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Rules

 

Revised: Aug 25, 2010  

  1. 400 foot Rule – If you can hit the ball 400 feet, you should not be in this league!

  2. Balk Rule - For the first 4 games of the season, a pitcher will get a warning when committing a first balk of a game and no bases will be awarded to the runners.  Subsequently in that game, balks will be called for that pitcher and a base will be awarded to the runners.  After 4 games, all balks will be called and bases will be awarded.

  3. Base Coaches Rule - Base coaches are recommended, but not mandatory.

  4. Catcher Running Rule – If the catcher is on base with 2 outs, he must be replaced with a pinch runner.  The pinch runner must be the last player who made an out.

  5. Dugout Rule – Only players and official batboys with helmets are allowed in the dugouts.

  6. Ejection Rule – If a player is ejected from a game twice in a season, the player will be suspended for the season.

  7. Equipment Rule - All players must wear a baseball helmet at bat and on the bases. Catchers must remove catching equipment when batting. Catchers must wear a helmet when catching.

  8. Fake Tag Rule - In the interest of safety, a fielder cannot fake a tag on a runner at any time.

  9. Father/Son Rule – A son age 19-29 can play with his father on a 30+ team.  The son may pitch in any game vs. a 19+ team, but not vs. a 30+ team.

 

  1. Hit Batters Rule – If a pitcher hits 2 batters in one inning, he must be replaced immediately, but can return in another inning.  Once the pitcher hits 3 batters during a game, he must be replaced immediately, and cannot return to pitch for that game.  If there is a shortage of pitchers, that pitcher may continue if the opposing team agrees.

  2. Injury Rule - If an offensive player is injured during play, a pinch runner may be substituted. The substitution must be with the last player to make an out. The injured player cannot play the next defensive inning. If a defensive player is injured during play he may be replaced but cannot bat in his team’s next offensive inning.

  3. Intentional Walk Rule - Intentional walks are not allowed.

  4. Max 4-run inning rule – A maximum of 4 runs can be scored in innings 1-6, unless an out of the park home run scores runs above 4.  Unlimited runs are allowed in innings 7-9.

  5. Official Game Rule - An official Legends game is 4 full innings.

  6. Pitching Rule - Pitchers in the 30+ league must be at least 32 years old.  Anyone can pitch in a 19+ game.  They may not pitch more than 5 innings in a scheduled 9 inning game.  Any appearance constitutes an inning.  Once a pitcher leaves in an inning, he may not return to pitch in that inning.

  7. Player Minimum Rule - Due to liability reasons, a game must have at least 16 total players (8 per team).  Umpires will wait 15 minutes for the minimum to show, at which time the game will be called.  Players may stay and play a scrimmage, but with no umpires.

  8. Playoff Forfeit Rule - During playoffs a team forfeits if it has less than 8 players. The team may play with 8, but an out will be recorded when the 9th player position is due up.

 

  1. Rotation Rule – All players must rotate defensively so that no player sits for more than one inning in a row - unless by player's choice.

  2. Substitution Rule - During the regular season there are no forfeits. Teams who have less than 9 players may borrow players from the opposing team for defense only or as permanent players.

  3. Umpire Rule - It is entirely appropriate for any player who does not agree with an umpire's call (except balls and strikes) to ask the umpire to request help from the second umpire.  Umpires strive to "get the call right".

  4. Uniform Rule - Players must play with the official Legends League uniform.  If an entire team desires to slightly modify the uniform in a commissioner-sanctioned way (e.g., unique hats, socks), that is an option as long as all players on the team agree.

  5. Unsportsmanlike Rule - No unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated. Blocking any portion of a base or plate at any time is forbidden. Runners must make every attempt to avoid contact with a fielder, and slide into bags or give up if the defensive player is in position with the ball. If the conduct of a player is deemed unsportsmanlike, malicious, or too aggressive by the umpire, the player will be ejected from the game.

  6. Walk 4 Batters Rule – If a pitcher walks 4 batters in any one inning (1 hit batsman counts as a walk), he must be replaced at that time, but can come back in a subsequent inning.

  7. Time Limits Rule – No new inning will be started after 2:45, and the games have a 3-hour drop-dead rule.  At 3 hours, if the umpires are willing, and no game is scheduled right after the on-going game, the inning may be completed - and if a playoff game, 9 innings should be attempted to be played given umpire willingness, and field availability.  If an inning is not completed, the score reverts back to the beginning of the inning.

  8. Professional Rules - All other rules if not specifically stated above will follow professional rules.