Skip to main content

Rules

Rules are designed to make the Series an enjoyable experience for everyone.

1. TIME LIMIT: Games are 7 innings. No new inning will begin after 2 hours and 30 minutes from the start of the game. Start of the game shall be when the first pitch is thrown. If the game is tied at the end of the time limit, (7 innings or 2 hours and 30 minutes), then one more complete inning will be played. If the game is still tied then the game shall be scored as a tie.

2. BATS: All players will use wood bats. (Includes maple, composite or Baum Bats, or bamboo)

3. ELIGIBILITY: Registered teams must include a mix of past Fantasy Camp participants and non-Fantasy Camp players. Final rosters must have a majority percentage of past Fantasy Camp participants however. Exemptions can be made at the discretion of the tournament director. All players must be 30 years of age or older by June 2020 in order to play.

4. PITCHING: No player under 35 years of age may pitch. There is no longer an inning limit.

5. LEAD OFFS: No runner may lead beyond the cutout for the base they occupy (Both feet must be in cutout). Once the pitcher has committed the throw to home plate then a secondary lead may be taken.

6. STEALING: Each team gets five steal attempts per game. A steal attempt is defined as any time the runner is in motion before a pitch that has been delivered is swung at, a delayed steal after the ball crosses home plate or the catcher receives the ball, or if a runner takes off toward the next base immediately when a pickoff throw is made by the catcher. If a runner steals but the batter makes contact with the ball, A HIT & RUN PLAY, this is NOT a steal if in the judgment of the umpires the runner advanced as a result of the contact with the ball and not as a result of the runner. In a First and Third situation if the runner at first steals and the ball is thrown to second by the catcher or to first or second by the pitcher and the runner at third runs to home, the runner at third is not charged with a steal attempt. Each team is responsible for keeping track of its opponents’ steal attempts and conferring to make sure the numbers match after each inning. ( see rule 7 for additional steal definition )

7. PICKOFFS: Are permitted by the catcher and the pitcher and are played according to MLB rules. The runner must be tagged in order to be out and may advance to the next base on an overthrown ball without tagging up. A runner advancing on an overthrown pickoff is NOT considered a steal.

8. PASSED BALLS/WILD PITCHES: Runners can advance only one base on a passed ball or wild pitch, stealing of home is never permitted – even as part of a double steal – however runners can score from third base on a wild pitch or passed ball.

9. BUNTING: Bunting is allowed.

10. STRIKE THREE: A batter can run on a dropped third strike with two outs or with fewer than two outs if no one is on first base.

11. BATTING ORDER: All teams, regardless of number of players on roster, must bat at least 9 players. A/B slotting is permitted. A/B slots must be completed before the game starts and no team may use more than 2 A/B slots per game.

12. SUBSTITUTION: Defensive substitutions can be made at any time.

13. INJURIES and LATE ARRIVALS: Players who are injured during the game and can no longer play will be removed from the batting order and not eligible to play the remainder of the game. It will not be an automatic out if the injured player cannot bat. However if a team has A/B slotted a player(s) then one of the B slotted players must fill the vacated spot in the order. Players who arrive after the start of the game can be added to the bottom of the line-up.

14. COURTESY RUNNER: A courtesy runner may be used at anytime once the designated batter reaches base. Batters needing runners should be designated prior to the start of the game unless an injury occurs during the game. A courtesy runner should be the batter who made the last batted out. Courtesy runners must be designated prior to the start of the game. If there are 2 outs and the catcher or pitcher is a base runner, then a courtesy runner must be utilized. There is no limit on the number of courtesy runners that can be used. A courtesy runner may NOT steal, but may advance on a passed ball or pickoff attempt.

15. SLIDE: Base runners MUST slide or get out of the way if there is a play to the base they are advancing to. For example if you are forced to second base you must slide into the bag or veer off to the outfield in order to allow the fielder to make a throw to first base. Failure to do so may result in an interference call by the umpire.

16. PROTECTIVE GEAR: All batters MUST wear a batting helmet. Catcher’s skull cap is not permitted while at bat. First and Third base coaches must wear protective head gear.

17. The home team is designated as OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER. Managers must confirm the score and number of steals at the end of each inning.

18. Prior to the start of the game, managers will exchange LINE-UP CARDS with each other and the umpires.

19. There will be a 10 run MERCY RULE after the 5th inning.

20. COURTESY: This is a time honored game. There is NO SMOKING permitted in the dugout or the dugout area. ALCOHOL is not permitted anywhere on the field. WATCH your language. Umpires are there to make calls not to be abused. Disputed calls, involving the rules of the game, may only be argued by the team manager.

TIE BREAKER AND SEEDING: tie breaker and seeding order shall be based on the following:

  • 1. Best winning percentage
  • 2. Head to Head- ONLY if all Teams have played each other in round robin, seeding round or playoffs
  • 3. Runs allowed
  • 4. Runs scored
  • 5. Coin flip

21. The tie breaker and seeding order shall be based on the following- 1. Best winning percentage 2. Head to head 3. Runs allowed 4. Runs scored 5. Coin flip

22. HOME TEAM is designated as official scorekeeper. Managers must confirm the score and number of recorded steals at the end of each inning.

23. All players must sign a WAIVER FORM . Waiver must be completed prior to the start of the Series. No player will be permitted to play unless the waiver form is signed.

24.Unless otherwise specified, rules of Major League Baseball shall apply.

*Rule subject to change at the discretion of the tournament director or field coordinator