League Information

NSU General Information

Format The Game Safety Rules

Format

There are 10 people permitted on the field (7 Males and 3 Females)
There are to be no more than 7 males on the field at any one time
Teams are permitted to play with more than 3 females
Teams are permitted to play with at least 2 females BUT will require to take an auto out and be allowed to play with 9 people
The minimum number of players on the field is 8 people
A full game is 9 innings, a mercy can result after 7 innings if one team has +15 runs, a game can be considered complete after 5 innings if it is unsafe to continue playing.
The Current Softball used for 2022 is a Grey Dot

The Game

The pitch count is 3 Balls, 2 Strikes and 1 courtesy foul
A batter will receive a walk if they obtain 3 balls before their final strike.
If a male batter (followed by a female batter) walks 3 balls and no strikes the male batter goes to second and the female batter has the OPTION to go to first or to hit. A walk with a strike results in a walk to first base only and the next batter must hit.
Pitchers must remain within the pitching circle (as outlined on each field) until the ball is contacted by the batter. This helps to aid in potential injuries for pitchers
The Minimum height the pitch must be thrown is 6 ft (as best judged by the home plate umpire)
The Maximum height for males is Unlimited (no specified height) and 12 ft for females (as best judged by the home plate umpire)
Bunting is permitted for female players only
On Deck Batters must present themselves to the pitcher prior to the batter in front of them
Any base player (1st, 2nd, Shortstop, 3rd) can tag a runner as long a they have not crossed the commitment line between 3rd and home plate

Safety Rules

Runners running to first MUST tag the orange safety bag if they are not going to advance to second. This keeps the runner and first basemen safe.
Runners running between bags are not permitted to interfere with the ball and must allow the fielder to play the ball
Runners running from 3rd base to home MUST NOT touch home plate. If the runner touches home plate they will be called out.
Once the commitment line is crossed (as chalked on the field between 3rd base and home plate) the runner must advance to the home plate safe line (as chalked on the field)

Current Fields

Fields for Games

Slovak

Complex

North End

Extra Practice Fields:

Rules & Regulations

NSU House Rules

NSU Fines

Deposit system:

Each team is required to pay a $100 fine deposit, which is rolled into league fee payments for the season. The remaining balance of the fine deposit will be returned to the team at the year end banquet.

If a team exceeds the fine deposit total, they will be required to pay an additional $50 fine deposit due at the next installment.

If it is after the final installment, they will be required to pay the outstanding fine balance before they receive tournament winnings or banquet tickets.

Fineable offences & dollar amounts:

$25 fine for failure to supply an ump at a tournament game/playoff game
$50 fine for dropping out of a tournament after the deadline. The tournament deadline is the tournament draw (no fine for dropping out before the draw) adammace04@gmail.com
$50 fine for forfeiting a regular season game after the 1pm deadline of day of game. Possible discipline after three (3) forfeited regular season games.

SPN Rule Book

Bat Regulations

Covid 19 Regulations

NSU is required to follow the City of Thunder Bay and Ontario provincial regulations for Covid 19.
The expectation is that each NSU team remains vigilant and up to date with Covid 19 protocols in order to ensure the safety of each player and their families.
If there are any questions regarding these guidelines please contact a member of the executive.

Some tips for staying safe at softball:

STAY HOME if you have any symptoms or feel “under the weather”
Using personal equipment only such as bats, batting gloves and gloves.
Use disinfectant wipes to wipe bats down between each player
Maintain social distancing while in the dugouts or on the side lines

Weather

Field Locations