League Rules

The overall purpose and focus of this league is to provide a Christian based, fellowship oriented, opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of neighbouring churches and give everyone the oppertunity to enjoy the great 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.

Player / Team Rules

1) Players must attend church on a regular basis (3 of 5 Sundays), except for a maximum 2 un-churched players for the purpose of outreach. Also, a maximum of 2 players from any "city league" can be placed on a team roster. If a palyer is outreach and plays on a city league he would count as one of each.

2) Players must be a minimum age of 16 years old by December 31.

3) All games are to be started with prayer led by the home team.

4) A team with a conflicting date for a scheduled game must contact the opposing team and Christian Sports Administrative Office 1 week in advance to reschedule the game. Otherwise a forfit will be registered against the offending team.

5) Players must play 40% of the regular season to be eligible for the playoffs. An injured player can attend games while injured (to cheer on his team) and he can count those games for the 40%. The injured player MUST be added to the opposing teams score sheet, at the bottom, and marked as “injured” and for safety purposes MUST NOT PLAY!

6) Subs are not required to pay. A sub can only play a maximum of 5 games. Subs cannot play in the playoffs.

7) A player can only play for one team in the league (ie. if a church has 2 Men’s teams.) Players can play on a coed and a men’s team.

8) In the event of light rain or mist, games are generally still played. Games will be cancelled by the Umpire at the diamond or by a league official prior to game start.

9) Smoking, profanity, disrespectful language or gestures, and / or under the influence of drugs or alcoholic beverages are prohibited at any game, on or off the field. This is a ZERO tolerance rule. Any player found in contravention of the above will result in automatic suspension from the current game as well as the next scheduled game. Second infraction will result in league expulsion.

10) The winning team of a game is responsible for calling the final score into the league’s Scorekeeper / Statistician within 24 hours. Failure to call the score in on time will result in a 1 point loss.

11) 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.

Game Rules

12) When the Umpire calls "time" only one (1) coach may enter the infield to question or dispute a call. Coaches should identify themselves to the plate umpire before game start.

13) Games are seven (7) innings in duration or one hour and thirty minutes (1:30) from scheduled start time. A new inning will not be started with less than ten minutes left in the game. Games will end at the last completed inning. There is a 10 minute grace period after the 1 hour 30 minutes, where an incomplete inning may be finished.

14) Prior to commencement of the game, starting pitchers will be allowed six (6) warm-up pitches. Every subsequent inning after that the pitcher will be allowed three (3). There will be no infield or outfield warm-up after the 1st inning. This includes throwing the ball around the bases, after the pitchers warm up, if the batter is in place.

15) The Home-plate umpire will be in charge of the time clock and will advise each team of the time remaining at the end of the sixth inning or after 1 hour and 20 minutes from the scheduled start time.

16) 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 for late starts.

17) Each team will play with a maximum of ten (10) defensive players.

18) Each team must field a minimum of eight (8) eligible players to start a game. Late arrival players may be added to the bottom of the line-up at any time. (The opposing team must be notified.)

19) All players are to bat in the order of line-up rotation.

20) Players other than the pitcher can be substituted at the beginning of any inning or half inning (with exception to injury). Injury replacements are for that reason only. Please do not take advantage of this exception.

21) Pitching substitutions may be made at any new batter. Only two (2) pitching substitutions (except for injury) will be allowed per inning.

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 he bats.

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

24) A batter, who has asked for a substitute, cannot round 1^st base. In the event that he hits a home run (out of the park) he may walk the bases and complete his home run.

25) A runner being substituted will only be replaced by the last recorded out. If the substituted runner is caught on base when he is due up to bat, he will then be replaced, on base, with the last recorded out before him. 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) A commitment line will be marked 22 feet from home plate, towards 3rd base. Runners crossing the commitment line must continue on towards home plate.

27) In order to avoid collision and ensure safer conditions at home plate, the home plate must be played by the Catcher or one of his teammates. Base runners will be called out by the umpire if they step on the home plate or the strike mat.

28) A home plate line will be marked from the top left of the home plate to the backstop.

29) A runner will be called safe at home if his 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.

30) When the batter runs to first base and if the play is at 1st base, the batter must step on the orange portion of the double bag. The defensive player will always play the white portion. Players rounding first base can use the white portion of the double bag (providing there is no defensive play at first base).

31) If any infielder (accidentally or intentionally) interferes with any runner, the runner will be advanced one base at the end of the play.

32) "Stealing" 2^nd or 3^rd base is allowed once the pitched ball has hit the ground. A runner cannot steal a base once the pitcher has returned to the pitching box with the ball. Otherwise, the "play" is live. Runners may advance from 3^rd base to home plate only if the ball is hit or thrown into play. (example: an overthrow to second)

33) NO LEAD-OFFS. A runner will be called out by the umpire for doing so.

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

35) 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.

36) Bases are 65 feet apart from each other and home plate.

37)The strike zone is the rubber mat including home plate

38) The pitcher must put a 6’ - 12’ arch (from the ground) on the ball in order to be eligible for a strike. A batter can still swing at an "illegal pitch" ball. It is NOT a dead ball.

39) A "foul ball" that is caught must reach 6’ in height before the batter is called out. Third strike foul is an out.

40) 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.

41) Each team is to make the greatest effort in ensuring the safety of every player on and off the field.

Equipment Rules

42) All bases and balls will be supplied by the league.

43) The home team will give a new "Demarini" 47core 500 comp. optic yellow ball to the umpire prior to the game start. (The visiting team will provide a second ball (same) which is in good condition.)

44) Steel cleats are prohibited.

45) Each team is required to have a first aid kit.

*** Remember - Winning teams MUST notify the league of their win within 24 hours of the win! You can email your winning score to baseball@computerelite.net or call (705)487-6595 - Call anytime - 24/7 ***

REV – 04-27-12