MOUNTAIN PITCH AT LITTLE MOUNTAIN SPORTSPLEX

7&3 COED SUMMER SLO-PITCH BASIC INFORMATION
(MON, TUES, WED, THURS)

2020 – BASIC INFORMATION 

SEASON PLAY:  The regular season consists of 30 evening games (15 double headers).  All games are 6 inning games.  It runs from the week of April 27, 2020 to the week ending August 6, 2020 September 10, 2020 *altered on May 4, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (re: COVID-19).  League games WILL be played on Victoria Day (May18), “Canada Day” (Jul1), Civic Holiday (Aug3), and Labour Day (Sep7) despite being holidays.

TOURNAMENTS:  All teams are invited to attend free tournaments on the following days:
July 18&19, 2020*altered on June 22, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (re: COVID-19)
July 25&26, 2020*altered on June 22, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (re: COVID-19)
August 7,8,9, 2020*altered on June 22, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (re: COVID-19)


PLAY-OFFS:  All teams make play-offs.  Teams will have the choice to play in one (1) of the following weekends: August 7, 8, 9, 2020 OR August 14, 15, 16, 2020 September 11, 12, 13, 2020 OR September 18, 19, 20, 2020 *altered on May 4, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (re: COVID-19) – 4 game guarantee (6 innings).
Teams must decide their play-off weekend no later than 11:59pm, on Monday, July 27, 2020 September 1, 2020 *altered on May 4, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (re: COVID-19) Teams may opt-out at a later date if they cannot field a team.  Refer to “OPT-OUTS” below for more information.

UMPIRES:  All registration costs will cover umpires for season and play-off games.  Dave Black, Mountain Pitch Umpire-In-Chief, will oversee all umpire assignments and honorariums.

LMS IS A NO GATE FEE FACILITY: Mountain Pitch league, tournament, and play-off players and guests will NOT be charged for entry.

LEAGUE FEES: Registration (which includes all umpire and facility/gate fees) is $2,550.00 plus $50.00 performance bond.

If not paid in full on or before March 30, 2020 (a minimum $950.00 deposit must be made), the remaining balance is due before your games as follows: 

First installment (registration):  On or before March 30, 2020 ($950.00 + $50.00 performance bond).
Second installment:  Before your games, the week of April 13, 2020 June 8, 2020 ($800.00) *altered on May 4, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (re: COVID-19)
Third installment:  Before your games, the week of May 4, 2020 June 22, 2020 ($800.00) *altered on May 4, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (re: COVID-19)

* Etransfers may be sent to slopitch@littlemtnsports.com (use password: mountain)
            - Teams must complete and submit registration prior to making payment(s).
* Cheques payable to: Little Mountain Sportsplex
* Teams are taken on a first pay, first play basis.  A registration payment (along with completed form) must be received to guarantee your choice of weeknight.
* Teams will be charged a fee of $25.00 if any of the above payments are overdue. 

BATS: Mountain Pitch honours the SPN approved bat list which means all bats must have the USSSA stamp.  Umpires will be checking the bats before games.  To view the SPN Bat Policy, please click here: SPN Bat Policy

FIELD EQUIPMENT: Bases, pitching markers, and strike mats/home plates, are provided and set-up by Little Mountain Sportsplex.  All field equipment is set-up and maintained by Little Mountain Sportsplex.  All Little Mountain Sportsplex diamonds are dragged daily.

INSURANCE WAIVERS/ROSTERS:  All team reps must enter their players via the SPN Member Registration System: an interactive database that allows you to become an individual member, create & register your team, and even register for the National & Provincial Championship events, all in the comfort of your own home/office (and even your smartphone!)! Once you set up your member account you will have continuous access to that account and your team information year after year. Upon registration for Mountain Pitch, your team will be provided a link to register your individual team members. All players must be registered before participating.  To be eligible for play-offs, players must be registered before June 29, 2020 and have participated in a minimum ten (10) regular season games.

HOT DOT BALLS:  EACH teams will submit two (2) sanitized game balls to the opposing team.  Each team will hit the balls they have submitted to the opposing team for the duration of each game.  At the end of the game, both balls are to be sanitized and returned.  Teams are responsible for having the proper means to sanitize the balls, and are encouraged to properly sanitize between innings.    We have installed hanging ball holders in each dugout so teams can sanitize and let air dry immediately upon return from defensive play.   Foul and home run balls must be retrieved by the defensive team.  In the case of a foul or homerun ball, the pitcher OR catcher is to retrieve the alternate ball from the dugout. We recommend that, using a black Sharpie, you write your team, or teams initials, on your balls.

SCOREKEEPING: For 2020, SPN Manitoba has provided a scorebook in your team package.  Lineups (first name, last initial) will be taken by the umpire, verbally, before games.  Scores will be reported to umpires verbally between innings.  Umpires will submit scorecards to league officials via a contact-free drop-box.

RAIN-OUT GAMES:   All make-up games will be scheduled on Fridays.  Teams will be given a minimum ten (10) day notice before games are scheduled.  Teams may opt-out without penalty (please see below).  If a team's opponent opts-out, the participating team will receive a 7-0 win and a $25.00 credit to their account. *altered June 22, 2020 by Matt Sigfusson (RE: COVID-19)

OPT-OUTS/FORFEITS:
REGULAR SEASON: If your team cannot make a regular season game, they must give a minimum 48 hours notice to do so without penalty. Failure to give 48-hour notice and not field a team will result in a $60.00 fine. Failure to give 24-hour notice and not field a team will result in a $100.00 fine.
MAKE-UP WEEKENDS:  If your team wishes to opt-out, they must do so by 11:59pm the Tuesday prior to the tournament weekend. Failure to give less than Tuesday notice and not field a team will result in a $100.00 fine. Failure to give 24-hour notice and not field a team will result in a $150.00 fine.
TOURNAMENT/PLAY-OFFS:  If your team wishes to opt-out, they must do so by 11:59pm the Tuesday prior to the tournament weekend. Failure to give less than Tuesday notice and not field a team will result in a $100.00 fine. Failure to give 24-hour notice and not field a team will result in a $150.00 fine.

All teams agree to comply with the Rules and Regulations of Little Mountain Sportsplex. No outside alcohol permitted. No tail gating allowed. Please make use the Clubhouse Bar&Grill and support our corporate sponsors. Violation of LMS Rules will result in loss of performance bond and/or expulsion from the league and/or facility.

 7&3 COED SUMMER SEASON COORDINATOR: Matt Sigfusson
email: slopitch@littlemtnsports.com

7&3 COED SUMMER SLO-PITCH BASIC RULES & REGULATIONS
(MON, TUES, WED, THURS)

2020 – RULES & REGULATIONS

League executive reserve the right to revise these rules at their discretion and as they see fit. If this occurs, all team captains will be notified.  Any rule not covered herein will be covered in the SPN Rulebook (click here to view). Please note:  The below are rules specific to our league.

GAME FORMAT:
6 INNING DOUBLE HEADER GAMES: Two (2) games per night are played against the team listed on the schedule. A 12 run mercy rule is in effect after 4 innings of play. A 10 run mercy rule is in effect after 5 innings of play. GAME 1 of the night starts at 6:20pm. 10 minute maximum grace period for late arriving teams.  In the event of a tie in GAME 1, it shall remain a tie, and GAME 2 shall begin. GAME 2 of the night will start shortly after the conclusion of GAME 1. If GAME 2 is tied, extra innings shall be played until a winner is declared. International rule in effect. Complete innings shall be played (top and bottom of the inning).
MAX RUNS PER INNING: A maximum seven (7) runs will be allowed per inning. Last inning is open (no limit).  If there is a 17 run OR MORE difference, the team that is losing gets an unlimited inning ONLY to get within the mercy rule (9 run deficit). The inning stops once they get to a 9 run deficit.  Then, the team ahead bats and has a chance to end the game.  This can only happen in the 3rd and 4th inning (prevention of mercy) of any game because our 5th inning will always be unlimited.

SHOW UP & PLAY:
REGULAR SEASON: If your team cannot make a regular season game, they must give a minimum 48 hours notice to do so without penalty. Failure to give 48-hour notice and not field a team will result in a $60.00 fine. Failure to give 24-hour notice and not field a team will result in a $100.00 fine.
MAKE-UP WEEKENDS:  If your team wishes to opt-out, they must do so by 11:59pm the Tuesday prior to the tournament weekend. Failure to give less than Tuesday notice and not field a team will result in a $100.00 fine. Failure to give 24-hour notice and not field a team will result in a $150.00 fine.
TOURNAMENT/PLAY-OFFS:  If your team wishes to opt-out, they must do so by 11:59pm the Tuesday prior to the tournament weekend. Failure to give less than Tuesday notice and not field a team will result in a $100.00 fine. Failure to give 24-hour notice and not field a team will result in a $150.00 fine.  Teams are permitted to play with a minimum of 8 players.  Automatic outs must be recorded for any missing players.

BE PREPARED:
Please be a minimum 10 minutes early before game time to complete game cards and assure all players have registered via www.slo-pitch.com.  The only ball allowed for play will be the 12” Worth Optic (yellow) Hot Dot.  Each team is to supply one (1) playable Worth Hot Dot previous to each game.

PITCHING:
SLO-PITCH: Arc must be between 6 –12 feet “illegal pitch” will be called if ball not swung at. Illegal pitch will be an automatic ball. If ball is swung at the result of the pitch will stand.
STRIKE ZONE: When the ball hits the strike mat (anywhere including plate), the pitch will be deemed a "strike". Any pitch that does NOT hit the strike mat will be deemed a "ball".  Balls and strikes may not be contested.
FOUL STRIKE:  Every foul ball is recorded as a strike regardless of pitch-count.
WALKING:  If a male batter is thrown 4 balls, without a strike, granting a 4-0 walk, while batting before a female, the male shall gain 2 bases for the walk.

LINE-UP:
BATTING ORDER: 10 batters. First and last names must be on scorecards. Females must bat at 2, 5, & 8.  If a team starts with 10 batters in their batting order, a team must finish with 10 batters in their batting order.
If a team chooses to bat an extra female(s) they may do so in ANY position of the lineup other than 2,5,8.  Males and females may substitute with the opposite sex in batting positions 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10.
If a team starts with 12 batters (8 males, 4 females) in their batting order, they must finish with 12 batters in their batting order.  Additional female must be put in 11th batting spot (2, 5, 8, 11). Defensive substitutions with the 12 batters in the line-up is unlimited. 
SUBSTITUTIONS: A player may re-enter the game only in their original position in the order.
COURTESY RUNNERS: 5 courtesy runners may be used per team, per game.
BUNTING:  As per SPN rules, no bunting is permitted.  Players will be called “out” if they bunt, or attempt to bunt.

SPORTSMANSHIP:
PROFANITY: Anyone using profanity, despite where it is directed, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
UMPIRE ABUSE: There is zero toleration for any verbal or physical abuse of umpires. All umpire decisions are final.
THREATS: Any threats issued towards opposing players and/or umpires will lead to player ejection and/or suspension from the league and/or facility.
DRESS CODE: Uniforms are optional but highly recommended.  Dress appropriately for family-friendly environment.  If something being worn is deemed offensive or could cause injury, umpires and/or park officials may ask for it to be removed or covered.  If request is not fulfilled, you will be asked to leave the facility and further action may be applied.
PROTESTS: $75.00 per incident. If protest is won, your $75.00 will be returned if found valid. There will be no protesting the umpires’ judgement as his/her calls are final. If your team is found incorrect after protest, your $75.00 protest bond will be revoked.

BASE RUNNING:
SAFE-BAG:  All first bases are safe bases, please use the orange when running through bag.
COMMITMENT LINE: No-touch home plate. 20ft. home plate commitment line is in play.  Players that touch or physically cross home plate will be called “out.” No player may be tagged out once they have crossed the commitment line.

LEAGUE COMMUNICATION:
BASIC COMMUNICATION: All basic communication will be done via email.
LEAGUE EMAIL: slopitch@littlemtnsports.com
LEAGUE WEBSITE: www.mountainpitch.com
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/littlemtnsports
TWITTER: @LittleMtnSports
INSTAGRAM: LittleMtnSports
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS: Little Mountain Sportsplex will make a daily game calls at 4:00pm based on whether diamonds are “playable” or “not playable”.  In the event of potential “not playable” days due to weather, all players are to view our website(s) at: www.mountainpitch.com and/or the Little Mountain Sportsplex website at: www.littlemtnsports.com.  Little Mountain Sportsplex (@LittleMtnSports) will also be updated on all social media.  Although in most cases an official call will be made at 4:00pm, if weather shows inconsistencies at 4:00pm, a 1 hour delay will be put on the official game call making the official game call 5:00pm.  If an evening is deemed playable, all official game calls will be made on field by the nightly umpire(s).

OTHER:
Any rule not listed here will be in accordance with the SPN Rulebook.

LITTLE MOUNTAIN SPORTSPLEX

2020 – PARK RULES & REGULATIONS

• LMS reserves the right to refuse entry and/or service to anyone.
• No outside food or beverage allowed.  No COOLERS are allowed on-site.  LMS has the right to inspect all coolers remove them immediately if found onsite.  Team representatives will be responsible for all their teams. $100.00 fine will be placed on all teams which are caught with outside liquor.  If a team is caught a second time, a minimum four (4) game suspension will take place.
• No open liquor allowed outside licensed areas. $100.00 fine will be placed on all teams which are caught with liquor outside licensed areas.
• Any/all outside alcohol and/or alcohol outside the licensed areas will be confiscated.
• No vehicles allowed on diamonds or fields. Speed limit is 20km on all roadways.
• All animals must be kept on leash.  No pets allowed inside hospitality centre.  If you chose to bring pet, please clean-up after it.
•  All park rules and league constitutions are enforced by park & league officials.
• No “soft toss” hitting against any of the facilities fences.
• Anyone damaging park property will be asked to leave the facility and could face further suspension.
• Any excessive clean-up required after games/events will be charged a rate of $50.00/field clean-up.