STRATFORD MENS SLO-PITCH LEAGUE

BY-LAWS
BY-LAW 1 - Player Eligibility
1. All players in the mens division must be male.
2. No player may be on two team rosters or play in more than one division during the current season. A
player must play for the team for which his first game is played. A player shall be eligible for league play if,
in the current calendar year, he attains the minimum age restrictions per division by December 31st as
follows:
B Division - open;
C Division - Minimum age is 30. Exception: Each team may have a. one (1) player between the ages 25 and 28
b. two (2) players between the ages of 28 and 30
3. For a player to be eligible for playoffs they must play 1/3rd of all scheduled games. If a player is contested,
teams must be able to produce regular season game sheets proving that the player in question played the
required number of games. If team is unable to do so, player in question will not be permitted to play in the
play-offs.

BY-LAW 2 - Game Rules

1. B division will use umpires for the regular season and year end tournament.
C division will use umpires for the year end tournament. During the regular season, each team at bat
must supply an umpire to be used for that inning.

2. All teams are to wear identifying sweaters of contrasting colours. In cases where teams come dressed
identically, they may be asked to change before taking the field.
3. Both a new and used ball shall be provided by the home team.
4. The winning team is to submit the official game report by e-mail to the league convenor after each game
played. The official game report shall consist of the score, full team names, the date and time the game
was played, and, if the game had been rescheduled, the original date of the game. Any official game report
not filled shall be subject to a fine of $50.00 and the winning team shall forfeit any points earned for that
game only. In the event of a tie, the home team shall submit the official game report. The winning team
must also report to the executive if an umpire doesnt show up for the game.

5. The games shall start at the designated times.

Early game shall start at 7:00 p.m. sharp. There shall be a ten-minute grace period;
Late game shall start 10 minutes after completion of the early game but no sooner than 8:30 p.m.
6. No new inning shall start after 8:30pm, regardless of the start time. (EXCEPTION: If delay was due to rain,
no new inning shall start after one hour and 30 minutes from commencement of the rain-delayed game. )
7. Each team shall have 9 players minimum present at game time. By mutual consent of both teams, a team
that does not have 9 players present at game time, the opposing team may provide them with players in
order to play the game. The player(s) provided shall play on that team for the entire game and the outcome
of the game shall stand. If a mutual agreement cannot be reached, the team with less than 9 players shall
forfeit the game.
8. Games shall be 9 innings unless a team is winning by 15 runs after 7 complete innings.
9. If a game is called by the umpire, only games with 5 complete innings will be considered a whole game. All
ties shall be counted as one point per team. Winning teams shall be credited 2 points per win. Ties may be
played out if the game is still within the time limit. If game is called and less than 5 complete innings have
been played, the game results will not count.
10. Scheduled games shall be played on scheduled dates. In the event of inclement weather, the games will
be rescheduled during determined make-up dates and times. In the event of forfeiture, the forfeiting team
shall pay a $25 fine.
11. In the event of inclement weather or poor field conditions on the day of a game, the City shall notify the
league convenor by 4:00 p.m. of a cancellation. If a game has not been cancelled by the City, teams shall
show up by game time, at which time the team representatives and umpire shall agree, if necessary, to
cancel the game. Once a game has started, it is the umpires sole discretion whether to continue play or
not. The convener is responsible to notify the umpire in chief of all cancellations.
12. Every player at game time whose name is on the game sheet shall continuously bat in the lineup. Late
players may be added to the lineup, provided they arrive before they are due to bat in the third inning or
before they go through the batting order once. If a player must leave before the game ends, he may do so
without any penalty to his own team, but as a courtesy must inform the umpire and opposing team.
13. A 24 x 36 wooden home plate shall be provided by the City.

BY-LAW 3 - Playing Rules

1. Unless restated in the rules, the league shall use the official rules of the C.A.S.A.
2. A team must have a minimum of 9 players on the field at all times while a game is in progress.

3. All team fines shall be first paid out of the performance bond submitted to the league by each team and if
the performance bond isnt sufficient, the team must pay the league directly before being allowed to play
another game. The balance of the performance bond will be refunded to each team at the year end
tournament.
4. Any player ejected during the first 4 innings shall be suspended for that game and pay a $25.00 fine. Any
team members ejected after the fourth inning shall be suspended for the next game as well as pay the
$25.00 fine. If a second infraction occurs, the above penalty shall be imposed again plus one extra game
suspension. All player ejections shall be brought to the attention of the league executive by the umpire and
the team representative
5. Depending on the severity, the individual may be assessed an additional fine, or suspension to be
determined by the league executive. Any suspension which is received with a written report from the
umpire is to be reviewed at a meeting held with the suspended player, the umpire, the executive and
umpire in chief. This meeting shall be held as soon as practicable and the suspended player shall remain
suspended while the case is pending. The decision of the league executive is final.
6. There shall be no lead-offs at any time. Players may not leave the bases until the ball has come in contact
with the bat.
7. A foul ball third strike shall be an automatic out.
8. In B division, 4 courtesy runners will be permitted per game. Unlimited Injury runners, may only be used
if the injured player makes the 9th and final player on the team. Otherwise the replacement runner will be
considered a courtesy runner. The injury runner must be the last out. The injury runner must be identified
to the umpire and opposition team prior to the game.
9. In C division, an unlimited number of courtesy runners shall be permitted. The courtesy runner shall be
the last eligible runner that was called out.
10. In C division, Base runners are not permitted to slide/dive into a base. Any player doing so will result in an
automatic out.
11. Only rubber spikes are allowed.
12. No player shall swing at a ball after it makes contact with the ground. The batter shall be called out and
may be ejected by the umpire if they do so.
13. A suicide line, 20 feet from home plate on the third base line, shall be enforced. Once a runner has gone
passed this line with their lead foot, they shall continue to home plate.
14. In C division, there shall be no tag or touching home plate. Touching Home Plate will be an automatic
Out.

15. In B division, there shall be no touching home plate. Tags at the plate are permitted. Touching Home
Plate will be an automatic out.
16. The league shall have (minimum/maximum) arcs as follows:
B Division
6 12
C Division
6 - unlimited
17. A pitcher shall receive 5 warm-up pitches for his first inning pitched. After that, only one warm-up pitch shall
be permitted between innings.
18. Each division shall have unlimited home runs.

For Games played at SERC park, the homerun rule will be match+2. Which means that a team may
only hit two more homeruns than their opponent at any given time. Any homerun hit after that is
considered an out until their opposition hits a homerun.

19. Knob cuff bat handle tapers will be allowed.

20. Only yellow 52/300 (.52 COR, 300 lb Compression) 12 inch Worth Hotdot ball are permitted and will be
purchased by the league and handed out at the final meeting of the pre-season.
21. There shall be no fake tags. A fake tag shall constitute an automatic ejection from the game with no
warning from the umpire.
22. Jewellery is permitted and shall be worn at the players own risk. Umpires are not responsible for any
resulting injury.
23. ASA and USSSA certified bats shall be permitted for use in the league. Any batter, after entering the
batters box is discovered using an illegal bat will be immediately ejected and suspended for the game and
shall pay a fine of $100. In addition the team of the player using the illegal bat shall also be fined $100.
Both fines shall be paid to the league treasurer prior to the team and the player playing their next game. A
second offence shall result in a minimum 1 year suspension and shall be reviewed by the league executive
to determine if a further suspension is warranted. There shall be zero tolerance to this rule and no appeal
process.
24. Beer will not be allowed at the diamonds or at any part of the grounds. A $150 fine will be given for a 1st
offence in the history of the team. The 2nd offence will result in a trial with the executive committee.
25. Mercy rule 25 runs after 5 complete innings or 15 runs after 7 complete innings.

BY-LAW 4 - Playoffs
1. For a player to be eligible for playoffs. THEY MUST PLAY ONE-THIRD OF ALL SCHEDULED GAMES.
2. The playoff format shall be finalized at the start of each season.

Revised April 2015