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Official Rules of Michigan Whiffle Indoor League

The Playing Field

1. THE FIELD: A level surface. The angle created from the tip of home plate will be between 50 and 90 degrees from foul line to foul line.

2. THE INFIELD: An infield line will be drawn from foul line to foul line, and will extend from a distance of 45 feet from home plate, down each foul line preferably, or across the field, measuring from the mound. Cones or markers will be placed on the infield line and the foul lines as bases and will serve as a marker for ground balls. A fair play line will be drawn and will run from foul line to foul line ten feet from the tip of home plate.

3. THE OUTFIELD: The area beyond the infield line is considered the outfield. Foul “poles” or lines will be marked along the rink walls to indicate a fair or foul ball.

4. THE PITCHER'S MOUND: The pitcher will throw from a distance of 45 feet from the strike zone target. A pitching rubber, mat, or line will be used to mark the pitching distance.

5. THE BATTER'S BOX: A batter's box will be no less than three feet wide and four feet long and no more than four feet wide and six feet long. Home plate, if marked, will be the standard 17 inches in width. A mat may be used if available for the batter’s box, placed no closer than 8 inches wide of the plate. Players are not allowed to position themselves or any portion of their body in front of the pitcher’s target.

6. THE BACKSTOP: The backstop shall be located 2 feet behind home plate, if marked, and shall measure 20" wide by 30" tall and be 10" off the ground. Any pitched ball that hits the target (excluding base) shall be a strike (see rule 5.03)

7. GROUND RULES: Will be discussed to all teams prior to the start of each game or before the beginning of the tournament, league or game.

8. Any ball that goes over a rink wall is dead and unplayable. Any play by a fielder who plays a ball and whose momentum carries him into these areas shall be declared foul and a dead ball, no out recorded.

The Equipment

1. THE BALL: Only the white baseball size Wiffle® Ball, (eight slots on one side) will be used for play. The ball may be scuffed with normal wear and tear or on the ground. No special scuffing, sandpaper, etc. will be allowed. If a ball is torn or cracked more than 1/4 inch it will be ruled illegal for play and will be removed from the game. No foreign matter can be added to the ball.

2. THE BAT: Must be the official yellow plastic Wiffle® Ball bat. Must be rounded on all sides, cannot exceed 32 inches in length, 2 1/4 inches in diameter. Bats cannot be filled, taped, or in any way altered.

3. FOOTWEAR: Proper footwear should be worn. Spikes (plastic) or turf shoes are allowed. No metal cleats are allowed.

4. GLOVES: Baseball gloves are not allowed. Batting gloves may be worn by the batter only when at bat, but will be ridiculed by opponents.

Teams & Roster

1. TEAMS: A team's roster may consist of a maximum of six players and a minimum of three players. All players must be aged 18 or over unless given parental permission. Only three defensive players may play at any time, one pitcher and two fielders. Players will appear on one roster only. Roster changes may be made up to the midnight before the first day of play. Additions may be made to player rosters with league supervisor approval up to the fourth week of play.

2. BATTING ORDER: A team may choose to bat a minimum of three players or a maximum of four. If a player is injured during the game and cannot continue to bat, his turn at bat will be considered an out if there is no substitute remaining. A batting order will not be changed during the game and if a team bats out of order that batter is ruled out.

3. SUBSTITUTION: There is no re-entry. If a player is substituted in that game, he is unable to re-enter and play. A pitcher must face one complete batter before changing positions defensively. Each player who plays at least 2 innings, must pitch at least one inning per game (3 outs). Switching pitchers will be allowed at any time between full at-bats (no switching during an at-bat unless due to injury).

4. INJURY SUBSTITUTION: If a player is injured and a team has an additional player available, he may be substituted and considered to be the “same” player for purposes of the pitching and switch-hitting rules, even if the re-entering player has already played and been substituted for. However, the injured player may not play again for the rest of the day or tournament.

The Game

1. THE GAME: Five innings equal a normal game. A 10 run rule is in effect after four complete innings, a 15 run rule after three innings, and a 20 run rule after two complete innings. If time allows, teams must complete pitching requirements for a mercy rule to be an official game. There is NO mercy rule in a tournament championship game.

2. OUTS: Three outs per inning for each team.

3. THE COUNT: All at-bats begin with a 2 ball and 2 strike count. Four (two additional) balls to a walk, three (one additional) strikes is an out, fouls are unlimited. A foul tip or popup hitting the target on the fly will result in an out WITH TWO STRIKES ONLY.

4. THE STRIKE ZONE: A fixed target made out of almost any solid material is acceptable. The target will be no less than 20 inches wide and 30 inches high. Strike zones will start at no less than 10 inches above the ground and no more than 12 inches above the ground.

5. BASERUNNERS: There is no base running or base stealing. All runners will be imaginary. Base-runners will advance the same number of bases as the batter on a base hit. Base-runners will advance only if forced on a walk to the batter.

6. INFIELD FLY RULE: No infield fly rule will be called.

7. BUNTING: Bunting is illegal and will not be permitted. An attempt to bunt shall be considered a strike.

8. EXTRA INNINGS: In extra innings, both teams will begin the inning with the bases loaded.

9. PROTESTING A GAME: In a protested game, the decision of the League Director is final. Judgment calls cannot be protested. A protest will only be recognized when the team protesting notifies the Director before the next pitch is thrown. If a game is in protest, the following information shall be recorded; the score, the number of outs, the batter, the position of any runners, and the count. If a replay of the game is ordered, the game shall resume at the point of the protest. The Tournament Director will meet with their staff and make a decision within one hour of the protest. All decisions made by the Director are FINAL.

Game Situations

1. All batted balls must reach the fair play line to be playable, otherwise it is a foul ball.

2. A ground ball fielded before rolling past the infield line is an out. Juggling or deflecting to the fielder in the air is an out, as long as the ball does not retouch the ground. A player's position to the infield line does not matter, the ball is the key, it must go completely past the line to be ruled a hit. If the ball touches the line and is caught, it is still an out.

3. If a batted ground ball is dropped by a fielder and the ball falls on the ground, it will be ruled a hit and one base will be awarded. If a batted fly ball is dropped by a fielder and the ball falls to the ground, it will be ruled a hit and one bases will be awarded, unless the ball hits the fence or fall over the home run fence, in which case, it will be ruled a double, triple or home run accordingly. If the ball is initially touched in fair territory, the ball is considered fair, even if it is dropped in foul territory.

4. Any fair ball that goes past the infield line will be ruled a single. Any fair ball that makes contact with the outfield fence after touching the ground will be ruled a double. Any fair ball that makes contact with the outfield fence on the fly without going over shall be ruled a triple.

5. A ball hitting a base (foul marker) is foul. The foul marker shall be positioned in foul territory. A batted ground ball must pass within the bases to be fair.

6. Any ball that initially touches beyond the infield line in foul territory is a foul ball, even if it bounces back into fair territory.

7. A ground ball that comes to a COMPLETE and total stop in the infield is ruled an infield single.

8. A fly ball hitting the outfield wall first and then being caught by a fielder is ruled a triple.

9. A fly ball clearing the wall or fence is a home run. If a fielder touches a fly ball, and the ball goes over the wall it will be ruled a home run.

10. A fly ball hitting the top of the wall and continuing over the wall will be a ruled home run.

11. A fly ball hitting the foul pole above the wall is a home run.

12. Any player whose swing or hitting of the backstop should cause the backstop to crack or break shall be called out on strikes. Any thrown bats or equipment, in anger, shall cause the hitters next at-bat to be recorded as an out and may be grounds for forfeit or suspension.

13. A batter MUST move out of the way of any pitched ball with potential to hit the strike target. Offending batters may be warned. Subsequent violations may result in a called strike. Any batter moving into a pitch will have the pitch called a strike.

14. A batted ball striking the ceiling, speaker or other indoor infrastructure as part of the roof shall be considered “live” and played where it comes down. If a ball becomes lodged or stuck in the ceiling, it will be a dead ball and replayed.

Defensive Players

1. Defensive players will consist of the pitcher and two fielders.

2. The fielder may be positioned anywhere in fair territory, no closer than five feet in front of the infield line, so long as he does not distract the hitter or come between the pitcher and the hitting area. He may not make any motions or distracting movement towards the batter.

3. No defensive player may wear gloves of any kind or use any tools, hat or equipment to assist oneself in making plays.

Base Runners

1. Base runners move as follows: One base on a single, two bases on a double, three bases on a triple and will score on a home run.

2. On ground outs, the lead runner is always forced out. No other runners shall advance.

3. SACRAFICE RULE: With a runner on third base and less than two outs a team may try and score the runner on third base on a fly ball. When the ball is in the air, the offensive team can yell, "TAG" or “SAC” to activate the runner. The call must be made before the ball starts to come down OR before it is within 10 feet of the fielder making the play. The fielder must catch the ball and throw home attempting to hit the backstop in the air, bounce or roll. If the throw hits the backstop the runner is out, if it misses, the runner scores. All other base runners advance one base if the defensive player attempts to throw out the runner tagging up. The defensive team may choose not to contest the runner and keep all other base runners from advancing. The fielder must immediately, and within one step, make the throw after the catch (i.e.: in “one natural motion”).

4. DOUBLE PLAY RULE: If the offensive team hits a ground ball in the infield with less than two outs and runners on first, first and second, first and third, or bases loaded, the defensive team may attempt a DOUBLE PLAY. In doing so, the fielder must field the moving ball cleanly (not juggle) and throw the ball hitting the target. If the throw hits the target in the air the two lead forced runners are out. If the throw misses the target, only the lead runner is out. No other runners advance. A double play is NOT possible on an infield single.

5. DEFENSIVE INTERFERENCE: A batter or offensive player MUST move out of the way on any double play or sacrifice fly attempt. An attempted defensive play that strikes a batter, who is in any way in front of or near the target, shall be ruled to have hit the target.

The Batter

1. LEGAL POSITIONING: A batter must have both feet completely in the batter's box, if marked. The "white lines" or edges of a mat are part of the batter's box and if the batter has one or both feet on the white lines this is considered a legal stance. It is legal for a batter's feet to leave the batter's box during a swing as long as the batter was legally positioned when the pitch was thrown. If a batter intentionally steps out of the batter's box during a pitch, the pitch is ruled legal and a ball or strike will be call accordingly.

2. BATTER'S INTERFERENCE: Once the batter has legally positioned himself within the batter's box, so long as he is not blocking a portion of the strike zone, he may take his normal swing, but IS REQUIRED to move out of the path of the pitch if there is potential for the pitch to hit the target. A warning must be given first, the warning remains with that particular batter for the remainder of the game, after which the pitch may be called a strike. If the batter is ruled, by the pitcher, to have intentionally moved into the path of the pitch (leaning in) in an attempt to block the pitch from contacting the strike zone, he shall be called for batter's interference, and the pitch will be called a strike.

3. HITTING THE BATTER: There is no hit batsman rule. A ball that hits the batter will be ruled a ball and no base will be awarded. The batter must attempt to get out of the way of a pitched ball.

4. BATTER'S HANDS: The hands of the batter are considered part of the bat. A ball hitting the batter's hand(s) and landing in foul territory is ONLY a strike if the batter is in the act if swinging, if not the pitch is ruled a ball. If a ball hits a batter's hand(s) while swinging and lands into fair territory, the ball will be ruled a fair ball.

5. FOUL BALLS: The batter will not touch foul balls until they come to a complete stop. Foul balls have been known to spin back into fair play and are NOT to be touched until they stop spinning or moving in any way.

The Pitcher

1. A pitcher entering the game must face one complete batter before leaving the mound.

2. A pitcher may not wear any type of distracting jewelry or clothing, such as a white long sleeve shirt under his uniform top.

3. A pitcher must start his wind-up from the pitching rubber or line. The pitcher must have at least one foot touching the rubber when he releases the ball. If a ball is pitched in violation of this rule, the pitch will be ruled a ball.

4. BALKS: There are no balks.

5. WARM-UPS: A pitcher will get ten warm-up pitches before the start of the game once he takes the mound and five between innings. If a relief pitcher comes into the game due to a result of an injury to the active pitcher, a reasonable amount of time will be allowed for the relief pitcher to warm-up.

6. INHERITING THE COUNT / SITUATION: Only if a pitcher is replaced during an at-bat due to injury, the relief pitcher will inherit the count and / or base runners.

7. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS: All players in the lineup will be required to pitch a minimum of one inning (3 outs) in a five inning game. No player may pitch more than three innings (9 outs) in a five inning game. If a game goes to extra innings, a player may pitch more than three innings, but is not required to pitch more than the one inning already completed. For mercy rule games, at least two pitchers must pitch in a 2 inning game, three in a 3 inning game, and 4 (if a four person team) in a four inning game. Failure to complete the required outs by a pitcher will result in a suspended or incomplete game.

Officiating & Scorekeeping

1. FAIR AND FOUL CALLS: Will be the responsibility of the batter because he is looking down both foul lines.

2. LINE CALLS: (Single, Double and Triple against the wall or fence) Calls will be made by the fielder closest to the ball because he has the best view of the play.

3. CHECK SWINGS: Will be the responsibility of the pitcher.

4. FOUL OFF THE HANDS: Will be the responsibility of the batter.

5. BATTER'S INTERFERENCE: Will be the responsibility of the pitcher.

6. DEFENSIVE INTERFERENCE: Will be the responsibility of the defensive player.

7. TAG RULE: If the offensive team yells "TAG" too late it - i.e.: after the catch - will be the responsibility of the defense to make the decision.

8. OFFICIAL SCORE: Will be the home team's responsibility, although spectators may be recruited to keep the scorebook and statistics.

9. For league play, the first team listed on the schedule is home team for the first game, visitor for the second game.

10. For league play, tie-breakers will be head to head record, if applicable, followed by highest opponent’s winning percentage, if applicable, followed by a single-game playoff with a coin flip deciding home team.

Tournament Play

1. All tournaments will be double elimination throughout the entire schedule. An undefeated team must lose twice to be eliminated.

2. COIN TOSS: A coin toss in the beginning of each game will decide the Home team and the Visiting team in tournament play. The coin toss is worked out between the two teams at the start of each game.

3. There is absolutely NO refund on tournament or league fees once a team is registered.

4. Once a schedule is made, there will be absolutely NO changes in game times. Games may be shortened at the discretion of the Tournament Director to maintain pace of play. Game play will be a maximum of 45 minutes. No inning will begin after time is called.

5. WEATHER CONDITIONS: Games will be played in all weather conditions unless the Director indicates otherwise.

6. League Director will make ALL final decisions relevant to league play.

7. STARTING TIME: Game times are indicated on the schedule. Game time is forfeit time. A team must field a minimum of three players to begin a game.

8. Rules not stated herein, will follow the rules in accordance with Major League Baseball. The Director reserves the right to announce any ground rules or changes before commencement of a tournament or game.

9. Any other disputes, disagreements, or questions not addressed within these rules will be decided in a reasonable manner by the Tournament or League Director whose decision will be final.

10. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (including, but not limited to, swearing or throwing of bats or equipment) will not be tolerated and is grounds for dismissal and ban at the discretion of the League or Tournament Director.