SWGSL - 2024 Playing Rules

Note: Changes for the 2024 season are highlighted.

General Playing Rules

1. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Warm ups, including infield, are to be completed before start time.

2. Due to registration numbers, teams can play with 7 players, without penalty (this is normally 8). Teams with additional players are free to provide players to the opposition.

3. For each game (u11 and up), the home team will provide the score to Cory Barkley (204-851-6405).

4. Teams will keep track of their record for the season. 

5. As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect. i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop   

   ​​Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.

6. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely without penalty. All eligible players shall be listed on the line-up and shall bat in the order shown.

7. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.

8. All players playing an infield position must wear a face mask in U9, U11, U13, & U15. Masks are recommended for U17/U19. Note: This rule applies to teams from the Southwest League. Teams from Brandon will follow Softball Brandon policy.

9. Pitchers in the U17/u19 and below categories are required to wear a protective face mask.

10. Players may choose to wear metal cleats beginning in the U17 age category.

Special Playing Rules

U9

1. Official Ball: 11” (soft construction)

2. Base Distance: 45’

3. Teams will ump the games, with the fielding team making any calls.

4. Teams are required to keep track of their batting order, with a recommendation from Softball Canada to not keep score. Scores are not reported to the league and standings are not kept.

5. No new inning to start after 1 hour of playing time.

6. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.

7. When playing the infield, players must wear a fielding mask.

8. A coach will pitch a maximum of 5 pitches to a batter. If the ball is not hit after the 5th pitch, the player will hit off a tee.

9. The fielding team will provide an adult to catch during the game. The catcher must wear a protective face mask.

10. The defensive team is allowed up to 10 players on the field, with 4 in the outfield.

11. An offensive inning consists of every player batting according to the batting order, regardless of outs

12. When a player goes out, they will be retired and are to leave the field of play.​

13. The last batter will be treated as any other hitter. Once a play is made on them or they get home, that half of the inning will end (last year, the ball had to be thrown home).

14. No stealing bases at any time.
15. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely, however, the batting order cannot be changed.
16. Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.
17. Coaches are allowed on the diamond during the game to help direct play and provide immediate feedback.

U11 

1. Official Ball: Rawlings 11” Red Dot PX11 RYLC

2. Base Distance: 45’

3. Pitching Distance: 35’

4. U11 will use a larger home plate (21”). (A plate may not be available to be put down, however, the strike zone will be larger.)

5. As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect (i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop). Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.

6. Games are 5 innings or 90 minutes. No new inning to start after 70 minutes.

7. The offensive team can score a maximum of 6 runs per inning, including the last inning (no open inning).

8. Pitchers can’t pitch more than two (2) innings in a game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched.

9. Once a batter reaches (4) balls in the count, the batter will receive the number of soft toss pitches to continue the strike count when 4 balls are reached. (Example: the count was 4 balls, 1 strike, the batter would receive 2 soft tosses). Every soft toss thrown will be considered a strike. A foul ball on a 3rd strike soft toss will be an out. On a soft toss hit, the hitter may advance to 2nd base as able, but will not advance past 2nd base. Runners on base may advance a maximum of 2 bases on a soft toss hit.   Note: Soft Toss by the coach will be done with the coach to the side and slightly in front of the batter and in foul territory. The coach will toss the ball into the batter’s normal hitting zone. The catcher will position themselves behind the batter.

10. Stealing bases (2nd & 3rd) is always allowed at all times when the ball is alive. Stealing Home is prohibited. Runners may advance Home only on a hit ball.

11. The dropped third strike rule shall not apply. The batter is out. Base runners may advance at their own risk with liability to be put out.

12. The Infield Fly Rule is NOT in effect.

13. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.

14. When playing the infield, including pitching, players must wear a fielding mask.

15. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely, however, the batting order cannot be changed.

16. Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

U13 

1. Official Ball: Rawlings Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX12RYLC

2. Base Distance: 55’

3. Pitching Distance: 38’

4. As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect (i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop). Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.

5. Games are 5 innings or 90 minutes. No new inning to start after 80 minutes.

6. The offensive team can score a maximum of 6 runs per inning, including the last inning (no open inning).

7. Pitchers can’t pitch more than three (3) innings in a game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched

8. Stealing bases, including home, is allowed at all times when the ball is live

9. The dropped third strike rule shall not apply. The batter is out. Base runners may advance at their own risk with liability to be put out.

10. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.

11. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.

12. When playing the infield, including pitching, players must wear a fielding mask.

13. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely, however, the batting order cannot be changed.

14. Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

U15

1. Official Ball: Rawlings Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX12RYLC

2. Base Distance: 60’

3. Pitching Distance: 40’

4. As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect (i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop). Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.

5. Games are 5 innings or 90 minutes. No new inning to start after 80 minutes.

6. The offensive team can score a maximum of 6 runs per inning, including the last inning (no open inning).

7. Pitchers can’t pitch more than three (3) innings in a game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched.

8. All players are in the batting line-up and unlimited substitutions are allowed (subject only to the pitching limitations).

9. Stealing bases, including home, is allowed at all times when the ball is live.

10. The Third Strike Rule is in effect. As per the 2022-23 rulebook (5.1.44): When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground and: a) there are less than two outs and first base is unoccupied; or b) there are two outs.

11. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.

12. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.

13. When playing the infield, including pitching, players must wear a fielding mask.

14. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely, however, the batting order cannot be changed.

15. Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

U17/19

1. Official Ball: Rawlings Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX12RYLC

2. Base Distance: 60’

3. Pitching Distance: 43’

4. As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect (i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop). Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.

5. Games are 7 innings.

6. The offensive team can score a maximum of 6 runs per inning, including the last inning (no open inning). Note: At provincials, all innings are played open.

7. Pitchers can pitch an unlimited number of innings in a game.

8. All players are in the batting line-up and unlimited substitutions are allowed (subject only to the pitching limitations).

9. Stealing bases, including home, is allowed at all times when the ball is live.

10. Third Strike Rule is in effect. As per the 2022-23 rulebook (5.1.44): When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground and: a) there are less than two outs and first base is unoccupied; or b) there are two outs.

11. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.

12. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.

13. Wearing a fielding mask is recommended for infielders and pitchers.

14. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely, however, the batting order cannot be changed.

15. Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

16. Pitchers in the U17/u19 and below categories are required to wear a protective face mask.

17. Players may choose to wear metal cleats beginning in the U17 age category.