In addition to the common rules, these rules apply to major A & B:
- Players pitch from 46’ and bases are 60’ apart.
- Stealing of all bases, including home plate*, is allowed (including “straight steals”).
- Players CAN advance to home plate (i.e. steal home) on a passed ball/wild pitch unless the team batting is leading be 5 or more runs. When up by 5 runs or more, the base runner must stay at 3rd base.
- Runners must wait until the pitched ball reaches the plate before breaking contact with their base (leading-off). If they lead-off and try to advance on a passed ball or wild pitch, the base umpire will wait for the play to be over, call time, and tell the runner to return to his/her last occupied base (along with any other runners that advanced). If they lead-off and a fair ball is hit, apply penalties as per Rule 7.13(b).
- Only the player at bat can hold a bat. Players who are “on deck” and “in the hole” cannot take practice swings or even touch a bat. This is to prevent injuries.
- Maximum 5 runs per inning.
- The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
- Dropped third strike rule is in effect [see Rule 6.05(a)(2)]: The batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by an umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied or (2) first base is occupied with two out.
Our
Fair Play Policy applies to all levels/divisions offered by OWLL.