1.00 - The PLAYING FIELD
1.01: The PLAYING SURFACE Shall be flat and level; All lines referred to herein shall be marked with a highly visible white material.
1.02: FIELD LAYOUT FOUL LINES shall extend from the base of two FOUL POLES until intersecting at a 90 degree angle. The FOUL POLES shall be no less than 10ft in height. HOME PLATE shall be placed at the intersection of the foul lines. The OUTFIELD FENCE shall enclose the outfield, extending from foul pole to foul pole. The outfield fence shall be no less than 4ft in height. FAIR TERRITORY includes all the area of the playing surface beyond the FAIR-PLAY LINE, but within and including the foul lines, foul poles, & outfield fence.
1.03: The INFIELD Shall be marked at each corner (excluding home plate) by a 15" square white BASE; Home plate and the bases shall be placed completely within the infield on fair territory.
1.04: The FAIR-PLAY LINE Shall be clearly marked to designate the extent of FOUL TERRITORY in front of home plate within the foul lines ; Shall be straight and intersect each foul line 7 ft from the back point of home plate at an angle of 45 degrees;
1.06: The PITCHING RUBBER Shall be placed directly between home plate and 2nd base (see DIAGRAM 1); Shall measure 6" wide by 24" long; It's Front edge shall be straight, running parallel to the front edge of home plate, and be placed 41ft from the back point of home plate, 45ft from the TARGET STRIKE ZONE.
1.07: The BATTER’S BOXES Two shall be clearly marked and laid out according to; Shall measure 4ft wide x 6ft long; Shall be placed on each side of and 10" from home plate; The back edge of the batter’s boxes shall be placed 3ft behind back point of home plate.
1.08: The TARGET STRIKE ZONE Shall be placed in foul territory directly behind home plate; Shall be placed 1ft from the back point of home plate, 45ft from the front edge of the PITCHING RUBBER; Shall be a rectangle measuring 21" in width by 25" in height; Shall be suspended so that bottom edge is 15" above the playing surface;
1.09: The BACKSTOP Shall be placed in foul territory directly behind the target strike zone, 5ft from the back point of home plate, 46ft from the front edge of the PITCHING RUBBER (see DIAGRAM 3); Shall be a square frame measuring 8ft wide x 8ft tall and be constructed such that no thrown ball can pass through or under it;
2.00 - EQUIPMENT
2.01: The BALL Shall be the Official Wiffle®ball (baseball size); May be scuffed between innings only; May have no foreign substances applied to it; May be kept exclusively in the possession of the pitcher; Only one ball shall be allowed on field during game play. Any ball with a crack greater than a 1/4" shall be, upon appeal, deemed illegal and immediately removed from the game. The legality of the ball must be questioned before the pitch is delivered.
2.02: The BAT Shall be smooth and round, not more than 2-1/2" in diameter or 38" long; Shall be one piece, of the same material, from knob to barrell end; All current bat designs (as of January 1st, 2002) meeting USPPBA specifications as described are approved for game use. The only aluminum bats approved for game use are those manufactured by JTL Bat Company, Inc. No experimental bats shall be used in a USPPBA sanctioned game until the manufacturer has secured approval from the USPPBA. The bat handle, for not more than 18" from it's knob, may be covered or treated with any material or substance for the sole purpose of improving the batter's grip. All other non-cosmetic modifications of the bat, specifically those whose sole purpose is to enhance the bat's design, construction, or perfomance, is strictly prohibited. Cosmetic modification of the bat, specifically custom painting or labeling, for the sole purpose of enhancing the bat's appearance is allowed so long as it is not deemed to have improved the bat's construction or performance. All other modifications are strictly prohibited unless approved by the USPPBA. An Official Umpire (if used), a Tournament Director, or the opposing team may question the legality of a bat at anytime during the game. Use of an illegal bat is strictly prohibited and shall, upon appeal, result in immediate game forfeiture by the batting team if a batter is found to have batted a pitched ball with an illegal bat. Bats are not required to be approved prior to use, however, it is the sole responsibility of the batter to insure that no illegal bat is used in a game. Tournament Directors reserve the right to ban any "legal" bat deemed to be unsafe for game use.
2.03: UNIFORMS, SHOES, & GLOVES All team members shall be required to wear matching jerseys. Hats are not required, however if one player wears a hat, all teammates must wear matching hats. Failure to meet minimum uniform requirements shall result in forfeiture. All players are required to wear athletic shoes. Spiked or cleatted shoes are prohibited. Fielding gloves are prohibited. Batting gloves are permitted while batting.
3.00 - TEAM ROSTERS
3.01: The TEAM ROSTER Shall consist of 2 players.
3.02: The STARTING LINE-UP Is comprised of all batters noted in the BATTING ORDER at the start of the game; Shall be no fewer than two batters; Shall not, in terms of number of batters, change during the game; Team's must deploy a pitcher and one fielders on defense. A player not in the starting line-up shall be a BENCH PLAYER.
4.00 - STARTING & ENDING THE GAME
4.01: REGULATION GAME Shall be five innings, unless extra-innings are required or it is called; Shall start after both teams have turned in their line-up, the home team has been determined, the pitcher for the home team completes his pregame warm-up pitches, and says "PLAY BALL"; Shall end when one team leads in runs scored and is determined the winner; A coin toss shall determine which team is HOME TEAM, with winner of flip choosing to be either the "home" or "away" team, with the HOME team taking the field first. The team scoring the most runs after the last inning has been completed shall be declared the winner. If the score is tied after a game's last regulation has been completed, EXTRA INNINGS shall be played until a winner is determined. If a team leads after the completion of any extra inning it shall be declared the winner.
4.02: CALLED GAMES A game may be CALLED (play immediately suspended) due to darkness or inclimate weather at the discretion of the Tournament Directors. A TERMINATED GAME shall be declared if the game is called and fewer than four innings have been completed. A terminated game shall be replayed at the discretion of the Tournament Directors in it's entirety, regardless of the game score at the time the game was called. A SHORTENED GAME shall be declared if the game is called after four innings have been completed and either team holds the lead. The TEN-RUN RULE shall be invoked and the game shortened if either team leads by ten or more runs after the completion of at least one complete inning. A shortened game shall not be resumed and the team holding the lead shall be declared the winner. A SUSPENDED GAME shall be declared if the game is called after four innings have been completed and neither team holds the lead. A suspended game shall be resumed at the discretion of the Tournament Directors from the exact point at which it was called and played until a winner is determined. A FORFEITED GAME may only be declared by an Official Umpire (if used) or a Tournament Director. The forfeiting team is credited with a loss and is disqualified from the event. Grounds for forfeiture include, but are not limited to: Failure to meet minimum uniform requirements; Failure to deliver starting line-up in timely manner; Failure to meet minimum number of players requirement; Use of an illegal bat; Failure to deliver Official Record to Official Scorer's Table; Excessive arguing, fighting, and failure to abide by commonly accepted standards of social decency;
4.03: GAME PROTESTS A team may only lodge a protest against an UMPIRE's MISAPPLICATION OF THE RULES as stated herein. No protest shall ever be lodged upon judgment decisions. The protest must be lodged immediately following the alleged misapplication of the rules. A protest cannot be lodged after the next pitch has been thrown unless the legality of a bat is in question. If a protest is lodged, game play shall be suspended until the protest is ruled upon. Only a Tournament Director (or an on site USPPBA Official) may rule any lodged protest.
5.00 - PITCHING
5.01: The LEGAL PITCHING POSITION & DELIVERY The pitcher must engage the pitching rubber with his pivot foot and come to a set (not moving) position before beginning his delivery of the pitch. The pitcher must deliver the pitch without raising his pivot foot off of the pitching rubber, but he may take one step backward and one step forward with his free foot during the delivery of the pitch. The pitcher must allow the batter to take his legal batting position and "get set" for the pitch before beginning his delivery. The pitcher cannot legally begin his delivery until his fielders take a set position. A NO-PITCH shall be declared if the pitcher fails to legally deliver the pitch, unless the batter offers at the pitch. When a NO-PITCH is declared, the pitch shall be considered to have never been thrown. The pitcher shall never be called for a BALK. Once the pitcher delivers the pitch, he shall assume the fielding status of an INFIELDER.
5.02: WARM-UP PITCHES A pitcher shall be allowed ten warm-up pitches before his first inning of work. For all subsequent innings, a pitcher is allowed only five warm-up pitches. If a pitcher is forced to change game balls (deemed illegal or irretrievable), he shall be allowed three warm-up pitches before declaring his next legal ball. No warm-up pitches are allowed if the pitcher voluntarily changes his game ball during an inning. No warm-up pitches are allowed if a pitcher re-enters the game in the same inning in which he was replaced.
5.03: The OFFICIAL PITCHING COUNT Shall be four balls (WALK / BASE ON BALLS) and three strikes (STRIKEOUT); A BALL shall be called when: A legal pitch is "taken" by the batter (not offered at) and does not hit the target strike zone in the air; The batter, not in act of swinging, is hit by the pitch; A STRIKE shall be called when: A legal pitch hits the target strike zone in the air (CALLED STRIKE); A legal pitch is swung at and missed by the batter (SWINGING STRIKE); A legal pitch is fouled by the batter with less than two strikes (FOULED STRIKE); A legal pitch is fouled by the batter, with two strikes, directly into the target strike zone (FOUL-TIP STRIKEOUT); BATTER'S INTERFERENCE is declared;
5.04: The WILD PITCH & HIT BY PITCH A WILD PITCH shall be declared whenever a pitched ball completely misses and goes beyond the backstop, without hitting the target strike zone, the batter, or the bat. A wild pitch shall be declared regardless of the batter's offering at the pitch, unless his offering at the pitch results in a STRIKEOUT and the out ends the inning. All base runners (if any) advance one base when a wild pitch is declared. If a legally positioned batter, not in the act of swinging, is hit by a pitched ball, the pitch shall be called a ball. The batter (or a base runner) does not advance when hit by the pitch unless the pitch occurs with a three ball pitch count upon the batter.
6.00 - BATTING
6.01: The LEGAL BATTING POSITION Both feet must be completely within the lines that define the batter's box. The batter shall be allowed, by the pitcher, to "get set" for the pitch. Once the batter is set, he may step out of the batter's box (halting play) so long as the pitcher has not begun his pitching delivery, and any pitch thereafter shall be declared a NO-PITCH. If the batter steps out of the box after the pitcher has began his delivery, the pitch shall be legal and called either a ball or strike.
6.02: The LEGAL SWING Shall be considered any forward offering of the bat which breaks the vertical plane of home plate's front edge or hits the target strike zone; If a forward offering of the bat does not break the vertical plane of home plate's front edge, it shall be declared a CHECK SWING. When a check swing is declared the pitched ball shall be adjudged a ball or strike according to Rule 4.03. BUNTING is illegal. If a batter bunts the ball, fair or foul, he shall be immediately called out.
6.03: FAIR & FOUL BATTED BALLS A FAIR BALL shall be ruled whenever a batted ball settles on fair territory, or is on or over fair territory when bounding past the INFIELD-HIT LINE or touching a base, fielder, or umpire. A FAIR BALL shall be ruled whenever a batted ball, initially landing on foul territory between home plate and 1st or 3rd base, bounds back onto fair territory, so long as it bounds back onto fair territory between home plate and 1st or 3rd base. A FAIR BALL shall be ruled whenever a batted ball in the air lands on fair territory beyond the INFIELD-HIT LINE. A FAIR BALL shall be ruled whenever a batted ball in the air flies over the outfield fence if it is judged to have been over fair territory at the moment it crossed the fence. A FOUL BALL shall be ruled whenever a batted ball settles on foul territory, or is on or over foul territory when bounding past the INFIELD-HIT LINE or base, or touching a fielder, umpire, backstop, target strike zone, or any other foreign object. A FOUL BALL shall be ruled whenever batted ball, initially landing on fair territory within the INFIELD-HIT LINE, bounds onto or over foul territory before bounding past the INFIELD-HIT LINE, or touching a base, fielder, or umpire. All area between home plate and the FAIR-PLAY LINE, including the and within the foul lines, is foul territory. A batted ball in the air shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not the relative position of the fielder when he touches the ball. A FOUL-TIP STRIKEOUT shall be scored whenever the batter, with two strikes, fouls the ball into the target strike zone.
6.04: BATTER'S INTERFERENCE (PITCH, BATTED, & THROWN BALL) The batter, once a legal batting position is taken, is not required to move out of the path of a pitched ball so long as no part of the batter or his clothing is "outside the vertical plane" of the batter's box inside half. BATTER'S PITCH-INTERFERENCE shall be declared if the path of a pitched ball "towards the target strike zone" is blocked by the batter, intentional or not, due to contact with any part of the batter deemed "outside the vertical plane" over the inside half of the batter's box. When PITCH INTERFERENCE is declared, the pitch shall be called a strike. BATTER'S BATTED-BALL INTERFERENCE shall be declared if the batter (or a team member) intentionally contacts a batted fair or foul ball, or a defensive fielder attempting to catch a batted ball outside of the bench area, for the sole purpose of gaining a competitve advantage. When BATTED BALL INTERFERENCE is called, the batter is immediately called out. If the interference prevents the defensive team from attempting a double-play, the runner that would have been involved in the lost double-play attempt is also called out. BATTER'S THROWN-BALL INTERFERENCE shall be declared if the path of a thrown ball "towards the backstop" is blocked by the batter (or team member), intentional or not, outside the bench area. If the throw is judged to have had no chance of hitting the backstop, interference shall not be called. When THROWN-BALL INTERFERENCE is called, the throwing putout shall be immediately ruled successful and the advancing runner for which the throw was "targeted" for is called out. If the "targeted" runner is the batter-runner (GROUNDBALL DOUBLE-PLAY), the batter is called out. If the "targeted" runner is not the batter-runner (BASES-CLEARING-DOUBLE PLAY), the batter is not putout, unless he is already put out (SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY).
6.05: The BATTING ORDER & BATTING OUT OF ORDER Shall be declared before the start of the game and denoted in the Official Record; Shall be followed throughout the game; A batter shall be called out for BATTING OUT OF ORDER, on defensive appeal, when he fails to take his proper turn and another batter completes a time at bat in his place. The proper batter may take his place in the batter's box at any time before the improper batter completes his time at bat, but inherits the existing pitching count. If the improper batter completes a time at bat, the defensive team must appeal the illegal act before the first pitch to the next batter. If a timely appeal is made, the proper batter shall be called out and any advancement of the improper batter or runners (except wild pitch) during the illegal act shall be nullified, and the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of the proper batter called out. If a timely appeal is not made, the improper batter shall be deemed the proper batter and all advancement of the improper batter or runners shall stand, and the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of the now legalized improper batter.
7.00 - FIELDING
7.01: The LEGAL FIELDING POSITION Fielders must assume a SET POSITION within fair territory, no closer to home plate than the pitcher, before the delivery of a pitch begins. If a fielder is moving across the field while the pitcher begins his delivery, it is a legal pitch.
7.03: The LEGAL CATCH A LEGAL CATCH must be made in order to record a GROUNDOUT or FLYOUT. A ground ball can never be caught in foul territory. Shall be defined as "any rolling, bouncing, or flying batted ball which, after initially being touched by a fielder, is grabbed and held by any fielder before touching the ground or fence"; A CLEAN CATCH occurs whenever a fielder catches a batted ball without bobbling or deflecting the ball. A BOBBLED CATCH occurs whenever a fielder bobbles a batted ball before catching it himself. A DEFLECTED CATCH occurs whenever a batted ball, after initially touching one fielder, is caught by another fielder before touching the ground or fence. A CLEAN CATCH must be made in order to record a GROUND BALL FORCEOUT (first putout of the GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY). A CLEAN CATCH must be made in order to record a legal THROWING PUT OUT (second putout of both the GROUND BALL and SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY's). Only the batter-runner is putout when a BOBBELD or DEFLECTED CATCH is made.
7.04: The TRIPLE-ROBBING CATCH When a fielder, following a batted ball off of the fence in the air, catches, clean or bobbled, the ball's "bounce off of the fence" in the air before it falls to the ground, the fielder shall record a TRIPLE-ROBBING CATCH. When a TRIPLE-ROBBING CATCH is recorded, the play shall be scored as a DOUBLE OFF-THE-FENCE.
7.05: The LEGAL THROWING PUTOUT Must be thrown off of the backstop, or the target strike zone, in the air; Is required to turn a GROUND BALL or SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY; Can only be attempted after fielder makes a clean catch; To record a legal throwing putout a fielder must, with a sense of urgency, CATCH, RELEASE, and DELIVER the ball "without hesitation and in one fluid motion" off of the backstop or target strike zone in the air. Fielders are required to hustle to or charge (slow rolling ground ball only) a batted ball in order to attempt a throwing putout. A fielder may not intentionally allow a batted ball in the air to drop within the infield in order to attempt a GROUND BALL DOUBLE- PLAY. A fielder is only allowed to look at or check his throwing grip so long as he does so without interrupting the "catch and release" sequence. A fielder can take no more than 1-1/2 steps during the "catch and release" sequence. A fielder is allowed to "roll and throw from his knees" after making a diving catch, but he may not regain his feet during the "catch and release" sequence. When a fielder makes a catch beyond the pitching rubber, or in front of the rubber not in the act of charging, he must deliver the ball such that it's flight is never clearly higher than the backstop. When a fielder charges in front of the pitching rubber towards home plate to catch a ground ball, a "shuttle-toss" delivery (underhanded, backhanded, or overhanded) is allowed so long as it's flight is never clearly higher than the backstop.
8.00 - BASE RUNNING
8.01: IMAGINARY RUNNERS All runners shall be IMAGINARY RUNNERS, if a batter is needed. An imaginary runner is classified as either a FORCED or UNFORCED runner. A FORCED RUNNER is a runner that must, or is "forced", to relinquish it's base position in order to allow the safe advancement of the batter-runner to 1st base. When an imaginary runner occupies a base and all the bases behind it are occupied by imaginary runners, it is classified as a forced runner. A forced runner can only exist when 1st base is occupied, and an imaginary runner occupying 1st base is always classified a forced runner. The presence of a forced runner(s) on the bases is referred to as a GROUND BALL FORCEOUT SITUATION. A forced runner can be putout upon the bases via the GROUND BALL FORCEOUT. An UNFORCED RUNNER is a runner that does not have to relinquish it's base position in order to allow the safe advancement of the batter-runner to 1st base. When an imaginary runner occupies a base and any of the bases behind it are unoccupied, it is classified as an unforced runner. When 1st base is unoccupied, all other imaginary (if any) are classified as unforced runners. An unforced runner can only be putout upon the bases via the SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY.
8.02: The SENT RUNNER (TAGGING) The TAGGING RUNNER(s) is a sent runner(s) during the SACRIFICE FLY PLAY. Tagging runner's can be sent, with less than two outs, from either 2nd or 3rd base, or both 2nd and 3rd, but never 1st base. Tagging runner's can be thrown out at either 3rd base (tag at 2nd) or home plate (tag at 3rd or tagging at 2nd and 3rd).
9.00 - BATTER OFFENSE
9.01: ADVANCING TO 1ST BASE The batter becomes a runner and advances to 1st base when: The pitcher throws four balls (WALK); A fair ball lands beyond the INFIELD-HIT LINE (short of the fence), comes to a complete stop (motionless) within the INFIELD-HIT LINE, hits a base (or umpire), or falls to the ground after being touched by a fielder (SINGLE); A fair ground ball is touched by an outfielder, but never hits or travels beyond the fence; An infielder, with less than two outs and a runner on 1st base, makes a clean catch upon a fair ground ball to record a GROUND BALL FORCEOUT, but does not throw out the batter-runner at 1st base (failed or forgone attempt) to turn the GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY (FIELDER'S CHOICE); A CLEAN-SINGLE shall be any fair ball that lands beyond the INFIELD-HIT LINE short of the outfield fence, before being touched by a fielder.
9.02: ADVANCING TO 2ND BASE The batter becomes a runner and advances to 2nd base when: A fair ground ball hits the fence by roll, bounce, or deflection (off a fielder) (DOUBLE TO-THE-FENCE); A fair ball travels beyond the outfield fence, in foul territory, by roll, bounce, or deflection (DOUBLE IN-THE-CORNER); A fair ball hits the outfield fence on the fly, but is caught (TRIPLE-ROBBING CATCH) by a fielder before falling to the ground (DOUBLE OFF-THE-FENCE); A CLEAN-DOUBLE (BASES-CLEARING DOUBLE) shall be scored when a double that hits the fence (DOUBLE TO-THE-FENCE) or travels beyond it in foul territory (DOUBLE IN-THE-CORNER) before being touched by a fielder. A DOUBLE OFF-THE-FENCE (following a TRIPLE-ROBBING CATCH) is NOT considered a CLEAN-DOUBLE.
9.03: ADVANCING TO 3RD BASE The batter becomes a runner and advances to 3rd base when a fair fly ball, or line drive, hits the fence in the air, so long as it's bounce off of the fence is not caught by a fielder (TRIPLE-ROBBING CATCH) before it falls to the ground. (TRIPLE)
9.04: ADVANCING TO HOME PLATE The batter becomes a runner and advances to home plate when: A fair fly ball lands beyond the fence on the fly, by deflection off a fielder, or by bounce off of the fence (HOMERUN); A fair fly ball hits the foul pole above the fence on the fly, by deflection, or by bounce off of the fence (HOMERUN OFF-THE-FOUL-POLE); A fair fly ball is hit over the fence, but is caught by a fielder standing beyond the fence;
10.00 - BATTER DEFENSE
10.01: The STRIKEOUT Is recorded when the batter: Takes a called third strike off the target strike zone; Swings and misses with a two-strike pitch count; Fouls a third strike directly into the target strike zone in the air (FOUL-TIP STRIKEOUT); Bunts the ball fair or foul; Is called for PITCH or BATTED BALL-INTERFERENCE; Gets called out for BATTING OUT OF ORDER;
10.02: The GROUND BALL PUTOUT (GROUNDOUT): Is recorded when the batter hits a fair ball that is legally caught (clean, bobbled, or deflected) along the ground by an INFIELDER before: Landing beyond the INFIELD-HIT LINE; Coming to a complete stop; Touching a base (or umpire);
10.03: The FLY BALL PUTOUT (FLYOUT) Is recorded when the batter hits the ball in the air, fair or foul, and it is legally caught (clean, bobbled, or deflected) by a fielder before touching the ground (or umpire); A fielder may leap over the outfield fence to record a flyout, but he must make the catch before any part of his body touches the ground beyond the fence.
11.00 - AUTOMATIC RUNNER ADVANCEMENT
11.01: AUTOMATICALLY ADVANCING ONE BASE Imaginary runners shall automatically advance one base: On a wild pitch; On a walk when forced; On a single with less than two out; On a groundout recorded with a bobbled catch when forced; On a groundout recorded with a clean catch when forced, unless the runner is involved in a GROUND BALL FORCEOUT;
11.02: AUTOMATICALLY ADVANCING TWO BASES Imaginary runners shall automatically advance two bases: On a double (TO-THE-FENCE, IN-THE-CORNER, or OFF-THE-FENCE) with less than two out; On a TWO-OUT CLEAN-SINGLE;
11.03: AUTOMATICALLY ADVANCING THREE BASES Imaginary runners shall automatically advance three bases: On a triple; On a BASES-CLEARING DOUBLE (CLEAN-DOUBLE TO-THE-FENCE or IN-THE-CORNER); On any TWO-OUT DOUBLE;
12.00 - FORCED RUNNER DEFENSE: The GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY
12.01: The GROUND BALL FORCEOUT When the GROUND BALL FORCEOUT SITUATION exists with less than two out, any infielder has an opportunity to putout a forced runner via the GROUND BALL FORCEOUT. If a fair ground ball is hit and then cleanly caught by an infielder, a forced runner shall be called out via the GROUND BALL FORCEOUT and the batter-runner shall be awarded 1st base (FIELDER'S CHOICE), unless the batter-runner is putout at 1st base via the successful turning of the GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY. With the bases loaded, the forceout is recorded at home plate. If the bases are not loaded, the forceout shall always be recorded at 2nd base. All FORCED RUNNER's not involved in the forceout shall advance one base. An UNFORCED RUNNER runner does not advance unless the infielder attempts to turn a GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY. If the groundout is recorded by a bobbled catch, the forceout is lost or "blown". All forced runners safely advance one base while the batter-runner is putout at 1st base.
12.02: The GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY If an infielder records a GROUND BALL FORCEOUT and then records a throwing putout, the batter-runner is putout at 1st base via the GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY. An infielder may not intentionally allow a batted ball in the air to drop within the infield in order to attempt a GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY. With the bases loaded, the runner at 3rd base is forced out at home plate and the batter-runner is thrown out at 1st base. If bases are not loaded, the runner at 1st base is forced out at 2nd base, and the batter-runner is thrown out at 1st base. All runners, forced and unforced, not involved the GROUND BALL FORCEOUT advance one base when a fielder attempts to turn the GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY, unless the double-play ends the inning.
12.03: BLOWN, FAILED, and FORGONE GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAYS If the groundout is recorded by a bobbled or deflected catch: The forceout / double-play opportunity is considered "BLOWN"; All forced runners advance one base; An unforced runner (can only be at 3rd base) holds it's base; The batter-runner is putout at 1st base (via bobbled groundout); If the catch is clean and the infielder attempts, but fails to record a throwing putout: The double-play is considered "FAILED"; A GROUND BALL FORCEOUT is recorded at 2nd base or home plate; All runners (forced or unforced) not involved in the forceout advance one base on the throwing attempt; The batter-runner is awarded 1st base via the FIELDER'S CHOICE; If the catch is clean, but the infielder does not attempt to record a throwing putout, or intentionally allows a batted ball in the air to drop within the infield: The double-play opportunity is considered "FORGONE"; A GROUND BALL FORCEOUT is recorded at 2nd base or home plate; Only forced runners not involved in the forceout advance one base; The unforced runner at 3rd base does not advance, but instead "holds" 3rd base on the "forgone" attempt; The batter-runner is awarded 1st base via the FIELDER'S CHOICE;
13.00 - TAGGING RUNNER DEFENSE: The SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY
13.01: The SACRIFICE FLY PLAY If a ball is batted in the air (fair or foul) with less than two out and a runner at 2nd or 3rd base, or runners at both 2nd and 3rd base, the offensive team may put on the SACRIFICE FLY PLAY. A runner at 1st base can never be sent or advance via the SACRIFICE FLY PLAY. To put on the SACRIFICE FLY PLAY, the offensive team must yell "TAG" while the batted ball is still in the air and before being touched by a fielder. When the offensive team puts on the SACRIFICE FLY PLAY: A tagging runner at 2nd base attempts to advance to 3rd base; A tagging runner at 3rd base attempts to advance to home plate; Tagging runner's at 2nd and 3rd base attempt to advance simultaneously (to 3rd base and home plate respectively); If it is ruled that the "TAG" announcement occurred after the fly ball was caught, no runner shall advance via the SACRIFICE FLY PLAY. The SACRIFICE FLY PLAY cannot be "turned off" once the "TAG" announcement has been made.
13.02: The SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY If the SACRIFICE FLY PLAY is put on and a fielder (infielder or outfielder) cleanly catches a fair or foul fly ball, he can attempt to throw out the lead tagging runner and turn the SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY. If the fielder cleanly catches the flyout (putting out the batter-runner) and then records a throwing putout, the lead tagging runner is putout via the SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY. If a successful SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY is turned with tagging runners at both 2nd and 3rd base, the trailing tagging runner at 2nd base safely advances to 3rd base, unless the double-play ends the inning. All other runners not involved in successful turning of the SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAY shall hold their base.
13.03: BLOWN, FAILED, and FORGONE SACRIFICE FLY DOUBLE-PLAYS If the flyout is recorded by a bobbled or deflected catch: The double-play opportunity at the plate is considered "BLOWN"; The tagging runner(s) advance one base; The batter-runner is putout via the flyout; All other runners hold their base; If the catch is clean and the fielder attempts, but fails to record a throwing putout: The double-play attempt is considered "FAILED"; The tagging runner(s) advance one base; The batter-runner is putout via the flyout; All other runners hold their base; If the catch is clean and the fielder does not attempt a throwing putout: The double-play opportunity is considered "FORGONE"; The tagging runner from 2nd or 3rd base advances one base; If tagging at 2nd and 3rd base, the lead tagging runner at 3rd base advances to home plate; The batter-runner is putout via the flyout; All other runners, including a trailing tagging runner at 2nd base, hold their base;
14.00 - GAME OFFICIALS
14.01: OFFICIAL SCORER Shall denote each team's STARTING LINE-UP and BATTING ORDER before the start of each game and subsequent player substitutions; Shall keep the OFFICIAL RECORD of the game; Shall keep the Official Record such that, at any moment in the game, he may report the exact number of innings played, runs scored, runners on base (and position), putouts recorded, and the ball-strike count; Shall deliver the Official Record to the Official Scorer's Table;
14.02: PLAYER-SCORERS Shall be used an Official Scorer is not and the Official Record of the game shall be kept by mutual agreement among the competing players; Each team shall denote the Official Record during their turn batting. The winning team shall be responsible for delivering the Official Record to the Official Scorer's Table. Refusal to, or failure to correctly, keep the Official Record shall be deemed grounds for game forfeiture.
14.03: OFFICIAL UMPIRES Use of Official Umpires is determined at the Tournament Director's discretion. Only an Official Umpire (if used) or a Tournament Director shall make calls regarding the legality of EQUIPMENT. If used, two OFFICIAL UMPIRES (home & field) shall adjudge the game. The HOME PLATE UMPIRE shall take up position directly behind the target strike zone and the backstop. The FIELD UMPIRE shall take up position behind the pitcher, but out of the batter's hitting background. All Official Umpire calls stand. Either Official Umpire or a Tournament Director has full authority to eject players from the game due to, but not limited to, excessive arguing, fighting, and failure to abide by commonly accepted standards of social decency.
14.04: OFFICIAL UMPIRE CALLS The HOME PLATE UMPIRE shall make all judgment calls regarding: Legality of the PITCHING DELIVERY (NO-PITCH); BALLS & STRIKES; WILD PITCHES; FAIR & FOUL batted balls; THROWING PUTOUTS; Legality of pre-pitch DEFENSIVE POSITIONING; BATTING OUT OF ORDER (in conjunction with the Official Scorer); Legality of EQUIPMENT; The FIELD UMPIRE shall make all judgment calls regarding: CHECK SWINGS; BATTER'S INTERFERENCE (pitch, batted-ball, & thrown-ball); FIELDER STATUS (infielder or outfielder?); BATTED BALL PUTOUTS (groundout or flyout); BATTED BALL SCORING (single, double, triple, or homerun); The "TAG" announcement;
14.05: PLAYER-UMPIRES Shall be used if Official Umpires are not; Shall assume role of adjudging the game; Shall immediately make all judgment calls except disputes regarding the legality of EQUIPMENT; PLAYER-UMPIRE calls may only be overturned by mutual argreement among the competing players.
14.06: PLAYER-UMPIRE CALLS The BATTER shall make all judgment calls regarding: Legality of the PITCHING DELIVERY (NO-PITCH); FAIR & FOUL batted balls; THROWING PUTOUTS; Legality of pre-pitch DEFENSIVE POSITIONING; The PITCHER shall make all judgment calls regarding: BALLS & STRIKES; CHECK SWINGS; WILD PITCHES; BATTER'S INTERFERENCE (pitch, batted, & thrown ball); The "TAG" announcement; The DEFENSIVE TEAM shall make all judgment calls regarding: FIELDER STATUS (infielder or outfielder?); BATTED BALL PUTOUTS; BATTED BALL SCORING; BATTING OUT OF ORDER (along with the Official Scorer);
15.00 - GENERAL RULES OF OFFICIAL SCORING
15.01: FIELDING ERRORS & PLAYER STATISTICS No errors shall never be scored in the Official Record. All runs scored shall be considered EARNED RUNS for the sake of computing the PITCHER'S EARNED-RUN AVERAGE (ERA). All batted ball upon which the batter is awarded a base shall be scored a BASE-HIT (SINGLE, DOUBLE, TRIPLE, or HOMERUN) for the sake of computing the BATTER'S BATTING AVERAGE. The batter shall be credited with an RBI for each run that is scored by virtue of: The batter taking a WALK; The batter stroking a base-hit; The batter stroking a SACRIFICE FLY BALL; The batter hitting into a FIELDER's CHOICE; The batter shall not be credited with an RBI when a run is scored by virtue of: A WILD PITCH; A GROUND BALL DOUBLE-PLAY;