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Rule 1.1
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A game will consist of
four (4) innings, except when the home team is winning by more than
ten (10) runs after the third (3rd) inning. |
Rule 1.2
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There will be a five
(5) inning limit for games. If the score remains tie
after the completion of five (5) innings, each team will choose a
player to pitch to six (6) of his/her own teammates (according to
the declared batting order at the start of the game, but not
counting the person pitching). For the rookie circuit, the
seven (7) player batting order is applied to this rule in the same
manner. There will be one (1) pitch
per hitter and no defense. Normal baserunning and hitting
rules will apply. The team that scores the most runs after
the completion of the entire batting order wins the game. (In the event of a tie
following this format, a different pitcher should be selected by
each team and the process continued until we reach a winner). |
Rule 1.3
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There will be a
forty-five-minute time limit imposed on all games. "Time limit" is
defined as no new inning (including extra innings) may start after
the fifty-minute time limit expires. Should an inning begin
before the end of the time period and carry beyond the time limit,
the inning will be played in its entirety. Time starts after
the captains' "bat toss" conference. In the event that a game
is tied when the time limit expires, we will immediately begin and
follow the "pitch-to-your-own-team" tie-breaking procedure stated in
Rule 1.2. |
Rule 2
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Each team will be given five (5) minutes from the scheduled starting time to report
or a forfeit will occur. Teams should plan on being at their
designated "field site" fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled
game time. |
Rule 3
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Each Junior and Senior
Circuit team consists of
six (6) players (a pitcher, catcher, three (3) fielders, and an
extra hitter). A game may be started with five (5) players
with the sixth (6th) spot in the batting order becoming an automatic
out each time that spot is due up in the batting order. If a
rostered player comes late, he/she may be placed in the game at that
time. Rookie Circuit teams consist of seven (7) players (a
pitcher, catcher, four (4) fielders, and an extra hitter). Adult Circuit teams may consist of five (5)
players (a pitcher, catcher, and three (3) fielders) or the
traditional six (6) player "extra hitter" batting order. |
Rule 4
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The reserve player
may only be activated at the start of any game. In other
words, the six (6) players "in the book" are the only ones allowed
in that game. If one of the six (6) players becomes incapable
of continuing a game he/she started (such as for a prior engagement
or injury), the team will continue with five (5) players and the
spot in the batting order will be forfeited as an out each time. |
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Rule 5 |
Each half inning
consists of three (3) outs. Three (3) strikes is an out
(except for fouled third strikes), and four (4) balls is a walk. A hit batter will be a ball unless the umpire rules the batter
did not make an attempt to get out of the way. |
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Rule 6 |
No gloves are allowed
and no hats may be used to field a batted or thrown ball. |
Rule 7
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A player is considered
to be out of play and thus is prohibited from recording a put out if
he/she "climbs" into the bleachers
prior to catching the ball. However, if it is determined that
a player's momentum carried him/her into the bleachers after the
catch has been recorded, or the player is ruled to be "falling into
the bleachers" while attempting to make a catch, a player may enter
the bleacher area to record a put out. The act of juggling the
ball before securing it for a put out is considered to be
"attempting to make a catch." There is no subsequent penalty
for catching a ball and entering the bleacher area. |
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Rule 8 |
Walls in foul territory
are out of play and are ruled dead immediately upon contact with a
batted ball and are counted as foul ball strikes. |
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Rule 9 |
Any batted ball that
hits the ceiling (or apparatus attached to it) is declared an
out. |
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Rule 10 |
Bunting with the
intention of getting a hit is prohibited. |
Rule 11
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Defensive teams must
have one (1) catcher, one (1) pitcher, and three (3) fielders
who may be positioned anywhere in fair territory. (The catcher
should be positioned behind the strike zone). The extra hitter
does not play defense. Rookie Circuit teams must have one (1)
catcher, one (1) pitcher, and four (4) fielders positioned for
defensive purposes. Once again, the extra hitter does not play
defense. |
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Rule 12 |
Players must sit
together on the bench when not in the field. One player is
allowed to be on deck. |
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Rule 13 |
Inappropriate
language (swearing, taunting) or throwing of equipment will not be
tolerated. The penalty will be an ejection from the
tournament. |
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Rule 14 |
The Official "Wiffle ®"
brand ball is the only authorized ball to be used in competition. |
Rule 15
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All circuit championship
games will be decided by a one game, "winner takes all", format.
Therefore, once two teams have made it into the finals, either
through the double-elimination format or otherwise, only one game
will be played to determine the circuit champions. More
specifically, in the double-elimination format, a team with no
losses entering the championship game, will be eliminated from the
tournament by a single loss in the finals. |
Rule 16
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Each team's "designated"
captain will be considered the acting manager for each game.
Starting lineups, batting order, pitching rotations, and rule
clarifications must be completed by the team captain.
No other player or person can be authorized to perform these duties. |
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