RULES

Bulldog Slo-Pitch League Rules 

(Updated April 29th, 2025)

Team Rules and Standards

 

• Ten players will field at a time – a minimum of 4 females MUST always be on the field
• Home and away teams are outlined on the weekly emailed schedule
  • Home team fields first 
  • Away team bats first
  • If the home team does not immediately take the field when the umpire announces for the home team to take the field, the visiting team will gain home team advantage and may take the field
  • If at gametime a team is short players, they must start in the field with a minimum of 8 fielders with a minimum 3 females on the field. If players have yet to arrive when it is their turn to bat, they will be an automatic out every time until they arrive.
  • Any team that does not have a minimum of 8 females and a minimum of 8 players, that team will forfeit the game and league organizers will organize a scrimmage for those in attendance

• The length of the game is 8 innings OR no new inning after 75 minutes
• 5 run max per inning, last inning is an open inning - time permitting 
  • If the limit of time hits, the game will revert to the last full inning played 
• Sub players will be provided ONLY by the league to ensure teams are balanced to the best integrity of the league
• If a player gets injured during the game and must stop playing, the player gets scratched. 
• If removing a player due to injury causes three males to bat in a row, the third male to bat will be an auto out - For fielding, the team must play with 9 players (no more than 6 males on the field at a time)
• The three fielding ladies must play a position other than catch 

 

Batting

• A male batter will hit the 12” ball and a female batter will get the option to hit either the 11” or 12” ball
• Count – 4 balls and 3 strikes
  • If a batter fouls on their third strike they are considered out
• No more than 2 males will bat in a row.
  • If a male gets walked with any count and a female is up to bat after him, he goes to second base and the female has the option to walk or hit (encouraged to hit)
• If a batter throws their bat after hitting, the umpire will give them a warning then may deem them out

 

Base Running

• No leading off
• When a bat is swung a base runner can anticipate one step
• When a fly ball is hit, players tag up from first initial contact of the ball and then may advance
  • Ex: If a player bobbles a ball, the runner may advance after the fielders first initial contact of the ball
• If a ball if overthrown out of play from the outfield, runners advance two bases
• If a ball is overthrown out of play from the infield, runners advance one base
• Players that are not attempting to advance to second base must run through the safety bag (orange)
• When scoring a run, you need to cross the safety line. If a player touches the mat they will be called out. The catcher cannot tag the runner after the runner crosses the commitment line, they must have the ball and be in contact with the wooden plate to make the out.

 

Home Runs

• 2 home runs (+1) (over the fence) for each team
  • Once both teams have reached the home run limit, another home run is allowed for each team, limit by 1. If any team goes over the limit, that home run will not be scored and will count as an OUT.

Courtesy Runners

• Each team is entitled to 4 courtesy runners
  • A batter cannot go past second base then request a courtesy runner
  • Male for male and female for female - can be anyone
• Each team can allocate one Injury Runner for a player – *must let the opposing team and umpire know prior to the start of the game*
  • This IR Player must get to first base on their own. After they make it to first, an injury runner can sub in for them (any runner of the same gender may run). Injury runners cannot advance past first base, unless the ball is thrown out of bounds. The IR player is then listed as IR for the remainder of the game.
  • Injury runners will not take from your 4 courtesy runners.
  • There will be no runners from the fence

 

Fielding

• No metal cleats allowed, only rubber cleats
• Pitchers MUST wear a pitching mask
• Pitches no less than 6ft. no more than 10ft.
• Out Fielders cannot make an out at first base
  • If the ball is thrown to make an out the runner is awarded second base
• You may not relay to first base
• First baseman must make the play from the white bag (or tag) and leave the safety bag for the runners

 

Sliding

• Players can slide into first, second and third base
• Sliding is not allowed at home plate

 

Playoff Tiebreakers

1. Head-to-Head (only if 2 teams are tied)
2. Lowest runs against (this is for all teams tied does not revert to H-H)
3. Coin Flip
4. During a playoff game, if the game is tied at the end of regulation, teams will play an extra inning. The last player that was out will start at second base, with one out to start the extra inning. This will continue until there is no longer a tie after a full inning is played out.

 

Warnings and Suspensions

• Threatening of other players and umpires will not be tolerated
• A warning may be issued by the umpire or immediate ejection
• Ejections from the game will be reported to the league and further disciplinary action will occur

 

Smoking/Drinking

• Smoking is not permitted less than 50ft. of the diamond
• Drinking is not permitted – please have your beverages in a cup

 

Playing Field

• First and third bases from home plate are set at 65ft. and second is set at 92ft. from home plate
• Commitment line – a line 10ft. before the scoring line. After a player passes that line, they must attempt to score and cannot run back to the base.
• Scoring line – a line parallel to the plate, for the runner to be safe they must pass the line with at least one foot on the ground. The runner will be called out if they touch the wooden plate.
• Pitching mound – between 50ft. and 60ft. from home plate