RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF

DIRECTORS OF

MAPLE CITY SLO PITCH LEAGUE

League Rules for 2016BLUEHIGH LITES MEANS NEW RULE TO FOLLOW.                               Revised: Jan 09, 2016                                                    

RESOLVED THAT:

1.               All members in the MCSPL Chatham MUST be affiliated member of SPOA.

New members entering the league must be or will be 18 years of age in the calendar year of         their   application, if NOT 18 years at the time of signing waiver he/she must have parental or guardian signature on waiver. (This is law if Not 18 years of age at the time of signing waiver. All team members registered in the league must pay an annual entry fee of $10.00 to the League’s President or Secretary/Treasurer prior to playing in each year.

2. (A)        Each team may sign a maximum of 20 members.  The final rosters must consist of CHATHAM-KENT MUNICIPALITY RESIDENTS.  Teams will be allowed to sign (2) two only from outside of CHATHAM-KENT, with these two being part of the (20) twenty.  (Divisions will decide percentage of games required for players to be eligible for playoffs.)

2. (B) (i)     WAIVERS/ RELEASE AND INDEMNITY

                   All registered members (players/coach/score keepers) must sign and submit a waiver to the Executive prior to being able to participate.  Signing new waivers will cover members for their life time in the league, unless he/she changes address or last name, then they are required to sign another waiver.  Signatures cannot be forged or omitted, otherwise that member will be considered ineligible, causing all games played with this member of the team to be forfeited and fine per Rule 4(A) Also, this member will not have insurance coverage.  Only registered members will be allowed on the Diamond (Diamond to be defined as including the out of play line and bench). Coaches/ managers are responsible.

                   ALL PRO FILES ON TEAM ROSTER MUST BE COMPLETED, IF NOT COMPLETED/ ACTIVATED. PLAYER WILL NOT BE INSURED. NO PLAYING IN THE LEAGUE AND IF MEMBER PLAYS IT WILL BE CONSIDERED ILLEGAL. IF PLAYERS ARE ADDED TO TEAM ROSTER THRU THE YEAR IT IS TEAMS EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THIS FORM IS COMPLELETED. EFFECT: GAME IS FORFEITED AND MEMBER FINED.

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2 (B) (ii)     ROSTERS                         

                   A roster is to be filled out by each team including all registered members names, addresses, phone number and birth dates.  All rosters/waivers/money must be handed in to the league executive one (1) week prior to their league division opening games.  Failing to comply will result in the following fines if not handed in on time.  Within the first three days after the deadline-$ 10.00 per   day, within the next four days and additional $25.00 per day.  All fines for late submission must be paid before the team’s first game.

2(C)          Members can play and coach in different divisions of MCSPL. However, they must designate         which division they are strictly going to coach in.  No member, under any circumstances, can play in two single sex divisions of MCSPL.    

2(D)          Team entering the MCSPL or changing sponsorship, must have and wear team shirts or show purchase form of shirts by May 1.  (Uniforms are defined as shirts with registered team names on shirts.) Team shirts must be worn or players not in team shirts  well be fined $10.00 each time they are caught not wearing the team shirt after June 1^st. Receipt is only valid until June 1.  Note: If there is a supply problem, team must advise the division executive for direction and extension.  No profanity or derogatory statements will be allowed on uniforms.  If found this member will be considered to be out of uniform. The Executive will police this rule and fines will be taken from the team bond money. This rule is non-protest able.

2(E)           Members who signed a roster and is subsequently released after the final roster, becomes a free agent and may sign with any team with Executive approval.  The league executive may grant an extension if it deems necessary.

2(F) (i)      All new entries to the league must deposit $250.00 (Two hundred and fifty dollars with their application (prior to acceptance).  This money will be applied toward their entry fee after a decision on acceptance is made.  Acceptance of new entries or the movement of teams will be received by and placement will be made by the Executive Committee of each division.

2(F) (ii)     Teams in the league must put up a $100.00 (one hundred dollar) bond for fines (ejections, forfeits, etc.). If a team is penalized, that team must be notified of the penalty and the amount of the fine.  Once the bond reaches a balance of $50.00, that team must top up to the $100.00 max again within 7 (seven) days of notification.  At season’s end, the $100.00 or balance remaining on account will be returned to the teams if requested, or the bond can be left until the next season. If a team folds and owes money to league, players moving on to other teams will pay their share of the penalty, this is calculated by dividing the total money (penalty) by the number of players on the folding team.

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2(G)          In the event of inclement weather the team representative will be contacted no later than 5 pm.  If no contact by 5 pm, teams will report to the ball park where the umpire will make his decision on the playing ability of the diamond.

2(H)          Second team on the schedule is the home team for the first game of the double header. The first team on the schedule will be the home team for the second game of the double header.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

2(I)            Home team of the first game will occupy the third base bench. The home team is to supply the bases. Home team put bases out by 6:00 PM. If the home team does not have bases present at game time, then they will be given 10

                   (Ten) minutes (same as forfeit allotment) to produce the bases or the game is forfeited by the home team and all fines apply. The visiting team has the option to supply the bases and take home game advantage.  However, if the visiting team chooses not to or does not have their bases present, then there is no penalty to the visiting team.  If some divisions playing 2 seven inning games, then they would get from ie: 6:15 to 6:25 for the first game and 6:25 to 6:55 for the second game.  These times are the same allotments as if they did not have enough players.

2.(J)       The home team of the first game is responsible for reporting all scores resulting from that meeting  to the Chatham Daily News (by submitting a written game summary sheet, or fax or email before 10 AM the  day following  your game.)  First and last names must be reported and if deemed by the Executive not to be filled out properly, this would be considered failure to report.  A fine will apply.  Failure to report to any of the above will result in the $10.00 fine.  Sheets must be submitted regardless of the time.

2(K)       Team is to have 10 minutes infield practise prior to game time.  Home team for the first game begins their infield 25 minutes prior to game time and finishes 15 minutes prior to game time.  The visiting team than takes the infield until 5 minutes prior to game time. GAME TIME LIMIT: MEN’S MASTERS: TO BE 70 MINUTE PER GAME, 6:15-7:25, 5 MINUTE BREAK, SECOND GAME 70 MINUTES 7:30- 8:40 AND YOU HAVE TO BE COMPLETED BY 8:40. LADIES: 6:15-8:00, AND THE LAST START OF THE FINAL INNING IS NO LATER THEN 7:40 AND YOU HAVE TO BE COMPLETED BY 8:00. IF INJURY OR RAIN DELAYS, THE TIME WILL BE ADDED BACK INTO THE GAME TIME. IF TEAMS ARE READY TO GO PRIOR TO 6:15 THEY CAN START BUT BOTH TEAMS HAVE TO AGREE. IF TEAM DOESN’T HAVE 9 PLAYERS TO START, THERE IS ONLY A 10 MINUTE GRACE BEFORE A FORFEIT, (BY-LAW 4(A)) AND TIME WILL NOT BE ADDED BACK INTO THE TIME FOR THE GAME. IF FIRST GAME A FORFEIT, YOU WILL STILL HAVE UNTIL 8:40. TIED GAMES WILL BE PLAYED OUT FOR ONE (1) INNING (BY-LAW #2 (n). PLAYOFFS ARE WIDE OPEN, NO TIME LIMIT AND NO TIES. IF UMPIRE IS LATE THE TIME WILL BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY.

2(L)        No teams will take batting practise on the infield.  If batting practise is required, it must be taken from the appropriate foul lines in the outfield.

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2(M)      FEES FOR SEASON AND PLAYOFFS WILL BE COLLECTED AS PART OF THE LEAGUE FEES AT THE START OF THE SEASON AND UMPIRES WILL BE PAID ONCE A MONTH.

2(N)       TIED GAME: After 7 or 9 innings have been completed and teams are tied: a one (1) inning will     be played to break the tie.  The international rule will apply.  In the tie breaker inning, the visiting team will place their last batter of the previous inning on second base and bat, after three outs, the home team bats with the same rule as visitors and results of the score will be final.  If still tied after that, one (1) point will be awarded to each team.  (EXCEPT PLAYOFFS)  

2(O)       Injured Players:  When team is playing all players and a player is injured this will not be an out.  Injured player cannot return to the game.  If player is ejected this is an out.  EXCEPTION: Blood Rule:  Rule 4 Section #10, (Softball Canada Rule book).

3.            All executives on teams in the playoffs will not be allowed to rule on the playoffs of their division play. 

4(A)       FORFEITING TIME: A minimum of nine players must attend a game and be able to play, for the game to be official, 10th player is not an out. The team has below the nine required time allotted will be ten (10) minutes from starting time.  Where there is a double header, 30 minutes will be allotted from the time expired on the first forfeited game.  Otherwise, the game will be forfeited 9-0 single games and 7-0 double headers.

                Forfeited game is a fine $25.00 for a single game and if a double header is forfeited the fine for the first games is $25.00 and the second game is $15.00 plus cost of other teams umpire.  These fines will be paid from the team bond as per rule 2F (ii).

4(B)        TIE BREAKING RULE: We will follow the SPO HAND BOOK FORMULA.

5.(A)      PROTESTED GAME: A bond of $40.00 (forty dollars)  will have to be paid for the protest and the protest must be in writing and presented to the league’s executive within 48 (forty-eight) hours.  All protests are governed by the rules in the Slo-Pitch Ontario and Softball Canada rule book. If a protest is won, the money is refunded.

5(B)        Protest committee for any division will be made  up  of  three  members  of  the  league  executive  and  if needed UIC or designate, excluding the division from which the protest arose.  The executive member of that division has no say in the outcome of the decision.

5(C)        Teams issuing Umpire complaint forms must submit the form to the President of MCSPL and the Umpire in Chief within 7 (seven) days of the incident.  Teams will be given a reply back as soon as possible. Umpires Association needs these reports to police and improve their membership performance

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6.            Rate is to be determined at the AGM meeting, by the membership.  If umpire is late (5 minutes prior to game time) or missed the game (a missed game means 15 minutes late after game time) they will be fined if reported to the league President within 24 hours in order for the fine to stand. Teams must have Team Contact OR team rep at AGM or face $25 fine.

7.            If a game is to be cancelled for any reason, other than rain, two (2) weeks  notification must be given to the league executive in writing and will decide if the cause is justified and if so, reschedule the game with two (2) weeks’ notice to the teams. This rule will be adjusted as we get near the end of the regular season (the reason being the playoffs must start on time). The League will allow for regular season games, teams to reschedule (1) one time only, NO EXCEPTIONS.  Forfeits and fines will apply if unable to play. No cancellation of games on day scheduled, fines to apply and forfeit of game, day before game scheduled if need (cancellation) will be reviewed.

8(A)       Team caught using ineligible members will have to forfeit all games in which the ineligible member participated in and pay a league fine of $20.00 per ineligible game.  Teams will have to prove that the member is ineligible in writing to the Executive board. Forfeit will be 9-0 single game and o 7-0 double header. WAIVER AND PRO FILE MUST BE DONE. IF NOT NO INSURANCE

8(B)        Members receives a playing rule fine from the league; the fine will be taken from the bond as per rule 2 F (ii).

9.            When a game, whether 7 or 9 innings, is terminated by the umpire before its completion because of weather, darkness, unplayable field conditions or any other justifiable reason, it be deemed for a 7 inning game to be a regulation game if at least five (5) innings have been completed or four and a half (4 ½) innings with the home team ahead. A, 9 inning game to be a regulation game if at least 6 innings have been completed or five and a half (5 ½) innings with the home ahead ,if the game is terminated (as above) when the score is tied, one point will be awarded to each team.  Also, the mercy rule will apply to both games. When a game is started and not considered official, the umpire receives half of the game fee.  If the game is not started, no game fee.  PLAYOFF’S ONLY: If playoff game is a COMPLETED game as per BY-LAW #9. Then  it stands as a completed game, per BY-LAW #9. “PLAYOFF GAME” NOT COMPLETED : Rainouts or darkness and game is SUSPENDED GAME IT WILL BE PLAYED FROM SUSPENDED TIME AT THE TEAMS NEXT SCHEDULED GAME WITH THE SAME LINEUP.  (LINEUP RULING BY SOFTBALL CANADA RULEBOOK).

10(A)     Anyone ejected from a game, for any reason, will also receive an additional two (2) game suspension and a $20.00 (twenty dollar) fine.  Ladies division only: One (1) additional game, unless the Ladies division are also playing double headers.  Same fine (NO APPEAL ALLOWED.) If a member is ejected for whatever reason and continues with verbal abuse or swearing, an additional suspension will be added for each infraction.  The penalty will be additional games

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and fined.  Ejected players will sit out their suspension completely even if their team is SHORT players for the next team games.

10(B)     A second offense will result in an additional five (5) game suspension and a $30.00 (thirty dollar) fine.  Ladies divisions only: Three (3) additional games.  Same fine

10(C)     Third offense will be reviewed by the executive committee.

10(D)     Fines and copies of reports must be turned in to the President or Secretary /Treasurer.

10.(E)   Where a member plays in one division and coaches in another and is ejected from a game in that division, this member cannot play or coach in either division until the suspension has been completed in the division that the member has been ejected from.

            EXECPTION TO RULE:

 If a member is ejected in the last game of the season in one division and the member‘s team is still playing in another division, the member will have to sit the number of games required in the members playing division and pay the ejection fine.  Then the member will be able to play.  The following season this member will have to sit out the necessary games in the division from which the member was ejected. If multiple game suspensions this rule will not apply.

10(F)    Ejections of members from game:  Once member(s) is ejected from a game they have two minutes to leave the park.  Leaving the park means out of sight, out of mind. 

             Member cannot return after the game.  If this rule is not followed at game time a forfeit could result and if the member returns, further suspension will be applied.

Ejected member cannot return to the ball diamond when this members team is playing until this member suspension of games are completed, NO communication what so ever will be allowed, and there will be further suspension applied if member doesn’t follow this rule.

11.(A)     Any registered member who intentionally holds, pushes or attempts to strike an umpire, will be suspended (including playoffs)for a minimum of 7 (seven) games from the date of suspension, to maximum of life suspension and fined $50.00 (taken from bond money).

11(B)      Second offense will be reviewed by league executive with the possibility of a life suspension. Fine to be $100.00

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12(A)      Any registered member who threatens an umpire will be suspended for a minimum of 7 (seven) games, including playoffs and fined $50.00 (fifty dollars).

12(B)      Second offense will result in a one year suspension (from date of the suspension) Fine $100.00 (one hundred dollars).

12(C)      Third offences will result in life suspension with the right to appeal.  A $250.00 (two hundred and fifty dollar) fee will apply for the right to appeal, Non refundable. Appeal to be reviewed by the executive board.

12(D)      Members ejected from a game by the umpire for intentionally trying to injure someone will be dealt with by the executive.  The member will receive a hearing and the executive will then decide on the length of the suspension and fines to be paid.  If the team member is from a team that includes an executive of the league, then that executive member will not rule on any suspension involving a player on his or her team.

13(A)(i)  Fighting will result in a five (5) game minimum suspension and a $50.00 (fifty dollar) fine.  The aggressor in the fight will be penalized further.

13(A)(ii) Altercation Rule:  Pushing/shoving/verbal name calling (no punches), three game minimum penalty. PENALTY: FINE $10.00 (ten dollars) per game.

13(B)      A second offense will result in a one (1) year suspension from the date of the suspension and a $100.00 (one hundred dollar) fine.

13(C)      There will be no consumption of any alcohol by any member/ team registered with Maple City Slo Pitch while that member/team is participating in a scheduled game. 

              Any team/member caught with alcohol on or near the bench will be fined $25.00 for the first offense, $100.00 for the second offence and will be ejected from all league divisions for the third offence. IF PLAYER IS AT THEIR TEAM’S GAME AND IS INJURED AND CANNOT PLAY, PLATER CANNOT DRINK ALCOLHOL ON THE BENCH OR IN THE STANDS UNTIL TEAM GAMES IS COMPLETED.

14.         Any suspended league member will have a hearing with the executive committee before a multiple suspension is handed out (6 or more games). The executive Committee`s final decision will be made known to the involved league member within24 hours of the hearing or before the member`s next game.

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15.         ALL FINES must be paid to the President or Secretary/Treasurer.  If fines are not paid by the penalized member/team, they will be unable to return or play in the league this member/team does return without paying, they will be classified as an ineligible player (Rule 8).

16.         Any suspension of more than six (6) games is accumulated from year to year and will be up for review. SECOND OFFENCE TWO (2) YEARS IN A ROW PLAYER WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE

17.         Any situations not covered in the constitution and/or the rules of various divisions of the Maple City Slo Pitch League or the Slo-Pitch rule book will be dealt with by the applicable executive.  Any situation involving more than one division will be dealt with by the overall executive.

18.         Membership of the MCSPL should submit any proposed changes to By-Laws or Constitution, in writing, to the President or Vice-President, 45 days before the scheduled AGM meeting, or through the course of the season.  This allows for detailed discussion of proposed changes.

19.         The Square mat will be used and moved forward to the front edge of the plate area and any pitched ball that hits rubber will be considered a strike.

20.         BAT RULE: To be eligible to play in the MCSPL all bats must be approved and will follow the Governing body current standards. (This program changes annually on the website).BATS IN THE MCSPL ARE TO BE TESTED AND A STICKER IS APPLIED ON THE BATS THAT ARE APPROVED AND WILL ONLY ALLOWED THESE BATS. BATS WILL BE CHECKED AND TESTED AT RANDOM THRU THE YEAR WITH NO REQUEST OR APPROVAL TO DO SO. UMPS WILL CONTINUE TO CHECK BATS FOR STICKER AND DENTS AND OR CRACKS. NO STICKER NO BAT IN GAME.

21.         SPORTSMANSHIP/ CODE OF CONDUCT: See SPO Official Handbook or Web Site.                                                                                Any Member/Team that bashes executives/umps via e-mail or verbally will have a

               ZERO TOLERANCE PENALTY Any concerns must be put in writing and will be address within seven (7) days. Any emergency situation will be addressed ASAP.

PENALTY:                                                                                                                                                                                      1^ST offence will be a verbal and written warning to player and or the team.

              2^nd offence will be a $25.00 fine and one (1) game night suspension.

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              3^rd offence will be reviewed by the executive committee.

22.         DIVISION CONTACTS                                                                                                                     Divisions must submit to Division Executives two (2) contact names, e-mail address and phone numbers.

23.         Each year, all divisions must submit to the executive their playing rules by 1st April of that playing year.           

24.         Each year all divisions MUST submit a budget and year end statement and have them presented to their division membership and recorded into their minutes. All copies of the division minutes /budget and statement to be given to the league President