Teams can start with a minimum of 8 players. If both teams start with at least 10 players and a player leaves the game through removal, ejection injury etc. that spot in the order will be an automatic out. If a team drops below 8 players the game will be forfeit. If either team starts with less than 10 players the automatic outs will not apply to either team. *Exception – Ladies Masters will not use an automatic out at anytime regardless of the circumstances.

HOMERUN RULE: In Men’s the match + 2 rule will apply. No team may exceed the opposing teams homerun total by more than 2. If a team goes ahead by more than 2 homeruns (over the fence), that homerun is an automatic out. In Co-ed there is only two over the fence homeruns allowed. Any homeruns hit over the fence after this will be an automatic out. In the Ladies division any ball hit over the fence will be a ground rule double.

COURTESY RUNNERS: In Men’s there are only 3 courtesy runners allowed per game. In Co-ed and Ladies, each team is allowed one courtesy runner per inning. In Co-ed (Male for Male and Female for Female).

CO-ED : You may start the game with only 4 females. If you play with 4 females and 6 males, the sixth male MUST be your catcher. If you play 5 females and 6 males, you must put all the girls on the field including at the catcher position. You still must bat male/female.

CO-ED : Walks, when a male batter receives ANY walk, he is awarded second base and the female batter may take an award of first base or she may take her turn at bat.

ALL HOME TEAMS must provide bases when necessary and a new and used ball. At diamonds where bases are supplied, the home team is responsible for putting the bases out before the first game and putting the bases away after the last game. It is recommended that ALL teams carry bases and a mat at all times so if they are needed the game can be played.

ALL HOME TEAMS: are responsible for removing the permanent bags and locking them in the proper container at the field. Any team failing to do so will be liable for the cost of new bags if they are lost or stolen.

NO TAGGING ALLOWED AT HOME PLATE.

MERCY RULE: For the Ladies and Co-ed divisions the mercy rule will be a minimum 12 run deficit anytime after 5 complete innings. For the Men it will be anytime after 7 complete innings. There must be equal at bats in all divisions.

CO-ED: there is NO 150 foot rule for the outfielders. Also, you may force out a runner at first base.

CURFEW: For 9 inning games no inning is to start after 1 hour and 20 minutes. For 7 inning games no inning is to start after 1 hour and 5 minutes, for Ladies 7 inning games no inning is to start after 1 hour and 10 minutes.

GRACE PERIOD: There will be a 10 minute grace period for a team to field enough players.

JEWELRY RULE: As per the SPO handbook and Softball Canada.

LADIES MASTERS ONLY: One foul ball is permitted after 2 strikes. A second foul ball after two strikes will be an out.

GROUND RULE: Marlene Stewart Streit Park, any batted ball (fair or foul) that makes contact with a wire will be a dead ball. The batter will resume her turn at bat with the same count as prior to the ball hitting the wire.

The winning team is responsible to call in the score to Dial-A-Score (905-892-6568) to record the win. Again, this must be done before 4:00 pm the following day. If no score is recorded then no team gets the win.

Umpires will be responsible for turning on the lights at the Fonthill Lions.

All other rules are governed and/or stipulated in the SPO handbook and Softball Canada.