WEST COAST FANTASY BASEBALL ASSOCIATION LEAGUE PLAYING RULES*
In order to make our league games a safe and enjoyable experience, some modifications have been made to the standard baseball rules. We WILL play the game of baseball except for the following changes which will reduce the potential for injuries and provide a competitive environment for all players.
NOTE : For 2009, our rule set has been expanded upon to provide further clarification for those who have misinterpreted the rule set in the past or are unfamiliar with standard baseball rules. It is important to note that the umpires are not responsible for the enforcement of all rules. Batting order, courtesy runners, and pitching limitations are enforced by the coaches. If a coach believes one of the rules is being violated, they should call time and discuss it with the opposing coach.
- STEALING: There is no stealing of bases at all if the pitcher goes from the stretch. If the pitcher goes from a full wind-up with runners on base, the runner(s) can steal. Under NO circumstances may a runner steal home.
- LEAD OFFS: Runners may only lead off to the cutout of each base before the pitch is delivered. Once the pitch is delivered (leaves the pitcher's hand), runners may take a secondary lead.
- PICK-OFF PLAYS AND OVERTHROWS: Even though there is no stealing when the pitcher is in the stretch, runners are still susceptible to pick-off moves by the pitcher. Per standard baseball rules, the runner must be tagged out if the pitcher attempts a pick-off move. If there is an overthrow on an attempted pick-off play from the PITCHER, the runner may advance without tagging.
A throw to an occupied base by the catcher can result in a force out. In other words, a runner must beat the catcher's throw to the base - it is NOT a tag play. If there is an overthrow on an attempted pick-off play from the CATCHER, the runner occupying the base that was thrown to must go back and tag up before advancing. ALL OTHER runners may advance without retagging their bases.
- PASSED BALLS / WILD PITCHES: Runners may not advance on passed balls or wild pitches. The two exceptions to this rule are as follows:
- Runner(s) attempt a legitimate steal as outlined in Rule #1 above. In this case, the runner(s) must have begun the attempted steal before the pitch crossed the home plate area.
- Dropped third strikes are scored per normal baseball rules. In other words, if first base is open or there are two outs AND the third strike to a batter is not fielded cleanly by the catcher, the ball is 'live' and all runners (including the batter) may advance at their own risk. Runners on base do not have to tag up.
- FREE SUBSTITUTION OF PLAYERS ON DEFENSE: Any team player can substitute for another player on defense at any time. An exception applies to pitchers due to innings limitation described in Rule #10 below.
- FULL BATTING ORDER: Barring injury, all players on the team must hit (not just the nine currently in the field). Unlike tournament play, the batting order can reset prior to each new game.
- TIME LIMIT: No new inning can begin after the two hour and 45 minute time limit. The umpire maintains the master clock which each coach should synch up with prior to the start of the game.
- COURTESY RUNNERS: A courtesy runner may be employed in the following three situations:
- When a batter requires a runner from home plate due to a chronic injury, a courtesy runner can be employed. Players with this requirement should be identified at the start of the game to the opposing manager.
- When a player who is currently playing the catching position defensively is still on the base paths with two outs, a courtesy runner can be employed. This is not mandatory, but it does allow the catcher to get their gear on and be ready for the start of the next half inning.
- When a player is injured during the course of a game, a courtesy runner can be employed. If the player believes they can no longer run the bases due to the injury, time shall be called by that player's coach and the injury should be reported to the opposing coach. At this point, the injured player is not expected to be able to play defense for the rest of the game. If the player chooses to continue batting in the game, a courtesy runner from home plate must be used. If the player is too injured to bat, the batting order shall be "collapsed" and that player's spot in the order shall be skipped without penalty.
- Courtesy runners are not allowed for those who are too old, too tired, or not fast enough for a team's needs.
The courtesy runner, in all permitted cases, should be the batter who made the LAST OUT who does not also require a courtesy runner. Catchers are exempted from being the courtesy runner should they otherwise be the last batted out. Pitchers are NOT exempted.
- WOOD BATS: Wood bats will be used in the league. Exceptions are men 60 and over and any ladies who choose to use metal bats. The league will furnish each team with a few wood bats. As these break, the league will replace them. Players are free to buy their own bats from their favorite source. If you borrow a bat that is not a league bat and it breaks during your at bat, you must replace it at the owner's cost.
- INNINGS PITCHED LIMITATION: No player may pitch more than six (6) innings in any one league game. Six innings is eighteen outs and they DO NOT have to be consecutive outs (i.e. a pitcher may exit the game and re-enter as long as the total number of outs does not exceed 18 while they are pitching).
Full-time players playing as pool players in games which do not include their primary team are limited to three innings pitched or nine outs.
- SLIDE OR GET OUT OF THE WAY: In order to avoid injury, runners must slide or get out of the way if there is a play at the base they are attempting to advance to. For example, if a ground ball is hit with a runner at first which results in a play at second base, the runner from first must slide into second base or peel off toward the outfield so the fielder may attempt to turn a double play if they so wish. Even if a double play is not in order, the goal is to prevent unnecessary collisions resulting in injury.
* Tournament playing rules may differ from these league-specific rules so be sure to read the rules before each tournament you participate in.
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