Etobicoke Senior Slo-Pitch Association Rules
Version: 6 July 2021
Preamble
The Etobicoke 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 2021 are shown in italics.
THE PLAYING FIELD
- 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.
- For the purposes of our Association, the grass area of the field will
be considered the outfield, and the dirt area is the infield.
- A board 23 inches by 35 inches shall be covering home plate.
- 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.
EQUIPMENT
- 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.
- Players are advised for safety reasons not to wear jewelry.
There will be no penalty for the wearing of jewelry.
- The Association provides all bats and balls (GRAY DOT or equivalent).
Personal bats are not allowed.
- The following extra procedures will be adopted for play in the
2021 season:
- no handshakes
- minimize team meeetings
- masks on sidelines / umpires / base coaches;
players must distance along the sidelines / outside the fence
- wipes will be provided for game balls / bats;
equipment should be wiped down after each game
- strong suggestion to wear batting gloves
- if a team has 2+ more players than the other team, the Captain
will lend the short team a "reasonable replacement" for the game
- play with what you've got (no default if less than 9 players)
- each team supplies 2 "game" balls, one new, one used,
which they use on defence; balls must be approved by other
Captain and set aside near the plate
- the batting team supplies the catcher:
- the Captain will designate a "competent" catcher, who
has their choice of wearing the catcher's mask or not
- catcher must make a "reasonable" effort;
a scoring baserunner may be called out by the umpire
- strongly recommended to wear batting gloves to minimize
ball contact
- the batting team supplies the umpires
DEFINITIONS
As per SPN Rule 3 with the following exceptions:
- 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.
- Sec. 49. Intentional Walk. See Sec. 87 for result of a walk.
- Sec. 78. Tag. Tagging is an option in the ESSA. A runner cannot
be tagged between the commitment line and the plate.
- Sec. 87. Walk: The batter will be awarded one base when four pitches
have been called balls or when an intentional walk has been given.
If a pitcher throws 4 balls to the batter without throwing a
strike, the batter or his substitute runner will be awarded
2'nd base. Any runners on base will only move as forced by
walked batter.
If a male or female batter is walked, and is followed by a
female batter, the batter will be awarded 2'nd base.
The female batter must bat.
THE GAME
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Playoff games: In the playoffs sit outs must continue during
extra innings (see rule 5 E). In the playoffs, with 9 inning
games, captains should come prepared with the line up to extend for
3 additonal innings; similarly an extended lineup is expected with
7 inning games.
- Cancelled games in the playoff qualification round will be made
up as a double header consisting of two 7 inning games at the
next schedule game date.
The 7'th inning (and any subsequent extra innings) are open
(no 5 run mercy rule).
Tie games are not allowed, 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:
- Both games are 7 innings;
play extra inning(s) if the game is tied.
- No infield balls after the 1'st inning.
- PLEASE HUSTLE ON AND OFF THE FIELD; HAVE THE ON DECK BATTER
READY TO HIT.
- Do not switch dugouts between games.
- The home team for each game is as designated in the schedule.
- 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.
- There is no penalty for players that have to leave early
and a team can finish with less than 9 players.
- Leave the bases at the diamond after the first game.
The home team for second game is responsible for returning
the bases to the bunker after the second game.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- The batter can not be forced out at first base on a direct throw
from a rover or outfielder. Batters can be forced at first
on throws from the infield, and rover/outfield assists can be
made at all other bases.
Clarification: if a rover/outfielder takes a throw at second or
third base to force or tag a runner, that player can not throw
to first base to get the batter out.
Clarification: a rover/outfielder may throw the ball to an
infielder who then relays the ball to first base to get the
batter out.
- 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.
- 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.
- The SPN "international tie breaker" rule is not to be used.
PLAYERS
- 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".
- 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.
- After the beginning of an inning, a defensive player (rovers
excepted) cannot exchange his/her position with another fielder.
- 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.
- 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.
- Infielder positioning: must be at least
50 feet from home plate for all batters.
Players can move after the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
- If fewer than 11 players are expected, a team should call up relief
players from any "sit out" team or the spare list.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- All player changes, such as additions or trades, require the
majority approval of the non-involved team Captains and sanctioned
by the Commissioner.
- Players who leave a game early or who are injured or ejected
will not be considered outs when their turn is reached in the
batting order.
- 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.
- Rovers and outfielders must be in the outfield (on the grass)
and can move into the infield only after the ball is hit.
PITCHING
- All SPN rules apply except see the ESSA rule that pitchers cannot be
changed to face particular batters.
Must follow ESSA rule 5 C.
- Pitching Screens
- The pitching screen must be set up on the field in close vicinity
to and in front of the pitching rubber, facing the batter.
- 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.
BATTING
- Bunting:
- Female batters do not have the option to bunt.
All batters must take a full swing to the best of their ability.
- 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.
- 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.
BASE RUNNING
- Courtesy (Pinch) Runner:
- The player is the one who initiates the request for a
pinch runner.
- A player can pinch run only 3 times per game and only once
per inning. In the event of extra innings, a player may pinch
run 1 more time, for a total of 4 in the entire game.
- A pinch runner can have a pinch runner; however this
counts as one time as a pinch runner (of their three times).
- A player does not have to declare he/she needs a pinch runner
at the beginning of the game.
He/she may ask for a pinch runner at any time, and is not
confined to use a pinch runner all the game.
- The courtesy runner from the screen may advance only to first
base. However, in the case of an overthrow where the ball goes
out of play or out of bounds, he is awarded 2'nd base and other
baserunners will be awarded 2 bases from the last base touched.
- Pinch running: it counts as a pinch run in all these cases:
- the runner is substituted for a runner already on base.
- the runner from the plate is on base when the next pitch of
the half-inning is thrown.
- the runner from the plate lets go of the cord / rope /
post and the batter does not make contact with the ball.
For diamonds with large infields, instead of using the
rope / fence, the runner from the plate must have both
feet behind a line be drawn in foul territory extending
the 3'rd base line towards the fence; if the runner steps
over the line and the batter does not make contact with
the ball, the runner is removed/replaced and it counts
as a pinch run.
- An anticipation step is allowed by runners on base after the
ball has reached the plate or has been offered at.
- 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.
- Sliding is permitted in the ESSA, either advancing to or returning
to a base.
- 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.
UMPIRES
- Unless umpires are assigned, teams umpire their own games.
- Qualified paid umpires are assigned for the playoff qualification
round, semi-finals and final games.
- 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.
- There are no protests on calls or rules.
SCORING
- Teams are responsible for their own score keeping.
The Captain must report their game score to the Statistician.
- The maximum run differential used for playoff qualification round
tie-breaking is 7 runs per game.
- The home does not bat in the bottom of the last inning if
leading the game.
TEAM SELECTION
- 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.
- 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.
FAIR PLAY
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- There are no protests on calls or rules.
- A suspended player may be replaced by a spare with the same or
lower rating.
Rule Changes / Clarifications For 2021
- Rule 2
- catcher must wear a mask rule removed
- 2 E: extra procedures for 2021 season due to COVID-19
- Rule 5
- 5 C c: infielder positioning - 50 feet from home plate for all batters
- 5 F: automatic outs in batting order to reach roster of 11 players
- 5 J: rover/outfields must remain on the grass until the ball is hit
- Rule 7
- 7 A a: bunting not allowed for women
- 7 C: home run cap for fenced fields is 3; subsequents HRs are an out
- Rule 8
- 8 A f 3: for large infields, runner from the plate must not
step over a line extending the 3'rd base line into foul territory,
unless the batter makes contact with the ball.
- 8 E: scoring plate removed; scoring line
- Rule 9
- Rule 10
- 10 B: maximum run differential in playoff qualification round is 7
- 10 C: home does not bat in the bottom of the last inning if leading
- Rule 12
- 12 E: suspended player can be replaced by a spare
Additional Resources
This page created and maintained by Mike Peterson,
mikep@rubberchickencult.ca.
Created April 10, 2019. Last updated July 6, 2021.