Blackburn Ladies Softball League - Rules and Regulations

Game Rules

Games will be played at the Blackburn Arena diamond and Tauvette "C" on Sundays.
The early game begins at 6:30 p.m. The late game begins at 8:30 p.m. Any warm ups should be done before these start times. Games will start promptly.
A maximum of 5 runs can be scored per team in an inning, regardless of the number of outs.
If the 5th run scores during a play, the play continues but no other runs count on the score sheet.
The umpire must declare any inning that starts 90 minutes after the beginning of play as the last inning. The umpire has 5 minutes discretion on either side of this time limit, depending on the speed of play. The last inning of the game must be called at the beginning of the inning, as it is unlimited runs.
Both team's scores should be checked regularly to avoid conflicts after the game.

Weather

In the case of bad weather prior to game time:

The Statistician will inform the team contact and umpires by 4:30 if the game is cancelled.
Go to the diamond ready to play your game if you have not heard from your Team Representative by 5:00.
Once at the diamond the umpire has the sole discretion to cancel the game.
Once a game is in progress, it is up to the umpire to call the game due to darkness or weather conditions.

If a game is cancelled:

If 5 innings or more have been completed, the game will be considered complete and the score will revert to the last complete inning.
If less than 5 innings have been completed, the game will be rescheduled and played from the beginning.
The Statistician will reschedule with the appropriate team contacts. There are slots in the existing schedule to accommodate rain-outs. Rescheduled games will be played on the first available date. No games are to be rescheduled between teams without consulting the Statistician.

There are slots in the existing schedule to accommodate rain-outs. Rescheduled games should be played on the first available date. Please contact the Statistician - Rita Davies to reschedule. No games should be rescheduled between teams before consulting the Statistician.

Player Requirements

All team players must play at least 4 full innings. The fourth inning of a player on a visiting team must not be slotted for the 7th inning in case the full inning is not necessary.
A team unable to field at least 7 players (including spares) by game time will forfeit the game. A 15-minute grace period will be allowed.

Spares

Teams must have a minimum of 6 regular team players in order to call spares.
Spares can not be called if 10 team members are available to play.
Spares must be registered on the Spares List to be eligible to play.
If a spare has been asked to play she has the right to play her minimum of 4 innings.

Substitutions

Should a player become injured and require a substitute runner they can be replaced with a pinch runner once the batter reaches first base but may not advance past first base.

the last batter in the batting order who is not on base
the pitcher and catcher due to play in the next inning are exempt from being pinch runners

If a player is not able to run to first base, they can be removed from the game and reinserted. Once removed, a player must sit out for at least one full inning before being reinserted.

Home Team Responsibilities

The bench closest to the equipment box is assigned to the home team.
The home team is responsible for:

putting out the bases and lining the field at least fifteen minutes before each early game. Instructions for placing bases and pitchers mound can be found in the equipment box.
putting away the bases, filling in the holes and locking the box for each late game.

It is not necessary for the teams to turn the lights off - they will go off automatically at 11:30 p.m.

Infield Fly Rule

The infield fly rule comes into effect when there are less than 2 out and both first and second base are occupied. An infield fly is a fair fly that is playable by an infielder (in the umpires opinion). The batter is automatically out. If the fly is not caught, the base-runners may advance at their own risk (but do not have to). This rule is in effect to prevent a ball being intentionally dropped resulting in an easy double play attempt.

Pitching

Legal delivery will be a ball which is delivered to the batter with an underhand motion. Other types of pitches (slingshot, windmill, overhead) will constitute an illegal pitch.

No warm up pitches are to be thrown to any player who is not wearing a catcher's mask and helmet.
A maximum of 3 warm up pitches will be allowed between innings.
A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 5 innings.
A spare can pitch a maximum of 2 innings.

Batting

Batting helmets must be worn when batting and running bases. Only running shoes or rubber cleats may be worn.
Where the catcher fails to catch the third strike the batter may run to first base if

a) there are less than two outs and first base is unoccupied OR
b) there are two outs

A batter who intentionally throws her bat recklessly, will be ejected from the game.

Base Running

Stealing bases, including home is permitted. A base runner cannot leave a base until the pitch has crossed the plate.

A double (safety) bag will be used at first base. When there is a play made at first base, the batter must touch the outside (orange) bag, and the fielder must touch the inside (white) bag. The player's status (safe or out) at the bag will be affected if the wrong bag is touched by either the fielder or the batter.

There is a suicide line between third base and home. This line is drawn to avoid collisions and injuries at the plate. Once any base runner crosses this line, she is committed to go home. For safety reasons, a tag is not permitted at home. For the runner to score, she must cross the line of the plate before the catcher is in possession of the ball while touching the plate.

If the base runner touches home plate, she is automatically called out.
If the catcher deliberately tags the runner, in the suicide area, the runner is automatically called safe and the run is counted.

A base runner will be called out if she:

does not return to the base or proceed to the next base once the pitcher has re-entered the 8 foot radius of the mound.
leaves the base before the pitch has crossed the plate.
interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball
runs outside the 3-foot line if a play is being made at first base.
intentionally interferes with a thrown ball.
touches home plate when scoring.

Conduct and Commitment

In the spirit of good sportsmanship and team work players are asked to inform their Team Representatives of any planned absences.
Players are also asked to leave any inappropriate language/behaviour away from the ball field. Maligning of the umpires or fellow players will not be tolerated.

Please remember that this is a recreational league - we want all players to develop their skills and have fun.

Most important rule - Have Fun!!!!