RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 1 Submitted by: Softball Canada Board of Directors TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH ORTHODOX ALL X Rule: 8 Section: 7 Letter: b Number: 4 Letter: CHANGE IS: ADDITION SP page 88 and FP page 193 Add 8-7.b.4.d 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 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.
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 2 Submitted by: Softball Canada Board of Directors TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH ORTHODOX ALL X Rule: 10 Section: 6 Letter: b Number: 2 Letter: CHANGE IS: 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. RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 3 Submitted by: Softball Ontario TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH X ORTHODOX ALL Rule: 2 Section: 4 Letter: d Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: REVISION SP page 57 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. The batter s box has not changed to reflect the addition of the strike mat.
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 4 Submitted by: Softball Ontario TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH X ORTHODOX ALL Rule: 4 Section: 11 Letter: Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: NEW SP page 70 Sec. 11 TEMPORARY RUNNER 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. With many pitchers now wearing protective equipment, this will help speed up the game. This is in line with the FP Catcher s Rule.
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 5 Submitted by: Softball Ontario TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH X ORTHODOX ALL Rule: 5 Section: 9 Letter: b Number: 1) Letter: CHANGE IS: NEW SP page 73 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. 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. RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 6 Submitted by: Softball Ontario TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH X ORTHODOX ALL Rule: 7 Section: 3 Letter: Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: ADDITION SP page 80 BATTTING POSITION 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. The batter s box has not changed to reflect the addition of the strike mat.
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 7 Submitted by: Softball Ontario TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH X ORTHODOX ALL Rule: 8 Section: 5 Letter: d. Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: 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. RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 8 Submitted by: Softball Ontario and Softball Canada Board of Directors TYPE: FAST PITCH X SLO-PITCH ORTHODOX ALL Rule: 4 Section: 5 Letter: j. Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: 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.
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 9 Submitted by: Softball British Columbia TYPE: FAST PITCH X SLO-PITCH ORTHODOX ALL Rule: 4 Section: 11 Letter: Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: REVISION FP page 163 Temporary Runner 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 Safety issue for the pitcher
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 10 Submitted by: Softball Canada Board of Directors TYPE: FAST PITCH X SLO-PITCH ORTHODOX X ALL Rule: 6 Section: 9 Letter: Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: NEW - FP page 170, 175, 180-181 Add 6-9.f (FP and Orthodox, all categories) 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. 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. RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 11 Submitted by: Softball New Brunswick TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH ORTHODOX X ALL Rule: 6 Section: 3 Letter: g. Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: REVISION - FP page 177 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. 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.
RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL # 12 Submitted by: Softball New Brunswick TYPE: FAST PITCH SLO-PITCH ORTHODOX X ALL Rule: 6 Section: 3 Letter: m. Number: Letter: CHANGE IS: REVISION - FP page 178 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. 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.