From 56bb6e3d1feda8f33e7263d032a7cf2372b71388 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tony Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:26:45 -0600 Subject: [PATCH] reorg expanded/restricrive --- docs/03-playing-rules.md | 110 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----------- 1 file changed, 80 insertions(+), 30 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/03-playing-rules.md b/docs/03-playing-rules.md index e954614..58e7030 100644 --- a/docs/03-playing-rules.md +++ b/docs/03-playing-rules.md @@ -64,49 +64,99 @@ Should a player suffer a debilitating injury during the game and cannot continue 1. If a substantial case can be made that a team skipped a spot with the intent to gain a competitive advantage, a protest by the opposing team may retroactively be ruled as a forfeit. -## Designated Hitter -The League shall follow the designated hitter rule as set forth in the Incorporated Rules, with the exception that a team may designate a D.H. for any position on the field. + +## Lineup Formats +The Expanded Lineup Format shall apply unless League policy expressly provides for the Restricted Lineup Format (e.g., playoffs or championship games). -## Designated Runner -The League shall elect to use a designated runner rule, similar to the designated hitter rule. +### Expanded Lineup Format -1. A runner may be designated to run for a specified player in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the player(s) in the game. -1. The designated runner must take the place of the specified player whenever that player reaches base or the designated runner. -1. If the specified player is substituted, this substitute player may inherit the designated runner. -1. Designated runners are subject to the same substitution rules as the designated hitter as defined in [Designated Hitter](#designated-hitter) -1. 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. +In the Expanded Lineup Format, a team’s batting lineup shall constitute not fewer than nine (9) batting positions. -## Extra Hitter -Prior to the start of the game a team may choose to play an extra hitter (EH). If the team uses this option, the following conditions apply: +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. -1. An EH shall only bat. They cannot take a position in the field as a tenth fielder. -1. The EH shall be treated like any other position in the field, and can be substituted for, switch positions, or anything else that a position player can do. -1. There is no limit to the number of extra hitters a team may elect to use, provided the names and numbers of these players are included in the lineup exchanged before the game. +If a team begins play with fewer players than declared batting positions, any unoccupied position shall be recorded as an out each time it appears in the batting order. -## Courtesy Runner -Teams may use courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers at any time. It is not mandatory to do so (speed-up rule), but the umpire(s) are required to keep the game moving expeditiously. +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.” -1. Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers cannot be, or have been, in the game at any time other than as a courtesy runner. Teams with no eligible players remaining on the bench must use the first player taken out of the game or the player that made the last out. -1. The pitcher or catcher must play at least one (1) defensive out to be eligible for a courtesy runner unless they reach base in the first inning as a member of the visiting team. +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. -## Batting Lineup -The batting lineup shall consist of at minimum 9 slots (or 8 adhering to section [Minimum Number of Players](#minimum-number-of-players)). Additional slots may be used without limit (see [Extra Hitter](#extra-hitter)). Any player may be substituted in their batting lineup slot by using a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner for that player. The original player may not re-enter the game as a hitter. +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. -## A/B Batting Lineup Slots -In regular season play, any batting lineup slot may be optionally designated as an "A/B" batting slot, meaning it is shared between two players adhering to the following rules: +A player substituted from the batting order may not re-enter the batting order unless otherwise permitted herein. -1. The batter designated "A" shall bat the first time through the lineup and the batter designated "B" batting the second time through the lineup, continuing in alternating fashion for the remainder of the game. -2. Rules for the substitutions of either "A" or "B" batter are the same as any other batting lineup slot. -3. In the event of injury of either player when there are no reserve players available, the uninjured player shall bat in place of the injured player without penalty. +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. -In postseason play, the A/B batting slot rule defined above shall not be applicable. +The following lineup designations are permitted in Expanded Lineup Format: +- Extra Hitter +- Designated Runner +- Courtesy Runner -## Defensive Lineup -In regular season play, the defensive line-up is independent of the batting lineup and substitutions shall be allowed as follows: +!!! Note + An Extra Hitter is an additional fixed batting position beyond the minimum required. -1. Any player may be freely substituted in the defensive line-up at any time, without affecting the players’ in the batting line-up. Players may enter, exit, and re-enter the game in the defensive line-up without limitation. + 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 postseason play, the free defensive substitution rule defined above shall not be applicable and substitutions shall be made in accordance to applicable League and Incorporated Rules. + Changes in defensive alignment shall not alter the order or occupancy of batting positions in Expanded Lineup Format. + + Because defensive alignment does not govern the batting order in Expanded +Lineup Format, the Designated Hitter designation does apply in Expanded Lineup Format. Any player marked as a DH shall be considered an error and assumed to be an EH. + +### 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 a team begins play with fewer players than declared batting positions, any unoccupied 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 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 mechanisms are permitted in Restricted Lineup Format: +- (1) Designated Hitter (if elected) +- Any number of Extra Hitters (if elected) +- (1) Designated Runner +- Courtesy Runner + + +# Lineup Designations + +## 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. + +## Extra Hitter (EH) + +An Extra Hitter is an additional batting position beyond the minimum required. + +An Extra Hitter bats only and does not occupy a defensive position unless substituted into one. + +Substitution rules apply as with any other batting position. + +## Designated Runner (DR) + +A Designated Runner may run for a specified batting position whenever the player occupying that batting position safely reaches base. + +If the defensive player for whom the DR bats enters the batting order, the DR is terminated. + +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. + +## 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. ## 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.