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All Leagues All Tournaments
This event has completed. This information has been preserved for archival purposes.
Looking to sign up for an event you heard about? You may be viewing last season's page. Go back to the leagues/tournaments pages to find your event.
All Leagues All TournamentsThese are the most common and/or most unique rules being used for this event. Please see "Official Rulebook" for exhaustive list of playing rules. When in conflict, rules written here shall supercede those in the official rulebook.
As a player, you are responsible for knowing all official rules of the game. By participating in the event, you are agreeing that you are aware of all rules associated with the league and the sport, and agree to abide by them at all times.
RULES
This league is intended to be FUN first. We welcome players of ALL SKILL LEVELS to our fields, and therefore set rules that ensure the safety and enjoyment of our skilled players and our novices equally.
Be supportive of one another. Fighting, excessive verbal abuse, and poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated. League organizers reserve the right to dismiss any player from the event without refund.
Fighting / Arguing / Poor Sportsmanship
If teams are beginning to get disgruntled and tempers are flaring, the umpires will issue a full warning to both dugouts. After that point, no loud negative yelling or loud negative verbal communication may occur from one team directed at the other team. Any such communication will result in an immediate ejection from the game from the offending party. For purposes of clarification, players on opposing teams can continue to and are encouraged to chat with each other on an individual basis (i.e. congratulating a nice play/hit, having a polite convo while standing on 1st base, complimenting a nice pitch, etc) but no "Smack talk", disagreements about rules, or yelling will be permitted. Coaches of both teams may continue speaking with one another as needed, but must do so with a tone of civility in the presence of the umpire.
Length: All games will run for 50 minutes or the completion of 7 innings, whichever comes first. If there is any time left on the clock after the last out of an inning is made, a new inning will begin.
Run Rules: Games will be declared over by "run rule" if the winning team is ahead by 20 runs at the conclusion of the 3rd inning, 15 runs at the conclusion of the 4th inning, or 10 runs at the conclusion of the 5th inning or later.
Extra Innings: Games tied at the conclusion of the time limit or 7th inning will go into extra innings. During extra innings play, the batting team will have a runner automatically placed on second (must be the last batter from the previous inning and cannot utilize a pinch runner until one batter has completed their at bat) and all batters will face a 3-ball, 2-strike pitch count, with no courtesy foul, when they approach the plate. During the regular season, only one extra inning will be allowed. A tie will occur if neither team scores in that extra inning.
Substitute Players: If a team will not have at least 10 players for a game, the coach shall talk with the opposing coach to request substitute players from the league roster to reach a total of 10 players (11 if injuries require an additional player). No outside or unapproved players shall be allowed. If an unapproved player is found in the lineup, they shall be removed with no replacement allowed and their spot in the lineup will be an automatic out. In the playoffs, no substitutes will be allowed, but a non-defensive catcher will be provided by a team that is not currently playing or by the opposing team.
Umpires: Excessive arguing and/or abusive language will never be tolerated. Umpires may issue warnings and dismiss players, coaches, and fans from a game if they are found to be abusive. League officials reserve the right to ban players from the league with no refund if abusive behavior continues. There is zero tolerance for bat throwing. Throwing the bat will result in an immediate dismissal.
Pitching: All pitchers will be required to use either a provided safety screen or self-provided safety HELMET with mask. Shin guards are highly recommended, but not required.
Unsafe Throws: Outfielders are not allowed to complete force out throws to first base. Any throw from outfield to first base for the intention of a force out will be ruled a dead ball and the runner will be awarded the base. Infielders brought into the outfield grass through defensive actions are allowed to complete the throw for a force out at first base. The runner can be thrown out at first through the use of a relay.
Hitting Middle: It's not illegal, but it is dangerous and some of our novice players may not be able to control it. But for those of you that can - don't do it. If you feel the other team is hitting middle a lot, don't take revenge.
Injury Exceptions: In the cases of injury, some rules may be bent to avoid placing players in harm's way. Coaches facing a situation that they believe requires an adjustment must discuss with the opposing coach a recommended solution. Opposing coach must approve the solution, and such approval should not be unreasonably withheld.
Injured Player / Can Not Continue: If a player is significantly injured in the course of play and cannot continue, they shall be removed from the lineup. When their batting position comes up, it shall be skipped and not counted as an automatic out. The player is unable to return to play for that game and, at a minimum, the following game if on the same day.
Safety Base: Any batter running to first base will tag the safety bag to the right of the first base bag. If no safety bag is in place, then the batter should run as though there is a bag there and the umpire will determine the call based on their judgment.
Dugout: Only the batter, on-deck batter, and base coaches (of the offensive team) shall be allowed on the field. The remaining offensive players, coaches, fans, etc must remain outside of the field of play, i.e. in the dugout or outside of the fence.
Metal Cleats: Metal cleats are prohibited. Please use soft or hard rubber cleats, or turf shoes only.
Equipment (Bats): Any non-altered bat may be used in this league (senior bats are not allowed). Bats must be in good condition, and not modified in any substantial way (i.e. shaved).
** Some League Joe leagues use .44 COR 400 compression balls and we do not recommend the use of USA/ASA bats, but they may be allowed. League not responsible for any broken bats.**
Equipment (Balls): Each team will be supplied with balls prior to the start of the season. Each team is responsible for providing the opponent with their team ball(s). Balls must be approved league balls.
Legal Rosters: All teams have been drafted with a minimum number of women (2) on their team and rules are set based on this expectation. Should injuries or missing players create a roster imbalance, the director shall be consulted on an appropriate course of balancing to allow teams to continue play.
Defense: A minimum number of female players (1) must be on defense at all times, determination made on a per league basis.
Walks: If a male batter is walked with a female batter on deck, the male batter is awarded second base and the female batter is given the option to choose an automatic walk or to hit as normal. The decision to walk is up to the sole discretion of the batter and coaches shall not force a walk on any player who wishes to hit. The female batter must be in the on deck circle or announced for the extra base and automatic walk to be allowed.
Pitch Count: All batters start with a count of one ball and one strike. No courtesy foul is granted for the first foul batted after accumulating a second strike. Any foul with two strikes will be an out. For extra innings or games quickened due to weather/scheduling issues, all batters start with a full count.
Home Runs: Home runs are limited in this league. Each team is allotted TWO home runs without penalty. If both teams have reached their allotted home runs, an additional home run will be allowed, not to exceed one more than the other (i.e. you have unlimited home runs as long as your team’s home run total never exceeds the other team’s home run total by more than one). All home runs hit over the fence that are higher than the allotted total of home runs are automatically counted as a single.
Pinch Runners: Unlimited pinch runners are allowed, but no runner may run for more than one player per inning. A runner may run for the same player multiple times in the same inning. Runners have the right to reject a coach's suggestion for a runner.
Batting: The batter must take position in the batter's box in a timely manner. If the batter fails to enter the batter's box in a reasonable amount of time, the umpire shall call a strike. An additional strike shall be called every five seconds until the batter is out or takes position in the batter’s box. Taking position in the batter’s box includes any
Pitching: The ball must be pitched in a definite underhanded motion at slow speed. Pump faking is not allowed for this league. There is no pitch clock. The pitcher’s pivot foot must remain on the pitching plate. The pitcher may take one step while the pivot foot maintains contact with the pitcher's box. The pitched ball must arc to 6 feet above the ground before it passes any part of home plate. The pitched ball shall not rise higher than 10 feet above the ground. The ball must be released within five seconds of the batter entering the batter's box.
Strikes: Any ball that lands within the strike zone while matching the height and speed pitching requirements shall be called a strike.
Pitching Screens: These screens are intended for safety, not to create an extra defensive player on the field. Screen must be positioned no more than three feet ahead of the pitching rubber. One of the pitching screen support legs must be lined up within the width of the pitching rubber and cannot be set to the side of the rubber. Pitchers using the screen must stay near the screen and cannot extend their defense away from it to create an extra fielder advantage; i.e. the pitcher must retreat behind the net before the batter makes contact (retreat must include the full torso behind the net). After retreating behind the net, a pitcher may field any batted ball. If the pitcher fields a ball without retreating behind the net, it shall be a single base advancing dead ball. A ball batted into a pitcher's screen will be ruled as a foul ball. If the net is hit by a ball during a throw, the ball is still considered live. There's no multiple swapping between screen and helmet during an inning. If a pitcher uses protective equipment rather than a net, they may field the ball as normal.
Minimum Innings on Defense: Each rostered player must be given the opportunity to play relatively equal defensive innings in the field.
These are guidelines and rules for the event that all coaches must acknowledge and follow. Please review all rules carefully.
Show Empathy for Your Players and Your Opponents
We are all adults who are playing a kid's game. None of us are going pro, and all of us paid the same amount of money to play the game. Make sure every player on your squad feels like they are included and have an opportunity to develop their game, and be understanding of your fellow coach when they're dealing with no shows and unexpected injuries.
The First Person to Discuss Problems With: The Opposing Coach
If you have issues that are difficult to overcome, your opposing coach is the first person you discuss those with. Whatever the two coaches on the field agree to ultimately trumps many of the rules found here. When odd situations come up - do what it takes to play the game, and do so by discussing terms with your opposing coach that make both teams feel like the game will be fair.
Do Not Let Your Players Speak for Your Team
All decisions for your team come down to you and you alone. You should not invite other players to participate in rule discussions, or allow them to participate in debates over rule disagreements. As coaches, we will at times disagree and may even sometimes get testy with one another, but it is important that we keep these discussions to the back of the house and do not allow rule issues to spill over to the general players. Keep it fun for everyone and don't let the inmates run the asylum!
Win on the field, not in the rulebook.
Rules are made to be enforced, but in our game - things happen. Players get hurt, or they disappear, or they are late, etc. Please always be flexible in dealing with unusual situations. It is much more important to complete a game than it is to take a cheap, easy, rule-forced win. You don't need to put your team at a disadvantage, but at least allow the game to be interesting.
Players
All players bat, and all players rotate in the field. Even your studs should see the bench from time to time, so make sure to deploy a proper rotation so all players are seeing time on defense.
Pool Play versus Tournament Play
All coaches will lock in during the tournaments, and the expectation is certainly that the best players will play more innings. With that in mind, spend extra time emphasizing play time for your weaker players during pool play / regular season play. If they get their innings when the games are lesser in intensity, they will be happy to yield time to the strong players during more clutch situations.
Do Not Stop a Player From Participating When They Want to Participate
If someone has joined this league to get exercise, they probably do not want to have a pinch runner even if there is a faster player available. If a woman is learning how to swing, she should get more swings to practice rather than taking an automatic walk just because it is a free base. Give your players the opportunity to play and don't take bats out of hands or runners off the base unnecessarily.
Lead by Example
If you come into the dugout with an intense drive to win the game at all costs, your players will follow you. If you come into the dugout singing songs and handing out shots, your players will follow you. Somewhere in the middle of those two is the right mix for League Joe, so remember that your players are following your lead. Remember to have fun and play for the love of the game!
Substitute players are allowed for a team ONLY when the total number of rostered players is less than 10. If you are expecting less than 10, you may use the League Joe alternates list to select a player of equal or lesser value to the average of all players missing from your roster. It is your responsibility to inform the opposing coach who your sub is and who they are replacing. When using a sub of appropriate value from the League Joe alternates list, you may play and bat them anywhere in the lineup you feel comfortable.
Emergency Substitutions
Occasionally, emergencies dictate non-LJ approved subs need to be used or a player of equivalent value is not available. In these case, the substitute players must bat at the bottom of the order and play "less-essential" positions in the field (catcher, right field, 2nd base - in that order)
Playing with 9 Players
If you only have 9 players, the opposing team will loan you a ball returner behind the plate to throw the ball back to the pitcher. If Ball Returner is in the batting lineup, Ball Returner will rotate out when their turn in the lineup comes up. Pitcher should attempt to cover home plate for any plays to home.
The official rules for the sport, which may or may not be from a sanctioning body.
