Burlington Men’s Slo Pitch

BMSPL is affiliated with Slo Pitch Ontario and SPO rules apply except as shown below.

• The umpire should have brief meeting before game with a team rep from each team.
• Start times on scheduled time 6:30; 8:00 8:30 or 9:30 as in schedule for that night.
• 8 required to start, 9 required before complete first time thru batting order.  Opposing team provides catcher who does not make any plays at plate.  No automatic out if less than ten in lineup.
• Can pick up any players from any team in league to bring roster up to 10 – pick ups must bat last in order and can play anywhere defensively
• No new inning after 1:45 minutes in nine-inning games and 1:20 minutes for 7 inning games
• Extra innings – maximum two extra innings, time permitting.  Start inning with no out none on base.
• Legal bats must be USSSA BPF 1.20 – thumbprint.
• Maximum 6 runs per inning unless behind by more.  Can then score runs to go one up.  Last inning is open inning.  Umpire should declare open inning in the top of an inning if he feels the last inning cannot begin before the times noted above.
• Mercy rule - - 15 runs after 7 innings (or 6 ½ innings if home team ahead by 15 or more)
• Home team responsibilities – provide a new and good used ball (SPO Hot Dot).  Set up diamond and put bases away if no game following. Ensure equipment box locked.
  • Bases – 70 feet
  • Pitching 50 to 60 feet and two feet wide
  • Commitment line 21 feet from home plate
  • The safe line from the front left corner of the plate to screen
  • Rainouts – home team responsibility until 5.  Home team rep contacts President (or designate) and also contact visiting team rep.  President contacts umpire in chief.  After 5 the umpire determines if the field is playable.  Early games could be canceled but late may still be playable.
• Pitching – one foot inside 50-60 area when releasing the ball. 6-foot arc to unlimited. 
• Home run rule – 5 HR per team over the fence and then out after five.
• Courtesy runners – 9 per team – anyone can run.  Runner can be utilized at any base.  Pinch runner replaced by a pinch-runner counts toward the 9 max.
• Lead offs or anticipation not allowed and runner is out if he comes off base prior to contact of ball by batter.
• Running – no contact on bases.  Slide or get out of the way of the defensive player.
• Foul tip caught is an out.
• Ejections – each team report name to umpire and executive.  Ejected players will be suspended for a minimum of one additional game