Major 11/12

General Rules

• No tobacco, alcohol, firearms, or profanity on the field at any time. 

• Games are 6 innings or 1:30 time limit. 

• No run limit per inning. 

• USA/USSSA Stamped bats only (No Black Emerald bats allowed)

• Safety equipment (cups) must be worn at all times during games or practice, especially the catcher. 

• In the event of a tie after 6 innings or elapsed time, 1 extra inning shall be played. If a game is still tied after 1 extra inning, the game will result in a tie. In the extra inning, the previous inning’s last out begins the inning at 2nd base.
• All coaches on the field and all team parents in the dugout must be Cal Ripken certified (Human Kinetics). No bat boys or girls are allowed.
• No throwing bats back to the dugout 
• When a coach or player is ejected from a game, they must leave the field immediately  and may not be present at the game site for the remainder of the game. Any coach or  player that is ejected will be subject to review by the park’s governing board. This individual is considered immediately suspended (prohibited from all team activities) until Board review.
• All coaches must either wear a team jersey or approved Westside apparel. All coaches  must wear a team hat or approved Westside hat. 
• All coaches are responsible for emptying the trash cans in the dugout INTO THE MAIN BINS and cleaning all trash.
• MINIMUM ROSTERED PLAYER COUNT FOR OFFICIAL GAME = 8. One player from another team may be picked up. This player must be in the same active league, must bat last, and play right field.. 
• Paper or digital gamebook must be kept and pitch counts published in GroupMe.

Offensive Rules

• 2 coaches are allowed on offense: one coaching first and one coaching third. All other  coaches must remain in the dugout. 
• Any offensive coach that touches a baserunner will result in the baserunner being called out. 
• A single batter may not be intentionally walked more than once a game. 
• Slash bunts are prohibited. That is, if the batter shows bunt, then pulls back and swings, they are  out. If the batter shows bunt, they must either bunt or pull the bat back. 
• Base runners must slide or avoid contact with the defensive player in the act of making a  defensive play. The baserunner can only slide head first when diving back to a bag.
• Base runners may steal and lead off. 
• A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher. There MUST BE 2 outs and it MUST BE the last player who got out. The catcher who was run for MUST catch the next  inning. The substitution must occur prior to the first pitch of the next plate appearance.
• All players hit.

Defensive Rules

• Defensive coaches may sit or stand outside of the dugout. 
• 9 players play on defense. The infield consists of normal positions (1st, 2nd, SS, 3rd,  Catcher and Pitcher). The remaining players play the outfield (LF, CF, and RF). 
• Players must play on defense a minimum of every other inning and must NOT sit for  more than 2 innings a game. 
• Dropped 3rd strike is in effect. 
• NO shifts are allowed. The 1st baseman and 2nd baseman must be on the right side or directly  behind second base. The SS and 3rd baseman must be on the left side or directly behind  second base. 
• Infield fly rule is active and will be a judgment call by the umpire. 
• Any player who pitches 41 or more pitches may not play catcher for the remainder of the  game. 
• Any player who catches in 4 or more innings may not pitch for the remainder of the game. 
• If a pitcher is removed from pitching at any point during the game, they may not return as  a pitcher for the remainder of the game.

Pitch Count Rules

• A maximum of 85 pitches may be thrown in one game. If the pitcher is below 85 pitches  when an at-bat begins, they MAY go over the 85-pitch limit. 
• 1-20 pitches require 0 days rest.
• 21-35 pitches require 1 day of rest.
• 36-50 pitches require 2 days rest 
• 51-65 pitches require 3 days rest 
• > 65 pitches require 4 days rest
• 1 rest day = 1 calendar day (e.g., a Tuesday start requiring 2 rest days would make the pitcher eligible to pitch again on Friday).

Spring Season Specific Rules

• 10 run-rule after 4 innings. 6 run-rule after 5 innings. When the game is mathematically out of reach, as defined by the run-rules, the game is over. If the coaches decide to continue playing, as time allows, the score recorded is the score when the game was officially over.
• 1 extra inning in case of a tie, either after six innings OR time limit. If game is still tied after 1 extra inning, the game will result in a tie.
•  A new inning may start if ANY time is remaining.

Fall Season Specific Rules

• 5 run limit per inning
• The game ends either at 6 innings or when time expires, regardless of game situation.  If an at-bat is in progress when time expires, the at-bat may complete; then the game is over.