2013 City Championship Official Rule Book
The City Championship will utilize the same rules used in Major League Baseball with the following exceptions:
Playing Field: The field shall be a level playing surface of grass or dirt. The bases shall be 40 feet apart. The pitching rubber or
designated pitching line shall be approximately 30 feet from home plate. Home plate shall be considered in fair territory. The distance
from home plate to the outfield fence shall be 100 feet along the foul lines. The length of the outfield fence from foul line to foul line shall
also be 100 feet. Foul poles will not be utilized. All batted balls that clear the outfield fence shall be ruled home runs.
Ground rules for irregular fields will be established by the Commissioner and printed on the tournament field maps. Captains should
meet prior to each game to agree upon ground rules.
Umpiring: Teams will umpire their own games. Any disputes shall be settled by team captains. If an agreement cannot be reached, a
“do-over” play is allowed. THE BALL NEVER LIES. Umpires may be used at the Hometown Cup Finals.
Equipment: Equipment used will be the Official WIFFLE® Bat and Ball. Bats and balls will be supplied, but players may use their own
Official yellow bats. Bats may have tape on the handle only. Also, the hole on the knob of the bat must be open/uncovered. No gloves will
be permitted in the field. Players may not wear cleats, rubber or metal. If they choose, players may play barefoot.
Roster: Each team will consist of four or five players. In accordance with the Steamin’ Teabag Act (2005), no roster changes can be
made after the start of the tournament. Players may not switch teams after their team is eliminated.
Defensive Alignment: Four players will play the field (pitcher, catcher, and two fielders). All fielders, with the exception of the catcher, shall
be positioned in fair territory at the time of the pitch. Fielders may switch positions at any time.
Batting Order: The batting order will consist of at least four players. Teams can choose to bat an extra hitter. The number of hitters in a
team’s lineup shall be established prior to each game. The batting order shall not change during a game. If substitutions are used, a
player may not re-enter the batting order.
Game: All games will be six innings long. If a game is tied after six innings, extra innings will be played. Pool play games on Saturday
will be limited to 45 minutes. Unless the game is tied, no inning will be started after 45 minutes.
Pitching: This is a slow pitch, or “pitch to hit,” tournament. Pitchers must have at least one foot on the pitching rubber (or designated
pitching line) when releasing the ball. There are no balks. If the batter feels the pitcher is throwing too hard, he or she may ask for them
to slow it down.
Batting: There will be no called strikes, balls, or walks. Batters can strike out swinging. Foul tips caught by the catcher with two strikes
will also be a strikeout. With less than two strikes, a foul ball must rise above the catcher’s shoulders to be caught for an out. Batters
may not advance to first on an uncaught third strike. Batters must be prepared to swing. One handed swings will not be allowed for non-
ADA players.
Bunting: Bunting is not allowed in slow-pitch whiffleball.
Pitcher’s Hand: All force plays on the batter going to first base may be made to the pitcher, who may be anywhere in fair or foul territory.
The runner may also be put out by force at first base. All other force plays must be made to the bases or to home plate.
Base Running: Players will run the bases. No ghost runners will be used. Runners may not lead off or steal any base. Runners must
remain on the base until the batter makes contact. After hitting a home run, a player does not have to run the bases.
Infield Fly: No infield fly rule will be used.
Pegging: Fielders may throw the ball at runners to record an out. Base runners struck anywhere by a thrown ball will be ruled out.
Additionally, base runners in fair territory, but not in contact with a base, will be ruled out if hit by any batted ball. The ball remains live after
a pegging attempt, successful or not.
Special Scoring Rules:
1) There are no errors in whiffleball.
2) Starting pitchers must complete one inning to qualify for a win.
3) Everything is a save situation.
Tournament Procedures:
Unless seeding is applicable, rock-paper-scissors (best of 3) will be used to determined home team. Winners may choose to be the
away team.
Teams will be provided with a game schedule. The complete schedules and brackets will also be available at the scorer's table and
posted on the tournament website. If your designated field is open prior to your scheduled start time, both teams may agree to start the
game early. Teams will be allowed a 15-minute grace period after the scheduled start time to arrive. If a team fails to show up within 15
minutes of the game-time, the team present will be allowed to take a forfeit victory. Forfeits will be scored 6-0.
Teams that qualify for Sunday's single elimination tournament, but fail to show up without notice will be placed on probation for the
following year. Those teams will not be eligible for Sunday competition in the next tournament.
Modifications to the rules may occur up to the day of the tournament, a complete rules sheet will be available to teams at check-in. A rules
meeting will be held before the start of the tournament.
Playing Field: The field shall be a level playing surface of grass or dirt. The bases shall be 40 feet apart. The pitching rubber or
designated pitching line shall be approximately 30 feet from home plate. Home plate shall be considered in fair territory. The distance
from home plate to the outfield fence shall be 100 feet along the foul lines. The length of the outfield fence from foul line to foul line shall
also be 100 feet. Foul poles will not be utilized. All batted balls that clear the outfield fence shall be ruled home runs.
Ground rules for irregular fields will be established by the Commissioner and printed on the tournament field maps. Captains should
meet prior to each game to agree upon ground rules.
Umpiring: Teams will umpire their own games. Any disputes shall be settled by team captains. If an agreement cannot be reached, a
“do-over” play is allowed. THE BALL NEVER LIES. Umpires may be used at the Hometown Cup Finals.
Equipment: Equipment used will be the Official WIFFLE® Bat and Ball. Bats and balls will be supplied, but players may use their own
Official yellow bats. Bats may have tape on the handle only. Also, the hole on the knob of the bat must be open/uncovered. No gloves will
be permitted in the field. Players may not wear cleats, rubber or metal. If they choose, players may play barefoot.
Roster: Each team will consist of four or five players. In accordance with the Steamin’ Teabag Act (2005), no roster changes can be
made after the start of the tournament. Players may not switch teams after their team is eliminated.
Defensive Alignment: Four players will play the field (pitcher, catcher, and two fielders). All fielders, with the exception of the catcher, shall
be positioned in fair territory at the time of the pitch. Fielders may switch positions at any time.
Batting Order: The batting order will consist of at least four players. Teams can choose to bat an extra hitter. The number of hitters in a
team’s lineup shall be established prior to each game. The batting order shall not change during a game. If substitutions are used, a
player may not re-enter the batting order.
Game: All games will be six innings long. If a game is tied after six innings, extra innings will be played. Pool play games on Saturday
will be limited to 45 minutes. Unless the game is tied, no inning will be started after 45 minutes.
Pitching: This is a slow pitch, or “pitch to hit,” tournament. Pitchers must have at least one foot on the pitching rubber (or designated
pitching line) when releasing the ball. There are no balks. If the batter feels the pitcher is throwing too hard, he or she may ask for them
to slow it down.
Batting: There will be no called strikes, balls, or walks. Batters can strike out swinging. Foul tips caught by the catcher with two strikes
will also be a strikeout. With less than two strikes, a foul ball must rise above the catcher’s shoulders to be caught for an out. Batters
may not advance to first on an uncaught third strike. Batters must be prepared to swing. One handed swings will not be allowed for non-
ADA players.
Bunting: Bunting is not allowed in slow-pitch whiffleball.
Pitcher’s Hand: All force plays on the batter going to first base may be made to the pitcher, who may be anywhere in fair or foul territory.
The runner may also be put out by force at first base. All other force plays must be made to the bases or to home plate.
Base Running: Players will run the bases. No ghost runners will be used. Runners may not lead off or steal any base. Runners must
remain on the base until the batter makes contact. After hitting a home run, a player does not have to run the bases.
Infield Fly: No infield fly rule will be used.
Pegging: Fielders may throw the ball at runners to record an out. Base runners struck anywhere by a thrown ball will be ruled out.
Additionally, base runners in fair territory, but not in contact with a base, will be ruled out if hit by any batted ball. The ball remains live after
a pegging attempt, successful or not.
Special Scoring Rules:
1) There are no errors in whiffleball.
2) Starting pitchers must complete one inning to qualify for a win.
3) Everything is a save situation.
Tournament Procedures:
Unless seeding is applicable, rock-paper-scissors (best of 3) will be used to determined home team. Winners may choose to be the
away team.
Teams will be provided with a game schedule. The complete schedules and brackets will also be available at the scorer's table and
posted on the tournament website. If your designated field is open prior to your scheduled start time, both teams may agree to start the
game early. Teams will be allowed a 15-minute grace period after the scheduled start time to arrive. If a team fails to show up within 15
minutes of the game-time, the team present will be allowed to take a forfeit victory. Forfeits will be scored 6-0.
Teams that qualify for Sunday's single elimination tournament, but fail to show up without notice will be placed on probation for the
following year. Those teams will not be eligible for Sunday competition in the next tournament.
Modifications to the rules may occur up to the day of the tournament, a complete rules sheet will be available to teams at check-in. A rules
meeting will be held before the start of the tournament.
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| City Championship |
New Carlisle Hometown Days is a nonprofit endeavor. The steering committee consists of a group of citizens
representing many area churches, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations. Our goal is to provide a safe,
fun, family oriented weekend on the last full weekend of each July.
Please take the time to visit all of the attractions around town during the festival.
representing many area churches, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations. Our goal is to provide a safe,
fun, family oriented weekend on the last full weekend of each July.
Please take the time to visit all of the attractions around town during the festival.