The following are the rules for our league.  Any time a rule is not stated in our main rules, NSA rules apply.  NSA rules books will be handed out to all of the teams. 

Cranbrook Co-Ed Slo-Pitch Association Rules

At anytime a team head can decide to let the other team play without meeting the team rules.  For example the other  team head can ask if you would make an exception because they are short or for another reason and let them play with a boy as a girl etc.  It is up to the other team head to decide if this would be ok before the game has started, once a team had agreed on modified rules they can not go back on that decision after the game is played.  Please be aware that if you haven't checked with the other team and are breaking the team rules about players, (boy for a girl, short a girl etc.), that the other team can appeal after the game has been played resulting in a rematch from when the rule was broken or if the game cannot be replayed a default win for the wronged team.

Teams

1. Teams consist of 10 players, no more than 6 men can field at a time.  A team may start or finish a game with nine (9) players.  (See exempt rule for senior teams).

o        In the case where a team starts a game with nine (9) players, the vacant tenth spot in the batting line-up shall be declared an auto out until another player arrives to take that place.  If a team starts with ten (10) players and a player is removed from the game for any reason, that team may continue to play with nine (9) players, with the vacated spot in the batting order being declared an auto out.

o        Under no circumstances may a team play with less than nine (9) players.  The team that is short will receive a default loss of 0-7.

o        If a team is short and both team heads decide to play the game out anyway the score will not count and the short team will receive a default lose of 0-7

o        Teams may play extra players; the EP’s do not have to be even man/woman but no more than 2 men can bat in succession.

o        When a team is left with a vacant spot in the line-up because of the removal of a player, or they started a player short the opposing team may not, with two (2) outs, intentionally or unintentionally walk the previous batter in order to get to the “automatic out” created by the vacant spot in the batting order. If the previous batter is walked, the vacant spot in the batting order is skipped, the “automatic out” is waived, and the next batter is the player whose name follows the vacant spot in the batting order. This only applies when there are two (2) outs.

2. Full roster line-ups for batting permitted. (All players must bat).
3. SENIOR TEAMS (50 years plus) are permitted to play a maximum of 8 men at any given time.  If a senior team plays an underage player, the team must play the 6 men /4 women format or forfeit the game.
4. Players Age: NSA insurance states that players must be at least 16yrs old. Note: a 16 boy can not take the place of a girl.

Equipment

5. All women are to hit 11” balls and all men are to hit 12” balls.
6. NO METAL CLEATS – Penalty: if a player is caught wearing metal cleats they will be asked to remove them, if they are not removed immediately that player will be told to leave.
7. BASES: Bases are to be supplied by the home team; all bases must be secured (no exceptions).

Batting/Base Running

8. SAFETY BASE: If the play is at first base, either from the infield or outfield, a baserunner will be called out for touching the inside base. If the play is elsewhere, the inside base may be tagged in a continuation toward second base. The baserunner running toward first base may cross over to the inside bag to avoid a collision if a wild throw occurs.
9. The runner must touch 2^nd and 3^rd when overrunning unless the defensive player is blocking the entire base without a play at the base (see rules 10a, 11c & 11e).
10. A RUNNER IS OUT.  The ball is dead and no runners may advance if:

a.       He deliberately runs into a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to tag him.

b.       He is hit by a ball while running the bases.

11. A RUNNER IS NOT OUT IF:

a.       He is touched by a fielder who does not have or does not maintain control of the ball.

b.       He is touched by a fielder’s glove while the ball is being held in the other hand.

c.       He runs outside the baseline to avoid interfering with a defensive player fielding the ball.

d.       He is intentionally or unintentionally hit by a batted ball while standing on base.

e.       When a fielder obstructs a baserunner from making a base, unless the fielder is trying to field a batted ball, has the ball ready for a tag, or is about to receive a thrown ball.

• note: If a fielder, without the ball, fakes a tag, the umpire may award the obstructed baserunner and each other baserunner affected by the obstruction, the bases they would have reached, had there been no obstruction.

12. Runner must run behind the home plate/mat, if a runner touches any part of the home plate or mat; it results in an automatic out.
13. If 3^rd base runner crosses the commitment line (a line 21 feet prior to home plate) the runner must continue towards home plate, unless he/she returns to 3^rd base to tag up for a fly ball with liability to be put out. (RULE: one foot completely over the line and touching ground constitutes crossing the commitment line).
14. The catcher cannot tag the runner at home  
15. A dead ball out is assessed after the following home run limits have been reached: both teams must reach 2 and then 1 up.  (RULE: 1 up - once both teams have reached the limit, above, that no team may be more than one homerun (untouched over the fence) ahead of the other team).
16. ANY BALL TOUCHED BY a defensive player, which then goes over the fence in fair territory, shall not be included in the total of over the fence home runs, it becomes a double.
17. Six (6) runs per inning rule is in effect. (The 7^th inning is open until the game is won, see rules 23 & 24)
18. If the game cannot be completed because of time restrictions, the final score will be that of the last inning completed.
19. WOMEN ARE PERMITTED TO BUNT.  Once bunting position is taken a full swing is not permitted.
20. FORCE OUT: A force out is an out which can be made only when a baserunner loses the right to the base he is occupying because the batter becomes a batter-baserunner. When a runner advances without a baserunner behind him forcing the play, the baserunner must be tagged to be declared out. 
21. Two baserunners may not occupy the same base simultaneously.  EFFECT: The baserunner who first legally occupied the base is entitled to it. The other baserunner maybe put out by being touched with the ball.
22. overthrow rule: In all cases where a thrown ball goes into the spectator’s seats, goes over, through, or under any fence surrounding the playing field, hits any person or object not engaged in the game, goes into the players’ benches, including bats lying near benches, whether the ball rebounds onto the playing field or not, or remains in the meshes of any wire screen, each and every baserunner shall be awarded one (1) base
23. batting in the 7^th inning: If the home team has won the game going into the 7^th inning they do not take their turn at bat.  If the other team decides they should take another turn at bat whatever runs are scored will not be counted.
24. the winning run ends the game in the 7^th: In the bottom of the 7^th inning, the inning is open but once the batting team has scored the winning run the game is over.  This means that once the winning run crosses the plate the game is over.  The defensive team can choose to let the team finish their turn at bat but the final score would stand as the winning team winning by 1 run.
25. TAG-UP RULE: When a base runner has left their base on a fly ball and it is caught, the runner must run back and tag their base before advancing.
26. LEAD OFF: Runners may leave their base when a pitched ball is batted or reached home plate, but must return to that base immediately after each pitch not hit by the batter with liability to be put out.
27. The batting team is responsible for always supplying an umpire at home plate and also at 1^st and 3^rd base.
28. WALKING: When a man is walked on any count with a female on deck he goes to second and the female has the choice to take a walk to 1^st or to bat.  When a man is walked with a man is on deck, he goes to 1^st.

Pitching

29. Each team must have a male/female pitcher/catcher combination.
30. Pitcher must pitch from a position in line with home plate and 2^nd base.
31. Pitcher’s zone is a 24” wide area located 50 to 60 feet from home plate, a pitcher may choose to pitch from anywhere within this zone.
32. Pitcher cannot move toward the batter until the ball has been hit or crosses home plate.
33. The pitched ball must have a perceptible arc of at least 6 feet from the ground before it passes any part of home plate and shall not reach a height of more than 12 feet from the ground at its highest point. Failure to comply with this rule will constitute an illegal pitch and a ball will be awarded to the batter.
34. QUICK PITCH: A quick pitch is made by the pitcher, with the attempt to catch the batter of balance.  This would be before the batter takes his/her position in the batter’s box, or while he/she is still off balance as a result of the previous pitch.  The pitch will be declared a no-pitch.

Game Play

35. One and one half hours has been allowed for each game.  No new inning shall commence after one hour and fifteen minutes.

Have Fun And Good Luck In The 2008 Season!