SWGSL Rules of Play

 

RULES OF PLAY 2018 SEASON

 

Contact Info:

Leslie Astle

747-4339-c

 

 
GENERAL RULES
  • All games to start on time. Warm-ups to be done before designated start time.
  • Boys and overage players are NOT allowed to pitch or back catch in any age group unless female player’s birth date falls in 2 month leniency period of Nov. and Dec. Maximum is 4 overagers which include Nov/Dec girls.  (Please note that all Manitoba Provincial Competitions do not allow any overage players to be rostered.)
  • A team can play with 8 players during league play without penalty. 
  • For SWGSL League Tournament only - The International Tie Breaker Rule shall be used in all games at the completion of regulation play. This will be continued for each subsequent inning until a winner is determined.  
  • Team win/loss record for league play must be given to your Town Rep and forwarded to the SWGSL League by June 12, 2018. 
  • The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely without penalty. All eligible players shall be listed on the line-up card and shall bat in the order shown.
  • In the event a player is injured during the game and is unable to take their turn at bat, the player will be removed from the batting order and out for the balance of the game.
 
U10
  • The Pitching Distance will be 30 feet, the bases are 45 feet.
  • The Official Ball will be the 11 inch Worth NC11S Indoor Softball.
  • 5 inning games or 90 minutes. An inning starting after 70 minutes, coaches will agree on and announce last inning. Last inning open. An inning started before the time limit must be completed.  (Please note that at Manitoba Provincial Competitions games are 90 minutes and the last inning is not played as an open inning).
  • Pitchers cannot pitch more than (3) innings in a game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched. In the event that a game goes into extra innings the limitation on innings is waived. 
  • The offensive team shall have a maximum of (6) runs per inning or (3) outs, whichever comes first.
  • After (4) balls are awarded to the batter, his/her coach will soft toss to the batter (3) times.  (Please note that at Manitoba  Provincial Competitions coaches are limited to (2) soft tosses only).  The batter has those (3) chances to hit the ball.  If the batter does not hit a fair ball, the batter shall be Out.  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.
  • Stealing bases (2nd & 3rd) is allowed at all times when the ball is alive. Stealing Home is prohibited. Runners may advance Home only on a hit ball.
  • Mandatory – U10 pitchers must wear approved masks.
  • 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.
  • The infield fly rule is waived.
  • For the SWGSL League Tournament only (and Manitoba Provincial Competition)  - If one team is up by (13) runs after 2 ½ or 3 innings or up by (7) runs after 3 ½ or 4 innings, the “Mercy Rule” is in effect. The losing coach/manager must inform the plate umpire of the decision to concede.
 
U12
  • The Pitching Distance will be 38 feet, the bases are 55 feet.  (***Please note this is a Softball Manitoba change from 2015 pitching distance of 35 feet***).
  • The Official Ball will be the 11 inch Worth Red Dot Softball.
  • 5 inning games or 90 minutes. An inning starting after 80 minutes, coaches will agree on and announce last inning. Last inning open. An inning started before the time limit must be completed.  (Please note that at Manitoba Provincial Competitions games are 90 minutes and the last inning is not played as an open inning).
  • Pitchers cannot pitch more than (3) innings in a game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched.  In the event that a game goes into extra innings the limitation on innings is waived.
  • The offensive team shall have a maximum of (6) runs per inning or (3) outs, whichever comes first.
  • 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.
  • For the SWGSL League Tournament only (and Manitoba Provincial Competition)  - If one team is up by (13) runs after 2 ½ or 3 innings or up by (7) runs after 3 ½ or 4 innings, the “Mercy Rule” is in effect. The losing coach/manager must inform the plate umpire of the decision to concede.
  • Mandatory – U12 pitchers must wear approved masks.
 
U14
  • The Pitching Distance will be 38 feet, the bases are 60 feet.
  • The Official Ball will be the 12 inch Worth Red Dot Softball.
  • 5 inning games or 90 minutes. An inning starting after 80 minutes, coaches will agree on and announce last inning. Last inning open. An inning started before the time limit must be completed.  (Please note that at Manitoba Provincial Competitions games are 90 minutes and the last inning is not played as an open inning).
  • Pitchers may pitch no more than (3) innings for a 5 inning game. One pitch thrown in an inning constitutes an inning pitched. In the event that a game goes into extra innings the limitation on innings is waived.
  • The offensive team shall have a maximum of (6) runs per inning or (3) outs, whichever comes first.
  • For the SWGSL League Tournament only (and Manitoba Provincial Competition)  - If one team is up by (13) runs after 2 ½ or 3 innings or up by (7) runs after 3 ½ or 4 innings, the “Mercy Rule” is in effect. The losing coach/manager must inform the plate umpire of the decision to concede.
  • Mandatory – U14 pitchers must wear approved masks.
 
U16/U18
  • The Pitching Distance will be 43 feet, the bases are 60 feet.
  • The Official Ball will be the 12 inch Worth Red Dot Softball.
  • 7 inning games or 90 minutes.  An inning starting after 80 minutes, coaches will agree on and announce last inning. Last inning open.  An inning started before the time limit must be completed.   (Please note that at Manitoba Provincial Competitions games are 90 minutes and all innings are played open).
  • The offensive team shall have a maximum of (7) runs per inning or (3) outs, whichever comes first.  (Please note that at Manitoba Provincial "B" Competition there are no maximum number of runs scored per inning and all innings are played open).
  • For the SWGSL League Tournament only (and Manitoba Provincial Competition)  - If one team is up by (13) runs after 4 ½ or 5 innings or up by (7) runs after 5 ½ or 6 innings, the “Mercy Rule” is in effect. The losing coach/manager must inform the plate umpire of the decision to concede.

 

 


 
 
 
 
Official balls for the Provincial, Western and Canadian Championships:
 
Minors & Fast Pitch
  
For U10 & U12 Girls and Boys:   11” Red Dot PX11RYLC COR .47, 375 LBS
 
For U14, U16, U19, U23 and Women's:  12" Red Dot PX2RYLC COR .47, 375 lbs. Compression 
 
 
 


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