Game Structure

1. Game Length: All games are 3 innings.

2. Strikes and Balls:

   • 3 strikes = 1 out

   • 5 balls = a walk

3. Everyone Bats: All players in attendance must bat.

4. Defensive Participation: Each player must play at least one full inning in the field per game (pitcher counts).

Roster & Positioning

5. Defensive Setup: Only 3 defensive players allowed on the field: 1 pitcher and 2 fielders.

6. Bench Area Policy: Only active players are allowed in the bench area. Spectators must remain outside the bench zone.

Out Rules

7. Standard baseball outs apply.

8. Hitting a runner (off base) with the ball = out

9. Strike Zone Hits:

   • Must hit the strike zone in the air = strike

   • Bounced hits = ball

Mercy Rule & Scoring

10. Mercy Rule: Max 5 runs per inning, except in the 3rd inning, extras, or homeruns. All runs scored during a homerun count. For example; if team A is winning 4-0 in the 1st inning and hits a grandslam all runs would count making the score 8-0. Homeruns are the only scenario in which this rule applies.

11. Ground Rule Doubles: Ball goes under, over, or through the fence = ground rule double

12. Tree Branch Rule: Fair balls hitting branches that appear to be home runs = home run

Base Running

13. No leading off or stealing.

14. Ball Out of Play: If thrown or bobbled out of play, runners advance to their nearest base.

15. Home Plate Force Rule:

• You may throw to the strike zone or backstop to get a runner out at home.

• Must hit before runner crosses the plate.

• Only valid if the runner is actively advancing to home.

16. Home Runs: Players must run the bases or they are ruled out.

Pitching Regulations

17. Pitch Speed:

• Max pitch speed is 59mph.

• Anything 60+ will be called a ball.

• Balls that are hit in fair play on a pitch that is over the max speed are considered fair.

18. Minimum Usage: Starting pitcher can be replaced at anytime however in the 1st inning they can only be replaced by a player that did not start the previous game.

19. Rotation Rules:

• A pitcher cannot start back-to-back games.

• Once removed, a pitcher cannot return to pitch in the same game.

20. Season Pitching Limit: No pitcher may pitch more than 66% of their team’s total regular season innings (28 innings max, extra innings don't count).

Hit-by-Pitch Rules

21. Hit by pitch = 2 balls

22. Intentional walks are not allowed.

23. Attempting to get hit on purpose = strike

Extra Innings & Tiebreakers

24. If the game is tied after 3 innings, one extra inning is played using the man-on-second rule.

25. If still tied after the extra inning, the game is decided by a Sudden Death Home Run Derby:

• One player per team.

• 5 attempts each to hit a home run.

• Team with the most home runs wins.

Season Format

26. Regular season is 14 games per team (subject to change).

27. Playoffs will consist of one play in game between the 4 & 5 seeds, the winner will proceed to play the 1 seed in a best of three series while the 2 & 3 seeds are matched up. World Series will be a three game series between both matchups winners.
28. Tie-breaker for standings is based on run differential. Playoff seeding will first be decided upon head to head record, and if needed use run differential.