BSL Playing Rules

Regular Season:
The League will use ASA rules to govern League play with exceptions as passed by the Executive Committee.

1. Eligibility:
1. Teams are under no obligation to have any percentage of male or female players.
2. The umpire shall determine what jewelry is allowable on the playing field.
3. The only uniform requirement is that all players on a team wear uniform shirts that are alike in color and style, possessing unique and visible numbers. There are no hat requirements. Outer garments required due to medical reason or inclement weather will be allowed over regulation uniforms with notification to the opposing manager.
4. A player with prosthesis may use a wooden bat.
5. This League will adhere to the American Disabilities Act of July 25, 1990 as outlined by ASA.
6. All ASA approved bats may be used at all games played with a 44 core ball. No bat indicating it is "titanium" or "triple-walled" will be permitted
2. Playing Rules:
1. A team which does not field at least nine (9) players within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled game start time, will forfeit. A team must begin play as soon after the scheduled game start time as nine (9) players are available. A 10th player can arrive at anytime during the game but he/she must have been listed on the line-up card provided to the umpire. The 10th position will be an out in the lineup till the position is filled.
2. No new inning shall begin after sixty (60) minutes unless the game is tied.
3. ASA run rule will be enforced with the exception of 20 runs ahead after 3 innings. All games will end with no ability for a losing team to have additional at bats with the exception of division four whereas the team being slaughtered will be permitted to finish out their at bats remaining for the game time permitting. If the lead is overthrown by the team that was being mercy ruled, the opposing team will have all their remaining at bats restored regardless of time.
1. Run Rule 4 innings: 15 runs
2. Run Rule 5, 6 innings: 10 runs
4. Courtesy Runner: Runners who need a courtesy runner must be identified prior to the start of a game, with some demarcation next to their name on the line-up card.
1. Courtesy Runners cannot be added to a line-up card after a game has started.
2. Up to 2 courtesy runners are allowed per game, but not required.
3. The courtesy runner will be the last out recorded or last batter from the previous inning.
4. If multiple injuries take place during a game, and more than 2 runners are needed, then coaches must resort to substitutions.
5. Substitutions must be listed on the line-up card. ASA application of substitutions shall apply.
6. If a runner refuses to take a courtesy runner then the option is forfeited for the remainder of the game, and may not be reclaimed.
7. A player who needs a courtesy runner must take the replacement at the last base they have reached safely after their at-bat.
5. Up to 2 extra hitters are permitted in the batting order.
6. Tie games should go to the international tie-breaker rules after the time limit has expired. The player making the last out will be the runner on 2nd base at the beginning of the inning. All other rules apply from that point.
7. All batters will enter the batter’s box with a 0 ball 0 strike count.
8. The official score book of the game will be that of the designated home team.
3. Umpires:
1. Umpire fees are established by the EC and paid at game time by the competing teams, which shall divide the cost of the established fee equally between them.
2. A team that fails to bring cash compensation in the correct amount shall ensure to pay assigned umpire or UIC the fee before the start of their next game. Failure to comply will result in the forfeit of the game and be penalized accordingly.
3. There will be at least one umpire for each regular season game.
4. There will be no protest on any decision involving accuracy of judgment.
4. Equipment:
1. The yellow optic color, red stitch 12-inch ball with a ball COR of .440 or under and a ball compression of 375.0 lbs or under will be used. Balls will be provided by the league.
2. All bats must bear either the ASA 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark and MUST not be listed on the ASA Non-Approved Bat List. The most up-to-date list of Non-Approved Bats has been distributed to all coaches and team representatives by the Assistant Commissioner.
5. Regular Season Tie-Breaker Rules:
   In the case of ties between two or more teams at the end of the regular season, the following guidelines will be used to break the ties.
Two Way Ties:

1. The team that holds the win advantage in head to head competition between the two teams will be the higher finisher
2. In the event that there is an even number of games between the two teams where their head to head record is the same, the following criteria for breaking the tie should be used:
1. Defensive Runs Allowed
2. ii. Random Draw
Three Way Ties:

1. In a three way tie where one team has a win advantage over each of the other two teams in head to head competition, that team would finish higher than the other two.
2. In a three way tie where no team holds an advantage over the other two in head to head competition, the following criteria shall be used in breaking ties:
1. Defensive Runs Allowed
2. Random draw
Other Ties:

1. Ties involving more than three teams will be decided on these same criteria to the extent they can be similarly applied.