In-House Rules

Umpire Payment

Each team must pay the umpire $55 prior to the start of the game.
Failure to make this payment will result in a forfeit, and the umpire will be paid from the team's deposit.
For playoff series that extend to a third game, both teams will split the $55 payment for that game.
Teams must replenish their $55 deposit before the following week’s game. No team will be permitted to play until the deposit is restored.

Required Equipment: Each team must bring bases, home plate, and a mat. If neither team provides equipment, the game will be forfeited by both teams.
Start Times:
- 9:00 AM games: A 15-minute grace period is allowed. If a team has 9 players, the game must begin.
- 8:00 AM games: Must start promptly at 8:00 AM.

Minimum Players: A team must have 9 players to start a game.
- If starting with 9 players, no automatic out is required for the 10th batter.
- If a team opts to take an out for the 10th batter, they may add the 10th player upon arrival.
- If the 10th player does not arrive, the team must continue taking the out.
- Teams must finish with at least 9 players. If a player is injured and the team cannot field 9, the game will be forfeited.

Lineup: Teams may bat up to 14 players (10 fielders + 4 extra players).
Bat Count: All batters start with a 1-1 count. After two strikes, the batter will have one courtesy foul Any foul after two strikes and the courtesy foul is an out.
Infield Fly Rule: Applies when there are fewer than two outs and runners on first and second.
Overthrows: Awarded two bases from the point of release.

Legal pitches must be 6 to 12 feet high and land on home plate or the black mat.
The pitcher must:
- Wear a mask.
- Be allowed to stand up to 3 feet behind the mound.
- Be touching the mound when releasing the ball.
If no mound is available, the umpire will mark a spot 24 inches long and 6 inches wide.

Standard: Each team is allowed 5 courtesy runners per game. The courtesy runner is the last out, not the last batted out.
Medical: Unlimited courtesy runners for players on the medical runners list. The runner is also the last out.

Home Runs:
- Each team is allowed 4 home runs per game on fenced fields.
- Any additional home runs will be ruled as outs.
- Queen Ann Field: No home runs allowed. Any ball hit over the fence is an out.
- Memorial park in Bristol: No home runs allowed on the left Field to center fence side (Short Fence) , any ball hit over the short field fence side is an out. Home runs over the Center to right field side is a home run and the home run limit is 4 per game.
- No additional home runs are awarded in extra innings.
Extra Innings: The preceding batter will start on second base.

Spring Season: 12-run rule after 5 complete innings.
Fall Season: 10-run rule after 5 complete innings.
If the home team is ahead by the required number of runs in the bottom of the 5th, the game ends.

Base Distance: Standard is 70 feet. If bases are set at 65 feet and cannot be moved, play will proceed at 65 feet.
First Base: Runners must use the orange safety bag.
No Stealing: Runners may not leave the base until the pitch crosses the plate.
Unsafe Plate Conditions: If the plate is wet or unsafe, runners may step on the black mat, unless a play is being made at the plate.
Contact Rule: Runners must avoid contact with fielders. This is not a slide or surrender league. Contact will result in an out, at the umpire’s discretion.
Re-Entry: A player may re-enter the game once, in the same lineup spot.

Player Conduct: Threatening or physically contacting another player or umpire will result in automatic ejection and possible league ban. Coaches are responsible for their team, players, and fans.
Smoking: No smoking on the playing field. Note: Bensalem Community Park is a non-smoking park.
Metal Spikes: Not allowed. Players wearing metal spikes will be suspended for that game only.
Bats:
- All bats must have a current LBSL sticker.
- Teams are responsible for checking the opposing team’s bats.
- Use of an ineligible bat results in an out and removal of the bat.
- A second offense by the same team results in player ejection.
Ejections: Any player ejected (excluding metal spikes violations) will be suspended for 6 games and ineligible for playoffs.

1. Due to potential umpire shortages, four games may be scheduled on the same field:

First doubleheader begins at 8:00 AM.
Second doubleheader begins immediately after the first.
Each game has a 1 hour and 15 minute time limit, with no new inning after 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Any inning started will be completed.
All games under these conditions are considered official.

2. It will be at the Leagues discretion as to how many Rain outs will be made up.

Eligibility: Players must be on the current roster and have played in at least 6 games to be eligible for playoffs.
Rosters:
- Must be submitted electronically and emailed to the league administrator.
- Maximum of 18 players per roster.
- To add a player, one must be removed if the roster is full.