rules

 

- Rules and Regulations - 1. Each game is either 7 innings or 55 minutes, which ever occurs first, unless one team is leading by 15 runs after the 4th inning in the regular season. 2. Games that end in a tie during regular season may be recorded as such. Extra innings shall only be played if time allows. 3. In the playoffs, the game shall be 7 innings until the final 8 teams in which games will be 9 innings, and the mercy rule will be 15 runs after 5 innings. The game must go at least 5 innings and only then can the game be called due to weather at the umpire's discretion. 4. GRACE PERIOD: o Teams are allowed a maximum ten (10) minute late grace period.        5. Three forfeitures by one team will result in disqualification from the league. If notice is given the day before, then it will not count as forfeiture, but will most likely still count as a loss. Teams and Players 1. There is no minimum number of players. Everyone present may bat but only ten players may be on the field for defense. Players may sub for one another at anytime. 2. Each team must bat in the same order for the entire game. 3. If additional players arrive after the game begins, these players may be placed at the end of the batting order and cannot come into the game until half inning is complete. Equipment 1. Teams must use the intramural game balls provided. If you want to bring your own balls to throw around to warm up, that is encouraged. 2. Players may not wear metal cleats or use baseball bats. Any player stepping into the batter's box with either is out. If it occurs a second time, the player with the illegal equipment is ejected. 3. A player who throws a bat is automatically out and any baserunners may NOT advance. 4. Bats will be available for use, however they are not of high quality. Teams may, and in fact are encouraged to use their own bat, and do not have to share with the other team. 5. No Titanium bats are allowed. 6. Participants are encouraged to wear athletic clothing. Clothing that restricts the natural movement of the participant (i.e. blue jeans) are prohibited. The Field 1. The bases are 70' apart. The pitching mound is 46' from home plate. (Take one step back from the 1st-3rd base diagonal.) The Pitch 1. The pitching arc is between 6 and 12 feet. That is, the ball must arc at least 6' above the ground but not more than 12'. Think over the batters head, but not double their height. 2. The pitcher must have at least one foot on the pitching rubber during delivery. 3. The pitcher must show the ball to the umpire and batter before pitching. No quick pitches! 4. If the ball is pitched illegally the umpire shall shout "flat" or "illegal pitch" at which time the batter may either swing at the pitch & take the result, or not swing and take an automatic ball. 5. There are no balks. 6. A batter hit by a pitch does NOT advance to first base. 7. If a batter catches a pitch a strike shall be called at the umpire's discretion. 8. Pitchers are allowed a maximum of three warm-up pitches in one minute between innings. Strike Zone 1. A mat will be under the plate and will be the designated strike zone. Mat is Plate width (17 inches) and about 36 inches deep. 2. If the ball hits the mat in the air then it is a strike 3. The count will start at 1-1 4. Balls and Strikes will be called at the umpires discretion 5. The umpire will determine if the ball is within the allowed arc and whether the ball hit the mat. 6. Three strikes and the batter is out 7. 4 balls and the batter may elect to walk or restart the count (see walk section)   Walks 1. If a batter walks (4 balls), the batter has the option of restarting the count to 0 balls and how ever many strikes the batter has. If the same batter walks again he may elect to go to second base or restart the count to 0 balls. If the batter walks 3 times he may elect to go to 3rd base and 4 times will be 4 bases. 2. At anytime through that process the batter gets 3 strikes the batter is out, no matter when the strikes occur, ie the strikes do not reset with the balls.  Interference 1. If a player on the offensive team (fans, coaches, batter or baserunners) interferes with the fielding team making a play on the ball in either fair or foul territory, the player closest to home is out and all other baserunners must return to the base they last obtained. If the interference breaks up a potential double play, that baserunner and the baserunner closest to home are both out. 2. If a baserunner is hit by a batted ball which has not passed a fielder other than the pitcher, the baserunner is out and all other runners must return to the base last obtained. (A baserunner hit by a batted ball while standing on the base is not out. The ball is fair and play shall continue.) Baserunners/Batters 1. If a base dislodges, runners do not have to follow the base. They can either go to the area when the base last was legally or go to the new base location. This is at the umpires discretion. 2. Two runners may not occupy the same base. The runner first legally holding the base is entitled to it unless forced to advance. 3. A runner leaving a base before the ball crossed home plate or is batted is out. (Dead ball) 4. If a runner passes another runner, the runner is out but the ball is still in play. 5. No runner may return to touch a missed base after a subsequent runner has scored. 6. Awarded bases must be touched in proper order. 7. A baserunner is out if assisted by anyone other than another baserunner. 8. A baserunner to 1st base is out if running inside the baseline and is hit by a thrown ball. 9. A baserunner is NOT out if he/she runs out of the baseline to avoid interference with a fielder attempting to field the ball. 10. A baserunner is not out if hit by a batted ball that touched or went through a fielder. 11. A baserunner is OUT if he/she does not slide and makes more than incidental contact with a fielder. If the fielder was attempting a double-play, the runner to first can be called out also. 12. A baserunner running more than 3' outside the baseline to avoid a tag is out. 13. The last person out may pinch run for the next person to get on base in the event of an injury. 14. A base runner cannot leave their base at the start of a pitch until the pitch has crossed the plate. This rule will be enforced at the umpire's discretion and will result in the baserunner being out if called. 15. After every pitch the baserunner is expected to retouch their base and not leave until the ball has crossed the plate. 16. Bunting IS ALLOWED to encourage the use of a catcher.  Balls Out of Play 1. If a ball is thrown or carried out of play, each runner is awarded one base past the base they are currently on or going to. This includes hitting a tree over the stone wall, but does not include if the ball hits the stone wall. It also includes all balls in the parking lot. 2. The trees ARE out of play. If the ball hits the trees in anyway, it is a dead ball. You cannot catch pop ups off of the trees. If you are in the front right field and hit the ball into the woods, it is an automatic home run. Infield Fly Rule 1. If a batter pops up the ball to an infielder with runners on first and second or first, second and third with less than two outs, the batter is automatically out and runners may advance at their own risk . Appeals and Protests 1. Teams may appeal a runner leaving the base too soon on a tag play and a runner missing the base. The team appealing must notify the umpire and then throw the ball to the base. The umpire then signals, "Out" or "Safe." 2. Judgement calls (out or safe, balls and strikes, fair or foul, etc.) cannot be protested. An enforcement protest must be filed before the next pitch occurs. The umpire must send for a supervisor. Supervisors have final say on all rule matters. ALL OTHER RULES ARE AS DETERMINED BY THE INTRAMURAL DIRECTOR OR SUPERVISOR ON DUTY THAT DAY.