RESOURCES
3. PARTICIPANTS
3.1 DEFINITIONS
3.1.1 BASE COACH
An offensive team person who takes their position on the field and within the coach’s box while their team is at bat.
3.1.2 COACH
A person who is responsible for their team’s actions on the field and for communication with the umpire and the other team. A player may be a coach, either as a replacement for an absent coach or as a playing coach.
3.1.3 DESIGNATED PLAYER (DP)
A starting offensive player who bats for the Flex Player.
3.1.4 EJECTION
The act of any umpire ordering a player, official or any team member to leave the game and the grounds for a Rule violation for the remainder of the game.
3.1.5 FIELDER
Any defensive player of the team on the field.
3.1.6 FLEX PLAYER
The starting player who is listed in the 10th spot on the line-up card and for whom the DP is batting. The FLEX may play any defensive position and may enter the game on offense only in the DP’s batting position.
3.1.7 HEAD COACH
A manager of a team or the coach who takes the primary responsibilities of a coach is considered a Head Coach.
3.1.8 ILLEGAL PLAYER
A player who:
a) takes a position in the line-up on offense or defense but has not been reported as a substitute to the plate umpire; or
b) takes a position on offense or defense but does not have the legal right to that position.
3.1.9 ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY
An Illegal Re-entry occurs when:
a) a player, including the DP and FLEX, returns to the game in a position in the batting order to which they are not legally entitled, i.e., a position that is not their original starting position; or
b) a player returns to the game when they are not legally entitled to enter the game.
3.1.10 AN ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTE
A player who has entered the game without being announced (unreported) as a substitute to the umpire. This player may be:
a) a substitute who has not previously been in the game;
b) an Illegal Player;
c) a declared Ineligible Player;
d) an Illegal Re-entry; or
e) an Illegal DP or FLEX PLAYER.
f) a replacement player who remains in the game as an unannounced substitute for a withdrawn player who has not returned to the game within the time permitted under the provisions of the replacement player Rule.
3.1.11 INELIGIBLE PLAYER
A player who may no longer participate in the game as a player because they have been removed by an umpire. An ineligible player may continue in the game as a coach.
3.1.12 INELIGIBLE REPLACEMENT PLAYER
An Ineligible Replacement Player is a player who may not enter the game to replace a Withdrawn Player. An Ineligible Replacement Player is one who:
a) has been removed from the game by the umpire for a Rule violation;
b) is in the current line-up;
c) SC: an injured/ill player removed from the game (U17 and below).
3.1.13 INFIELDER
A defensive player, including the pitcher and catcher, who is generally positioned anywhere near or within the lines of the base paths forming fair territory. A player who normally plays in the outfield may be considered an infielder if they move into the area normally covered by infielders.
3.1.14 LINE-UP CARD
The list of starting players, substitutes and coaches that is given to the Umpire-In-Chief and/or the plate umpire and the official scorer before the start of the game. The plate umpire retains the line-up card for the duration of the game.
3.1.15 LINE-UP
Comprised of the players currently in the game on offense and defense, including the DP and the Flex Player.
3.1.16 OFFENSIVE PLAYER ONLY (“OPO”)
A player in the batting order, other than the FLEX PLAYER, for whom the DP is playing defense.
3.1.17 RE-ENTRY
When a starting player returns to the game after being substituted.
3.1.18 REMOVAL FROM THE GAME
When an umpire declares a player ineligible for further participation in the game as a result of a Rule violation. Any person so removed may continue to sit on the bench but may not participate further in the game except as a coach.
3.1.19 REPLACEMENT PLAYER
A player permitted to enter the game for a withdrawn player.
3.1.20 STARTING PLAYERS
The players listed on the line-up card that start the game in the field or at bat.
3.1.21 SUBSTITUTE
a) A non-starting player who has not been in the game other than as a replacement player.
b) A starting player who has left the game once and who is eligible to return to the line-up.
c) SC: The FLEX going into the batting order for the DP (substitute for DP).
d) SC: The DP playing defense for the FLEX (substitute for the FLEX).
3.1.22 TEAM MEMBER
A person authorized to sit on the team bench.
3.1.23 TEMPORARY RUNNER
A player who may run for the catcher of record.
3.1.24 WITHDRAWN PLAYER
A player who must leave the game due to an injury that is bleeding and cannot be stopped in a reasonable time or when the player’s uniform becomes covered with blood or (SC) it is suspected that the player may have suffered a concussion.
3.2 LINE-UP AND ROSTERS
3.2.1 LINE-UP CARDS
a) The line-up card contains:
i) the last name, first name, position and uniform number of the starting players;
ii) the last name, first name and uniform number of any available substitutes; and
iii) the last name and first name of the head manager/coach.
b) A starting player’s name cannot be on the line-up card unless the player is present in uniform and in the team area.
c) An eligible roster player may be added to the substitute list at any time during the game.
d) If a uniform number is incorrectly given on the line-up card, a change may be made without penalty. If a player wearing an incorrect number violates any Rule, the Rule violation has precedence and must be enforced. If the player remains in the game following the violation, then the number must be corrected before play may continue.
3.2.2 PLAYERS
a) Each team must have a minimum of nine (9) players in the line-up at all times. Using the DP, a team must have 10 players listed in the line-up. The DP must be declared on the starting line-up.
i) The defensive player positions are pitcher (F1), catcher (F2), first base (F3), second base (F4), third base (F5), shortstop (F6), left fielder (F7), center fielder (F8) and right fielder (F9).
ii) The Defensive player positions with 10 players are the same as a team of nine (9) players plus the DP.
b) Players of the team in the field may be stationed anywhere in fair territory at the start of each pitch, except for the catcher who must be in the catcher’s box and the pitcher who must be in a legal pitching position or in the pitching circle when the umpire puts the ball in play.
c) A team must have the required number of eligible players in the line-up at all times to continue a game.
3.2.3 STARTING PLAYERS
a) A starting player is official once the line-up card has been confirmed by the team representative and the plate umpire at the pre-game meeting at home plate.
b) The names, uniform numbers, and positions may be entered on the line-up card in advance of the pre-game meeting.
c) The team representative may make changes to the line-up card at the home plate meeting prior to the line-ups being declared official. A listed substitute may take the place of a player whose name is in their team’s starting line-up, however the order of the line-up cannot be changed. They would be considered the starting player and the other player may be a substitute.
d) The player so changed at the home plate meeting may enter the game, as a substitute, at any time later in the game.
e) All starting players, including the DP and the Flex Player, may be substituted and re-enter the line-up once and must remain in the same batting position whenever they are in the line-up.
3.2.4 DESIGNATED PLAYER (DP)
a) A DP may bat for any defensive player.
b) The DP may play defense for any player including the Flex Player.
i) If the DP plays defense for a player other than the Flex Player, that player continues to bat and is identified as the OPO. The OPO is not considered to have left the game and continues to bat but does not play defense.
ii) When the DP plays defense for the Flex Player, this is treated like a substitution and must be reported to the umpire.
iii) When the DP plays defense for the Flex Player, the line-up reverts to nine (9) players and the game may legally end with nine (9) players.
c) The DP and the Flex Player cannot be in the game on offense at the same time.
3.2.5 FLEX PLAYER (FLEX)
a) If a team declares the use of a DP, the team must name a Flex Player on the line-up card.
b) The Flex Player is placed in the non-batting position (10th) in the starting line-up immediately following the first nine (9) batting positions and may play any defensive position.
c) The Flex Player may enter the game on offense only for the DP.
i) The line-up goes to nine (9) players when the Flex Player enters the game on offense. The team can finish the game with (9) players in the line-up.
ii) The Flex Player may enter the line-up in the DP batting position any number of times. This is treated like a substitution for the DP or the DP’s substitutes and must be reported to the plate umpire.
3.2.6 THE REPLACEMENT PLAYER
a) A Replacement Player may enter the game for a Withdrawn Player.
b) The Withdrawn Player must not return to the game until all bleeding ceases, the injury is cleaned and covered and, if necessary, the uniform is replaced, whether or not the uniform shirt has a different number or SC: the concussion protocol results deem that they should be permitted to continue to participate. There is no penalty for using a different number; however, the umpire must be informed of the change in numbers.
c) A Replacement Player may play for the Withdrawn Player for the remainder of the inning in progress and for the following complete inning. The Withdrawn Player may return to the game at any time during this period without being treated as a substitution. A Replacement Player is not considered a substitute. If the Withdrawn Player cannot return, after the remainder of the inning and after the completion of the next full inning, a legal substitution must be made.
d) A team representative must notify the plate umpire of all changes. Failure to do so on appeal subjects the player to being declared an illegal substitution.
e) A Replacement Player may be:
i) a listed substitute who has not yet been in the game;
ii) a listed substitute who has been in the game but subsequently substituted from the game; or
iii) a starting player who is no longer in the line-up and who is no longer eligible to re-enter the game.
3.2.7 TEMPORARY RUNNER
A Temporary Runner is legal for a catcher of record from the previous half inning who is on base with two (2) outs. The following provisions apply:
a) the use of a Temporary Runner is optional for the offensive team manager.
b) the Temporary Runner may be used any time after the second out occurs.
c) the Temporary Runner is the player scheduled to bat last and who is not on base at the time the option is taken.
If an incorrect player is used as a Temporary Runner, the error will be corrected without penalty when noticed.
3.2.7.1 DESIGNATED RUNNER (MASTERS ONLY) – SC
The team may designate one player as a runner. The player shall be called the Designated Runner (DR).
a) The DR must be listed in the starting line-up; and PITCH RULES.
b) The DR must be listed in the last spot in the starting line-up (10th with no DP or 11th with the DP).
c) The DR may run for only one player per inning and may do so each time that player becomes a runner in the inning.
d) The DR may run for a different player each inning.
e) The DR may not bat or play defence.
f) An eligible player not in the game may substitute for the DR.
g) The DR may not re-enter the game.
h) A team is not obligated to use the DR the entire game.
3.2.8 ENTERING THE GAME (SUBSTITUTIONS)
a) A substitute may take the place of any player in the team line-up. Multiple substitutions may be made for the player listed in the starting line-up, but no substitute may return to the game after being withdrawn from the line-up, except as a Replacement Player or coach.
b) A starting player and their substitute(s) may not be in the game at the same time.
c) A substitution must take place only when the ball is dead. The coach or team representative must immediately notify the plate umpire before the substitution is made. SC: The substitute is legally in the game when announced to the plate umpire. The plate umpire will notify the scorer of the change.
d) Any substitute who is legally in the game but has not been reported to the umpire becomes an Illegal Substitute.
e) There is no violation if the manager, coach, team representative or the player in violation notifies the umpire prior to the offended team’s appeal.
f) A substitute who re-enters the game after being substituted is an illegal re-entry unless the substitute is being used as a replacement player or coach.
g) If an injury prevents a batter or a batter-runner from advancing to an awarded base and the ball is dead, the batter-runner or runner may be substituted. The substitute will be allowed to proceed to awarded bases. The substitute must touch any awarded base(s) or missed base(s) not previously touched.
3.3 APPEALS
a) Appeals must be made by a manager, coach or player before an umpire may make a decision on:
i) Illegal substitutions;
ii) The use of an unreported player under the Replacement Player Rule;
iii) Illegal Re-entry; or
iv) The use of an unreported player under the Designated Player Rule.
b) An appeal for the above can be made at any time while the player is in the game.
EFFECTS
Rule 3.2.2 a)3.2.3 c) and 3.2.6 c) Failure to complete a game with the required number of players.
Effect The game is forfeited to the non-offending team.
Rule 3.2.8 Unreported Substitute/illegal player:
a) Illegal Substitute;
b) Unreported Replacement player; or
c) Unreported return of the withdrawn player.
Effect
a) An unreported substitute or an illegal player is an appeal play.
b) The appeal must be brought to the attention of the umpire while the illegal player or unreported substitute is in the game.
c) Once a pitch has been thrown, or a play has been made, and the unreported substitute has been discovered, the player is declared ineligible.
d) A legal substitute must replace the ineligible player.
i. If the team in violation does not have a legal substitute, the game is forfeited in favor of the non-offending team.
ii. If the illegal player is appealed while at bat, a legal substitute will assume the ball and strike count.
iii. All action prior to the discovery is legal except if the unreported substitute bats and reaches base, and then is discovered and appealed before a pitch to the next batter, or at the end of the game and before the umpires leave the field, all runners (including the batter) will return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch, and the undeclared substitute is “Declared Ineligible” and is called out.
iv. All outs made while the illegal substitute is in the game will stand.
v. If the substitute is an Illegal Player, the substitute shall be also subject to the penalty for that violation.
e) If the illegal player is discovered on defense and after making a play and a proper appeal is made, the player is declared ineligible, and the offensive team has the option of
1) taking the result of the play; or
2) having the batter return and assume the ball and strike count the batter had prior to the discovery of the illegal player. Each runner would return to the base occupied prior to the play.
f) And if an ineligible player returns to the game, a forfeit is declared in favor of the non-offending team.
g) After an upheld appeal for an unreported substitute or an illegal re-entry, the original player or their substitute is considered to have left the game.
Rule 3.2.8 Illegal re-entry
a) Starting player returning to the line-up in a different position in the offensive line-up.
b) Substitute re-entering the game, not as a replacement player.
c) Starting player re-entering the game a second time, not as a replacement player.
d) An ineligible replacement player.
e) The Flex going into the game offensively for a player other than the DP.
Effect
a) This is an appeal play.
i. The appeal can be made anytime the illegal re-entered player is in the game.
ii. The appeal does not have to be made before the next pitch.
b) The manager/coach named on the line-up card and the illegal re-entered player are ejected.
c) A legal substitute must replace the ejected illegal re-entered player before the game can continue.
d) If the manager/head coach is ejected, they must name a new manager/head coach.
e) Actions that occur while the illegal re-entered player is in the game are governed by the Illegal substitute/Illegal player effects.
3.4 COACHES
3.4.1 IN GENERAL
a) A coach or team representative is responsible for notifying the plate umpire when a change occurs in the line-up.
b) A Coach may not use language that will reflect negatively upon players, umpires or spectators.
c) No communication equipment shall be used between:
i) Coaches on the field;
ii) A coach and the dugout;
iii) A coach and any player; or
iv) The spectator area and the field, including the dugout, a coach, and a player.
d) A defensive team coach or manager may be a non-playing coach who remains in the dugout or a playing coach who enters the game as a player.
e) A playing coach in a game may give direction and assistance to their team during the game.
3.4.2 HEAD COACH
a) The head coach is responsible for signing the line-up card.
b) In the event the Head Coach is ejected from a game, they will submit to the Plate umpire the name of the person who is to assume the duties of Head Coach for the remainder of the game.
3.4.3 BASE COACHES
a) Up to two base coaches are allowed to give words of assistance and direction to the members of their team while at bat.
i) Each base coach must remain with both feet within the confines of their coach’s box. One must be stationed near first base and one near third base.
ii) A base coach may leave the coach’s box to avoid a fielder or to signal a runner to slide, advance or return to a base, as long as they do not interfere with play.
b) A base coach may only address their team members.
c) One base coach may have with them in the coach’s box a scorebook, pen or pencil. SC: Both coaches may have an indicator. All of which will be used only for scorekeeping or record-keeping purposes.
d) A youth age player who coaches in the first or third base coach’s boxes and a youth age representative who participates as a bat person while on the field or in the dugout must wear an approved helmet. SC Note: Youth aged coaches who registered only as a coach will not be required to wear a helmet while coaching in the coaches’ box.
EFFECTS
Rule 3.4 Violation of Coach responsibilities.
Effect A warning must be issued for the first offense. Any subsequent infraction by a coach/manager of the same team must result in the ejection of the Head Coach.
Rule 3.4.3 d) Failure of youth age player who coaches in the coaches box to wear a helmet.
Effect After a warning, for a repeat violation, the youth player must be ejected.
3.5 TEAM PERSONNEL
3.5.1 IN GENERAL
a) No team member may dispute any judgment decision by an umpire.
b) During a game, a person on the line-up card or otherwise permitted in the dugout must remain inside the designated dugout area, except when these Rules permit or when considered justified by an umpire. This includes players other than the on-deck batter (who must remain in the on-deck circle) at the start of the game, between innings, or when a pitcher is warming up. There shall be no smoking, consumption of alcohol or the use of chewing tobacco in the designated area.
c) A team member must not:
i) make or permit another person to make or cause to be made a disparaging or insulting remark to or about opposing players, officials or spectators;
ii) commit any act that is deemed to be unsporting behaviour.
EFFECTS
Rule 3.5.1 a)3.5.1 b) Disputing umpire judgment and Dugout conduct
Effect
a) The first offense is a team warning.
b) A repeat offense will result in the ejection of that team member. SC Note: If the first offense is considered serious enough by the umpire, the offender may be ejected without warning.
Rule 3.5.1 c) Unsporting behaviour.
Effect
a) For a first offense, the offender may be warned.
i) If the first offense is serious, the umpire will eject the offender.
ii) For a second offense, the offender is ejected.
b) A team member ejected from the game, shall go directly to the dressing room for the remainder of the game, or leave the grounds.
c) Failure of a person so ejected, to leave the game immediately, will warrant a forfeiture of the game.
d) An officiating umpire may report a team member for offensive conduct, language or physical abuse any time after a game has been called, in which case the reported team member will appear before the organization under which the game or tournament is played.
3.6 UMPIRES
3.6.1 POWER AND DUTIES
The umpires are the representatives of the league or organization by which they have been assigned to a particular game, and as such, are authorized and required to enforce these Rules. They have the power to order a player, coach, captain or manager to do or omit to do any act that in their judgment is necessary to give force and effect to one or all of these Rules and to impose effects as herein prescribed. The plate umpire has the authority to make decisions on any situations not specifically covered by the Rules.
3.6.2 THE PLATE UMPIRE
The plate umpire is charged with the following responsibilities:
a) Solely decide on the fitness of the playing field for a game;
b) Take a position behind home plate and behind the catcher;
c) Have full charge of, and be responsible for, the proper conduct of the game;
d) Call all balls and strikes;
e) By agreement and in cooperation with the base umpire(s), call plays hit balls, fair or foul, legal or illegal caught balls. On plays that necessitate the base umpire leaving the infield, the plate umpire shall assume the duties normally required of the base umpire.
f) Determine and declare whether
i) a batter bunts a ball; or
ii) a batted ball touches the person or clothing of the batter.
g) Render base decisions when required to do so;
h) Determine when a game is forfeited; and
i) Assume all duties when assigned as a single umpire to a game.
3.6.3 THE BASE UMPIRE
a) A base umpire will take such positions on the playing field as required in accordance with the relevant Umpire systems.
b) A base umpire will assist the plate umpire in every way to enforce these Rules.
3.6.4 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SINGLE UMPIRE
If only one umpire is assigned, their duties and the jurisdiction will extend to all matters under these Rules. The umpire’s starting position for each pitch will be from behind home plate and behind the catcher. On each batted ball or play that develops, the umpire will move out from behind the plate and into the infield to obtain the best position for any play that develops.
3.6.5 CHANGE OF UMPIRES
An umpire cannot be changed during a game by the consent of the opposing teams unless they are incapacitated by injury or illness.
3.6.6 UMPIRE’S JUDGMENT
a) There will be no appeal of any decision of any umpire on the grounds that they were not correct in their conclusion as to whether a batted ball was fair or foul, a runner safe or out, a pitched ball a strike or ball or on any play involving accuracy of judgment. No decision rendered by any umpire will be reversed, except where the umpire is convinced it is in violation of one of these Rules. In case the manager, captain of either team seeks a reversal of a decision based solely on a point of the Rules, the umpire whose decision is in question will if in doubt, confer with their associate(s) before taking any action. Only the manager or the captain of a team is legally empowered to protest on a decision and seek its reversal on a claim that it is in conflict with these Rules.
b) Under no circumstances will any umpire seek to reverse a decision made by their associate(s), or criticize or interfere with the duties of their associate(s), unless asked to do so by them.
c) The umpires, in consultation, may rectify any situation in which the reversal of an umpire’s decision or a delayed call by an umpire places a batter-runner or runner in jeopardy or places the defensive team at a disadvantage. This correction is not possible after one legal, or illegal, pitch has been thrown, or if all players on the defensive team have abandoned fair territory.
3.6.7 SUSPENSION OF PLAY
a) An umpire will suspend play when, in their judgment, conditions justify such action.
b) Play will be suspended when the plate umpire leaves their position to brush the plate or to perform other duties not directly connected with the calling of plays.
c) The umpire will suspend play whenever a batter or pitcher steps out of position for a legitimate reason.
d) An umpire will not call “TIME” after the pitcher has started the windup.
e) An umpire will not call “TIME” while any play is in progress.
f) In case of injury, except in the umpires’ judgment with a serious injury (which may put the player in danger), “TIME” will not be called until all plays in progress have been completed or runners have been held at their base.
g) Umpires will not suspend play at the request of players, coaches or managers until all action in progress by both teams has been completed.
EFFECT
Rule 3.6.7 Suspension of Play
Time called due to a serious injury putting a player in danger.
Effect In the case of injury, when time is called, the ball is dead, and runner(s) may be awarded a base or bases that they would have made, in the umpire’s judgment, had the injury not occurred.
3.7 SCORERS
3.7.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICIAL SCORER
The official scorer will:
a) prepare or cause to be prepared and keep records of a game as provided for in these Rules;
b) be the sole authority for all scoring decisions involving judgment;
c) determine whether a batter’s advance to first base is the result of a hit or error; and
d) not make a scoring decision that is inconsistent or in conflict with these rules or an umpire’s decision.