Game Rules
- (Clarified Spring 2021) Batting team Parent pitches - the pitching distance from home plate should be reasonable based on the player (on the field right in front of the mound for average or older players; closer for younger/little players)
- Fielding team Player Catches
- Up to 7 pitches. Can swing all 7 times. No hit = Out. (An additional pitch is allowed if foul ball hit or the coach throws several really bad pitches.)
- 3 outs = end of half inning
- Score keeping: A maximum five run rule per half inning. In the case of a Home Run, all runs count.
- Game time: 5 innings or 75 minutes, whichever comes first
- Every player bats and fields
- No stealing or lead off base running
- (Clarified Spring 2021) 2 adult coaches are allowed in the outfield grassy area while on defense, with a maximum of 4 coaches in the dugout or on the field at any time. At least one adult must be in the dugout at all times.
- Effective September 2020, this rule no longer applies, as the Fielding team will play a Catcher position. [The Fielding team parent Catcher (when applicable) IS allowed to catch a ball thrown by a player for an out at home plate, either through a force or a tag. They may not, however, actively run into the field of play to obtain the ball, then make an out at home.]
- Coaches will be allowed to change pitchers, at any time.
- When at bat, the first and third base coaches are allowed on the field and only in the coach’s boxes, as well as one batting team coach to collect the bat after a player hits. NEW! Effective Spring 2021, no adult coach or "helper" may play behind the Catcher. Catchers should be down in the Catcher position and get all balls pitched or hit foul in the catcher's area.
- (Clarified Spring 2021) All players present must be in the batting lineup, determined at the start of the game and followed during the game with no changes unless both team coaches agree. A late player must be added at the end of the batting order, and bat when his turn comes up.
- Ball must travel 3 feet or it is a foul - the grass in front of the home plate area is a fair ball line.
- If the ball hits the adult pitcher, the ball will become automatically dead and the batter will be awarded first base. Any runner that is forced to do so, will advance one base. If the coach intentionally let the ball hit himself, the batter will be called out and the coach warned. If there is a second occurrence, the coach will be ejected.
- Teams may use a courtesy runner, being the player that recorded the last out.
- There is NO infield warm‐up before games. Warm‐ups should be in the outfield.
- Teams can play 9 or 10 players defensively but must have at least 4 outfielders if available. Outfielders must be in the grass behind the base line.
- The defensive player pitcher must stay behind the pitcher’s rubber until the ball is batted.
- Overthrow Rule: In the case of an overthrow, players can advance only 1 base. (Example. Short stop over throws to First: Batter can advance to 2nd base, 2nd base to 3rd, and 3rd base runner to home.) Additional overthrows that occur during that live ball can result in a player continuing to advance a base (each overthrow = potential advancement at risk).
- No fielder may cross the playing line until the ball is hit.
- Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators. League officials have the option of removing any manager, coach, player, or spectator. Anyone ejected from a game must either leave the park entirely or remain in the parking lot for the remainder of that game and the next game.
- All teams must be ready to play at game time or the late team will forfeit the game.
- Only players listed on the official team roster will be eligible to play, unless approval is received from the Baseball Director.
- (Clarified Spring 2021) The ball is considered dead when the Fielding team Pitcher or the Batting team adult pitcher has control of the ball.
- (Clarified Spring 2021) Any base runner touched by a live batted ball has committed interference and is out. The ball is dead. The batter-runner is awarded first base (unless he is the one touched by the batted ball), and other runners advance only if forced.
