"restrictive" lineup pass

docs/03-playing-rules.md

@@ -14,42 +14,42 @@ These rules shall *not* incorporate the following rules of Major League Baseball
 - Any rule requiring specialized equipment or trained personnel, such as replay review.
 
 ## 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
+Games played under the auspices of both recognized Managers of the participating teams shall count as official.
 
-1. A regulation game consists of seven (7) innings, unless extended because of a tie score, or shortened because the home team needs none of its half of the seventh inning or only a fraction of it, or because the umpire calls the game in accordance with [Reasons for a Game to be Called](#reasons-for-a-game-to-be-called).
+Regulation-game status and called-game outcomes are governed by the Incorporated Rules, except as follows:
-1. If the score is tied after seven completed innings play shall continue until (1) the visiting team has scored more total runs than the home team at the end of a completed inning, or (2) the home team scores the winning run in an uncompleted inning. If a regulation game is called with the score tied, it shall remain a tie game.
-1. If a game is called by the umpire, per [Reasons for a Game to be Called](#reasons-for-a-game-to-be-called), it is a regulation (official) game:
-   1. If four innings have been completed;
-   1. If the home team has scored more runs in four or three and a fraction half-innings than the visiting team has scored in four completed half-innings;
-   1. If the home team scores one or more runs in its half of the fourth inning to tie the score.
-   
-   Postseason games are exempt from this definition as specified in [Completion of Playoff Games](#completion-of-playoff-games).
-1. Slaughter Rule: The game shall be ended and the leading team declared the winner:
-   1. If after 4 complete innings the visiting team is ahead in the score by 15 or more runs, or if after 3½ innings the home team is ahead by the same, the game will be ended and the leading team declared the winner. 
-   1. If after 5 or more complete innings the visiting team is ahead in the score by 12 or more runs, or if after 4½ innings or more the home team is ahead by the same, the game will be ended and the leading team declared the winner.
 
-   The Slaughter Rule is applicable for the playoffs as specified in [Completion of Playoff Games](#completion-of-playoff-games).
+1. The regulation game length is seven (7) innings (not nine).
-1. If a game is called after 3 complete innings and one team is ahead by 10 or more runs, the game will be ended and the leading team declared the winner. 
+1. If the game is tied after seven completed innings, play continues until a winner is determined, unless the umpire calls the game under [Reasons for a Game to be Called](#reasons-for-a-game-to-be-called). If a regulation game is called with the score tied, it remains a tie game
+1. If a game is called, it is a regulation game if the home team has scored more runs in four (4) completed innings or three and a fraction half-innings than the visiting team has scored in four completed half-innings.
 
-   Postseason games are exempt from this definition as specified in [Completion of Playoff Games](#completion-of-playoff-games).
+!!! Note 
+      In other words, play must reach at least the end of the top of the fourth inning. If the home team is after that point, the game can be official; otherwise, the fourth inning must be completed.
 
-1. If a game is postponed or otherwise called before it has become a regulation game, the umpire-in-chief shall declare it “No Game,” meaning the game must be restarted (not resumed) at a later date.
+### Slaugher Rule
+The game shall be ended and the leading team declared the winner:
+   1. If after 4 complete innings the visiting team is ahead in the score by 15 or more runs, or if after 3½ innings the home team is ahead by the same. 
+   1. If after 5 or more complete innings the visiting team is ahead in the score by 12 or more runs, or if after 4½ innings or more the home team is ahead by the same.
+   1 If a game is called by the umpire, per [Reasons for a Game to be Called](#reasons-for-a-game-to-be-called) and one team is ahead by 10 or more runs. 
 
-   Postseason games are exempt from this definition as specified in [Completion of Playoff Games](#completion-of-playoff-games).
+If a game is postponed or otherwise called before it has become a regulation game, the umpire-in-chief shall declare it “No Game,” meaning the game must be restarted (not resumed) at a later date.
 
-## Reasons for a Game to be Called
+Postseason games may be subject to different rules per League policy. 
+
+### Reasons for a Game to be Called
 An umpire, in their discretion, may declare a game called if
 
 1. Darkness prevents further safe play.
 1. Rain, lightning, or other inclement weather precludes safe conditions.
 1. A new inning would start after 8:15 p.m at a field without lights.
 1. Local laws or field rules (e.g. lightning detector) prevent continuation of the game.
-1. Other circumstances prevent further safe play. The Rules and Competition Committee may rule on any forfeit or loss of points as applicable.
+1. Other circumstances prevent further safe play. League policy may dictate any forfeit or penalty as applicable.
 
 ## Game Equipment and Uniforms
 Games shall be played with legal baseball equipment and player uniforms as required by League Rules and Policy.
 
-## Minimum Number of Players
+
+## Lineups
+### Minimum Number of Players
 The minimum number of players per team shall be (9), however teams may play with (8) players subject to standings penalty per League policy.  
 
 If each team has at least (8) players present, teams must start the game. League policy may 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. 
@@ -59,47 +59,41 @@ If each team has at least (8) players present, teams must start the game. League
 
 A team may finish the game a 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), provided the team does not fall below this minimum. Any vacated spot in the batting order is recorded as an out.
 
-## Player Injuries
+### Player Injuries
 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.
 
 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
+### Offense
-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.
+#### Batting Lineup
+Unless otherwise stated in League policy, in the regular season, the offensive lineup follows the less restrictive format. 
 
-## Designated Runner
+   1. The batting lineup shall consist of at minimum 9 slots. The number of slots shall be fixed at the beggining of the game by each team's manager. Any eligible player may batting in any (1) slot independent of their defensive status. 
-The League shall elect to use a designated runner rule, similar to the designated hitter rule.
+   1. The number of slots may not increase or decrease for the duration of the game.
+   1. Any batting lineup slot may be subdivided into A and B slots. Rules for the substitutions of either "A" or "B" batter are the same as any other batting lineup slot.
+      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. 
+      1. 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.
+   1. Any player may be substituted in their batting lineup slot by using a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner for that player. The replacing playing assumes the replaced player in the batting lineup and  the replaced player may not re-enter the game as a hitter.
 
-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.
+The offense lineup may consist of the following 
-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.
 
-## Extra Hitter
+1. **Designated Runner**: The League shall elect to use a designated runner rule, similar to the designated hitter rule.
-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:
+      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 the Incorporated Rules, with the exception that it is for a batting slot rather that a defensive position.
+      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.
+1. **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.
+      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.
 
-1. An EH shall only bat. They cannot take a position in the field as a tenth fielder.
+When required by League policy (i.e. during playoffs), the batting lineup may return to the more restrictive format:
-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.
 
-## Courtesy Runner
+1. **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.
-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.
+2. **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:
-
+      1. An EH shall only bat. They cannot take a position in the field as a tenth fielder.
-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 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. 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.
+      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.
-
-## 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.
-
-## 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:
-
-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.
-
-In postseason play, the A/B batting slot rule defined above shall not be applicable.
 
 ## Defensive Lineup
 In regular season play, the defensive line-up is independent of the batting lineup and substitutions shall be allowed as follows:
@@ -114,4 +108,9 @@ Collisions are prohibited, except for contact that results from a legal slide. T
 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.
 
 ## Umpire Disputes
-Any umpire’s decision which involves judgment, as specified in the Incorporated Rules, are final. No player or manager shall object to any such judgment decisions. The appeal of umpire decisions shall be governed as set forth in the Incorporated Rules. No player, manager, coach or substitute shall object to judgment decisions. If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire’s decision may be in conflict with the rules, the manager may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made. 
+ The appeal of umpire decisions shall be governed as set forth in the Incorporated Rules.
+
+!!! Note "Generally"
+      1. Any umpire’s decision which involves judgment are final. 
+      1. No player or manager shall object to any such judgment decisions. 
+      1. If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire’s decision may be in conflict with the rules, the Manager, and the Manger alone, may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made.