Downtown Baseball League reserves the right to change these rules at our sole discretion. 

1. Official Game = 8 innings or 1 hour 25 minutes.
2. Bases are placed roughly 65 feet apart. 
3. Min. number of players on the field = 7; Max. number of players on the field = 9 (excluding pitcher).
4. In the case of a shortened game (e.g. bad weather) the game counts as long as 4 innings were played. If the home team is winning in the bottom of the 4th when play is stopped, then the game still counts.
5. Games that are cancelled due to bad weather will be attempted to be re-scheduled, but we cannot guarantee it. Games may be rescheduled during an off week. 
6. If the home team is winning after the top of the 8th, the game is over. Teams may play for fun for the bottom of the 8th but in terms of reporting the score, it is reported as the score at the top of the 8th.
7. Teams must have a minimum of 3 players of each gender on the field at all times. If a team is short a female player, when the space for the missing female comes up in the batting line up, it will be counted as an out. The auto-out can be replaced by an at-bat of most recently out female player (if not on base) at the discretion of both teams before the start of the game. If less than 3 females on the field, they will need to play one (or two) player short in the field.  Please confirm with your other captain if you are short female players before the first pitch. 
8. If the game does not begin 15 minutes after the scheduled start time due to lack of players from one team then the other team wins the game by default. A minimum of 7 Players is required to consider eligible to play. 
9. There must be a minimum of 1 female at bat for every 2 men at bat (even if a woman bats twice in the same order). However, if there are more females than a 2:1 ratio, the team should follow a standard batting order with no more than 2 males in a row. Everyone on the team has to bat before a male bats for the 2nd time.
10. 8 run mercy rule per inning, no maximum in 8th inning.
11. No stealing or leadoffs - on a swing and miss, no more than one step is allowed. You can not leave the base until the ball hits the batter's bat. 
12. No sliding under any circumstances. Anyone sliding will be called out.
13. Team captains should flip a coin or rock-and-scissors to determine which team takes the field first.
14. The pitcher, and with assistance from base coaches, should call outs at bases. In addition, the catcher should call fair/foul balls as they have the best view. The pitcher is responsible for calling outs at 2nd base and home plate. (Note: Should base coaches be unavailable, the pitcher will call all outs at each base and home plate). Ties at bases go to the runner. 
15. Same team pitches to their own players. A maximum of 3 pitches per batter. (There is no minimum distance the pitcher must stand from home plate. Use common sense and a safe distance to avoid injury).
16. There is no minimum distance for a batted ball to count as live (e.g. if a batted ball does not reach the pitcher, it is still a live ball) as long as it is a full swing.
17. Since there is no minimum distance for a batted ball, there is no minimum distance for the infielders to start. (i.e. they do not have to be behind the baseline)
18. If a batted ball hits the pitcher, it is not counted as a pitch. It is a dead ball, any baserunners must return to their original bases.
19. A team is allowed to use a pitching screen if they wish. However, the screen should be brought down to the ground when the ball is in play to avoid interference. The ball hitting the screen is just treated the same as if it hit the pitcher.
20. There can only be four players defending in the infield (1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman and Shortstop), with at least two infielders completely on either side of second base. Any rovers must play in the outfield, and cannot enter the infield until the ball has been hit.
21. To avoid collisions, runners must tag the safety base at first base, and cannot touch the home plate (runners must run past home plate). To get a runner out at home plate, the catcher must have the ball and one foot on home plate before the runner crosses the extended line passing from the 1st base line past home plate. If the runner touches home plate, it is an out.
22. Fielders cannot block the base path from oncoming runners. If a fielder is in the base path and not making a play on the ball, the runner will automatically be rewarded the next base.
23. A commitment line will be marked between 3rd base and home plate. Once the base runner has passed the line they must continue on to home.
24. Remember the point of the game is to have fun. If there are any questions as to the rules, please work them out between the team captains in the spirit of good sportsmanship. You can contact the league commisioner in the case of a disagreement that cannot be settled. Continue playing the game, and note any issues for the league commisioner after your game. 
25. Baserunners cannot interfere with live batted balls and should make every effort to avoid live balls. If they are hit with a live ball, unless they are on their base,  they are out. It is considered to be one of the three pitches for the batter, and a dead ball. 
26. All bats must be ASA, ISF or USSSA approved. If a batter uses an illegal bat, they will be called out and any base-runners must return to where they started at the beginning of the at-bat.
27. Pinch runners and courtesy runners are allowed in our leagues. However, they must be the last person to get out of the same gender. Pinch runners can start from home plate (safely away from the batter). The batter does not have to make it first base before a pinch runner is used. 
28. For a foul pop up to the catcher, the ball must go a minimum of 10 feet (as high as the backstop) for the catch to count as an out. If it is below 10 feet, it is a pitch.
29. Playoff games cannot end in a tie. If a playoff game is tied after 7 innings, please play extra inning(s) until a winner is determined. (Please do this quickly as there may be games scheduled after yours).
30. There can be a maximum of 2 out of the park home runs in each inning. Out-of-the-park Home Runs above the 2 HR limit count as outs. 

As per City of Toronto regulations - there's is no alcohol permitted on the diamond.

​​​​​​​There is absolutely no tolerance for abusive play, discrimination, harrasement, racism, sexism, or bad sportsmanship. 
Any players exhibiting these characteristics will be reprimanded and may be asked to leave the league. 

Please contact the League Comissioner with any questions or concerns with our league rules at info@downtownsoftball.ca
In our league - positive vibes only! No tolerance for hate, violence, or bad sportsmanship.  All skilsets are welcome.