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Annual Nemesis Ice-Breaker

Navigating the Nemesis Ice-Breaker rules

Welcome to the Nemesis Ice-Breaker Tournament rules page! Here, you'll find everything you need to know about how the game is played, ensuring fair competition and maximum enjoyment for all teams. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines to make the most of your tournament experience in Kelowna, BC.

Key tournament rules

Before you step onto the field, it's crucial to understand our core tournament rules. Here's what every team needs to know:

  • 7-3 Format: Teams play with a 7-male and 3-female player format. An 8-4 format can be used. Maximum of 12 players per team.
  • Girls May Bunt: Female players are allowed to bunt.
  • Girls HRs: Home runs hit by female players do not count against the team's total home run limit.
  • HR Rule: Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 home runs per game. Teams can reach 3 in the bottom of the 7th.
  • HR Bracelet: Home run bracelets are available for $25 each, with a maximum of 2 per team. These can be switched between players at the start of a new game.
  • Walk with Bracelet: If a player wearing a bracelet is walked, the walk falls to the next male batter until a home run is hit or the bracelet wearer comes up to bat again.
  • Pitcher's Mask: All pitchers are required to wear a mask for safety.
  • Ball Supply: Each team must supply 2 hotdots and 2 ladies balls at the start of each game. Home run balls must be retrieved before the start of the next inning and returned to the umpire, or the first male batter is out.
  • Max Runs Per Inning: A maximum of 6 runs can be scored per inning.
  • Mercy Rule: A mercy rule of 15 runs after 5 innings is in effect.
  • Time Limit: No new innings will start after 1 hour and 15 minutes in regular games. Playoff games have no time limit.
  • Regular Count: Standard ball and strike count applies.
  • Walk Rule: If a male batter receives 4 straight balls with a female batter behind him, the male gets 1st base and advances to second base. Otherwise, standard walk rules apply.
  • Max Guys in a Row: A maximum of 3 male batters in a row is allowed.
  • Courtesy Runners: Each team gets 3 courtesy runners—male for male, female for female.
  • Pitcher Runner: The pitcher gets unlimited runners as long as they are at first base but it cannot be the same runner every time.
  • Tie Breaker: Tournament standings are determined by a true plus/minus system, with runs against as the tie-breaker.

Fair play and sportsmanship

At the Nemesis Icebreaker Slo-Pitch Tournament, we believe that great competition starts with respect. Our goal is to create a tournament environment that is safe, fair, competitive, and enjoyable for everyone involved — players, coaches, officials, and fans alike.

All participants are expected to play by the official rules of slo-pitch softball and to compete with honesty, integrity, and respect. Teams must respect their opponents, the authority of umpires, and the efforts of tournament staff and volunteers. Decisions made by officials are final and must be accepted without argument, abuse, or intimidation.

Unsportsmanlike behavior — including but not limited to excessive arguing, profanity directed at others, threatening or aggressive behavior, fighting, cheating, or deliberately delaying the game — will not be tolerated. Tournament officials reserve the right to issue warnings, eject individual players or coaches, or disqualify teams when necessary to maintain a positive and safe playing environment.

We also ask teams to uphold the spirit of the game. This includes playing with fairness, calling your own violations when applicable, helping prevent unnecessary conflicts, and showing courtesy both on and off the field. Good sportsmanship means celebrating success with humility and accepting losses with professionalism.

The Nemesis Icebreaker is designed to kick off the season by setting the standard for how slo-pitch should be played — competitive, passionate, and respectful. By participating in this tournament, all teams agree to uphold these values and contribute to a great experience for everyone involved.

 

Consequences of rule violations

To maintain the integrity of the Nemesis Ice-Breaker Tournament, any team found cheating or playing non-rostered players will face immediate disqualification. We take these violations seriously to ensure a fair and competitive environment for all participants.

Unsportsmanlike conduct—including arguing calls, aggressive behavior, or disrespectful language—will not be tolerated and may result in penalties, ejections, or team disqualification.