3. Skip to content

# 3. Playing Rules

## 3.1 Authority and Rule Hierarchy

Umpires have full authority to administer and enforce game rules on the field. In applying written rules, the controlling order is: (1) League Policy, (2) these Playing Rules, and (3) Incorporated Rules. If provisions conflict, the higher-priority source controls to the extent of the conflict.

## 3.2 Incorporated Rules

Except where specified in this document, games shall incorporate the Official Baseball Rules of Major League Baseball (the "Incorporated Rules").

These rules shall not incorporate the following rules of Major League Baseball:

- Rule(s) specifying limitations on when a position player can pitch.
- Rule(s) specifying limitations on infielder placement.
- Rule(s) incorporating the parameters of the Extra Innings Rule, which includes starting each half-inning following the last regulation inning with a runner on second base.
- Rule(s) limiting the number of mound visits per game. Limitations on visits per inning still apply.
- Rule(s) requiring that pitchers must face at least three batters.
- Rule(s) specifying time limits on pitchers and batters.
- Rule(s) limiting pitcher disengagements (i.e. pick-offs).
- Rule(s) enlarging bases from 15 inches square to 18 inches square. Either base size is acceptable as long as each base used in the game are the same size.
- Any rule requiring specialized equipment or trained personnel, such as replay review.

## 3.3 Pre-Game Meeting

Before first pitch, the Managers and the umpire-in-chief shall conduct a pre-game meeting. A Manager may designate a team delegate to attend on the Manager’s behalf. At this meeting, the teams shall exchange lineups and review any applicable ground rules with the umpire.

## 3.4 Regulation Games

Games played under the auspices of both recognized Managers of the participating teams shall count as official. A regulation game is defined as follows

1. A regulation game is scheduled for seven (7) innings.
2. A game becomes a regulation game after four (4) completed innings, or after 3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead.
3. If the score is tied after seven (7) completed innings, play shall continue until a winner is determined, unless the game is called and recorded as a tie under applicable called-game provisions.
4. The run-rule, or "Slaughter Rule", thresholds are:
   1. Fifteen (15) runs after four (4) complete innings, or after 3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead;
   2. Twelve (12) runs after five (5) complete innings, or after 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead.
   3. Ten (10) runs after three (3) complete innings in a game that is called under applicable called-game provisions.
5. If a game is called before it becomes a regulation game, it is a “No Game” and shall be replayed from the start, unless otherwise required by provisions in League Policy.
6. Exceptions, including completion requirements for suspended games, are governed by League Policy (e.g., in the case of playoff or championship games).

### 3.4.1 Reasons for a Game to be Called

An umpire, in their discretion, may declare a game called if

1. Darkness prevents further safe play.
2. Rain, lightning, or other inclement weather precludes safe conditions.
3. A new inning would start after 8:15 p.m at a field without lights.
4. Local laws or field rules (e.g. lightning detector) prevent continuation of the game.
5. Other circumstances prevent further safe play. League Policy may dictate any forfeit or penalty as applicable.

## 3.5 Game Equipment and Uniforms

Games shall be played with legal baseball equipment and player uniforms as required by League Rules and Policy.

## 3.6 Lineups

### 3.6.1 Lineup Format

The Expanded Lineup Format shall apply unless League Policy expressly provides for the Restricted Lineup Format (e.g., playoffs or championship games).

### 3.6.2 Expanded Lineup Format

In the Expanded Lineup Format, a team’s batting lineup shall constitute not fewer than nine (9) batting positions. Additional batting positions may be declared at lineup exchange without limit. The number of batting positions declared shall remain fixed for the duration of the game. If, for any other reason, a batting position is or becomes unoccupied, that lineup position shall be recorded as an out each time it appears in the batting order.

A player substituted from the batting order may not re-enter the batting order unless otherwise permitted herein. Defensive substitutions may be made freely at any time and do not affect the batting order. Players may enter, exit, and re-enter defensively without limitation.

The following lineup designations are permitted, but not required, in the Expanded Lineup Format:

- Any number of Extra Hitters
- (1) Designated Runner
- Courtesy Runner for the pitcher and catcher

Note

A player occupying the Extra Hitter position may assume any defensive position at any time without affecting the batting order. Likewise, a player currently in the defensive alignment may be reassigned to the Extra Hitter position without affecting the batting order. In the Expanded Lineup Format, changes in defensive alignment do not alter the order or occupancy of batting positions.

Because defensive alignment does not govern the batting order in the Expanded Lineup Format, the Designated Hitter designation does not apply in Expanded Lineup Format. Any player marked as a DH will be considered a mistake and assumed to be an EH.

#### 3.6.2.1 Shared Batting Positions

In the Expanded Lineup Format, any batting position may be designated at lineup exchange as shared by two players (“A” and “B”). The two players shall bat in alternating sequence each time that position appears in the order, beginning with the player designated “A.”

A player occupying a shared batting position may be substituted. A substitute assumes the same alternating designation (A or B), and the position remains shared provided two occupants are maintained.

If a shared batting position is reduced to a single occupant and no substitute is entered to maintain two occupants, the position shall thereafter be treated as a single-player position and may not again be shared during that game.

### 3.6.3 Restricted Lineup Format

In the Restricted Lineup Format, a team’s batting lineup shall constitute not fewer than nine (9) batting positions. Additional batting positions may be declared at lineup exchange without limit by using additional Extra Hitters. The number of batting positions declared shall remain fixed for the duration of the game.

Each batting position shall be occupied by a single player. Shared batting positions are not permitted.

If, for any other reason, a batting position is or becomes unoccupied, that lineup position shall be recorded as an out each time it appears in the batting order, unless otherwise provided in the Incorporated Rules, these Rules, or League Policy.

A player substituted from the batting order may not re-enter the game unless permitted by the Incorporated Rules. Defensive substitutions shall be governed by the Incorporated Rules. Defensive re-entry is not permitted unless otherwise allowed by those rules.

The following lineup designations are permitted, but not required, in Restricted Lineup Format:

- (1) Designated Hitter
- Any number of Extra Hitters
- (1) Designated Runner
- Courtesy Runner for the pitcher and catcher

### 3.6.4 Minimum Number of Players

The minimum number of players per team shall be established as the number of required batting positions as governed by the applicable Lineup Format.

Teams may play with one (1) fewer player, and if each team has at least this many players present, they must start the game.

Example

For a game subject to the Expanded Lineup, the required number of batting positions is nine (9), so as soon as each team has eight (8) players, the game must start.

League Policy may apply standings penalty for teams that start with fewer than the minimum. League Policy may also designate a "forfeit time," the period after which a team with less than the minimum is subject to penalty. A team may not wait until this forfeit time for players to arrive. A team may insert a player into the vacant spot after the start of play.

Any unoccupied batting positions shall be recorded as an out each time it appears in the batting order unless otherwise provided in these Rules, or League Policy.

A team may finish the game (1) player short, that is one (1) player less than they started the game with (eight (8) players for a nine (9) person line-up, nine (9) players for a ten (10) person lineup). Should a team fall below eight (8) players, the game is terminated and this team loses by forfeit.

Example

For a game subject to the Expanded Lineup, the required number of batting positions is nine (9). If a team starts with eight (8) the vacant ninth spot is an automatic out each time it comes up. If the ninth player arrives after first pitch, that player may be inserted into the vacant spot.

If a team drops below 8 players, that team will lose by forfeit.

### 3.6.5 Lineup Designations

#### 3.6.5.1 Designated Hitter (DH)

A Designated Hitter may bat for any defensive player. If the defensive player for whom the DH bats enters the batting order, the DH is terminated. Substitution rules apply consistent with the applicable Lineup Format.

#### 3.6.5.2 Extra Hitter (EH)

An Extra Hitter is a batting-only lineup position and may not be used in the field as an extra defensive fielder. For substitution and lineup-administration purposes, an EH position shall be treated the same as a defensive position and may be substituted, re-entered, or reassigned as governed by the applicable Lineup Format.

#### 3.6.5.3 Designated Runner (DR)

A Designated Runner may run for a specified batting position whenever the player occupying that batting position safely reaches base. The DR may be substituted into the batting order at any batting position. Once the player designated as DR enters the batting lineup, the player is no longer considered a designated runner and may no longer run for the previously assigned batting position. Substitution of either player is governed by the applicable Lineup Format.

Teams with no eligible players remaining on the bench (i.e. all players are in the batting lineup) may elect to use the player that made the last out as the designated runner.

#### 3.6.5.4 Courtesy Runner (CR)

A Courtesy Runner may be used for pitchers or catchers at any time. It is not mandatory to do so.

A Courtesy Runner must not otherwise have participated in the game unless no eligible substitute remains. In this case, teams must use the first player taken out of the game or the player that made the last out.

Pitchers or catchers must record at least one (1) defensive out to be eligible, unless reaching base in the first inning as the visiting team.

### 3.6.6 Injury Substitutions

Substitutions are governed by the applicable Lineup Format with the following exception:

Should a player suffer a debilitating injury during the game and cannot continue, and a team has no more eligible players on its bench, a team can use a player that was removed from the game to replace him. This replacement player must be the first player removed from the game, and if this player is unavailable the next player is used (and so on). If no reserve is present, the vacated spot in the lineup is skipped and all batters move up accordingly, with no penalty to the affected team.

If a substantial case can be made that a team skipped a spot with the intent to gain a competitive advantage, the offending team may be subject to penalty, up to and including forfeit following a successful protest in accordance with League Policy.

## 3.7 Collisions

Collisions are prohibited, except for contact that results from a legal slide. The runner is responsible for sliding or otherwise avoiding contact. Fielders and runners must comply with Incorporated Rules governing interference, obstruction, and collisions at home plate.

Unless the umpire rules that the contact was incidental or caused by fielder obstruction, the runner shall be called out, the ball declared dead, and the runner automatically ejected. If the umpire determines the collision was flagrant, additional penalties may be imposed as applicable in League Policy.

## 3.8 Umpire Disputes

The appeal of umpire decisions shall be governed as set forth in the Incorporated Rules. Any protests must be made in accordance with League Policy.

Generally

- Any umpire’s decision which involves judgment is final. No player or manager shall object to any such judgment decisions.
- If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire’s decision may be in conflict with the rules, the Manager, and the Manager alone, may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made.