RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 1
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Canada Board of Directors
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
8
Section:
SLO-PITCH
7
Letter:
CHANGE IS:
ADDITION – SP page 88 and FP page 193
CHANGE:
Add 8-7.b.4.d
ORTHODOX
b
Number:
ALL
4
X
Letter:
If an obstruction is judged to be intentional (including, but not limited to, a fake tag, pushing a
runner off a base or standing in the pathway of a runner without the ball) the offending team shall
be warned. Subsequent obstruction infractions by any member of the offending team that are
judged to be intentional will be penalized by an advance of the obstructed runner one additional
base beyond the base they were awarded on the initial obstruction. Other runners will advance if
forced. Note that this should not be judged to include inadvertent actions or a defensive player
attempting to make a play.
Note: Requires that current sections 8-7.b.4.d be re-lettered to 8-7.b.4.e
RATIONALE:
There is currently no additional penalty to the offending team when they intentionally obstruct a player.
By putting an additional penalty into effect after a warning, offending players would be deterred from
intentionally obstructing a runner.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 2
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Canada Board of Directors
TYPE:
Rule:
CHANGE IS:
CHANGE:
RATIONALE:
FAST PITCH
10
Section:
SLO-PITCH
6
Letter:
ORTHODOX
b
Number:
ALL
2
X
Letter:
ADDITION – SP page 101 and FP page 206
Under no circumstances shall any player or person, other than the head coach or captain of either team, have any legal right to protest
on any decision and seek its reversal, on a claim that it is in conflict with these rules. Exceptions: 1) On a decision regarding a checked
swing, when asked by the catcher, the plate umpire must seek a decision from the appropriate base umpire. Such a request may be
made only when the plate umpire has called the pitch a ball. The ball remains live during a check swing appeal in fast pitch. The ball
is dead in slo-pitch.
Change term “manager” to “head coach”.
Removes discretion of plate umpire as to whether or not they will check an appeal when asked (umpires must check when asked). This
maintains consistency in application and interpretation. Umpires may still take appropriate action under Rule 10-9 (Unsportsmanlike
Conduct) if this directive is being abused by participants.
Clarifies that ball remains live during a check swing and runners may advance with liability to be put out.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 3
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Ontario
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
2
Section:
SLO-PITCH
4
Letter:
X
d
ORTHODOX
Number:
ALL
Letter:
CHANGE IS:
REVISION – SP page 57
CHANGE:
BATTER’S BOX, one on each side of home plate, shall measure 0.91m (3 ft.) in front and 1.22m (4 ft.)
behind home plate by 1.067m (42 in.) wide. The lines are considered as being within the batter’s box.
RATIONALE:
The batter’s box has not changed to reflect the addition of the strike mat.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 4
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Ontario
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
4
Section:
SLO-PITCH
11
Letter:
CHANGE IS:
NEW– SP page 70
CHANGE:
Sec. 11 TEMPORARY RUNNER
X
ORTHODOX
Number:
ALL
Letter:
A Temporary Runner is legal for a pitcher who gets on base.
The following provisions apply:
a. It is not optional.
b. There must be two out.
c. If the pitcher is on base with less than two out, the Temporary Runner must be used after
the second out occurs.
d. The Temporary Runner must be designated by the manager during the pre-game meeting.
e. If the pitcher is the runner in the tie-breaker situation, they will be considered the same as
if they had batted and would be allowed a Temporary Runner with two out.
f. Re-entry and substitution rules are waived for the Temporary Runner.
g. If an incorrect player is discovered as the Temporary Runner the change is made without
penalty.
h. If a Temporary Runner is due to go to bat, the next person in the batting order shall be
used without penalty.
RATIONALE:
With many pitchers now wearing protective equipment, this will help speed up the game. This is in line with the FP Catcher’s Rule.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 5
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Ontario
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
5
SLO-PITCH
Section:
9
Letter:
X
b
ORTHODOX
Number:
ALL
1)
Letter:
CHANGE IS:
NEW– SP page 73
CHANGE:
DEFENSIVE CONFERENCES – There shall only be three (3) charged conferences with each pitcher
during the game.
1) A conference includes one (1) or more players leaving their position to meet, and delay the
resumption of play.
2) - 5) No changes needed.
EFFECT – Sec. 9 b:
A fourth charged conference shall result in the pitcher being declared an illegal pitcher who may not
pitch again for the remainder of the game.
RATIONALE:
Far too many defensive conferences are happening with player and/or coaches during the game. This
will make a conference meaningful, and speed up the game.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 6
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Ontario
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
7
Section:
CHANGE IS:
ADDITION – SP page 80
CHANGE:
BATTTING POSITION
SLO-PITCH
3
Letter:
X
ORTHODOX
Number:
ALL
Letter:
d. If there is no batter’s box at the front of the batter’s area, the batter’s back foot must be
completely behind the front edge of the strike mat, and at the back of the batter’s area, the
batter’s front foot must be completely in front of the back edge of the strike mat.
RATIONALE:
The batter’s box has not changed to reflect the addition of the strike mat.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 7
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Ontario
TYPE:
Rule:
CHANGE IS:
CHANGE:
RATIONALE:
FAST PITCH
8
Section:
SLO-PITCH
5
Letter:
X
d.
ORTHODOX
Number:
ALL
Letter:
ADDITION – SP page 86
Exception: On any fly ball that is foul, the ball is dead and runners may not advance.
In a hitter’s game, there should be no reward for a foul ball out. – If desired willing to move this to SOR
for Canadian Championships only.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 8
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Ontario and Softball Canada Board of Directors
TYPE:
Rule:
CHANGE IS:
CHANGE:
RATIONALE:
FAST PITCH
4
Section:
X
5
SLO-PITCH
Letter:
ORTHODOX
j.
Number:
ALL
Letter:
REVISION – FP page 159
j) In U12 and under categories the use of the designated player rule is not permitted
Under-14 teams are playing with this rule in tournaments throughout their season. It gives the coach the opportunity to get an
additional player into the game. Prepares the teams and players to move up to the U16 level understanding the rule and understanding
the benefits to team and affording more players the opportunity for participation.
Will allow Coaches at the U14 level to play 10 players in their starting lineup. It will provide consistency
as some provinces are already following this rule and sometimes causes grief at the Canadian
Championships.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 9
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball British Columbia
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
4
Section:
CHANGE IS:
REVISION – FP page 163
CHANGE:
Temporary Runner
X
11
SLO-PITCH
Letter:
ORTHODOX
Number:
ALL
Letter:
Is legal for a catcher and pitcher who gets on base. The following provisions apply
a) It is optional.
b) The temporary runner is the last person in the batting order who is not on base at the time of use.
c)
The catcher and pitcher of record who finished the previous inning are the only players eligible to have a temporary
runner.
d) Re-entry and substitution rules are waived for the temporary runner
e) If an incorrect player is discovered as the temporary runner make the change without penalty
f)
If a temporary runner is due to bat, go to the next person in the batting order without penalty
g) If the catcher or pitcher is the runner in the tie-breaker situation, they will be considered the same as if they had batted.
The following provisions apply to the catcher only:
h) If the catcher is on base with less than two out, the temporary runner may only be used after the second out occurs.
If a temporary runner is due to bat, go to the next person in the batting order without penalty
RATIONALE:
Safety issue for the pitcher
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 10
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball Canada Board of Directors
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
6
Section:
X
SLO-PITCH
9
ORTHODOX
Letter:
CHANGE IS:
NEW - FP page 170, 175, 180-181
CHANGE:
Add 6-9.f (FP and Orthodox, all categories)
X
Number:
ALL
Letter:
If a pitcher is using a designated warm up area within the field of play while the game is in
progress they must also have a protective spotter who will stand immediately behind the pitcher
and face the infield with an empty glove, serving to alert and, if necessary, protect the pitcher
and catcher. The spotter may carry one ball in their throwing hand that may be given to the
pitcher only if the warm up ball goes out of the playing area. Errant pitches that remain in the
field of play must be retrieved immediately. The spotter must remain in position at all times.
Only one pitcher, one catcher, one spotter and a coach may be in the warm up area. If pitchers
are not actively warming up they must return to the dugout area.
RATIONALE:
Clarifies current practice and ensures the pitcher has another ball available to continue their warm-up in
an efficient manner should they throw a ball of the warm-up area.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 11
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball New Brunswick
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
6
Section:
SLO-PITCH
3
Letter:
ORTHODOX
g.
Number:
X
ALL
Letter:
CHANGE IS:
REVISION - FP page 177
CHANGE:
g. The ball can NEVER be outside of the wrist at any point in the delivery upward or downward.
The palm never faces away from the body.
RATIONALE:
The bowling style needed to be more defined. As it is written it is not clear to coaches and officials on
what to look for. Therefore Sling shot pitch is being allowed in orthodox Provincials and league play.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 12
PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR:
2017
(year)
Submitted by: Softball New Brunswick
TYPE:
Rule:
FAST PITCH
6
Section:
SLO-PITCH
3
Letter:
ORTHODOX
m.
X
Number:
ALL
Letter:
CHANGE IS:
REVISION - FP page 178
CHANGE:
m. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher must take one step simultaneous with the release of the
ball. The step must be forward and toward the batter within the 61.0cm (24 in.) length of the
pitcher’s plate. The stepping foot must be pointed toward home plate and must not touch the
ground in front of, or cross over a straight line between the pivot foot and home plate.
RATIONALE:
The bowling style needed to be more defined. As it is written it is not clear to coaches and officials on
what to look for. Therefore Sling shot pitch is being allowed in orthodox Provincials and league play.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS: _____ Approved _____ Rejected _____Withdrawn _____Postponed