Rule Changes
Adopted at May 2003 Captains’ Meeting
•
Pinch-runners
may be substituted for injured players without those players losing their place
in the batting order. An unlimited
number of pinch-runners are allowed for runners who have reached base. Two (2) only pinch-runners are allowed for
players running from the plate.
Pinch-runners running from the plate must start touching the centre of
the backstop (i.e. behind the catcher).
•
Pinch-runners
in either case (i.e. from the plate or on-base) shall the last player in the
batting order to be called out of the same gender as the batter/runner.
•
Advancing
runners are not permitted to slide into first base or into home on a batted
ball. Penalty – runner is out. Runners may slide back into first base when
advancing on a fly ball that is subsequently caught.
Rule Changes
Adopted at September 2002 Captains’ Meeting
•
No
mercy rule in the last inning of elimination round games.
•
Batters
shall drop, not throw, their bats before running the bases. Penalty – batter is out.
•
All
jewellery shall be removed, taped or covered for the safety of all players
•
Basepaths
shall be set at 55 feet. (NB – while we
endeavoured to “officially mark the screens and backstops at all diamonds at
55’, it was subsequently discovered in at least one case – McCleary N – that
Parks Department staff move home plate during the season for maintenance
purposes. An official 55’ League string
was suggested.)
•
Pitchers
shall appear in their teams batting order and must play at least one inning of
defence in the field.
•
Outfielders
shall stand at least 15 feet behind the basepaths for all batters until the
ball is hit. Infielders shall not
encroach into the infield beyond the basepaths until the ball is hit.