Expanded Senior Slo-Pitch Association Rules

2024 Season

Version: 8 May 2024

[Expanded Senior Slo-Pitch League]

Preamble

The Expanded Senior Slo-Pitch Association (ESSA) is a recreational league and exists to allow seniors, both male and female, 55 years and older to play slo-pitch on a regular basis from early May to the middle of September each year.

The main objective of the Board of Directors is to balance all teams in strength. Although there is competitiveness among teams, the main thrust is for all players to have fun and get exercise.

All team uniforms (shirts), bats, balls, bases and game needs are supplied by the ESSA. Games are played using SPN rules with Association rules where there are exceptions.

Association Rules

New / modified rules for 2024 are shown in italics.

  1. THE PLAYING FIELD

    1. The official dimensions of the diamond: baselines shall be 65 feet and the pitching zone shall be 24 inches wide located 50 to 65 feet from home plate.
    2. For the purposes of our Association, the grass area of the field will be considered the outfield, and the dirt area is the infield.
    3. A board 23 inches by 35 inches shall be covering home plate.
    4. Games will not be played with the infield on the grass. It is acceptable to move home plate out into the dirt if the home plate area (or other base path areas) are sloppy. If the entire infield is sloppy, or there is standing water in the outfield, the field should be declared unplayable.

  2. EQUIPMENT

    1. All players must wear team jerseys in order to participate in a game. Each sweater must have an easily distinguished unique number. The umpire may grant exceptions to this rule if a legitimate reason is provided and both Captains agree.
    2. Players are advised for safety reasons not to wear jewelry. There will be no penalty for the wearing of jewelry.
    3. The Association provides all bats and balls (GRAY DOT or equivalent). Personal bats are not allowed.

  3. DEFINITIONS

    As per SPN Rule 3 with the following exceptions:

    1. Sec. 11. Batters area. The batter must have one foot at least partially between the front edge of the plate (board) and the back edge of the plate (board) when contact is made with the ball. If not, the call is dead ball and the batter is out. The batter can stand as far away from the plate (board) as he/she desires.
    2. Sec. 49. Intentional Walk. See Sec. 88 for result of a walk.
    3. Sec. 79. Tag. Tagging is an option in the ESSA. A runner cannot be tagged between the commitment line and the plate.
    4. Sec. 88. Walk: The batter will be awarded one base when four pitches have been called balls. When an intentional walk has been given without throwing a strike, or a pitcher throws 4 balls to the batter without throwing a strike, the batter or his/her substitute runner will be awarded 2'nd base. Any runners on base will only move as forced by the walked batter.

  4. THE GAME

    1. Games are played Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 9:45 AM. The on-field warm up time will be from 9:15 to 9:30 for visiting team and 9:30 to 9:45 for the home team, with the home team remaining on the field to begin the game at 9:45.
    2. A regulation game consists of 9 innings (but see rules 4 E, 4 H). If a game is abandoned while in progress, a regulation game will be declared if at least 4 and a half innings have been played. Where possible games should stop at the end of a full inning (or half inning if the home team is ahead); if not the score should revert to the previous completed inning. No extra innings are played in case of a tie in the round-robins (one point for each team). Playoff qualification round, semi-final and final games must determine a winner, so extra innings are played; the International Tie-Breaker Rules are used for all extra innings.
    3. If any round-robin game is rained out (cancelled by e-mail or phone), all games on that day shall be considered rained out and each game is scored 9-9. If not cancelled by e-mail or phone, the games can be played as scheduled where the fields are playable, but safety is the first consideration. The games not played will be scored 9-9. Round-robin games cancelled for any reason are not made up.
    4. Playoff games: In all playoff games, sit outs must continue during extra innings (see rule 5 E). For 9 inning games, Captains should come prepared with a line-up extending for 3 additonal innings; a similar extended lineup is expected for 7 inning games.
    5. Cancelled games in the playoff qualification round, and regular season games re-scheduled before the season begins (but NOT rainouts), will be made up as a double header consisting of two 7 inning games at the next schedule game date. The 7'th inning is open (no 5 run mercy rule). Tie games are not allowed in playoff qualification round games - a winner must be determined.
      If the temperature or humidity is extreme, only single games (7 innings) will be played. Whether a single game is to be played can be decided on game day.

      Extra Rules For Double Header Games:

      1. Both games are 7 innings; play extra inning(s) if the game is tied in the playoffs, using the International Tie-Breaker Rules.
      2. If a team is leading by 10 runs or more after 5 innings, the 6'th inning is the open inning; the 7'th inning is not played.
      3. No infield balls after the 1'st inning.
      4. PLEASE HUSTLE ON AND OFF THE FIELD; HAVE THE ON DECK BATTER READY TO HIT.
      5. Do not switch dugouts between games.
      6. The home team for each game is as designated in the schedule.
      7. Be reasonable about players who become tired and need to sit out more than they are supposed to (especially in the second game); players should stay in the batting order if at all possible.
      8. There is no penalty for players that have to leave early and a team can finish with less than 9 players.
      9. Leave the bases at the diamond after the first game. The visiting team for second game is responsible for returning the bases to the storage bin after the second game.

    6. After the playoff qualification round, the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals. Any ties for placement of the top four teams will be decided by the tie breaker procedure (see the extra resources below).
    7. The maximum number of runs a team can score in an inning is 5. This "mercy rule" applies to innings 1-8 for 9 inning games and 1-6 for 7 inning games. All subsequent inning(s) are open.
    8. In round-robin or playoff qualifier games where weather or other situations make it difficult to play a regulation 9 inning game, the teams will decide whether to play a 9 inning or 7 inning game. If either team decides on 7 innings, the game will be 7 innings. A 9 inning game with each batter starting with a 1 ball - 1 strike count is not an option.
    9. The batter can only be forced out at 1'st base by a throw from an infielder playing an infield hit. The outfielders/rovers cannot throw to 1'st to get the batter out, but can make throws to the other bases to force outs. No relay plays between outfielders/rovers to infielders to 1'st are allowed. Outfielders/rovers may throw to 1'st to attempt to put out a runner who has rounded the base.
    10. Appeal Play: To ask for an appeal, the Captain is only required to ask for "TIME" and then address the umpire who is responsible for the call on the play in question (e.g. base runner left early, missed touching a base, etc.) The umpire that made the call (or didn't make the call) may discuss the call with other umpires before a decision is given.
    11. Call-ups for the semi-finals / final can be discussed if a team is short due to the extension of the season beyond the published schedule.

  5. PLAYERS

    1. The maximum number of defensive players on the field is 11, two of whom are "rovers". There must be 5 players in the outfield at all times, except when a team has less than 11 players in the line-up. The umpires or opposing Captain can ask which players are the "rovers".
    2. A team must have a minimum of 9 players to make it an official game. Less than 9 players will result in a defaulted game. Exception: see rule 4 K for playoff games. An exhibition game may be played.
    3. After the beginning of an inning, a defensive player (rovers excepted) cannot exchange his/her position with another fielder.
      1. Shifting for infielders and outfielders is allowed without restriction, but the order from left to right must remain the same; as above, rovers are excepted.
      2. Pitchers: the pitcher may be substituted by another position player that is on the field. A maximum of 3 player switches will be permitted at that time. In the event of an injury any player can substituted.
      3. Infielder positioning: must be at least 50 feet from home plate for all batters. Players can move after the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
    4. If fewer than 11 players are expected, a team should call up relief players from any "sit out" team or the spare list.
      For the playoff rounds, relief players must be of the same rank or lower than the player to be replaced.
      Relief players used in the playoffs must be approved by the Commissioner and/or the non-involved Captains.
      Replacement players from the spare list for long term injuries must be approved by the Commissioner and/or non-involved Captains.
    5. When a team has more than 11 players at game time, one or more players must sit out each inning and not take a position on the field. A player must not sit out two consecutive innings. All players must sit out once before a player sits out a second time. If a team Captain fails to follow the above procedure and an appeal is made, the team Captain must make the appropriate change.
    6. For the playoff qualification round / playoffs: When a team has fewer than 11 players at game time, automatic outs must be added to the batting order to reach a roster of 11 players. It is the Captain's choice where the automatic outs are placed.
      Captain's may contact suitable spares to reach a roster of 11 players; if none are available, the automatic outs rule still applies.
    7. All player changes, such as additions or trades, require the majority approval of the non-involved team Captains and sanctioned by the Commissioner.
    8. Players who leave a game early or who are injured will not be considered outs when their turn is reached in the batting order. For players ejected from the game, their position in the order will be considered as an out. Ejected players must leave the park and are also suspended for the next game.
    9. Players reporting late for a game may bat at their designated place in the batting order if they arrive before their turn at bat is reached. If they arrive later, their name must be moved to the bottom of the batting order.
    10. Rovers and outfielders must be in the outfield (on the grass) and can move into the infield only after the ball is hit, except at diamonds with very large infields (e.g. Dunton Diamond #1) where the rovers and outfielders are allowed to play 30 feet behind the baselines (instead of on the grass).
    11. For the playoff qualification round / playoffs: players in the batting order must also play in the field. Rule 5 E regarding sit-outs also applies.

  6. PITCHING

    1. All SPN rules apply except see the ESSA rule that pitchers cannot be changed to face particular batters. Must follow ESSA rule 5 C.
    2. Pitching Screens
      1. The pitching screen must be set up on the field 4 to 5 feet in front of the pitching box, parallel to the front of the pitching box, and must cover a minimum of one half of the pitching box. Once the screen is in place, it may not be moved in that half inning unless a new pitcher comes in; the screen is replaced in its original position if displaced by any cause.
      2. The pitcher must move behind the screen once the pitch has been thrown.
        Consequences for not moving behind the screen: if the ball comes in contact with the pitcher, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded 1'st base, and all base runners advance one base.
      3. Any batted ball that hits the front side or top of the screen before being touched by a fielder is a dead ball; the play counts as a strike; if it is the third strike, the batter is out. Otherwise a ball hitting the screen is in play.

  7. BATTING

    1. No Bunting: All batters must take a full swing to the best of their ability.
    2. Batters area: the batter must have one foot at least partially between the front edge of the plate (board) and the back edge of the plate (board) when contact is made with the ball. If not, the call is dead ball and the batter is out. The batter can stand as far away from the plate (board) as he/she desires.
    3. Home Run Cap: For games played on fields with an outfield fence, there is a cap of 3 home runs over the fence on the fly without being touched by a fielder per game per team. For all subsequent such hits by that team, the batter is out.
    4. A batted ball hitting the plate (board) is a foul ball strike; the batter is out if that is the third strike.
    5. A batter who takes a courtesy runner from the plate/screen must leave the batter's area quickly, to the 1'st base side.

  8. BASE RUNNING

    1. Courtesy (Pinch) Runner:
      1. The player is the one who initiates the request for a courtesy runner.
      2. A player can courtesy run once per inning.
      3. A player does not have to declare he/she needs a courtesy runner at the beginning of the game. He/she may ask for a courtesy runner at any time, and is not required to use a courtesy runner all the game.
      4. The courtesy runner from the plate/screen may advance only to 1'st base.
        In the case of an overthrow where the ball goes out of play or out of bounds, he/she is awarded 2'nd base and other baserunners will be awarded 2 bases from the last base touched.
        In the case where the batter hits a home run over the fence, the courtesy runner and any other runners on base proceed home and all runs would be counted up to the mercy limit for the inning.
      5. The courtesy runner from the plate/screen must hold onto the cord / rope / designated fence post, or stand on the orange mat, all of which will be located 10 feet behind behind the extension of the 3'rd base line towards the fence in foul territory.
    2. An anticipation step is allowed by runners on base, and including any courtesy runner from the plate/screen, after the ball has reached the plate or has been offered at.
    3. Catchers are not permitted to tag a runner who has crossed the commitment line; the catcher has to be in contact with the board plate to register the out. Any base runner touching or running over the board plate is out.
    4. Sliding is permitted in the ESSA, either advancing to or returning to a base.
    5. Runners must put a foot on the ground on or over the scoring line between the board plate and the fence to score a run.
      NOTE: Runners must avoid the catcher attempting to play the ball; the runner will be declared out for interference if there is contact.

  9. UMPIRES

    1. Unless umpires are assigned, teams umpire their own games.
    2. Qualified paid umpires are assigned for the playoff qualification round, semi-finals and final games.
    3. The decision of the umpire is final on all judgment calls. Decisions based on rules will be discussed by the two team Captains and umpires at the time of the situation and resolved fairly.
    4. There are no protests on calls or rules.

  10. SCORING

    1. Teams are responsible for their own score keeping. The Captain must report their game score to the Statistician.
    2. The maximum run differential used for playoff qualification round tie-breaking is 7 runs per game.
    3. The home does not bat in the bottom of the last inning if leading the game.

  11. TEAM SELECTION

    1. Teams will be chosen using the ratings of the players, with the aim of establishing balanced teams. Each Captain at the end of the season will be responsible for providing new ratings to be used the following year. New players will be evaluated at the preseason Rookie Camp. The final team rosters are to be presented to the Fairness Committee for final scrutiny.
    2. Team standings will be reviewed at the end of the first round-robin by the Fairness Committee. Players may be shuffled to better balance the teams.

  12. FAIR PLAY

    1. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and could result in a player being ejected from the game, with the possibility of further suspension upon review by the Fairness Committee (see the Fairness Committee supplement to the rules March 12 2009).
    2. If a player is ejected from the game, the umpire will file a report with the Fairness Committee. A repeat offender may be asked to meet with this Committee.
    3. The decision of the umpire is final on all judgment calls. Decisions based on rules will be discussed by the two team Captains and umpires at the time of the situation and resolved fairly.
    4. There are no protests on calls or rules.
    5. A suspended player may be replaced by a spare with the same or lower rating (for games following the ejection/suspension).
    6. If the score is one-sided, Captains may consider:
      1. stopping the game early, retaining the existing score (no abandoned game / default).
      2. doing a "flip-flop" where the team that is ahead does not bat in their half inning:
        • the batting team starts the new half inning with no one on base and all players available as courtesy runners.
        • the defensive team must use the correct players in the field for the new half inning.
        • the defensive team gets to bat if the trailing team catches up / goes ahead.

Rule Changes / Clarifications For 2024

Additional Resources

This page created and maintained by Mike Peterson, mikep9x@gmail.com.
Created April 10, 2019. Last updated May 8, 2024.