Sportsplex Ball Hockey League Playing Guidelines

The New Westminster Parks and Recreation Adult Ball Hockey League provides recreational ball hockey for players of all abilities and skill levels, maximize participation and socialization.  As such, the following guidelines have been developed to help facilitate the conduct of play.

1.  PLAYERS & TEAM REQUIREMENTS

TEAM ROSTERS

• Each team may have a maximum of 25 players.
• A maximum of 16 players, including at least one goalie, may dress for each game.
• Final team rosters must be submitted before the team's 5th game and must include players' full first and last names.
• Teams that do not submit a complete roster will default subsequent games until the roster is submitted to the League Coordinator.
• Between Game 5 and December 14, each team may make one roster change of one or two players, including additions and/or deletions.
• No roster changes are permitted after January 1.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

• Players may play on only one team in the league and may not be associated with two teams in the same division.

CAPTAINS & ALTERNATE CAPTAINS

• Each team must designate one Captain and up to three Alternate Captains. Goalies cannot be Captains or Alternates.
• Captains and Alternates must wear a clearly visible “C” or “A” on their jersey and be identified on the game sheet.
• Only a Captain or Alternate may:
  • Ask a referee for clarification of a rule; or
  • Approach the timekeeper's area.
• Captains and Alternates must remain outside the referee's zone until all penalties have been assessed. All other players must remain in the neutral zone.
• A Captain or Alternate who receives a penalty must proceed directly to the penalty area and may not speak with the referee for the duration of the penalty.

2. JERSEYS & EQUIPMENT

JERSEYS

• Players must wear matching jerseys of the same colour.
• Goalies may wear any jersey colour as long as it does not match the opposing team.
• Jerseys must have a 0–99 number, at least six inches high, on the back. Taped-on numbers are not permitted.
• If both teams have the same colour jerseys, the visiting team must wear the designated alternate jerseys.
• Rented Sportsplex jerseys must be returned after each game. A $25 fee applies to each unreturned jersey. Outstanding fees must be paid before the team's next game, and the team will forfeit future games until the balance is paid.
• Sportsplex jerseys are available to rent for $25.
• Goalie equipment is provided at no charge and must be returned after the game.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

• All players must wear their own CSA-approved helmet with the chin strap securely fastened throughout the game.
• Goalies must wear a CSA-approved helmet and mask.
• Hockey or other approved ball hockey gloves are recommended.
• Equipment may not be altered or used if it creates a risk of injury.
• No tape is permitted on the bottom surface of hockey sticks.
• If a goalie uses a water bottle at the net, it must be no more than ¾ full, and a towel must be kept at the net to clean up spills.

BROKEN OR LOST EQUIPMENT

• A player whose helmet comes off must replace it, with the chin strap fastened, before continuing to play or must go to the bench. Continuing to play without a helmet will result in a delay-of-game penalty.
• A player with a broken stick may continue playing only after immediately dropping the broken stick.
• Sticks must not be thrown toward the boards or onto the floor.
• Replacement sticks must be personally handed to the player from the bench and may not be thrown onto the floor.

3. GAME ELIGIBILITY & ROSTERS

• Game rosters must be completed by the Captain or Alternate before each game.
• Additions or deletions to the game roster must be made by the Captain or Alternate before the start of the second period.
• Any roster changes after the second period has started will result in a stopped clock and a delay-of-game penalty.
• A team using an illegal player will forfeit the game. An illegal player is someone who:
  • Is not on the official team roster;
  • Is not listed on the game roster; or
  • Has an incorrect name listed on the game roster.
• Late players must be dressed and on the bench before the start of the second period.

PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY

• Players must participate in at least 7 regular-season games to be eligible for playoffs. Goalies are exempt.
• To count toward the seven-game requirement, a player must:
  • Be listed on the game roster;
  • Be dressed; and
  • Be on the floor before the start of the second period.
• Coaches must also be listed on the game roster.
• Captains and Alternates are responsible for ensuring game rosters are accurate. Only the Captain or Alternate may make changes to the game roster.

EMERGENCY GOALIES

• A goalie may play as an emergency goalie for a team in another division, but not their own division.
• The same emergency goalie may be used a maximum of two times.
• Emergency goalies are not permitted during the final five regular-season games or during playoffs.

4. GAME FORMAT

START OF GAME

• Games begin at the scheduled time.
• A 10-minute grace period is permitted if a team is not ready to play.
• The first half of the game will be shortened by 10 minutes, and the delaying team will receive a 2-minute delay-of-game penalty.
• Beginning in Week 5, teams must have at least 7 dressed players, including a goalie, to start a game.
• During the first four weeks, the minimum is 6 players, including a goalie.
• A team that is not ready after the grace period will forfeit the game, recorded as a 1–0 loss.

GAME LENGTH

• Three 16-minute periods are played.
• There is a 2-minute break between periods.
• Play is running time except:
  • Final minute of the 1st period – stop time;
  • Final minute of the 2nd period – stop time;
  • Final 2 minutes of the 3rd period – stop time.
• Each team may take one 30-second timeout per game.
• Timeouts cannot be called once teams are lined up for a face-off but may be called after a goal.

OVERTIME

• Regular-season games ending in a tie proceed immediately to a 3-minute sudden-victory overtime.
• Overtime is 4-on-4.
• The final minute of overtime is stop time.
• No timeouts are permitted during overtime.

CHANGE ROOMS

• Teams may enter the change rooms no earlier than 30 minutes before their scheduled game.
• The home team, as designated on the schedule, dresses in the designated cage area.

5. STANDINGS & DEFAULTS

POINT SYSTEM

TIE-BREAKERS

If two teams are tied in points, rankings will be determined in the following order:

1. Most wins;
2. Best record between the tied teams;
3. Goals for minus goals against in games between the tied teams;
4. Total goals for minus total goals against in all regular-season games.

GAME DEFAULTS

Team defaults are subject to the following:

• 1st default: $100 fine
• 2nd default: $200 fine
• 3rd default: Team dismissed from the remainder of the season

Teams dismissed for defaults will not receive a refund and may lose their returning-team status for the following year, at the Coordinator's discretion.

OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS

If scheduled payments are not processed due to insufficient funds:

• All games played up to that point will be defaulted;
• Opposing teams will receive a 1–0 win; and
• The team may not continue playing until all outstanding fees are paid.

6. PLAYING RULES & PENALTIES

The playing rules are intended to maintain the recreational nature of the league and promote player safety and sportsmanship.

Penalties may include:

• 2-minute penalty;
• 4-minute penalty;
• 5-minute penalty;
• 10-minute misconduct;
• Game misconduct;
• 3-game suspension;
• 5-game suspension;
• Season suspension; or
• Permanent suspension.

Penalty calls are at the discretion of the referees. New Westminster Parks, Culture and Recreation Ball Hockey League Organizers retain final authority for rule interpretation and dispute resolution.

FACE-OFFS

A face-off may be called when:

• The ball hits the roof, lights, beams or similar overhead structure. The face-off is taken at the closest face-off spot.
• A player uses a closed hand to play or pass the ball in the offensive zone. The face-off returns to centre. If the infraction occurs in the defensive zone, the face-off remains in that zone.
• A player enters the opposing team's goal crease. The face-off is at centre.
• A glove-hand pass occurs, except where both players are in their own defensive zone and the receiving player is lateral to or behind the passer.
• A player closes their hand on the ball and gains an advantage.

The ball remains in play when it contacts the side wall or netting.

7. DELAY OF GAME & CONTACT

DELAY OF GAME

Players may not intentionally delay play by:

• Falling, stepping on or covering the ball, except when blocking a shot;
• Covering the ball behind the net as a goalie. Both feet must remain in front of the goal line;
• Stopping play to amend a team roster;
• Intentionally pushing an opposing player into the goal crease; or
• Using their feet to trap the ball along the boards. Only the stick may be used.

Players on the bench or in the penalty area must keep their legs and sticks out of play.

ILLEGAL CONTACT

Intentional contact or attempts to make intentional contact with another player are prohibited, including:

• Slashing;
• Cross-checking;
• High-sticking that makes contact;
• Holding;
• Hooking;
• Hip-checking;
• Interference;
• Unnecessary rough play;
• Clearing players from in front of the net rather than positioning to play the ball;
• Charging;
• Boarding; and
• Hitting from behind.

Specific penalties include:

• Slashing, cross-checking and high-sticking contact: 4 minutes;
• Charging: 5 minutes;
• Cross-checking an opponent above shoulder height: 5 minutes, regardless of injury;
• Boarding: 5 minutes; attempted boarding: 2 minutes;
• Hit from behind: major penalty; if the player is driven into the boards, a major plus game misconduct applies.

8. OTHER PLAYING RULES

• Spitting on the floor, walls or benches is prohibited.
• Players may not dispute an official's ruling. Only Captains or Alternates may question a ruling, and they must do so respectfully.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties may be assessed to any team member in the building and may be served during the current or next scheduled game.
• High-sticking the ball above shoulder height results in a minor penalty.
• Golf shots are not permitted.
• If a Captain or Alternate receives a penalty, they lose the privilege of speaking with the referee until the penalty is served.
• Any player receiving three penalties in one game is ejected.
• A major penalty includes a game misconduct and results in a suspension for the remainder of the game and the next game.
• If a team is already shorthanded and the opposing team scores while a delayed minor penalty is being called, the player already in the penalty box may return and the delayed penalty is served.

9. MISCONDUCT, FIGHTING & SUSPENSIONS

PLAYER SAFETY

Any conduct that endangers the health or safety of another player, referee, coach or spectator, or jeopardizes the integrity of the game, may result in a misconduct penalty or suspension.

A player who deliberately attempts to injure another person may receive a permanent suspension.

FIGHTING

Fighting is prohibited.

• A player who initiates a fight is suspended for the remainder of the current game plus the next 5 consecutive games.
• A player designated as the non-aggressor may be suspended for the remainder of the game plus the next 3 consecutive games.
• During a fight:
  • All players, except goalies, must immediately return to their bench or neutral area;
  • Goalies must remain in their crease;
  • No player may become involved in the altercation;
  • Players may not leave the bench to join or cause an altercation; and
  • Teams must remain on the bench until directed otherwise by the referees.

RESPECT FOR OFFICIALS & LEAGUE STAFF

• Verbal abuse of referees or league staff is prohibited before, during and after games.
• Players, Captains and coaches may not approach referees between periods or after games.
• Repeated verbal abuse may result in a permanent suspension.
• Suspensions will be communicated to team Captains after the weekend games; suspension decisions will not be made on game night.

SUSPENSION THRESHOLDS

• A player receiving two suspensions of three or more games may be subject to a season suspension, pending review.
• A player receiving three game misconducts may be subject to a season suspension.
• Players serving a suspension may not enter the change area, go on the floor or participate in the handshake during their team's game. They may still be assessed penalties as a team member.

SUSPENSION FINES

Fines must be paid before a player is eligible to return after serving their suspension.

A second one-year suspension results in an automatic permanent suspension.

SUSPENSION APPEALS

• Suspension appeals must be submitted using the official Sportsplex Ball Hockey League Suspension Appeal Form.
• Appeals must be submitted by Monday to receive a response before the team's next scheduled game.
• Suspensions of two games or less cannot be appealed.
• Appeals that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted.

For match penalties, the scorekeeper may be asked, at the request of the Captain or at the officials' discretion, whether they witnessed the incident.

10. FACILITY RULES

The following facility rules apply at the Sportsplex:

• Alcohol and drugs are prohibited in the Sportsplex and in City parks.
• Playing under the influence of alcohol may result in removal from the game.
• A team, team member or affiliate violating the alcohol/drug prohibition may be permanently dismissed from the league with no refund.
• Smoking and vaping are prohibited anywhere in the Sportsplex.
• Ball hockey is not permitted in the lobby or change areas.

11. CODE OF CONDUCT

Everyone using the Sportsplex—including staff, volunteers, visitors and participants—is expected to treat others with respect, dignity and fairness.

The following are prohibited:

• Discrimination, racism, hatred or demeaning behaviour;
• Aggressive acts, threats, violence or profanity;
• Illegal activity or destruction of property;
• Alcohol, cannabis, drugs or other intoxicating substances;
• Weapons; and
• Any harmful, abusive, coercive, manipulative or illicit interactions involving children or youth.

Help us keep the Sportsplex safe for everyone. Please report unusual or concerning behaviour to a staff member.