July 8, 2009
Please note a couple small changes have been made to the Rules and Regulations for clarification only.
General
This is a structured/organized, volunteer-run, non-profit, recreational softball league.
This is not a developmental league (no coaching) therefore, players should have some experience – but you don’t need to be a star!!
Remember to always check the website for updates or changes to the schedule, and any other information regarding the League.
All regular league games will be played at Seylynn,
No games will be scheduled on long weekend Mondays (Wednesday games will resume, and individual teams may opt to have a practice on long weekend Monday nights).
All players are expected to be at the field, warmed-up and ready to play (including having the field set-up) 30 minutes prior to game time (game time: 1.5 hrs max).
Play-offs will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 18, & 19, 2009 at
Measure of Bases is as follows:
*Pitching distance (home plate to pitcher’s mound) 40 feet
*Base to base is 60 feet (home to 1st, 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd)
*Home Plate to 2nd Base is 84 feet
Stealing is allowed after the ball has left the pitcher’s hand.
Sliding is allowed on all bases except 1st Base.
The orange portion of 1st Base is for the runner. If the runner touches the white portion of the bag she is automatically out unless she is rounding for 2nd Base.
Bunting is allowed. Third strike foul on a bunt is an automatic out.
The Ball is live (infield & outfield). If the ball rolls out of play it is a one base overthrow.
Third strike on the batter, catcher misses the ball and 1st is unoccupied, the batter can run to 1st and must be thrown out at 1st Base.
Third Strike foul automatic out is NOT in effect. Third strike foul on a bunt is an automatic out.
You must be tagged by the ball to be out except on 1st base or on a force play where the bag only needs to be touched.
Infield Fly Rule is in effect (i.e. if there are 0 or 1 out and runners on 1st base and/or 1st and 2nd base; batter hits an infield fly, the batter is automatically out; ball does not have to be caught.
Catchers must wear facemasks and helmets at all times.
NO SMOKING in the dugouts.
Only team players and coaches are allowed in the dugouts. Friend/pets/children are not allowed but are welcome in the stands.
There must be a player in the on-deck circle before a pitch is thrown to the batter. If a player is not in the circle the umpire has the right to call an automatic strike on the batter until a player is occupying the on-deck circle.
Umpires are the officials on the field. They are not to be yelled at, argued with or sworn at. If a team has a problem with a specific umpire they can report their issues to the Executive.
Conflict Resolution, this is a fun, recreational league, however, if conflict does arise, please contact one of the Executives and we can address the situation. Please be respectful and mature to fellow team players and umpires. Treat people how you would like to be treated.
Reporting Team Scores and MVP
Each Team Representative is to report the score and its team MVP via email to nvwsl@yahoo.ca (best option) or phone 604.319.0554 within 24 hours after the game.
Special Operating Rules for NVWSL
In the interest of simplicity and consistency, the League will follow Softball Canada/Softball BC rules, with a few exceptions that have been discussed and voted on.
It is up to the teams to advise the umpire of any Special League Rules, at the pre-game meeting at home plate.
The League will provide each team with triplicate batting order sheets. The original goes to the umpire, one copy goes to the opposing team and one copy for your own team.
Your team's official batting order - starting line-up card/sheet, must have all player's first and last names, jersey numbers and position that they are playing.
Everyone bats, five run rule, open last inning, mercy rule in effect.
Courtesy runners are allowed - to clarify, this is the last person available, farthest from batting again. If that same person is still the farthest away, she must run again (e.g. batter hits, runs to first, courtesy runner comes in, 2nd batter hits, courtesy runner scores. Still no outs, that same runner must run again for any player that needs a runner, provided she is still the last person available, farthest from batting again AND is still able.
Time Limit
There is a time limit on all games of 1.5 hours. No new inning shall start after 1.5 hours. Game time starts from the first pitch or what time is called out by the umpire and mentioned to the scorekeepers. Regular season games can end in a tie.
During the game, please hurry on and off the field between innings (time limit).
Game Balls
The Home Team is to supply one (1) new game ball and at least one (1) good back up ball for each game. (Back up balls should have logo, brand name, series type #'s, still showing). Umpire will have final say if back up ball is ok to use. If not, Home Team to supply a second new game ball. Game balls WTND 12FP core 47 (white or yellow optic). The colour must be the same throughout the whole game.
Game Times
Game start time is 6:45pm until June 1 then changes to 7pm for all parks after June 2.
Jewellery
Medical bracelets are the only jewellery allowed. It doesn't need to be taped down, but it is recommended to do so, if at all possible. All other jewellery must be removed or taped down.
Uniforms
Team jerseys and socks must be worn during all games.
Helmets
Helmets must be worn by all batters, on-deck batters, and base runners.
Footwear
Proper footwear must be worn during all games/practices - no metal cleats allowed.
Scorekeepers
Team Reps are to get plate umpire to sign the scorebook at the end of the game. Scorekeepers are to sign and print their name below it.
Borrowing Players
If any one team cannot field a team and they PREARRANGE with another player (e.g. no last minute arrangements) they may borrow players from the NVWSL team that is not playing on the same day at the same time. You cannot insert players that are not in the League and that are not on the official roster.
Special Rules and Regulations for NVWSL
Game Cancellations:
Games Called due to Darkness/Weather
Games which cannot be completed due to darkness or weather shall be rescheduled, unless five innings have been completed. The team ahead after four and a half or five full innings shall be declared the winner. The decision to call the game shall be made by the umpire.
To reschedule a game, the Home Team Captain contacts the Umpire Liaison. Once the game has been rescheduled that Captain informs her team and the other Team Captain, who informs her team. In addition the Home Team Capt informs the Web Master so the game can be posted on the website.
Rainouts/Postponed Games
If a game is to be cancelled, the Umpire Liaison must be notified by 4pm on the day of play. Home team and Umpire Liaison are responsible for determining cancellations. Late games at
If Umpires are not notified of a cancellation, the two (2) teams in question will be charged the Umpire Fees. To reschedule a game, the Umpire Liaison must be contacted. The Umpire Liaison chooses the date. The teams involved have two (2) weeks after a rainout to replay the game. If the League is required to reschedule a game for any reason, other than weather, both teams are not able to field the required number of players, both teams shall be credited with a loss.
End of Regular Season/Playoff Standings:
When total points won are identical, playoff positions will be determined in the following manner:
Win/loss record between teams tied.
Runs for and against in the games played between teams tied.
Semi Finals:
Home games for playoffs will be awarded to the higher-ranking team, with remaining games alternating.
Finals:
A coin toss will determine Home Team for Game 1. Game 2 will alternate.
A coin toss will determine Home Team for the final game.
Batting
Bat throwing is not allowed, no matter if unintentional. First time caught, umpire warns the player. Second time, player is ejected from the game. If someone sustains an injury due to a thrown bat, the offending player is immediately ejected from the game.
All players bat. All players remain in the same batting order throughout the game.
Minimum Number of Players Required
A minimum of eight players are required to start a game. The ninth batting spot on your line up card shall be an automatic out. If your team has only seven players, there will be a 15 minute grace period from the scheduled starting time of your game. If your team doesn't field eight players or even nine players by the end of the grace period, the game will end in default. A score of 7-0 for the team with the full team will be entered as the official score. MVP's will not be chosen for games ending in default.
Mercy Rule
If a team is ahead by 15 runs after three innings or 7 runs after four and one half or five innings, or any inning thereafter, the game will be declared over.
Conduct
There is to be no alcohol consumed by players during the game. A team member, who is dressed in uniform or in the team area, is also bound by this rule. An umpire may give immediate ejection, game forfeiture and game suspension for breaking this rule. Teams are responsible for their own spectators (e.g. family, friends, and pets). In the event that a belligerent spectator may appear to be with a team but in fact is not, teams are to make it known to the umpire immediately that the spectator is not one of their own.
Roster
Each team shall be registered member of the NVWSL and shall consist of eleven (11) players and a maximum of seventeen (17). A League roster must be submitted to the League registrar (one to NVWSL and one to VWFL) by midnight June 1 with no changes unless submitted to the Registars prior to player participation.
Player Eligibility
To be eligible to play in this league, each team must be a registered member of the NVWSL and insured (arranged by the league). To play in the Playoffs a player must have played at least three (3) of the season's regular scheduled games and be listed on the team roster.
Forfeited games will not be recognized as a game played.
Tournament games will not be recognized as a game played.
To determine a player's eligibility, a Team Captain of the opposing team may request the signature of any players, along with the umpire's signature. Failure to abide by such request will result in forfeiture of that game.
Delay of Game
The game can be delayed for 15 minutes only if a team has only 7 players after which time, game will be forfeited by the team not fielding the required minimum of 8 players. If both teams fail o have the minimum of 8 players, the game is forfeited by both teams and the official score is 0-0.
In the instance of fielding 8 players, the 9th position in the batting order is blank and causes and automatic out when that position is the “at bat” players. If a 9th player’s name is on the game score sheet at the start of the game, she can be played any time after the start of the game.
If the number of fielded players drops below 8 any time during the game, that team forfeits the game.
When a team earns 5 runs in any inning, that ½ inning shall be considered complete. The ½ inning or new inning shall then begin. This does not apply to the final and/or seventh inning, which will be open.
When the game cannot be completed due to weather or darkness, the game will be rescheduled unless 5 innings have been completed. The team ahead after 5 full innings is declared the winner. The Umpire is the only person to make the final decision to call the game. If a team is ahead by 15 runs after 4 ½ innings or any inning thereafter the game may be declared over by Mercy Rule.
Think Safety, Sportsmanship and Above All….Have Fun!!!!