RULES AND REGULATIONS
There are several rules that the DSL has implemented which differ from the ISF, ASA, and/or NSA. These rules have purpose and have been voted on and approved by league captains. Please be aware of the following DSL rules and notices:
1. No sliding; a base runner may not slide into a base or back to a base (automatic out).
2. No diving; a baserunner may not dive into a base (automatic out). HOWEVER, a dive back to the base will be allowed to avoid collisions and/or a ball to the head.
3. Bunting is NOT ALLOWED. However, unless it is blatant, we will play on. Captains and teammates should discourage bunting at all times.
4. No stealing (automatic out). The ball must be hit for a runner to advance.
​
5. No lead-offs. One foot must remain on the bag at all times when you are on base. If you step off the bag after a batter swings you WILL NOT be called out unless it is a BLATANT head start towards the next base.
6. No touching home plate if there will be a play at home plate (a runner should cross the safety line away from the catcher). The runner MUST touch the safety bag and the catcher MUST touch home plate. If the catcher tags or interferes with the runner, the runner is SAFE. If the runner interferes with the catcher, the runner is OUT.
7. No blocking the base path when a runner is on the base or advancing to the next base. If the runner is interfered with, they will be awarded the next base without being called out.
​
8. There is a safety net for the pitchers. If the net is hit by the ball off the bat, it is a dead ball. It counts as a pitch, but IS NOT a strike. Once the ball is in play, the net becomes in play. The batter will be out if they hit the net on their 5th (4th on double-header days) pitch.
​
9. Runners must run in a straight line to bases (and safety bases) and not move away from the baseline. The runner is given a few feet of grace, but if the runner is far off the baseline, they will be called out.
​
10. A pinch runner may be used, but it must be the LAST OUT, unless the other captain agrees to allow a different runner. If the last out is already on base, the team should choose the next player that was out last. You may only use a pinch runner for an injured player and it must be agreed upon by the other captain.
​
11. No arguing with the umpires. All umpires must be attentive to the game being played. All issues will be discussed with the captain(s) and ump(s).
12. You will pitch to your own team. If the pitcher purposely touches the ball or obstructs the defence in any way, it will be an automatic out. There is a maximum of five (5) pitches per batter. If the pitcher is accidentally hit by the ball, the penalty is one strike to the batter. If the batter has two strikes and hits the pitcher, the batter will be out.
​
13. On double-header days the league will move to 4 pitches. This is to speed up the length of the games because time is limited. Games will also move to 4 pitches if one team is leading by 10 or more runs after the home half of an inning.
​14. When a batter is up to bat, the infielders must stay at the baseline until the ball is hit. After the ball is hit, the infielders can move anywhere to field the ball.
15. Outfielders (RF, CF, and LF) must start behind the demarcation line (cones) until the ball is hit. Rovers are free to move in or out. The rover line is set at 30 paces from the end of the infield.
16. On an overthrow to any base, the ball is live unless it goes ‘out-of-play’ (umpires will explain what is ‘out-of-play’ at each venue). If you choose to run on an overthrow that is ‘in-play’, the defence can tag you at the base you are advancing to and you will be out. You can only advance one (1) base on an overthrow that goes ‘out-of-play’.
​
17. If a ball is hit to the outfield and the ball becomes unplayable (rolls under the fence or stuck in the grass) the batter will be awarded a double. The defender must put BOTH HANDS in the air to notify the umpire that the ball is unplayable. If the ball is knocked out of play by the defender, the runner will be awarded third base. If the defender tries to take advantage of the rule the umpire may reward the runner with a homerun.
​
18. The league plays with 2 different balls. A yellow ball for the men and a white ball for the women. If a pitcher throws the wrong ball, it is considered a dead ball and no pitch is counted. All men must hit yellow balls and women hit the white balls. There will be no exceptions.
​
19. We will play seven (7) innings. Maximum of five (5) runs allowed per inning. The 7th inning will be open (open means that each team can score as many runs as they can until their third out).
20. Games must start on time or they will be ended early. Each team has 1½ hours to complete a game.
21. Please arrive on time for your game! IT IS IMPORTANT WE START ON TIME!!! Field time is always difficult to get, so being early helps us start on time!
22. If it is pouring rain the game(s) will be cancelled. Your team captain will be in touch with you regarding delays and/or cancellations.
​
23. PLAYOFF TIE-BREAKER
1 - Head to Head
2 - Head to Head run differential
3 - Overall run differential
​