Umpire Guidelines

1. We are using the A.S. A. rule book as amended by the league.
2. All judgement calls may not be questioned, balls, outs, etc.
3. Only the coach on each team may question a rule call. Any other players may be asked to leave the game.
4. Games will be played with 9 innings, 3 balls and two strikes. If the second strike is a foul ball, the batter will get one courtesy strike. Double-headers will be two 7-inning games with a 55-minute inning cutoff for the first game.
5. While batting, if one foot is completely outside the batters box, the batter is out.
6. The batter is out if his foot touches home plate while batting.
7. If a batted ball hits a base runner, the ball is dead, the base runner is out, and the batter takes first base. All other runners must return to their original base.
8. If a batted ball touches the batter while in the batters box, it is a foul ball.
9. If a batted ball touches the batter out of the batters box, the batter is out and any base runners must return to their original base.
10. If a batter hits a single and makes an attempt towards second base, he may be tagged out.
11. Same play as #10, but the ball is thrown into the out of play area, the runner gets base to be gained plus one.
12. The batter singles and stays on first base and the ball is thrown out of play, the runner gets the one base to be gained.
13. On all out-of-play throws, the runner gets the next base to be gained (if they are between bases) plus one. The determination is made at the time of the throw, not at the time the ball goes out of play. The next base to be gained is not necessarily the one the runner is moving toward (if they are running BACK to a base they've already gained), but the next base they must legally touch. If they have to go back to tag 2nd base, for example, after the overthrow out of play they would need to tag 2nd and then be awarded 3rd. If they did not have to tag the 2nd, they would be awarded 3rd and Home.
14. If a ball is caught on the fly and carried out-of-play, any base runners get one base. If the ball carried out of play intentionally, any base runners get two bases.
15. Runners may not leave the base until the ball is batted.
16. A missed base or leaving a base on a fly ball that is caught has to be appealed to the umpire by the pitcher after time has been called and when play is resumed.
17. If a base runner leaves base early, the umpire calls time out and rules the base runner out.
18. A pitched ball must have a minimum of 6 feet and a maximum of a 12 feet arc above the ground. If the pitch is flat or above 12 feet, the umpire calls “illegal” before it crosses home plate. If the batter chooses to swing at the pitch, it is a live ball.
19. The pitcher must have one foot on the rubber when he starts his delivery.
20. The runner must make an attempt to get out of the way on an attempted double play. If not, it is an automatic double play.
21. The catcher or any other player may not block home plate unless they have the ball in their glove.
22. I any player has the ball in their glove at home plate, the base runner may not try to run through the player. If he does, the umpire will rule him out whether he was safe or not and remove him from the game if flagrant.
23. Mercy Rule: In 9-inning games, a 15 run rule will apply after 7 innings. In 7-inning games, a 10 run rule will apply after 5 innings.
24. By game time, a team must consist of at least 8 players. If a team does not have at least 8 players, that team will have to forfeit the game.

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