GAME Rules and procedures

All CISA games will play by the Softball Canada Rule book, unless otherwise stated in the CISA rules.

Start times

• Double Header Game 1: 6:15 PM
• Double Header Game 2: 8:00 PM

Note: A maximum of 10 minutes past the usual start time is allowed for a team to field the required number of players. The game time limit does not change and the game is deemed to have started at the beginning of the grace period. A team unable to field a team will forfeit the game.

Game time limits

Regular season

• Single games: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Double Headers: no new inning to start after 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Playoff games: 1 hour 40 minutes

Note: Regular season games called due to darkness or rain will be considered a complete game if 3 innings have been completed and/or the home team is winning after 2 ½ innings.

Note: Playoff games called due to darkness or rain will be considered a complete game if 5 innings have been completed and/or the home team is winning after 4 ½ innings.

An incomplete game will be rescheduled and replayed as a complete game and a new line-up card is required.  Unless both teams agree to continue the current game as is.

Number of players

A team must field a minimum of 8 players. If a ninth player arrives, they are inserted into the 9th position in the batting order. If the 9th position is due to bat and no player is available, the team will take an automatic out. In the event that a team starts with 9 players, and is reduced to 8 for any reason, the game continues with the automatic out applied to the vacated spot in the batting order.

Automatic out for the missing 9th player does not apply to the Women's division.

Speed of game 

• Teams are required to take the field immediately following the plate conference.
• Warm-up pitches:
  • New pitcher – 5 pitches
  • Returning pitcher – 3 pitches

Weather conditions

• Unless a league official has notified you of a cancellation via phone or email, the teams must go to the scheduled games.

Equipment rules

• are as per the Softball Canada rulebook with the exception that bats showing the current USSSA stamp will also be allowed provided they are not on the USSSA "Withdrawn and/or non-compliant" list.

Schedule – format and games (Regular season and Playoffs)

• The schedule will ensure that all teams have a minimum of 16 games (2019 AGM) for the regular season.
• Rainouts will not be rescheduled unless a team has played less than the minimum number of games above.
• Playoff format and team qualifying will be determined by the league executive on an annual basis considering number of teams, number of divisions, length of season and diamond availability

Discipline Committee Policy

• Any incidents of a disciplinary nature will be reviewed by the discipline committee (see Terms of Reference)
• A player, coach or manager who is ejected from a game is automatically suspended from the next regularly scheduled game for the first ejection.
• The automatic suspension increases to two games for the second ejection, and a third ejection within the same season carries an indefinite suspension pending a decision by the discipline committee.
• In addition to the automatic suspensions, any suspension may be extended at the discretion of the discipline committee. 
• Fines will also be applied to the team's performance bond. See league fines at the bottom of this page.
• Any suspensions also disqualify that player from playing as a pickup player for another CISA team until the full suspension is served

Crawford's Fields Park Rules

• Warm up activities are not permitted in the bleacher/spectator area.
• Refreshments consumed at the diamond must be in cans only. No bottles allowed.
• Consuming alcohol in the parking lot is illegal and prohibited by law.
• All pets in the park must be on a leash and not left unattended. The pet owner is responsible for control of the pet at all times.

Uniforms and Equipment

• All players must have a numbered uniform jersey or be subject to a fine up to $25 at the discretion of the Division VP.
• Metal cleats are not allowed in the women’s division.

Player Eligibility and Rosters

• All players must be added to RAMP registrations
• Additions or deletions until June 30th should be updated through VP Men or VP Women as appropriate.
• Final rosters to be handed in by June 1st with a maximum of 21 players.
• Additions to the roster after the deadline will require a letter to the appropriate VP. Approval will be granted based on agreement from representatives from teams in the affected division.
• During regular season, teams may use “pickup” players from other teams within their division, a lower division, or one division higher
• Note: this means C teams can recruit from B teams, but not from A teams. This limit is determined by the higher division team in an inter-division matchup. So if a C team is playing a B team, either team could pick up an A player
• Special lineup rules for pickup players who are playing down a division: (these only apply when the player is registered on a team in a higher division)
  • Pickup players cannot pitch
  • Pickup players must hit in the bottom of the batting order
  • Pickup players are not allowed to be in the game if there is an available healthy player who is on the roster of the team that is playing the game (exception is a pickup catcher can play if there is no catcher on the team available even if other players are on the bench). Note: this means that teams must use their own players when possible

Playoff Eligibility

• Players must be listed on an approved roster and have played a minimum of 5 games in the regular season to be eligible for playoffs. Any requests for exceptions to this rule must be made in advance through the division rep.

League Fines

• Game forfeit (Unable to field a team with less than 24 hours notice) - $50/game, to be credited to the opposing teams fees for the following season.
• Player suspension - 1st suspension $50, 2nd suspension $100, 3rd suspension $150.
• Failure for representation at required diamond clean up day: $50 per player missing (2 required)

Note: all fines will be deducted from the performance bond. If a team exceeds the $200.00 bond, they are required to post an additional $200 prior to the next scheduled game, or a forfeit will result.