Hong Kong Slo-Pitch Softball Association League Rules 2007/2008 Season
The rules listed below are the specific ground rules for the Hong Kong Slo-Pitch Softball League. These rules are in addition to, or supersede the ISF 2002 rules, as applicable. The latest ISF rules can be found here.
Eligibility
REGULAR SEASON ELIGIBILITY
For a player to play in their 4th game of the season, he must have paid the league registration fees and signed all necessary forms prior to being eligible to play. If the league does not have a record of a player having paid and signed before he enters his 4th game, then an automatic forfeit is declared. Adherence to this rule lies with each player and the team captains. Each week, the league website will be updated with a notation indicating which players have paid their dues. This rule will be strictly enforced this year due to a high number of individuals who have not paid in years past.
It is not necessary for the team manager to have written a player's name down as a substitute on the starting line-up in order for him to be substituted into a game in progress.
PLAYERS SWITCHING TEAMS
The deadline for an existing league player to switch to another team's roster, and be eligible for the post season, is December 9, 2006. Any player may switch teams prior to this date and, subject to all other rules, be eligible to play in the post season for his new team. The decision to switch teams rests solely with each individual player.
POST SEASON ELIGIBILITY
A player must have played in a minimum of 4 regular season games, with the team he plans to play for in the post season, in order to be eligible for post season play. A new player to Hong Kong can join a team after the team switching deadline of December 9, 2006, and as long as he plays in a minimum of 4 games he will be eligible for post season play. A player is considered to have played in a game if he has appeared either as a hitter, fielder, or substitute runner in a complete game (see below for definition of complete game), or he was at the field in the case where one team has forfeited the game. In the case of rain-out or agreed upon postponement then no game was deemed to have been played, and even if a player showed up to the field, this will not count towards games played.
King's Park Rules (Historical configuration)
GROUND RULE DOUBLE
Any ball hit over the fence between the right field line and an imaginary line (indicated by an orange cone when available) at the edge of the club house in right center field is a ground rule double. Each team is permitted 5 ground rule doubles over the right field fence per game. All subsequent balls hit over the fence will result in a ground rule single. The home plate umpire shall make this call. All balls hit off the fence/wall in fair territory in the outfield are in play, unless the ball bounces over the fence in right field or gets trapped in which case the hit is a ground rule double.
HOME RUN
Any ball hit over the fence, or hitting the top of the fence and bouncing over the fence, between the imaginary line at the edge of the club house in right center and the left field foul line is a home run. All balls hit to center field and left field are in play regardless of whether the ball goes behind the soccer net or any other obstacle that may be present.
DEAD BALL
Any ball that rolls through an opening in the fence either on the right field or left field line is considered a dead ball.
OUT OF PLAY TERRITORY
Any ball that goes over the fence running parallel with the left field line is out of play. Any ball that goes over the OB line established by the umpires on the ground running parallel with the right field line, approximately 10 feet from the temporary fence, is out of play. All players and their equipment must be kept behind the OB line at all times.
FOUL TERRITORY
Any ball that is hit in the air between the left field foul line and the fence or the right field foul line and the OB line can be caught for an out. Any ball that is overthrown into these areas is in play; with the exception of any ball that goes into the u-channel drainage ditch or go OB in which case refer to the 'Dead Ball' rule.
King's Park Rules (Inverted configuration)
RIGHT FIELD FENCE
Any ball hit over the fence in right field starting in foul territory down the right field line where the right field fence is perpendicular to fence that runs down the first base line and to the start of the temporary wall in center field is an automatic out. This includes balls hit over the right field fence that are foul.
GROUND RULE DOUBLE
All balls hit off the fence in fair territory in the outfield are in play. Any ball that goes through any of the fences in the outfield and becomes unplayable is a ground rule double. Any ball that goes over the temporary fence in center field (but not the tall fence) and does not come back onto the field of play is a ground rule double.
HOME RUN
Any ball hit over the fence in left field or hit over the large fence in center field (second fence) is a home run. All balls hit to center field and left field are in play regardless of whether the ball goes behind the soccer net or any other obstacle that may be present.
DEAD BALL
Any ball that rolls through an opening in the fence is considered a dead ball. Any ball that rolls into the drainage ditch along the fence in right field is in play.
OUT OF PLAY TERRITORY
The stairs and pavement walk way along the right field line are out of play. Additionally, the out of play territory will expand at the soccer goal. A line running parallel to the right field line from the first soccer pole running to the right field line will also be out of play. This is to protect players from going anywhere near the pavement. A ball that is thrown into this area is a dead ball.
FOUL TERRITORY
Any ball that is hit in the air between the right field foul line and the out of play line can be caught for an out. Any ball that is overthrown into these areas is in play, with the exception of any ball that goes into the out of play area in which case refer to the 'Dead Ball' rule.
General Rules
PITCHING
A pitch must reach a minimum height of 6 feet above the ground. There is no limit on the maximum height of a pitch. If a pitch is less than 6 feet, the umpire shall immediately call "FLAT", the batter then has the option to attempt to hit the ball or not. If the batter does not attempt to swing at the declared 'flat' pitch then a ball is recorded. However, if the batter does swing at the 'flat' pitch then the ball is in play and the 'flat' call is no longer in effect, regardless of the outcome of the swing.
BASE RUNNING
Any base runner that leaves the base before the batter makes contact with the ball, or the ball hits the plate/ground, will be called out for a leadoff.
EXTRA INNINGS
No game shall end in a tie. Extra innings shall be played until a winner is determined.
COMPLETE GAME (In the event of rain)
In the event of a rainout, a minimum of the top of the 5th inning (if the home team is in the lead), or 5 complete innings (if the visiting team is in the lead) must have been completed in order for the results of the game to be counted in the regular season. If this has not been achieved the game will be rescheduled and will start over from the 1st inning.
TIME LIMITS
During the regular season, no new inning can commence after 75 minutes of play as tracked by the official scorekeeper unless there is no game scheduled following the game being played.
During the playoffs, no new inning can commence after 75 minutes of play as tracked by the official scorekeeper. The only exceptions are the championship games (on the final two Saturdays). These games have no time limits.
MERCY RULE
If a team is leading by 15 runs or more after the top of the 5th or 5 complete innings (depending on whether or not the leading team is home or away) then the mercy rule shall apply and the game shall end. This rule is only enforced during the regular season, not the post-season.
STRIKE ZONE
A pitched ball is determined to be a strike if it lands on any part of either home plate or the rubber mat placed behind home plate.
SAFETY BASE AT 1ST BASE
The fielder must be touching the white base and catch the ball before the base runner touches the orange base, then the base runner will be called out. The fielder shall only be allowed to touch the white base and the base runner shall only be allowed to touch the orange base. The base runner and fielder shall make every effort to avoid a collision. The fielder must touch the white base in order to record the out, whereas the base runner must attempt to touch the orange base, but if he is forced to the white base to avoid a collision he shall be allowed to touch the white base instead of the orange base. The umpire shall make a judgment call as to the runner's need to stray to the white base.
THE COMMITMENT LINE
A commitment line shall be marked on the ground 15 feet from home plate along the 3rd base line. If the base runner steps across the commitment line he shall be committed to continuing to home plate, and shall not be able to return to 3rd base.
FORCE PLAY AT THE PLATE
Home plate shall be played similarly to 1st base. The fielder must be touching home plate and catch the ball before the base runner touches the rubber mat, then as long as the base runner has crossed the commitment line he shall be immediately called out. The fielder shall attempt to use the front part of the plate and the base runner shall attempt to use the back part of the plate. The base runner and fielder shall make every effort to avoid a collision.
BUNTING
Bunting is not allowed. Any attempt to bunt shall result in the batter being called out and all base runners will return to their base.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS
A team must start a game with a minimum of 8 players. No team can play with less than 8 players at any time. If a team has only 8 players the opposing team shall provide a catcher whose only task is to throw the ball back to the pitcher after each pitch. He shall not attempt to catch pop-ups, foul tips or throws to the plate and shall get out of the way to allow 1 of the 8 fielders to make any plays at the plate. Additionally, if only 8 players are present, the team will record an automatic out after the 8 players have batted. For stat keeping purposes, this out will not impact any individual's statistics.
If a team has 9 players, no catcher shall be provided. If a team starts with 8 or more players and players are injured and cannot continue thus reducing their number of players to less than 8, the game shall be declared over, and either a forfeit (in which case a score of 7-0 is recorded), or if the injury occurs after 5 complete innings the opposing team may elect to keep the score that has been recorded at the end of the last complete inning. Additionally, if a team submits a lineup that includes a player who has not yet shown up to the field and if his turn to bat comes up and he has still not arrived at the field, then an out will be recorded.
EXTRA PLAYER/DESIGNATED HITTER
Up to two extra players may be used at the beginning of the game. A team shall clearly declare 11 or 12 players in the starting line-up. Only 10 can field at any given time, but the 11 or 12 players can rotate fielding positions freely (positions in the batting order must not be changed). The team must continue to use 11 or 12 players throughout the game.
WARNINGS/EJECTIONS FOR ARGUING/BICKERING
Any player shall, at the discretion of the Umpires, be given a warning for arguing an on-field call during a game. After the 1st warning, the umpire will notify both the player and the team captain that a warning has been given. If the offender receives a 2nd warning, he is automatically ejected from the game and is also disqualified from the team's next game. You can appeal to the 2nd Umpire only if you need a clarification of the call. Arguing among teams will also not be tolerated by the Umpires. Physical contact with an umpire will result in an immediate ejection and further disciplinary action by the Executive Committee. NOTE: if you continue to argue an ejection and do not return to the bleachers, you can be suspended for additional games at the discretion of the Executive Committee. This rule will be vigorously enforced this season.
RE-ENTRY RULE
Each of the starting 10 starting players (or 11/12 in the event of an EP being used from the start of the game) can be substituted for and can re-enter into their original place in the batting order, for the player that substituted for them. The fielding position is not relevant. The player who substituted for the starting player is then out of the game. Note: the starting player and his substitute can never be in the game at the same time. After a starting player has re-entered the game he can still be substituted for by another player from the bench who has not previously been in the game. The starter is then out of the game.
COURTESY RUNNERS
If a player gets injured while running the base paths then the team must substitute for that player if they have substitute players available. If no substitute player is available then a courtesy runner can be substituted. A team can use a courtesy runner only once per player. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the last recorded out by the team. The injured player must return to the line-up before his next turn at bat or when his team takes the field, whichever comes first. If he cannot return to play then the team shall continue to play without that player, but subject to the minimum number of players rule.
BATS
All types of softball bats are legal with the exception of the following bats: Miken Ultra II, Miken Ultra Maxload, Miken Ultra Balanced, 2004 Easton Synergy Plus, 2003 Easton Synergy, 2004 Demarini Dark. Subsequent violations will earn a mandatory 5 game suspension for the player as well as another forfeiture by the team.
BALLS
The home plate umpire shall determine if a ball is fit for play. All balls will be HKSPSA designated, if a pitcher takes an undesignated ball out to the mound, he will be ejected.
FIELD DIMENSIONS
The bases shall be 65 feet apart. The distance to the pitcher's mound shall be 50 feet (as measured from the back point of home plate (not the mat) to the front of the pitcher's rubber).
REGULAR SEASON FORMAT
The regular season format and dates shall be as per the scheduled agreed prior to the start of the season. Each team shall be allowed only 1 postponement in the regular season. The request by both teams must be made to a member of the league's executive committee on or before the close of business on the Tuesday prior to the forthcoming Saturday game. The Executive Committee shall accept or reject the request on or before the close of business on Wednesday.
POST SEASON PLAYOFF FORMAT
The post season playoff format and the dates for the tournament shall be established at least 2 months prior to the start of the playoffs.
UNIFORMS
Players are encouraged to wear their team's uniform (i.e., shirt and cap) for each game of the regular season and post season.
NO METAL CLEATS
Metal cleats are not permitted.
BATTING COUNT
Each batter shall start with a 1 ball and 1 strike count. The batter is allowed a maximum of two foul balls per at bat. A strikeout will be scored after the second foul ball.
RULE CHANGES
Once the season has started, rule changes can only be made after the approval of a majority of team captains have agreed to the rule change.
Miscellaneous
LLEGAL WORDINGThe use of the words 'nil' to describe a 0 score, 'side' to describe a team, 'pitch' to describe the field or any other similar phraseology is strictly prohibited and shall result in the offender buying a beer for every person in the bleachers. Entrapment is permitted, so be forewarned.
BLEACHER RULES
All players who enjoy the privilege of watching the games from the bleachers must ensure that at no time are any beer bottles or any other objects allowed to fall or be thrown onto the field. The offender shall buy a beer for every person in the bleachers. No entrapment is allowed for this rule.
