Rules
Game play
1. All games will consist of 7 innings. There will be no time limit enforced. Teams will do their best to speed up the games between innings.
2. 7 runs maximum per inning, regular season and playoffs.(7th inning will be open for scoring)
3. ANTICIPATION RULE : Player is not out if they come off the bag when a batter swings and misses. The runner is only out in a situation where a ball is batted and the umpire feels the runner left early.
4. All diamonds and divisions shall adhere to a 2+ homerun rule throughout both the regular season and playoffs.
5. A batter hitting a ball over the fence in a game in excess of the spread limit shall be ruled out. Any ball touched by a defensive player which then goes over the fence in fair territory shall be a four base award and not considered a home run.
6. Five courtesy runners per game, anyone on the roster.
7. Injury runners are not allowed. Please see Courtesy Runner rule above.
8. Extra innings in regular season play will not be permitted.
9. There will be no ties in playoff games. Extra innings will be played until a winner is decided. The International Tie rule will be in effect for any inning beginning after the 7thinning. At the beginning of each half inning following the 7th inning, the last player recorded out in the batting team’s previous inning will start on second base with 1 out.
10. Mercy rule : 15 runs after 5 innings.
11. The pitcher is required to wear a FULL FACE PROTECTIVE MASK when on the field.
12. Count starts 0 balls - 0 strikes for all divisions.
13. Intentional forfeits will result in the team forfeiting their team bond. Any team that cancels in the same night of their scheduled game will also forfeit their team bond. If a 2nd forfeit happens in the same season a fine($150) will incur.
Tiebreakers (if teams tied in League Standings)
1. Wins
2. Head-to-Head record
3. Run differential
4. Most runs scored
5. Coin flip
Rosters
1. All team rosters must be submitted to SPO Ontario before league play commences for the season.
2. A minimum of 8 players are required to start a game. If a game has not been cancelled or rescheduled, and a team is unable to field enough players, the team shall forfeit. Teams may pick up players during the regular season to get to 10 players. Any additional pickups must be discussed with the opposing team’s captain before play begins. If any issues arrive, a member of the league executive should be contacted.
3. For playoff games, only players listed on a team’s initial roster submission to SPO are permitted. If a team would like to protest the eligibility of a player on the opposing team during the playoffs, the umpire must be notified before the end of the game and a league executive must be contacted at the same time. After the game, the player under protest must wait for the league executive to arrive to compare the ID of the player to the team’s roster. If the player under protest is not on the roster, the team will be deemed to have lost the game.
Equipment
1. Minimum uniform shall be identical shirts with identifiable ten (10) cm high numbers on the back. Uniform rule will be enforced by the start of the second half of the season.
2. Gloves may be worn by any player. Trappers may be worn by the catcher, pitcher and first baseman only.
3. Shoes may not have metal cleats.
Bats
1. Only bats with USSSA BPF thumbprint are allowed.
2. A batter shall be ejected from the game if he is discovered to be using an altered bat or a non-approved bat after entering the batter's box. The ejected player is suspended for the remainder of the game, with a review by the League Executive.
Balls
1. The approved ball for the league is the Worth Hot Dot, optic yellow, 12".
2. 12 new balls will be provided to each team at the beginning of season. Any additional balls required by a team are that team’s responsibility and will not be supplied by the league. Additional balls can be purchased from the League ($80 per dozen).
Special Rules
1. If a player is ejected from a game by an umpire, that player will receive an automatic additional one-game suspension. If the infraction, in the opinion of the umpire, warrants further discipline, the umpire should Document the incident and forward the report to the League President, so further action may be taken by the League.
2. Playoffs games will be played when & where schedule allows - NOT where Home teams prefers; including location, time.
3. Regular season games will be played primarily in Alliston diamonds utilizing Doner, McLean and Peterman between Monday - Thursday. Beeton Diamond will act as an overflow location.
Payments/Bond
1. Annual league fees, as determined by the Executive are due as follows. First payment of $1,500 is due at the first league meeting to solidify your team on the 2025 schedule. Remainder of league fees are due June 1, 2025. Failure to do so will result in forfeitting of games.
2. All teams must pay, and maintain, a $100.00 performance bond to insure your team is a "member in good standing". This bond is refundable upon team leaving League, minus any outstanding penalties due.
Fines
1. Fines must be paid before next scheduled league game, otherwise team will forfeit and game will not be played.
2. NSF Cheques - $50
3. Any team canceling within unreasonable timing for League to reschedule/reassign teams/umpires before start of tournament could be susceptible to a fine of $100.00. (Loss of bond)
