League Games
League games will last either 2:45 minutes or 9 innings, whichever comes first. No new inning may start after 2:40 minutes as to not back up any other proceeding games. All games,INCLUDING PLAYOFFS, are official after 5 innings. Semi Finals and Championship games will have a time limit of 3:15 minutes.
Exception: In the event of a tie, a new inning will begin with the last batted out starting out at second base.
Playoffs we will play one extra inning in regular fashion before we place the last batted out and second base.
Any team that forfeits 2 games in a season can be removed from the league.
Uniforms
It is required that all team members wear matching uniform tops during league games. Also, uniform numbers are mandatory on the back of the uniform shirts with each player must have a differentiating number. All Coaches must be in full uniform as well. Opposing teams have the option of objecting to any player who does not adhere to this.
ANY player out of uniform or lineups after the 2nd week of the season will NOT be allowed to play, unless the opposing manager verbally approves the player to be eligible of play to BOTH the umpire and the other manager. Any outcomes provided by that illegal player up to their removal will remain as official.
Metal or molded cleats are allowed, this is a WOOD BAT league only.
Lineups
Lineups with rosters must be exchanged before each game detailing each player’s name and uniform number, not only for players attending that game, but the entire approved roster. If not presented, this is protestable and a forfeit can be given. Teams have the option to object to the participation of an opposing player if he is not listed on the lineup card once it's handed in. Teams may start with 8 players and the 9th is an out first time through the lineup. Lineup is then condensed to the remaining 8 players.
Helmets
All batters and runners must wear a helmet with at least one earflap. The batter’s ear that faces the pitcher must be covered by an earflap.
Catchers, while playing defense, must wear a protective helmet.
Alcoholic Beverages
No alcoholic beverages of any kind are permitted on the field, dugout, parking lots or premises of any game. Please keep the consumption of these types of beverages limited to those areas away from any parks or county property. Any participant who is found to be in violation will be ejected and is subject to expulsion from the league.
Ejections
Any player, manager or coach ejected from a game MUST serve an automatic one game suspension to be immediately served the following game. Any secondary offense may reult in disciplinary offense including expulsion from the league. * The league and it's Rules Committee reserve the right to ammend or enforce stricter penalties on any incident*
Rosters
Teams must have eight (8) players for an official game. Games will be forfeited if a team can not field at least eight players within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time.
A player needs to have a participatied in a minimum of 2 GAMES within the first half of the season to be eligible for playoff participation.
Teams must have a minimum of 15 players with a maximum of 21 players on their roster.
NO PLAYER on a roster may switch teams without the consent of the league president. A player MUST submit his request to the league and WAIT for approval.
Courtesy Runners
Players that will need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the opposing manager and home plate umpire at the home plate meeting. Otherwise, the opposing manager has the right to refuse the courtesy runner. Each team will be allowed a maximum of two players per game who can be classified as needing a courtesy runner. Each time a designated player reaches base, he will call time out and at that point will be replaced by the last batted out. If the last batted out also is listed as needing a courtesy runner, the second to last batted out will run. In the case that no outs have been recorded when the designated player reaches base, the last batter in the lineup will act as the last batted out.
In the event that a player becomes injured during a game, and the maximum number of courtesy runners (2) have been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed.
If the offensive team replaces the runner with the wrong courtesy runner (a player that was not the last batted out) and the opposing team protests AFTER the next pitch, then that runner will be called out.
If the original runner inadvertently runs for himself and the opposing team protests after the first pitch, the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game.
If the right to use a courtesy runner is forfeited by violating any of the three rules above, the offending team will not have the right to use another courtesy runner for an injured player.
Lineup
For the sake of fairness and accuracy, the entire team’s roster, including last names and uniform numbers and not just the starting lineups, must be exchanged by teams before the start of each game.
The League suggests that teams come to the event with a complete prepared roster form with all of the above stated information.
Offense
Each manager has the prerogative to bat as many players in his initial lineup as long as there are at least 9 hitters. If the manager wishes to add players to the bottom of the lineup (i.e. hitting positions 11, 12, 13, 14, etc.), he may do so at any time. Added players to the bottom of the line-up may be added as individual hitters. Any added player to the bottom of the lineup or pinch hitter must notify the opposing team manager of the batting order change. If no notification is made, and proper protest is made, an automatic out will be assessed to that batter. If a player is pinch hit for, he may NOT re-enter the game. Batters may not be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added to the game. Example: If a team increases the size of their lineup to 15 hitters, they must always have 15 hitters in their lineup.
The A/B rule or shared position in the batting order may also be utilized but must announced and indicated during the plate meeting. Both players must rotate their at bats during the game and field but may not change their position in the batting order.
Exception- If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or ejection, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced batter’s place. If there are no reserves who can replace the individual, the first time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed. After that one time, no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by the displaced player.
Defense
All players may be substituted for, at any time, provided they are in the batting order. To be clear, if you are playing a defensive position you MUST be added to the batting lineup.
In regards to substituting for the pitcher, if he is removed from the mound, he can go play any other position provided he is in the batting order. He may NOT re-enter to resume pitching at any point during the game.
If a pitcher is only listed as pitching without being in the batting order, he is OUT of the game once he is removed.
Age Requirement
Players must be of age by that calendar year of their divisions to participate. A manager has the right to question the validity of a player's age during a game. Therefore, all players should carry a government ID with them in the event one's age comes into question. The manager should notify the umpire to protest the game, who can then forward it to the League.
* In the 35 & over divison, each team is allowed 2 players 30 & over who can play any position EXCEPT pitcher.
Collision Rule
The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid contact whenever possible.
When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge:
- Whether the collision by the runner was avoidable (could the runner have reached the base without colliding) or unavoidable (the runner’s path to the base was blocked)
-Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate) or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder.
-If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The runner is safe and an immediate dead ball shall be called.
Decoy Rule
NO DECOYS may be used during a game. For example, if a fielder fakes a tag, forcing a player to slide, when there is no strategic purpose or apparent play, the runner will be ruled safe and all runners will advance one base.
This is entirely an umpire judgment decision and not a rule that may be protested.
Slide Rule
The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This is a safety as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs.
On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.
Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder.
Intentional Walks and Hit Batsmen
Each team is allowed to intentionally walk an opposing team player once in a game. Therefore, the total number of intentional walks each team is allowed each game is one. The team in the field will notify the home plate umpire of the intended intentional walk and the batter will automatically be awarded first base. No pitches are thrown.
If a pitcher hits 3 batters in one game, the pitcher MUST be removed from this position.
Protests/ Makeups
Protest fees are $50. All protests must be lodged to the League President after the completion of the game in question. All protests will be decided by the Rules Committee.
Protests regarding a player’s eligibility must be made before the game or as soon as the player in question enters the game, offensively or defensively or directly right after the game.
In the event of a rained out game or games, every effort will be made to make up the game(s).
*** In the event a rule is NOT covered under our guidelines, Major League Baseball rules will be applied. ***
