PLUMSTEAD BASEBALL
MAJOR DIVISION RULES

All Babe Ruth Cal Ripken Division baseball rules as defined in the 2006 Babe Ruth rulebook hold with the following exceptions:

Major Division Rules

1. Unlimited Substitution

2. All available players bat (until 3 outs), whether or not they are playing the field.

3. No player can sit for more than 1 inning in a game unless all of the players on the team have sat at least 1 inning.

4. No head first slides. The player will be called out (no warnings).

5. All players must slide on close plays. A close play is, a play at a base that the runner may or may not be out. The runner cannot endanger a defender trying to catch the ball by not sliding. A runner may not touch a defender intentionally or unintentionally on the play unless they slide. The player will be called out (no warnings). "Slide or Surrender" Rule in effect.

6. If the base stealer leaves the base before the pitch crosses the plate, the runner is out.

7. Pitchers can pitch up to 4 innings per week, Monday thru Sunday. During a week when a team plays 3 games, a pitcher may pitch 6 innings. Innings pitched per week includes innings pitched only during the Majors' Division scheduled games. Travel and Tornament games will not be counted against this total. A single pitch in an inning constitutes an inning pitched. If a pitcher is removed from a game, he cannot pitch until 6 outs are made in any one game. A pitcher must be removed if they hit 3 batters in an inning or 4 batters in a game.

8. All games start at 6:00 PM. A team may field as few 8 players but must field 9 if 9 are available If there is less than 8 players available, a 15 minute grace period will be given. If there still is only 7 players at that time, the team with 7 players forfeits the game. (REGULAR SEASON, start and play the game on time. Take a player from the other team if need be) . The league will make an effort reschedule games if 48 hour advance notice is given.

9. During the regular season, no inning shall start after 2 hours have elapsed from the start of the game. The game shall be considered regulation regardless of the number of innings played.

10. After 4 complete innings, a 12 run mercy rule shall end the game. (REGULAR SEASON, Keep playing until the 2 hour time limit).

11. If weather or darkness, etc., forces a game to be stopped, 4 complete innings shall be considered an officially completed game (if the home team is winning 3 1/2 innings will be an official game). If 4 complete innings have been played, all innings must be completed in full or the score will revert back to last completed inning.

12. A regular season game tied after 6 full innings may continue to extra innings, if both coaches agree. During the Playoffs, the game must continue until a winner is determined.

13. During the regular season, coaches may at anytime stop the game and talk to their players. There will not be a limit in going to the mound to talk to pitchers and or players. In the playoffs, a coach can only cross the foul (fair) line twice from the dugout. After that he must replace his pitcher.

14. The playoffs will be a Double Elimination Tournament The seedings shall be determined by a random drawing a week before the tournament starts.

15. Behavior not consistent with the Coaches Code of Ethics can and will result in a forfeited game as determined by the Umpire, Director, or any Board member. A suspension will be determined by the whole board of Directors if need be.

16. A batter may not fake bunt and then swing away. If he does, he is out and all runners shall return to their previous base(s).