1.

Only 2005 Goldhawk Softball Association Inc. registered players are eligible to participate in league games or practices. Registration entitles players to be covered by our insurance. Non-registered players MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICES, League or exhibition games, strictly for liability reasons. There cannot and will not be any exceptions to this rule. Any person who participates in practices or exhibition games, and who is not registered with the league, hereby accepts any and all risks associated with his/her participation.

2.

All players in the game lineup MUST WEAR THEIR TEAM SWEATER, OR THEY BECOME INELIGIBLE TO PLAY THAT GAME. During cold or inclement weather, extra clothing can be worn over the team sweater. Remember, sponsors are extremely important to our League and their name exposure is key. (Note IF YOU CAN REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR BAT AND GLOVE SURELY YOU CAN REMEMBER YOUR SHIRT)

3.

Sports leagues such as Goldhawk are issued permits for Parks based upon the adherence to certain terms and conditions set forth by the City of Toronto. Among the most important of all issues is drinking. To protect our permits, we must insist that NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BE BROUGHT TO OR DRANK IN THE PARK OR PARKING LOT. Celebrations can be had at your local pub or at home. ANYONE IN CONTRAVENTION OF THIS RULE WILL BE EXPELLED FROM THE LEAGUE.

4.

(A)  SAFETY FIRST MUST AND WILL BE THE MOTTO OF EACH PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE. Players should, before the games begin each night, inspect the playing field for any and all foreign objects (IE: glass, rocks, sticks, ruts, holes.) Remove what can be removed and make others aware of depressions, holes, etc. Potentially dangerous situations such as obstruction or interference will be strictly called and may be construed as rough play. If rain has caused infield or outfield grass to be slippery, umpire or one coach can elect not to play the game.

(B)  NO OBVIOUS JEWELLERY WILL BE ALLOWED Watches, Rings, Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces and etc. Exception Medical Alert Bracelets (Automatic out will be levied)

(C)  If it is evident and/or confirmed to an official that a player is pregnant, than for reasons of safety, the player will be requested to remove herself from the game and if she refuses, the umpire will eject her.

5.

ROUGH PLAY OR FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL RESULT IN EXPULSION FROM THE GAME AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION FROM THE LEAGUE.

6.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE ACTIONS OR DISPARAGING REMARKS to umpires opposing players or spectators are not permitted. Offenders may be expelled from the game at the umpires discretion, and face possible suspension or expulsion from the league

7.

Only the coach may approach the umpire to discuss rule interpretation (no arguments on judgment calls.) The umpire’s decisions are final. No game protests are permitted.

8.

The winning team is responsible for phoning in the score to Rick Gottinger (905-837-0845)

9.

No metal or hard plastic cleats are permitted. Running shoes or soft rubber soled shoes are acceptable.

10.

All players present must be in the batting order. Late arrivals must be placed at the bottom of the order.

11.

Each team is allowed a maximum of 10 players on the field (minimum 8.) Unlimited defensive substitutions are allowed.

12.

(A)  Each team must field a minimum of 2 female players at game time or the game is defaulted

(B)   If one or both teams have more than 3 female players present, then a minimum of 3 female players must be on the field defensively.

(C)  At anytime, only a maximum of 7 male players can be on the field defensively. **EXCEPT UNDER 12(e) CONDITIONS

(D)  At game time, any team unable to field 3 female players when the other team has 3 or more female players, can only field 7 males and 2 females - - BUT AN AUTOMATIC OUT WILL BE LEVIED. Subsequently, if a female player arrives late, she must be inserted at the bottom of the lineup and becomes the 10^th player on the field.

(E)   If both teams have only 2 female players and if both coaches agree, the game may be allowed to proceed with 8 male players and 2 female players defensively. Subsequently, if a female player arrives late, she must be inserted into the current game defensively at the beginning of a new inning, therefore allowing the current inning to be completed. At this point the game will proceed under rule 12(d) with 7 males on the field defensively for both teams.

13.

(A)  NO in-field warm-ups after 6:15pm.

(B)   Team must exchange lineups by 6:25pm. With the players that are present. Game time is 6:30pm Sharp. Failure to field the required minimum number of players by 6:30pm will result in a forfeited game. NO GRACE PERIOD IS ALLOWED

14.

(A)  Base distances shall be 60 feet apart.

(B)   The pitching distance shall be 50 feet from home plate.

(C)  When pitching, the pitcher must start with one foot on the pitching rubber, or pitch will be called a ball after one warning.

15.

All defensive players, except the pitcher and catcher, must be behind the fist-second and second-third base paths until the ball is hit and/or bunted. No outfielders can come off grass until ball is passed base line

16.

(A)  Bunting is allowed for women only.

(B)   A third strike foul bunt will be called an out, whereas a swinging third strike foul ball will not be called an out. (Women Only.)

17.

(A)  If there is a play at first base, the batter/base runner must touch the orange bag when overrunning first base to avoid being “in play” and therefore liable to being tagged out while off first base. The defensive player making the force play at first base must touch the white bag.

(B)   After touching the orange bag with no obvious attempt to go to second base, the base runner may return safely to first base.

(C)  If the base runner touches the white bag whether or not an attempt is made to go to second base, the base runner will be deemed to be in play and may be tagged out while off the bag.

18.

NO LEAD-OFFS OR STEALING BASES ALLOWED.

19.

(A)  THE LEAGUE WILL ALLOW SLIDING INTO 2^ND AND 3^RD BASE ONLY. THE INTENTION OF THIS RULE IS TO ELIMINATE ALL POSSIBLE CONTACT WITH THE DEFENSIVE BASE PLAYER BY ALLOWING THE RUNNER THE OPTION TO SLIDE IN A TIGHT PLAY AND AVOID PHYSICAL CONTACT.

(B)   IF THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER IS INENTIONALLY OBSTRUCTYED FROM MAKING A PLAY BECAUSE OF AN ONCOMING SLIDING BASE RUNNER WHO IS CLEARLY IN THE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS PATH. THE UMPIRE WILL IMMEDIATELY CALL THAT PLAYER OUT AND THE PLAYER WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR WITH FUTURE ELIGIBILITY IN THE LEAGUE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

20.

A BASE RUNNER IS OUT if he/she fails to keep contact with the base to which he/she is entitled until a pitched ball is batted either fair or foul.

21.

A base runner passing the commitment line (20 feet from home plate) cannot return safely to third base. Once over the commitment line the player can only proceed to home plate. The play at home is a force play (no tag is necessary.)

THE BASE RUNNER MUST NOT TOUCH HOME PLATE (penalty-automatic out), but should pass by home plate in foul territory to avoid the possibility of a collision.

22.

A player may “back-up” the catcher, however the initial play must be made to the catcher. If the catcher misses the throw UNINTENTIONALLY, THE OTHER PLAYER MAY MAKE THE PLAY. (Note – the intent is to allow the catcher to make the play at home plate.)

23.

(A)  THE COURTESY RUNNER RULE FOR OUR LEAGUE IS AS FOLLOWS: Each team is allowed 3 runners per game. For a male, it is the last male out. For a female it is the last female out. The injured player may have one Courtesy runner per game. The intent of this rule is to allow a break to a player who may have been shaken up during a play or while running bases after batting. It is not to remove a slower runner in favour of a quicker one. Remember, the league is concerned about every player’s health and well being. We want to avoid injuries as much as possible. In light of this, the onus will be on the coaches to monitor their players and if someone is hurt or injured before or during game time, they should scratch those players who could possibly do more harm to themselves by continuing to play. NO Player in the batting Order can sit out twice before every player has set out at least once.

(B)   THE WALK RULE FOR OUR LEAGUE IS AS FOLLOWS. If batter (male or female) is walked, intentionally or not, with a male batter up next, the walked batter will be awarded 1^st base. If a male batter is walked, intentionally or not, with a female batter up next, the walked male batter is awarded 2^nd base and the female batter must bat, the intent of this rule it two fold. 1) To penalized the defensive team to the extent that a possible forces out of double play is avoided by allowing 1^st base to remain open, and 2) To allow the female batter to remain involved in the game.

24.

Tied games are allowed. No extra innings

25.

(A)  Whether during league, playoff or tournament play, the bottom of the 7^th inning will not be played in order to achieve the maximum run differential of 7. That is, a team who has already lost the game by less than 7 runs is not required to return to play for the bottom of the 7^th inning. This should avoid further humiliation.

(B)   A maximum of 7 runs per inning may be scored by each team except for the seventh inning which has no maximum.

26.

If the designated streetlight (pathway by library) comes on, the game will be called and the last complete inning will determine the score. Five complete Innings must be played for the called game to be considered a regulation game. If the home team is batting and is ahead or the game is tied at the time the called that inning is considered complete.

27.

If a team has a shortage of female players (less than 3), they can call another team and ask a female player to fill in for them. That player must be at the bottom of the batting order. This change will help games from being forfeited. Remember players from other teams only.

28.

Umpire scheduling- Teams must provide an Umpire for other teams as shown on schedule. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL COST YOUR TEAM TWO POINTS.

29

30.

Minimum # of games to be eligible for play off is 8 games.

All players in the batting order (Male and Female) must sit out at least once before any player sits out twice.This equal rotation must continue throughout the game.

IN CLOSING WE THE EXECUTIVE WISH ALL PLAYERS AND TEAMS A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE SOFTBALL SEASON AND TO COIN A PHRASE… LET’S PLAY BALL !!!!!!!!!!!

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Last updated: 29 May 2004