Rules

Rules

EISPA 2025 Playing Rules

The EISPA Slo-Pitch League is committed to creating a safe, enjoyable and friendly competition environment for all players. To ensure fair play and a smooth experience for everyone, we ask that all players review the below rules which align with the Softball Canada Rule Book.

These rules cover a variety of aspects, including team composition, game duration, bating and field guidelines, and player conduct. Our goal is to foster a positive atmosphere where players and teams can enjoy the game while maintaining respect and safety for one another. Whether you are a returning player or new to the league, understanding these rules will help you make the most of your season with EISPA and ensure a great time on the field.

Please review the following rules and reach out if you have any questions. 

The EISPA Boards wishes everyone a great season!

League Season

  • League End Date: The league will end around 1.5 weeks prior to the play‑off tournament.

Players

  • No individual may play on more than one team roster during playoffs in the Edmonton Insurance Slo–Pitch Association (EISPA).

Player Conduct

  • Use of alcoholic beverages jeopardizes our position on obtaining diamonds for our league. Please ensure no alcohol is consumed during games. The city will be cracking down this year and have bylaw officers patrolling sports fields.
  • No player shall play with a soft or hard cast, open wound our significant injury.

Playoff Tournament

  • Eligibility: All players participating in the playoff tournament (finals) must have played a minimum of three (3) regular season games. During the final’s tournament, if a roster check is called after a game, it must be done so before either team has played their next game.

Game Scheduling

  • Regular and playoff games will consist of 7 innings. A maximum of 7 runs allowed per team, per inning. The 7th (or last inning, if time is short) is open with an unlimited amount of runs. Teams should advise each other of “last inning” if it is to be an inning prior to the 7th. A game is considered complete after 5 full innings in cases where the game must be cut short (i.e.: weather, etc.). If 5 full innings are not completed, the game will have to be rescheduled or agreed upon to be a tie.

Duration of Game:

  • During the early game, there shall be no new inning started after 7:30 p.m. regardless of the number of innings played. The previous full inning’s score will be the final score. Team captains should be able to identify when the game approaches 7:30 and agree beforehand which will be their last inning. This also applies to games called due to darkness.

Rescheduling:

  • If Team 1 agrees to reschedule a game for Team 2, and it isn’t made up at Team 1’s convenience, the default is against Team 2.

 Rainouts:

  • Team captains are responsible for lining up all make‑up games. In the event of uncertain weather conditions, teams must determine if the diamond is in playable condition by contacting Edmonton Parks and Recreation at 780‑496‑4999 (updated at 4:00 pm Monday to Friday and by 10:00 am on weekends and holidays). No contact on game day means the teams must show up or risk a default. If games are not made up and the scores submitted, each team will receive 0 points for that game.

Equipment 

  • Teams are required to supply their own bases and strike mats. The strike mat should have a “v” shaped cut out and be 20” wide and 36” long.
  • Diamonds: Will consist of 60’ between the bases, and 40’ between home plate and the pitching rubber or area.
  • Balls: All teams shall utilize LIMITED FLIGHT SLOW‑PITCH BALLS to use during the season. These have a C.O.R. rating of < 0.48 and each team must provide 12” diameter balls AND 11” diameter balls. The league will supply 3 – 12” and 1 – 11” balls (total 4 balls) to each team at the beginning of the season. Any further required balls are to be purchased by the team. League supplied Balls are… Guys – Grey Dot, Girls – Hot Dot.
  • Bats: You are not permitted to use a bat that is listed on the ASA Non‑Approved Bat List. This list can be found on the NSA Canada website.
  • No metal cleats or spikes allowed.
  • Field Obstacles: Please make sure that both team captains decide prior to the game how any obstacles in the field should be played (e.g. Automatic ground rule double if a ball is hit into another field, clear fair & foul lines, etc.). Do not assume the other team knows – decide together (at the plate conference) & make sure everyone on the team knows the decision.

Starting Number of Players and Grace Period for Start of Play

  • A minimum of 8 players (4 males & 4 females) constitutes an eligible team to begin a game. You may begin a game with a minimum of 5 males and only 3 (8 players), but the batting position of the 4th female would be considered an AUTOMATIC OUT. If the 4th female shows up after the start of the the game, she may take her spot in the batting order. 
  • If a full team (8 players or more) is not present, 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time, the game is defaulted – providing the opposing team is ready to play. The start of the first game is at 6:15pm with the default time at 6:30pm. The start of the second game is at 7:45pm with the default time at 8pm. If a team captain is aware that they will not have enough players out to a game earlier or on game day, please try to inform the opposing team before 3pm game day. This courtesy will allow the other captain to inform their players. If Team 1 agrees to reschedule a game for Team 2 and it isn’t made up at Team 1’s convenience, the default is against Team 2.

Batting Order

  • The batting order will consist of ten (10) players (6 males and 4 females) listed on your score sheet. If your team decides to utilize the two extra hitters’ option (spot 11 and 12 on your score sheet), you can only add one of each gender or just one male or even just one female (subs can be added for these positions as well). For example, you cannot place your 5th female or 7th male in a different spot on the batting order making the 11th and 12th spots. In the batting order you can only have 3 males in a row once. 
  • No bunting allowed.
  • The batter must drop the bat after hitting the ball. The bat cannot be thrown or the batter shall be called out. (Throwing, in a controlled fashion toward the player’s team dugout or bat area shall be allowed).

Substitutions

  • Subs must be a female for a female and/or a male for a male. Subs can switch in and out as often as they want as long as they are on the score sheet. At the beginning of the game you can either assign a sub directly on the batting order (share a spot/bat with another player) or, you can have the subs listed on the bottom of the batting order and sub them in halfway through the game (3rd or 4th inning). For example, if you choose the second method, player “1” would play the field and bat the entire 1st half of the game. Halfway through the game, you would switch with player “2” for the remaining of the game.

Game Play Expectations

  • Before the game, the captains will meet to introduce themselves, discuss field specific restrictions and rules. Line ups will be exchanged and both teams must keep track
  • If during the game there is a concern with the other team, the issue should be addressed respectfully with the opposing Team Captain at the appropriate time (during play on the sidelines or breaks in the game). 
  • Lead‑offs / Anticipation Rule: no lead‑offs are allowed, however if there is a swing attempt (with no hit) and the player on base’s foot comes off in anticipation, it IS acceptable.
  • Intentional Walks: In the event that a male batter is intentionally walked (the first 4 pitches are balls) and a female batter is up next, the male batter will be awarded “a double” (proceed through first base to second). The female batter after the male batter is then given the option to walk (proceed to first without batting), or to take her at bat normally.
  • Small Ball / Big Ball: The females have the option to hit the standard larger ball (12” diameter) or hit the smaller one (11” diameter) which will be made available by all teams.
  • "Pinch” Running: There are times, when a substitute runner will be required. Substitutions may be made if the batter has made it safely on base, and time out has been called by the umpire. The spare runner would then need to be the last player out of the same sex (male or female) that batted in the order. Our league does not allow pinch running from home plate.
  • A double base (commonly referred to as a ‘safety base’) MUST be used for first base. The defensive player may only use the white portion of the base at all times. The batter must use the orange portion of the base, if there is a play at first base. If either player touches the wrong portion of the base, & there is a play at first, then the runner is safe, if the defensive player touches the orange portion of the base or
    the runner is out if they touch the white portion of the base.
  • NOTE: If there is no play at first base, then the runner has the right to the white portion of the base & the first baseperson is required to remain out of the way for the batter/runner to round the white base toward second. If the first baseperson remains on the white portion of the bag, with no play at first, the interference rule would be in force, as with normal softball rules at any base, or along the baseline. For “tag up” plays, the white portion of the base is used by the runner. Once a runner is safely at first, they become a “runner” & the orange bag is not part of the base for tagging purposes. (i.e., if the runner tags up on a fly ball, & the runner at first is in contact with only the orange portion of the bag, they are not in contact with first base & can be tagged out.
  • Tick or Foul Ball: On a caught foul tick, the ball must simply be caught for it to be called “Out” (no height requirement). On a third strike, if the ball is hit foul, the batter will be out. Note: If the ball is caught in foul territory, the runners may tag up as if on any caught fly ball, and advance at their own risk. The batter must drop the bat after hitting the ball. The bat cannot be thrown or the batter shall be called out. (Throwing, in a controlled fashion toward the player’s team dugout or bat area shall be allowed).
  • Infield Fly: An “infield fly” is a fair ball (not including a line drive) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second & third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher or any outfielder who positions themselves in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.” The ball is alive & runners may advance, at the risk of the ball being caught or they may retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.
  • Out of Play: The “out of play” line would be an imaginary line, parallel to the base line, even with the backstop. (Imagine the backstop continued out, in a straight line, parallel to the base line). Any pop fly, caught outside of the “out of play” line, is a dead ball & no out would be registered. The hit would count as a strike & play would resume. Teams can agree to extend the “out of play” line, but only at the beginning of the game & only if both teams agree, prior to the beginning of play.
  • Commitment Line: Any base runner with one foot over the commitment line (placed ½ way between third base & home plate), must proceed home. This is a forced play. The catcher must have a foot on home plate for the out at third. There is no tagging allowed at home plate or after the commitment line.
  • Safe Line: Base runners must run for the safe line which is a line drawn in foul territory starting at the front corner of home plate closest to third base & perpendicular to the third base line. Base runners are not to touch the base, or mat.
  • The base runner must give the fielder and ball the right of way. The runner cannot touch the batted ball unless he/she is in contact with a base. The runner cannot touch the fielder if he/she has a legitimate chance to play the ball. Should the runner come in contact with the batted ball (as stipulated above), or the fielder with the ball, the runner is out. A runner will not be counted out as a result of contact with a thrown ball.
  • The rover must play outside of the infield.

Pitching 

  • The minimum arc of a pitch is 6’ with a maximum arc of 12’. If there is a dispute about a quick pitch or the arc of a pitch, it should be resolved by the captains and the umpire.
  • Pitchers are allowed to take 1 step off the rubber of pitching point agreed upon, when delivering a pitch. The pitch must be underhanded with no side or windmill pitching allowed. The ball must hit the MAT OR HOME PLATE to be considered a strike. (The edge of each, counting as a strike).

Umpires

  • Each team will supply an umpire during their at bats.
  • The umpire is to be treated with the same respect as a professional official should receive.
  • Discrepancies during the game. A team rep (captain or coach) of each team and the umpire will discuss the issue and decide what ruling shall apply or whether the situation should be replayed.
  • Two (2) umpires will work each of the A and B division final play‑off games.

Scoring and Reporting 

  • Points: Standing are based on win percent. Ties are awarded ½ of a win. Tie breaker in standings Win % > Head-to-Head > Run Differential.
  • Game Reporting and Score sheet line ups: Both teams shall put the first initial and the last name (or first name & last initial) of each player on the batting order. The winning team is responsible for emailing both teams’ game sheets to the statistician at eispa.stats@gmail.com .
  • If the game has been rained out or are re-scheduled, the statistician must also be made aware of this within 1 week of the scheduled game so as not to be penalized. If the statistician is not informed of the results or game status within 72 hours of the original scheduled game, both teams will receive 0 points. If a team forfeits, the score will be recorded as 7-0. 
  • Re-ceding will be completed halfway through the regular season and heading into playoffs. .

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Votes

  • At the end of each game, teams will select one male & one female player from the opposing team as their choice for Most Valuable Players. This information should be included with the score sheets and submitted to the statistician. MVP’s will be tracked and a prize will be awarded at the year‑end tournament.

Administrative

  • League Fees: 2025 League fees are $1000 per team and will include the cost for the May “kick‑off tournament” and the year‑end play‑off tournament.
  • League Executive: In the event that vacancies on the league executive cannot be filled, the winning team from the previous year will be required to supply a representative. “The winning team” would be the team that wins the “A” division championship during the play‑offs. In the event that this team is not returning to the league, the “runner up” team would then be considered the winning team & be required to supply the executive member.

Complaint Process

  • Complaints are to be made, in writing, to the EISPA (contact sheet to be provided). These will be reviewed by the grievance board which will consist of the league executive and up to five (5) team reps from the league. Decisions reached by the grievance board are final.