2024 Rule Changes

2024 Beaches Slo-Pitch Rule Changes

All Games will be 7 innings or 70 minutes long or until umpire calls last inning. (No new inning after 65 minutes). If it is 64 minutes then the inning will start.

Once umpire calls last inning, the inning must be completed. If home team does not get a chance to tie or win the game and the game is called due to lights going etc, then the score will revert back the last completed inning.

If tied after 7 innings and time allows, extra innings will be played until a winner is declared or time runs out. The International Tiebreaker rule will be used with last batter starting at second base with 1 out.

A Complete game is 4 innings (3 ½ if home Team is winning). If the game is less than that, it will not count and have to be re-played from the start.

Regular count will be used this year.

However if 4 games are being played in a night, bad weather,  or doubleheaders at Blantyre and possibly Greenwood and Kew starting at 8:30pm or later, Batters will start with a 1-1 count.

In all Divisions a 6 run rule will be used in each inning except the 7^th 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 5^th 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 2^nd game.

All players may wear a glove or mitt of any size, including a “trapper” or “first base man glove” at any position.

New Pitching rule brought in last year – Once the pitcher is in the pitchers position the ball must be delivered within 5 seconds. The pitcher must deliver the ball from a standing position, and the windup must be in a continuous motion and may not include a stop, pause or reversal of the pitching motion. The pitcher must release the ball on the first forward motion of the pitching arm. If a pitcher breaks this rule it will be an illegal pitch and a ball will be awarded to the batter.

A Team may use a player from a lower, higher or even the same Division as their 8^th player ONLY to avoid a Default. That player must bat last and play 1^st base or right field in Men’s.

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 6^TH RUN – If a walk results in the 6^th 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 6^th 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 6^th 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.

In Men’s you can bat as many batters as you like (18 maximum) and players can switch up defensively every inning or you can substitute players using the SPN Re-entry rule.

3 courtesy runners per game. Same person can run more than once.

Pitcher will get 5 warm up pitches in 1^st 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 1^st inning only.

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.

You are only allowed to change a defensive position only once per inning (except pitcher), If third baseman goes to shortstop they must stay there until the end of the inning.

If you are putting a shift on, players can’t physically pass another player. Example third baseman can’t pass the shortstop he must be just to the left of him.

Third baseman and short stop can only play on the left side of the field, 1^st baseman and second baseman can only play on the right side of the field.

Shortstop or second baseman can play behind second base but can’t go past it.

5 MAN OUTFIELD OR 5 MAN INFIELD IS NO LONGER ALLOWED.

However infielders can play on the grass.

If you are using a designated rover, they can play up the middle, but can’t start on the dirt. Must be on the grass.

Team must designate who their rover is, he can play anywhere in the outfield but can’t step into the infield until the ball is hit. No outfielders can step into the infield until the ball is hit.

All infielders must be at least 50 feet from home plate until ball is hit. If a player is closer than a warning will be given. if it happens again the batter may be awarded first base, if it keeps happening a player may be ejected.

An infielder can play on the grass.

Outfielders (including rover) can’t throw the ball to first base to record an out. No relays are allowed either.

Example: Outfielder throws to second baseman and he then throws it to first base, this is not allowed, absolutely no relays allowed.

If this happens  a warning will If this be given, if it happens again the player may be ejected.

Outfielders can throw to 2^nd, 3^rd or home to record an out or back to first if batter makes an attempt to second base or leaves early on a fly ball or line drive.

Infielders can play on the grass and throw someone out at first base from the outfield.

 

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. (this includes cars).

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 2^nd pole from left field) will be declared a homerun. (this includes cars)

Any ball that goes between the right of the middle pole or 2^nd pole from left field and between red tree before playground starts and stays in fair territory will be a Live ball.

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.

Any ball that hits tree stumps, light poles, benches, garbage cans, any other object in fair territory and bounces out of play will be a ground rule double, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.

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. (this includes cars).

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 2^nd pole from left field) will be declared a homerun. (this includes cars).

Any ball that hits any tree branches or any leaves (even 1 leaf) in left field will be a ground rule double, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.

Any ball that hits any tree branches or any leaves of the big tree in left by the middle pole (regardless if branches are on right or left of pole) will be a ground rule double. Batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.

Any ball that hits any tree branches or any leaves (even 1 leaf) of any trees to the right of the big tree and 2^nd pole from the left 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.

Any ball that hits tree stumps, light poles, benches, garbage cans, any other object in fair territory and bounces out of play will be a ground rule double, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.

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 balls that goes in, or gets stuck under bush in right center-field will be a ground rule triple, batter and baserunners will receive 3 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.

Any ball that hits tree stumps, light poles, benches, garbage cans, any other object in fair territory and bounces out of play will be a ground rule double, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.

Out of play line in Left field will be the fence line to the path (anything on path or bleachers is out of play) then goes back to fence line after the path. Any ball that hits tree branches or leaves in foul territory is a foul ball.

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.

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.

Any ball that hits tree stumps, light poles, benches, garbage cans, any other object in fair territory and bounces out of play will be a ground rule double, batter and base runners will receive 2 bases from time of pitch.

MCCLEARY PARK

Is pretty much wide open and Live.

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

It does not matter if the opposing player touches the ball or not on a ball that goes out of play, It will still be considered a ground rule double. Only exception is if the umpire feels it was intentional, then an extra base will be awarded.

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.