Rules

We are a communal league that strives to build camaraderie among all players, not just among teammates. Our rules are designed to provide competitive and balanced competition for everyone involved, regardless of skill level. Some rules rely on the honesty of our players and captains, and therefore may be reconsidered if found to be abused.

Any rule may be temporarily waived or modified upon agreement of both team captains.

Game Structure

• Games start at 9:00 AM.

• Normal games are 9 innings. Double header games are 6 innings.

• A team must have 7 of its own regulars for the length of the game. A team may use guests to bring the total to 10 players (i.e. no guests may be used if there are at least 10 regulars playing). Guests may only play 2B or RF and must bat at the end of the lineup.

• After 5 innings (or 4.5 if the home team is leading), a mercy rule applies when a team has a 12-run lead. The home team still has the last at bat.

• Rain-shortened games follow the MLB rules:

• If the game is official (at least 5 completed innings, or 4.5 if the home team is winning), the leading team wins.

• If the game is official and the score is tied, or if the game is unofficial, the game will be resumed as part of a double header at their next meeting. The teams will finish the 9-inning game, then play a 6-inning game.

• Lineup substitutions for the suspended game follow the normal rules: players not playing in the suspended game can be pinch hit for by someone who didn't play in the original game. Any additional players who didn't play in the original game can be added to the end of the lineup. Any pitchers who stopped pitching in the original game may not pitch in the suspended game.

• The regular season may be ended early if the playoff seeds are set and agreed upon by all captains.

Lineups

• If a player arrives after the game starts and the team already has enough players (9), the player may not enter the game for at least 2 innings from the point they arrive. When they enter the game, they must bat at the end of the lineup (unless pinch hitting for a player leaving the game). A player has not officially entered a game until he either bats or plays defense. Players with a valid pre-specified reason for arriving late are exempt from waiting.

• If a team has more than 9 players in the game, pitchers do not need to bat while they are pitching. They must bat once they stop pitching. If a team has 9 or fewer players in the game, the pitcher must bat.

• Once someone plays a defensive position other than pitcher, they must be added to the lineup.

• There is currently no penalty if a player leaves a game early. However, this may change if teams are suspected of skipping over players for strategic purposes.

• All players are entitled to at least 3 innings of fielding unless a player specifically requests not to play. It is the manager's discretion on when to put them in, with no limit to switching.

• Pitchers may not re-enter the game as a pitcher, even if they stay in the game at other positions.

• Players may use a courtesy runner due to injury (no longer limited to once per game) or old age. Captains shall inform the opposing captain of which players need a courtesy runners prior to the game. Catchers may also use a courtesy runner when there are 2 outs. The courtesy runner will be the last batter out.

• Courtesy runners may not steal bases. By stealing bases, we mean our definition of advancing on wild pitches or passed balls.

Equipment

• A batting helmet must be worn while at bat and on base.

• Only BBCOR -3 bats or wooden bats are allowed. If a player is caught using any other drop bats during the game, the plays will be counted as automatic outs. If it is found out after the game, the player's team will be charged with a forfeit and the player's stats will be vacated.

Game Play

We generally follow MLB rules, with some exceptions:

• Stealing can only occur if there is a wild pitch or passed ball, but only after tagging up from their current base.

• No "cheap bases". This is when a pitched ball goes through the backstop. Runners may only advance if they were not leading off (since they were in a position to steal). If a non-pitched ball goes through the backstop, play is stopped and runners may only advance to the nearest base.

• Runners can advance on pickoff attempts, but only after tagging up from their current base. This applies to all runners, not just the runner subject to the pickoff.

• Balks may only be called on pickoff attempts.

• Pitchers may not return to pitching after they have stopped pitching. This is because players never really leave the game, which is what prohibits them from returning to pitching in MLB.

A few reminders of MLB rules which we follow:

• The catcher cannot block home plate when a throw is made to home. He needs to provide access to home plate to the runner. If the catcher is deemed to be blocking home plate, the runner will be called safe.

• A batter must be put out after a dropped third strike when first base is unoccupied OR there are less than two outs. If there are runners on with two outs, the batter or any runner must be put out.

• The infield fly rule applies with (a) runners on first and second OR bases loaded, and (b) there are less than two outs. The fielder must be camped under the popup and ready to catch it. The popup does not need to be in the infield, but must be in fair territory. It can be in the shallow outfield as long as the umpire believes a double play can be turned if the ball is not caught. Once called, the batter is out and runners may advance at their own risk. The runners must tag up only if the ball is caught.

• On a line drive hit to an infielder with runners on base, the umpire may call the batter out if he feels the fielder intentionally dropped the ball. This is to prevent the fielder from using a fielder's choice to replace a runner with a slower runner.

Sportsmanship

• The umpire has the power to give warnings or eject players for poor sportsmanship.

• Once a player is ejected from the game, the player must leave the field immediately or will be faced with possible suspensions.

• Only captains shall bring up any arguments or issues to the umpire. Player shall not argue calls individually or else they will be subject to ejection at the umpire's discretion.

Scoring Rules

• Players are credited with a stolen base (or caught stealing) on wild pitches and passed balls. Wild pitches and passed balls are not recorded, except when a pitch goes out of play. Stolen bases do not contribute to an unearned run.

• Runners advancing on a pickoff attempt (after tagging up) are not given a stolen base. It is instead charged as an error and therefore can lead to an unearned run.

• Errors may be called even if a fielder doesn't touch a batted ball if it is considered a gross misplay. This generally involves a fielder appearing ready to catch a pop up or fly ball, but fails to catch the ball. This differs from a simple misread where the fielder breaks in the wrong direction off the bat, which is not considered an error.

• We generally have a much lower standard for what is considered "ordinary effort." A hard hit ball that gets past an infielder is a hit. A fly ball dropped by an outfielder running at or near full speed is a hit. A misplayed ball on the infield due to a bad hop is a hit.

• Starting pitchers need not pitch 5 innings to qualify for a win if it is determined that no reliever is deserving of the win.

Ground Rules

• Out of play boundaries generally follow the fence line of the bench. A foul ball caught out of play is not an out.

• Any ball hitting a tree, whether in fair or foul territory, is a foul ball.

• If there is no outfield fence, then all home runs must be inside-the-park, with one exception: a walk off hit so deep that the batter, whose run is unnecessary, could have scored with marginal certainty if his run were necessary. Similarly, a walk-off hit may be credited as a double or triple depending on where it is hit.

• A courtesy base is used at first base for the runner. The fielder must step on the white base (the one in fair territory) to record the out. Runners must use the orange courtesy base (in foul territory) if running through the base.

• Music may only be played during walk ups and between innings.