Rules

Official Bush League Rules 

General 

  1. All players must register each season and agree with league waivers and policies.
  2. Have a sense of humour. Don’t be a peckerhead. 
  3. Game times are 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday unless otherwise notified. A 10-minute grace period is grudgingly permitted. 
  4. It is the responsibility of the home team to supply bases, a home plate, and a new ball for the game. The away team shall provide an alternate ball in good playing condition. 
  5. Mercy Rule: The maximum number of runs the team at bat can score in any inning is ten (10) runs. As soon as the 10th run reaches home, that half of the inning ends, even if other potential runs are in play. 
  6. The mercy rule does not apply (and therefore an unlimited number of runs may be scored) in the mutually declared final inning, the 9th inning, or in extra innings.
  7. Team managers or their designates will confer to determine the last inning.
  8. No new innings will start after 8:45 p.m.
  9. If the game is not completed by 9:00 p.m., the score reverts back to the end of the previous inning to decide the outcome of the game.
  10. Winning teams are granted two (2) points. For a tie, one (1) point will be awarded to each team. 
  11. If a team completes the regular season with five or more defaults, they will automatically be awarded last place. (In the event more than one team has five or more defaults, the bottom positions will be determined by their records. The team with the worst record will be awarded 6th place, the team with the next worst record will get 5th place, and so forth). 

Rosters and Line Ups

  1. The minimum number of players required to field a team is seven (7). 
  2. Each team must have a minimum of three (3) female players in the batting lineup and three (3) female players on the playing field each inning. Teams with only two (2) female players will forfeit the chance to win. A game will be played, and if the forfeiting team wins, the game will instead be called a tie. If a team has fewer than two (2) female players, they automatically lose by default. 
  3. A team with only two (2) female players may start the game and receive a half inning’s grace. If they are initially in the field, the third position may not be filled by a male player. The grace period expires once three outs have occurred. If they are initially at bat, the grace period expires if the team goes through the batting order once without a third female player appearing. Once the grace period expires, the team with only two (2) female players will forfeit their chance to win as per above. 
  4. If a team starts the game with three female players and one of those players cannot continue, then rule #2 above is in effect. The exception is in the playoffs, when a team will not be awarded an automatic loss if they lose their third female player due to serious injury. In this situation, the position in the batting lineup assigned to the injured female player will be an automatic out. 
  5. If a team has ten (10) players, including three (3) female players, a rover can be played, regardless of the number of players on the opposing team. 
  6. The batting order must remain intact. If a player happens to be sitting out an inning on the field, they must assume their turn in the order. Late arrivals must be added to the bottom of the order, not inserted. 
  7. Regardless of injury, batters must make it to first base on their own. Pinch runners can be inserted from this point onward. When a pinch runner is necessary, it must be the last person (of the runner’s gender) called out in the previous inning. 
  8. Players must have at least eight (8) regular season games to be eligible for the playoffs. Teams must keep a dated score sheet from each game in case a player’s eligibility is questioned. 

Safety 

  1. All bases must be pegged. All home teams must supply a safety bag for first base, which is secured with two (2) pegs. 
  2. Metal cleats are not permitted. 
  3. Batting helmets are recommended for all players.
  4. Face masks are recommended for all pitchers.
  5. Sliding is permitted at the player’s discretion.
  6. All players should note the usage of the safety bag at first. Should the fielder be taken into the baseline or foul territory, the runner is advised to use the white side of the base. In any circumstance, the fielder must contact the white side of the safety base to complete an out. The fielder must not impede the runner.
  7. In the interest of injury prevention, it is requested that fielders at any base including home, prioritize preventing an incoming throw from hitting a runner.

Softball & Ground Rules

  1. No bunting, leadoffs, or stealing bases. A base runner leaving a base before contact is made with the ball is out. 
  2. Base runners may tag up and advance on a fly out, including one on a foul ball. 
  3. The foul area will be the area between the base lines and the fence lines. Balls past the fence lines are out of play. 
  4. Pitches must describe an arc of six (6) feet to twelve (12) feet. Pitches outside of this range (too high or low) will be called a ball. 
  5. Pitchers must be behind the pitching rubber when they release the ball. 
  6. A runner is safe at home when their foot crosses the home plate line, in the air or on the ground. 
  7. Batters must have at least one foot in the batters’ box when they make contact with the ball. 
  8. Defensive infield players shall not encroach on female batters. Infielders cannot advance beyond the baselines until contact is made with the ball. 
  9. Balls hit over the tree-line on diamond #1 are a home run. Balls hit through the tree line are a ground rule double. The umpire shall make the determination if the ball cleared the trees.
  10. Any ball hit on the concrete of the building between diamonds #1 and #2 is a ground rule double.
  11. Any ball hit on the roof of the building between diamonds #1 and #2 is a home run.
  12. Balls hit of light standards in fair territory are live.
  13. Any ball hit from diamonds #2 and #3 that rolls to the bike path or beyond is a home run.
  14. Play shall be halted if external persons or animals enter the field of play.
  15. Obstruction shall be called on any live ball coming into contact with a non-player person, animal, or object in the field of play, and the result of the play is a ground rule double.

Rules Governing the Commissioner 

  1. The commissioner is not a meteorologist. In case of inclement weather, the umpires will call the game at 7:00 p.m., on the field. 
  2. The commissioner will resolve disputes in accordance with, first, the Bush League rules and, second, the Ontario Softball Rules & Regulations. 
  3. The commissioner can change Bush League rules and membership status, in concert with, and the agreement of the managers, only. In case of a tie decision, the commissioner has the deciding vote. 
  4. The commissioner has the right to eject a player from a game. Players who become overly belligerent and/or violent will be subject to ejection.
  5. The commissioner is not a bank. When a request for payment of dues is made, it will be honoured on time. Failure to comply will result in a $50 fine per week (or part thereof).