5a.When the pitcher
starts to pitch he cannot be out of the
circle
at the front, though
the pitching motion may take them out of the circle. Then the line rule comes
into effect. There is no restriction at the back as a pitcher may pitch from as
far back as they are comfortable.
6. Only women may bunt. Batter is out, if foul on third strike
bunt. A batter is out if tagged before reaching 1st base. A
batter is out if, after the ball is bunted and the base runner does NOT
run the three foot line; which is the designated running area at the
latter half of the home to first base path, so as not to interfere with
the first baseperson’s ability to receive a throw and safety to the
runner. Men that bunt are automatically out.
7. Any tip ball caught by the catcher is out, regardless of the height,
or number of strikes.
8. No stealing. Lead-offs are warned once, and then could be
called out by the umpire. Lead-offs on a miss swing, the runner
would just go back, no warning.
9. No infield fly rule, the ball must be caught. If the ball is
deliberately missed, then all runners are safe.
10. One base limit on a ball “thrown out of the playing area”.
Runners can not be tagged out. On a throw out of play, runner can
only proceed to the following base. Going home on a ball thrown
out of play will be allowed.
11. Runners may tag up, once any fly balls are caught. This
includes a foul ball.
Any player making a catch at the out of
bounds lines must have both feet touching in the playing area or no catch is
considered made.
12. An injured batter must run to 1st base, unless otherwise mutually
agreed upon by both teams. You cannot use the same pinch runner
each time; you must rotate through your line up. If a female batter
requests a pinch runner they cannot bunt and if they bunt, then they
are out. All other runners will return to their original bases.
13. Rubber or soccer cleats allowed, no sharp metal cleats.
14. Sliding is allowed, but umpires can call a dangerous or
interference slide an OUT.
15. FIRST BASE FORMAT: Runners going to first must tag the orange
portion of the base, if they are not going to try to advance to
second. The first baseman must tag the white portion of the base,
for the out. A batter running to first base CAN BE TAGGED OUT.
16. HOME PLATE FORMAT: Runners going home do not
need to tag the pitching mat, but all players will use the run by line.
Catchers must tag home plate only. Players touching the mat after running by the
line will not be considered out for the play at home. All
plays at home are a FORCE PLAY, there is NO TAGGING. Once the
runner crosses the commitment line (there is NO tagging between the
commitment line and home plate), they must go home. (Commitment line is
10 feet away from home plate).
17. 140 FT. LINE: When a female is up to bat, all fielders must
be behind the 140 ft line. The fielders CANNOT cross the line
until the bat makes contact with the ball.
18. Games to start at time posted. Games are a FORFEIT, 15
minutes after posted game time. Rain-out games will be called
off, by both teams, only at the field. Any team that does not
show up will lose by default, NO MATTER what the conditions are.
19. Games rained out before the end of the 5th inning will be
rescheduled. The teams playing will decide when to reschedule the
game. The home team is to contact the Nelson & District
Recreation Office at 354-4386 to cancel the field.
20. Games rained out after the 5th inning will count. Games that
are called after the 5th inning, due to darkness, will count.
21. If postponing a game, teams are to reschedule their own game.
The home team is to contact the Nelson & District Recreation Office
at 354-4386 to cancel the field.
22. Keep a list of all players playing for the year. To play in
the play-offs, you have to play a minimum of three regular season games.
23. Captains should go over the rules and ground rules with team
members before the start of the season.
24. SPN Pregnancy Rule – If it is evident and/or confirmed that a
player is pregnant, then for reasons of safety, and possible
detrimental effect that such participation may have on other players’
performance, SPN will NOT knowingly allow a pregnant player to play.
25. Fighting – will result in immediate suspension from the league; a
disciplinary hearing will be scheduled with the Executive.
26. Bat Policy – Nelson Mix Slo-Pitch League will follow the SPN 2005
Bat Policy who complies with the ASA (American Softball Association)
bat certification program. Attached is the 2005 list of
non-approved bats.
27. If an issue/situation arises and the appropriate rule is not found
within our own league rules please refer to your current (2004) SPN
Slo-Pitch National Official Rules booklet as our league also abides by
these rules.
28. If a team has more than 3 pick up players,
then that game will
be rescheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.
29. Prior to playoffs all teams must have a
complete roster of all
players participating during the playoffs.