Division #1

Div 1 Information (Hansen)

Division #1 RULES

2023 SEASON

The following rules have been adopted by (ESSPA) Hansen Division.

1. BATS: Legal bats as mandated in previous seasons, remain the same.
2. UNIFORMS: ALL players MUST wear the same uniform (colour) Tee as provided by the league. NO tee, NO play. SPN Rule 2, Sect 9 (note similar colour tees can be worn as a minimum).
3. WALKS: If a male batter is walked, intentional or otherwise with FOUR straight balls, and if a female follows that male batter, the male batter will be awarded second base and the female must bat. If the female batter is not occupying the on-deck circle at the time of the walk, the male batter is awarded first base only. SPN Rule 8, Sect 1(3)
4. FIVE RUN RULE: (vs. 6 run as per SPN Rule 4, Sec 4(F))
5. 5. MERCY RULE: 12 runs after FIVE innings. SPN Rule 4, Sect 4(E)
6. MINIMUM PLAYERS: Our previous rules for numbers, unlimited batters, injury rule, etc. remain the same. For an open injury, bleeding must be stopped before a player can continue. SPN Rule 5, Sec 8. A player removed due to injury does not result in an automatic out when their turn to bat comes around. An injured base runner can be replaced immediately by the previous batter (not on base) with no penalty.
7. LEAD OFFS: There will be no lead offs by base runners. A base runner can only come off the base after the bat makes contact with the ball. A base runner who comes off the base prior to this contact is automatically Out unless time has been called by the umpire.
8. TAGGING AT HOME PLATE: Not allowed after the runner completely crosses the commitment line.
9. COURTESY RUNNERS: A player used as a courtesy runner must be the last available batter (lady or man) on the team whether as a baserunner or runner from home. A base runner can be “courtesied” any number of times.   
10. FROM HOME: An injured player requiring a courtesy runner from home is to be identified to the opposing team prior to the start of the game. The courtesy runner (last available batter) whether advanced by a hit ball or walk can only run as far as first base and must remain on first base until advanced by the next batter. If the injured player is playing defensively, he/she can only play in the catcher or pitcher position.

A(1) NOTE: The walk rule still applies. If a home run is hit or an overthrow occurs at any base, the courtesy runner must still stop at first base. All preceding runners can advance at their own peril on all hit balls or overthrows.

10. STRIKE MAT - BATTER'S AREA - ON DECK BATTER:
11. The STRIKE MAT is located within the BATTER'S AREA (formerly the batter's box). The strike mat is twenty-two inches wide and an appropriate length (3 feet) and is in its entirety, IN FAIR TERRITORY (SPN Rule 3, Sec 31);
12. The BATTER'S AREA (regardless of the markings on the pad on which the strike mat rests at our diamonds) extends three feet on either side of the of the strike mat for the length of the strike mat. A batter when taking their batting position must have at least one foot inside the batter's area. The batter IS OUT IF THE BAT CONTACTS THE BALL, fair or foul, when: either foot is in contact with the strike mat; either foot is completely within the twenty two inch area in front of or behind the strike mat; when both feet are outside the three foot area on either side of the strike mat; if the leading foot is completely behind the trailing edge of the strike mat; or, the trailing foot is completely in front of the leading edge of the strike mat. The batter will also be called out if, after a called ball/strike/or foul ball leaves the batter's area and takes longer than ten seconds to re-enter the batter's area when called to bat. SPN RULE 1, Sec 4; SPN Rule 3, Sec 11; SPN Rule 7, Sec 3; SPN Rule 7, Sec 3(I)
13. The ON DECK BATTER is the next batter in the batting order following the at-bat batter and must occupy the on- deck circle. When the on- deck batter is called to bat he or she has twenty seconds to enter the batter's area or will be called out. SPN Rule 7, Sec 3(I)

NOTE: There is no provision for a substitute player in the on- deck circle because the listed batter is absent.

1. D. The BATTER IS OUT if he enters the batter’s area with an illegal, non-approved or altered bat. Effect: Section 3A - The batter is out.  Only the batter will be ejected from the game. 
2. HOME RUN RULE: A team can have a maximum differential of two, over the fence, home runs. Each home run in excess of the differential will be allowed as a single only. All preceding base runners will advance one base only on the hit. Inside the fence home runs will NOT count against the differential nor will a home run (over the fence) that resulted from a defensive player deflecting the ball over the fence. SPN Rule 7, Sec 11
3. MISCELLANEOUS: It is incumbent upon team managers and coaches to:
4. Read and understand SPN rules; and additional rules that apply to the Hansen Division.
5. Allow only players who have a reasonable understanding of SPN rules, traditional understanding of the game in general and a sense of fair play to umpire.
6. Have a player or responsible non-player to maintain their score sheet and to keep their respective teams ready to bat and confirm scores after each half inning. Non-player score keepers must understand they have NO say in how the game is played outside of their respective dugouts. Please take a picture of your score sheet at the end of the game and email to the appropriate address.
7. Maintain order on their bench and ensure their team respects the other team, the umpires and their own team mates.

Additional Hansen Regular Season Rules 

• When fielding, a team is allowed to place 10 defenders on the
• The defensive team can only have a maximum of 8 male players on the field.
• All healthy team members are to be placed in the batting
• Team members who show up after a game has started are to be placed at the bottom of the batting order and if a spare was playing at the time the spare can continue to play.
• A team member injured during a game is to be removed from the batting order (no automatic out).
• Teams are allowed to play with 8 players.
• Spares, to a maximum of 3 players, may be recruited from either the Spare List, Brawner Division, Hansen Division, or the 45+ Women’s Division to ensure a team has a roster of 10 Spares will be placed at the bottom of the batting order. Note: Individuals who have registered only for the ESSPA Day League are not permitted to play as Spares but are allowed to play for a team as a Guest Player. The same spares shouldn’t be used continually on any one team to give others an opportunity to spare in the division.
• Guest players are allowed to play for a team even if that team already has enough players to set their 10-player roster provided players on that team vote in f Guest players are only allowed to play 2 games in the Division per season. A Guest player is to be placed at the bottom of the batting order behind the regular team members and, where applicable, any spares that have been recruited. Please review the Guest and Spare Policy and Forms on the ESSPA Website.
• Female batters have the option of choosing the small ball to hit. The umpire will announce to the defensive team that small ball is being used.
• For early games, no new inning can start after 7:20 p.m. unless agreed upon by the two coaches from the late game.
• The Hansen Division Coordinator will assign and track the dates for rained out games. This assignment will be based on a rain out date order approach; i.e., the two teams playing the first game that is rained out will be the first two teams assigned to play the next available date on the rain out schedule,

Playoffs

1.  No Guest players are allowed.

2.  No spares are allowed.

3.    A player must play a minimum of 6 complete games in order to be eligible to play in playoffs. 

4.  Umpires will be recruited from the Hansen Division.

5.  A double knockout playoff structure will be followed. Details will be distributed at playoff time.

All other playoff rules are the same as the regular season rules and will be reviewed with Selectors at a scheduled meeting before playoffs begin.

Updated April 26, 2023 

Pre-Season Hansen Meeting

The previous year’s Hansen Coordinator, the previous season’s Selectors and

all interested new Selectors will meet at least two weeks prior to the start of the season.

• To finalize the Hansen Selectors for the upcoming
• To elect the Hansen Division Coordinator for the upcoming season.
• To decide on the number of teams for the season; for scheduling purposes, every attempt will be made to have an even number of
• To set the draft order for the Selectors; - numbers will be picked “out of a hat” to determine the draft order. The draft order will follow the first to last and last to first approach.
• To decide on a date when (unless the board assigns dates) and a place where the draft will be
• To establish the Regular Season schedule including determining the number of non-recorded games to be played prior to games counting for points in the season standings and playoff
• To discuss other business as required.

Rating New Applicants to Hansen Division

• Selectors should attend Evaluation Camps (dates to be determined) to assess new players to the league.
• Knowledgeable members from Hirsch will be asked to rate prior Hirsch
• Knowledgeable members from Brawner will be asked to rate prior Brawner players requesting to play in
• Selectors will work together to properly rate all players based upon ball knowledge, foot speed, arm strength, batting power,
• New players will be evaluated by evaluators determined by the board and results sent to each division coordinator.

Miscellaneous Meetings

The Hansen Coordinator will call meetings as required throughout the season to discuss Division related business or issues that arise. For items that require team voting, each team gets one vote. The coordinator only votes to break a tie.

A meeting will also be held at the end of the season to prepare recommendations for the Board of Directors to consider for the following season.

Draft

1. Before the start of each season, the Hansen Coordinator will call a meeting of the previous seasons Selectors and any individuals who have expressed interest in being a Selector.

2. The previous year’s Selectors whose teams finished in the last 2 positions in the previous season will have their Selector eligibility “On the Line”. This means that their positions will be considered open for new Selector applicants who can apply for these two All applicants including the “On the Line” Selectors are encouraged to convince the Hansen Draft Committee that they are the best applicants.

3. If any of the previous year’s Selectors decide not to return as a Selector, their position will become open in lieu of the 2nd last place Selector from the previous

4. A vote will then take place to determine the Selectors for the upcoming season. The eligible voters will be the previous year’s Selectors whose teams did not finish in the last 2 positions in the standings for the previous season. In the event of a tie, the Hansen Coordinator will have the tie breaking vote. The potential new Selectors and the “On the Line” Selectors do not get a vote.

5. The successful Selectors will also be referred to as the team General Manager or

6. Before the draft is completed, the GM will select a Coach who will be rated.

7. The GM will remain in charge of all aspects of the team from the draft to the end of the playoffs.

8. The GM or a representative appointed by the GM will attend all Hansen Division meetings during the season.

9. The Rules Committee during the season will consist of the GM or a representative appointed by the GM. In the case of voting related to rules, each team (GM or appointed representative) gets 1

10. Each team will draft a minimum of 12 players (no maximum).

11. Selectors will be rated and placed in the appropriate round of the draft.

12. There will be a minimum of 3 female players (no maximum) drafted by each team.

13. For couples who have indicated at registration that they want to play together, when one of the couples is selected, the other of the couple is to be allocated to a draft round agreeable to the rest of the Selectors.

14. A Selector may bring an assistant (e.g., a knowledgeable resource) to assist the particular Selector with the selection of players in the draft.

15. There are no trades allowed once a Selector has selected a player on his team.

Post Draft Player Assignment

New players who register in the league after all drafts have been completed will be evaluated and if available to the Hansen Division will be assigned by the Hansen Division Coordinator to a Hansen Division team based on several factors including caliber of new player, teams in need of players due to injuries, new player was recruited by a specific team, etc. with an eye to maintaining equality among all Hansen Division teams.

Dispute/Disciplinary Resolution

Players should first bring any complaint to their GM. If the complaint cannot be resolved by the GM it should be escalated to the Hansen Division Coordinator. If the matter is not resolved by the Hansen Division Coordinator or if the GM does not agree with the Hansen Division Coordinator’s decision, the matter will then be escalated to the ESSPA Disciplinary Committee, whose decision shall be final and binding.