The official rules of baseball apply unless superseded by the BCMBA rulebook or by specific mention in these league rules.

1. Any violation of these rules may result in consequences including, but not limited to, forfeiture of the game in question as deemed necessary by the league coordinator. The league coordinator must be informed within forty-eight hours of any alleged violation, at which point the protest may be considered lapsed.

2. The host association shall provide one or two (preferred) umpires for league games.  If umpire(s) do not show up at game time, both teams have a further half hour to find suitable umpire(s), who must be approved by both teams.  Coaches and managers may not umpire their own games; this clause may be waived if both teams consent.  If umpire(s) cannot be found, the game will be cancelled and be recorded as a tie.

3. League games are seven innings in length.  If tied after seven innings, one extra inning is played if deemed possible by the home plate umpire.  If still tied, the game is
recorded as a tie.

4. Games may be cancelled only on the basis of contact between two coaches.  If weather or field conditions are doubtful, coaches should make every effort to stay in close contact.  If no contact is made, the teams should show up at the park.  A mutual decision to cancel a game will result in a tie.  Teams showing up to the park without the prerequisite number of players will be subject to forfeiture as outlined in Rule 6.  The game will be recorded as a tie if neither team has the prerequisite number of players.

5. In the event of a cancelled game (see Rules 2 and 4), the league coordinator will attempt to reschedule the game.  Both teams should make a reasonable effort to play the rescheduled game.  The league coordinator holds the ability to award a loss to a team that, at the coordinator’s discretion, is not making a reasonable attempt to play the rescheduled game.

6. All players present shall be placed in the lineup and bat.  Substitution is unrestricted when a team is in the field; the batting order does not change.  If a player comes late, he/she is added to the bottom of the order, with no penalty.  If a team has only eight players at game time, the game may be played without an automatic out recorded when the ninth position is to bat.  A team may finish a game with eight players.  A team may not start or continue to play a game with seven players or less, and forfeits after a fifteen minute grace period.  Teams may enact the use of Bantam A players in the event that the expected number of roster players attending is not sufficient.

7. Teams looking to reschedule a game due to reasons including, but not limited to, preference or lack of players, are subject to forfeiture of the game.  This clause may be nullified with the agreement of the opposing team.

8. Pitching innings are capped at fourteen innings per week (Monday through Sunday), with a maximum of seven innings per game (plus one in the event of a tie), and a minimum of two nights rest if a pitcher pitches more than five innings in a day.  Each team must have an ‘innings pitched and caught’ record available on request.

9. The slide or avoid rule will be strictly enforced. Penalty is an automatic out, possible
ejection from game at the discretion of the umpire, and possible further suspension at the discretion of the league coordinator.

10. Mandatory ten run mercy rule after five or more innings is in effect. The bottom of the fifth will not be played if the home team holds mercy.

11. Scores are to be reported by the winning team within twenty-four hours of the game to the league coordinator.

12. League standings are based on winning percentage; ties are worth half a win.  Final standings will be determined by: 1. winning percentage, 2. head-to-head win/loss record, 3. head-to-head run differential, 4. season average run differential, and 5. coin toss.

13. Ejections of coaches, managers, or players must be reported to the league coordinator within twenty-four hours of the end of the game.  All ejections will result in an automatic additional one game suspension.  The host coordinator may impose supplemental discipline.

14. All bats must be ‘minus three’ or greater; for example, a -1 bat is legal whereas a -5 bat is not.  Any player using a bat which exceeds this limit will be called out, baserunners returned to their originating base if a hit is made, and the bat will be removed from the game.  The player will be ejected from the game, subject to Rule 13.

15. All players are restricted to fourteen innings of pitching for the duration of the playoffs.

16. Offenses deemed punishable by the league coordinator will be dealt with accordingly.  In the event of an offense or inquiry, final decision rests with the league coordinator.