2021 Beaches Slo-Pitch Rule Changes

All Games will be 7 innings or 70 minutes long.
In all Divisions a 6 run rule will be used in each inning except the 7th inning or when umpire calls last inning, that inning will be an Open Inning and each inning thereafter.
Mercy rule is 12 runs after 5 innings or (4 ½ if Home Team is Winning).
Mercy Rule is 20 runs after 4 complete innings.
In any inning where the mercy rule applies, a team is allowed to score enough runs to bring them inside the run spread.
(example: A Team that trails by 18 runs in the 5th inning will be allowed to score up to 7 runs to get inside the 12 run mercy rule).
15 minute grace allowed from official start time (15mins is included in start time). If a Team is playing a doubleheader then there is No Grace awarded in their 2nd game.
The batter will start with a 1 ball and 1 strike count.
All players may wear a glove or mitt of any size, including a “trapper” or “first base man glove” at any position.
Fines for Defaults and Uniform Rule will be waived for this Year Only. Beer Bond fines and fines for Teams not immediately leaving diamond after the game will still be applied.
A Team may use a player from a lower, higher or even the same Division as their 8th player (or 3rd girl in Coed) ONLY to avoid a Default. That player must bat last and play 1st base or right field in Men’s, can play catcher in Coed if 3rd girl.
HOMERUN WALKOFF RULE – If the umpire declares a Homerun to the batter for hitting a ball over the fence or on the road he will not have to run the bases and either will any base runners.
They can all go to the dugout without touching any bases or crossing the scoring line. All the runs will count.
WALKING IN THE 6TH RUN – If a walk results in the 6th run of the inning being scored. Time will be called. The batter and base runners can leave the field without touching any bases or crossing the scoring line. (all runs will count).
DOUBLE/TRIPLE WALKOFF RULE – If a player is awarded a ground rule double or a ground rule triple and the result of that play brings the 6th run of the inning across then time will be called.
All Base runners and the batter can leave the playing field and do not have to touch any bases or cross the scoring line. All the runs will count.
If a player hits a single and the ball is live, and the 6th run crosses the scoring line, the batter must touch first base and all runners must touch the base ahead of them if forced or they will be liable to be put out.
Pitcher will get 5 warm up pitches in 1st inning and 1 warm up pitch in each inning after that. If a relief pitcher comes in, he is allowed 3 warm up pitches.
Teams can use an infield ball to warm up in 1st inning only. They can throw the ball around the horn at the start of each inning but they are not allowed to throw the ball around the horn after an out.
No batting practice or any warming up at all on the infield before the game. Teams may warm up by throwing the ball around on the outfield grass Only, being 6 feet apart.

IN COED NO ROVERS ARE ALLOWED – Teams must play 4 outfielders across and being 175 feet away from home plate (umpires will have 175 measured by pylons).
You are only allowed to change a defensive position only once per inning. If left fielder goes to right field they must stay in right field until the end of the inning.
If you are putting a shift on, players can’t physically pass another player. Example shortstop can stand behind second basemen but must be just to the left of them.

ROVER OR A 5 MAN INFIELD WILL BE ALLOWED IN MEN’S ONLY.

New Diamond Rules

The city is trying to prevent any softball play happening beyond the diamond and possible interaction with people located in the rest of the parks to help prevent any possible spread of covid. The following diamonds now have new ground rules for this season. Please review and be familiar with them prior to first game.

BLANTYRE PARK
Any ball that hits the road in left field on a bounce, deflection or in the air will be a ground rule double, time will be called, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.
Any ball that rolls on the path or in the playground in right field on a bounce, deflection or in the air will be a ground rule double, time will be called, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.
Any ball that hits the road on a bounce, deflection or in the air in left center-field (to the right of the middle pole or 2nd pole from left field) will be declared a homerun.
Any ball that hits any tree branches or any leaves on the tree (even 1 leaf) will be a ground rule double, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.
Any ball that hits tree stumps, light poles, benches, garbage cans, any other object in fair territory and stays in fair territory will be live.

DENTONIA PARK
Any ball that hits the road in left field on a bounce, deflection or in the air will be a ground rule double, time will be called, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.
Any ball that hits the road on a bounce, deflection or in the air in left center-field (to the right of the middle pole or 2nd pole from left field) will be declared a homerun.
Any ball that hits any tree branches or any leaves on the tree (even 1 leaf) will be a ground rule double, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.
Any ball that hits tree stumps, light poles, benches, garbage cans, any other object in fair territory and stays in fair territory will be live.

KEW GARDENS
Any ball that hits any tree branches or any leaves on the tree (even 1 leaf) will be a ground rule triple, batter and base runners will receive 3 bases from time of pitch. (Except right field).
Any ball that hits any tree branches or any leaves on the tree (even 1 leaf) in right field Only will be declared a homerun, any ball that goes over the fence in right field will be declared a homerun.
Any ball that hits tree stumps, light poles, benches, garbage cans, any other object in fair territory and stays in fair territory will be live.

GREENWOOD PARK
Any ball that hits any tree branches or any leaves on the tree (even 1 leaf) will be a ground rule triple, batter and base runners will receive 3 bases from time of pitch.
Any ball that lands on the road by bounce, deflection or in the air will be declared a homerun.
Any ball that lands in the dog park by bounce or in the air will be declared a homerun.

MCCLEARY PARK
Any ball that lands on the road by bounce, deflection or in the air will be declared a homerun.

Our Insurance with SPN does not cover property damage, any player that causes property damage by hitting or throwing the ball, their team will have to cover any property damage caused.