DRYDEN MIXED SLO-PITCH TOURNAMENT (DMSPT) 2014 RULES

 

ALL GAMES WILL FOLLOW THE OFFICIAL SPN RULES WITH THE EXCEPTION TO THE FOLLOWING:

 

GENERAL:

 

1)-It is the responsibility of all Players & Team Captains to know the provided DMSPT Rules.  Ignorance of the Rules is not grounds for protest or appeal.  Slo-Pitch is a contact sport, played with Composite, Aluminum, and other approved materials in design of approved bats.  The Game of Slo-Pitch can be a dangerous sport to participate in.  In playing the Game of Slo-Pitch, the player and the parents of the youth players participating in the Game of Slo-Pitch assume for themselves and for the youth players participating in the Game of Slo-Pitch the risk of serious injury or possible death.  Being placed on a DMSPT Roster, the Participants or Parents of Participants understand these risks, and the DMSPT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, City Of Dryden and Dryden Recreation Complex, along with any individuals affiliated with the DMSPT (Volunteers &Umpires) are not responsible or liable for any injuries that are incurred during the DMSPT.

 

2)-DISPUTABLE CALLS: TEAM CAPTAINS discuss with the Umpire(s).  If a solution can not be reached, the DMSPT Umpire-In-Chief (Rick Daubney), DMSPT Rules Committee Member (Doug Lund), or DMSPT Chairperson (Chris Stoiber), and Umpire(s), will make a final decision.

 

3)-Teams are seeded for PLAYOFF GAMES based on their Round Robin results.

Seeding is determined by the DMSPT Seeding Format:

A) Points (WIN-3 Points, TIE-1 Point, LOSS-0 Points)

B) Total Wins

C) Total Runs Against

D) Total Runs For

E) Head To Head

F) Cut Cards

 

4)-Home Plate & Strike Mat make up the STRIKE ZONE.

Strike Mats are provided for every diamond, DO NOT REMOVE THEM FROM THEIR DIAMONDS!

 

5)-SCORE CARDS are on the DMSPT Web Site (http://genderbendertourney.wix.com/dmspt).

HOME TEAM is the OFFICIAL SCORE CARD used for a FINAL SCORE.

BOTH Teams are to submit Score Cards to the Beer Gardens (Pavilion Upper Floor).

 

6)-HOME TEAM for Round Robin Games are determined by Coin Toss.

HOME TEAM for Sunday Quarter Final Games are determined by Teams Seeding Number.

HOME TEAM for Sunday Semi-Final & Final Playoff Games are determined by Coin Toss.

 

7)-Teams will be allowed to use a MAXIMUM OF 10 (TEN) BATS.

The DMSPT will enforce the use of only APPROVED BATS that conform to the most current listing from the

Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and the National Softball Association (NSA).

 

8)-NO WARM UPS ON THE INFIELDS!

 

9)-PLEASE CLEAN UP YOUR RESPECTIVE DUG OUT AFTER EACH GAME!

 

CONDUCT:

 

1)-NO ALCOHOL allowed beyond the designated Beer Gardens (Pavilion Upper Floor & Deck) areas at any time!

NO EXCEPTIONS WILL APPLY DUE TO LIQUOR LICENSE AND INSURANCE LIABILITY REQUIREMENTS.

Any Player, Team Captain, or person affiliated with your Team having alcohol beyond the designated Beer Gardens areas may result in a FORFEIT of a game and the EJECTION of your Team from the DMSPT with full forfeiture of any prizes.

SEE FORFEIT RULES SECTION #1-2.

 

2)-Players & Team Captains will conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner AT ALL TIMES.

Inappropriate Conduct towards Umpires, DMSPT Personnel, Volunteers or Opposing Teams/Players WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and may result in a Player/Team EJECTION from the DMSPT with full forfeiture of any prizes.

 

3)-NO SMOKING ON THE PLAYING FIELDS!

 

ROSTER:

 

1)-TEAM ROSTER FORMS are on the DMSPT Web Site (http://genderbendertourney.wix.com/dmspt).

MAXIMUM 20 PLAYER ROSTER.  A TEAM ROSTER FORM must be completed, signed by a Team Captain and handed into the Beer Gardens (Pavilion Upper Floor) PRIOR to a Teams’ first game.  NO ADDITIONAL PLAYERS may be added after the Teams FIRST completed Round Robin Game.  A Player not listed on a TEAM ROSTER FORM is considered an INELIGIBLE PLAYER and will NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY GAMES IN THE DMSPT, and a TEAM WILL FORFEIT ANY GAME(S) THAT THE INELIGIBLE PLAYER PARTICIPATED IN.  

SEE FORFEIT RULES SECTION #1-2.

 

2)-Players must play a MINIMUM of ONE (1) INNING in the ROUND ROBIN PORTION of the DMSPT to be eligible for Sunday Games. ANY TEAM THAT HAS AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER PLAYING ON SUNDAY WILL FORFEIT THE GAME.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

SEE FORFEIT RULES SECTION #1-2.

 

3)-A Player can only play for ONE TEAM.  Any Player playing for more than ONE TEAM is an INELIGIBLE PLAYER, and will NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY FURTHER GAMES IN THE DMSPT.

 

4)-Teams can start a Game with a MINIMUM NINE (9) PLAYERS (if waiting for the 10th Player), and finish with a MINIMUM NINE (9) PLAYERS (if there is no 10th Player or if an injury occurs), but each time the 10th Player is to bat it will be an OUT.  Teams not having a MINIMUM NINE (9) PLAYERS after the GRACE PERIOD will FORFEIT the Game and Teams not having a MINIMUM NINE (9) PLAYERS to continue a Game will FORFEIT.

SEE FORFEIT RULES SECTION #1-2 AND GAME TIME RULES SECTION #3.

 

5)-WAIVER/CONSENT FORM is on the DMSPT Web Site (http://genderbendertourney.wix.com/dmspt).

Players SEVENTEEN (17) YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER, need a Parent/Legal Guardian to sign the WAIVER/CONSENT FORM to participate in the DMSPT.  Completed WAIVER/CONSENT FORMS MUST be handed into the Beer Gardens (Pavilion Upper Floor) for approval.  Failure to submit a COMPLETED and SIGNED WAIVER/CONSENT FORM will result in that Player being an INELIGIBLE PLAYER, and will NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN IN ANY FURTHER GAMES IN THE DMSPT.

 

PITCHING:

 

1)-MINIMUM ARC (6 FEET), NO MAXIMUM ARC, SPINNING is allowed.  A pitch BELOW the MINIMUM ARC LEVEL is a NO PITCH, counted as a BALL, and the Batter is NOT able to hit a ball called a NO PITCH.

 

2)-The Pitching Format: Three (3) Balls and Two (2) Strikes with a 3rd Strike Rule In Effect

3rd Strike Rule-A Foul Ball or Foul Tip on the 3rd Strike and the Batter is OUT.

If the “LAST BATTER” is up, SEE BATTING RULES SECTION #6-7.

 

3)-FOUR (4) WARM UP PITCHES PER INNING.

 

4)-Pitchers can pitch from anywhere within the outlined Pitchers Circle.  He/she MUST have both feet in the Pitchers Circle BEFORE and AFTER the pitch is thrown.

 

5)-INTENTIONAL WALK- announce to the Umpire, PRIOR TO ANY PITCHES, OR AT ANY TIME DURING THE BATTING PROCESS and the Batter gets a SINGLE (First Base).  If there is NO STRIKE COUNT against a Male Batter followed by a Female Batter, then SEE BATTING RULES SECTION #2.

 

BASE RUNNING:

 

1)-NO LEADING OFF.  Batter MUST swing or make contact with the ball before a Base Runner can leave the Base.  If a Batter does not swing or make contact with the ball and the Base Runner leaves the Base, the Base Runner will be called OUT.

 

2)-NO SLIDING or STEALING.  Any Player doing so will be called OUT.

 

3)-Safety Bases at First Base.  Base Runners must make contact with the ORANGE BASE and the Infielder must make contact with the WHITE BASE.

Play at First Base: Base Runner making contact with the WHITE BASE will be called OUT.  If the Infielder makes contact with the ORANGE BASE, Base Runner will be called SAFE.

No play at First Base: Base Runner proceeding to Second Base, Infielder must yield the right of way to the Base Runner who is allowed to touch the WHITE BASE and proceed to Second Base.  Any interference/obstruction the Base Runner will be awarded the next Base.

 

4)-A batted ball in fair territory that is touched, or attempted to be played by an Infielder, then strikes a Base Runner, the Base Runner is NOT OUT and may proceed to the next Base

A Base Runner (while off the Base) that is struck by a batted ball in fair territory, without being touched or attempted to be played by and Infielder, the Base Runner will be called OUT.  The Umpire will call a DEAD BALL and the Batter will be awarded a SINGLE (First Base) and no other Base Runner will advance unless forced by the Batter who becomes a Base Runner.

 

5)-COURTESY RUNNER: THREE (3) COURTESY RUNNERS PER GAME.  The Courtesy Runner must replace the same sex (Male-Male and Female-Female), and the Courtesy Runner must be the LAST OUT IN THE INNING/LINE-UP.

 

6)-To score a Base Runner MUST have a foot down ON or PAST the SAFETY LINE.

This is the same as stepping on a base, it is not a finish line.

If a Base Runner makes CONTACT WITH HOME PLATE or /STRIKE MAT while trying to score, he/she is an OUT.

 

7)-COMMITMENT LINE (between Third Base and Home Plate), a Base Runner who touches or passes this line MUST proceed to the SAFETY LINE.

A Base Runner can also be called OUT if:

A) Touches or passes the COMMITMENT LINE and attempts to, or returns to Third Base.

B) Touches or passes the COMMITMENT LINE and the Catcher has the ball in his/her possession, touches Home Plate prior to the Base Runner touching or passing the SAFETY LINE (on a Force Play from Third Base)

C) Touches or passes the COMMITMENT LINE and the Catcher has the ball in his/her possession, tags the Base Runner prior to the Base Runner touching or crossing the SAFETY LINE.

 

NOTE: A Base Runner can touch or pass the COMMITMENT LINE and then return to Third Base if needed, to TAG UP on a fly ball caught in fair territory, then proceed to the SAFETY LINE to score.

 

8)-INFIELD FLY RULE is in effect, tagging up on a fly ball caught in fair territory is MANDATORY.  Tagging up on a fly ball caught in foul territory is NOT PERMITTED.

INFIELD FLY RULE is a fair batted ball (not a line drive) which can be caught by an Infielder with ordinary effort when First, and Second, or when First, Second and Third Bases are occupied with less than two out. Any defensive player, who positions himself/herself within the infield area, will be considered an Infielder for the purpose of this rule.

 

BATTING:

 

1)-Six (6) Males and Four (4) Female Players is considered a “NORMAL” line up.  Teams may have more than Four (4) Females, but no more than Six (6) Males allowed in a line-up.

 

2)-Male Batter pitched THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE BALLS, or given an INTENTIONAL WALK, with NO STRIKE COUNT, he gets a SINGLE (First Base) if a MALE follows, or he gets a DOUBLE (First and Second Bases) if a FEMALE follows, and the Female has the OPTION of a SINGLE (First Base) or Bat.

 

3)-Teams CAN NOT  have THREE (3) Male Batters in CONSECUTIVE ORDER; MAXIMUM is TWO (2) Male Batters.

Examples of Allowable Batting Line-ups are as follows:

a) FMFMFMMFMM, b) FMMFMMFMFM, c) FMMFMFMMFM, d) MMFMFMFMMF,

e) MMFMMFMFMF, f) MMFMMFMMFF

 

4)-NO BUNTING, this is an OUT.

 

5)-THREE (3) OUTS or ONCE THROUGH THE BATTING ORDER (whichever comes first) will be used.

 

6)-“LAST BATTER” is considered the FINAL BATTER of the inning and MUST be announced to the Umpire before batting, if this is not indicated before the FIRST PITCH, the Batter is OUT.

 

7)-The LAST BATTER is allowed FIVE (5) PITCHES.

-Female is LAST BATTER and if a Male before her was pitched THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE BALLS, or given an INTENTIONAL WALK, with NO STRIKE COUNT, Male gets a DOUBLE (First and Second Bases) and the Female has the OPTION of a SINGLE (First Base) or Bat.

-LAST BATTER on the 5th and FINAL PITCH and it is a BALL, Batter gets a TRIPLE (First, Second and Third Bases) if a Base(s) are OCCUPIED, or gets a HOME RUN if a Base(s) are NOT OCCUPIED (not part of the 3 HOME RUNS PER INNING RULE).

-LAST BATTER on the 5th and FINAL PITCH and it is a STRIKE, (ball hits the Home Plate, Strike Mat or a foul ball/tip), Batter is OUT and the inning is over.

 

8)-Once a Batter chooses to Bat from a specific side of the plate, he/she must bat from that side for that entire turn at Bat.

A Player changing sides after one pitch will be called OUT.

 

9)-Batters stepping out of the “Batter’s Box” (across, in front of, and onto the Home Plate/Strike Mat) while attempting to make contact with the ball, will be an OUT.

 

10)-Foul ball/tip SIX (6) FEET AND HIGHER caught by a Player is an OUT.  Foul ball/tip less than SIX (6) FEET is a STRIKE.

 

11)-MAXIMUM TEN (10) PLAYERS in the Batting order.  Not allowed to Bat more than Ten (10) Players per Inning, unless in the last Inning, where there will be NO LAST BATTER.  If the HOME TEAM is ahead in the bottom of the 7th Inning NO LAST AT BAT will be taken, NO EXCEPTIONS!  If the HOME TEAM is trailing in the bottom of the 7th Inning they will take their LAST AT BAT, but once the HOME TEAM is ahead in the 7th Inning the GAME IS OVER.

 

12)-Each Team is allowed THREE (3) HOME RUNS PER INNING.  Any more than the allowable THREE (3), will be a DOUBLE (First and Second Bases). A "HOME RUN" is a ball that is hit within fair territory over the outfield fence as indicated by the Umpire.  "IN-THE-PARK HOME RUN" is not part of a Teams allowable THREE (3) HOME RUNS PER INNING.

 

FIELDING:

 

1)-A COURTESY LINE is a defensive WHITE LINE in the Outfield (150 foot arc from Home Plate) to prevent a Male Rover, Male Outfielders or Infielders crowding in on a Female Batter.

A) Female Batter: ONE FEMALE ROVER/OUTFIELDER can be positioned within the COURTESY LINE ZONE.

B) A Male Rover, Male Outfielders & Infielders MUST remain in their defensive positions OUTSIDE of the COURTESY LINE, until the Female Batter makes contact with the ball, then they may enter the COURTESY LINE to play or catch the ball.

C) If a Male Rover, Male Outfielders or Infielders are positioned INSIDE the COURTESY LINE when a Female Batter contacts the ball, the Female Batter is called SAFE and receives a SINGLE (First Base), and a Base Runner(s) receives ONE ADDITIONAL BASE, regardless of the outcome.

 

2)-The COURTESY LINE is not in effect for a Male Batter.

 

EQUIPMENT:

 

1)-Teams will be allowed to use a MAXIMUM OF 10 (TEN) BATS.  Only APPROVED BATS that conform to the most current listing from the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and the National Softball Association (NSA).

 

Bats that are cracked, dented or without a Certification Mark, an unreadable Certification Mark or an altered Certification Mark are considered an ILLEGAL BAT and can NOT be used in the DMSPT.  A Player using a NON APPROVED BAT/ILLEGAL BAT will result in EXPULSION of that Player from the DMSPT.  Bats may have Certification Marks, but this does not mean that it is an APPROVED BAT, refer to the websites below to ensure Bats are approved to be used!

 

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Play-ASA/Certified-ASA-Equipment.aspx

http://nsacanada.ca/bats/approved.php

http://www.playnsa.com/ApprovedBat.aspx

 

All TEN (10) Team Bats used in the DMSPT must bear EITHER the ASA Approved 2000 Certification Mark, the ASA 2004 Certification Mark, the USSSA 1.20 BPF Label, the ASA 2013 Certification Mark or the NSA Approved Marking/Labelling as shown below.

There will be STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF THIS RULE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If unsure about Team Bat(s), bring the Bat(s) in question to the Pavilion Upper Floor, and the DMSPT Umpire-In-Chief (Rick Daubney), the DMSPT Rules Committee Member (Doug Lund) or the DMSPT Chairperson (Chris Stoiber) will verify their use in the DMSPT.

 

2)-METAL SPIKES/CLEATS, SANDALS, FLIP-FLOPS, CROCS or BARE FEET are NOT ALLOWED and considered UNAUTHORIZED FOOTWEAR!  Shoes, Running Shoes or Baseball Shoes with rubber spikes/cleats can be worn and are considered AUTHORIZED FOOTWEAR.  Any Player wearing UNAUTHORIZED FOOTWEAR MUST:

A) Change in to Authorized Footwear

B) Be substituted by another Player from the FINAL TEAM ROSTER

C) NO SUBSTITUTES available, Team can finish game with a MINIMUM NINE (9) PLAYERS, but each time the Player is to take his/her place at Bat it will recorded as an OUT.

D) NO SUBSTITUTES available, Team does not have the MINIMUM NINE (9) PLAYERS to play they FORFEIT the game. SEE FORFEIT RULES SECTION #1-2.

 

NOTE:

If after being instructed to change into AUTHORIZED FOOTWEAR a Player continues to play in UNAUTHORIZED FOOTWEAR, this will result in the EJECTION of the Player from the DMSPT and FORFEIT of the game.

SEE FORFEIT RULE SECTION #1-2.

 

3)-OFFICIAL GAME BALL is the WORTH YELLOW OPTIC “SUPER GRAY DOT”.  Each Team will provide 1 (ONE) NEW OFFICIAL GAME BALL at the start of EACH AND EVERY GAME of the Round Robin and the Quarter-Final (Seeding) Games of the DMSPT.  EACH TEAM IS REQUIRED TO PURCHASE & PROVIDE FOUR (4) NEW GAME BALLS, which can be purchased at a DISCOUNTED PRICE at TIME OUT SPORTS in DRYDEN.

 

4)-All Players MUST wear a shirt and shorts/pants at all times during a game (Playing or Umping).

 

SUBSTITUTIONS:

 

1)-Player MUST ANNOUNCE him/herself to the Umpire when substituted for another Player, when Batting.  If a Player does NOT ANNOUNCE him/herself and the Opposing Team notices the error (at any time during a Players’ Batting duration) it is an OUT.

 

2)-ALL STANDARD RE-ENRTY RULES APPLY!

 

WEATHER CONDITIONS:

 

1)-DMSPT Chairperson (Chris Stoiber) will decide if a Game begins, continues or concludes.

 

2)-Round Robin, Quarter-Final & Semi-Final Games: has a waiting period to complete Games. 

Championship Games: If weather does not permit, monies will be divided EQUALLY amongst the remaining teams in the respective A, B and C Side Divisions.

 

GAME TIMES:

 

1)-Round Robin Games: SEVEN (7) INNINGS or 1 HOUR & 30 MINUTES, whichever comes first, WATCH THE TIME WHEN YOU BEGIN PLAYING!

 

2)-Quarter-Final (Seeding), Semi-Final and Final Games: SEVEN (7) INNINGS, with NO TIME LIMIT.

If a tie occurs EXTRA INNINGS WILL BE PLAYED UNTIL A WINNER IS DECLARED using the TIEBREAKER METHOD.

TIEBREAKER METHOD- Starts in the top of the EIGHTH (8th) INNING and continues each Inning thereafter, if necessary.  The Offensive (at Bat) Team shall begin its Inning with ONE OUT, and the Player whose name precedes the next Legal Batter in the Batting order will start as a Runner on Second Base.  Both Home and Visiting Teams will take their Bats.

 

3)-GRACE PERIOD: TEN (10) MINUTES from the OFFICIAL START TIME.  The time that a Team is late is included in the allotted Game Time (1 Hour & 30 Minutes).  A Team that cannot field the MINIMUM NINE (9) PLAYERS after the GRACE PERIOD will be a FORFEIT.

SEE FORFEIT RULES SECTION #1-2.

 

4)-If time expires before the Game is completed, the Game will go back to the LAST COMPLETED INNING.  A Completed Game will be considered to be a total of FOUR (4) INNINGS, and Ties will count in the Round Robin portion of the DMSPT.

 

FORFEIT:

 

1)-Games deemed a FORFEIT will be called by the Umpire in favour of the Team not at fault:

A) Team fails to appear upon the field, or being on the field, refuses to begin/continue the Game for which it has been scheduled at the time the Game was assigned.

B) If after a Game has begun a Team refuses to play, resume play or play in a timely fashion as directed by the Umpire.

C) Team does not have the minimum number of Players (NINE-9) to begin/continue a Game.

D) Team has an INELIGIBLE PLAYER playing.

E) An EJECTED Player does not leave the playing/ball park area.

F) Team violates the Alcohol Beverages Policy.

G) Team fails to provide the required UMPIRE(S) a FORFEIT LOSS will be issued to the Offending Team for their next scheduled Game.  If the Offending Team has no more scheduled Games, a FORFEIT LOSS is issued for a prior WIN.

H) If after a warning by the Umpire any of these rules are violated.

 

2)-FORFEIT GAMES SCORES will be 7-0 (1 run per inning).

 

UMPIRES:

 

1)-Teams will be required to provide UMPIRES for Games during the Round-Robin portion of the DMSPT.  Ensure your Team reviews the Umpire Schedule and that the Umpires have a thorough knowledge of the rules that are used in the DMSPT.  A Team that FAILS to provide the required UMPIRE(S) will be given a FORFEIT LOSS for their next scheduled Game.  If the Offending Team has no more scheduled Games, a FORFEIT LOSS will be issued for a prior WIN. 

SEE FORFEIT RULES SECTION #1-2.

 

2)-All Sunday Semi-Final and Final Games will have paid Umpires.

 

3)-Umpires will be responsible for determining BALLS, STRIKES, OUTS, SAFE, & FOUL BALLS in an acceptable tone so that each Team can clearly understand the call.  Umpires must also ensure that all Games are played in a timely fashion.

NO TIME WASTING!  SEE FORFEIT RULES SECTION #1-2.

 

 

Once again THANK YOU for taking part in the

 

 

10th ANNUAL DRYDEN MIXED SLO-PITCH TOURNAMENT–THE GENDER BENDER!

 

 

 

PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!

 

HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND SAFE WEEKEND! 

 

 

 

Chris Stoiber

Tournament Chairperson

Dryden Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament