UNIONVILLE LADIES SLO-PITCH RULES REVISED APRIL 2019 The ULSPL will be governed by the current SLO-PITCH NATIONAL (SPN) Rule Book. Any exceptions or ​ ​ additions implemented by the ULSPL are clearly indicated in the document that follows and shall provide for circumstances not covered in the SPN Rule Book and/or complement, clarify or override an SPN rule. ​ ​ RULE 1 - The Playing Field Section 1 – Base distance There will be a base distance of 60 feet. (this is an exception to the SPN rules) ​ Section 2 – Pitching There will be a starting pitching distance of 50-65 feet, with a pitching zone of 24”. Section 3 – Batter’s area A slo-pitch mat will be used; the strike zone will include home plate and the mat. Section 4 – Commitment line The commitment line will be 20 feet from home plate. RULE 2 – Equipment Section 1 - The ball ● Ball size will be 11 inches. Section 2 - Safety base ● A safety base will be used at first; ● If the batted ball touches any part of the white base, it is a fair ball. If it hits completely on the orange portion, it is a foul ball; ● If a play is made to first base, the baserunner’s first attempt to reach first base must be to touch some portion, of the orange base. If she touches only the white base in these situations, she is to be called out; ● If a play is not made to first base (e.g., a walk, hit through the infield or directly to the outfield), either the white or orange portion may be used; ● Once a baserunner has attained first base, and time is called, she must use only the white portion of the base. This includes: ▪ after over-running first base, or after rounding first base, if applicable, and the baserunner decides not to advance further, she must return to the white portion; ▪ after over-running first base, or after rounding first base, if applicable, and the baserunner touches only the orange portion and decides to advance further, she need not retouch the white portion; ▪ when tagging up, the baserunner must use the white portion; ▪ when there is an attempted pick-off play, the baserunner must return to the white portion. ● A defensive player must use only the white portion of the base at all times. If interference is called, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ the runner is safe. RULE 3 - The Game Section 1 – Game times (this section is exclusive to the ULSPL and not in SPN rules) ​ ● Game-times are 6:30pm and 8:00pm; ● Umpires will use game times as a guideline to determine when open inning is called. No new inning will start after 1 hr and 15 min for each game. ● If Home team is AHEAD going into the bottom of the Open inning, they will NOT bat. The game will end, and the score will be recorded as is. ● If Home team is BEHIND, they will bat until 3 out, or until they take the lead (+1). At this point the game will end, the score will be recorded. ● Once Home team achieves the win at +1, Away team does not have to endure playing out their loss as the score is run up further. Potential for friendly continuation of game if time left and both teams in agreement. Score remains the same (+1). ● Once an inning is started, it will be completed, no revert back. ● In the event of rain, darkness, or time limit, 4 innings (3 1/2 if the home team is winning) will constitute a complete game. Otherwise it is a rainout game and will be replayed in its entirety if it affects the season's standings. Section 2 – Pre-game communication Discussions will be held at home plate by Co-Captains from both teams with the Umpire prior to the start of each and every game and are to include mention of any late players, the need for on deck batters and any courtesy runners. Any known injuries must be discussed with the umpire and opposing Co-Captains prior to the start of the game. Watches should be synchronized. Section 3 – Defaulting (this section is an addition to the SPN rule on forfeit) ​ A team will default with 6 or fewer players. Default time is 10 minutes after the starting time. The score will be 7-0 for the non-offending team. After the umpire has established a default, the teams may play a FUN game and players from other teams may be recruited. Section 4 – Mercy rule There is a maximum of 6 runs per team per inning allowed during regular season; except for the final ​ inning. The umpire will determine the final inning based on time and will designate the last inning calling it “open”. This is part of current SPN rules. Section 5 – Sliding Sliding is permitted at all bases, but not while attempting to touch and/or cross the scoring line, at the home plate / strike mat. Section 6 – Infield-fly rule An infield fly is a fairly batted fly ball (not a line drive) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second, or when first, second and third bases are occupied with one or no players out. Any defensive player, who positions herself within the infield area, will be considered an infielder for the purpose of this rule. ULSPL Rules 2019 Page 2 of 6 ​ NOTE: If a fairly batted ball is to be declared an infield fly the umpire shall call: ‘Infield fly, if fair, batter ​ ​ is out!’, for the benefit of the runners. Failure to make the call does not preclude the batted ball ​ from being an infield fly. The ball is alive and if the runners advance they do so at their own risk and are in jeopardy if the ball is caught. The ruling is the same as any other caught or dropped fly ball. A foul ball is not an infield fly and if the ball falls untouched to the ground in fair or foul territory prior to first or third base and subsequently rolls into foul territory, it is just a foul ball. Section 7 - Plays at Home Plate ● All plays at home plate are considered a forced play; ● If the runner touches home plate or the mat, the runner is out; ● Tagging will be allowed between the commitment line and the safety line at home plate. Section 8 – Plays from the field ● Plays may be made from the field to first base. (this is an exception to the SPN rules) ​ Section 9 – Batter-baserunner ● All batters must attempt to run to first base; ● After reaching first base, the batter-baserunner, for injury or health concerns, may herself choose to be replaced by a courtesy runner. The courtesy runner will be the last player called out. There ​ are no exceptions to the last out option. RULE 4 - Players Section 1 – Punctuality (this section is exclusive to the ULSPL and not in the SPN rules) ​ Any late player is allowed to play up to 15 minutes after the start of the game. Late players will be marked as an out if not there when called to bat – OR – until the captain indicates to the umpire that the player is not coming and thus removed from the game. Late players arriving after 15 minutes will be marked “present” but not playing. Section 2 – Playing time (this section is exclusive to the ULSPL and not in SPN rules) ​ Each player must sit equally (e.g. sit once before any player sits a second time and so on) with the following exceptions: ● With 11 players or fewer, the starting pitcher must leave the mound for at least one inning by the end of the 4th inning (she may play another position); ● With 12 or 13 players, the starting pitcher must sit at least 1 inning by the end of the 4th inning; ● With 14 or more players, EVERYONE MUST SIT EQUALLY INCLUDING THE PITCHERS; ● In the absence of either designated pitcher, a team may play their only pitcher for the entire game. RULE 5 - Pitching Section 1 – Pitching Zone Once a pitcher is set in position a maximum of 2 steps may be taken during the action of delivering a pitched ball. After release of the ball, 1 foot must remain within the pitching zone of 50-65 feet. The pitcher may not continue to move forward, other than the normal forward momentum from delivering a pitch. ULSPL Rules 2019 Page 3 of 6 ​ Section 2 – Substitutions (this section is exclusive to the ULSPL and not in the SPN rules) ​ Pitchers can be substituted from the field, but not from the bench. If a designated pitcher leaves the mound, then equal sits must apply. a. Teams missing both designated pitchers may request a pitcher from the Spare/Wait list. If there are no pitchers on the Spare/Wait list, teams will be allowed to recruit a designated pitcher from ​ ​ another ULSPL team for that game. The substitute pitcher will be allowed to pitch, and bat, as any other player would, during a regular season game. b. If no other ULSPL pitcher is available, the team has the option of asking a ‘non-pitcher’ from its own team to pitch. If neither ‘a’, nor ‘b’ can be executed, the team will default the game. Section 3 – Aspiring pitchers – THERE IS NO ASPIRING PITCHER DESIGNATION FOR THE 2019 SEASON ​ ● Aspiring pitcher are permitted to pitch a maximum of two innings per game; ● The following rules apply for aspiring pitchers only: a.