RULES

Updated: April 10th, 2025

For any rule not addressed in these League Specific Rules, we will default to the SPN Rule Book for clarification.

Uniforms - All teams must be in matching tops for all games. There will be times, such as weather, where they may not be visible. Substitute players from another team, may wear their own team’s jersey or wear the team colour. Team must have their matching tops before July 1st, 2025.

Batting Order - 6/4 - The batting line-up shall have no more than 2 male batters in a row. Late players may be added to the bottom of the order up to the end of the 2nd inning if there are not more than 2 males in a row.

Batting - “Rotating Females” - The “Rotating Females” are positions used when a team has 10+ players in the line-up but have only 3 females but must bat 4 female positions. The “Rotating Females” may also be used if there are extra males in the line-up and the team wants to add additional female positions in order to follow the no more than 2 male batters in a row rule. Upon using “Rotating Females” for the line-up, the team must have the list of female batters listed somewhere on the game sheet in the order the females will be batting.

If playing with 8 or 9 players, the minimum number of females in the line-up is 3.

Home Runs - Match +2 will apply.  Walk Off/Hit and Sit.  When the umpire declares a Home Run or a Four Base Award, the batter may proceed directly to the team bench.  All on base runners will also proceed directly to their bench.  All runs are added to the team score.  If the team is already at +2, any ball hit out will be declared a strike. 

Borrowing Players - Players may be borrowed from any of the other AMSPL registered teams to a maximum of 4 borrowed players. A team can only borrow if the team has less than 10 players in order to reach 10. A team with 10 or more players may also borrow if the team does not have a pitcher. The borrowed pitcher must pitch the entire game.  Players may NOT be borrowed for playoffs.

Courtesy Runners - A maximum of 7 courtesy runners per game. There is no maximum number of times a player can be used as a courtesy. Where a courtesy runner is used a male must be placed for a male, a female for a female, or a female for a male. A batter must make it to 1st base before requesting a courtesy runner. (NEW - If your designated pitcher is on base and there are two outs, AND they wear any other protective gear in addition to their pitchers mask, he or she is asked to come off as a runner in order to prep for the next inning. This will NOT count as a courtesy runner.

Default Time - Teams may start or play a full game with a minimum of 8 players, rather than the specified 10 to be an official game. If you play with 8 or 9 players, there must be a minimum of 3 females in the batting line-up. A team is allowed a 10-minute grace from the time of the start of the game time if they anticipate additional players arriving. The grace period will be part of the 1 hour 40-minute game. The grace period time will commence at the game time start or the discretion of the umpire (in the case of something unexpected). Bases must be in prior to the start time.

Fielding - Throws to 1st - No outfielder may throw the ball to first base in an attempt to force out the batter. Any such attempt by an outfielder will result in the runner being called safe at first with all base runners advancing one base, if forced.

Fielding - 150’ for Outfielders - All outfielders must start approximately 150’ from home plate until the ball crosses the plate. The 150’ distance will be at the discretion of the umpire but will be aided by the use of orange cones marked at the 150’ mark along the foul lines. If outfielders are too close, the umpire will remind the outfielders to move back.

Game - Regulation (Regular Season) A game can be considered complete after 5 innings. Games will be 9 innings or 1 hour and 40 minutes whichever comes first. No new inning will start after 1 hour and 35 minutes. If home team is AHEAD going into the bottom of the open inning, they will NOT bat. The game will end, and the score will be recorded as is. If home team is BEHIND, they will bat until 3 out, or until they take the lead (+1). Regular Games can end in a tie.

If a game is to be called for any unforeseen reason (weather, time constraints, etc.) and the home team has not scored more runs or does not score as many or more runs in their half of the uncompleted inning to tie or win the game, the game REVERTS BACK to the last inning that was fully completed after five innings.

A team must have a minimum of 8 players to start, throughout and complete a game.

Game Sheets - All game sheets (Home & Away) must be submitted to amsplscores@gmail.com by Sunday at 12:00 noon after your game. Any game sheet not submitted on time will result in that team scoring a “0” for the game, regardless of actual outcome. It is recommended to keep score for both teams, and to check with the other team each inning.

Home Plate - All plays at home plate are considered a forced play. If the runner touches home plate or the mat, the runner is out. Tagging will be allowed between the commitment line and the safety line at home plate.

Injury - Any injured male player may be removed from the line-up without penalty. The injured player may NOT re-enter the line-up once removed.

If you are playing with the minimum of 8 players, any injured player will result in a default.

Mercy Rule - The mercy rule (12 runs) is in effect after six or more complete innings (or five and a half innings if the home team has scored the 12 runs to mercy).

A 6-run rule will be used in each inning except when an inning is declared an "open inning" by the umpire.

NEW * * * Any player assuming the role of pitcher must wear protective face gear. This can be a full helmet with a face cage or a face mask (see samples) this is not optional; this is a mandatory rule in our league. Any other protective gear (shin guards, etc) are optional and encouraged