LMSC – Standardized League Rules – 2026

Please note these rules govern Lower Mainland Softball Committee league play and do not govern play in any Softball BC event such as Provincial, Regional, Cerebration or Showcase Championships, please refer to the current years Softball BC Handbook.

Also, if participating in local tournaments the rules for those tournaments may differ from these rules as well, so consult the rules provided by the tournament hosts. 

1. All games to be governed by league rules. Where no league rules apply, Softball B.C. operating rules, then Softball Canada rules will be in effect.
2. This is a no protest league; umpire decisions will be final.
3. All game times will be 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified by the home team’s Association Field Allocation Manger or Scheduler. There will be no time limit on games except where park rules or darkness apply.
4. The home team is responsible for supplying umpires, game balls, lining the field and supplying a “double base”.
5. Five run maximum per inning in affect, 7th inning is open. U-17A and U-19A will have no run limit. Run Ahead rule is 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, and 7 runs after 5 innings. If that gap mercy is reached the score keeping stops at that point and that score is reported. The losing team has the option of continuing the game.
6. Roster Options: Each coach has the option to pick their own roster option either Bat 9 – Play 9 or all players bat, unlimited substitution, but normal pitching conference rules in affect. “NO” agreement is required for both coaches to pick the same option. Once an option is picked that option remains in effect until the end of the game.
7. In the case of a team, which cannot field its normal number of players, it may pick up registered players from an equal or a lower category to a maximum of the team’s normal playing number. Names of pickups are to be given to opposing coach.
8. Teams may play with less than 9 players. Coaches have the option of borrowing defensive player(s) from the opposition. When the player arrives, they may be added to the roster without penalty. In case of 8 players the 9th player will not be an automatic out, etc.
9. All teams must play all league games. Cancelled games must be re-scheduled within the two weeks of the date of the cancellation and played within two weeks of the last scheduled league games. In case of games not made-up teams must be able to tangibly demonstrate to the Committee that every effort was made to make up that game with the opposing team.
10. The opposing coach must be notified 3 1/2 hours prior to the scheduled start of the game of any weather cancellations. For non-weather-related cancellations, the opposing coach must be notified by 5:00 p.m. the day before the scheduled game.
11. Each association is required to submit two (2) Performance Bond cheques, each in the amount of $100, dated April 1, 2026, payable to the Lower Mainland Softball Committee.

    The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all teams:

    – Play all scheduled games in all districts
    – Provide proper notice when games must be cancelled, allowing associations to effectively manage umpire assignments and field resources

    The cheques will be held for the duration of the season and shredded upon season completion, unless a self‑addressed, stamped envelope is provided at the interlock meeting.

    Circumstances that may result in one or both cheques being cashed include:

    – Cancellation notice provided after 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the game
    – Insufficient justification for cancelling a game
    – Repeated cancellations

    In the event of a dispute regarding a cancellation, the matter must be reported within 48 hours of the incident to the Disciplinary Chairperson, Drew McClean, at [email protected], along with the required incident report.

    A review board will be struck consisting of the Disciplinary Chairperson and two impartial members of the Lower Mainland Softball Committee. If the infraction is upheld:

    – The first offence will result in one $100 cheque being cashed
    – The second offence will result in the second $100 cheque being cashed
    – Any funds collected will be paid to the affected (offended) association.

12. Incidents other than untimely or unwarranted cancellations must have a duly completed SBBC Incident / Ejection Report. It is found on the SBBC Web site Under Menu: Umpire: Incident / Ejection Report. Look for the CLICK HERE in Blue near the bottom of the page, This form will go to SBBC Provincial UIC, As well the incident must be reported to the Disciplinary Chairperson(s) within 24 hours of the incident report attached. A review board is formed consisting of the Disciplinary Chairperson and 2 impartial members of the Lower Mainland Softball Committee. The incident is reviewed, and review board rulings are sent to the offending coach’s association for possible further action. The association of the offending team must replace the cashed cheque within 7 days or risk losing membership in LMSC.
13. “All game times will be 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm, unless otherwise specified by the home association Field Allocation Manager or Scheduler. Game durations are to be as the chart below. Associations are urged to not have association specific game duration rules and only have field specific durations rules only where unavoidable (e.g. double headers) Time limits due to darkness still apply and supersede these limits for safety.”