KORY 3-PITCH LEAGUE OFFICIAL RULES

GENERAL RULES: 

(EACH TEAM MUST HAVE THE RULES ON HAND AT EVERY GAME, AND WHEN UMPING, Use SPN/SPO rules only if we don’t have that rule (situation) listed in our rules)

** In any case where there is a dispute in the interpretation of any rules, the commissioners interpretation of that rule will take precedence.** 

1.0 No Player shall use inappropriate language towards the Commissioner or any participants in ways as to:

• Accuse the commissioner of bias 
• Accuse anyone of bias or having favoritism towards the commissioner or other players.
• Using foul language or obscene gestures towards anyone in the league

Failure to comply will result in suspensions:

• 1st Offense- 3 games
• 2nd Offense- 10 games
• 3rd Offense- Entire Year

1.0a No smoking or eating on the field.

1.1 A team roster has a 25 player limit. A maximum of 10 players and a minimum of 7 players must be fielded each inning, 3 of these players must be female. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

1.1a Teams can only use players that are on their team’s roster, and players can only be on one team’s roster; they cannot play for another team in the league.

1.2 All single and double header games shall consist of 9 innings with 3 outs per inning, at least 7 Innings must be played or a $50 fine will be imposed on the team that leaves earlier. If both teams decide to play 7 Innings due to injury, heat, or bad weather, that is accepted. Tournament games are 7 Innings. 

1.2a Games will be played till completion unless it is going to interfere with the start of the next game. In that case the last inning to be played will be called by the umpire 15 minutes before the start of the next game. Extra Inning games are the exception, those games must be played out until there is a winner.

1.2c. No make up, rescheduled or rainout games shall interfere with the start of a regularly scheduled game. 

1.2d. NO GRACE PERIOD all games must start at the scheduled time assigned. 

1.3 If weather conditions do not permit 9 innings of play, at least 5 innings must be played for that game to count. If a game is called before 5 innings are completed then the entire game will be replayed. Any team or umpire can call the game due to Heavy rain/lightning.

1.3a Rainouts: Teams must show up and they must have the required number of players necessary to field a team for that game to be called or the team or teams that are short will forfeit that game.

• A 30 minute time limit will be enforced on any rain delay before the game can be cancelled as long as both teams have the required number of players to play. If the delay is on the early game, then the later game will be delayed by the same amount of time.

• Teams can refuse to play if:
  • Field conditions are unsafe
  • If there is Heavy Rain or Lightning (After a 30 minute delay was enforced)

• If 2 teams decide to play after it rains or during a light rainfall, then the umpire cannot call the game unless the weather is too severe (Heavy Rain/Lightning) and the umpires have concerns for their safety. Once a decision is made by both teams to play, then one team cannot change their mind unless the weather is too severe (Heavy Rain Fall/Lightning).

1.4 Bases are to be 65 feet apart: there is a force line half the distance between third base and true home plate. A substitute home base is to be placed at a right angle to the third base line, even with home plate. The home team is responsible for measuring and supplying the bases and the pylons. The line between 3rd and Home has to be marked with a white powder, baby powder works.

1.5 There are no tie games . Extra innings are played until a winner is determined. If weather affects the continuation of play then the game will be continued from the last complete inning before play was interrupted. This is only in the event of a tie game.

1.5a. The 1st Extra Inning will be played the same as you played in the previous Innings and then you will play International rules thereafter until we have a winner. Using International rules means that you start with 1 out and with the last batter starting at 2ndbase. If the last batter was a declared batter, then that batter can be replaced (courtesy) by the batter who batted before them.

1.6 A 7 run per inning mercy rule is in effect except for the last inning of the game, there is no limit on runs in the last inning. Teams can choose to stop playing after 7 Innings if the difference in the score is greater than 12 runs.

1.7 A batting order must be established before the game and distributed to the opposing team. Players must bat in order. If an incorrect batter has one pitch thrown to them, they will be called out if it is brought to the umpire’s attention. If it is not brought to the umpire’s attention before the next batter receives a pitch, the play will continue from the position after the incorrect batter. No players may be added to the batting order once you have completed the original batting order. 

1.8 First base will be white with an orange safety bag. This base must be pegged down to the ground. On any hit where there is a possibility of a play at first base the runner must touch only the orange portion of the bag. If the runner touches the white portion of the bag they will be called out. The first baseman can only touch the white portion of the bag. If they touch the orange portion of the bag the runner will be called safe. When there is no possibility of a play at first base such as a hit to the outfield, the runner may touch the white portion of the bag and the first baseman must stay out of the way of the runner.

1.9 Bases must be pegged in with 2 pegs, one on each side of the base (please hammer the pegs down on the sides of the base that avoid the runners base path). All bases must be in great condition with no tears and all bases must have all of its straps. At Home you can use a base (2 pegs), a mat that doesn’t slide or a chalk line. Whichever you decide to use, it should be placed 10ft apart from the Home Plate and they should be parallel to each other. Please make sure there is a safe distance from the Home base to the Back fencing at each diamond. 

1.10 Legal Bats– Please use the list provided by SPO/SPN on their website for legal bats list. Extreme older bats are not an issue, but bats made in the last 15 years might be grandfathered or put on the illegal bats list. It is illegal to use any bat where items have been added without notifying the league commissioner first. Hardball bats are also illegal. If an illegal bat is used then the players or players caught using the bat will be called out and no runners will advance. The player must hit the ball before this rule can be enforced. At any time during the season a team complains about a certain bat then that bat will be checked to see if it is legal to be used. Check for the bat to have a stamp saying ASA/NSA approved and now a thumb print is used as a marker indicating it is a legal bat, located just below the handle of a bat. 

1.11 Face Masks with Helmets- Face mask with a Helmet must be worn by the pitchers but for the base runner or catchers it is not mandatory. All Helmets must be strapped tight and not worn loosely or that individual will be asked to remove the helmet due to potential danger to others or themselves. 

1.12 Cleats– No steel or metal cleats are allowed.

1.13 Rescheduling Games– The commissioner must be notified of any game changes. The commissioner must be told the date the game will be played and who the umpires will be. Any rescheduled games must be replayed within three weeks of the original game. Rain-outs may be rescheduled any time during the year. If the commissioner is not notified of a rescheduled game then both teams involved will forfeit the game. Any Rain-out or rescheduled game not played by the last weekend of the season will be recorded as losses for both teams.

1.14 Any team that forfeits a game will be fined $50 per game. Any team that does not show up to umpire will be fined $25 a person, per game. Each team is required to have 2 umpires when scheduled to umpire; a team supplying only 1 umpire will be fined $25.

1.15 Any team not complying with league rules will be kicked out of the league and all deposits forfeited.

1.15a Alcohol is not permitted in the park. Any team or individuals caught with alcohol at the park will be kicked out of the league. This rule will be enforced with no warning. Teams are responsible for any friends that decide to bring alcohol to the park and that team will forfeit the game played and possibly a more severe penalty will be enforced. Also no player who drinks before a game and is deemed a danger to others shall be allowed to play the game or games scheduled that day. 

1.16 A player must play in at least 10 games to be eligible for the playoffs. Any team using ineligible players during the playoffs will forfeit the series.

1.17 All players must sign the roster sheet before each game. This sheet plus the score sheet showing the batting order line up for each game are to be given to Mike Korytkew no later than Sunday Evening. If a sheet is not handed in the team will record a loss. Sheets may be dropped off at 53 Longwood Road North in the mailbox at the side of the house. Each team will be given a list of eligible players prior to playoffs.

1.18 Any protests must be reported to the Commissioner within 24 hours of the game being completed. Then three neutral teams will be notified of the protest and they will make a decision, at no time will they know the teams involved. In some cases, only the Commissioner will make a ruling.

1.19 All participants must wear proper clothing: no player shall play or umpire without wearing a tee shirt or a shirt that is buttoned up, no tank tops. 

1.20 If a team can’t field enough players to play in the playoffs they will be replaced by a team with the next best record. If a team can’t field enough players in any of the rounds of the playoffs then they will be replaced by a team with the next best record in the regular season. 

PLAYING RULES 

PITCHING 

2.0 Each team supplies its own pitcher. The pitcher can stand 2 feet around Forward, Backwards or to the side of the pitchers mound when pitching. 

2.1 Voluntary pitching changes are allowed but only one pitcher per inning can request warm up pitches. If a pitcher is replaced due to injury the new pitcher may request warm up pitches.

2.2 All pitches must be underhand. If a pitch is thrown overhand the batter is automatically out. 

2.3 If a pitcher intentionally interferes with the play the batter will be called out and no base runners may advance.

2.4 Teams will be required to put either a line in the sand with baby powder or another form of a marker like a chalk line 43 feet from home plate towards the pitchers mound, that will be the closest distance that a pitcher can stand when they pitch.

2.5 An individual is allowed to only pitch and is not required to hit.

BATTING

The umpire shall call a strike and the ball dead if:

3.0 A pitched ball is swung at and missed.

3.1 The batter is hit by a pitch.

3.2 A pitched ball is declined by the batter.

3.3 The batter hits a foul ball that is not caught.

3.4 The batter hits a ball that hits the pitcher.(except for your third pitch then it will be a dead ball and another pitch will be awarded, you can not count hitting a pitcher on the third pitch a strike, if it continues, follow the above procedure).

3.5 All players in the batting order must play at least one inning in the field.

3.6 All players that play in the field must bat regularly in the batting order. 

3.7 A ball that is hit foul between Home and 3rd or Home and 1st and then rolls back into fair territory before the base will be called a fair ball.

3.8 A batter can step on the plate after or during a swing or step in front of home plate as long as they don’t interfere with the play.

OUTS

Batters are out if:

4.0 They fail to get a hit on three legal pitches.

4.1 A fly ball is caught.

4.2 A foul fly ball is caught in play.

4.3 A ball hit on the ground is caught and thrown to the base the runner is advancing to before the runner reaches the base.

4.4 They deliberately interfere with the catcher attempting to catch a pop up.

4.5 They throw or lose grip on the bat and it interferes with the play.

4.6 They attempt to bunt the ball or use less than a full swing . A full swing is a continuous motion from shoulder to shoulder.

4.7 They hit into an infield fly and that is when there are players on base in a force play situation, examples are when runners are on first, first and second, first ,second and third or first and third with less than two outs. An infield fly is one that is a fair ball and is easily catchable by an infielder at the discretion of the umpire. This rule is enforced to make sure that fielders don’t intentionally drop the ball in order to get other runners out as well. 

When an infield fly is called the ball becomes a dead ball and no players can advance.

4.8 Any ball hit in fair territory, that is touched by a fielder that has any part of their body in fair territory and deflects the ball into foul territory the ball shall be considered to be in play, runners may advance at their own risk. A play is deemed live if a ball is hit to the outfield and is caught by the fielder in fair territory but then they step out of play, the runners on base can tag up and advance.

4.8a A ball that hits 1st or 3rd base and then goes out of play is still ruled a live ball and runners and batter can advance.

BASERUNNING

5.0 Sliding is allowed at all bases but 1st base, if you choose to slide then you slide at your own risk, if you don’t know how then don’t try it. If you slide into first base and are in conflict with rule 1.10 you will be called out.

5.1 When the base runner slides into a bag and knocks it forward before being tagged, the runner is safe.

5.2 If the bases are not pegged down or if a base is moved out of position unintentionally due to base running, than calls at the bases must be made from the original placement of that base at the time of the last batter. 

5.3 When the runner overruns a base, the runner will be called out if tagged before returning to the base.

5.4 A player cannot leave the base until the ball is struck by the batter. If a runner leaves before the ball is hit they will be called out and the pitch will count as a strike even if the ball would have been hit for a base hit.

5.5 When the batter overruns first base they may turn to the left or the right. If the runner turns to the left and in the umpires opinion they are attempting to go to second base the play is still live and the runner may be tagged out.

5.6 The runner must proceed to substitute home and not true home. If the runner touches true home the runner is out.

5.7 If the runner passes the force line between third and home the runner must proceed home by the completion of the play. The runner will be called out if the ball arrives at home plate before they touch the bag or pass the line at home or if the runner passes the force line then goes back to 3rd or any other base. The runner can’t be tagged out at home.

5.8 If there are two outs and the third out is a force out, any runs scored do not count.

5.9 If the base runner breaks the baseline by more than 2 feet on either side to avoid being tagged, the runner is automatically out. If the runner is breaking the base line to avoid a collision, there is no set distance set but it will be to the discretion of the umpire if they felt the runner went too far off the base line to avoid a collision.

5.10 A runner that fails to touch a base is out if the opposing team appeals to the umpire before the next pitch is thrown, and the umpire agrees that the runner missed the base in question.

5.11 A runner returning to a missed base is out if:

• tagged before reaching the base 
• the ball reaches the base before the runner
• the base is occupied by another runner 

5.12 OVERTHROWS– On an infield overthrow, the runners are awarded the base they were going to, plus one base. On an overthrow from the outfield, runners are awarded two bases from the time of the throw. The ball must be out of play for a runner to be awarded a free base. Any ball that does not pass the bench area, is still in play and runners may advance at their own risk.

5.12a OVERTHROWS are determined by the fielders position played and not by the location of the fielder at the time of the overthrow. Example- An outfielder who enters the infield and overthrows 1st would result in the runner being awarded 2 bases from the time of the throw (Outfield overthrow).

5.13 If a runner interferes with the ball or a fielder fielding the ball the runner is out.

5.14 If any base coach or coaches interfere with the play in any way the runner is automatically out. If either base coach comes in contact with the ball, the ball is automatically dead.

5.15 TAGGING UP – When tagging up on a fly ball, the runner must stay on the bag until the fielder has touched or caught the ball(The ball does not have to be caught by the fielder for the runner to tag and advance to other bases). Base runners may tag up on foul balls provided the ball remains in play. If the runner does not tag up on a touched fly ball, the runner is out if tagged or if the ball reaches the runners original base before the runner does. 

5.16 COURTESY PINCH RUNNERS– Each team will be allowed 3 pinch runners that can be applied at any time and at any base for strategic reasons. This pinch runner does not have to be the last out but has to be of the same gender . A batter has to get on base to request this. No pinch runner can start from the back stop. You can use the same person to pinch run for a batter more than once.

5.16a DECLARED/DESIGNATED RUNNER RULE:- This rule allows unlimited runners for those batters that indicate before batting that they are injured and from that point on they have to be replaced every time they are at bat and reach base. They can only be replaced by the last person out of the same gender. This batter can only advance to first even if their hit was deep enough for a double, triple or homerun. They can’t have a runner start from the back stop, they much reach first base before this rule can be applied. Once this is requested you can’t change back. Any runners who where on base before a batter requests a courtesy can advance at their own risk if the ball is hit or by virtue of a tagging situation if the ball is caught, they are not limited to just one base.

FIELDING

6.0 When tagging a runner for an out, the fielder must tag the runner with the ball or with the glove, as long as the ball is in the glove, also the fielder must have full control of the ball.

6.1 Only an infielder may give the ball to the pitcher, the pitcher does not have to catch the ball or stop it when it is thrown by an outfielder.

6.2 Outfielders and rovers must stay off the infield until the ball is hit, failing to do so will result in the batter being awarded first base for balls hit in the infield, runners on base will also be allowed to advance 1 base and if a batter hits a ball to the outfield then the play will be continued and the fielder will be warned. If they were to do it again then they will be kicked out of the game.

6.3 If a fielder throws their glove or any other piece of equipment to stop a ball that is in play, the opposing team will be awarded any bases or runs that the umpires feel they would have received had the glove or equipment not been thrown.

6.4 A fly ball behind home plate must go the height of the backstop to be counted as an out if caught in foul territory. (This play should be called by the base umpire).

6.5 Each team must field a person at any infield position that is capable to play that position and understands what is required in order to prevent injury for the base runners and themselves ex: overthrows and moving away from their position if their is no play at that position. If an umpire feels that a person or persons playing at 1 or more infield position is not complying with the league requirements , the umpires are asked by the league to remove them from that position.

6.6 A commit line will be put on both sides of the pitchers mound, fielders can’t pass that line until the ball is hit. 

6.7 Outfielders, under no circumstances can throw out players running to first base until they have established that base first.

6.8 Fielding positions: An infielder can play the outfield and if they overthrow the ball then it will be ruled as an outfield overthrow. The infield stays the same and no other fielder can enter the infield until the ball is hit. 

6.9 An extra base is awarded if the fielder picks a ball up or catches a ball in fair territory then runs out of play with it. The out of play boundary calls at the st and 3rd base side will be called if the ball is caught or walked into a determined out of play area, if an infielder makes a catch close to the out of play boundary there will have to be a definite continue motion out of bounds to have a runner awarded an extra base (Churchill Park only).

6.10 A foul ball will be called based on the position of the ball, not the position of the fielder. If the ball is in foul territory and the fielder’s glove is in foul territory but his or her body is in fair territory and the ball hits the glove, the ball is foul when touched and the call by the umpire will be made based on that.

UMPIRES

7.0 Each team must supply two umpires for each game they are scheduled to umpire or pay for a paid umpire to take over the teams assigned umpiring spot. If teams switch umpires prior to or during a game the Commissioner must be notified. 

7.1 Umpires have the right to remove disobedient players from the game.

7.2 Each team must supply two umpires that know the rules and are confident at making the calls that are necessary during a game situation (unless a paid umpire is scheduled to do the umpiring assignment). The umpires will also be required to carry the rules with them at all times. Failure to meet any of these rules will result in a $50- fine.

7.3 Any players that approach an umpire in a hostile manner or use inappropriate language towards an umpire, or umpires will result in an automatic year suspension. 

7.4 Umpires have the right to remove players from the 1st base position if the umpire or umpires feel that the fielder is not playing the position in a manner that would prevent collisions or injuries.

7.5 The Home Umpire is the main umpire but they can only over rule a base umpire if a team asks or if they talk with the base umpire and feel that they had a better view of a play or an angle that the base umpire wouldn’t have seen as clearly as them. The Home Umpire primarily will make calls at 3rd base and home plate but could assist the base umpire at 1st or 2nd base. They also indicate fair or foul balls when hit down the 1st or 3rd base line. The fair balls are to be indicated by a hand motion and only foul balls will be voiced out in order to eliminate confusion. The base umpires main calls are at 1st and 

2nd base but could also assist in making calls at 3rd base, they also indicate if the ball went above the backstop when a pop fly is hit behind home plate.

SCORES & ROSTER REQUIREMENTS

8.0 Winning teams are required to phone in their score to me by 9pm of that Sunday or both teams will get the loss. If you can’t drop off or get me the score sheets on that Sunday, then please call in the score and either send the sheets to me by snap shots from a phone, fax or email attachment. I want the roster to be typed with the date and opponents team name on it, no nicknames. I also want a score sheet for every game with both teams scores on it.