Rules of the O.R.S.A.
Rule II AFFILIATION OF LEAGUES WITH O.R.S.A.
(a) Each league or Association interested in joining the O.R.S.A. shall send to the Secretary an Application for Membership and a list of Officers including the Manager and Secretary of each Club including Addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and appropriate Membership fees. (See Fees Section).
(b) No player shall sign an O.R.S.A. Certificate after May 31st of current year.
(c) All affiliations, together with league and players’ fees, with certificates fully signed and with correct mailing address, must be into the O.R.S.A. Secretary’s office before May 31st of the current year.
(d) A rural resident who signs an O.R.S.A. certificate may play for another team. The player must honour his or her O.R.S.A. obligations first.
(e) A player signing an OASA/PWSA certificate may sign an ORSA certificate for a different age category/division
(f) Any manager and/or coach who signs an illegal player to an O.R.S.A. certificate will be suspended. Request for reinstatement must be made in writing to the O.R.S.A. Executive.
(g) Any one area or village that has three or more intermediate teams in one classification, shall be classified as a league and cannot enter the playoffs as a single entry, but shall play for their respective teams and enter as such. Two teams from the same village may play in the same classification.
Rule III CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES FOR POPULATION
(a) If players are drawn from more than one centre, then the total population of the centres must be combined.
(b) To determine the population of a rural route from which players are drawn, take the number of postal residential box holders of that route and multiply by two (to a maximum total of 1,000)
(c) The population to determine classification must include the centre(s) population plus rural route(s) population from which players are drawn.
Rule IV RESIDENCE RULE PROOF OF AGE AND RESIDENCE
(a) Minor players must submit a copy of their birth certificate as proof of age with their player’s certificate. An O.R.S.A. Minor Certificate will be accepted as proof of residence.
(b) For all Jr. and Intermediate teams, a copy of current driver’s licence front and back or other positive proof of residence must accompany team certificate to O.R.S.A. secretary.
(c) A bona fide Rural Resident is one who is a continuous resident living in any Township area, or in a village of less than 65,000 population. A limit of 5 players from overpopulated areas would be allowed. A special permission is required from the ORSA for any overpopulation players.
(d) Junior and Intermediate Men/Ladies Fast Pitch. Division teams may upon yearly permission from the O.R.S.A. Executive, sign up to five (5) Special Permission or Over Population players, while still remaining in their original classification.
(e) Written requests including positive proof of residence, for players requiring special permission must be in the hands of the O.R.S.A. Secretary, stating full particulars, before May 15th. Requests will be dealt with within the last week in May by a committee appointed by the President. Such special permission must be obtained each year.
(f) Teams wishing to play their home games on another field at a location other than the one which would normally be considered theirs, may do so. The village or hamlet must have a playable regulation softball field at that location. This rule is for Minor teams only.
(g) All matters pertaining to players and their rights must first be dealt with by the local league executive before presentation to this Association for further action. No action will be taken on any matter unless it is clearly stated in writing, giving all particulars relating to the case.
(h) Any player who moves away from their district after June 1st shall be allowed to play for their team for the remainder of the season.
(i) A player must play for their nearest team. Should that team not desire their services, the Team(s) must sign a release, then the next nearest team has first claim on their services. Such releases must be sent to the Secretary by May 31st and obtained each year.
(j) No player who has changed their residence after April 1st shall be granted a certificate unless they have satisfied the O.R.S.A. qualifications of the bona fides of such change with complete and definite information regarding such change of residence. Application for transfer, with all required information necessary, must be made to O.R.S.A. Secretary-Treasurer by June 1st.
(k) With approved Special Permission, minor players from separated and/or divorced parents may play for the Village of either parent, providing they reside at this address for part of the playing year.
(l) Legal Guardianship through Family Court may be used for extenuating circumstances for Special Permission requests.
(m) Students and professional athletes returning to their home areas, may play for a Village.
(n) Intermediate Men's and Ladies' Fast Pitch teams only: The total Population is to be less than 65,000. All teams entering play downs are allowed up to a maximum of 5 import players (i.e. over population centres). Any players that have played in the O.R.S.A. for 5 seasons and have moved out of the area are not considered imports. A grandfather clause will be in effect for these players to continue to play in the O.R.S.A.
Rule V O.R.S.A. PLAYOFFS — TEAMS
(a) All Coaching staff are to be Certified FOCS 1 and FOCS 2 (Fundamentals of
Coaching Softball) minimum, for each team that registers to play in the O.R.S.A.
Playdowns.
(b) And one Coach must have been certified with a Community Softball Clinic
Certificate, or equivilent, by May 1 st 2025,
(c) Teams that register to play in the O.R.S.A. Playdowns must have all Coaching staff, players and a parent (if child is of minor age) to have taken the “Respect In Sport” Program and provide the Certificate number with the teams Registration Documents.
(d) Coaches must sign the Concussion Protocol Waiver.
(e) All teams must comply with dates set for O.R.S.A. Playoffs, if 2 out of 3 series is used
(f) In the 2020 season and beyond, all playoffs for all divisions U19 and under will be a Tournament format, if a sufficient number of teams register.
(g) All O.R.S.A. Playoff and Tournament games shall have precedence over other games, playoffs or tournaments of your league. Any team unable to field a team, whose players are honouring the privilege of representing our Province or Country in any sport, shall be respectfully granted a written special permission with a conditional grace period not to exceed 5 days past the O.R.S.A. deadline, if a 2 out of 3 series is used.
(h) All teams will be entered in one division (A). The O.R.S.A. Executive reserves the right to move teams from “A” to a “B” division by seeding in the tournament, if a sufficient number of teams register.
(i) In a 2 out 0f 3 series, If a team fails to play a game in the first round of the O.R.S.A. playoffs, the centre must pay a $100.00 Penalty Fee.
(j) All O.R.S.A. playoffs in Intermediate series, if not a Tournament format, must be played under floodlights unless other arrangements are agreed to by both teams.
(k) All umpires officiating at the O.R.S.A. games must be duly registered on Umpire Cards issued by Softball Ontario.
(l) Coaches and managers need not sign the official game sheet and the financial sheet before a game unless he or she so desires.
(m) All Affiliated teams shall be allowed to enter the O.R.S.A. playoffs.
(n) Replacement of players who are incapacitated is not allowed.
(o) Each team participating in playoff games must pay their own travelling expenses.
(p) All League Officials, Team Officials and Players affiliated with the O.R.S.A. must at all times agree to abide by the O.R.S.A. rules and policies.
(q) All complaints shall be lodged with the Division Coordinators only, who shall first consult with Secretary and the President, before rendering a decision. All decisions shall be confirmed in writing, a copy of which shall be forwarded to teams concerned, one copy to President and one copy placed on file.
(r) If a game is suspended due to inclement weather teams must wait at least one hour in order to try and resume play.
Rule VI O.R.S.A. 2 Out of 3 Series Playoffs — Conveners
(a) The Conveners shall appoint two (2) duly qualified umpires for all playoff games, except as otherwise provided, and shall make all other arrangements as shall be necessary. The Convener is to ensure players’ signatures, on the certificate, are consistent with those on the game sheet. The Home Team is to be the Official scorekeeper or is to appoint one at the game. The Home Team must get the Umpires to put their Softball Ontario registration number on the game sheet prior to the game starting.
(b) In case of an emergency created by the failure of umpires to appear at a scheduled game, the convener or their appointee shall make the necessary arrangements to appoint a substitute or substitutes, with written agreement of the officials of both teams participating.
(c) The convener of all games will ascertain before the commencement of the game by a toss of a coin which of the two teams will receive the home grounds.
(d) In the event that a convener has more than one game in the same night, they shall appoint a duly qualified person or persons to act on their behalf at any other game or games, after first having made all arrangements including umpires. The convener shall supply their appointee with proper identification, which shall be good only for the game for which they have been appointed. The Convener will supply the appointee with the necessary forms for the game for which they have been appointed to convene.
(e) The convener or their appointee shall have charge of each playoff game and shall personally supervise the signing of the playoff sheets with each individual player’s signature and number prior to the player participating in the game.
(f) No member of a Club shall act as a convener or umpire any game in which their club is participating.
(g) The convener shall have the right to examine and supervise the methods used for handling gate receipts at any or all Association playoff games and report accordingly. O.R.S.A. The convener only shall be fully responsible for forwarding the official reports to the O.R.S.A. Secretary-Treasurer, all of which must be remitted, except in the case of protest of final game in which case the report must definitely be in the hands of the ORSA Secretary- Treasurer within 24 hours from the game time.
Grand Championship
(a) That the O.R.S.A. Executive be allowed to add a Host team to the Grand Championships at their discretion.
(b) All teams registered in Intermediate Men and Intermediate Ladies compete in the Grand Championship Tournament in July on the weekend prior to the Civic weekend (Rain out date is the following weekend.)
(c) Winner of the Men’s Grand Championship tournament is to be O.R.S.A. Representative at the Eastern Canadian Intermediate “C&” tournament the following year, and also gets a berth in the ISC World`s the following year, if they so desire.
(d) Winners of the Men's and Ladies' Grand Championships will receive a trophy.
(e) Any Centres wishing to host the Grand Championships are asked to submit their bid to the O.R.S.A. secretary-treasurer by June 6.
(f) All grand championship tournament games will be 7-innings with a mercy rule of 7 runs after 5 innings in effect.
(g) The International tie breaker rule is in effect.
(h) Entries for the Grand Championship must be received by the Secretary-Treasurer by July 15. A host for the Tournament may be determined after July 15.
Tournaments
(a) Tournament Hosts must be declared by March 31 of the playing year or no Tournament will be held in that Division. Bids received by the Annual General Meeting will receive first priority.
(b) All minor tournament games have a time limit of 90 minutes. The finals have no time limit, but use the mercy rule. Exemption U11 and U13 time limit of 75 mins., Finals Time limit of 90 mins.
(c) U17 and older games have a mercy rule of 7 runs after 5 or more innings. U15 and under games have a mercy rule of 10 runs after 5 or more innings.
(d) The international tie-breaker rule is used after 7 innings.
(e) The coin flip for home team and exchange of lineup cards will be done 15 minutes before each game time. The home team will use the bench along first base. See copy of the U11 Tournament Rules.
U11 and U13 Tournament Rules
Home teams is determined by coin flip for all games including Championship
Runs per Inning – In U11 fastball series, number of runs scored are limited to 5 runs per inning, U13 fastball series, number of runs scored are limited to 7 runs per inning 7th Inning and subsequent innings are open if reached before time limit) and a mercy rule of 15 runs after 5 or more innings.
Time Limit – Each Game will be 1 hour and 15 mins. No inning to start after time
limit unless the score is tied. Any inning started before the time limit expires must be completed providing conditions permit. NOTE: New inning starts when 3 rd out of the preceding inning is made.
Exception – Championship Game – Time Limit of 1 hour and 30 mins. – if tied,
teams play until tie is broken.
Free Substitution – U11 – use the free substitution rule (everyone bats). All players in the lineup bats and are substituted freely defensively. Players arriving late, sign the convenor’s sheet and then are added to the bottom of the lineup.
Injured Players – are removed from the lineup without penalty, but may not re-enter the game
The Defensive Conference rule (Rule 1xq) is in effect
In Field Fly Rule not in effect
Games tied after completed inning at the time limit – International Tie Breaker rule is used.
Any Coach ejected during a game will be considered ejected for the remainder of
the tournament. Any player ejected from a game can return to the tournament at the discretion of the umpires and the conveners.
Rule VII- Trophies
(a) The winners of all the various O.R.S.A. series become the holders of a trophy.
(b) No team is to receive an O.R.S.A. trophy unless accepted by one of the coaches or players of the winning team at the banquet
(c) each winning team must acknowledge they will be at the banquet to accept trophy.
(d) Trophies must be returned to the O.R.S.A. Secretary-Treasurer by July 1st of each year.
(e) The Trustees of the Trophies shall be the President, Vice-Presidents, and Secretary-Treasurer.
Rule VIII – Protests
(a) If a game is protested “Rule 11 — Protests” in the Softball Canada Rule Book shall be followed with the exception that Section 7 Clause C of Rule 11 shall not apply (concerning protest for ineligibility).
(b) In the case of a protest concerning ineligibility the following O.R.S.A. rule will apply:
(c) If a team has one or more players failing to meet the eligibility rule of the O.R.S.A. This team will be disqualified from future play.
(d) Suspension resulting from such a disqualification shall be dealt with by the O.R.S.A. Executive Protest Committee.
(e) The time allowed to Protest an ineligible player, should be prior to game start time, a reasonable time, depending upon the nature of the case and the difficulty of obtaining the information to which to base the protest
(f) Protests arising out of Association Playoff games must be hand delivered to O.R.S.A. Secretary or Representative before the completion of the game and signed by the manager or designate of the club. A fee of $75.00 cash is to accompany the Protest form.
(g) A copy of the Protest will be delivered to the club protested against by the O.R.S.A. A fee of $75.00 cash will be collected by the O.R.S.A. Secretary or representative immediately.
(h) The Club losing the protest may forfeit their protest fee and the Executive shall have the power to refund such sum.
(i) All leagues will have complete charge over their own teams until completion of their schedule.
(j) The Protest Committee shall consist of Members of the Executive appointed by the President and the Committee’s decision shall be final.
(k) No member of the ORSA Executive shall be eligible to serve on the Club or League Executive or any Committee in connection with any protest or question involving directly the Club or League he/she represents. Nor shall any member of the ORSA Executive be eligible to vote on any question raised by, or affecting the Club or League he/she is involved in.
(l) Any monies received during the season and playoffs or from any protest action may remain the property of the O.R.S.A.
(m) Any team found to have illegal player(s) will forfeit the current series.
(n) Under no circumstances will the O.R.S.A. or its officers be held liable for claims arising from any cause.
(o) NOTE: Clubs or players who knowingly play against ineligible players, and who willfully conceal this knowledge from the Association, until it is convenient to use it in any protest which may arise, shall then be considered equally guilty with the offending club or players and shall be dealt with accordingly.
Rule IXSuspensions And Expulsions
(a) Any Association, League, Manager, Coach or player member of this Association who violates the Constitution or By-Laws or refuses to abide by the decision of the Executive shall be expelled or sus- pended.
(b) Teams, coaches, managers or players may be suspended by the Executive for
knowingly:
1. Permit betting or improper conduct by players or officers at games.
2. Offering, agreeing, conspiring or attempting to lose any games or being interested in any pool or wagers thereon.
3. Playing with or against a player, coach or man- ager who has been expelled or
suspended.
4. For unsportsmanlike and undesirable conduct or for intentionally downgrading the image of the O.R.S.A.
5. Playing with or against a professional player.
(c) The Executive, upon written request, has the power to re-admit by resolution and majority vote of the Executive any Club, League or Player suspended.
(d) Any Club that is in default of a Playoff game, all players on such club, shall be
suspended from further O.R.S.A. competition. This suspension is to remain in effect until all expenses incurred as a result have been fully paid by the defaulting team. Applications for reinstatement will then be considered by the Association Executive.
(e) Any offence of a flagrant nature such as the use of obscene language or an assault upon an umpire, manager, coach, player, convener or executive member shall be cause for immediate removal of that person from the game. The umpire shall within 24 hours forward full particulars to the Secretary of the O.R.S.A. with a copy to the Umpire-In-Chief. In such cases, the removal from the game automatically places that person under suspension from all further activities until reinstated.
Rule X Governing Of Leagues
All O.R.S.A. rules are to apply as well as the following:
(a) The Annual Meeting of all organized Leagues are to be held before third Saturday in April.
(b) The Officers elected at the Annual Meeting shall be President; First, Second and Third Vice-Presidents; and Executive Members.
(c) These officers with the President and Secretary of each Affiliated Club shall form the League Executive unless individual club organizations do not include the office of President and/or Secretary, then officials named and accepted as representatives will act.
(d) Two Auditors shall be appointed at the Annual Meeting.
(e) The League President and Secretary shall be delegates to the O.R.S.A. Annual Meeting. Their expenses shall be paid by the League they represent. If the League they represent, has paid its Association dues and has sent in all player’s certificates and player’s fees for all teams by May 31st of the current season, they will be in good standing.
(f) The representatives of any League that is not in good financial standing are
automatically barred from the O.R.S.A. Executive.
