Bracebridge Men's Slo-Pitch
We follow all standard SPN rules with the exception of our local rules defined below.
Local Rules updated 2025 (no particular order)
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1. Home Run - There is a team 2 home run differential meaning a team may only have a maximum of 2 HRs at any one time over their opponent. Examples: team has 2 HR and cannot hit another until the opponent has hit one. If opponent does hit one, the team can hit another to make it 3 HR to 1 HR. Should a team hit a third HR, it is ruled an out and base runners do not advance. This is a team rule, it does not matter how many HR an individual may hit so long as the team differential is no greater than 2.
A HR is defined as the ball going over the fence without interference/obstruction. Should a ball go over the fence off a defender's body part or extended body such as glove, cap or anything else, it will be considered a 4-base error, not a HR and does not count toward HR differential. If a batter hits an 'in-the-park' HR, it will not be considered as part of the HR differential.
The batter must run the bases after a HR and can not opt to just walk off. All runners on base must also run all bases not yet covered and could be called out after an appeal to the umpire if they fail to touch all bases before home plate which they must avoid touching as in all other play.
2. Foul Ball - A foul ball/tip that is caught in the air by the defending team is considered to be an out. It does not have to reach a certain height. If the ball hits the ground or is 'trapped', as determined by the umpire, it is considered a strike.
3. Bats - Composite bats, part or whole, are not permitted to be used in the league. Furthermore, any bat used during a game must be approved by the bat committee proving it is not composite. It is up to the bat committee to place an approval sticker on the bat. If a player uses an "illegal" (non-stickered) bat, the bat shall be removed from play and the batter called out, regardless of whether it is composite or not.
4. Balls - This league plays the 'gray dot' balls.
5. Peel Off - As the league does not permit sliding, the peel off rule was designed to allow for a double play without interference from the runner. Should a runner trying to advance to their next base be forced out, it is up to the runner to 'peel off' (to move out of the way, clear) the base/throwing path - allowing for the defender to have an unobstructed view/throw to the base. This is understood to be the base runner's responsibility - meaning once the runner knows he is out, he is too 'peel off' regardless of whether he hears the umpire call out or not. The umpire can also determine if the second half of a double play could have been made without the interference. If the umpire believes that double play could have been made, the ump may choose to call the trailing runner out as well. (ie; runner on 1st - hit to SS - SS throws to 2nd, catch made, runner forced out - runner to clear path for throw to 1st in attempt to complete double play). Runner has right to pursue his next base until it is definitive he has been forced out.
6 Pinch runners
i) each team makes up a list of four (4) sub/pinch runners and provides list to ump and other team
ii) runner can used at anytime for any reason - use at will
iii) there is to be NO subbing for a sub (ie; injured, you are down to 3)
iv) any sub used must be off bases when it is their turn to bat (scored or out) - if runner is stuck at a base
when they are to bat, runner is to be called out on base, removed from play in order to take his turn
batting
7. Courtesy Runner same as 6
8. Default - A team must have a minimum of 8 players to play a game. Anything less than 8 constitutes a default and the opposition is awarded a win. Should a team have 8 or 9 players, that team may recruit additional players to complete a full roster of 10. These players are able to take any position on defense. They will also be able to bat unless they are recruited from the opposition on an inning by inning basis. If your team is short but you know a player is arriving late, there is a 15 minute allowance before default declared. A team in default is expected to make every effort to still field a team to avoid a game needing to be cancelled.
9. Playoff / Tournament Roster - In order to be eligible to play in the year-end playoff weekend, it is understood that every player who plays in it has at least 5 regular season games played with the team. Only exception would be a season long injury that didn't allow a player to be involved in most of the season but was recovered by the playoffs. This is to be policed by the team rep.
10. Age Qualification - All players are to be at least 35 years of age. In an attempt to continue bringing new players in, each team is permitted to have a maximum of 2 players between the ages of 30 and 34. A player who is in their '30th year', must turn 30 during the calendar year of season played.
11. Executive - Each member of the 'executive group' (i.e.; president, vice/secretary, treasurer) is to serve no more than 3 consecutive years at which time a replacement needs to be found. It is also expected that each team participates in this. One team may not have more than one executive member in position at anytime (i.e.; 3 executive from 3 different teams). One new executive member will be added each year. That new member will replace the longest serving exec and the others 'move up' a notch so in a new exec's 3rd year, they will take role of President.
12. Tied Games - During the regular season, if a game is tied at the completion of 7 innings, it is considered to be final - we do not play extra innings to determine win/loss in regular season. This does not apply to 'playoff weekend'.
13. Mercy Rule - a) game: There is no 'mercy rule' for a game. b) inning: The 'mercy rule' per inning is a maximum of 7 runs scored. This is in effect for innings 1-6. The 7th inning is understood to be an 'open' inning meaning no limit at all on runs scored. Note: the 7th inning is not a guaranteed inning of play. We allot 1 hour-15 minute time frame for a game. Should the umpire call 'last inning' (due to time), it is then understood that the 'last inning' becomes the open inning regardless of inning number.
14. Lead Off - Any base runner who steps off their base prior to hitter making contact shall be ruled out as taking a 'lead off'. Same applies if batter swings and misses. The batter must make contact before runner departs their base in any way. If base runner leaves their base on a foul ball, meaning contact has occurred, the runner will not be called out. Also known as the 'ting rule'.
15. Substitution - A defensive player is allowed to be substituted in and out of the line-up throughout the game as desired by the team. This does not apply to the batter. Each player in the line-up is to play a minimum of three innings defensively (ie; no theoretical designated hitter concept).
16. Commit Line / Tagging - 'Tagging' the base runner between the commit line and home plate line is not permitted. All plays at 'home' are to be force plays.
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17 Players must contact the bag in a position where only their feet are in contact with the ground in order to be called safe. A reach back after a stumble overrunning the bag will be called an out, the runner must regain a standing position. This is intended to eliminate any debate over was it a slide or a slip.
19. Miscellaneous - This league does not enforce any uniform rule, time for batter to enter batter's box, number of warm-up pitches