The overall purpose and focus of Christian Sports is to provide a Christian based, fellowship oriented, opportunity to enjoy the game of baseball on a social-recreational level.

The rules presented herein are supplemental to the Golden rules of the Bible with respect to the expected conduct of a team and each individual player. Furthermore, the Official NSA Rule Book will also stand as reference to assist in the officiating of a game.

The Home Plate Umpire will have the final say in all matters arising during a game.

Players Rules:

1. Players must attend a Bible preaching church on a regular Basis, 3 out of 5 Sundays, or they will be considered outreach.

2. Player must be 16 years of age by year end (Dec 31). (Minimum age) mandatory

3. Home team will open with prayer at the beginning of each game.

4. In order to avoid forfeiting a game, a team must reschedule at least one week in advance. A team with a conflicting date must contact the Christian Sports administrative office one week before the day of the game or risk forfeiting that game.

5. Players can be moved in and out of the games as often as the coach’s discretion. All players must be in the batting order.

6. Games are to start at the time stated on the Game Schedule. A 10-minute grace period will be provided by the Umpire in the event that a team does not have the minimum number of eligible players. A team will forfeit the game upon expiration of the grace period. The game will not be given extra time, at the end, for late starts.

7. Stealing is not allowed.

8. Smoking, profanity, and / or alcoholic beverages are prohibited at any game, on or off the field. Abusive or disrespectful language and / or gestures will result in automatic suspension for the current game being played plus the following game. Second infractions will result in league expulsion.

9. A minimum of seven players are required to field a team.

10) Players must play 40% of the regular season to be eligible for the final tournament. An injured player can attend games while injured to count them for the 40%. The injured player MUST be added to the opposing teams score sheet, at the bottom, and marked as “injured”

11. Teams may use 10 players regardless how many players the other team has.

12. Pitching Distance is 50 - 55 feet. Pitching Box - 2 feet wide by 5 feet long. Its front edge shall be 50 feet back from the rear tip of home plate. The pitcher may pitch from anywhere in this box. The pitcher must have at least one foot inside this box upon release of the ball.

13. Players can only play on one team in the Coed league. Players may play on a Men’s team as well as a Coed team.

14. Teams are allowed a total of 3 players that are a combination of outreach and registered men’s league players with a maximum of 2 men’s league players.

15. At least 3 women need to be on the field at all times. Any team failing to have 3 women will start the next inning with one out for every woman missing. Only 7 men can be fielded at one time.

16. Once a runner has passed the commitment line they have committed themselves to go home.

17. No sliding into bases.

18. MERCY RULE – When a team starts an inning behind the opposing team, in runs, they may catch the opposing team and go past them by a maximum of 5 runs. When the batting team starts the inning ahead of the opposing team they are allowed a maximum of 5 runs for that inning.

19. The "infield fly" rule is in effect. Infield fly rule - The batter is out and the ball is alive (runners may advance) on a fair fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with a normal effort provided the batter hit the infield fly with less than two out and runners on first and second or first, second and third.

20. Out fielders must stay on grass when opposing team is up to bat.

21. No Exposed Jewellery. Umpires should remind teams of this rule before game start. Plain wedding bands, plain necklaces free of pendants and charms worn under the uniform, medical alert ID bracelets / necklaces are legal but should be worn or taped to the body as not to present a hazard. All body piercing (permanent or otherwise) must not be looped. A body piercing that is a "Post" type piercing with no dangling parts and no looping parts and no loops whatsoever are legal if judged by the umpire to not present a danger to any participant. Casts (plaster, metal, or other hard substances), or other items judged dangerous by the umpire may not be worn during the game. An initial offence will result in a team warning. The second offence will result in the offending player being ejected from the game. This is an NSA rule for insurance purposes and will be strictly enforced.

22. Players who attend games with an injury or health concern must inform their coach. The player must inform the umpire that a substitute runner is required, before they bat.

23. All batters must be able to run for themselves to 1st base.

24. A batter being substituted, cannot round 1^st base. In the event that a substituted player hits a home run (out of the park) he or she may walk the bases and complete their home run.

25. A runner being substituted will only be replaced by the last recorded out of the same gender. If the substituted runner is caught on base when he or she is due up to bat, he or she will then be replaced with the last recorded out before them. If there are no recorded outs, the substituted runner will be the previous batter not caught on base. A substituted runner will not be replaced by an injured player.

26. In order to avoid collision and ensure safer conditions at home plate, base runners will be called out by the umpire if they step on the home plate or strike mat.

27. A home plate line will be drawn from the top left of the home plate to the backstop.

28. A runner will be called safe at home if his/her foot touches the home plate line or makes contact with the ground past the line before the ball is caught by the catcher. The catcher must have at least one (1) foot on home plate.

29. There will be a maximum of three (3) out of the park Home Runs per game, per team. (Any extra home runs will equal a single and players on base advance 1 base.)

30. If a pitched ball has a legal arc and hits the plate or the rubber mat it will be considered a strike. (Home plate will be included in the strike zone)

Equipment Rules

1. Home team provides One New 11” 47 core 500 comp. optic yellow Demarini Baseball (for the women) and One New 12” 44 core 400 comp. optic yellow Demarini baseball (for the men

2. The visiting supplies a second set of balls in good condition.

3. A rubber mat must be used at home plate. (Legal size). First base will be a Double Safety Base - Orange right side and white left side.

4. All bases will be supplied by the league and will be put out prior to game start.

5. Steel cleats are prohibited.

6. Each team is required to have a first aid kit.

REV – 04-27-12