2017 BWFL
Regular Season Rules and Regulations
Please note: These are the BWFL Regular Season Rules and Regulations. For Playoffs, Tie-Breakers, and Championships games –
please see BWFL Playoff Rules and Regulations.
Alcohol
Alcohol is not permitted at the diamond or in the diamonds surrounding area (parking lots, stands, etc.).
Anyone (players, coaches, spectators, umpires) found drinking in these areas will be suspended or have
the person they are watching suspended without refund for a term that will be up to the BWFL Executive
Board's ("Executive") discretion. Anyone found intoxicated will not be covered our league insurance.
Age Limit
A registered player must be 19 years old as of the first game of the current season​. *Some exceptions may
apply. All efforts will be made to ensure that players are 19; however, it may be necessary for players who
are 18 to play or younger girls in the situation where call-ups are necessary. If a player is under 18, waiver
must​ be signed by their parent or legal guardian
Jewellery
Taping jewellery is permitted rather than taking it off. This is at the discretion of the individual player.
Teams will be reminded during ground rules to remove or tape all jewellery, including piercings. Players
refusing to remove or tape jewellery will not be permitted to play (for insurance purposes.) Medical
bracelets should be worn if necessary and are exempted from this rule. If possible, pitchers should wear
the bracelet on their non-pitching hand.
Uniform
All players must wear their team uniform in order to be permitted to play. Sleeves may be cut off and
sewn. Any player who does not sew their shirt in an appropriate way (as deemed by the Executive) will be
ineligible to play the remainder of the season without refund, unless she purchases a new shirt from the
league (a $50 charge will apply). The reason for this is that the team shirt is representing of our sponsors.
Coaches and assistant coaches must also wear a non-offensive shirt or BWFL coach's shirt. A player may
wear her team shirt to coach a base.
Pregnancy
Once any member in good standing becomes aware of any player pregnancy, the BWFL Executive reserves
the right to require that player to discontinue play and the player will receive a refund for registration
based on a pro-rated amount for games not played for the rest of the season.
Game Scores
The winning coach is to call or e-mail in the score of the game within 24 hours of completion of the game.
If the game results in a tie, the home team coach will call/e-mail in the score (e-mail ​[email protected]​).
All score sheets and game line-ups MUST be kept by the coach. They may need to be referred to during the
course of the season for tie-breaking purposes.
Completion of Games
1. Any game is considered "complete" after 5 innings or 4 and a half innings if the home team is
winning.
2. The officiating umpire will not call a "suspended" game.
3. No new inning will start after 1 hour and 50 minutes, and once the inning has started, the inning
will finish (if necessary or darkness/weather permitting).
NOTE: In the event of a double header (i.e.: rain game), this may cause the start time of following game
to be slightly delayed. In the interest of fair play, the team playing a double header should be allowed a
10-minute break between games.
​Mercy Rule
Teams will have a maximum score of five runs per inning for innings 1-6 inclusive. During the 7th inning
only, teams may score an unlimited number of runs. To clarify, this is the 7th inning only NOT the possibly
called "last inning". If the game does not reach the 7th inning due to darkness, weather or other, the
earlier innings do not "replace" the 7th inning rule and only a maximum of five runs can be scored.
Rain-Outs or Poor Diamond Conditions
The BWFL Executive is responsible for checking the condition of the diamond. In the event of a
cancellation, at least one hour prior to game time – The Executive will contact the Supervisor of Umpires
to cancel umpires and the coaches. The coaches will be responsible for contacting their players to notify
them of the game’s cancellation. ​The BWFL executive will contact coaches in regards to rescheduling the
games.
Diamond Set Up
Layout of the diamond is the responsibility of the home team. The home team must give the visiting team
practice on the diamond prior to the game. Playing on an inaccurately laid out diamond is not grounds for
protest.
It is important with the time limit on games that the diamond is set up on time so that games can start on
time.
Diamond Distances
The base distances will be as follows:
1. Home to first - 60 feet
2. Home to second - 84 feet, 10 inches
3. Home to pitchers' rubber - 40 feet (change from 43 feet)
Players and Coaches
All players present and in uniform at the start of the game must:
1. Bat in rotation. A player who arrives late for the game and as a result misses her first scheduled plate
appearance may be added to the bottom of the line-up regardless of inning.
2. Play at least three full innings defensively.
3. ​CLARIFIED​: Fair Play Rule - All efforts should be made by coaches to have players, over the course of the
season, play about the same amount of innings in the field.
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This would mean that players who have attended the same amount of games would have played
approximately the same number of innings over an entire season.
If a player misses a game or games, this would change the number of innings they should expect
to play over the course of a season.
If there are extenuating circumstances (i.e., a player isn't feeling well, is hurt, is late, etc.) and
plays less innings that game for a particular reason, this reason can be noted on the score sheet.
If there are concerns about playing time or number of innings at the season's end, the sheets can
be used to recall the reason(s) for the reduced innings.
Coaches should also record on the score sheet when a pitcher or a catcher plays more innings
that game due to other player absence. For example: One of the two catchers is away, no one
else wants to catch. The catcher at the game plays every inning. Some players sit out two innings.
At the end of the season, pitchers or catcher may end up playing a few more innings than their
counterparts due to this situation. Keep in mind, if there are other players who are willing/able
to catch, this situation may be avoided. However, we can’t penalize a team and force someone to
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pitch/catch.
Infractions should be discussed with your coach or team rep and then are to be reported to the
Executive as soon as possible. The consequence(s) will be determined on an individual basis and
will be decided by a vote of the Executive and the Team Reps. The penalty may include:
Suspension of the coach, suspension of the player, loss of the game.
The intent of this rule is to allow coaches some flexibility in creating line-ups based on
positioning, etc. and to try to avoid the same players sitting out 2 innings every game during a
season, while some players only sit one inning per game.
It is possible that some players will play a few more innings over the course of a season than
others. However, we are hoping to avoid the following situation: Player A played in 14 games and
sat out 14 times. Player B played in 14 games and sat out 28 innings.
BOTTOM LINE: It is a rec. league, everyone pays, and everyone should play.
THIS IS NOT A GAME PROTESTABLE RULE. It is a rule with intent to have fair play among all of our
members of the league. This replaces the previous - everyone must sit once before anyone sits
twice rule.
Fielding a Team - Players
1. A minimum of seven players is required for a team to compete in a game or the team forfeits the
game. If a team has NINE or fewer registered players available for a regular season game, they
may call replacement players in an effort to fill out a nine player roster for that game. CHANGE:
Starting this year, if a team only has only 9 players they may have a call up so that players can sit
an inning or just in case someone gets hurt. This also helps in the event that teams need to play a
double header. A maximum of two replacement players may be used in any regular season
game. Replacement players may not pitch. CHANGE: Replacement players may catch. Common
sense should be applied to the use of replacement players. If two replacement players show up
to a game and the team only ends up needing one additional player, allow the replacement
players to alternate playing (if they so choose) rather than sending one of them home.​ PLAYER
CONSENT FORMS: All call up or replacement players MUST sign a waiver prior to playing with a
BWFL team. This rule MUST be followed in order to meet the expectations of our insurance
policy.​ ​If a player is under 18, waiver ​must​ be signed by their parent or legal guardian.
2.
If a team is unable to field a minimum of seven players, that team will forfeit the game.
3.
Replacement players are not permitted for playoff games unless signed up before playoffs begin.
4.
If a team loses a registered player during the season, a permanent replacement player may be
assigned, when required, by the league. The player assigned to a team will be selected by the
league (unless the team is asked to obtain someone "by the league").
​Fielding a Team - Waiting for Players
A team will have a 15-minute grace period to field a team (minimum seven players). If the 15 minute
grace period expires and seven players are not present - the team forfeits.
NOTE: This 15-minute grace period will be deducted from the 1 hour 50 minute time limit.
Player Absence
A player may not miss 50% of the season. Depending on the circumstance, they will not be eligible to play
for the remainder of the season with no refund. This situation must be brought to the Executive's
attention via the coach or team rep. This is NOT a 'protest-able' rule.
The deadline for adding players to a team OR changing declared pitchers is July 1st. ​However, the
Executive may make alternative decisions that are in the best interests of the league after that date.
Equipment
No metal is to be worn at anytime, by anyone on the field. Players participating in league or playoff games
must wear a helmet when batting and on base. Any player who throws a helmet, or any equipment, for
any reason, will be called out and will be ejected from the game. Chinstraps are no longer required by our
league. Player takes on any risk and liability as a result of not wearing a chin strap in the event of helmet
falling off
BWFL issued equipment is to be used for BWFL games or practices only
Catchers
1. Catchers must wear a mask, helmet, and full protective gear. Players will not be permitted to
play without wearing proper gear (insurance purposes).
2.
Anyone acting as a catcher or warming up the pitcher between innings must wear at least a
protective mask. Coaches are ​strongly recommended​ to remove the catcher from base if there
are two out. The catcher must be replaced with the last out, in efforts to speed up the game.
Pitching
1. There is no limit to the number of innings a declared pitcher may pitch.
2.
Intentional walks will be allowed provided the catcher is not out of the catcher's box.
3.
In the case of an illegal pitch, a ball will be called on the batter. The ball is alive and in play, and
runners may advance at their own risk. If the pitcher pitches an illegal pitch and the batter and all
runners advance at least one base safely then the illegal pitch is nullified. Any advancement by
the base runners beyond the one base award is at their own risk. Illegal Pitch: two steps,
stepping backwards, no pause, and no contact with the rubber when the ball is released.
4.
There is one (and ONLY ONE) open pitching inning when any undeclared pitcher(s) on the team
may pitch. To clarify - multiple undeclared pitchers may pitch during this open inning but this is
the only inning they may do so. It is up to the coach to decide which inning during the game is
the open inning. One pitch by an undeclared pitcher during an inning counts as that team’s open
inning. *If you need further clarification - please contact the Executive.
EXCEPTION: If only one declared pitcher is present and not injured - a team may have three open innings
during the game (see open inning rule above.)
NOTE: A list of all declared pitchers will be provided to all coaches/teams.
Base Running
1. On a walk the runner may go past first base if an error resulting in a passed ball occurs (this is
NOT an exception, it is a clarification of the existing rule; see Softball Canada rule #8U1note).
2.
Base runners may lead off when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
3.
The batter-runner must touch the orange base when there is a play being made at first base. If
the runner hits the full white base in a situation where there is a play at first base, the runner is
out and no advance can be made by the other runners. If there is NO play at first base, the
batter-runner may touch either base. Sliding is permitted at first base (this is not an exception
just a clarification).
Substitute Runners
A substitute runner will be the "last out" and the person being replaced will have to have a substitute
runner for the rest of the game (the blood rule exception applies at the discretion of the officiating
umpire). The player being replaced may also only go to first base on a hit ball, third strike or a walk for the
rest of that game.
Conferences
1. One offensive conference is permitted per inning (includes batter, runner, on-deck batter and
offensive coach)
2.
Two defensive pitching conferences are permitted per inning. This includes pitcher and defensive
coach. The pitcher must be pulled from the inning or game on the second pitching conference.
This pitcher can pitch again during the same game, but not in the same inning in which she was
pulled. NOTE: If a pitcher is pulled during the first conference, she cannot return to pitch during
the same inning, she may however, pitch during the rest of the game, providing previous inning
limits are met.
3.
Three defensive conferences are permitted for the entire game (excluding pitching conferences).
4.
During a non-charged conference, only the infielders may participate.
Protests
Protests will not be considered if they are based on the accuracy of judgment on the part of the umpire.
The official protest must be filed in writing to Lisa Turbitt within 48 hours of the game's completion. A $50
fee must be included with the protest letter. The fee will be returned if the protest is upheld.
Code of Conduct: Members of the Burlington Women's Fastball League shall conduct themselves in a
sportsmanlike manner.
League players should familiarize themselves with the BWFL Code of Conduct. The league will not
condone physical or verbal abuse. During practices or games, any member showing disrespect to coaches,
officials, spectators, or the other team, may be suspended for one game. Further infractions must be
immediately reported by the team rep, to a member of the Executive and will be reviewed ASAP by at
least three Executive members and may result in expulsion from the BWFL. The Executive has the
authority to suspend any member whose conduct is deemed unbecoming to the BWFL, with or without
monetary compensation, as the BWFL Executive deems appropriate.
Suspension of Players
If a player is ejected from a game, she will automatically be suspended for the remainder of that game. If
the player is not participating in the game she is ejected from, the suspension will be delayed until the
first game she is dressed and able to participate in. Suspensions apply to both regular season and playoff
games. The player must leave the park immediately. The Executive will determine if any further
disciplinary action is required after reviewing the ejection report. Refusal to leave the park by ejected
persons will result in forfeiture of the game.
Suspension of Coach(es) or Assistant Coach(es)
The Executive has authority to suspend any coach or assistant coach whose conduct is deemed
unbecoming to the BWFL. Further action in such cases shall be the responsibility of the Executive. Any
coach or assistant coach ejected from a game will be automatically suspended for the remainder of the
game. The coach must leave the park immediately. The Executive will determine if any further disciplinary
action is required. Refusal to leave the park by ejected persons will result in forfeiture of the game. Upon
receipt of a formal complaint regarding a coach or assistant coach, a member of the Executive will
investigate as soon as possible and review with at least three other Executive members. The report will be
discussed and a course of action will be voted upon. Further infractions may result in dismissal from the
team/league upon investigation and recommendations by the investigating Executive members.
Best Interests of the League
The BWFL has made every attempt to create or modify rules to best serve our league. It is possible that a
situation may arise that is not specifically covered in these rules, the Executive reserves the right to
handle those situations as they come, keeping in mind the decision-making process will be a resolution in
the best interests of the league. The Executive, team coach and team rep will communicate the outcome
of such decisions, should a ruling be necessary.
This document is effective January 2017 and supersedes any previous versions of BWFL Rules &
Regulations.