Current as of June 15 2025

1. Principles Over Rules

1. Guiding Principles As a space dedicated to prefiguring new social spaces outside of those that currently exist, Field of Dreamers is organized first and foremost to adhere to the guiding principles of the league. This is a space of experimentation that seeks to develop skills, create a culture of mutual aid and care, and to find ways to hold the tensions between cooperation and competition in sport.  This means that while the rules below are here to frame and guide our play, they are less important than and at times will be subsumed by the interests and intentionality of our principles. 

2. Rule Changes The Coordinating Committee reviews the rules periodically (including during the season) to propose changes that will help to address overlooked issues, support umpires, and respond to the needs of our players. All rule changes will be passed at a Coordinating Committee meeting and will be communicated to coaches and anchors and the general membership of the league following their passing. 

3. Umpires The Coordinating Committee seeks to train, support, mentor, and book umpires for all games during the season. Volunteer umpiring is an important part of our practice of mutual care for one another and umpires are instructed to make calls to the best of their ability – with the principles of the league in mind.  Decisions made on the field should be respected by all players, if there is a mistaken interpretation of the rules or a call that the team benefitting believes is wrong, a coach/anchor may approach the umpire to request a review of the call. 

2. Equipment and Field Set-Up

1.  Field Equipment (such as softballs, bats, helmets, and bases will be provided). Teams who are playing the first game should attempt to support with the field set up and teams who play the last game should attempt to support with the field take down.  The work of setting up the field before the game, and cleaning up the field after the game should be considered a collective activity.

2.  Other player equipment (such as softball gloves) can be borrowed from the league bag. If you have extra gloves or other softball equipment, please feel free to contribute them to the league’s equipment share! We highly recommend players purchasing cleats to play – if cost is an issue, please speak to the Coordinating Committee. 

3. Base Distance and Pitching – Softball bases should be placed roughly 15-20m (20-30 paces) apart, or whatever works best given the size of the diamond. A safety base should be installed adjacent to home plate and a “line of commitment” should be dug into the ground to indicate the point at which a runner must continue towards home plate. The pitching mound should be demarcated with a line in the sand – it should sit approximately equidistant between 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and home plate. 

4. Bats – Only aluminum softball bats are permitted for league play. Wooden bats/aluminum baseball bats are not to be used. The league will provide some bats but players are free to bring and share their own personal bats so long as they meet the criteria above. 

5. Head Protection – Players pitching to their teammates are strongly encouraged to wear the batting helmet provided. A helmet is also available for hitters and catchers if they wish to wear one.

6. Foot Protection: Metal cleats are not allowed. No open-toed shoes allowed. Players are strongly encouraged to wear cleats, but any shoe that is not open-toed is acceptable.

 3 Game Time, Rosters, Subs

1. Start of Game – Games begin at 8pm and 9:30pm. Please try to arrive 15 minutes early – and conduct warmups prior to the game times so that we can start our games on time.

2. Game Length –  Games are a maximum of seven innings in length with a time limit of 1.5 hours (8:00pm – 9:30pm and 9:30pm – 11:00pm).

3. Rosters & Subs – If a team cannot field a lineup of 9 players by the scheduled start time, the team may activate the subs list prior to the game, they may also request to borrow players from other teams in the league. Alternatively, a team that does not have a minimum of  8 players may borrow players from the opposing team to complete a defensive line-up (i.e. players waiting to bat for the offensive team, play in the field for the team that is short players). The number one priority is to avoid games being cancelled due to a shortage of players.

4. Weather: Field of Dreamers has a weather policy that determines whether or not games will be played in the event of inclement or undesirable weather. If the Coordinating Committee determines that games are ok to begin play, they may be cut short if the weather worsens or unpredictable conditions arise.  Games that are forced to be cut short due to weather, or are not complete in the 90 minute game time will end with the final score being the score at the end of the previous completed inning. However, if the game ends with the score tied or the home team in the lead without finishing the inning, the score will be taken as it stands at the time the game is called.

5. Lights: If the lights at the diamond go out before the end of the 9:30pm game, then the result of the game will be the score at the end of the previous completed inning. However, if the game ends with the score tied or the home team in the lead without finishing the inning, the score will be taken as it stands at the time the game is called.

6. Final Inning – Umpires or coaches on both teams will announce a final inning of the game when an inning begins at any point with less than 25 minutes remaining. If the “last inning” ends quickly and there is still more than 15 minutes left to play, teams will attempt to play an “ultimate final inning” that must be completed in its entirety to count (i.e. Visitors record 3 outs, Home team records 3 outs or wins). No new inning can start within 5 minutes of the scheduled end time of our games.  

7. Final Inning Strategy – a visiting team may elect to forfeit outs once they have taken the lead or tied the game in order to try to get three outs from the home team before time runs out in the game. 

4. Food and Drink 

1. Alcohol & Other Drugs – Alcohol and marijuna consumption is legal in Trinity Bellwoods park and players can choose to consume substances during the game. However,  different people have different relationships with alcohol and other drugs. Please be mindful that your consumption of drugs and/or alcohol during games may have a detrimental effect on others. If you are drinking or consuming other drugs, please be conscious of how much you are consuming for safety reasons, and please drink outside the field of play. 

2. Allergies – The Coordinating Committee will ask for allergy and other dietary concerns in the registration each season.  Due to allergy concerns, please do not bring peanut products into the dugouts.Please also confirm with your coaches if there are other allergies on the teams so we can avoid any injuries and know ahead of time.

3. Sharing Snacks – We encourage teammates to bring snacks and refreshments to share with one another during the game.  It’s also helpful and useful to plan to bring electrolyte drinks and other snacks on particularly hot days to ensure that we all stay hydrated. 

5. Game Rules

1. Sliding There is absolutely no sliding. Any base runner that slides is automatically out. Fielders may dive or slide in the act of making a defensive play.

2. Safety Bases: 1st base and home plate will have “safety bases”. As such, there will be a base for the firstbase player and the catcher to touch and a separate base (or line) for the runner to step on (run across).  If the runner steps on the base that is designated for the catcher, the runner is out and the run does not count. If the fielder steps on the base designated for the runner or tags the base that is designated for the runner, the runner is safe.

3. Overrunning Bases To prevent collisions, a runner may overrun any of the bases without penalty. If they wish to proceed to the next base, the runner must “tag-up” by going back to the bag and tagging it with their foot before proceeding.

4. Right of Way – Basepaths  – There are principles in place that allow players on offense and defense to safely and effectively make plays without being impeded by opposing players.

1. Fielder Priority first priority right of way is given to a player on the fielding team that is making, or is about to make, a play with the ball. A baserunner must avoid running into a fielding player by going around them in a way that does not interfere with the play. A few common examples:

Example A: A batter hits a pop fly in the infield, and the shortstop is standing under the ball, directly between second and third base, waiting to catch it. A runner going from second to third base must run behind the shortstop on their way to third base because the shortstop is about to make a play on the ball. Running in front of the shortstop could interfere with their ability to make the catch (as would running into the shortstop and knocking them over!).

Example B: A batter hits a ground ball to the second basefriend. The second basefriend is between first and second awaiting the ball as it rolls to them. Again, the runner must go behind the fielder to avoid interfering with the play.

2. Baserunner Priority – Second priority of right of way goes to a baserunner that is moving between bases. They should be unimpeded by a player on the fielding team that is not making or about to make a play with the ball. If a fielder is deemed to have impeded a baserunner’s path or made contact with the baserunner, the runner will be awarded the base and the umpire can determine whether the player may be awarded a second base based on context. 

Example A: A runner is on first base. Their teammate hits a ball into deep left field, and the runner on first goes to second while the outfielder is chasing the ball. The fielding team should all be out of the way for the runner to go between first and second. This includes not standing directly on second base, because there is no play about to be made at second base.

5. Right to the Base – There are principles in place to ensure that both fielders and baserunners have access to each base.  The following rules apply only to 2nd base and 3rd base as 1st base and home have specifically designated safety bases. 

1. Fielder Priority – a fielder who is fielding the ball has the right to the base, but should do their best to offer a “running lane” for the baserunner. This might mean placing their foot on the edge of the base rather than on top of the base. Or choosing a “side” of the base rather than standing directly on top of the bag. 

2. Runner Priority – a runner who is running to the base has a right to the base, but should ensure to the best of their ability that they do not collide with a defending player.  Since the priority rights to the bag are sometimes incommensurable, all players involved should try to be aware of heightened injury risks when playing these bases. If the defending team has made it impossible for the runner to reach base safely (i.e. two players are on the base at the same time), then a runner may elect to run beside the base and the umpire will take this into account in their safe/out call. 

3. Experienced vs. Beginner Players – more experienced players should “steer the vehicle to safety” if a collision seems probable, meaning there’s an added onus for folks with some knowledge and skill to remove themselves from a situation that could produce harm (at the expense of their teams’ chances to achieve a positive outcome on the play)
4. Runner Hit by Ball –  If the baserunner is hit by a batted ball (before it is touched by the defensive team), that baserunner is out and the play is ruled dead.  All other runners will be granted their base and play will resume once the player struck by the ball is tended to in case of injury. 

7. Fielding Positions – a full defensive team is made up of four (4) outfielders (right, centre, left, and rover) and five (5) infielders (first base, second base, short stop, third base, and catcher). The pitcher is an offensive player.

1. Sharing Space  All players should play the position that they are assigned and not enter into the space of another fielder without their consent – however rules of fielder priority apply (see tutorial on this). 

2. Rover Positioning  The rover must be located in the outfield at all times during an at-bat. The rover cannot enter the infield until the ball touches ground. If the rover enters the infield before the ball is struck the hitter will be awarded either a new pitch, first base, or can elect to accept the result of the play if it is in their favour.

3. Pitcher The team at bat provides their own pitcher. The safety of all pitchers is a priority in our league!  We recommend the following steps to help minimize the risks with pitching in our leagues: We strongly recommend a minimum pitching distance of roughly 12 paces from home plate.  We recommend pitchers consider wearing the helmet provided. If a hit ball touches the pitcher, the ball is declared dead and the pitch is redone – base runners return to their previous bases and the pitch count is restored. Pitchers should do their best to avoid making contact with a hit ball, but please protect themselves if necessary on a hard-hit ball. Pitching is the most vulnerable and dangerous position on the diamond. As such, extra measures will be made to limit the chance of pitcher injury on the field.  The selection of pitchers for a given game should take into account the following criteria.  

When considering the pitcher position, please take into account the following:

1) Defensive Ability – Does the player selected to pitch have enough training and skill at this point to be reasonably expected to attempt to make a catch, avoid, or deflect/limit the damage of a hit that comes back towards them? 

2) Distance – All pitchers will be required to pitch from the designated “pitcher’s mound” for the game. If the pitcher is unable to consistently pitch from that distance, they should be given the opportunity to train outside of game times and build that skill in between games. 

3) Safety – Helmets will be on hand for pitchers, and they will be strongly encouraged.  If a player does not wish to use the provided helmet, they should be made aware (via our website) that they are putting themselves at greater risk of head injury.  

8. Base Running & Recording Outs – Commitment Line: There is a commitment line two thirds of the way between 3rd base and home plate marked with a line in the ground. Once the runner has crossed this line, they cannot return to 3rd base. If they do, it is an automatic out. If the ball is caught at home plate by the catcher before the runner reaches their home base, the runner is out.

1. Force Out: A “force out” will always be in effect at first base and home plate (once the runner has crossed the commitment line). (i.e. the defensive player only has to touch their base and not tag the runner to achieve an out). There is no force out at 2nd or 3rd base unless the bases before them are full (e.g runner on 2nd must run to third since runner at 1st base is coming to 2nd) – these players must be tagged.

2. Tag Out: When a defensive player has the ball in their hand or glove, they can tag any baserunner at any time for an out, if that baserunner is not safely on a base. Note that the defensive player must tag the runner either with the ball itself (if the ball is in their bare hand) or with their glove (if the ball is in their glove). The exception to when a baserunner cannot be tagged for an out is when over-running a base is in order to avoid sliding and collisions). In any situation that is not a force play, the baserunner must be tagged to be out. So, if a runner chooses to run rather than be compelled to run, they must be tagged to record an out.

Example A: A runner is on first, and their teammate hits a ground ball. The runner is compelled to go to second base and does not need to be tagged – a force play at second is an out. Keep in mind, however, if that runner is tagged somewhere between first and second, they are indeed out – as mentioned above, a runner can be tagged out at any time between bases.

Example B: The runner who was on first makes it safely to second and chooses to continue to go to third. While the runner had no choice but to run to second, advancing to third was their decision. In this case, the runner must be tagged out – either between the bases or directly at third base. If there is no tag, the runner is safe.

Example C: The runner is on their way to third but changes their mind and goes back to second base. In this case, a tag is now required to get the runner out. The force play became null and void the moment that runner made it safely to second.

3. Over-Running Bases: A player may overrun any base. If they overrun first, they must turn away from the field. If they overrun second or third, they must return to the base before proceeding to the next one. If you overrun 1st base into fair play, you can be tagged for an out.

4. Lead Offs: There are no lead offs for base runners; you must wait until contact with the ball is made first.

5. The Infield Fly Rule (IFR): IFR is in effect only when the umpire calls it – and occurs – when there are runners on first and second, or if the bases are loaded with less than two out.  In these situations, if a fair pop-up is hit that, in the umpire’s judgment, is catchable by an infielder with ordinary effort, the batter is out regardless of whether the ball is actually caught in flight. To invoke the rule, the umpire must loudly announce, “Infield fly” when there is a pop-up in the infield.  If this occurs, the batter will automatically be out, even if the ball is not caught. Runners can attempt to tag up on any caught ball, or attempt to advance if the ball is dropped (although the force place is removed since the batter is out).

6. Infielders Need to Stay on the Baseline: All infielders must remain on or behind the baseline until the ball is hit. If a runner veers away from the baseline unreasonably, they will be deemed out by the umpire. 

9.  Hitting – Beginner and Intermediate hitters can receive a maximum of five (5) pitches. All foul balls, wild pitches, strikes and balls count as one of the five pitches. The only exception is a ball that hits the pitcher (see above). Players who self-identified as “advance”, “experienced”, “mentor” may be offered a 4th pitch if they have not swung at one of their first three pitches.

1. No Bunting: There is no bunting or faking to bunt. However, a ball that is hit with a full swing, but does not go past the pitcher is a live, playable ball.

2. Batting Order: Team captains will arrange a batting order prior to the game. There are no rules about the gendered order of batters in this league! Teams might consider batting orders based on alphabetical order or uniform number. Other tips for how to strategically set a batting order will be circulated during the season.

3. Pinch Runners: If the batter would like a pinch runner to run in their place when they hit the ball, any player from the batter’s team may act as a pinch runner.

4. Two Balls: To even the playing field and to improve safety, Field of Dreamers uses two different balls (a soft ball or “mush” ball and a hard ball. These balls will be marked and the pitcher will let fielders know when each is coming into play. Rules for who uses the mush ball are determined by the coordinating committee, the team coaches, and the player themselves. Players who complain about who should or should not be using a mush ball will be given a warning and if complaints persist during the game, an umpire can declare an out for the offending team. 

10. Scoring – End of an Inning: An inning ends when a team incurs either 3 outs or scores 5 runs. A team can only score a maximum of five (5) runs in one inning.

1. Mercy Rule Exceptions: If a team is trailing by 5 runs or more prior to the start of a new inning, this exception rule comes into effect.

If a team trails at the start of an inning by more than 5 runs, the mercy rule in that inning for the trailing team will be the lesser of 8 runs or the number of runs needed for the trailing team to tie the game. The final inning must be declared when there is 25 minutes to 15 minutes remaining in the game (9:05-9:15pm or 10:35-10:45pm). If teams are within 5 runs of each other, there is no mercy for either team in the final inning. If a team is leading by more than 5 runs, that team is capped at a mercy of 5 runs, while the trailing team can score unlimited runs up-to a count equivalent to 5 runs more than the previously leading team.

2. Is it a Home Run?: There is no home run fence at Trinity Bellwood’s Park. If a ball is struck in the air and exits the field into the tree line then it is considered a home run. If the ball rolls into the tree line and/or out of play, the hitter is granted a ground rule double (they advance only to second base).

11. Fair or Foul – Fair or foul calls will be made by the volunteer umpire. If there is no volunteer umpire at the game, all fair or foul calls will be made by the pitcher to the best of their ability and with help (if needed from base coaches).

1. No Presh: Volunteer Umpires or players making officiating calls on the field should not feel pressured or uneasy about getting the call “wrong.” Close plays are called “wrong” in baseball all the time, it’s part of the game, and over the course of the season close safe and out calls tend to cancel each other out! All players should accept the decision of the person responsible for making it without anger or resistance.

2. No Foul: A ‘foul ball’ pop-up behind home plate cannot be caught for an out, however any ball that is popped up in front of home plate is in play and can be caught for an out.

6. Ground Rules

1. Dead Balls –  The area behind the backstop, dugouts, home run fences and/or the fences running along first/third base is out of bounds, and the ball is dead when it goes in those areas.  

2. Out of Bounds –  If the ball goes out of bounds (i.e. ball goes into the dugout) while an active play is going on (i.e. an overthrow to first base) then the baserunner(s) will advance one extra base.

7. Rough Play & Aggressive Behaviour

1. This Rule Supersedes all Others: All players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. 

2. Incident on the field: If there is an incident where a player is injured, harmed, or causes harm in the course play – all play will be stopped. Coaches, the parties in question, and the coordinating committee will seek to find an on-field resolution prior to resuming play.

3. Off-field resolutions: Some plays may warrant off-field follow-up up and this will be determined in conversation with players involved in an incident, team captains, and the coordinating committee.

8. Other Rules

a. Any rules not listed above will be considered to align with MLB official rules.