Official Wiffleball Rules

This is a new LexSSC sport; rule changes may be made prior to the start of the season.

Team

1. Team rosters shall include a minimum of 12 players, including at least 4 of each gender.
2. The maximum number of players on the field is 7, with at least 3 of each gender.
3. The minimum number of players on the field is 5.
4. All players present for a game must be placed in the batting order.
5. All players must be registered with the League to play with the team. Unregistered substitutes are not permitted. Any team found to be playing with an unregistered player will forfeit the game. See: Late Registration below.
6. When a team has fewer than the required number of players of a specified gender available, players of one gender may not be substituted for members of another gender. For example, if a team has 6 total players available at game time, but only 2 are female, the team must play short in the field with 5 players.
7. Fielding teams are required to play catcher and pitcher.
8. Late Registration: a team may add players to the roster through the 4th scheduled match provided the team captain approves with the league fee pro-rated for the remainder of the season. All players must be formally registered with the League and paid in full prior to playing.  

Officials

1. Each game shall be officiated by a league-assigned referee.
2. Referees are responsible for:
   1. Keeping score.
   2. Keeping game time.
   3. Enforcing all game rules.
   4. Tracking all counts and outs.
3. The referee shall eject a player from the match if that player engages in unsportsmanlike conduct.

Field

1. Games may be played on any flat grassy area with sufficient space for an infield and a small outfield, or an indoor turf field or gynmasium.
2. The distance between bases shall be 40 ft. 

Equipment

1. All equipment shall be provided by the League
2. Men must use the provided yellow bat; women may use either the yellow bat or provided black bat.
3. Players must wear their League-provided t-shirts of the appropriate color for their team.
4. Steel cleats are prohibited. 

Game Clock

1. Each game shall be completed in no more than 7 innings or 50 minutes, whichever comes first.
2. No new inning may begin after 45 minutes; any inning being played after 45 minutes shall be the last inning of the game.
3. Any inning in progress shall end immediately, and both teams shall vacate the field when:
   1. The clock has reached 45 minutes with the home team leading in the bottom of the inning (home team wins), or;
   2. The clock has reached 50 minutes; the score shall revert to the score at the previous full inning, with the team leading at the end of the previous full inning declared the winner.
4. In the event of a tied score after the final inning, the game shall be recorded as a tie.

Game Start

1. A coin toss shall determine the home team, who shall have a choice to either bat first or field first.

Pitching

1. Pitcher shall throw the ball using an underhanded motion while keeping at least one foot on the pitcher's plate.
2. The strike zone is over home plate, between the batter's knees and mid torso.
3. Overhanded pitches are not permitted.
4. Team must designate two dedicated outfielders who may not make a play in the infield (i.e. inside the base lines); any such plays shall be nullified and cause all runners to be safe at base.

Batting

1. Each team must exchange batting orders prior to the start of the game.
2. There must be at least 3 players of each gender in the batting order. If there are fewer than the required number of players of a particular gender, that point in the lineup shall be counted as an out.
3. There is no alternating gender requirement in the batting order.
4. All players present may be included in the batting lineup.
5. All hits must travel at least 10 feet from home plate; bunting is not permitted.
6. Each batter shall start at bat with 1 strike and 1 ball.
7. 3 strikes is an out are called when:
   1. The ball crosses the strike zone without being hit.
   2. The batter swings at but misses the ball.
   3. The ball is hit foul.
8. All foul balls count as a strike and are called when:
   1. The ball lands or is touched in foul territory.
   2. The ball lands inside the foul line, but rolls outside the foul line before reaching the 1st or 3rd base lines. A ball that lands past the 1st or 3rd base lines but rolls into foul territory shall be considered fair.
   3. The batter hits the ball with any part of the foot planted outside the batting box.
   4. The hit ball fails to travel at least 10 feet from home plate.
9. 4 balls allows the batter to advance to first base as is called when:
   1. Ball fails to pass through the strike zone.
   2. Pitcher makes a non underhanded pitch.

Running

1. Stealing bases and leading off bases is illegal. A player who was leading the base prior to the hit shall be called out.
2. Sliding at first base is illegal. A player who slides at first base shall be called out. Runners must use the safety base.
3. There is no infield fly rule; the runner may tag up as soon as the ball is touched by a fielder, regardless of whether or not it was caught.
4. A runner shall be called out when:
   1. Fielder catches a fly ball.
   2. Gets 3 strikes.
   3. 1st, 2nd or 3rd base, or home plate, is tagged on a forced run.
   4. Runner is off base when the ball is hit.
   5. Runner slides into a base or home plate.
5. Pegging, i.e. hitting the player with the ball, is not permitted. A runner that is pegged shall be considered safe at base.
6. In the event of an overthrow into foul territory in an attempt to make a play, the runner may advance only as far as the base they are running toward plus the next base.
7. Pinch running is permitted at 1st, 2nd and 3rd base provided the pinch runner is of the same gender. Pinch running at bat is not permitted.

Forfeits

1. Teams must be ready to play and meet game start requirements at the posted game time. Any team not ready to play at this time shall forfeit, and the opposing team shall take a default win.
2. If neither team is ready to play, both teams shall forfeit.
3. Any team found to be playing with a player not registered with the League or team shall forfeit the game.