Hong Kong Slo-Pitch Softball Association

Hong Kong Slo-Pitch Softball Association League Rules 2009/2010 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.  Games already played in which a non-eligible player has played will be recorded as a forfeit for that said team.  The batting stats for each player who played in a forfeited game for the violating season eligibility will be changed to 0 fer.  Adherence to this rule lies with each player and the team captains.  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 before the first pitch of the 10^th week of the season.  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 the league can join a team after the team switching deadline (please see above), 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 on the winning team in a forfeited game.  In the case of rain-out and no game was deemed to have been played, but a player showed up to the field, this will count towards games played.  In the case of agreed upon postponement and 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 (Configuration after artificial turf was installed)

RIGHT FIELD FENCE
Any ball hit over the net in right field starting to the right of the designated metal light pole in right field to the right field foul line, is a Ground Rule double.  Any ball hit below the top of the net is a live ball.

GROUND RULE DOUBLE

Any ball that goes through any section of the fence from the right field foul line to center field where the right and left field fences meet in the outfield and becomes unplayable is a ground rule double.  Any batted ball that is hit past the infield base lines then rolls out of play untouched is a ground rule double.  Any ball that gets lodged behind any safety padding in fair play that has not been touched by a fielder 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 the net or behind the safety padding, which case the hit is a ground rule double.

GROUND RULE TRIPLE
All balls that fly, roll or bounce through the left field wall are a ground rule triple. 

HOME RUN
Any ball hit over the metal fence in left field and center field is a home run, which includes any ball hit over the metal fence on the left side of the light pole in right center is a home run.  Any ball hitting the light pole in right center above the metal fence is a home run. 

DEAD BALL
Any ball that has been touched by a fielder and rolls or bounces through an opening in the fence or rolls or bounces out of play or becomes lodged behind the safety padding in fair territory is considered a dead ball.  Each runner is awarded the base he is running towards at the tiem the ball was lasted touched by the fielder plus one base.

OUT OF PLAY TERRITORY
The right field out of play line will run along the back line, and imaginary line, where there is no line, of the soccer field.  The left field out of play is the padding in front of the benches and the net hanging between the light poles.  The area from the base of the steps and the 1^st safety pad along the third base line is considered in play.  All players and their equipment must be kept behind the OB line at all times.  A ball that is thrown into the out of play 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 along the right field side of the field can be caught for an out. Any ball that is hit in the air between the left field foul line and the out of play line along the left field side of the field 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 inclement weather)
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.

WEATHER DELAYS AND POSTPONEMENTS

If there is an Amber, Red, or Black Rain Signal, Thunderstorm Warning, or T3, T8, T9, T10 Tropical Cyclone Warning, the current game will be delayed until the severe weather warning is lifted or until the game time limit has expired.  If the game has completed the required 4 ½ or 5 innings, then it will be recorded as an official game.  If the game has not completed the required number of innings, it will be postponed to a make up day.  Games will be postponed 60 minutes prior to the start time if any of the above weather warnings are raised.  If a game is postponed, it will be rescheduled for a make up weekend.  Once the severe weather warning signal has been taken down, the balance of the games for the day will be played accordingly.  The current interrupted game will resume provided the restart time is less than 75 minutes after the game start time.

Lightening – games will be halted, delayed, or postponed if lightening bolts are visible in the sky using the same cancellation and postponement arrangement as severe weather above.  Games may continue if there lighting flashes but no bolts are visible.

TIME LIMITS
During the regular season, no new inning can commence after 75 minutes of play as tracked by the official scorekeeper unless it is the last game of the day and the field is not booked immediately afterwards.

During the playoffs, no new inning can commence after 75 minutes of play as tracked by the official scorekeeper. The only exceptions are the Plate and Cup 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.  To record an out on the runner who crossed the commitment line, the defense needs to either tag the runner, or record a force out by touching home.

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, and 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.  Intentional lowering of the shoulder prior to impact by the runner will be an automatic out, and the base runner will be ejected and will be suspended for one game.  Sliding is only permitted to avoid a collision

BUNTING and Half Swings
Bunting and half swings are not allowed. Any attempt to bunt or half swing 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 will be required to 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.

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^th or 12^th players in the starting line-up. Only 10 can field at any given time, but the 11^th or 12^th players can rotate fielding positions freely (positions in the batting order must not be changed). The team must continue to use 11^th or12^th players throughout the game.

WARNINGS/EJECTIONS
Any player shall, at the discretion of the Umpires, be given a warning for arguing an on-field call during a game or otherwise behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner, including the use of profanity.  If a player not on the bases, at bat or playing defense comes onto the field, they will receive a warning.  Arguing among teams will also not be tolerated by the Umpires and a warning will be issued to the respective team captains.  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 ask the 1^st Umpire to consult with the 2nd Umpire if you need a clarification of the call.  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^th or12^th 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.  Only one re-entry is allowed per player in the field.

COURTESY RUNNERS
If a player gets injured while running the base paths then the team may 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

Only ASA 2004, USSSA and ISF 1.2 certified bats will be allowed in the HKSPSA.  Any player found using a non-certified bat in an official at bat will be suspended for one game and the team will have forfeited the said game.  Miken Ultra II, Miken Ultra Maxload, Miken Ultra Balanced, 2004 Easton Synergy Plus, 2003 Easton Synergy, 2004 Demarini Dark and Prototype bats that may have a ASA 2004, USSSA or ISF 1.2 certification stamp are illegal.  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 schedule 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

LEGAL WORDING
The 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.