Rules - Softball

A team is entitled to a maximum of two (2) non-dressed personnel (players or coaches) in the dugouts. These individuals can serve as base coaches. 

Suspended players cannot be in the dugout or on the field while under suspension.

The umpire’s may use their discretion to ask these individuals to leave if they are not acting in a considerate manner and penalize the team accordingly.

All non-dressed personnel are held to the same standards of behaviour as players in our code of conduct and in relation to alcohol/substance use. Any non-dressed personnel in violation will be banned for the season after a single offence.

LUG Permits the use of extra players during the regular season in order to maintain a competitive level of play. All extras should be of similar skill level to the league they are playing. Teams should follow the How to Call up a player process when doing so.

Ringers / Substitute Players are NOT permitted. If a team is deemed to have players that are not on their official roster during playoffs, the game will be considered default for the accused team. Teams can request an ID check of a player to confirm that player is on their opponent’s registered LUG roster. If a request is made, it must be done either before the game, during the game, or within 10 minutes after the game has ended. After this time, it is no longer valid.

Punishment for using illegal players may include but is not limited to one or more of the following; suspension of the player(s), removal of any runs scored, forfeit of the game, suspension of the Captain of record, and turning over of the final game score. Ultimately, it is up to the league to make the final discretionary judgement call on how to rule it. 

Teams are given LUG jerseys for the season. Every player must wear a readable number on their jersey at all times. Only one player per number per team.

LUG will provide game balls and bases for each game. 

1 Pitching mask will be available at each game

Teams are responsible for their own bats and gloves. 

Games take place unless there is lightning or the diamond is unplayable. 

Umpires & LUG Game Day Staff can discuss playing conditions at the diamond. 

If games are cancelled, we take an hourly approach (unless Official Decision is made to cancel the entire set of games). 

LUG GDS will notify teams via our captains chat about cancellations. 

Before the Game Starts: Any game cancelled (prior to first pitch) will be postponed to a future date.

During the game (1-3 Innings played): Game will be postponed to a future date.

During the game (4-7 innings played): The team leading at the completion of the last full inning will be declared the winner. 

If a rain out game is rained out a second time, the game will be declared a tie. 

Rained out games can take place on non advertised game days, times, locations. 

Rain out dates are tentatively scheduled for a later date (September 30th- October 4th)

Min 2 women must be present to play a game.

Min 2 women must take the field on defense each inning.

In the event that only one woman shows up, captains can agree to waive the default and play the game. If this occurs, the team must play defense short one player.

Batting lineup can’t have more than 3 guys hit in a row. If a team is short women, they will rotate every time a women spot comes up in the batting order.

If both women players are on base when a female is due up to bat, a man can replace a women on base closest to home.

Lineups should be made prior to the game and followed throughout the game. Batters can not bat out of order, with the only exception a player who arrives late can be inserted into the lineup following the start of the game. 

Batting out of order will result in an automatic out.

All rules apply to playoffs.

No ties in playoffs. Winner must be determined in extra innings.

If a game is tied at the end of regulation innings or the game is tied at the 55 minute mark each team will have a chance to hit. The inning will start with 1 person on second and one out (the last person out from previous innings).

If one team scores and the other doesn't the game is over.

If both teams score the same in the extra inning then continue the process until the game is over.

A team can only score a maximum of 5 runs per inning.

A team can only hit 3 home runs per game (this is of particular importance in small diamonds).

If both teams hit their 3 home runs in the game, each team will be awarded 1 additional home run allowed.

Inside the park home runs are not counted towards the home run count.

To avoid collisions, runners must tag the safety base at first base, and cannot touch the home plate (runners must run past home plate). 

If the runner steps on the white side of the safety base (infield side) or home plate, they are out. 

To get a runner out at home plate, the defensive player must be in contact with home plate and be in control of the ball for the runner to be deemed out.

Tagging the runner once they have crossed the commitment line at home is not permitted and the runner will be deemed automatically safe.

Sliding is NOT permitted. Any player who slides into any base is an automatic out.

The away team will bat first.

Batting orders must be written out by each team prior to the start of the game and cannot be changed. It must include all players who play in the field. Players arriving late can be added to the end of the order.

Teams/Free Agents will be placed into divisions initially based upon their submitted registration, skill level, and position.

League administration reserves the right to move a team (or player) to a higher or lower division based on;

• Overall and/or individual Player skill level

• Win/loss record

• Age of players

• Any other statistical data

This rule is applicable at any time during the season.

Win = 2 points

Tie/Shootout/OT Loss = 1 point

Loss = 0 points

1. Win %

2. Head to Head

3. Run Differential

4.  Greater Runs for

5. Fewer Runs Against

6. Least # of Forfeits/Defaults

7. Coin Flip

In the event more than two teams are tied, the above process is followed until one or more teams are removed and the process begins again with the remaining teams. This is followed until only one team is remaining. 

LUG holds the right to take disciplinary action on teams that have not fulfilled the full balance of team fees 2 weeks after the first game is played.

LUG Teams are expected to pay the full amount designated to each league regardless of rostered players.

All players/coaches/fans/LUG affiliates are expected to respect all Facility Rules.

• Use of profanity, slander, racial comments or any kind of inappropriate language is not permitted.

• Groups/Individuals are responsible for any damage caused to the facility.

• Garbage must be placed in bins provided. 

• Spitting/Chewing tobacco products is strictly prohibited in all areas.

• Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be refused entry and or removed from the premises.

• Possession and/or consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited and includes the dugouts, stands, and parking lots.

• Smoking/Vaping of any kind is prohibited.

No one is allowed to play on any team in the league while on suspension from another team.

Captains are ultimately responsible for notifying their players of any suspensions.

Suspension from the regular season will carry over to the playoffs and future seasons.

Suspended players are not permitted in the dugout or field.

Any player knowingly participating in a League game while under suspension will automatically have their teams’ points removed for that game and the suspension length will be doubled (at minimum). If the Team Rep knowingly permits a suspended or ineligible Player to participate in a League game, the Team Rep and the team will face disciplinary action.

Player with Alcohol = 1 game suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league.

Benches - 2 game team suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league.

FIRST INFRACTION
Major Penalty & ejection from game.

* Serious offences may result in subsequent suspensions or disciplinary actions.

** Any call up player that is assessed a fighting infraction will be ineligible for any further games in the season.