General

Games are 5 innings or 75 minutes, whichever occurs first. No inning may start after 75 minutes from game start time.

A team must have a minimum of 8 players within 5 minutes of the start of the game; otherwise the umpire will declare a forfeit.

Coaches must remain off the field with the exception of the pitcher. Defensive coaches may stand near the 1 st and 3 rd base coaches.

A play is over after time out has been called by an umpire upon request from an infielder or by the umpire. Returning the ball to the pitcher does NOT end the play.

Mercy Rule - If a team is leading by 10 runs or more after 4 complete innings, the game ends with a winner declared.

Extra innings - Teams may play extra innings if time permits with no inning starting after 65 minutes from game start time. Otherwise, a tie game is declared. During the playoffs, extra innings must be played until a winner is determined.

Defense

A team must field a minimum of 8 players and a maximum of 10 players including a catcher.

All players must play the field for a minimum of 3 innings per game. Players may be substituted freely throughout the game.

Batting

All players on the team will bat in a batting order established prior to the game and shared with the other team (if desired). If a player arrives late, they will be placed at the end of the batting order.

Players must wear batting helmets while batting and running. Facemasks and protective cups are NOT required.

Each batter will receive a maximum of 5 pitches to put the ball in play in fair territory.  If the batter does not put the ball in play after 5 pitches, it is a strikeout. The exception is if the 5th pitch is batted as a foul ball, the batter will receive a 6th and final pitch.

Bunting is not permitted.

Each half-inning will end when 3 outs are made or the entire batting order has been completed. If teams have an uneven number of players, then the team with fewer players will be allowed to bat up to the number of players the opponent has.

If a team has batted through the lineup, the coach will announce the final batter is batting. The final play is dead when an out is made or time is called after the ball is put in play.

Pitching

Pitches should be thrown from the pitching rubber by the coach level to each player. No lob pitches as this does not teach the players how to hit.

Lob pitches are not permitted, as they do not teach the players how to hit.

Running

Runners may not lead, steal or leave any base until after a ball is put into play.

If a runner leaves a base and the ball is caught in the air with less than two out, the runner may be doubled off the base by the defense.

All runners must slide and/or avoid contact at all bases.  Any form of "trucking" a player is an immediate ejection, with no warning needed.  This is a judgment call by the umpire, and is NOT subject to question or appeal.