Section I - Rules of the Game:
Introduction:
The rules of a regulation game of the Hillcrest Softball League – Tuesday Night Draft League will be the same rules as a standard regulation ASA softball game, unless the rule is in conflict with, or supplemented by this document.
Article I - Number of Players, Lineups and Fielding Requirements:
i) Each team must have at least 7 players to play a game. If a team is short players prior to a game, please consult with the commissioner or president of the league on a suitable replacement player.
ii) All teams will play with a maximum of ten fielders (and a minimum of 8 fielders). With the exception of the catcher position, all fielders must be positioned in fair territory before the release of every pitch.
iii) If a team has only 7 players present, the other team will supply a catcher. That catcher will ONLY be used to return balls to the pitcher during at bats, and will not be involved in any live plays on the field.
iv) Teams are not required to fully set and lock their lineup in advance of each game. Teams do not have to inform the opposing team or the umpire of their lineup in advance of the game. Each lineup position locks and is set individually as each player takes his first at-bat of the ballgame.
v) The number of players in a team’s lineup is locked at the end of the first pass of the lineup. i.e., once the leadoff batter comes to bat a second time, the number of hitters and the order is locked. The lineup may not be altered thereafter, other than for a pinch hitter / runner substitution.
vi) There is no maximum number of hitters allowed in a team’s lineup, other than what is limited by the team’s official roster. If a team has more than 10 hitters in the lineup – a team may rotate positions freely having 10 fielders in play, and the rest not playing in the field. The lineup must always stay the same.
vii) The minimum number of players required in a team’s lineup is 8.
viii) If a player in the lineup is not present at the start of his at-bat, the team will take an automatic out for the lineup slot. For scoring purposes, this will count as an unassisted play by the pitcher.
ix) If a team chooses to only bat 8 players in the team’s lineup, the maximum number of fielders allowed for the team for the entire game will be 8. If a team chooses to only bat 9 players in the team’s lineup, the maximum number of fielders allowed for the team for the entire game will be 9. If a team fields 10 players during the game, it is required to have at least 10 players in the lineup.
x) If a team has fewer than the required 8 players in the lineup present at the field, or if the team chooses to bat more than 8 players in the lineup but does not have all players present (perhaps anticipating a player late to arrive) – during the first lineup pass - the team must still designate players to bat in all required lineup slots, subject to the automatic out rule above.
For example (and in practice), if a team only has 7 players, they must take an automatic out for a 8th lineup slot sometime in the first pass of the lineup. If a team only has 9 players but is anticipating having a 10th arrive, that team may still designate that lineup slot to the late player, take an automatic out in the first pass - in order to preserve having 10 fielders during the game. etc.
The “empty” lineup slot can be taken at ANY point during the first pass of the lineup, not necessarily at the end of it. Also, am “empty” player slot still has to be filled with an eligible player’s name, even if not present.
xi) A designated fielder will be referred to as a player who plays in the field but does not appear in the team’s current lineup. Teams are allowed at most ONE designated fielder. All players who play in the field, other than the (at most) one designated fielder, must be in the team’s current lineup.
xii) There is no “designated hitter” that is tied to the designated fielder. Any player in the lineup can play in the field at any point during the game.
xiii) If a team fails to produce at least eight players from their team during a game, then that team forfeits that game 10 minutes after the official game time. The umpire (or Commissioner/President) will determine when 10 minutes has passed.
If the home team has at least 9 players present at game time, then the game will start on time.
If there are less than 9 players present for the home team, the umpire will wait for a maximum of 10 minutes in order to start the game.
If there are still less than 9 players for the home team, the game will start 10 minutes after the official of game time.
xiv) If the home team does not have 9 players present at the official game start time, and the home team decides to wait the regimented 10 minutes to play per above, rather than take the field – the umpire will give the away team the CHOICE of swapping home/away in order to start the game on time. It is the away team’s choice if the home team decides not to take the field at the official game time start.
Article II - Eligible Players:
i) A professional baseball player may not play in the league. A professional baseball player is defined as anyone who has previously accepted direct money or scholarship for playing baseball at the colligate level, a minor or major league, or any independent league ball club. Anyone who had played baseball at the collegiate level without scholarship in the past five years is also defined as a professional baseball player and is ineligible to play.
ii) Only players who are on the official team drafted roster, or were added to the roster by the commissioner/president may play in an official league game. The commissioner and/or president may override this rule for a non-roster player in certain circumstances. If teams are short players for a game, please consult with the commissioner/president.
iii) For a player to be an eligible player in any playoff game, that player must be on that team’s drafted or amended roster. If teams are short players for the playoffs, they must be approved by the commissioner/president. Please consult with them for any roster issues.
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i) No team is allowed to forfeit a game during the game unless they have played at least four innings (unless they do not have enough players to play).
ii) Only the captain of a team may decide to forfeit a game.
iii) If a team is leading by 10 or more runs after the other team has batted in any inning after the 5th inning, then that team wins the game. (The 5th inning has to have been completed.) This rule only applies to the regular season.
iv) If a team is leading by 15 or more runs at any point in the game from the 4th inning or later, then that team wins the game. (The 4th inning does not have to be completed, and the other team does not have to bat.) This rule only applies to the regular season.
v) If a team is leading by 12 or more runs after the other team has batted in any inning after the 5th inning, then that team wins the game. (The 5th Inning has to have been completed.) This rule only applies to the playoffs.
vi) If the visiting team is leading by at least 5 runs heading into the final scheduled inning of the evening, the away/home team will automatically switch the away/home for the final inning. The away team shall remain in the field, and the home team will bat first in the final inning. The away team will bat last if necessary. If both captains agree, this swapping of away/home can happen with the visiting team winning by any number of runs.
vii) Please do not forfeit games. If there are player issues for a certain game, please contact the commissioner/president for assistance.
Article IV – The Strike Zone:
i) The league's proscribed strike zone shall be:
Between the batter's arm pits and lower knees, and the two sides of home plate.
In general, the league strike zone should be more liberal.
ii) The ball must cross the plate on a fly to be a strike.
iii) If the ball hits the plate, it is an automatic ball.
iv) Should a batter try to shorten the strike zone by squatting, etc., this will have no bearing on the size of the strike zone. The strike zone will be as if the batter did not squat.
Article V – Other Batting Rules:
i) Caught Foul Ball - Should a ball be hit into foul territory and is caught, then it must reach six feet in height above ground to count as an out.
ii) Third Strike - Should a batter foul tip a third strike cleanly into the catcher's glove, the batter is out. (The ball need not reach six feet above ground.) Should a batter swing and miss at a third strike, the batter is out regardless of whether or not the ball was caught by the catcher.
iii) Bunting - Should a batter bunt a ball, then it counts as a strike. Should a batter with two strikes bunt a ball, then it counts as the third strike and that batter is out.
iv) Delay of Game - Should a batter intentionally or unintentionally delay the game, then that batter’s team may be penalized one out (at most) at the umpire's discretion, and the lineup will continue onto the next team’s batter in the lineup. For scoring purposes, this will count as an unassisted play by the pitcher.
v) Thrown Bat - Should a batter throw his bat after swinging or checking his swing unintentionally, then that batter will receive a warning. If a batter throws his bat intentionally, then the umpire can call him out or eject him (umpire’s judgment call). Should a batter be caught throwing his bat for a second time in a game, then that player will be automatically ejected from the game.
Article VI – Base Leading / Base Running:
i) Base runners are not permitted to lead off of a base prior to a pitch. Should a batter from any team be leading from any base then the umpire either may give that runner's team a warning, or he may call that runner out, at his discretion.
ii) Runners are allowed to lead/run AFTER the pitcher has RELEASED the ball towards home plate for a pitch. If at any time a runner is off the base (because he ran after the ball has been released, etc.), the batter must return to the base which he left. If the ball arrives at that base before he does, the runner is out. There is a force to the base. (The fielder need only step on the base.) If the catcher overthrows the ball to a base, the play is considered live. The runner, however, must step back on the bag before running to the next base. If the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher (not to a base), then the play is dead.
iii) Base Running: -
If a runner moves any part of his body in order to interfere with a throw of a fielder making a play at another base (the fielder is either in the act of throwing the ball, or has already thrown the ball), then unless the interference was unavoidable :
1) The runner who has interfered with the play is automatically out.
2) The runner who was approaching the intended target base of the throw of the fielder is automatically out, unless he has already touched or nearly touched the base safely at the time of the interference.
This rule is intended as a safety rule, in order to prevent runners from raising their arms, or moving their body in order to break up a play. Note that if a runner simply stands, runs, or slides in the normal base path, this does not constitute interference.
iv) Sliding - For any close play at a base other than first base, a base runner should slide into the base. If the runner does not, and he noticeably interferes with the fielder's ability to make the play, then the runner is out. What constitutes as interference will be determined by the umpire. At first base, if the runner is running through the base, the runner MUST use the orange safety bag and not the fair territory white base. The runner is out otherwise.
v) Tagging up is allowed at all bases.
vi) Time Out –
Time out before or during a play can only be called by an umpire. A player can only REQUEST that time out be called out.
During a play, time out should only be called only if the ball is in the possession of a fielder either in or approaching the infield, and is approaching the pitcher's mound, and all base runners are relatively close to their respective bases, and do not appear to be advancing. It is an umpire’s job to call time out at the proper time. If however, an umpire fails to call time out at the proper time, he may return the base runners back to where they were when time out should have been called.
Article VII – Assorted Fielding and Ground Rules:
i) Infield Fly Rule - The infield fly rule IS in effect in all games, although whether or not this rule has been violated shall be determined by the umpire. (The umpire shall call "Infield Fly.")
ii) Interference by a Tree - Should a ball hit a tree that has roots in foul territory, even if the tree overlaps into fair territory, that ball shall be rendered foul and unplayable. The umpire will make his own judgment call to determine if the ball had struck the tree. Should a ball hit a tree over-hanging the homerun fence, and bounce back onto the field (foul or fair territory), then that ball will be played as if it had hit the homerun fence. Note: If the ball hits the homerun fence, then that ball is still in play, even if a fielder catches it on a bounce off the fence.
iii) Should a fielder catch or field a flyball, and his momentum takes him out completely out of the field of play, all runners will advance as if the ball was thrown completely out of play.
Article VIII – Pitching
i) This league will use standard ASA MODIFIED pitching rules unless otherwise noted.
ii) A pitcher must release the ball with an underhand motion. That means that a pitcher may not pitch overhand or pitch sidearm. Failure to do so will result in an automatic ball.
iii) A pitcher may not use a windmill windup to pitch the ball. Failure to do so will result in an automatic ball.
iv) A pitcher must release the ball having one foot either on or behind the pitching rubber line. Failure to do so will result in an automatic ball. A pitcher may take at most ONE step up to the pitching rubber prior to releasing a pitch. A pitcher may not run up to the mound to pitch a ball. Failure to do so will result in an automatic ball. A pitcher does not have to start his motion on the rubber, but can take at most ONE step to the rubber.
vi) A hit batter will NOT be awarded first base automatically. If the ball was in the strike zone, then it will count as a strike, and if not it will count as a ball.
vii) If a hit batter in the head unintentionally, and the batter does not make an attempt to get out of the way, then that batter will be awarded first base.
viii) If a pitcher intentionally hits a batter (in any part of his body), then that batter will be awarded first base, and that pitcher may be ejected from the game at the discretion of the umpire.
ix) From the mound, pitchers are allowed eight warm-up pitches prior to the first inning that they pitch in the game. Thereafter, pitchers are allowed three warm-up pitches in-between innings from the mound, and if granted by the umpire – two additional warm up pitches.
x) Pitching rubber distance to home plate: 43 Feet
Article IX – Courtesy Runners:
i) During a game, THREE players (at most) from each team may be declared to be allowed the use of a courtesy runner. The player requiring a courtesy runner must be declared both to the umpire and to the opposing captain, as soon as he reaches base safely when the play has ended. The players who will be using courtesy runners do not have to be declared prior to the game.
ii) After the declared designated player (as above) has finished any of his at bats, and has reached base safely, then either the last player to bat who is not currently on base or who scored (not necessarily the last batted out), or any player on the team’s bench who is not currently in the lineup, may run instead of that designated player, as a courtesy.
iii) The courtesy runner may only enter the game only after time has been called, and only after any live play has ended. The courtesy runner must immediately be declared to both the umpire and to the opposing captain. After a pitch has been completed, a courtesy runner may not be used for anyone already on base.
iv) A player who is run for as a courtesy, does not have to have a courtesy runner run for him every single time he reaches base. He has the option to have a runner run for him, or he does not have to have a runner run for him – each time he reaches base.
v) A player who is run for as a courtesy, does not have to have the courtesy runner run for him the first time that he reaches base. A player who has reached base twice in the game, can have a runner run for him the 2nd time, even if he did not take a courtesy runner for him the 1st time he reached base. The point of the courtesy runners is to have a courtesy for a runner if he so chooses here and there, not to disallow the player from running a part or the entire game. A player can choose later on not to be run for, however no courtesy runner can be put in after the next pitch has been thrown.
vi) In terms of statistics, the courtesy runner will count as if he does not have a pinch runner. For example, if the courtesy runner scores a run, the courtesy runner is not credited with a run scored, rather it is the designated player who was run for.
vii) In an emergency, where there was an injury on the field as deemed by the umpire, a courtesy runner may be used for that runner, if needed – without counting against the maximum three allowed. The player need not come out of the game. However, if he does remain in the game – he may NOT automatically get a courtesy runner for him the next time he reaches base.
Article X - Pinch Hitters / Runners and Designated Fielder Changes:
i) A captain may only use pinch hitters or runners, if he has an available player on his bench that is not in the lineup. i.e., If a player is already in the lineup, then he cannot pinch hit or pinch run for another player in the game.
ii) In an emergency, as deemed by the umpire, the last player to bat (who is not currently on base), may courtesy run for another player at any point in time, provided that there is no alternative solution.
iii) Should a designated fielder pinch hit during the game, he may still play the field later in the game. He is no longer the designated fielder. The player that he pinch hits for in the lineup becomes the new designated fielder, and is still able to play the field in the game.
iv) In the scenario in (iii) above, should a second player not in the lineup pinch hit for another player, that second player being pinch hit for is then out of the game, as there is a maximum of one designated fielder allowed in the game at a time.
iv) A player who is pinch hit for may still play the field at any point in the game afterwards, provided that there is no other designated fielder already in the game.
Article XI - Emergency Situations:
i) If a player must leave the game due to a non-medical emergency and there are no players present on the bench (not in the lineup), then that players spot in the lineup will receive an automatic out – whether or not there are 9, 10 or 11 or more batters in the lineup, or otherwise.
ii) If a player is injured during a game to the point that he must leave the game and there is no replacement (no pinch hitter available), there will be no automatic out given for that lineup spot. i.e. in a medical emergency, the lineup spot will be skipped. Injury severity to leave a game will be determined by the umpire. If available, a player that has already left the game (i.e. already pinch hit for), will first assume the injured player’s lineup, rather than the injured player’s lineup spot being skipped. If there is no such player, then the lineup spot will simply be skipped.
Article XII - Ground Rules
i) If both captains agree to a ground rule change, then they may change any ground rule which they both desire to change. They must notify the umpire of any such change.
ii) Umpires will confer with both captains the ground rules before each games. Otherwise:
At North Woodmere Park –
1) The dugout is out of play, and the extension of the back of the dugout line to infinity is also out of play.
2) If a ball is hit into the end of the outfield, and is obstructed by bushes/trees/fence, the umpire will judgmentally award all runners with the bases that the player(s) would most assuredly have reached if the ball was received cleanly and a strong perfect throw would have not reached. The result of the play may be a single, double, triple or a homerun.
Article XIII – Field Dimensions:
i)
Pitching rubber distance to home plate: 43 Feet
ii)
All bases will be 65 feet apart
Section II - Equipment, Dress Code, Injury and Conduct:
Article I - Gloves and Safety Equipment:
i) All players are required to bring their own softball/baseball glove to every game. Any safety equipment required shall be provided by you! (The league will NOT provide any safety equipment). The opposing team will not provide any equipment.
ii) All teams are required to provide their OWN team with a catcher’s mask at their OWN cost. The opposing team does NOT have to share a catcher’s mask. Catchers will NOT be allowed behind the plate if they are not masked.
iii) Metal cleats are NOT allowed at any games.
Article II - Bats and Balls:
i) Bats will not be provided. Only certified ASA softball metal bats are allowed. Baseball (metal or wooden) or plastic bats are not allowed. If a player uses an illegal bat, that player may be charged with an automatic out.
ii) Bats do NOT have to be shared by teams.
iii) The official ball of the league is the “Clincher.” The league shall provide a game ball. If a ball is lost, or unusable, then the HOME team must provide an extra ball in game shape (not necessarily a new one).
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It is the captain’s job to ensure that his team brings the necessary equipment to each game.
Article IV - Injury:
i) WARNING!!! The league is not responsible for any injures! You are playing at your own risk! All safety equipment you require should be brought by you, with you to all games. The league will not be held liable for any and all injures
ii) All players playing in an official West Hempstead League softball game are required to sign a liability waiver (either a paper document or an electronic google form style waiver).
Article V - Discrimination:
Should any player be unfairly discriminated against regardless of ability or otherwise then that player may address his/her complaints with the commissioner. Should that person's complaints prove valid, then that person may accept the commissioner's address and rectification of their problem, or accept a partial refund.
Article VI - Alcoholic Beverages and Smoking
i) There will be NO alcoholic beverages permitted at any field during a game by any player. This includes open or closed cans or bottles, etc. Players are also not permitted to have open containers of alcohol anywhere in the park including the parking lot or during any league games – your own game or not. Failure to adhere to this article will result in an automatic ejection from that day’s games plus an automatic suspension or expulsion from the league by the commissioner, effective immediately without refund.
ii) Smoking and/or vaping is not permitted anywhere near the ball field, including on the field, in the dugout or even on the cement adjacent to the ballfield. If you wish to smoke, you may do so far from the field itself. Failure to adhere to this will be subject to an automatic game day ejection and an automatic suspension or expulsion from the league at the commissioner’s discretion without refund.
iii) For this section, the definition of “during a league game” will include the hours of 7:00 PM to midnight local time on all official days which a West Hempstead Softball league has official games.
iv) If an umpire, any league official, or any park employee finds a player or team to have an alcoholic beverage at the field, or is smoking as per the rules of this section - then that player will be automatically ejected from the game, and is subject to an automatic suspension or expulsion from the league by the Commissioner, effective immediately without refund.
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i) There is to be no arguing with umpires. Only the CAPTAIN may appeal a GAME RULE. Judgment calls may NOT be appealed. An umpire may eject an unruly player at his discretion without refund.
ii) Offensive behavior and language towards opposing players will not be tolerated. A first offense will be a warning and the second will be an ejection from the game. Repeated offenses can result in suspension at the discretion of the commissioner and no refund will be given.
Article VIII – Protests / Appeals
i) Any play in which a team believe was not called in line with the rules of the league may be protested / appealed to the league commissioner/president. To do so, the captains must announce to the umpire and the other team, as well as text the commissioner/president of the basis of protest and game situation at that time.
ii) Within a week, the commissioner/president will review and respond to the protest/appeal. The umpire will be contacted, both captains and any relevant payers must be available to comply with an investigation into the protest/appeal/complaint. The judgement of the commissioner/president will be final.
iii) If the appeal/protest is made in a game involving the current commissioner/president, the commissioner/president will defer the appeal/protest to a competent current or former commissioner of another similar local softball league or baseball organization in his stead.
iv) Appeals/Protests based on umpire judgement will not be overturned. The basis of the appeal/protest has to be an incorrectly followed league rule.
Article IX – Waivers
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Article I - Number of Games and Rain Outs:
i) Each team shall play:
Wednesday night league – 8 regular season games.
ii) Should there be rain, and the game is unable to be played at all, the Commissioner/President will decide if and when the game is made up. There are rain dates in the schedule to account for rain outs. Since rain is an unexpected occurrence, please check with you captain as to whether or not the game will be played on a rainy day.
iii) On any official week of the season or rain date, an official game can be scheduled during that day in any of the usual time slots.
Team date or time requests are merely requests and do NOT have to be honored (although the scheduler will try to accommodate).
Article II – Game Length and Duration of Games:
i) Games shall be seven innings long (subject to time constraints below).
ii) Unless there is a special game time, all games will have a start time of either 7:50 PM ET or 9:35 PM ET. (The website schedule will list the early game as 7:45 PM and the late game as 9:30 PM, however, the official start time is technically 7:50 PM and 9:35 PM.)
iii) For 7:50 PM games, no new inning shall start after 9:25 PM. Games will not be permitted to play past 9:40 PM for any reason.
For 9:35 PM games, no new inning shall start after 11:10 PM. Games will not be permitted to play past 11:25 PM for any reason.
The umpire will be the one to determine the current time situation of all games.
iv) An umpire shall stop or suspend any game in progress due to danger, darkness, poor weather or unsafe field conditions at their own discretion. Rules for official games (see below) then apply.
v) For any regular season game that concludes in the middle of an inning either due to time constraints (as in iii above) or because of unsafe conditions (as in iv above), etc. – The entire inning will not count, unless the home team was trailing or took the lead within the inning.
Article III - Extra Innings
i) For any game, if a game is tied at the conclusion of seven innings, all innings thereafter will begin with a “runner” on second base to start each half inning. That “runner” will be the last batter who batted in the previous inning. For scoring purposes, the “runner” will not individually earn a run scored if he scores, however the batter who bats him in to score will receive an RBI.
Article IV - Official Games
i) During the regular season, if an in-progress game must be stopped, either by time constraints, danger or any reason as above - then:
a) If a full 4 innings have been played, but not a full 7 innings, then the game officially counts. The score reverts back to the last full inning played, unless the home team tied the game or took the lead in that last inning.
b) If a full 4 innings have not been played, then the game will be start over or will be suspended. The game will suspend if and only if there have been at least 2 full innings played and there is a substantial run differential between the two teams (at least 5). If not, then the game will be rained out and will fully start over.
ii) During the regular season games may end in a tie. This will happen if the score is still tied when the game is stopped either by time constraints, danger or any reason as above, and there was at least 4 full innings played.
iii) If a playoff game played at least 4 innings, is stopped either by time constraints, danger or any reason as above, and there were at least 4 full innings played, the game will not suspend and fully count. If the game is tied as a result, the home/higher seeded team will move onto the next round of the playoffs (the lower seeded team has to outright win in a game of at least 4 innings length).
iv) In a completion of a suspended game, the lineup must remain the same as it was when the game was suspended. Since the game is on a different night, there may be new players that were not present at the original game. They would be substituted into the lineup just as a pinch hitter/runner would be. A new designated fielder may be assigned, if desired.
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These are the rules for determining the order of the league standings:
i) The overall record (winning percentage) is the chief factor in determining the standings. A better record means a higher ranking.
ii) If two teams have the same record, then the tie will be broken as follows:
The higher ranking team shall be the team with the better statistic in (in order of tie breaker):
1) Head-to-Head record
2) Divisional record (if applicable)
3) Head-to-Head runs scored vs. runs allowed differential
4) Divisional runs scored vs. runs allowed differential (if applicable)
5) Overall runs scored vs. runs allowed differential
6) Head-to-Head scoring differential against the highest already ranked team in the division. (If tied, then next highest ranked team.)
7) Head-to-Head scoring differential against the highest already ranked team in the league. (If tied, then next highest ranked team.)
8) 3-7 replaced with runs scored per inning batted.
iii) If three or more teams have the same record, then the tie will be broken as follows:
The highest ranking team shall be the team with the better statistic in [If there is no highest, then the lowest ranking team with shall be the team with the worse statistic in] (in order of tie breaker):
1) Head-to-Head record against the other two teams
2) Divisional record (if applicable)
3) Scoring differential among the tied teams
4) As above (as 2 teams) with Head-to-Head being against the tied teams
Article IV - The Playoffs:
i) At the end of the regular season, all teams will make the playoffs. They will be assigned the #1, #2, #3 seeds in the playoffs, ranked as above.
ii) In the first round of the playoffs, the #2 seed will play the #3 seed. The loser of this game will be the lower seed in the forthcoming Semi-Final game. The winner of this game will play the #1 seed in the second round of the playoffs.
iii) In the second round of the playoffs, the winner of the first round (#3 vs. #2) will play the #1 seed. The loser of this game will be the higher seed in the forthcoming Semi-Final game. The winner of the second round of the playoffs will advance to the league championship game (and as the higher seed in the championship game).
iv) In the “Semi-Final” playoff game, the two losers of the first and second round of playoffs will square off. The loser will be out of the playoffs and the winner will advance to the league championship game.
v) The winner of the semi-final game will play the winner of the second round of the playoffs in the “League Championship” to determine the League Champions. The winner of the second round of the playoffs will be the higher seed in this contest. The winner of the league championship game will be declared the “League Champions.”
Article V - More Playoff Rules:
i) All playoff games may be scheduled as part of doubleheader.
ii) In all playoff rounds, the higher seeded team has the home field advantage (bats last) for the odd games of the round. The lower seed team will have the home field advantage in the even games of the round.
iii) For all playoff rounds, IF there is a choice of field, the highest ranking seed playing on the evening may get preference and choice of fields. This is all subject to permit availability and is not guaranteed.
iv) Playoff eligibility – see Section I, Article II for the complete rules of playoff eligibility.
v) If a team is leading by 12 or more runs after the other team has batted in any inning after the 5th inning, then that team wins the game. (The 5th Inning has to have been completed.) This rule only applies to the playoffs.
Last Updated on: May 4, 2022 at 12:00 PM EDT by Ariel