Ground Rules

1. The first one and last two games of the season will start at noon on Saturdays. No grace period this means the bye team too. Game time is 6:00pm; earlier if team captains agree. All games will be in play by 6:15pm. If a team has less than three men present at 6:15pm the game is forfeit by represented team. No new inning will be started after 15 minutes before sunset (which will be posted). The last inning played will be considered the official last inning of the game.
   
   
2. Each team must have three members present at 6:15pm to start a game. If not the team forfeit games. Each team must have four players if not the missing player is an out for each time the player would come to bat. If he arrives anytime, he plays and the blind is gone. If both teams have only three players no automatic outs.
   
   
3. • a) Games are scheduled to last seven (7) innings.
   • b) An official game shall consist of one (1) inning or one team gains a ten (10) run lead at the end of the last completed inning (1 innings must be played if possible). If all other games are called for any reason this ten run rule does not apply.
   • c) Teams that do not complete an official game must replay the entire game at a later date (other than a scheduled club date).
   • d) If a game is called after the first (1) inning for any reason, the score reverts to the last completed inning.
   • e) No game called after the first (1) inning can be completed at a later date.
   • f) If participating teams cannot agree a decision to call a game will be made by non-participating board members.
   • g) A game is over if the bottom half team is ahead at the start of the bottom half of the last inning.
     
     
4. The schedule will show which team is home-team. Each team will have one home game against each other team. For playoffs the first place team will be home-team against the fourth place team and the second place team will be home-team against the third place team. For the championship game the highest finishing team will be home-team. At least one week gap from end of season to playoffs.
   
   
5. Winning teams receive two (2) points. Both teams get one (1) point for a tied game. Total number of points determine final standings.
   
   
6. The following criteria shall apply(in order of listed) to determine the playoffs.
   
   1. Total number of points
   2. If tied in points

      a) Most wins

      b) Record against team or teams involved in tie

      c) Record against teams higher in standings

      d) Runs against team or teams involved in the tie

      e) Total bases against team or teams involved in the tie ( Total bases consist of hits, walks, and hit batsmen).

      f) The flip of a coin

7. A foul is an out except as noted below.
   
   
8. There will be five (5) balls and two (2) strikes. Batter is out if first strike (swinging) is caught. Second strike (called or swinging) must be caught. If second strike hits batter, batter is out.
   
9. Crossing the front of the plate while swinging at the ball shall be considered a full swing.
   
   
10. The batter is credited with a hit if the catcher interferes with his swing at the ball.
    
    
11. The ball must be on the circle line or on the line to be fair not over.
    
    
12. Foul balls will be determined by final resting place.
    
    
13. If batted ball strikes anything but an opposing player in foul territory (behind the foul line) it is an out. (This does not include natural objects, the foul marker or plate)
    
    
14. A batted ball hit to the outfield which strikes a player on a team, not involved in the same game shall be ruled a hit.
    
    
15. A fly ball touched by an opposing team member and dropped in either fair or foul is a hit. Any ball caught before it strikes the ground is an out, this includes balls caught out of trees, bushes or unintentional deflections off other people.
    
    
16. A ground ball; touched by opposing team before it is counted fair or foul is a hit. A fly ball, touched and dropped by the catcher is not a hit unless it was an attempted catch. The attempt will be left to the umpire’s discretion.
    
    
17. Ball is in play (fair or foul) if pitched ball makes contact with bat.
    
    
18. If a batter is hit by a pitched ball, while not swinging or in strike zone, it will be ruled the same as a base on balls, providing he makes an honest effort, as determined by the umpire, the ball will be ruled either a ball or a strike.
    
    
19. If batter is hit while swinging at the ball he is automatically ruled out, unless the ball hits the ground first. (see rule # 21)
    
20. If a batter is hit by the pitched ball after a ball strikes the ground, it will be considered a ball. If batter swings at said pitched ball, it will be considered a strike.
    
    
21. In the event the batted ball strikes batter, the batter will be out.
    
    
22. The catcher will call the pitches.
    
    
23. Umpires for “playoffs” will be assigned by team captains in involved and board members.
    
    
24. There will be doubles, triples and home runs. This is to be determined by where the ball hits the ground on a fly even if hits or was hit by a player in the field. If ball hits line on fly it is said lines designation. Players can not step over homerun line stop home run to be out must be caught on the field. If ball is caught on field then momentum takes player off field the ball is out.
    
    
    

    Championship Games
    

25. Playoff and championship must be won by runs, no matter how many innings. Both teams will have complete innings.
    
    
    

    Miscellaneous
    

26. Batting averages will be kept on regular games only. Batting title eligibility: 85 times at bat or 14 games. Average will be based minimum of 85 at bats if less than 14 games outset will be used to cover the gap.
    
    
27. Walks will be counted as a time at bat towards batting title eligibility, but not on averages.
    
    
28. Batting helmets will be provided for anyone wishing to wear one.
    
    
29. Batter must keep both feet on or in the wood frame of the batters box until the act of swinging pulls the batter out of the box. Any attempt by the batter to move out of the box to be hit by a pitch or interfere with the catcher will be an out. The batter can not stand on or touch the plate side of the box.
    
    
30. Gloves are optional for all games while playing in the outfield.
    
31. Only five (5) pitches allowed for warm-ups between innings and only ten (10) pitches for relievers.
    
    
32. Disputes or disagreements will be settled by the non-participating captains and the officers, after consideration to all parties concerned.
    
    
33. Officers will rule on any question not covered by the proceeding regulations.
    
    
34. Rainout’s will be played as double headers with same teams on a pre-determined date. The double headers will be two five inning games starting at 6:15pm derived from the regular schedule.
    
    
35. Singles will advance all base runners one base, doubles two, triples three and homeruns will clear the bases. Walks and hit by pitch will not advance all runners only preceding bases. Catchers interference will be treated as a single.
    
    
36. Only Ray Timmons can use foul language on the playing field.