COED 35+

We are in the process of developing this new division.  As we do not have a formal league just yet our plans are to arrange exhibition games and possibly a mini season for 2024.

Please email coed35@esspa.ca to reach our coordinator if you wish to participate in any upcoming games or events for this division.  

COED 35+ Information

Coed 35+ Team Division Rules - 2024

*** Under Review as we transition to NSA format.

COED 35+ RULES & NSA EXCEPTIONS

Game times are 6.15 & 7.30 May until August

H1.  PARTICIPATION

The Coed 35+ Division is a 7 and 3 format with all players being 35 years or older.

Player participation will be at the Coed Coordinators discretion in discussion with the Team Leaders.

H2.  SPARE/ SUBSTITUTE PLAYERS

2.1 Any player, duly registered with ESSPA in the Mens Division that is aged 50 or over can be used as a spare for league play. They can replace the missing player’s position or catch but must bat at the bottom of the order.

2.2 Any Division 1 player can substitute. They can replace the missing player’s position or catch but must bat at the bottom of the order.

2.2a Any Women’s player can substitute.  They can replace the missing player’s position or catch but must bat at the bottom of the order.

2.3 Division Spares: You can have unlimited number of women in play, but can’t exceed 7 men on the field at any time. The intent is to have 3 woman on the field at all times, if you are short, the position must be left empty, unless the opposing team is willing to provide a female player.  If the position is left empty it is an automatic out.

 2.4 Spares are allowed in Playoffs if they are registered with ESSPA and have paid the spare fee.  Eligible Playoff Spares can play any position but must bat at the bottom of the order.

2.5 GUEST PLAYERS.

This year there is no fee for a Guest Player to play a maximum of 3 games per team during the season. However, the player registration form must be completed and accepted by a Board Member well in advance of the game being played. They are not allowed in playoff games.

H3.  TAGGING AT HOME

SPN Rule 8 Section 14 D - NO tagging at home.

A run is scored at home by crossing a safe line that will be drawn at the bottom of the plate in alignment to first base line to the first base line from home plate to the fence. (The additional base near home will not be used.)

H4. BASERUNNING

H4.1 There shall not be any sliding at 1st Base. There is a safe base for the batter to step on, therefore, no sliding or contact with the first baseman is permitted.

H4.2 Players are reminded to incorporate safety considerations when base running. In double play situations it is the lead runner's responsibility to not interfere with the most likely line of path of the ensuing throw. If you are not sliding / diving, it is your responsibility to veer out of the way asap. It is not recommended that you 'stay tall'. Putting your hands in front of you to 'protect yourself' is likely an indication that you should have done something more respectful, much sooner.

See SPN Rule 8, Sec. 4J for consequences.

If this interference is an obvious attempt to prevent a double play, the base runner closest to home plate shall also be called out.

H4.3 There is no anticipation, contact must be made prior to leaving a base. If a runner leaves his base during a pitch and the batter does not make contact with the ball, the runner is out.

H4.3a In co-ed if a male is walked while a female is on deck then the male gets a double; no exceptions. 

H5.  MINIMUM PLAYERS Rule 5, SEC 1 & SEC 3A 

In order for a game to be official, a team can start and/or complete a game with a minimum of 8 roster players and 9 players in total. Otherwise, the game is a forfeit, and the score is to be recorded as 7-0.   If you are short a woman that position is an auto out.

H6.  LINEUP CARD   Rule 5, SEC. 3 D

Although potential spares and substitutes would normally be included on the lineup card and score sheet, a spare's name can be added to the lineup card at any time.

Every player bats.  

Regular roster players names should always appear on the lineup card shared with the opposing team prior to the game start but can be added at any time during the game to the bottom of the batting lineup or used as a substitute.  The designation of 'Substitute' or 'Adding to the bottom of the Batting Lineup' should be declared asap after a player arrives.  Spare players retain their spot in the batting lineup when a late player is added to the bottom of the batting lineup. Teams will be required to submit rosters to the co-ordinator within two weeks of league play, these will be the only players allowed in playoffs, unless approved by coordinator prior due to injuries only.

H7.  GAME START   Rule 4, SEC. 3

THE START OF THE GAME is the point in time when the teams have exchanged lineups. Home team is pre-determined as per schedule. No new innings to start after 7:35.

H8.  HOME RUN LIMIT 

The limit for home runs for Coed shall be 2 plus one. In other words, once both teams have 2 home runs, either team can hit another, back and forth. Any home run hit after the limit is an auto out.

Over-the-fence home runs are walk offs.  The batter and any baserunners do not have to proceed to the next base. 

H9.  COURTESY RUNNERS

9.1 A courtesy runner must be the last out or last available player in the lineup and must be same sex. Or in other words the courtesy runner must be the player furthest away from the batter in the lineup that is not on base.

9.2 If you are using a courtesy runner, it is assumed that you will, pitch, play first base or catch for the remainder of the game or just bat.

9.3 If you are starting a game with an injury, it must be reported to the other Team Leader before the game and a courtesy runner must be used for the entire game from home plate. If you are injured during the game and require a courtesy runner, then you must have a courtesy runner from Home for the remainder of the game.  It is understood that that the intent of the rule is to allow a healing player to keep playing and minimize the chance of aggravating an injury. 

In the case of a runner from home plate the umpire will make a starting line 2 meters behind the extension of the 3rd base foul line.

9.4 Any player that has received a courtesy runner cannot run for any other player in the game.

H10 BAT TESTING

Bats must have the USSSA Thumb Print 1.20 stamp or current USSSA stamping. Check with the Coed Coordinator if in doubt.

10.1 Use of illegal bat - During regular season play the player and coach will be removed from that game and those positions become auto outs as a result of the infraction. 

 10.2 Use of altered/illegal bat - During Playoffs the player and the coach are suspended from the league for the remainder of the season as per the SPN rule book.

H11 UMPIRE REMOVAL of Player or Coach

The 1st time a player is ejected it will be for the remainder of the game being played. The Division Coordinator must be notified immediately of reason for removal. No additional discipline will be applied. 

The 2nd time a player is ejected from a game it will be for the remainder of that game and an additional 3 league games. The player may appeal to the league committee (a team representative from each of the other teams. Minimum of 3 forms a quorum) only if the player's coach supports the player. The coach, the player and umpires(s) must submit a written statement to the Coed Teams Division Coordinator within 2 league playing days. The committee must make a decision within 2 league playing days after receiving the appeal. If the Division Coordinator’s team is directly involved in the appeal, they are omitted from the decision process. If the appeal is denied the 3-game suspension is upheld.  Any appeals or more serious breaches of the code of conduct will go to the discipline committee.  This committee is made up of all of the division coordinators and the Vice President.  Their decision will be considered final by the board.

H12 MERCY RULE

There is no Mercy Rule in the Coed Division. 5 runs per inning with 7^th inning open or last inning in case of time restraints.

H13 GRACE PERIOD 

A team will forfeit a game by a score of 7-0 if it cannot field a team within 10 minutes of the scheduled starting time.

H14: SLOW GAME

No inning shall start within 10 minutes of the next scheduled game time. The use of the flip flop rule makes sense for all early games as it can save a lot of time. How this works is that anytime that the home team is down more than 7 runs in the last inning of play, they take their normal turn then they take another turn at bat in an attempt to tie or go ahead. If they happen to take the lead then the visitors take their bat to complete the game.whenever the home team is behind by more than seven runs. Teams should use this whenever a time restraint is a factor.

H15:  Ladies have the option of hitting the small ball as per most mixed leagues.