Last update May 1st, 2024
The ultimate goal of the league is to have fun & “bonne entente” with healthy competitiveness.
All rules not covered herein; will be applied according to the SPN official rule book. Rules were adopted January 18, 1996.
Some of them were added or revised over the years.
Rules could be amended during the course of the season, if needed.
The Executive
The ultimate goal of the league is to have fun & “bonne entente” with healthy competitiveness.
- Games Location and Time: Teams shall play at Carrière park on Monday nights at 6:30pm, 8:00pm & 9:30 pm unless otherwise instructed.
- In Case of Rain: Unless advised otherwise, the 2 teams playing the 6:30 game must show up at the park. The umpire and the executive will then decide to play or to cancel the game. It is your responsibility to show up at the park as rule # 6 still applies.
- Bases and Equipment: Home team playing the 6:30 game is responsible to install the bases, while the home team playing the 9:30 game is responsible to remove and put back the bases and the ball bag in the green box making sure that both boxes are locked. If for any reason we are missing equipment, the home team playing the 9:30 game will be responsible for the replacement at cost. The cost will be divided between players of that team equally.
- Regular Season Games: Teams require a minimum of 6 players to start a game. Spares are now allowed from other teams within the league, to a maximum of 10 players. If both teams have 6 players but less than 9 they may borrow and have an even number of players not to exceed 9. If both teams have less than 9 players, a catcher will be provided by the opposing team. To prevent injuries, the borrowed catcher will take part in all plays at home (this rule is based on the display of honesty, courtesy and respect by players and captains). Spares are allowed to hit and can occupy any position.
- Round Robin/Semi-Finals/Finals: Teams require a minimum of 7 players to start the game, however they cannot borrow any players. The team must play with the number of players present (i.e. if 7 players show up, the team must play with 7 players).
- Grace Period: A 15 minutes grace period is allowed (umpire time applies) for teams not having a minimum of 6 players in the regular season and 7 in the Round Robin, Semi-Finals and Finals. After the grace, the game will be forfeited with a final score of 7 – 0. No innings even with a late start shall start 10 minutes prior to the next schedule game time, which means 7:50 pm, 9:20 pm and 10:50 pm. No exceptions. If both teams have a minimum of 6 and 7 players the game must start on time. Once the game is forfeited a non-official game could be played at the players own risks.
- Season and Round Robin Games: The games are to be a maximum of 7 innings, time or weather permitting (in case of rain, 4 1/2 innings will constitute an official game). No innings even with a late start shall start 10 minutes prior to the next schedule game time, which means 7:50 pm, 9:20 pm and 10:50 pm. The umpire time applies in all cases and should be shown to each captain. Players should strive to hustle on and off the field to save playing time at all time.
- Any inning starting before 7:50 pm, 9:20 pm and 10:50 pm should be played to the end even if we go into the allocated time of the next game. This will eliminate all deliberate slow downs to go back to the score of the previous inning. The game will end either with the winning run or 3rd out.
- There’s no minimum innings played to be declared an official game when the time limit of 7:50 pm, 9:20 pm and 10:50 pm have been reached. The only exception will be on rainy nights; that is, if the umpire calls the game before the times stated above, a minimum of 4 1/2 innings is then required to be declared an official game.
- Semi-Finals and Final: There will be 3 games. The top 4 teams of the round robin will play the semi-finals. The 3rd place team (visitors) will play the 2nd place team (home) at 6:30pm and the 4th place team (visitors) will play the 1st place team (home) at 8pm. The 2 winners will play for the championship at 9:30pm. The games will be 7 innings. If the score is tied after 7 innings, a player (last out) from the offensive team will start at 2nd base with 1 out and we will play until there’s a winner.
- If the umpire calls the game because of rain or any unforeseen circumstances, the game won't require a minimum innings played to be declared an official game.
- Every attempt will be made to play the 2 games but if the games can’t be played the winner of the round robin will be declared the champion.
- Umpire’s Decisions: During the game, the umpire’s decisions are final. Any grievances concerning the umpires’ rulings must be submitted in writing to the President within 72 hours.
- Foul Ball: A foul ball after 2 strikes is an out.
- Intentional Walks: No intentional walks are allowed, therefore the pitchers must throw to the hitter.
- 4 Consecutive Balls: When 4 consecutive balls are thrown without a strike having been thrown in the at bat, the hitter will be awarded second base (this will eliminate potential intentional walks). If a strike is thrown at any time, the batter will only receive 1st base. All other cases (regular rule applies) 1st base will be awarded and the next batter must show up at the plate. Base runners advance if forced.
- Lead Off: No lead off is allowed, except if the batter makes contact with the ball, otherwise, the runner is out. (No anticipation step)
- Scoring Line:
- The scoring line at home plate is the line that the runner must touch or step across (the runner’s foot must touch the ground) to be declared safe before the defensive player holding the ball touches the rubber portion of the plate.
- Once touched or passed the 20 foot commitment line the runner must continue to home plate (can’t go back to 3rd base). There is no tagging. To declare the runner out, the defensive player have to touch the rubber part of home plate and have possession of the ball.
- If the runner touches home plate (rubber or wood) he will be declared out. He also must avoid the defensive player at all time.
- A runner can slide at any bases except home plate, in that case he will be declared out.
- Courtesy Runner: The courtesy runner rule is for the safety and welfare of all players and league insurance consideration. This rule is not intended for game strategy and should be based on the display of honesty, courtesy and respect by players and captains.
- Medical runner: A medical courtesy runner must be the last out in all cases.
- Medical exemptions: A medical exemption must be declared prior to the start of the game to both captains and the umpire. If a player is injured during the game, a medical exemption must be called at the next at bat. That player will remain a medical for the rest of the game.
- 1st base: A player can only run to 1st base except in the case of a ground rule double, 4 consecutive balls or a wild throw at 1st (ball getting outside of the playing field). If a player, runs past 1st, base under any circumstances other than the exceptions stated above, he will be sent back to 1st.
- If a player does not want to run for another player, he immediately becomes similar to a medical exemption runner for the balance of the game.
- Ball: The “Hot Dot” flight restricted ball must be used at all times.
- Gloves: A player may wear any type of glove in any position on the field, provided it’s legal.
- Sit Out: A player must not sit out two consecutive innings unless he’s hurt.
- Bases: The bases are to be fixed at 65 feet apart.
- Home Plate:
- When a hit ball makes contact with the wood part of the plate it is considered a dead ball. The complete rubber plate, (black and white), is considered live.
- If a player makes contact with the rubber (black or white) or wood part while hitting the ball he will be declared out.
- Homeruns:
- The homerun format “plus 2” will be used, which means that a team will not be allowed to have more than 2 homeruns over the other team.
- All other homeruns will be considered an out.
- An inside the park homerun and a 4 bases award don’t affect the count of the “plus 2” rule.
- The “walk off” rule will apply. The hitter won’t run the bases but must go get the ball. Runners on bases just come to the bench without having to cross home plate.
- Grandfather Clause: The "Grandfather Clause" allows players who have had to leave the league for health or work related reasons to re-enter the league on a priority basis, at the first possible opportunity. The player must be out of the league for no more than 2 full seasons. If he is out of the league for more than 2 full seasons, he shall be considered a new player.
- Player’s Eligibility Criteria:
- Grandfather Clause.
- Waiting list.
- New Player; Ottawa Resident; 35 years of age or older.
- All others.
- Equipment Damages: Any player who neglectfully damages league equipment will be responsible for its replacement at retail cost. Failure to comply will result in suspension or ejection from the league, without a refund of membership fees.
- Footwear: Only proper footwear will be accepted. Metal cleats, dressed shoes and all types of sandals are prohibited, (for insurance purposes).
- Dress Code: Only proper dress code will be accepted (team sweater, pants or shorts, shoes, ball cap). Exceptions could be made on cold nights for sweaters
- Jewelry Rule:
- Rings, chains, bracelets can be worn however we strongly recommend that you remove them.
- Medical related jewelry should be worn at all time.
- Watches and oversized jewelry will not be tolerated.
- Pitching: We will use the SPN rules with no intentional walk and no deliberate wild pitches. Pitchers will throw from the 50 feet line or behind.
- Bats: All bats (personal or not) can be use, however must comply to SPN rules. The owner of his bat can decide of its used among players.
- Tie Breakers (regular season and round robin):
- Most wins as opposed to ties
- If 2 teams tied, record against each other
- If more than 2 teams tied, skip to # 4.
- Total runs "AGAINST" of each completed game
- Flip a coin
- Strike Zone: The strike zone is the rubber plate (black and white) and the wood. This will make the strike zone larger and will help the pitchers. By implementing this rule, we hope the number of walks will go down and that there will be less confusion on which part of the plate (rubber or wood) the ball hits first.
- Rained out games and Unforseen Circumstances: In case of rained out games and unforeseen circumstances these rules will apply.
- Re-schedule the games if possible.
- 4 pts game next time both teams meet on the regular schedule, if possible
- If ruling 1 and 2 can't be apply, we will just cancel the games.
- Every attempt will be made to play the semi-final and the final, if they can’t be played the winner of the round robin will be declared the champions.
- Scoring Sheets: The home team captain for each game is responsible for texting the final score to the captains text group.
- Teasing: Teasing of players must be kept in good taste.
- Parking: The parking of your car at the park is your responsibility. Often fall balls are being hit toward 1st base line and cars have been damaged, therefore we strongly suggest to park either at Garneau High School or MIFO centre.
- Pitcher’s and player's Protection: In order to protect the pitchers, no balls should be intentionally hit back towards the pitcher. If so, a warning will be given. Should the situation arise again, further sanctions may apply. Pitchers are now required to wear a mask while pitching. For his own safety and others, a player under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including cannabis) won't be permitted to play. A player who didn't sign and accept the SPN waiver will not be able to play until it is done.
- Defaulted Games: If a team knows that they will default their game, the captain should advise the opposing team captain and the executive ASAP. If a team intentionally default a game, sanctions may apply. If there is a default, a non-official game can be played at your own risks.
- Abusive Behaviour: Abusive behavior toward umpires, league officials, players and spectators will not be tolerated in any way. Any physical abuse by 1 or more players will result in an immediate expulsion from the league without refund. A 1st verbal abuse offence will result in a severe suspension and a 2nd one will be the expulsion from the league without refund. Should a spectator display similar behaviour the umpire or league officials will ask the spectator to leave the park.
- Maximum Runs Scored:
- A maximum of 7 runs per innings per teams.
- A team falling behind will be able to tie the game even if it means more than 7 runs are scored.
- Last inning will be unlimited runs.
- The homerun rule of “plus 2” still applies at all time.
- Team Balancing: In order to keep the teams balanced, strong players (old or new) wanting to/or switching to a specific team will need to be discussed by the captains.
- Fences:
- Until the fences at 1st & 3rd bases are fixed by the city, if a thrown ball goes under, the runner at 1st will be awarded 2nd and the runner at 3rd will be awarded home plate (status quo).
- Ground Rule Double is still the same (status quo).
- Bases runners advance if forced. (status quo).
All rules not covered herein; will be applied according to the SPN official rule book. Rules were adopted January 18, 1996.
Some of them were added or revised over the years.
Rules could be amended during the course of the season, if needed.
The Executive