Fort Mill Ozone Baseball Rules Time Limit • All games are 6 innings long but restricted to a 75-minute time limit (1 hour 15 minutes) • No new inning to start 5 minutes prior to time limit. (Games can end in a tie) • If a game is shortened by weather or darkness, etc. it is a regulation game if 4 innings have been completed or if the home team is ahead after 3 1/2. • If a game is called before it has become a regulation game, it shall be resumed exactly where it left off. • There will be a 10-run mercy run after 4 innings (or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead). Participation rules must still be adhered to (1 at-bat and 6 defensive outs). Role of the Coach (Game Set Up) • Teams may use 2 adult base coaches if there is at least 1 adult in the dugout (max of 4 coaches in the dugout at any time). • There will be No On Deck Circle. Players may not take warm-up swings either inside or outside the dugout. • Teams will use a continuous batting order (all players present for the game must be in the batting order regardless of whether they are in the defensive line-up or not). • Each player must play a minimum of 6 defensive outs. A last arrival goes to the end of the batting order. Violation of the minimum play rules will result in a warning, then a possible suspension of the Manger by the Athletic Coordinator. • A baseball defense of 9 players will be used. • The Home team will occupy the third base dugout and the scorekeeper of the home team shall keep the official scorebook. Visiting team should also keep a book and keepers should confer between innings. In any dispute the home book is the official book • Coaches must always remain in the dugout and ask permission to leave the dugout to question any call or interpretation of the rules. • Under no circumstances are coaches to argue balls/strikes, fair/foul, or any call not open to rule clarification. Rules of the Game • Please refer to the 2021 Dixie Rule Book for anything not covered. • Teams will use an “8 Batter Rule” (once the 8th batter of the half inning reaches his/her turn at bat there are automatically 2 outs. The inning will continue as normal until either the 8th batter scores or another out is made. o If a visiting team enters the last inning up more than 8 runs the home team still has the option to bat if there is time remaining.

Pitching • Pitchers are prohibited from throwing breaking pitches of any kind. If, in the opinion of the umpire, a pitcher throws a breaking pitch it will be called a dead ball and the coach and player will be warned. A 2nd occurrence will result in the pitcher being removed from the mound for the remainder of the game. • Pitchers are not allowed to wear jewelry, sweat bands, or white sleeves. • Once a player is removed from the game as a pitcher, he/she may not pitch in the game. • Pitcher’s may not reenter the game as a catcher if they threw for more than 2 innings. • Any player who has played the position of catcher in (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. The catcher receiving (1) pitch in the 4th inning constitutes having caught (4) innings. • Pitchers are allowed up to 8 pitches from the mound at the start of the game and 60 seconds during the game. Coaches or subs with facemask may warm-up pitchers. • Coaches must remove the pitcher after the 2nd visit to the mound in the same inning or the 3rd visit of the game. • Pitchers may only pitch (3) innings per game. One pitch= One Inning Balks • If a balk is called it is an automatic dead ball, runners will advance 1 base. • A balk can only take place with a runner on base and the pitcher on or astride (with one leg on each side of) the rubber. Balks occur when one of the following things take place: • Switches his pitching position from the windup to the set (or vice versa) without properly disengaging the rubber. • While on the rubber, makes a motion associated with his pitch and does not complete the delivery. • When pitching from the set position, fails to make a complete stop with his hands together before beginning to pitch. • Throws from the mound to a base without stepping toward (gaining distance in the direction of) the base • Throws or feints a throw from the rubber to an unoccupied base, unless a play is imminent • Steps or feints from the rubber to first base without completing the throw (doing so to second or third base is legal) • Delivers a quick return, a pitch thrown right after receiving the ball back, with intent to catch the batter off-guard. • Drops the ball while on the rubber, even if by accident, if the ball does not subsequently cross a foul line. • While intentionally walking a batter, releases a pitch while the catcher is out of his box with one or both feet. • Unnecessarily delays the game • Pitches while facing away from the batter • After bringing his hands together on the rubber, separates them except in making a pitch or a throw. • Stands on or astride the rubber without the ball, or mimics a pitch without the ball • Throws to first when the first baseman, because of his distance from the base, is unable to make a play on the runner there. Base Running/ Base Runners • Special pinch runners are not allowed. Catchers may be subbed with 2 outs in the inning. • Stealing is allowed. • All players must slide or avoid contact on all close plays, especially at home plate and potential force- outs at 2nd and 3rd base. Catchers and fielders cannot block any base unless the act of fielding the throw brings them to block the base. • Players cannot slide head 1st unless it is a base they have already legally gained possession of. Example: A runner on first base may not slide head first into 2nd base on a ground ball. He/She may however dive headfirst back to first base on a line drive out in an attempt not to be put out • Bunting, lead offs and stealing are allowed. All players must slide or avoid contact on all close plays, especially at home plate and potential force-outs at 2nd and 3rd base. Base runners must make every attempt to avoid contact when advancing to the next base. No catchers or fielders can block any base, unless the act of fielding the throw brings them to block base, without possession of the ball. • A batter may advance to first base on a drop 3rd strike unless there is a runner on 1st with less than 2 outs.

Hitting • Bunting is allowed. Once the batter establishes a bunting position they may not draw back the bat and swing. • If a batter throws a bat, he/she will receive a warning on the 1st occasion. On the 2nd occasion it will be an immediate dead ball out and the manager will be notified that the player may not bat for the remainder of the game (player may still play the field) • A batter may advance to first on a dropped 3rd strike unless there is a runner on 1st with less than 2 outs.