Playing Rules

A. The aim of the game

Score runs by batting the ball into play and running around first, second and third base, then crossing the scoring line at home. The other team fields and tries to make outs. After each half-inning, the teams swap roles.

B. Innings, runs and time

• A half-inning ends when the fielding team records 3 outs or the batting team scores 7 runs, whichever happens first.
• Games have a maximum of 7 innings and 90 minutes, subject to the published mandatory end time and the Competition Rules for finishing an inning.
• The home team fields first and bats second.

C. Taking your turn

Everyone listed for the game bats in one continuous order. Bat when it is your turn. Your co-captains manage the line-up, fielding and pitching rotations.

A. Before you swing

• Start with both feet completely inside the batter’s box.
• Pitches are underarm, from the pitching line, at moderate speed with a visible 6–12 ft arc.

B. Strikes, balls and contact

• 3 strikes = out. 4 balls = a walk to first base. A swing and miss is a strike; a legal pitch that first touches the strike plate is a strike; and an uncaught foul ball is a strike, including strike three.
• If an uncontacted pitch touches the ground before the strike plate, it is dead immediately. Do not swing at it after it has bounced — any later swing or contact is disregarded.
• A fair ball stays live. The foul lines, first base and third base are fair territory. An uncaught foul ball is dead; a legally caught fly ball, fair or foul, is an out.
• No bunting or deliberate chopping. If you bunt or deliberately chop, you are out and the ball is dead.
• If a pitch hits you and you did not swing, it is a ball — not an automatic walk unless it is ball four.

A. Leaving and reaching a base

• No stealing or leading off. Do not leave your base before the batter contacts the pitch. On an uncontacted pitch, there is no ordinary advance.
• No sliding or diving into a base. If you slide or dive, you are out.
• Touch first, second, third and the scoring line in order. On the initial play at first, the batter-runner should use the outside safety portion and the fielder the inside portion.
• You may run through first base and return directly. If you make an attempt towards second, you can be tagged out.

B. Catches, commitment and scoring

• On a caught fly ball, you may advance once a fielder first touches the ball. If you left early, retouch your original base before advancing — this is tagging up.
• Once you pass the commitment line between third and home, you must continue towards the scoring line and cannot return to third.
• To score, cross the scoring line before a defender controlling the ball touches home plate. Do not touch home plate — a runner who touches home is out.
• If an untouched fair batted ball hits you between bases before passing a fielder other than the pitcher, you are out and the ball is dead. If it has already touched a fielder, or passed one with no other fielder able to make an out, you are not automatically out. A thrown ball hitting you does not, by itself, make you out. Deliberately interfering with a ball or play may still result in an out.

A. Making an out

• Catch a fly ball before it hits the ground and the batter is out. This includes a legally caught foul fly.
• A runner who is off a base may be tagged out when you securely control the ball.
• On a force play, securely control the ball and touch the base the runner is required to reach before the runner gets there.
• At home, do not tag the runner. Secure the ball and touch home plate before the runner crosses the scoring line.

B. Safe fielding and overthrows

• If you are not making a play on the ball, move out of the runner’s path. Do not push or pull a runner off a base.
• If an overthrow crosses the agreed out-of-bounds line, the ball is dead and each affected runner receives one additional base.

A. Respect, safety and footwear

• Only a co-captain may calmly seek clarification or challenge a call. Players must not surround or argue with an umpire, opposing captain or opponent.
• Stop play for an injury, unsafe condition or immediate safety risk and follow the umpire’s or captains’ safety directions.
• Metal studs, screw-in studs, spikes and metal cleats are not allowed. Plastic or moulded cleats may be worn unless the venue, conditions or Committee says otherwise.

B. Accessibility and designated runners

• A designated runner is available where a batter needs an accessibility adjustment because of disability, injury, a health condition or another access need. No diagnosis or medical evidence is required. Tell your co-captain or umpire before first use; the batter must safely reach first before the runner takes over. A designated runner can be tagged from the orange safety plate to continue the run if needed.