Rules of Play

Learn about the rules
Home > Rules & Resources > Rules of Play

OGSA Softball Rules

On this page you will find the OGSA’s Rules of Play for all players and for all divisions. In addition, we have included our code of conduct, umpire abuse policies, inclement weather rules and scheduling process.

For more details on playing and coaching, please see our Coaches Corner.

In the event of bad or inclement weather, the Town of Oakville may close parks. If they do, this will be posted on their website by 4pm on that day or you can call the Town of Oakville Sports Hotline at 905-338-4398. We will then notify all coaches by email (and Twitter).

If there is no posting or email by 5pm, assume the game is to be played. Please go to the diamond, as the decision to cancel a game is made at the diamond, at game time, by the umpire. Teams are required to be ready to play at game time. If a team does not have enough players for the game, a forfeit is declared. If both teams do have enough players for the game (minimum 7 players), rainout rules are then applied.

Parks in the Town of Halton Hills, Milton, Burlington and Mississauga are controlled by their respective Parks & Rec departments. We will try to keep you updated on these closures as we get notified.

Check the Town of Oakville’s update page on park closures:

To see the current status of Mississauga Parks, click here.
For the Rain-out Policy for MGSA interlock teams, click here.

If there is any sign of thunder or lightning before or during the game, the OGSA follows the 30/30 rule such that if you can see lighting and hear the thunder within 30 seconds of the lighting, it’s too close. Players will be instructed to move to a sheltered area and wait for a minimum of 30 minutes from the last strike of lighting before continuing the game. If it is not possible to continue, then the umpire will call the game. Safety will always remain the number one priority for the participants.

If the game has not yet started when there is inclement weather, the umpire (in consultation with the coaches) will determine if the diamond is unplayable due to unsafe field conditions, and will cancel the game. If the game has started and the field becomes unplayable, the last complete inning score is recorded for the game.

Rescheduled games may or may not be arranged by the coaches. This will depend on the division and interlock circuit your team plays in. Games that are rained-out in Blastball, Tyke and Mite divisions are not rescheduled.

For practices, if you have not heard anything by 5pm, your coach will make the decision about cancelling and notify you directly.