News - Updated Periodically
2024 Season Notes and Changes
DIVISIONS:
We are going to try a new format this year with the 2 divisions each divided into 2 tiers. Each tier will have 3 teams. Recreational teams will not play Competitive teams. For the regular season there will be 12 games within your tier plus 6 against the other tier plus 1 extra game within your division for a total of 19 games. Teams will play within their tier at the Year-End Tournament.
Competitive Division (ages 35+)
Tier 1
— Chaos
— Esquimalt Youngsters
— Fristoe's Foggers
Tier 2
— GDI Rovers
— ITV Selects
— Removall Relics
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Recreational Division (ages 40+)
Tier 1
— Men O Pas
— MIB
— Ol' Salts
Tier 2
— Master Batters
— Old Antiques
— Sooke Old Boys
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EQUIPMENT CHANGES:
Helmets are optional for 2024. Both divisions will continue to use matts. Contact Ron George for mats.
BATS:
All bats used in our league must have the thumbprint and a bat performance factor of 1.20. See details below.
INSURANCE:
Ron George is our insurance rep. Please check with Ron re your requirements.
ICE BREAKER TOURNAMENT:
No Ice Breaker this year.
END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT: (Volunteers from every team are required to assist)
July 27 - 28
Used Ball Equipment
Anawim House, a non-profit house that operates as a residence for members of Victoria’s street community, is looking for new or used baseball or softball gloves, softball bats, or softballs, cones, bases, etc.
Please email Stacey if you have anything to donate. They would greatly apppreciate it.
Victoria Senior Men's Day League
Victoria Sr. Men’s Day League is looking for new players to complete rosters for the 2024 season. This six team league is competitive recreation play for anyone 55+. Games are played at Centennial Park in View Royal on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings during May through mid-September.
Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact:
• Chris Nelson at 250-388-4792 ( cnelson48@shaw.ca ) or
• Earl Henderson at 250-652-1538 ( saerhenderson@gmail.com ).
USSSA Approved Bats
Bats used in our league MUST have the USSSA BPF 1.20 logo. USSSA, also known as UTrip is the United States Specialty Sports Association. BPF is the bat performance factor. Current and previous USSA BPF 1.20 logos shown here:
Bats with the previous VMMSL league sticker are not acceptable unless they also have the USSS BPF 1.20 logo. ASA (Amateur Softball Association now known as USA Softball) certfication is no longer relevant. Old Miken, Combat, and Jak'd bats previously banned are still banned as they don't have the required logo. The league will continue to ensure safety as a prime concern.
Submit Game Results for League Standings
The League Standings, which include each team's winning percentage used for playoffs, will automatically be up to date as long as all scores are submitted. The winner should update the standings or request the other team to do so.
Rained Out or Postponed Games
If you require a field for a rainout, a practice or to reschedule a game for any reason you can use one of the fields listed on the Extra Fields page. These fields are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Make arrangements with the other team as to when you want to play the makeup game then contact Kevin Trenholm, League President, to book the field both teams have decided on.
C Division "Run-By" Rule
The Run-By Rule is officially incorporated into the Victoria Men’s Masters Slopitch League to provide a SAFE, no-contact game for those C Division teams wishing to use this rule. Teams will decide to use the rule or not. If one team wants to use the rule then it must be used.
It is a common sense rule and the details below are guidelines for game umpires to make decisional calls when the rule is in use.
Standard league rules involving the base runner and plays at first base do not change when the Run-By Rule is in use.
In all cases, the maximum distance for running by shall be 3 feet inside or outside of the base with the exception of home plate where a minimum of 5 feet to the outside of home plate will be required.
When a ball is hit to the infield or outfield and a runner is advancing:
Runner advancing from 1st base to 2nd base:
If the runner does not intend to advance to 3rd base during the play, the runner will run by (not touching) 2nd base, on the opposite side of the base from the ball in play, so as not to come between the ball in play and the defensive player. Neither the base runner nor the defensive player shall interfere with each other. The runner must make every attempt to avoid interfering with defensive player attempting a throw to 1st base in the event a double play is being attempted. The runner will then return to 2nd base and await the next play.
Runner advancing from 1st base to 2nd base with intent to advance:
If the runner decides to advance to 3rd base while running to 2nd base during the play as it is obvious a play at 2nd base is not likely, he must tag the base on his way by as per normal rules. Neither the base runner nor the defensive player shall interfere with each other.
Runner advancing from 1st base to 2nd base with intent to advance after run-by:
If the runner decides to advance to 3rd base after he has already run by 2nd base then the runner must return to and touch 2nd base before proceeding to 3rd base. Neither the base runner nor the defensive player shall interfere with each other.
Runner advancing from 2nd base to 3rd base:
If the runner does not intend to advance to home during the play, the runner will run by (not touching) 3rd base on the opposite side of the base from the ball in play, so as not to come between the ball in play and the defensive player. Neither the base runner nor the defensive player shall interfere with each other. The runner will then return to 3rd base and await the next play.
Runner advancing from 2nd base to 3rd base with intent to advance:
If the runner decides to advance home while running to 3rd base during the play as it is obvious a play at 3rd base is not likely, he must tag the base on his way by as per normal rules. Neither the base runner nor the defensive player shall interfere with each other.
Runner advancing from 2nd base to 3rd base with intent to advance after run-by:
If the runner decides to advance to home plate after he has already run by 3rd base, then the runner must return to and touch 3rd base before proceeding home. Neither the base runner nor the defensive player shall interfere with each other.
Runner advancing from 3rd base to home:
The runner will run by and not touch home plate. The runner is to run by home plate on the right side of the plate so as to keep clear of the back catcher and the ball in play.
Sliding into bases or home:
Sliding is not allowed unless returning to a base to avoid being tagged out.
Consequences for violations:
If the base runner does interfere with the defensive player, he will be called out. If the defensive player interferes with the base runner, the base runner will be awarded one base. Infractions are a judgement call on the part of the umpire.
If the umpire does not observe the infraction, he will so indicate and play will continue with no consequence.
In all cases, the judgement of the umpire will be final.
