SSA Rules (2023)

 

(For rules specific to U8 please scroll to the bottom of this page)

1.0 MISSION STATEMENT

The objective of the participating associations is to engage players to the game of softball in
a manner that ensures they have fun. Interest in the game will be fostered by giving each
player the opportunity to participate in all games. Good sportsmanship must be demonstrated
at all times by (and to) the Players, the Coaches, Spectators and Umpires alike.
All Softball Canada, O.A.S.A, and P.W.S.A rules apply unless stated otherwise below.

2.0 GENERAL RULES

2.1 Length of Game: The maximum number of innings per game is 7 innings.

o Early games begin at 6:30 p.m.. Forfeit / Default time is 6:45 p.m.. No new inning after 8:10 pm, hard stop is 8:30 p.m.

o Late games begin at 8:45 p.m.. Forfeit / Default time is 9:00 p.m.. No new inning
after 10:25pm, hard stop is 10:45 p.m.

2.2 Unplayable Field Conditions: In the event of inclement weather, The Convenor may
cancel any game prior to 5:00 p.m., after which point it becomes a game time decision. The
Umpire in consultation with the coaches will evaluate the condition of the playing field to decide if the game will be cancelled. The umpires decision is final.

2.3 Cancelled Games: The Convenor will attempt to reschedule.

2.4 Lightning: The umpires will call the game any time they see lightning.

2.5 Blood Rule

● Any player, coach or umpire showing evidence of external bleeding for any reason will
be removed from the game until such time as the bleeding is stopped. Substitution for a
bleeding player will be without penalty. If a substitute player is not available, the Umpire
shall allow a reasonable amount of time for the player to resume.

● Any portion of a player's, coach's or umpire's uniform or clothing soiled by blood, must
be removed. Sufficient (and reasonable) time will be allowed for this purpose. A
replacement sweater does not have to conform to the common sweater uniform rules in
this situation.

3.0 PLAYER PARTICIPATION / MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS

3.1 All players present must be included in the batting order.

3.2 Each team must have a minimum of 7 players to start and finish the game. Failure to field a team of 7 players will result in a forfeit of the game.

3.3 No player will sit twice, until ALL players have sat out once (defensively). No player
may sit out two consecutive innings (defensively).   Except for disciplinary reasons.

3.4 Overage Players: Overage players may play 1 year down, he/she may pitch, and
participation is dependent on decision by league executives.

3.5 Only registered players are permitted to participate in any game or practice.

3.6 Coaches must rotate players through different positions giving players the
opportunity to play both infield and outfield.

3.7 Call overs are permitted within their own division during regular season in the event
that a team does not meet the seven player minimum, to a maximum of nine players.

4.0 EQUIPMENT

4.1 Pants: Players are not permitted any combination of shorts, pants and/or socks,
which do not completely cover the leg.

4.2 Catcher: The catcher must be equipped with a helmet and facemask (with throat
protector), chest protector and shin guards.

4.3 Gloves: Trapper glove may only be used by Catcher and First Base.

4.4 Helmets: All batters, base runners, and on-deck batters, must wear a batting helmet
with a full face mask. Batting helmets must remain on and strapped while on the playing
field. A warning will be given to both teams for the first offence of this rule. The
subsequent offence by either team will result in an out.

4.5 Shoes: Shoes must be worn on the field. Only plastic/rubber cleats/spikes are
permitted . All shoes, including players and coaches, must be fully enclosed; no slip-ons,
clogs, sandals, etc.

4.6 Safety bases will be used at first base.

4.7 Jewellery: Players are required to be ‘jewellery free’ during games and practices,
players found wearing jewelry during at bat or while running the bases will be assessed
an out. The following exceptions will be permitted:

● Players must fully tape all visible jewellery that cannot be removed.

● Medic Alert bracelets/necklaces are permitted.

4.8 Jerseys: must be tucked in at all times when on the ball diamond.

4.9 Defensive Face Mask: all players are required to wear a face mask while pitching.

5.0 GAMEPLAY

5.1 Infield Fly: Applicable in instances where there are base runners at 1st and 2nd, or
1st, 2nd and 3rd, with less than 2 outs. When a pop-fly is deemed by an umpire to be
easily caught by an infielder, infield fly is called by an umpire and the batter is
automatically out. The base runners are not forced to advance and do so at their own
risk. (U14/U16/17 division only)

5.2 Dropped Third Strike: Applicable when 1st base is unoccupied or there are two (2)
outs, when third strike is called and the catcher does not catch the ball, the runner may
attempt to advance to 1st as the ball becomes live. (U14/U16/17 division only)

5.3 Overthrows: A live ball that is thrown or knocked out of play will result in all
base runners being awarded 2 bases from where they were at the time of the throw.

5.4 Throwing the Bat : At the discretion of the umpire any batter found throwing the bat
can be either given a warning or will be given an automatic out. Repeat offenders, or if
deemed intentional, players can be removed from the batting order and be an automatic
out for remainder of the game.

5.5 Safety Play at Home (U16/U17 Coed) A safety line and a commitment line will be in
place for U16/17 coed play.

● Commitment Line is a line, drawn 20 feet from the back of the plate (point),
perpendicular to the third base foul line. No runner can be tagged once passed
the commitment line, if so, the runner is safe and the ball is live. If a player
passes the commitment line and then attempts to go back to third base they will
be called out (excluding tag ups and missed bases.)

● Safe Line is a 10 foot line, drawn in foul territory, from the left front corner of
home plate perpendicular to the third base foul line. When the runner touches
ground beyond the line prior to the defensive player holding the ball touching
home plate, they are considered safe. The runner shall not make contact with
home plate, if so, they will be called out and the ball is live.

6.0 PITCHING
(For limits to number of innings pitched please refer to the table provided.)

7.0 WARMING UP THE PITCHER

7.1 CATCHERS, COACHES, and PARENTS must wear a mask while receiving warm-up
pitches on the playing field during practices and games. If the person catching refuses to
wear a mask, when requested, the players involved and the head coach will be removed
from the game.

7.2 A game official (plate or base) will alert the head coach of the request to correct the
infraction, giving them the opportunity to correct it. A Convenor or League Executive can
issue the request and notify the plate umpire.

8.0 SCORING

8.1 Mercy Rule: A team will bat until 3 outs are recorded or 5 runs have scored (Mercy
Rule), whichever occurs first in the first four innings. In the fifth and subsequent innings
a team will bat until 3 outs are recorded or 7 runs have scored (Mercy Rule) whichever
occurs first. The last inning will be called by the umpire and be an open inning for U 17.

8.2 The winning coach is expected to send the game score, to the Division Convenor through TeamSnap, within 24 hours of game completion

9.0 PROTESTS:

9.1 Protests are not allowed on regular season games.

10.0 EJECTIONS AND SUSPENSIONS - NOTE: Ejections are issued by a member of the Umpire staff

10.1 Players or team officials ejected during play or at the conclusion of play by the
umpire will leave the playing field and if so designated by the umpire, the park. (the park
is defined as the parking lot designated by the Umpire) . A first ejection carries an
immediate suspension of 1 complete game played. A second ejection in the same
season, or a first ejection deemed serious will be reviewed by the Discipline Committee,
which may suspend the person a minimum of 1 game, and maximum of the remainder of
the season. The coach of the team with the ejected player is responsible for
communicating the ejection to the divisional convenor.

10.2 Volunteers or spectators ejected must leave the park, (the park is defined as the
parking lot designated by the Umpire) within 5 minutes of ejection; otherwise the coach
will be ejected. If the coach does not leave the park within 5 minutes, the team forfeits
the game.

10.3 Failure to report an ejection to the convenor prior to the next game will result in a
forfeiture of the subsequent game and any additional games until the ejection is
reported.

11.0 OTHER IMPORTANT RULES DIFFERENCES

11.1 Safety Base: A runner advancing to 1st base must use the safety base if there is a
play to run through the base, and similarly the fielder at 1st must only use the white base
to make a defensive out.

11.2 Defensive Conferences: A coach may have two defensive conferences for each
pitcher, in each inning. On the second conference the pitcher must be changed and a
new pitcher must be played.

11.3 Offensive Conferences: In the spirit of teaching players how to play the game, we
want to encourage coaches to help players in need when in the batter’s box. As the
players get older and gain more skill, less of this will occur. At the umpire’s discretion, a
warning may be issued to the offensive coach if the umpire feels the game is being
delayed for a competitive nature. A second warning may result in an ejection of the
coach.

 

U8 MODIFIED PROGRAM GUIDELINES

 

LENGTH OF GAME:

START TIME: 6:30

NO NEW INNING: 8:00

HARD STOP 8:15

FIELD SETUP:

BASE DISTANCE: 45 FT

BALL SIZE: 11 IN INCREDIBALL (softie)

PITCHING DISTANCE: 25 FT

8 FT PITCHING CIRCLE

 

GAME PLAY:

The game play for U8 has been modified to focus on the aspect of having fun and learning the basics of Softball. Coaches must develop players at all positions including pitchers.  Effective with Game 4, players will pitch to their own batters.  The first 3 games will be played differently than the rest of the season. PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES BELOW:

1.1 There will be score sheets for each game; however we will not be keeping track of wins or losses.

1.2 Playoffs will be a random draw

1.3 Number of players on the field: The field can have up to 11 players, including the Rover. 5 outfielders and 6 infielder.

1.4 A minimum of 6 fielders to play a game. (you may borrow players from the opposing team if you do not have enough to field a team.)

1.5 Attire: PANTS, JERSEY, HATCLOSED TOE SHOES (NO METAL CLEATS)

1.6 Jewellery: Players MUST be “jewellery free.” If jewellery cannot be removed it must be fully taped with the exception of a medical alert necklace or bracelet

1.7 Equipment: Fielders MUST have a glove, catcher must wear all appropriate equipment

1.8 Batters, Pitcher and Rover MUST wear a helmet with a full face mask and a chin strap

1.9 Umpires will call the game due to lightning and the convenor will try to reschedule any cancelled games

1.10 Absence of an Umpire: Each team will select one representative to act as an umpire and remain objective for that game

1.11 Parents are NOT ALLOWED ON THE FIELD unless a player is injured and said parent has medical training, or is the players guardian, or is on the coaching staff/filling in for a coach

1.12 Parents are NOT PERMITTED TO SPEAK TO THE UMPIRES REGARDING CALLS, that is the coaches responsibility and may result in ejection from the game if deemed necessary

1.13 Over-aged players cannot play the same position more than once in a game, which includes pitching.

1.14 There are 11 different positions on the field and every player, regardless of their ability, should have an equal opportunity to develop their skills.

Games 1 to 3:

  • ➢Every player will bat once every inning
  • ➢Outs will count, but will be unlimited
  • ➢Players will pitch at least the first 3 pitches to every batter.  (Coaches may pitch the last two at their own discretion)

Game 4 Onward:

  • ➢Players may not bat every inning as 3-outs will apply.
  • ➢Mercy rule of 5 runs per inning is in effect.
  • ➢Players will pitch all pitches to their own batter.