These are the most common and/or most unique rules being used for this event. Please see "Official Rulebook" for exhaustive list of playing rules. When in conflict, rules written here shall supercede those in the official rulebook.
As a player, you are responsible for knowing all official rules of the game. By participating in the event, you are agreeing that you are aware of all rules associated with the league and the sport, and agree to abide by them at all times.
The following are the rules that coaches have all agreed to for the League Joe tourney. These may differ slightly from USSSA rules or park rules, so umpires may not be aware. Please self-police and enforce these rules for your team!
GOLDEN RULE
This event is intended to be FUN first. We welcome players of ALL SKILL LEVELS to our fields, and therefore set rules that ensure the safety and enjoyment of our skilled players and our novices equally.
Be supportive of one another. Fighting, excessive verbal abuse, and poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated. Event organizers reserve the rights to dismiss any player from the event without refund.
Game Length: 50 minutes, finish the inning. Extra innings - last batter of the previous inning starts at second and cannot receive a courtesy runner until one batter has completed a full at bat.
Pitch Height: 6'-10' from the ground.
Pitching Gear/Net: Pitchers must either wear an approved helmet and/or utilize the provided pitching net.
Defensive Innings Played: 2 by the end of the 3rd, 3 by the end of the 5th
Females on Defense: No more than one female may sit defensively per inning.
Outfield Throw to First: No batter may be thrown at first following a ball hit into the outfield unless by an infielder brought into the outfield through defensive actions.
Courtesy Foul: No courtesy foul.
Legal Bats: 240 USSSA stamped non-banned bats. Seniors (males: 60+, females: 50+) may swing senior bats.
Balls: Balls will be provided. Chase down any balls you hit out of the playing field.
Homeruns: Three plus one. Three homeruns and then you can hit more as long as you don't hit more than one more than the opposing team.
Courtesy Runner: Three courtesy runners per inning. Each runner may only run for one person per inning, but may run for that same person multiple times in the inning.
Male/Female Walk: If a male walks with a female behind him, he automatically gets second base and she has the option to hit or take first base. There are stipulations to this rule, check the rule book for specifics.
All rules are subject to unique situations that may affect the ability to follow the rules to the letter. Coaches (and league officials, if needed)should work together to resolve any situations that arise that could go against any rules. Ultimately, the goal is to play the game and have fun.
These are guidelines and rules for the event that all coaches must acknowledge and follow. Please review all rules carefully.
Show Empathy for Your Players and Your Opponents
We are all adults who are playing a kid's game. None of us are going pro, and all of us paid the same amount of money to play the game. Make sure every player on your squad feels like they are included and have an opportunity to develop their game, and be understanding of your fellow coach when they're dealing with no shows and unexpected injuries.
The First Person to Discuss Problems With: The Opposing Coach
If you have issues that are difficult to overcome, your opposing coach is the first person you discuss those with. Whatever the two coaches on the field agree to ultimately trumps many of the rules found here. When odd situations come up - do what it takes to play the game, and do so by discussing terms with your opposing coach that make both teams feel like the game will be fair.
Do Not Let Your Players Speak for Your Team
All decisions for your team come down to you and you alone. You should not invite other players to participate in rule discussions, or allow them to participate in debates over rule disagreements. As coaches, we will at times disagree and may even sometimes get testy with one another, but it is important that we keep these discussions to the back of the house and do not allow rule issues to spill over to the general players. Keep it fun for everyone and don't let the inmates run the asylum!
Win on the field, not in the rulebook.
Rules are made to be enforced, but in our game - things happen. Players get hurt, or they disappear, or they are late, etc. Please always be flexible in dealing with unusual situations. It is much more important to complete a game than it is to take a cheap, easy, rule-forced win. You don't need to put your team at a disadvantage, but at least allow the game to be interesting.
Players
All players bat, and all players rotate in the field. Even your studs should see the bench from time to time, so make sure to deploy a proper rotation so all players are seeing time on defense.
Pool Play versus Tournament Play
All coaches will lock in during the tournaments, and the expectation is certainly that the best players will play more innings. With that in mind, spend extra time emphasizing play time for your weaker players during pool play / regular season play. If they get their innings when the games are lesser in intensity, they will be happy to yield time to the strong players during more clutch situations.
Do Not Stop a Player From Participating When They Want to Participate
If someone has joined this league to get exercise, they probably do not want to have a pinch runner even if there is a faster player available. If a woman is learning how to swing, she should get more swings to practice rather than taking an automatic walk just because it is a free base. Give your players the opportunity to play and don't take bats out of hands or runners off the base unnecessarily.
Lead by Example
If you come into the dugout with an intense drive to win the game at all costs, your players will follow you. If you come into the dugout singing songs and handing out shots, your players will follow you. Somewhere in the middle of those two is the right mix for League Joe, so remember that your players are following your lead. Remember to have fun and play for the love of the game!
Substitute players are allowed for a team ONLY when the total number of rostered players is less than 10. If you are expecting less than 10, you may use the League Joe alternates list to select a player of equal or lesser value to the average of all players missing from your roster. It is your responsibility to inform the opposing coach who your sub is and who they are replacing. When using a sub of appropriate value from the League Joe alternates list, you may play and bat them anywhere in the lineup you feel comfortable.
Emergency Substitutions
Occasionally, emergencies dictate non-LJ approved subs need to be used or a player of equivalent value is not available. In these case, the substitute players must bat at the bottom of the order and play "less-essential" positions in the field (catcher, right field, 2nd base - in that order)
Playing with 9 Players
If you only have 9 players, the opposing team will loan you a ball returner behind the plate to throw the ball back to the pitcher. If Ball Returner is in the batting lineup, Ball Returner will rotate out when their turn in the lineup comes up. Pitcher should attempt to cover home plate for any plays to home.
The official rules for the sport, which may or may not be from a sanctioning body.
