Etobicoke Senior Slo-Pitch Association Spare Player Management

Spare Player Registration

You can register to be a spare on the web site or by mail. See the Registration section on the main web page.

If you become a full-time player at some point during the season, you must pay the Association fee (which will be pro-rated if a significant part of the season has already past).

Spare Player Management Process

Objective

• To support the Association teams with comparable caliber spares when required.
• To evaluate the spares to align with the Association ratings.
• To provide playing time to those signed up as spares.
• To maintain a minimum batting order of 11 players to keep teams as balanced as possible.
• To maintain full teams during peak vacation periods or in the event of injuries.

Definition of a Spare

• Spares MUST register with the Association to be a spare (see above).
• Those players who know they cannot play full time during the season and want to participate in and support the Association.

Spare Player Evaluation

• Spares will be evaluated at the yearly Rookie Evaluation Camp.
• As new spares are added, they will be contacted by the Association Spare Administrator to set an evaluation date and time (this could happen in a game).
• Spare evaluations will be done by 3 Captains and/or Association Board of Directors members using the Association evaluation criteria.
• Spares will be assessed in three rating categories for flexibility:
  • SA -- 16-20 rating points
  • SB -- 9-15 rating points
  • SC -- 4-8 rating points
• Spares that can be pitchers, will also have a P rating for assignment.

Spare Player List

• Spares will be listed alphabetically based on their Spare Rating; this list will be a rolling list, so all spares are asked to play in rotation.
• As new spare players are added, they will be a priority assignment player for one week before being added to the alphabetical list.

How to Request a Spare Player

• Team Captains must notify the Association Spare Administrator at least 24 hours prior to game time to be assigned a spare player.
• Captains will provide the name of the missing player.
• Captains will indicate if they will be missing one of their pitchers.
• Captains can indicate that a spare will be required for multiple games but cannot expect to receive the same player for the multiple games. Each game will be assigned the next available spare based on the rolling list.
• Captains must ask for spares when their team will field less than 11 players.
• Captains may request a spare for any game if they have 11 players (or more), for example to cover for injuries, or to get a needed position player (e.g. pitcher).
• If a team does not request a spare for a missing player, then an out will be scored in sufficient batting position(s) to reach 11 players in the playoff rounds. [Rule to be confirmed before playoffs commence]
• If no spares are available, then teams will play short and not be charged an automatic out. [Rule to be confirmed before playoffs commence]

Assignment of Spare Players

• The Association Spares Administrator will contact a spare based on the following criteria:
  • Registered (i.e. paid-up) players from any team(s) sitting off have first priority to be assigned as spares.
  • If a pitcher will be missing, those spares who can pitch will be contacted in alphabetical order.
  • Captains may request a spare able to play a specific position; the Spares Manager will take this into account when assigning a spare, but with no guarantees.
  • Spares added to the Association within the last 7 days must be evaluated, and receive a priority ranking for one week.
  • An attempt will be made to contact spares based on their rating and the rating of the missing player.

• The Association Spare Administrator will contact the spare player via text and e-mail Sunday for a Monday game, Tuesday for a Wednesday game, or when the information becomes available.
• If the spare does not confirm by 7 PM Sunday/Tuesday, then the next name on the spare list will be contacted.
• Every effort will be made to supply an equivalent spare to the team missing a player.
  • During the regular round-robins, any spare from any category may be assigned if demand exceeds the number of spare available.
  • During the playoff qualification round the spare must be rated at or below the numeric rating of the player being replaced.
  • Spare usage in the semi-final or final requires agreement of the Commissioner and/or the non-involved Captains.
• Spare player(s) may be placed anywhere in the team's batting order.
• A Spare Activity Report will be provided to the Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and team Captains by 8 AM game day.
• Last minute emergencies may be taken into consideration and changes made after the Spare Activity Report has been sent.

Round-robin spare usage rules:

• Teams with 10 players or less for a game are expected to pick up spare player(s) for that game to reach a roster of at least 11 players.
• Spares can only be "booked" more than 1 game in advance if a team will have fewer than 11 players for that game.
• Spares will normally be allocated to the team most shorthanded.
• Contact Bettina Samson, bettina.samson at hotmail.com, 647-393-4661 to book a spare once the Captain has confirmed they are available to play on the date(s) needed.

Playoff round spare usage rules:

• Teams with 10 players or less for a game are required to pick up spare player(s) for that game to reach a roster of at least 11 players.
• The spare player used must not be rated higher than the player they are replacing.
• Spare usage in the playoffs requires agreement of the Commissioner and/or the non-involved Captains.
• Spares can only be "booked" more than 1 game in advance if a team will have fewer than 11 players for that game.
• Spares will normally be allocated to the team most shorthanded.