The league operates under conventional fastball rules. Experience has shown that the following rules should be highlighted:

Umpires receive nominal compensation for the obligation of stepping behind the plate. This task is most difficult and greatly appreciated. Abuse of umpires will not be tolerated (both physical and verbal). Umpires have been instructed to eject violating players from the game without warning. Ejected players must umpire a game and attend a hearing before the league executive prior to reinstatement.

The presence of alcohol at the ballpark is illegal and strictly prohibited. The municipal permit signed by the league specifically states that alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the diamond. Failure to comply could result in forfeit of the league's permit to play at the ballpark.

If alcohol is present at a game, the umpire may call the game and the team without alcohol will receive the win. In this situation, the offending team/players must be reported to the league executive. Complaints of this sort will be dealt with on an individual basis. Depending on the severity of the incident (understanding that, had the offending parties been caught by the city, the league would fold), suspensions of players, team reps and the teams will result.

Team sponsors have generously provided uniforms for league members to wear. It is therefore important for all league members to wear their uniforms for all games. Team Reps are responsible to ensure this occurs. Also league members are encouraged to patronize the sponsor's establishment in order to provide a return on the sponsor's investment.

A minimum of seven regular team members constitutes a team. Augmentation (paid-up league members only) from other teams must bat at the end of the order and may play any position. No substitutes are permitted if there are nine regular team members available to play.

If a team rep calls a specific player(s) to show up for a game because the team was going to be short handed, and at the start of the game, he gets a full team with nine of his regular players, those player(s) may still play. If a team rep asks a league member who has just finished a game if he would like to stay and play another and the full team shows up, that player cannot play.

The position of the bases (length of the baseline) shall be 60 feet from the home plate to first base and from home plate to third base.

A Commitment Line will be drawn across the baseline, 2/3 of the way from third base to home plate.

A Safe Line will be drawn by making a line from the part of home plate closest to third base to the backstop or side fence. This line is perpendicular to the third base line and parallel to the first base line. A diagram is available here and will be posted in the green bin.

Our base lines are not always well defined. Abide by judgment of the umpire.

Ball over the bag on a fly that lands foul - FOUL.

Ball over the bag on the ground that goes foul - FAIR.

A foul pop or fly is in play if in line with safety fence extremity at first and third base or reachable without climbing safety fence along its length. One foot must remain in contact with the ground. The out-of-bounds line extends in line with the safety fence extremity. One cannot go beyond the safety fence and catch a foul ball.

A passed ball which goes through gap in fence - THE BALL IS DEAD.

Runners automatically advance one base from the base they were at. IF THE RUNNER WAS STEALING SECOND, HE GETS THAT BASE ONLY.

Every batter and runner must wear a helmet for safety reasons.

The league bans the wearing of metal or nylon cleats for safety reasons. Rubber or plastic cleats may be worn.

Bats with the 2000 ASA approval that are in good condition, as determined by the umpire, will be permitted in this league.

It will always be at the discretion of the plate umpire whether any league bat is too damaged to be allowed for use. Damaged bats must be brought to the plate umpire's attention immediately.

All bats brought by players must have the 2004 ASA logo and must not be on the banned list, provided in the black binder in the green bin.

Stands behind catcher. Signals for FAIR ball. Calls STRIKES and FOUL balls.

DOES NOT overrule base umpire unless asked for interpretation. Covers third base.

Only a team rep may request an appeal of a base umpire's ruling. Before arguments become abusive, talk to team reps. Discuss problems with the Umpire-in-Chief.

Pitcher's pivot foot must be in contact with the pitcher's rubber at all times during the delivery of pitch. Release of pivot foot from pitcher's rubber must be simultaneous with release of ball from hand. Failure to comply will result in a balk as called by any umpire. Ongoing concerns should be brought to the convenor's attention.

The presence of foreign substances on the pitcher's hands is prohibited except for medical reasons. These situations are to be cleared with league executive prior to game.

No stealing while pitcher maintains control of the ball within eight feet of the pitching plate.

No lob pitching - defined as no arc over six feet high. Pitch will be called a ball.

There are no restrictions on the number of innings a pitcher may pitch. Teams must rely on their assigned pitching talent. Recruiting of pitchers from other teams is not allowed. A relieved pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher or in any other position.

When no base is occupied, the catcher must return the ball directly to the pitcher after each pitch. Failure to do so is an automatic ball on the batter in the box. A batter proceeding to first base is considered to be occupying that base.

Pitchers are allowed a maximum of FIVE warm up pitches at the start of the game and three warm up pitches for each subsequent inning pitched. At the umpire's discretion, additional pitches may be permitted during cold weather.

Should a team be unable to field a legitimate pitcher for a VALID reason, (sickness, business) the names of the other pitchers of teams not involved in the particular game shall be placed in a hat and one drawn to substitute.

Permitted only when ball leaves the pitcher's hand.

Runner who leave early is out. No pitch.

If there are LESS than two outs and first base IS occupied, then the batter is out. If there are two outs, then the batter can run to first.

Must be in batter's box (defined by umpire) prior to pitch. If he is out of batter's box and touching the ground or touches the home plate when the ball is hit, fair or foul, then the batter will be declared out.

If, before two are out, while first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, the batter hits a fair fly ball (other than a line drive) that can be handled by an infielder. In such a case, the umpire shall declare it an infield fly: the runners may be on their bases or advance at the risk of the ball being caught, the same on any other fly ball. If hit by the ball while standing on base, the base runner shall not be called out, but the ball is dead and the batsman shall be called out AND if the base runner is hit while off the base, the batsman and then the base runner shall be called out and the ball is dead. Provided further that with first and second bases occupied or, first, second and third bases occupied with less than two out, any attempt to bunt which results in a fair fly ball shall not be regarded as an infield fly.

A rule similar to the infield fly rule comes into effect if a player intentionally drops a fair fly ball including a line drive (see rule 22).

Batter MUST make an effort to avoid ball. BUT if he is hit (even if ball strikes ground first) ball is dead and batter is awarded first base.

Players shall avoid unnecessary physical contact when running the bases. Runners shall be called out for unnecessary contact. At the discretion of the plate umpire, the offending player shall be ejected from the game. Defending players not making a play on a runner MUST not obstruct the runner's path. Faking a tag without the ball is also prohibited and in such instance the runner shall be awarded one additional base.

Fielder must give runner right of way on base path if no play is being made. Runner must give fielder right of way on base path if fielder is attempting to make a play on the ball.

Contact by runner is an automatic out. Ball is dead. Batter would get base; if runner is on third, he must go back.

If catcher interferes with batter, batter is awarded first base.

If the batter intentionally interferes with catcher or throw, both the runner and the batter are declared out.

If the interference, in the judgement of the umpire, is an obvious attempt to avoid a double play, the runner closest to home plate shall be called out in addition to batter.

A runner struck by a batted ball while off base but in fair territory is automatically out. Ball is dead, batter awarded first base, and other runners must return to the last base occupied.

A runner is out if he leaves the base line by more than three (3) feet to avoid a tag (in the umpire's opinion).

If two (2) runners occupy the same base at the end of a play, the trailing runner is out, if touched by the ball.

Batters running to first base must run to the RIGHT of the foul line and use the ORANGE section of the first base unless the batter is continuing to second base. The first baseman can only use the WHITE section of the bag. Interference to be called by the home plate umpire.

If a pitched ball is bunted, hit to the infield or a dropped third strike and a batter/base runner fails to use the orange portion of the bag on his first attempt at first base, then if a play is made, the batter/base runner is out.

**NOT TO BE STRICTLY ENFORCED DURING GAMEPLAY.** 

If there is no play at first, umpires are to issue a warning to either player, in order to build a culture of safety.

If a play occurs at first, and the fielder tags the orange, and never touches the white, batter is safe.  If batter touches white, and never touches oranges prior to a tag of the body or the white bag by the defense, the batter is out. Multiple attempts to touch the bag by both players is permitted, until the play is resolved.

When a base runner advances from third base to a point beyond the commitment line, he shall be committed to advance to home plate and is a force play at home.

Should said runner elect to return to third base after committing himself past the commitment line, then he shall be ruled out if, before the pitcher pitches to the next batter, the ball is advanced to home plate.

On a bunt or a loose ball on the third base side, the catcher may tag the base runner.

By infielder - 2 bases from time of pitch.

By outfielder - 2 bases from time of throw.

Man on first and ball is hit to infield. The play is made to first base to get the batter (he is out). Then to second to get the runner. Play at second is NOT a force out (player must be tagged). If the runner to first is safe, then the runner to second is a force out.

The batter is out if an infielder intentionally drops a fly ball or line drive or a bunt to force a double play. The ball is dead and the base runners return to their original bases.

Regardless of outs, once a team has scored five runs in innings 1 through 6, their turn at bat is over. Unlimited runs for the seventh inning.

A pinch runner can only come in after the batter reaches a base and only if injury prevents the batter from running, with the following exception. Team reps, please ensure the last able bodied out is the pinch runner.

If the catcher is on base with 2 out, there shall be an immediate runner substitution (again, the last able bodied out, as deemed by the batting team) for the catcher to permit him to put on his equipment to speed up the game.

1. Players must play a minimum of seven (7) regular season games with the team to be eligible to play in the playoffs. The team rep is responsible for keeping track of this requirement for his own players.
   
   
2. Tie-Breaking Rule to Determine Standings
   (a) who had the most points for the season;
   (b) who won more games for the season;
   (c) who won more games in direct competition;
   (d) who had the fewer losses for the season;
   (e) if still tied, flip a coin.
   
   
3. Rain Out in the Playoffs
   The game will continue the next night from where it left off the previous night, to be called by the umpire. Batting order will remain the same. New players will go to the bottom of the order. If runner on base is absent, substitute the runner.
   
   
4. Home Team
   Higher ranking team in the final standings will be the home team for their first round. Flip of coin from then on.

1. Player augmentation for the playoffs is not allowed. Teams must have a minimum of seven players to constitute a team. Teams shall play the field with those players present and take automatic outs in the batting order to a maximum of two (2).

2. Player substitution in the playoffs was introduced as a mechanism to eliminate defaulted games, automatic outs in the batting order and the necessity of having to borrow players from the opposition for defensive purposes.

3. Replacement players, while desirable, was never intended to be used as a tool to upset the balance of the league and have a major impact on the outcome of the game.

4. The following should be considered when allocating replacement players, viz:

   Case Number 1

   Pitcher A is unable to pitch on Wednesday night as he has a previous engagement. Pitcher B has agreed to pitch as a substitute for that night, however has agreed not to bat as his hitting could dramatically upset the balance of the game. A second player will be allocated to bat on his behalf and be available for defensive purposes should there be a need for his services.

   Case Number 2

   Team A is short 4 players for their Thursday night game for a variety of reasons. The team rep has requested a substitute player of a caliber equivalent to the best player. In keeping with the essence of player substitution, the league determined that the appointment of a lesser caliber player was more in keeping with the intention of the league, that being minimizing impact on the outcome of the game.