WFMBL Supplemental 2025

Rules and Regulations

March 15, 2025

 

This league was created to provide men 18 years old and over an alternative to softball and enable us to play the game we all grew up playing. Adult attitudes must always prevail, no matter how competitive any league is.

The responsibility that this ethic sustains will remain the responsibility of the individual league president and his officers, and anyone who abuses the league’s code can be suspended or expelled from the league at any time with no money refunded. Any player who is found detrimental to the league can also be kicked out with no money refunded and with no warning. These rules were established to serve as guidelines for all local league affiliates.

INDEX

1. Uniforms, Helmets, Baseballs and Other Equipment

2. Game Length, Run Rule and Rainouts

3. Teams, Players and Line-Ups

4. Player Behavior and Team Responsibility

5. Courtesy Runners

6. Pitchers

7. Fielders

8. Ex-Pro Status and Regulations

9. General League Rules

10. Code of Conduct

 

 RULES

1.      UNIFORMS, HELMETS AND BASEBALLS

1a) All teams must have full matching baseball uniforms consisting of caps, numbered baseball jerseys, baseball pants, belts, and sanitary socks - each player’s uniform must be of similar design to his teammate's uniforms. Borrowed players must either be in their team’s uniform or the team they are subbing for uniform, to be allowed to play. Teams having sponsorship will be allowed to use the sponsor's name on their uniforms via patch or uniform shirt. Metal cleats are permitted.

a.1. No player out of uniform will be allowed to play or coach the bases. This includes coaches and managers. Injured players out of uniform are allowed in the dugout. (We are not a beer league. Do not treat the league like one)

a.2. All teams should have their uniforms by their first game. A grace period should be extended for newly activated players or for new teams to complete their uniforms.

 

1.b All batters and runners must wear helmets with at least one earflap facing the pitcher for both at-bats and on-base. There is no option to this rule. Full double-ear flap helmets are encouraged for at-bats and are encouraged for the bases. Catchers must wear a helmet underneath their mask.

 

1.c Due to insurance regulations any player, coach, or manager that is on the field in the capacity of a base coach must wear a batting helmet. A catcher’s skull cap or hard hat also qualifies. Any player injured while in the role of a base, coach could be denied coverage under league insurance if he is not wearing a batting helmet. Umpires will issue one warning per team, upon the second offense the player will be ejected from the game. No exceptions.

 

1.d All games are encouraged to use only official Rawlings MSBL baseballs: RMSBL. Or pro mark OLB10

Each game will use 3 balls (2 home and 1 visitor). Only balls provided by the local league will be permitted.

 

1.e Only metal BBCOR bats are allowed and All WOOD bats will be permitted. The offending batter will be declared an out and ejected.

 

 

2.      GAME LENGTH, RUN RULE AND RAIN-OUTS

(2.a) Games are complete after nine (9) innings or 2:30 hours. No new inning shall start after 2:30 hours unless the game is tied. If a game is tied after (12) innings or 3 hours.

Re: darkness or light failure - 5 innings complete – umpires’ discretion

Re: rain - 5 innings complete.

All league playoff games will be played to completion by MLB league inning standards, being a (7) inning game with no time limit for non-championship games, and a (9) inning game with no time limit for the Championship Series. (The run rule is still in effect for these games)

 The umpire may suspend, cancel, or call a game if, in their opinion; the safety of the players is compromised due to rain, field conditions, or darkness.

 

(2.b) Run Rule 15 after 5 10 after 6

 

(2.c) Doubleheaders against the same team will be 7-inning games only. Doubleheaders against 2 different teams will be at the discretion of the coach whose team plays the doubleheader. These games will be either: 7 innings & 7 innings or 7 innings & 9 innings or 9 innings & 7 innings, they both cannot be 9-inning games.

 

(2.d) Any games rained out will be rescheduled by the league President and may be made up at any time not conflicting with previously scheduled games. Final league standings will be determined by won/lost percentage. Ties will be decided by head-to-head competition first, and then followed by runs against.

 

(2.e) In the event of rain, it is the responsibility of the league President to notify the umpires and opposing team of field conditions and possible cancellation of the game, at least 1 hour before scheduled game time.

 

(2.f) If a player is hurt during the course of a game, and cannot be removed from the field ten (10) minutes after being injured, the game clock will stop until he can be safely removed from the field of play. The game clock will not revert back ten (10) minutes but continue from the time it was stopped. If medical or police need to be called to the field the President or Vice-President MUST be contacted immediately.

 

3. TEAMS, PLAYERS AND LINEUPS

(3.a) New Players: The league will send an email to all teams about new players who have contacted the league in response to advertising or who have been referred to the league by any means. A player who has not played in any league game in either the current or previous year shall be regarded as a new player. A new player acquired by a team through that team’s recruiting efforts shall be subject to the control of the team and not the league.

 

(3.b) Each team may have a maximum of 25 players on its roster. Team rosters must be submitted to the local league by opening day, including league and player fees, proof of date of birth, player waiver forms, and team medical waiver forms. If you add someone to your roster you CANNOT take them off. Players added to a roster after opening day require authorization from The League President.

 

(3.c) All players, prior to participating in a game, must have signed waiver forms on file with the league. Any player who violates this rule will be ejected from the game and serve a one (1) game suspension. The coach of the team shall also be ejected and serve a two (2) game suspension and the game will be forfeited.

 

(3.d) A team manager may bat as many players as he desires, with a minimum of 9. Batters cannot be deleted or skipped over, regardless of their batting position or when they were added during the game. If a team only bats 9, the opposing team will have the option of batting 9 as well.

 

(3.e) A manager may add batters to the bottom of the lineup at any time but if a batter is pinch hit or run for (except under courtesy runners as outlined in section 5), the player may not re-enter the game as a hitter but may remain in the game as a fielder or pitcher. Added players to the bottom of the lineup may be added as individual hitters or as A/B. Each team has a hitting and a defensive lineup that are independent of each other. Players may play in either lineup or both.

 

(3.f) A team may declare at the time that lineups are exchanged prior to the start of play that any batting order position (i.e. 9, 10, 11, etc.) can be occupied by two (2) players in each such batting position. That is, 9A/9B, 10, 11A/11B, 12, etc. The first time that position 9 gets an at-bat, 9A would hit and the next time this slot hits, 9B would be up. Then 9A hits the third time this spot in the order comes up, and so on, alternating between these two players throughout the game. Once a team declares the use of this A/B system, it must continue using it for the remainder of the game. Hitters in the A/B position may be pinch hit for, just as any other player.

 

(3.g) All teams must announce offensive additions, substitutions, and/or changes to the home plate umpire AND opposing team manager and/or scorekeeper. Only after this has been done will the added player be deemed a legal substitution. If a team fails to announce an offensive addition/change, the player will be called out as soon as he occupies the batter’s box and the lineup will revert back to the lineup in effect prior to the player entering the game. The unannounced player will not have officially entered the offensive lineup and is therefore still available offensively even though an out has been assessed. Scorekeepers are allowed to bring this up to the umpires. Once discovered that a player failed to properly report in, he will be called out immediately, any action that took place until he is declared out shall stand. If the unannounced batter reaches base safely and a subsequent pitch or play has been made, the batter shall be declared as properly reported.

Example: Team A is batting 12 players and wishes to add a player to the bottom of the lineup (Player 13). Player 13 walks to the plate and is not announced to either the opposing team or home plate umpire. Once this player occupies his position in the batter’s box, the umpire will immediately call him out for an illegal substitution and it will then go back to the number 1 position in the lineup. Player 13 is still available to be added to the lineup legally.

 

 (3.h) If a player is forced to leave a game due to injury or ejection, a reserve player, not previously entered into the game as a hitter, must hit in the replaced hitter’s place. If there are no reserves who can replace the individual, the spot is skipped and all hitters below that position move up. The FIRST time this vacated spot comes up in the batting order, an out will be assessed, after that one time; no out will be recorded for skipping the spot vacated by the displaced player. Should a team drop down to eight (8) of their own players after the game has begun, they may borrow a player from the opposing team or another MSBL team upon the consent of the opposing coach or they can finish the game with eight (8) players. Should a team drop down to six (6) of their own players after the game has begun, the game will be declared a forfeit.

 

(3.i) For purposes of Playoff Games Only: A team must have seven (7) of their own rostered players, (8 total, see qualifications for borrowed players below) for an official game. The game shall start at the scheduled time if a team has seven (7) players. Should a team not have seven (7) of their own rostered players the game will not start but the game clock will start at the scheduled game time. If a team does not have a minimum of seven (7) of their own rostered players by fifteen (15) minutes past the scheduled start time the game shall be declared a forfeit. Due to insurance regulations once, a game has been declared a forfeit, the field must be vacated.

(3.i.1) If a team has 7 rostered players, they are allowed to borrow up to 2 League Players that are on a current WFMBL Team Roster and have qualified for Playoff eligibility. If a team has 8 rostered players, they are allowed to borrow up to 1 other qualifying league player. Teams may not borrow players to exceed 9 players for a game.

(3.i.2) Players that are borrowed during a playoff may bat at any part of the batting order during the game but are excluded from being able to play the following “Premiere” positions, Pitcher, Shortstop, Centerfield

(3.i.3) During the regular season this rule is not enforceable.

       During the regular Season teams can bring in as many subs as they need to be able to field a team of 9-11 players. But they must have a minimum of 8 players for a complete game. A team may start the game with 7 but if the 8 players does not arrive within the first 30 Minutes, the game will be stopped and deemed a forfeit. This is purposed to ensure games are being played and players are getting the opportunity to play the games they paid for.  

(3.j) All players may be substituted defensively, at any time, without affecting the player's offensive status in the line-up. If the starting pitcher is removed, he may re-enter to pitch only once during the game, but not in the same inning. The removed pitcher may play any other position after being removed or no position at all.

 

(3.k) To keep the flow of the game going teams may use the “Speed Up Rule” for their catchers when there are two (2) outs and their catcher is on base. The speed-up rule is such; when the catcher is on base and there are two (2) outs the team may replace him with the last out. The speed-up rule does not apply to the pitchers.

 

(3.l) No player may switch teams during a season without the consent of both managers and the league president. If this does not meet with approval, the player must sit out the remainder of the season. In the event a team disbands during the season or at the season’s conclusion, all players will be permitted to play for any desired team.

 

(3.m) In the event a player wishes to leave his existing team and form a new team, he may do so. No other player can be taken from the existing team without the consent of the existing team’s manager. No other players may be taken from any other team without the respective team manager’s approval. Players leaving a team to start their own team MUST inform their current coach of their decision as soon as possible so that he may rebuild his team in a timely manner.

 

(3.n) Final team rosters must have no less than 12 players.

 

(3.o) Last names MUST be used in the lineup cards and scorebook to allow for player identification, along with jersey numbers (if available) for follow-up inquiries that relate to playoff and national tournament participation requiring minimum playing requirements.

 

(3.p) Each coach (or team representative) will meet and exchange lineup cards and identify any unique parameters for the game (I.e. curtosey runners), prior to the start of the game. This will be done no later than five (5) minutes before game time. The game clock will begin at the scheduled game time, but the game will not start until the lineup card transaction has taken place. The time lost will not be replaced.

 

 

4. PLAYERS BEHAVIOR AND TEAM RESPONSIBILITY

(4.a) There will be no beer or alcoholic beverages permitted at the field before, during or after the game. The field refers to the general playing area and ancillary areas.

 

(4.b) The league has the right to suspend or expel any team member who abuses league rules or who does not exhibit a sense of sportsmanship or who plays without regard for the safety of the umpires or other players.

 

(4.c) An umpire has sole discretion to expel any player or manager from the game.

 

(4.d) Fighting among players or aggressive physical contact with an umpire will not be tolerated and players expelled from the game for either violation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the league. 

 

(4.e) Failure to abide by age regulations - the managers must all recognize their responsibility to the league and its perpetuity so as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may at any time have the right to question a player’s age. If an underage player is detected, the penalty will be forfeiture of all games in which the underage player participated and suspension for the remainder of the calendar year. If the manager had prior knowledge, he would be subject to the same suspension.

 

(4.f) Any player that is ejected from a game 2 times will be suspended 1 game. If the same player is ejected 3 times in the same season, he will be suspended from the league for the remainder of the season including playoffs.

(4.f.1) At the discretion of the league, a player can receive a suspension after 1 ejection.

 

5. COURTESY RUNNERS

(5.a) Players who need courtesy runners must have their manager notify the opposing manager before the start of the game. If not so notified, the opposing manager may deny the request.

 Each team will be allowed a maximum of 2 players per game who can be run for each time that they reach base. The Individual who runs for these player(s) needing a courtesy runner is not determined ahead of time. It is always the last out who must run for the person needing the courtesy runner.

 Once the game begins and the full complement of 2 courtesy runners has not been used, if a player sustains an injury, an additional courtesy runner may be used. In the event, a player becomes injured during the game and the maximum number of courtesy runners (2) has already been designated, a pinch runner must be used and no courtesy runner will be allowed.

If a batter (designated as needing a courtesy runner) opts to run or forgets to get a courtesy runner and subsequently runs, he will lose his courtesy runner for the remaining portion of the game.

The offensive team that is replacing the courtesy runner has 30 seconds to make the runner change. If the runner is not replaced within this period, the original runner must run and the right to use the courtesy runner for this particular batter will be forfeited for the balance of the game. The 30-second time limit will begin at the time the umpire calls for time to allow replacement for the runner.

 

(5.b) A player that substitutes for another player who is designated as having a courtesy runner has the option of also having a courtesy runner, in keeping the team with 2 courtesy runners and no more.

 

6. PITCHERS

(6.a) No player while pitching may wear white or gray sleeves, nor may a pitcher wear a batting glove or wristband while pitching.

 

(6.b) One intentional walk per game will be allowed. If a second intentional walk is attempted, a balk will immediately be called and all base runners will advance one base.

 

(6.c) If a pitcher hits 3 batters in any one game, the pitcher must be removed on the 3rd hit batsman. In 2013 the maximum hit batters a pitcher can have is 20. If a pitcher hits 20 during the season he must not pitch for the remainder of the season and cannot pitch the 1st playoff game, if he hits his 20th batter in the playoffs, he will be removed for that game and cannot pitch the next playoff game either.

 

(6.d) The pitcher will be removed from the mound upon the third visit from the coach and/or manager. This also is enforced when the coach and/or manager is playing on the field. This will eliminate teams trying to slow down a game. (This rule supersedes MLB rule 8.06 (b))

 

(6.e) Pitchers will be allowed 5 pitches at the beginning of each inning. New pitchers will be allowed 10 pitches for the first inning they are placed on the mound unless replacing an injured pitcher. Then it is at the discretion of the umpire. This will eliminate teams trying to slow down a game.

 

7. GENERAL GAME PLAY RULES

              (7.a) Decoy Rule

              Any fielder may use a decoy only if it serves a strategic purpose. For example, if a fielder, who sees a runner attempting to steal second base during a hit and run, looks upward into the sky and says that he’s got the pop-up when in fact the ball has been hit on the ground is a legal decoy as it may cause the runner to retreat to first base and prevent him from advancing.

However, if a fielder fakes a tag, forcing a player to slide, when there is no strategic purpose or apparent play, the runner will be ruled safe and all runners will advance one base. A warning will be issued if the player does it a 2nd time that player will be ejected.  This is entirely an umpire judgment decision and not a rule that may be protested.

 

(7.b) Force Play Slide Rule

 A runner MUST slide or avoid contact, if a runner does not slide into a base and makes any contact with a defensive player making the play he WILL be called out. If it is part of a double play then both players will be called out whether or not it had an impact.

For instance, there is a runner on 1st, a ground ball is hit to short the shortstop bobbles the ball and throws to 2nd, the 2nd baseman catches the ball but is plowed into by the runner from 1st that did not slide, but the runner that hit the ball was safe at first, they will both be called out for the runner did not avoid contact or slide at 2nd. The runner must be able to touch 2^nd base with either hand while sliding. The runner cannot be completely off the bag to break up the double-play.

(7.c) Automatic Out Rule

              Except as for outlined in rule (3.h), a team that starts a game with 8-7 players will be subject to receiving an automatic out each time the vacant spot in the lineup surfaces. If the Vacated spot is filled during the game by a player then the automatic out will not be assessed and the game will continue as normal.

              (7.c.1) For the rule to be assessed the opposing manager must make it known to the umpires that they are electing to enforce the rule during the meeting at home plate PRIOR to the game starting; when lineups are exchanged and the vacant spots are identified. Failure to do so will result in the rule not being enforced.

 

8. EX-PRO STATUS AND REGULATIONS

(7.a) A player must be out of pro-ball for 3 complete MSBL seasons before becoming eligible to participate in an MSBL league. This is a general rule meant to stand as an example for other local MSBL leagues to examine. For purposes of this league, Pro-ball refers to any professional league above the college level. For a Player to be considered a pro ball player, they must have to have been rostered by the said professional team.

 

9. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES

(9.a) Two or more forfeits by any team will lead to a possible league decisional expulsion from the league with no money refunded to the team.

 

(9.b) All protests should be lodged to the league President within 24 hours after the game for which the protest is made. All protests shall be decided by the league President.

 

(9.c) Only MSBL and MABL leagues are eligible for all MSBL and MABL-sanctioned regional and national tournaments unless waived by the national tournament committee.

 

(9.d) Determination of eligibility to participate in the MSBL regional and national tournament competition will be based solely on the decision of the MSBL National Tournament Rules Committee. In general, no player will be allowed to participate in a regional or national tournament unless the player has participated in at least 50% of his regular season games.

 

(9.e) For a player to qualify and participate in his team’s local league playoffs, tournaments, and post-season events, he must have one plate appearance in 33% of his team’s regular season games. This includes pitchers. If such a player fails to meet the requirements due to injury, a letter should be submitted to the league president explaining non-compliance, at which time a ruling will be made.

 

(9.g) For teams to be eligible for their local league playoffs they must post their team's offensive stats including pitching stats for each game on the league website within 7 days of the game. Teams not posting their team stats will be ineligible for their local playoffs. Should a forfeit be declared after five (5) complete innings have been played all stats for that game will be recorded. If less than five (5) complete innings have been played then no stats will be recorded.

 

(9.h) Any and all league meetings called by the President are mandatory, not optional. Each team must have a representative there.

 

(9.i) Due to insurance regulations there will be no one allowed in a team dugout or on the field during a game unless they are on a WFMBL roster. Teams will be given one warning during the game; upon the second warning, the offending team will forfeit the game.

 

(9.j) Any team will be ejected from the spring playoffs and/or fall playoffs if they are caught cheating; i.e. A player too young for the age bracket, a player not on the team roster, or any other team rosters, a player playing under another player’s name.

 

10. CODE OF CONDUCT

Prohibitions

Managers and players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. No manager or player shall commit the following:

1.      Lay a hand upon, shove, strike, or threaten an official. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the President and Vice-President. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.

 

2.      Refuse to abide by an official’s decision. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the President and Vice-President. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

 

 

3. Be guilty of objectionable demonstrations of dissent at an official’s decision. Players and managers guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.

 

4. Discuss with an official or officials the decision reached by such official or officials, except for the manager or his designee who are authorized to participate in such discussions. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension from further participation in the game.

 

5. Use unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of the game against the body or person of an opposing player. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

 

6. Be guilty of physical attack as an aggressor upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the board of directors. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season or expulsion from the league for life.

 

7. Be guilty of verbal abusive attack upon any player, manager, official, or spectator, before, during, or after a game. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall remain suspended until their conduct is reviewed by the President and Vice-President. Players guilty of such conduct shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.

 

8. Consume alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the game or be upon the field of play at any time in an intoxicated condition. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game and shall be subject to probation or suspension for the remainder of the season.

 

9. Smoking on the field of play or in the dugout. Players guilty of such conduct shall be immediately suspended from further participation in the game.

 

Penalties

1.      The league President and/or Vice-President may suspend any player or manager for such a period and upon such terms as it may propose, for the conduct within its opinion is prejudicial to the welfare, interest, reputation, or charter of the league.

 

2. Except as otherwise provided, the league President and/or Vice-President shall determine the appropriate action required for violations of the codes of conduct and shall report their decision to the player, or manager.

 

3. Any player found in violation of any provision delineated in the codes of conduct, after being placed on probation for the remainder of the season shall be suspended for the remainder of the season

 

Grievances, protests, and appeals

1. Grievances may be filed by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that a grievance is formally submitted to the league President. The league President and Vice-President shall adjudicate all such grievances.

 

2. An appeal of any action or ruling may be filed with the league President or Vice-President by an individual player or by the manager of a team provided that the appeal is formally submitted. However, all decisions by the league President and/or Vice-President are final and not subject to appeal. 

 

END OF RULE BOOK