Roster Rules
§ 35-man roster.
§ Players can be added to roster at any time.
§ Players must play at least 12 regular-season games to be eligible for the playoffs.
§ Scorebooks are collected at the end of the regular season to determine playoff eligibility for each team’s players. It is each team’s responsibility to keep a complete and thorough book. Any team not having a complete scorebook for their season WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PLAYOFFS.
§ Players must be written with AT LEAST their full last name and first initial in the scorebook (no nicknames).
Lineup Rules
§ Teams can bat four extra hitters (EH) in their lineup.
§ Teams can optionally bat a designated hitter (DH) but this batter can ONLY bat for the pitcher, who does not get to bat.
§ Teams can begin a game with only nine players but no less.
o If a tenth player shows up he can be added to the bottom of the lineup at any time – even if you have already batted through the order.
§ After the start of a game, new batters can be added to the bottom of the lineup ONLY if you have not already batted through the order. Once you bat through the order, you must bat exactly the number of batters you started with.
o If a player is injured, ejected, or otherwise leaves the game and your team does not have an eligible player to replace him, his spot in the batting order is an automatic out through the end of the game.
§ Re-entry rule is used in this league.
o After making an in-game substitution, the player who was originally substituted for can re-enter the game. The player who temporarily substituted for him is done for the day, however, and cannot re-enter.
§ There is no limit to the number of times a player can be re-entered.
Game Rules
§ Pitcher’s mound is 55’ from the back of the plate.
§ Bases are 65’ apart.
§ There is no mercy rule.
§ Slow-pitch, 6-12’ arc.
§ Third strike foul rule.
o If a batter hits a foul ball with two strikes on him, he is out.
- If the ball is not caught, it is a dead ball. If the ball is caught, however, runners can advance normally.
§ Runners must slide or veer.
§ Catcher cannot block the plate.
§ Runners can leave after the ball crosses the plate.
o There is no stealing, however. Baserunners cannot advance if a pitched ball passes behind the catcher without being hit by the batter.
§ A courtesy runner is allowed for injured players or players 50 years of age and over. The last batted out must run as the courtesy runner (does NOT have to be from the previous inning).
- There is no limit to the number of courtesy runners permitted per game or per inning.
- Players requiring a courtesy runner must be announced to the umpire and opposing coach during ground rules.
Equipment Rules
§ Our league follows ASA standards for bats. Only certified bats are allowed.
- Copies of the “banned bats” will be handed out prior to the season. An updated list will also be provided on the league website.
§ Metal spikes are not permitted.
§ Players found using illegal equipment will be immediately ejected from the game and will serve an additional one-game suspension.
Forfeit Rules
§ It is the responsibility of the home team to make decisions regarding rainouts. The home team coach must make this decision no later than one hour before a game’s scheduled start time. The home team coach must call the league assigner (umpire commissioner) and opposing team coach to advise of a rainout.
o If a game starts during rain, or if it begins to rain after the start of a game, the umpire can decide to call the game should it become too severe. The umpire is not obligated to return any of his game fee.
§ Teams have until 15 minutes after the scheduled start time to have the minimum number of players to begin (nine). After this time, the game is a forfeit. In the event of a forfeit, the umpire is due a travel charge (equal to half of the regular game fee). The forfeiting team is responsible for this fee, regardless of whether he was the home or away team.
§ A team forfeiting more than three regular season games WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PLAYOFFS.
o If you know in advance that your team will not have enough players for a scheduled game, notify the league commissioner ASAP. Notification given more than 48 hours prior to a game’s scheduled start time does not count as a forfeit. The league commissioner will work to reschedule these games.