct.

1. Umpires are providing an important service to those participating in softball. Under no circumstances should they be hassled, threatened, or physically abused.
2. Teams and players have a further responsibility to prevent their fans from abusing officials and to help control their spectators so that the game is not disrupted.
3. Any player/spectator ejected from a game must leave the grounds (includes parking lot). Failure to leave the grounds immediately will result in a default for the team that the player/spectator is associated with.
4. When a player/spectator gets ejected from a game, a review will be made by the league executive to see if further suspensions are required.

 

29. Encroachment: Infielders can stand within the baseline to a minimum of 50 feet from the batter per SPN rules. Outfielders, including the Rover, must remain 25 feet from the baseline until batter has made contact with the ball. Runners must avoid fielders at all costs.  The umpire has the right to call interference on the runner as required. 

 

 

30. International Tiebreaker Rule – Playoffs: (only outside of any round robin component, where a winner must be determined) In the case of a tie during playoffs, we will use the SPN International Tie Breaker Rule.

Under this rule, each team starts the inning with 1 out and the player who completed the last official turn at bat, as a base runner on 2nd base.  Each subsequent inning will start the same until a winner has been determined.  Regular substitution rules will apply to this runner.