1.00 Objectives of the game.1.02 The offensive team’s objective is to have its batter become a runner, and its runners advance.1.03 The defensive team’s objective is to prevent offensive players from becoming runners, and to prevent their advance around the bases.1.04 When a batter becomes a runner and touches all bases legally he shall score one run for his team.1.05 The objective of each team is to win by scoring more runs than the opponent.1.06 The winner of the game shall be that team which shall have scored, in accordance with these rules, the greater number of runs at the conclusion of a regulation game.
3.00 Equipment3.01 The ball shall be Officially Branded Blitzballs. Regulation size.3.02 Bats must pass inspection from the league commissioners. 3.02a If a bat is broken during play, it may be removed from the game.3.03 Any type of uniform is allowed3.04 No spiked cleats are allowed3.06 Any type of fielding glove is acceptable, no glove is required3.07 Batting Gloves can be worn on offense3.08 Batting helmets can be worn on offense, and regular baseball hats are accepted
5.00 Playing the game
5.01 This league is a slow pitch league. Speed must be kept down in respect for other players. If any issues present with speed, the majority can decide if the pitch speed is too fast. The pitcher can be “ejected from the mound” for refusal to respect the batter, and those who make the decision that the pitcher is pitching too fast.
5.01a If a player is ”ejected from the mound” they will not be allowed to pitch the remainder of the day. If they have a scheduled game as a manager to pitch in that day, rule 12.07c will be enforced.
5.06 A fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play, and the award is made from the position of the runner at the time the ball was touched.
5.06a If forced, you can get a runner out by stepping on the bag the runner is going to, or by tagging the runner with the hand the ball is in.
5.06b Deer tag is allowed. Meaning you can throw the ball at the runner to get him/her out
5.06c When a runner is advancing towards home plate, the fielder may throw the ball and hit either side of the hard back strike zone before the runner touches the plate for an out. Determining whether the runner is advancing towards home depends on their movements upon the ball’s release and where they are located at that time. If they are over half way towards home plate from third when the ball is released, they will be considered attempting to advance. If they are rounding third and running towards home at the time of the ball’s release, they are considered attempting to advance. This can be reviewed via challenge.
5.06d: If the ball misses the hard back strike zone, meaning it does not hit the metal or pvc piping (excluding stand and legs) on the fly, the ball will be ruled dead and the runners will be held to the last base they were at or heading towards.
5.07 (For Ambidextrous Pitchers) A pitcher must indicate visually to the umpire-in-chief, the batter and any runners the hand with which he intends to pitch, which may be done by wearing his glove on the other hand while touching the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher is not permitted to pitch with the other hand until the batter is retired, the batter becomes a runner, the inning ends, the batter is substituted for by a pinch-hitter or the pitcher incurs an injury. In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands during an at-bat because he has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, for the remainder of the game, pitch with the hand from which he has switched. The pitcher shall not be given the opportunity to throw any preparatory pitches after switching pitching hands. Any change of pitching hands must be indicated clearly to the umpire-in-chief.
5.09 The batter is out when his fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder, when the count hits three strikes, bunts their second strike foul, if the ball touches the batter in any sort of way, or if the fielder with the ball steps on the first base bag before the batter does.
5.11 The DH Rule: A hitter may be designated to bat and not field. A Designated Hitter is allowed as long as the team can field at least three additional players.
5.11a The Designated Hitter named in the starting lineup must come to bat at least one time, unless the opposing club changes pitchers. It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a Designated Hitter for that club for that game.
5.11b Pinch-hitters for a Designated Hitter may be used. Any substitute hitter for a Designated Hitter becomes the Designated Hitter. The original DH will then become a fielder. The batting lineup will not change. A replaced Designated Hitter can return to the role of designated hitter if the player being replaced takes the field.
5.11c A runner may be substituted for the Designated Hitter and the runner assumes the role of Designated Hitter. A Designated Hitter may not pinch-run. A Designated Hitter is “locked” into the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the Designated Hitter.
5.11d Once the game pitcher bats or runs for the Designated Hitter, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game. The game pitcher may pinch-hit or pinch-run only for the Designated Hitter.
5.11e In all official SBL games, the rule will be used when there are an odd number of players representing each team. This will be used to ensure that the number of fielders stays the same.
5.11f A Pinch runner may be used at any point in time as long as the Batting Order is fulfilled.
5.12 When a fielder, after catching a fly ball, steps or falls into any out-of-play area. All other runners shall advance one base, without liability to be put out, from his last legally touched base at the time the fielder entered such out-of-play area.
8.00 Miscellaneous Rules8.01 (For Heid Stadium) If a ball is hit in the air and hits any part of a tree, or the house on the fly, it will automatically be a foul ball. Even if headed into fair territory.
8.01b (For Heid Stadium) If a ball is hit into the basketball hoop in left center, it will be double the score of however many runs would have scored if it were a regular home run.
8.02 (For Knudsen Field) If a ball is hit and it hits the trailer in right field, it will be double the score of however many runs would have scored if it were a regular home run.
8.03 If a ball goes through or gets stuck to the fence, the batter is awarded a ground rule double. The runners will be held to the last base they touch, unless they move forward in order to award the batter their double
8.04 If a ball bounces off the fence or wall in fair territory and caught on the fly, it is not a recorded fly out.
8.05 A pitcher is required to hit without a hitting substitution in every game.
8.06 A pitcher can leave and re-enter the game if they so desire. At any time, defensive substitutions may be made, but the batting order must stay the same throughout the entire game, and everyone drafted onto the team and present must hit.
8.07 A Pinch Runner can and must be used in the scenario where the base runner must hit again. If not all base runners can be covered in person, they available people will cover the farthest advanced runners, and the ghost runner rule will come into play.
8.07a The ghost runner mirrors the actions of the hitter. They advance as many bases as the hitter, and will reach their next base when the hitter reaches their base. Ghost runners can be gotten out via force out, cannot be tagged out, or doubled up during a fly out. Ghost runners will return to actual runners when a person becomes available to run.
8.08 A designated runner, will be in place for an injured player who cannot run. They will stand off to the side of home plate, away from possible danger, and wait to run. They must stand at least 35 ft from 1st base to start. The designated runner can run after the batter has made contact with the ball.
8.08a Injuries should be reported to an umpire, or managers in order to qualify for a “DR”
8.09 If a Drafted Player gets caught cheating, they will get ejected from the game. The game will continue without that player. If this happens to the manager of the team, the game will be over and the manager will be awarded with a 1-0 loss, even if they were ahead.
9.00 Game Calling and Challenges
9.01 If an umpire is present, he will be the lone game caller. He shall be respected for this authority.
9.02 If an umpire is not present, the majority determines the game’s calls. If a play cannot be determined, the play will not be counted and the plate appearance will reset.
9.03 Players can also get tossed by arguing a call made by the umpire. The umpire can eject the player(s) whenever they think the player(s) went over the line. If this happens to the team manager, the game will be over and the team will be awarded with a loss, at a recorded 1-0 match. If this happens to a Drafted player, the player can no longer take an at-bat or face a batter. They will have to leave the game, and the original player, who they substituted for will retake that position.
9.04 Each team, is awarded one challenge, which will be reviewed by video replay. The challenge must be announced by the team’s manager. The call will be determined, by the umpire, or majority if no umpire is present. After the call is made, there will be no further complaint, argument, or protesting shall occur. Failure to follow procedure will lead to ejection. (See ejection regulation above). The Challenge is not rewarded back to the manager/team if they get the call correct
10.00 League Standings and Game Schedule
10.01 To determine the standings, each Manager’ s rank will be determined by these rules, descending in importance
Winning Percentage (Highest to Lowest)Games Played (Most to Least)Run Difference (Highest to lowest)Runs Allowed (Least to Most)
10.02 Each Manager must play 2 games with each opponent, each getting home field advantage for at least one game.
10.02 Each manager will be scheduled for 15 games in a season.
10.03 If a game or series is rained out, it will be removed back to a later date.
10.04 If one game cannot be made up for some reason, it will be played before the wildcard round starts.
10.05 Each game consists of three innings, with two outs per each half inning.
10.06 If the game is tied at the conclusion of the three innings the game will go into extras, consisting of 1 out per half inning.
10.07 There are a Maximum of 5 extra innings. If it is still tied after the maximum innings, the winner will be the one with the most total bases, and if that is tied the winner is the one with the most hits. In the postseason, the game will have no extra inning limit. A winner must be determined.
10.08 A game can be called short for rain after two innings have been completed. After two innings the game is official and the score at the time of call is the final
10.09 If a game is called before 2 innings the game can be delayed for up to an hour, but if the hour passes and the game can't reach the 2 inning mark, it will be called and rescheduled to a different date if possible.
11.00 Statistics and Eligibility
11.01 Statistics are recorded and filed after the game. The game is reviewed through video, uploaded on an individual game long, on a season long, and a career long spreadsheet.
11.02 Eligibility to lead a certain statistic by season is determined by the amount of plate appearances or innings pitched. By the end of the season, a player must have appeared at the plate a total of 80 times. To be eligible for leading any season long pitching statistic, a player must pitch a minimum of 20 innings.
11.03 Certain Milestones will be saved with the game ball used to achieve the mark. The ball will be pulled aside, dated, and signed if desired by the player
12.00 Teams and Gameday Lineups
12.01 Each game will be managed by two team captains. The game result will count towards their respective overall records.
12.02 Managers will “Draft” any players eligible to compete in that day’s event.
12.03 Any drafted player who competes will have the game count towards their stats.
12.04 Drafted players are under the management of the managers. Managers determine the batting lineup, and positions of the players.
12.05 Draft order is as follows:
Lowest Seed, Higher Seed, Lowest Seed, etc.
12.06 There shall be at minimum four Managers/teams in the season.
12.07 Managers must pitch and record three outs (Equivalent to 1.5 innings in the field).
12.07a The manager must have pitched at least 1 inning (2 outs) before the top of the third. (Used to reinforce rule 12.07)
12.07b If the mercy rule ever is applied, the rule 12.07 will not apply for the remainder of the game
12.07c- (The Sheryll Rule) If a manager cannot pitch for a reason that is deemed acceptable, the first draft pick of their team must start the game and be held to rule 12.07.
12.07d (Sheryll Rule) The starting pitcher in replacement can only pitch 2 innings, unless they have a perfect game, no hitter, or a relief pitcher has pitched 4 innings.
13.00 Playoffs and the All Star Break
13.01 The Playoffs Follow either of the Following Formats:(8 Teams)Death Week(1 GM): (1v4) (1v4) (2v3) (2v3)Championship Series (3GM): WinnersWorld Series (5GM)(6 Teams)WildCard (1GM): (3v6) (4v5)Semi Finals (3GM): (1vW4/5) (2vW3/6)
13.02: The All-Star Game is a match that determines home field advantage. The leading managers at the time will be the manager for All Star game. All representatives from both sides will play.
13.02a The game will be 4 innings long, and no pitching restrictions apply.
13.03: The Homerun Derby is an open invitation to all who wish to join. There are three rounds that determine the winner. Depending upon the number who participate, the amount who advance will vary. After everyone hits, contestants will rank from most homeruns to least home runs. The top half from round 1 will advance to round two. Point totals carry over to round 2 and everyone hits again. The top two in total home runs will compete in the final round. The one with the most homeruns wins.
13.03a Round one and 2 consist of ten outs allowed, Round 3 consists of 5 outs.
13.03b An out consists of any fair ball, or strike that does not go over the fence. Foul Balls do not count. In the final round, looking strikes do not count as outs.
13.03c When there is a tie, a winner is determined in a faceoff. The faceoff consists of three pitches that result in strikes, fouls, balls in play, and homeruns. The farthest hit of those three pitches will be compared. (Farthest Advances)
14.00 New League Format!
14.01 We currently have an 6 manager format, where each manager plays 15 games.
14.02- All Managers will be in the same Division
14.04 The AllStar Game will be 1 Seed v 2 Seed. The Home Team is The team with the Highest Ranked Manager.
15.00- Unsportsmanlike Play
15.01- In order for anything to be considered unsportsmanlike, it must be agreed upon by one representative from both teams.
15.02 Small offenses, included but not limited to, throwing materials, Swearing, and excessive celebration, will result in an advancement of runners, or removal of runners depending upon whether the accused is on offense or defense.
15.03- Larger Offenses including but not limited to, harassment, cheating, vandalism, and rude behaviors that put down other players can result in a run gained, or an ejection based off severity.
15.03a- in case of a manager ejection, his/her team loses 1-0.
15.04- Suspensions are possible, if the punishment is severe enough. The Manager will forfeit all games in that time frame (1-0 loss), and will not be eligible for Awards.
Current Committee:Adam KnudsenJoey HeidAmy Knudsen