A subset of the South Island Women’s Softball League (SIWSL) rules will be used and will be outlined below.
1.0 Official Softball Canada Rules. These Rules and Regulations serve to supplement Official Softball Canada Rules.***All Team Reps and team members are expected to be familiar with Official Softball Canada Rules and these Rules and Regulations.***
2.0 On The Field
2.1 The Umpire will be in full charge of the game and will be given due respect. Where these Rules and Regulations are silent, the umpire will exercise their authority in accordance with Softball Canada Rules. Only the coach or Team Representative will be allowed to make representation to the Umpire and this must be done in a sportsmanlike manner.
2.2 Unsportsmanlike conduct is a discretionary call by the umpire and will not be tolerated. Any player so charged will be suspended for the remainder of the game and further suspension will be at the discretion of the umpire. The incident will be reported and recorded by the Executive. A second infraction will result in the player and coach appearing before the Executive for further action.
2.3 Intent to injure is a discretionary call by the Umpire. Any player so charged will be suspended for the remainder of the game and further suspension will be at the discretion of the umpire. The incident will be reported and recorded by the Executive. A second infraction will result in the player and coach appearing before the Executive for further action.
2.4 Any infraction that may jeopardize the property of residents will not be tolerated. Offenders will be called before the Executive for further action.
2.5 Teams are responsible for the conduct of all their spectators with regards to the above mentioned rules.
2.6 Minimum Players. Each team will consist of a max of 10 players on the field. In the event that a team only has nine players in attendance, the nine players may play and the team is not required to take an automatic out for their missing tenth player.
2.7 Courtesy Runners. Unlimited from any base. Any player listed in the line-up can run.
2.8 Home Run Rule. Home runs are limited to 3 per team. The “Catch Up-Plus One Rule” shall be enforced after a team has reached the three (3) home run limit. Once both teams reach their respective home run limits, either team may hit an additional home run; however, no team may ever go more than one home run up on the other team. Any additional home runs above the one-up rule will be scored as a strike. Teams must keep track of home runs hit by opposition to ensure accuracy. *A home run is defined as a ball that is hit over the fence without touching a defensive player. If the ball touches the defensive player before going over the fence this is scored as a four (4) base error and does not count toward the offensive teams’ home run limit. In the park home runs are also not to be counted towards the offensive teams’ home run limit.
2.9 Games will consist of seven innings except where a tie occurs. In the event of a tie, a maximum of two additional innings will be played (time permitting) and if the tie is broken at the end of either overtime inning the game is over. If the game remains tied at the end of nine complete innings, a tie is declared and each team is awarded one point. The game will end after four innings of play if there is a run difference of 15 runs or after five innings of play if there is a difference of 10 runs. * During the placement round, if after 7 complete innings the score is still tied, the international run rule will go into effect. The offensive team will place the last batter of the previous inning on second base. ** Championship game will be ended if after 5 complete innings, there is an 8+ run deficit.
2.10 No pool play game shall exceed the duration 1 hour and 30 minutes. Placement games will be untimed and played to completion.
2.11 Innings one through six are restricted to five runs per inning. The seventh inning or final inning and any extra innings have no run restriction; they will be played as open innings.
2.12 Uniforms. Minimum requirement will be a uniform shirt of similar color and design.
2.13 Jewelry. Plain wedding bands, plain necklaces free of pendants and charms worn under the uniform, medical alert ID bracelets and necklaces are legal but should be worn or taped to the body so as not to present a hazard. All body piercing (permanent or otherwise) must not be looped in any way. A body piercing that is a “Post” type piercing with no dangling parts and no looping parts and no loops whatsoever are legal if judged by the umpire to not present a danger to any participant. Casts (plaster, metal, or other hard substances), or other items judged dangerous by the umpire may not be worn during the game.
2.14 Safe line. Softball Canada does not recognize the use of the commitment line, therefore the SIWSL will no longer apply the use of the commitment line rule. A safe line will be used for base runners to pass at a safe distance behind home plate. Tagging the runner away from home plate or strike mat in front of the safe line is allowed by the catcher or another player of the defensive team to make an out.
2.15 Foul Tip Rule. A foul tip (a batted ball that goes sharply and directly to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally caught) is a foul ball and is to be considered an out
2.16 Home team will be determined with a coin flip at the start of each game with the umpire and a representative from each team. 2.17 Pitchers in this league pitch from a closer distance than a traditional co-ed league and safety of the pitchers should always be priority. It is ALL BATTERS responsibility to bat in a manner to ensure pitcher safety to the best of their abilities. If at any point during a game a concern is raised that a batter is not ensuring pitcher safety to the best of their ability, it should be brought to the umpire IMMEDIATELY and a resolution discussed between the umpire and a representative from each team.
3.0 Game Results
3.1 Reporting Scores. The winning team is responsible for reporting the score to a member of the Executive within 30 minutes of the game’s completion.
3.2 Defaults. Failure to field a team at the official start time will result in a default with the opposing team being awarded a win by seven runs and three points for the win. All defaults must be reported by the winning team to the Executive within 30 minutes of game’s completion. Failure to report the game as a default will result in the game being scored a tie.
4.0 Rosters 4.1 All players on the team must be on the team roster.
4.2 A maximum of twenty (20) players can be on the team roster.
5.0 Player Eligibility
5.1 Players must be on the team roster, submitted prior to the start of the tournament, to be eligible to play.
5.2 A minor aged player who has or will attain the age of 16 years in the current calendar is eligible to play with a written consent form signed by a parent or guardian and sent to the Player Agent.
5.3 This tournament is for folks who identify as women, trans, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, or gender-expansive. If you do not identify with the above, we still encourage you to come watch and volunteer and be part of the weekend. Help us continue to create space and cultivate allyship.
6.0 Insurance
6.1 It is up to the individual player to file an incident report within 30 days of the date of the injury and request a Claim Form from the Insurance Provider. It is the responsibility of each team and/or member to familiarize themselves with the accident claim procedure. File a claim regardless of the nature of the injury as the injury may resurface at a later date. Sapphic Softball is not responsible for submitting claims on behalf of players.
7.0 Equipment
7.1 Sapphic Softball will provide each team with two new game balls. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide one new game ball and one back-up ball in good condition before each game.
7.2 It is the team’s responsibility to supply a First Aid Kit.
7.2.1 If an active player is needed for the administering of first aid, a sub can be entered in their place and it shall not count as a sub and the player will be allowed to re-enter the game upon return.
7.3 Cleats are highly recommended but not required. No metal cleats or screw-in cleats are allowed.
7.4 Sapphic Softball will supply and set-up bases and strike mat, home plate will be considered part of the strike zone.
7.5 Bat Rule. All bats must carry the ASA, ISF or USSSA certification mark (old or new) and be acceptable for Slow pitch play.
7.6 Helmet Rule. In all play, a CSA approved double ear flap batting helmet is mandatory for batters, on-deck batters and base-runners. Failure to wear the batting helmet when ordered to do so by the umpire shall cause said player to be declared out. If a batter or runner loses the helmet while proceeding to first base or running the bases and the act is unintentional, there is no penalty. If a batter or runner deliberately removes the helmet, this is an act of interference by the offensive player (called by the umpire) and the above rule of “failure to wear” applies.
8.0 Team Standings
8.1 After completion of all pool play games, if any teams are tied, the order to which the tie will be broken is as follows: