Bases are placed roughly 20 paces (aka 60 feet) apart.
Min. number of players on the field = 7; Max. number of players on the field = 9 (excluding pitcher).
In the case of a shortened game (e.g. bad weather) the game counts as long as 4 innings were played. If the home team is winning in the bottom of the 4th when play is stopped, then the game still counts.
Games that are cancelled due to foul weather will be attempted to be re-scheduled, but we cannot guarantee it.
If the home team is winning after the top of the 7th, the game is over. Teams may play for fun for the bottom of the 7th but in terms of reporting the score, it is reported as the score at the top of the 7th.
Teams must have a minimum of 3 players of each gender on the field at all times. If a team is short a female player (2 vs. 3 females), when the space for the missing female comes up in the batting line up, it will be counted as an out. They will need to play one player short in the field. As with our general rules, if teams agree to alter a rule before they play, then the game COUNTS.
If the game does not begin 15 minutes after the scheduled start time due to lack of players from one team then the other team wins the game by default.
There must be a minimum of 1 woman at bat for every 2 men at bat (even if a woman bats twice in the same order). However, if there are more females than a 2:1 ratio, the team should follow a standard batting order with no more than 2 males in a row. Essentially, everyone on the team has to bat before a male bats for the 2nd time.
6 run maximum per inning, no maximum in 7th inning.
No stealing or lead-offs - on a swing and miss, no more than one step is allowed.
No sliding under any circumstances. Anyone sliding will be called out.
Team captains should flip a coin to determine which team takes the field first.
The team at bat should provide a first base and third base umpire to call outs. In addition, the catcher should call fair/foul balls as they have the best view. The pitcher is responsible for calling outs at 2nd base and home plate.
Same team pitches to their own players. A maximum of 3 pitches per batter.
There is no minimum distance for a batted ball to count as live (e.g. if a batted ball does not reach the pitcher, it is still a live ball) as long as it is a full swing.
Since there is no minimum distance for a batted ball, there is no minimum distance for the infielders to start. (i.e. they do not have to be behind the baseline)
If a batted ball hits the pitcher, it is counted as a strike. The only exception is on the third strike. A batter cannot strike out by hitting pitcher.
A team is allowed to use a pitching screen if they wish. The ball hitting the screen is just treated the same as if it hit the pitcher.
There can only be four players defending in the infield (1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman and Shortstop). Any rovers must play in the outfield, and cannot enter the infield until the ball has been hit.
To avoid collisions, runners must tag the safety base at first base, and cannot touch the home plate (runners must run past home plate). To get a runner out at home plate, the catcher must have the ball and one foot on home plate before the runner crosses the extended line passing from the 1st base line past home plate. If the runner touches home plate, it is an out.
Fielders cannot block the base path from oncoming runners. If a fielder is in the base path and not making a play on the ball, the runner will automatically be rewarded the next base.
A commitment line must be marked halfway between 3rd base and home plate. Once the base runner has passed the line he or she must continue on to home.
Remember the point of the game is to have fun. If there are any questions as to the rules, please work them out between the team captains in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
There is absolutely no tolerance for rough or abusive play. Any players exhibiting these characteristics will be reprimanded and may be asked to leave the league.
All bats must be ASA, ISF or USSSA approved. If a batter uses an illegal bat, they will be called out and any baserunners must return to where they started at the beginning of the at-bat.
Pinch runners and courtesy runners are allowed in our leagues. However, they must be the last person to get out of the same gender.
For a foul pop up to the catcher, the ball must go a minimum of 10 feet for the catch to count as an out. If it is below 10 feet, it is a foul ball.
