MUDVILLE LEAGUE RULES
updated March 16, 2009
Click for a PDF of the Mudville playoff rules
1. The Mudville pitching distance is 44 feet with the bases set at 60 feet.
2. Games are 6 innings or 2 hours long. Official game time will be kept by the Home Plate Umpire. A new inning cannot begin after 2 hours from the game start time. A new inning starts when the 3rd out is made in the previous inning.
3. Continuous batting order with no changes allowed during the game.
4. Defensive substitutions are allowed at any time. The defense must consist of 10 players with 4 outfielders on the grass portion of the field. A player must not sit out consecutive innings and no more than 2 innings per game.
5. Mercy Rule: A half-inning will end when the offensive team scores 7 runs or the defensive team records 3 outs. This rule does not apply to the final inning of the game.
6. A runner on 1st Base may not lead off or steal 2nd base until the pitched ball crosses Home Plate. If the runner leads off, then the ball is dead and the runner is out.
7. A runner on 2nd Base may not steal 3rd base if he/she leads off. If there is no lead off, then the runner may steal 3rd base after the pitched ball crosses Home Plate.
8. A runner on 3rd Base may lead off at most 10 feet from the base. A runner may only advance Home when a batter puts the ball in play or is forced in by a Walk or hit batter.
9. Overthrows at first and second base are live during a pickoff or steal attempt. If the ball leaves the field of play, then a runner may only advance one base.
10. Adult coaches will pitch to their own team during the first 3 innings of all preseason games. Batters will be given 5 pitches to hit a fair ball. Foul balls beginning with the 5th pitch will extend the at-bat. No leading, stealing or walks allowed while a coach is pitching. The defense shall include a fielding pitcher. Mudville players will pitch the final 3 innings of all preseason games and each inning of all Regular Season games.
11. Pitchers are limited to 2 innings per game with 7 warm-up pitches between innings. Once a pitcher has been replaced, they are not allowed to return to the game as a pitcher. A relief pitcher is allowed 10 warm-up pitches. When a relief pitcher enters the game to finish an inning, one pitch will constitute one inning pitched.
12. A player who pitches 2 innings in any one game cannot pitch again for 40 hours.
13. A called strike will result in a ball being removed from the count.
14. A pitched ball returned from the Catcher to the Pitcher is a dead ball and the runners may not advance.
15. No Balks, Dropped Third Strike, Infield Fly Rule or hidden ball tricks.
16. All other rules will be governed by the “Official Baseball Rules”
