The document provides information on eligibility requirements, captain roles and responsibilities, divisions of competition, policies and procedures, defaults/forfeits, protests, and a sportsmanship rating system for intramural sports offered through Recreational Sports and Services at SIU. Eligibility depends on student/faculty status, while captains are responsible for team registration and communication. Policies cover proper attire, pets, rules, and more. Protests can be filed for eligibility or rule issues. The sportsmanship system rates teams from 1-5 based on conduct and cooperation.

1. Recreational Sports and Services
SIU Competitive Sports Office

2. Recreational Sports and Services
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3. Recreational Sports and Services
Eligibility
» SIU Students
– On-Campus
• Undergraduate and graduate students must be currently enrolled for at least one
credit hour to be eligible for participation.
– Off-Campus/Online
• Undergraduate and graduate students must purchase an “inactive student”
membership to participate in intramural sports.
» SIU Faculty/Staff
– SIUC faculty and staff who have purchased a semester or annual RSS membership may
participate in intramural sports.
» Non-SIU Affiliated Individuals
– RSS members must purchase a semester or annual membership to participate in
intramural sports.
– RSS members under eighteen years of age cannot participate in SIU intramural sports.
– Guests of RSS members may not participate in intramural sports.

4. Recreational Sports and Services
Eligibility
» Professional and Semi-Professional Athletes
– Any individual that has received payment for trying out professionally or semi-
professionally or for participating professionally or semi-professionally is ineligible for
registering for his or her sport or related sport for a period of three calendar years (1,095
days) after the end of his or her career.
– Professional and semi-professional athletes may participate in all non-related sports
without a waiting period.
» Varsity Athletes
– Any individual that appears on the roster for a collegiate (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, NCCAA,
USCAA) varsity team is ineligible for participation in his or her sport or related sports for
one calendar year (365 days) from the end of their affiliation with the collegiate team.
– Current and former varsity athletes may participate in non-related sports without a waiting
period.

5. Recreational Sports and Services
Captain Roles
» Reviewing the SIUC Intramural Sport
Handbook
» Serve as the primary point of contact
between the team and Competitive Sports
staff
» Completing the registration process for the
team
» Provide accurate team availability for pool
play and postseason of each sport
» Completing all preseason requirements (e.g.
Captain’s Meeting, Captain’s Quiz, etc.)
» Checking the eligibility of all team members

6. Recreational Sports and Services
Captain Roles
» Verifying that all team members have signed
in for the contest
» Reviewing the relevant sport rules
» Ensuring that team members understand and
comply with Competitive Sports policies and
procedures
» Notifying his/her team members of the
date, time, and place of each scheduled
contest
» Bear responsibility for the behavior of the
team and anyone affiliated with the team
» Check the accuracy of the contest results on
the SIUC IMLEAGUES web site

7. Recreational Sports and Services
Divisions of Competition
» League
– Open

8. Recreational Sports and Services
Team Availability
» Please provide your
availability.
» Please do not change
your availability after the
schedule has been
published.

9. Recreational Sports and Services
Policies and Procedures
» SIU Card Policy
– All participants should be
prepared to present their SIU
Cards when signing in for each
contest.
– If a participant cannot present his
or her SIU Card when asked, he or
she cannot play.
– If a participant attempts to sign
in using the SIU Card of another
individual, the SIU Card will be
confiscated, and the participant
will not be allowed to play.

10. Recreational Sports and Services
Policies and Procedures
» Proper Attire
– Athletic clothing and shoes are required for participation.
• Players cannot play without wearing a shirt, pants, and
appropriate shoes.
– All attire and equipment is subject to the approval of
Competitive Sports staff.
• Any clothing or equipment that is deemed unsafe or
illegal must be removed prior to competition.
• Competitive Sports staff reserves the right to ask
participants to remove or conceal clothing that, in the
opinion of the Competitive Sports staff, displays
offensive or demeaning language or imagery.

11. Recreational Sports and Services
Policies and Procedures
» Pets
– Pets are not allowed in the Recreation Center.
• Exception: Service animals
– Dogs or Miniature horses.
• Owners are responsible for behavior and
actions of their pets.
» Rules
– All SIU Intramural sport rules are based on
rules publications of the National Federation of
High Schools (NFHS) and professional
associations.
– When appropriate, rules are modified and/or
created to level the playing field and foster a
safe and enjoyable experience for all
participants.

12. Recreational Sports and Services
Defaults & Forfeits
» Defaults
– An unplayed game without penalty
to either team.
– To receive a default, the team
captain must notify (by e-mail or
in person) the Competitive Sports
Department by 4:00 PM on the day
of the contest.
» Forfeits
– Four types
• Failing to field a team without
contacting the SIU
Competitive Sports Office
• Player Ineligibility
• Poor Sportspersonship

13. Recreational Sports and Services
Grace Periods
» Initial Grace Period
– If a team has one player present at
game time, they receive a grace
period of five minutes.
» Optional Grace Period
– Once the initial grace period ends,
the opposing team captain has two
options:
• Wait an additional five minutes
for the opposing team to show up
• Accept a win by forfeit
– Once a decision has been made, the
captain cannot change their mind.

14. Recreational Sports and Services
Protests
» Player Eligibility
– The team captain should file a
formal protest with the
Competitive Sports supervisor.
– The supervisor shall meet
immediately with both captains to
discuss the eligibility of the
player.
– The supervisor may make an
immediate ruling or ask teams to
complete the game under protest.

15. Recreational Sports and Services
Protests
» Rule Misinterpretation or Misapplication
– During a game, participants may protest the misinterpretation or
misapplication of a rule.
– After the conclusion of the play and before the start of the next
sequence (e.g. serve), the team captain should call a conference with
the opposing captain to resolve the issue.
– If an agreement cannot be reached, the Competitive Sports supervisor
shall resolve the matter.
» If either team continues to disagree, the supervisor shall complete the
intramural sport protest form, and the game shall continue under protest.
» A Competitive Sports Graduate Assistant or the Coordinator of Competitive
Sports shall contact both teams with a decision.

16. Recreational Sports and Services
Sportspersonship Rating System
» The sportspersonship rating system serves to assess a team’s
attitude and behavior throughout the regular season and
postseason.
» Actions and behaviors before, during, and after the contest are
included in a team’s sportspersonship score.
» The team captain is responsible for educating his/her team
and spectators about the sportspersonship system.

17. Recreational Sports and Services
Sportspersonship System: Ratings & Criteria
Rating Criteria
5 - Excellent  Players fully cooperate with Intramural Sports staff and opposing team members.
 Spectators support their team in a positive manner.
 Team captain respectively addresses officials.
 The team is an exemplary model for other teams.
4 - Good  Winning Team of a Forfeited Game.
 Team members verbally complain about some calls or show some dissent.
 Their actions may warrant a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike conduct
penalty), but they do not receive a penalty.
3 - Average  Both Teams for a Defaulted Game.
 Team constantly complains to IM staff or the opposing team. The team captain exhibits no control over
his/her team, spectators, and himself/herself.
 Their actions result in a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike conduct
penalty.)
 Teams that receive a conduct penalty cannot receive higher than a “3” rating.
 The team that has one ejection or two conduct penalties will not receive higher than a “3” rating.
2 – Below Average  Team constantly complains to IM and the opposing team.
 The team captain exercises no control over anyone.
 Teams that receive one ejection and one conduct warning or three conduct warnings shall forfeit the
contest and receive a rating of “2.”
1 - Unacceptable  A Team Forfeits a Game.
 The entire team and spectators are non-cooperative.
 The team captain is combative and unhelpful.
 The team that receives two ejections or four conduct warnings during a game shall forfeit the game and
may forfeit the entire season.
Rating Criteria
5 - Excellent
 Players fully cooperate with Competitive Sports staff and opposing team members.
 Spectators support their team in a positive manner.
 Team captain respectively addresses officials.
 The team is an exemplary model for other teams.
4 - Good
 Winning Team of a Forfeited Game.
 Winning Team for a Defaulted Game.
 Team members verbally complain about some calls or show some dissent.
 Their actions may warrant a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty), but
they do not receive a penalty.
3 - Average
 Defaulting Team for a Defaulted Game.
 Team constantly complains to IM staff or the opposing team. The team captain exhibits no control over his/her team,
spectators, and himself/herself.
 Their actions result in a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.)
 Teams that receive a conduct penalty cannot receive higher than a “3” rating.
 The team that has one ejection or two conduct penalties will not receive higher than a “3” rating.
2 – Below Average
 Team constantly complains to IM and the opposing team.
 The team captain exercises no control over anyone.
 Teams that receive one ejection and one conduct warning or three conduct warnings shall forfeit the contest and
receive a rating of “2.”
1 - Unacceptable
 A Team Fails to Show for a Contest.
 The entire team and spectators are non-cooperative.
 The team captain is combative and unhelpful.
 The team that receives two ejections or four conduct warnings during a game shall forfeit the game and may forfeit the
entire season.

18. Recreational Sports and Services

19. Recreational Sports and Services
Team Composition
» A full team consists of 5 players
– Pitcher
– Catcher
– 3 fielders
» To avoid a forfeit, a team must have 3 players present

20. Recreational Sports and Services
The Game
» A coin toss will determine home and away status
» The game will consist of 5 innings or a time limit of 30 minutes
– No new inning may start past the end time (30 minutes)
» An inning will officially begin with the third out of the previous
inning.
» Teams will be allowed 3 warm-up pitches between innings
» Extra Innings
– During playoffs ONLY, the last batter out of the previous
inning shall start on second base. All other regular inning
rules apply, which include three outs per inning. This
procedure will continue until a winner is decided.

21. Recreational Sports and Services
Scoring
» A runner legally crossing the plate safely scores a run.
» Any legally hit ball that hits the back wall netting, while still
airborne, and not contacted by the defensive team is a
HOMERUN!
» Any ball that contacts side netting in the fair position is live
– no outs can result from catching the ball of the netting.
» Teams may score a maximum of 8 runs per inning, except in
the 5th inning or the last inning under the time limit. In the last
inning, there is no maximum run limit.

22. Recreational Sports and Services
Mercy Rule
» If either team is winning
by 10 or more runs after 3
complete innings of play
or 15 runs after 4 innings
that team is the winner of
the game.

23. Recreational Sports and Services
Outs
» If the batter hits a fair ball, the defensive team can get the batter out by:
– Touching the batter/runner with the ball
– Throwing the ball and hitting the batter/runner with the ball below the shoulder
region, in a safe manner. If the ball makes contact with any part above the shoulder
region, the batter/runner will be safe. Any attempt to injure a batter/runner or any
throw deemed excessive by the umpire will result in the batter/runner being safe.
– Touching the appropriate base, while in possession of the ball, where a force out
would occur.
– Catching an airborne, hit ball before it makes contact with the ground. Simultaneous
possession of the ball and contact with the ground results in a “no catch.” Ball is
live.
– Catching an airborne ball that is deflected off another defensive player and has not
returned to the ground.
– Any base runner who is hit by a batter’s ball is out but the ball is still live and the
batter/runner can still advance to the appropriate base.

24. Recreational Sports and Services

25. Recreational Sports and Services
Pitching
» The pitcher shall take a position with both feet
firmly on the ground and with one or both feet in
contact with the pitcher’s plate.
» If a step is taken it can be forward, backward, or to
the side provided the pivot foot is in contact with
the pitcher’s plate and the step is simultaneous with
the release of the ball.
» The front of the body must face the batter.
» The pitcher shall not be considered in pitching
position unless the catcher is in position to receive
the pitch.
» The pitch must be underhand
» Intentional Walk: If a pitcher desires to walk a
batter intentionally, they should indicate this to the
umpire who will award the batter the appropriate
base. The ball is dead during the award.

26. Recreational Sports and Services
“No Pitch”
» “No pitch” shall be declared when:
– A base runner is called out for leaving base too soon.
– The pitcher pitches during the suspension of play.
– The ball slips from the pitcher’s hand during the windup or
during the back swing.
– The pitcher pitches before a base runner is able to return to
their base following a foul ball.
– The batter steps out of the box and the pitcher stops.

27. Recreational Sports and Services
Illegal Pitch
» A pitch is considered illegal
when:
– The pitcher throws to a base
other than home with their
foot on the pitcher’s plate
– The pitch is too fast
– The pitcher throws overhand

28. Recreational Sports and Services

29. Recreational Sports and Services
Batter
» The batter will start with an empty count (0 balls, 0 strikes)
» The batter shall not:
– Have one or both feet entirely outside the limits of the batter’s box
touching the ground or any part of home plate when the ball is hit.
• Penalty: the batter is out and all runners must return to their original
bases.
– Bunt or chop the ball.
• Penalty: the batter is out and all runners must return to their original
bases.
– Batter must make contact with the ball in one continuous motion, with
both hands on the bat at all times
• Penalty: the ball is dead, the batter is out

30. Recreational Sports and Services
Batter
» The batter must take their position within 10 seconds after the
umpire calls “play ball” or be called out.
– Penalty: each pitch delivered shall be called a strike.
» The batter may not step out of the batter’s box without first
asking the umpire for “time”. If the batter does step out
without “time” being granted the pitch will be called
accordingly.
» Foul Ball Rule
– 3 foul balls – out, one swing and miss then 2 foul balls –
out, one foul ball then one swing and miss – out.

31. Recreational Sports and Services
Batter
» If there are less than 5 players, no out(s) will be
recorded for missed spot(s).
» A team may hit an extra batter if they chose,
but no more than 6 (7 for CoRec) may hit in a
lineup.
» Infield Fly Rule: There is an Infield Fly Rule in
IM Wiffle Ball.
– If there is a runner on 1st and 2nd or bases
loaded with 1 or less outs, and there is a ball
hit in the air in the infield, the batter is
automatically out.
– The ball is still live.

32. Recreational Sports and Services

33. Recreational Sports and Services
Base Runner
» Base stealing is not allowed.
» Base runners may leave a base as soon as a ball is hit. If a runner
leaves their base before the ball is hit, the runner is out and the pitch
does not count unless the batter attempted to hit the ball.
» There are NO SLIDES in IM Wiffleball.
– Penalty: Runner is out.
» Fake Tag: A fake tag or simulating the motion of catching a throw is a
form of obstruction.
– Penalty: The offender shall be ejected from the game and runners
shall be awarded bases they would have reached as if the
obstruction had not occurred.

34. Recreational Sports and Services
Contact Information
» Kyle Burton – Graduate Assistant for
Competitive Sports
– Email: kyle.burton@siu.edu
– Phone: 618-453-1273
» Victor Martin – Coordinator of Competitive
Sports
– Email: victor.martin@siu.edu
– Phone: 618-453-1284
» Administrative Office hours
– 8AM – 4PM

35. Recreational Sports and Services
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36. Recreational Sports and Services