Midtown SloPitch Rules

The rules are the same as regular softball rules except for:

1. Each team can field 10 players maximum. Any number of players less than 7 is considered a default.
a. The rover position can only be fielded with 10 players and must be positioned in the outfield.
2. Games will consist of 9 innings, or a two hour time limit (whichever comes first). After 5 complete innings, a game is considered official. No new innings should begin after 1 hour 45 minutes.
3. The plate is extended. A pitched ball hitting any part of the extension or plate is a strike. Pitch must be above 6 feet or else the pitch will be called illegal while it is in the air. With an illegal pitch, the batter has three options:
a. Batter lets ball drop- called a ball
b. Batter swings and misses- called a strike
c. Batter swings and connects- the ball is in play
4. Each batter steps to the plate with a 1 and 1 count (1 ball and 1 strike)
5. On the third strike, the batter is allowed 1 foul ball, the 2nd foul is a strike and the batter is out.
6. Any batter or runner touching home place is out.
a. Batter must remain in batter's box when hitting the ball (umpires discretion) or will be called out.
7. Pinch runners are allowed during a game. The team is responsible to ensure that the pinch runner is the most recent player in the batting order who is not currently on base (if unsure, the umpire or scorekeeper can provide the information). If the pinch runner is on base, and it becomes their turn at bat – they will be called out (at bat). Once the batter has reached base and there is a stoppage in play, the substitute runner may enter the game. Pinch runners are only allowed once the player has reached the base.
8. No sliding into base is allowed. The runner can only leave the base when the batter has made contact with the ball. There is no diving back to the base. Any of these infractions constitutes an automatic out.
9. There will be a commitment line at the last pole of the dugout on the third base line. Once a runner is past this line, they are committed to running home. The runner is then out if the catcher received the ball and touches the plate before the runner crosses the extended 1st base line. No player is allowed to tag runner after crossing commitment line.
10. Out of bound rules:
a. Any ball overthrown in the field will advance base runners 1 base from time of overthrow.
b. If a player catches a ball out of bounds, it is considered a strike (foul ball).
c. If a player catches the ball in bounds and continues to run out of bounds, the base runners do advance one base.
d. A ball that goes under the fence is a ground rule double.
e. A ball that crosses the field through the gate in centre field without touching the ground is a ground rule double.
11. Infield fly rule is in effect- Any fly ball hit within the infield with less than 2 out, and with runners at least on 1st and 2nd will result in batter being called out. Note- runners are not forced to advance.
12. All players will bat, even if they are not playing in the field.
a. All players in the lineup must play a minimum of three innings in the field.
b. Once you have been removed from the lineup, you can not play in the field for the remainder of the game.
13. Team must follow batting order given to the umpire at the beginning of the game.
a. Only players who are at the park can be entered into the lineup. Any player that comes after the game has started will be added to the bottom of the order.
14. Only the captain or assistant captain may address the umpire. When addressing the umpire, the captain is expected to be courteous.
15. Verbal abuse of an umpire will result in ejection from the game and a possible suspension.
16. No hard casts may be worn by players or base coaches.
17. The mercy rule for an inning is 6 runs. Once the 6th run has scored, if the play is still live, the defence has to touch the plate to end the inning. All runs scored after the 6th run and before the defence touches the plate will count (up to a maximum of 9 runs).
a. If a player is intentionally walked to end an inning, they will lead off the next inning.
b. There is no mercy rule in the 9th inning or subsequent extra innings.
18. If the game is tied after 9 innings and under 1 hour 45 minutes, we will play extra innings. If tied tied and over 1 hour 45 minutes, we will go to a swing off.
19. Before each game, the umpires will measure out a pitching box 40-50 feet from the front of the plate, measuring two feet sided to side. This measurement will constitute the pitching area. Pitchers must complete their windup with one foot in the pitching area. Any pitch thrown where the pitcher does not finish their windup within the pitching area will be considered an automatic ball.
20. There is absolutely no batting practice before games. Each team will be allowed to run an infield as long as time allows for it.
21. Only bats and balls provided by the league may be used in games.
22. Players must play a minimum of 50% of the season in order to qualify for playoffs. If a player has played less than 50% of the games, the team manager may file a request for playoff privileges to the commissioner outlining the reason as to why the player should have the chance to play.
23. No player may play for more than one team during a season. As soon a player has played one out or had one at bat, their allegiance is confirmed for the full season.
24. A 24 hour notice for weekday games and a 48 hour notice for weekend games is required for all defaults. The default score is 9-0. If the defaulting team does not cancel their game within a 4 hour window of the game time, the default score will be 27-0. If no notice is given, the first default will result in a fine equal to 1/15th of the league fee (2019 fine is $233). The fee will be added onto next year's team fee. The second default where no notice is given will result in the team's expulsion from the league for the following season.
25. In case of rain, check for game cancellation on the Midtown Website around 4:00 p.m. The decision to postpone a game due to weather will be made no later than 5:00 p.m. the day in question.
26. Unsportsmanlike Conduct - Conduct such as fighting, taunting, verbal abuse, forms of intimidation, uttering threats, throwing equipment, and any other conduct deemed unsportsmanlike WILL NOT BE CONDONED and will be punished with a minimum one game suspension.
a. If a player is ejected from a game for ANY reason, the player will automatically be suspended from that team's next played game.
b. IN ADDITION - Once a player has been suspended (from that moment), the player and their team are on probation for the remainder of that season. If the player is ejected again, they will be suspended from Midtown permanently.
c. Teams ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct can be ejected from Midtown.
d. Ejected players MUST leave the park immediately (failure to do so will result in the forfeit of the game by the ejected player's team) and may not be on the bench, in the stands or in the park while serving their suspension.
e. Fighting or striking a player or fighting, striking, bumping or pushing an umpire will result in a suspension from Midtown for a minimum of two games and possibly expulsion from the league.


Midtown COVID-19 Policies - Adapted from SloPitch National Recommendations
27. Personal Protection
a. Do not come to the game if you are ill, show any symptoms or have been around someone who is ill
b. The use of mask or face shield is recommended
c. The use of personal fitted batting gloves at all times is recommended
d. The use of individual antibacterial hand sanitizer is recommended - it will be provided by the league
e. Each team will use 3 bats provided by the league. They are not to be shared with the other team. The bats will be wiped down before and after all games.
f. Each team will use a separate bin of balls, kept by their dugout.
g. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
h. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or into your elbow when coughing or sneezing
i. Gum, sunflower seeds and spitting are prohibited.
j. Players may not share beverages or personal water bottles.
28. Arrival/Departure at the Fields
a. Players are asked to arrive 15 minutes maximum before scheduled game time.
b. Players will leave facilities immediately upon game completion.
c. There will be absolutely no congregating at parks, facilities or parking areas before or after your game.
29. Social Distancing During Warm Ups, Games and Post-Game
a. There will be no physical contact between the teams following the game.
b. Players will be limited to only throwing with their own teammates during warm up.
c. When on offense, players will need to line up along the fence outside of the diamond, spread out according to social distance regulations.
d. The dugout can only be used by participants who can physically distance according to the space available.
e. The catcher will stand 2 meters behind the strike mat.
f. A dedicated area will represent where the next scheduled team is to meet, until such time when they have been cleared to approach the diamond by the umpire or when it is apparent that the previous team occupants have vacated the facility.
g. Immediately upon the completion of the game, all members will leave the diamond area.
h. Spectators must physically distance.
i. All personal items and garbage must be collected and removed by each team after the game.
30. Umpires
a. Umpires will wear a mask or face shield during the game.
b. Umpires will provide further detailed ground rules on an as needed basis observing the necessary distancing before the game begins.
c. Umpires will stand where they are comfortable calling the game, and at least 2 meters away from the catcher and batter.
d. Umpires will keep track of players during the game to facilitate contact tracing should it be required.
31. Teams and or players who do not adhere to the suggestions put forth by league and event organizers risk being unable to participate. It is imperative that all participants conduct themselves in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner. Failure to accept the necessary measures put forward by league or event organizers shall not be tolerated. Thank you for your patience during these challenging times.