2022 Information from UIC

UIC INFORMATION- 2022 SEASON

1. Respect for Umpires - this is the most important thing on the list, umpires are crucial to our game and we lose far too many each year due to negative experiences; please remember that many umpires are learning the game just as your players are and they are trying their best; if you run into issues with an umpire that go beyond judgement calls, please contact Tony so that it can be addressed efficiently and appropriately.  In turn, the umpire is expected to be respectful to all players, coaches and fans.
2. UIC is Tony Kuleza - email or text for any problems, concerns, cancellations, make-up games, etc. (tkuleza@gmail.com; 204-793-3309).
3. Umpire fees - $40 cash at the plate before the game starts for all age levels.
4. Game cancellation - must let Tony know by 5:00 pm on game day or game fees are expected to be paid to the umpire.
5. Weather cancellations - less than 7 degrees (Environment Canada temperature reading at The Forks); must consider location of diamond and if it is actually too cold/windy/wet etc. to play. See full weather rule HERE
6. Diamond conditions - the home team must ensure the diamond is playable; ultimately it is the umpire’s decision whether the field is fit for play and safe.
7. Rescheduling games - contact Tony directly once you have a diamond booked, lots of notice makes it easier to assign an umpire; sometimes games can be made longer or two can be made up together so game fees are negotiable in those situations.
8. Starting the game - there is a 15 minute grace period if players are late; however please try and start on time if you are able to even if it is without less than 9 players; less than 8 players is technically a default however please see if you can borrow players from the other team to try and get a game in; in league pay we DO NOT use an auto out if there are less than 9 players.
9. Late players - if an athlete is late arriving to the game, please leave them off your line-up and add them to the end of the batting order once they arrive and make sure you let the other scorekeeper know.
10. Coach footwear - Must be closed-toed shoes (ie. no sandals), this is for the safety of the coach.
11. Pitcher warm-up - anyone warming up any pitcher (either on the field prior to the start of an inning or behind the dugout) MUST wear a catcher’s mask; it CANNOT be a batting helmet with cage or a defensive mask; this is for the safety of the coach (and it is also a Softball Canada rule), please be respectful of the umpire in the event they ask a coach to put a mask on.
12. Rule changes - aside from the age categories, there are a couple to note. Please make sure you have a new edition of the rule book, the format has changed significantly. It will be in effect this season and in 2023.
13. Elimination of the U14 and below Pitching Regulations.
    1. Players in all age categories may start with one foot on the pitching plate
    2. Pitchers of all age categories may leap in the air, land and then release the ball provided they do not establish a second “push point”, also known as a “crow hop”
    3. What umpires are directed to look for is that the hands must be separated, and the arm rotation must be started prior to the pitcher re-establishing contact with the ground
    4. Please see Rule 6 Pitching Regulations (Fastpitch) for the balance of the requirements when pitching.
14. Conference Rule (oversight in rule book)
    1. U15 now has 3 defensive conferences allowed (U14 still had 5)
15. Length of Game - Umpires will be instructed to stay beyond the run ahead rule being applied if both teams want to continue; please pay attention to the special playing rules for when a game should end for each age group (ie. innings, darkness, time).
16. Throwing bats - the player will be warned once by the umpire and the coach will be notified, if it continues at the next at bat the player will be removed from batting but can continue to play defense; this is not written rule in the rule book, however the umpire must ensure that they are safe as well as any players who may be hit by a bat.
17. Game assignments - In the event that we are short on umpires and the game goes unassigned, both coaches will be notified on game day; please have a parent call the game from behind the screen or the pitcher or have the catcher call balls and strikes; there shouldn’t always be a need to cancel the game.
18. Special Playing Rules - please refer to the documents on the NESA or Bonivital website for each age group.
    1. U11A Special Playing Rules
    2. U13A Special Playing Rules
    3. U15A Special Playing Rules
    4. U17A Special Playing Rules
    5. U19A Special Playing Rules

 U11 Information

• Soft toss is from foul territory opposite the batter.
• Catcher is positioned behind batter.
• Updated soft toss rule from 2022 Minor Division Operating Rules:

Once a batter reaches four (4) balls in the count, the batter will receive the number of soft toss pitches to continue the strike count when four (4) balls are reached. (Example: the count was 4 balls, 1 strike, the batter would receive 2 soft tosses). Every soft toss thrown will be considered a strike. On a soft toss hit, the hitter may advance to 2nd base as able, but will not advance past 2nd base. Runners on base may advance a maximum of two (2) bases on a soft toss hit.

Count of 4 balls, 0 strikes 🡪 3 soft tosses

Count of 4 balls, 1 strike 🡪 2 soft tosses

Count of 4 balls, 2 strikes 🡪 1 soft toss

Stealing bases (2nd & 3rd) is always allowed when the ball is alive. Stealing Home is prohibited. Runners may advance Home only on a hit ball.