wiffleball Rules

REMEMBER:

Our umpires are here to help mediate the game and to allow it to run smoothly.

please do not argue with the umpires - their decision is always final.

ALL CAPTAINS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUBS THEY BRING IN. PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK. GR REC SPORTS WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE A SUBSTITUTE MAY CAUSE.

QUICK WIFFLEBALL RULES

(IF ALREADY KNOW BASEBALL/SOFTBALL)

PITCHERS HAND:
- PITCHERS HAND FORCE OUT – THE PITCHER OR ANY FIELDER CAN GET AN OUT IF THEY TOUCH THE PITCHERS MOUND WHILE HOLDING THE BALL BEFORE THAT BATTER REACHES FIRST BASE.
  - (PITCHER HAND FORCE OUT ONLY APPLIES TO A FORCE OUT AT 1ST BASE.)
- PITCHERS HAND DEAD BALL – PLAY STOPS AS SOON AS THE PITCHER OR ANY FIELDER HAS CONTROL OF THE BALL WHILE TOUCHING THE PITCHERS MOUND/PLATE.
FORCE OUTS:
- PITCHERS HAND FORCE OUT (SEE ABOVE).
- Catcher force out – If the bases are loaded, the defense may also get a FORCE out AT HOME by throwing and hitting the strike-zone-target before the forced runner REACHES home PLATE.
  - If the defense hits the strike-zone-target BEFORE THE RUNNER SCORES, THE RUNNER IS OUT, it is a dead ball, and play stops. (ALL OTHER RUNNERS ADVANCE OR RETURN TO THEIR CLOSEST BASE).
  - If the defense misses the strike-zone-target OR THE RUNNER SCORES BEFORE THE BALL HITS THE TARGET, THEN the RUNNER IS SAFE AND THE play is still live.
  - THIS RULE IS ONLY FOR A FORCE OUT AT HOME PLATE.
DEAD BALL (PLAY STOPS) IF:
- A ‘DEAD BALL’ CAN BE CALLED BY THE UMPIRE ANYTIME THAT HE DEEMS IT NECESSARY WHEN THE MAIN PLAY IS OVER.
- A BASE RUNNER IS HIT BY THE BALL - If a fielder hits a baserunner with a thrown ball (WHILE NOT ON A BASE), it is an ‘out’ and the play is dead, ALL RUNNERS MUST RETURN TO THEIR CLOSEST BASE.
- The ball hits the backstop behind home plate - This is how a force out is made at home. Once the ball hits the backstop, that runner is out, all other runners must return to their closest base.
- IF THE UMPIRE CALLS PLAYER INTERFERENCE.
- IF THE BALL GOES OUT OF PLAY (ALL BASERUNNERS ARE GIVEN A FREE BASE AS WELL).
- ANY FIELDER gains control of the ball on the pitcher's plate - When a player has control of the ball on the pitcher's MOUND/plate, the play is dead and runners must return to their closest base.
foul ball strike three (out) - If a 3rd strike is fouled off and hits the strike-zone-target then the batter is out. (this is ruled as a strikeout as if the catcher catches a fouled strike 3).
HOMERUNS - THERE IS YELLOW TAPE SIGNIFYING THE HOMERUN LINE ON THE SECOND BEAM IN THE OUTFIELD, IF THE BALL HITS THAT YELLOW LINE OR ANYWHERE ABOVE IT, IT IS A HOMERUN)
GROUND RULE DOUBLE - ANY BALL THAT TOUCHES THE OUTFIELD WALL BELOW THE HOMERUN LINE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GROUND FIRST. (THE BALL CANNOT BOUNCE OR ROLL INTO THE WALL FOR A GROUND RULE DOUBLE)
THE CELIING IS LIVE - WE ACT AS IF THE CEILING ISN’T THERE.
- THE BALL IS FAIR OR FOUL BASED ON WHERE THE BALL LANDS.
- THE BALL CAN HIT THE CEILING IN FOUL TERRITORY BUT LAND IN FAIR TERRITORY, MAKING IT A LIVE BALL.
ANY WALL IN FOUL TERRITORY IS A FOUL – ANY WALL THAT IS OUT OF BOUNDS IS CONSIDERED FOUL REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE BALL LANDS.
NO STEALING UNTIL THE BALL IT HIT.
NO LEADING OFF.
no balks.
infield fly rule - when there is a force at 3RD and 0 or 1 outs, THE INFIELD FLY RULE CAN BE CALLED ON A POP-UP. (THERE IS NO INFIELD FLY RULE IF THE BALL HITS THE CEILING)
ALL PLAYERS MUST USE LEAGUE ISSUED: ‘OFFICIAL YELLOW WIFFLE BALL BATS’
RUN-LIMITS - FOR EVERY INNING EXCLUDING THE FINAL INNING, WHERE THERE IS NO RUN-LIMIT.
- SOCIAL LEAGUE RUN LIMIT = 8 PER INNING.
- COMPETITIVE RUN LIMIT = 10 PER INNING.
TIE BREAKER (THERE ARE NO TIES) –
- BOTH TEAMS WILL CHOOSE ONE BATTER TO HAVE A SINGLE AT-BAT.
- TEAMMATES WILL LOAD ALL THE BASES.
- THE BATTER HAS ONE AT-BAT FOR THE TEAM TO SCORE AS MANY RUNS AS POSSIBLE.
- THE TEAM THAT SCORES MORE RUNS WITH THEIR ONE AT-BAT WINS.
  - IN THE CASE OF A TIE, THE GAME CONTINUES WITH EACH TEAM CHOOSING A NEW BATTER AND REPEATING THE PROCESS UNTIL THE TIE IS BROKEN.
  - IF THE TIE CONTINUES TO THE POINT WHERE ONE TEAM HAS USED ALL PLAYERS AS THEIR BATTER, THE TEAMS BOTH RESTART AND CAN CHOOSE ANY BATTER AGAIN.

FULL RULES

GENERAL LEAGUE AND GAME FORMAT:

All teams play 1 game per week. (sometimes teams may have double-headers)
All games are played for 50 minutes + one additional full inning.
games are played and finished within a 60-minute time limit - not a set number of innings.
- umpires will call out the official start time before every game and set an alarm for 50 minutes. When the alarm sounds, one more full inning will take place.
All games must start on time.
- IF A TEAM IS 10+ MINUTES LATE, the opposing team gets the option for a 10-0 disqualification score.
EACH SEASON HAS SET NUMBER OF REGULAR SEASON WEEKS FOLLOWED BY PLAYOFF.
- ALL TEAMS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.

GAME PLAY:

Each team gets an equal number of at-bats.
4 players maximum on defense at a time. (1 PITCHER, 3 FIELDERS)
a player cannot sub for another team if they also play IN the same league ON THE SAME day (however, the opposing team can 'okay' this if desired).
3 outs per half-inning. Players are considered ‘out’ if:
- Strike out; 3 strikes.
  - A strike is any ball that hits the strike-zone-target or a ball that is swung and missed by the batter.
  - foul ball strike three - If a 3rd strike is fouled off and hits the strike-zone-target then the batter is out. (this is ruled as a strikeout as if the catcher catches a fouled strike 3).
- Fly ball or foul ball caught by defense before touching the ground.
- A throw out at a lead base before the forced runner reaches that base.
  - Pitcher hand force out – If A FIELDER gains control of the ball while touching the pitcher mound/plate before the batter reaches 1st BASE, THEN the batter is out. (pitcher hand force out only applies to a force at 1st base)
  - Catcher force out – If the bases are loaded, the defense may also get a FORCE out AT HOME by throwing and hitting the strike-zone-target before the forced runner REACHES home PLATE.
    - If the defense hits the strike-zone-target BEFORE THE RUNNER SCORES, THE RUNNER IS OUT, it is a dead ball, and play stops. (ALL OTHER RUNNERS ADVANCE OR RETURN TO THEIR CLOSEST BASE).
    - If the defense misses the strike-zone-target OR THE RUNNER SCORES BEFORE THE BALL HITS THE TARGET, THEN the RUNNER IS SAFE AND THE play is still live.
    - THIS RULE IS ONLY FOR A FORCE OUT AT HOME PLATE.
- A runner tagged by the ball.
- A runner is hit by a thrown ball. (PLAY IS DEAD, ALL RUNNERS ADVANCE OR RETURN TO THEIR CLOSEST BASE).
  - avoid headshots, if the runner is hit in the head, the runner is safe. (However, if the runner slides or makes any unnatural move to be hit in the head then the runner is out.) (This rule changes for TOP BRACKET PLAYOFF GAMES; see playoffs).
The ceiling is 'live'. it’s like it’s not even there, the ball is fair, or foul based on where it lands.
Social league RULES:
- The pitcher’s mound/plate is set to 29' from home plate.
  - This is a line and not intended to be used as a mound, THE PITCHER MUST THROW THE BALL WITH BOTH FEET BEHIND THE PLATE.
- RUN LIMIT - 8-runS PER INNING. (excluding the final inning where there is no run limit).
- The pitcher must pitch the ball at a reasonable speed and style that gives the batter a fair chance. i.e.: no drastic sliders, fastballs, or curveballs that make it too hard to hit, that is what the competitive league is for*. (just be respectful and have fun)
competitive league RULES:
- RUN LIMIT - 10-runS per inning. (excluding the final inning where there is no run limit).
- The pitcher’s mound is 39' from home plate.
  - This is a line and not intended to be used as a mound, THE PITCHER MUST THROW THE BALL WITH BOTH FEET BEHIND THE PLATE.
- pitchers may pitch at any speed/technique.
mercy rule -
- after 3 full innings if either team is ahead by 15+ runs, the team that is behind may choose to forfeit or play as long as they'd like. At any time, they can choose to 'throw in the towel' and concede defeat.
"Pitchers hand rule"
- is always in effect; any time the pitcher has control of the ball while touching the pitcher mound/plate the play stops and baserunners cannot advance. However, if both of the runner’s feet are completely past the base then the runner may continue to advance.
- The pitchers mound/plate doubles as another 1st base and can be used to record an out just like 1st base.
  - If A FIELDER has the ball while touching the pitcher’s mound/plate before the batter reaches 1st base, then the runner is 'out'.
BATTERS MUST SWING WITH TWO HANDS.
NO INTENTIONAL BUNTING. (COUNTS AS A FOUL BALL)
- IF THE BATTER SWINGS AND HITS THE BALL BUT THE BALL DOESNT GO PAST THE DESIGNATED "10-FOOT BUNT LINE", IT IS CONSIDERED A FOUL BALL.
no balk rule for pitchers.
BATTING LINEUPS MUST STAY IN ITS ORIGINAL ORDER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE GAME.
NO leading-off BASES.
NO stealing BASES until the ball is hit.
The infield fly rule is in play when there is a force at third and 0 or 1 outs. (THERE IS NO INFIELD FLY RULE IF THE BALL HITS THE CEILING)
slide at your own risk, sliding can be unsafe and cause injury! If players choose to slide, they do so at their own risk. The base runner is not automatically out if they slide.
a runner can be called 'out' if they intentionally run more than 3 feet outside the base path while trying to avoid a tag/defender.
- A runner may run more than 3 feet outside the base path while rounding the bases if they do so naturally with momentum. However, if the runner is already 3-feet or more outside the base path while rounding then proceeds to go further outside the path while attempting to avoid a tag/defender then the runner may be called as 'out.'
Any foul ball that is touched by a defender before it hits the ground is still considered a 'foul ball' even if it is dropped.
"Tagging up" -
- A base runner must touch their base they started on any time a defender catches a fly ball.
  - If a ball is caught, the runner may 'tag up' and run as soon as the first defender touches the ball.
    - If the defender bobbles the ball the runner does not have to wait for the defender to fully make the catch.
    - If one defender bobbles the ball and another defender catches the ball, the runner does not have to wait for the 2nd defender to fully make the catch; the runner may 'tag up' as soon as the first defender touches it.
    - This eliminates any purposeful bobble and makes a 'clean catch' the best play.
INTERFERENCE MAY BE CALLED on a BASE RUNNER if they INTERFERE WITH A DEFENDER TRYING TO MAKE A PLAY. (THE base RUNNER WOULD BE CALLED AS 'OUT').
INTERFERENCE MAY BE CALLED on A DEFENDER if they INTERFERE WITH THE BASE RUNNER RUNNING TO FIRST BASE. (THE RUNNER WOULD BE CALLED AS 'SAFE').

If a player is injured, or for some reason cannot run the bases, a "pinch runner" may be used. The injured player may not return to the game, and the pinch runner is always the last player 'out' on the batting team.
baserunning:
- if a player is up to bat but they are currently 'on base', the last player 'out' takes the base of the closest baserunner (1st base first, then 2nd), if there are more players 'on-base' the others then all move up one to fill it in.
- ghost runners - if a team has less than 4 players than ghost runners may be used as a last resort.
batters running through 1st base:
- When the batter runs past first base the direction they choose to turn (left or right) makes all the difference. The decision is made once BOTH THE RUNNERS FEET ARE PAST THE FIRST BASE LINE IN FAIR TERRITORY.
- If the baserunner touches 1st base, turns left AND BOTH FEET ARE BEYOND THE 1ST BASE CHALK LINE, that runner is declaring themself as 'active' and can be tagged out if not on a base.
- if the baserunner touches 1st base and STAYS TO THE right OF THE 1ST BASE LINE (AS LONG AS ONE FOOT REMAINS at least ON THE LINE), the baserunner is declaring themself safe at 1st without the intent to advance. (They still may take off and run for 2nd as long as the pitcher does not hold the ball.)

tie-breaker rule: "Bases Loaded & one at-bat.”

If the game is tied after the time-limit is reached the game goes into the tiebreaker.

The team that batted to start the game will also bat first in the tie breaker.
Each team will select 1 batter and 3 baserunners that will load the bases.
Each batter will have only one at-bat to score as many runs as they can.
- IF ANY BATTER IS WALKED, THEY TAKE THEIR BASE ANOTHER BATTER IS UP. (DO NOT WALK BATTERS!)
When the play is done, the other team will do the same thing with only one at-bat to score as many runs as possible.
The team that scores more runs wins the game.
- If the game is still tied a different player is selected and will come to the plate to repeat the process until one team breaks the tie. (baserunners may go anywhere and repeat or change bases if wanted, they do not need to rotate)
- If the tie lasts so long that one team uses all its players and must repeat a batter, then the process starts over and both teams may select any batter.
All runs in the tiebreaker will count and be reflected in the standings.
- All individual stats in the tiebreaker will NOT count towards those players individual batting and pitching stats.

PLAYOFFS:

All teams make the playoffs.
teams are seeded according to standings and play in their similar skill bracket.
Playoffs are single-elimination, bracket-style matchups.
substitute players can play in the playoffs if they do not play in the league on the same day for another team. (Opposing teams can always allow a substitute if they choose to.)

additional championship game rules

Any 'headshots' are only ruled as 'outs' if the umpire(s) deem them as intentionally malicious or flagrant. (UMPIRES DECISION)
Ties:
- Instead of the ‘bases-loaded & one at-bat’ tiebreaker, there will be extra innings.
- Each team starts with 1 out, plus their last batter that was 'out' on second base.
- Game play continues like this until one team takes the lead after a full inning.
- in the case of an extreme time crunch, the umpire may decide to move the game into a "bases-loaded & one at-bat’ tie Breaker.
At the end of the championship game the referees will designate one “Finals MVP” from the winning team to receive and extra ‘badge’ of honor that will be added to either player profile.

MISCELLANEOUS RULES:

If a batter hits the ball and the ball then hits a baserunner, the baserunner is "out" even if the baserunner is touching a base. we consider this 'interference'. A baserunner should never touch a live ball. If this happens the play stops, it is a "dead ball", the batter is given 1st base, and the baserunner that was hit by the ball is "out". *This rule applies to fly-balls, line-drive, and grounders as well*.
Subs/replacements are allowed during the regular season; make sure they create a website account.
Any dishonest behavior will not be tolerated and could lead to expulsion from the league as well as forfeiture by the team.
If any rule(s) needs updating, insertion, or clarification throughout the season gr rec sports reserves the right to do so. If you notice any of this, please contact the GR Rec Sports staff and they will make a judgement call and inform the league of these updates.

FORFEITS:

Teams will forfeit their game if not in attendance after 10 minutes of their games start time. ultimately, the opposing team gets to decide if they want the automatic win (10-0), or if they want to play it out.
GAME TIMES THAT ARE SET IN THE SCHEDULE ARE SET, ANY TEAM THAT CANNOT MAKE THEIR DESIGNATED TIME (OR 10 MINUTES AFTER) WILL RESULT IN A FORFEIT.
IN RARE CASES: A GAME THAT IS RESCHEDULED OUTSIDE OF THE LEAGUES PLAY-DAY OR Play TIME MUST BE WORKED OUT AMONGST THE TWO TEAM CAPTAINS. IF THE TWO TEAM CAPTAINS CANNOT DECIDE ON A MUTUAL MAKE-UP DATE/TIME, FURTHER DECISIONS WILL BE MADE BY THE STAFF.
- PUSHING BACK THE GAME TO THE FOLLOWING SEASON.
- ROCK PAPER SCISSOR TO DETERMINE A WINNER (OR ANOTHER GAME).
- IF ALL OPTIONS ARE DECLINED BY A SINGLE TEAM, THE GAME WILL GO DOWN AS A TIE.

STANDINGS:

The updated standings will be posted weekly by the staff within 24 hours after the last game.
Tie breakers in standings. (in this order)
- Tie Breaker #1 - head-to-head matchup.
  - If two teams are tied in w/l% and they are right next to each other in standings, the TIE BREAKER GOES TO THE TEAM THAT WON IN THEIR HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP. (This includes any 'exhibition' game.)
- tie breaker #2 - highest Point difference (PD).
- Tie breaker #3 - most points for (PF).
- tie breaker #4 - least number of forfeits.
  tie breaker #5 - Previous weeks higher ranking team ("last" Ranking)
- tie breaker #6 - If there still is a tie, we may add an extra game, call a coin flip, or play Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine the positioning.
- (if multiple teams are tied in w/l% and multiple teams have conflicting head-to-head results then tie breaker will move down to 'pd').

WAIVERS:

In order to participate in the league, each participant must agree to the online waiver.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

The idea of GR Rec Sports is to have fun, stay active, and meet new friends. We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved. Although some games may become more intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship. With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league itself - without refund.
Sportsmanship goes beyond how you act on the field/court. any disruptions at our sponsored bars will also not be tolerated and can be subject to suspension and/or ejection from the league without refund.
Any team that consistently misses games and/or 'no-call no-show' games are subject to ejection from the league without refund. We value our league and its players’ time; we consider this unacceptable.

LEAGUE CANCELLATION/RAINOUT:

Gr rec sports seasons normally run 7-weeks long. We also include a one-week buffer in-between seasons in case there is severe weather, and any rescheduling needs to take place.
in the case that any games are missed, those games will be added to the end of the schedule.
League games may be cancelled due to many reasons, flooded fields, dangerous weather conditions, facility constraints, etc.
GR Rec Sports and its staff always make our best effort to play all scheduled games - we won’t cancel games until absolutely necessary.
If games are cancelled, gr rec sports staff will reach out immediately to inform all team captains via text. (in some cases, if staff isn’t already at the fields and away from the computer, we can email the entire league).
if any game is over halfway completed (30-min+) and the game must abruptly end (due to lightning or other dangerous acts of God) the final score will be recorded as the score of the last full inning. (Excluding championship, if there is time left, we will try and make up the remainder of the game on a later date.)
IF THE GAME ENDS BEFORE THE 30-MIN MARK, THE GAME DOES NOT COUNT IN W/L STANDINGS, BUT we will record the "POINTS for" (Pf) and "points against" (PA) to the standings. (These scores will be taken from the last full inning, making it fair so both teams had the same number of at-bats.
If a regular season game (weeks 1-5) is cancelled, we will move that week to the end of the season and utilize week-8 (the buffer week). However, if a playoff week is cancelled, week-8 will be used to make up those games instead and the previously rescheduled regular season week, resulting in a shortened schedule. We will always do our best to give the players all 7 games, but in extreme circumstances, when there are 2+ weeks of cancellations we may not be able to fit all games into our season window.

PRIZES and end-of-year awards:

The league will have an end of year awards banquet for all players after the final game of the year!

League Champs will receive:
1. Their team’s name forever engraved on our league trophy.
2. some swag (either championship t-shirts, water bottles, individual trophies, hats, hoodies, etc.)
3. A gold “Champion” badge on your profile.
4. a gold "champion trophy" badge printed on their next season’s jersey.
5. pride - who doesn’t love that feeling.
special awards and prizes that other league members/teams may receive:
1. Badges – we award badges for: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, social champions (5th place), Most Social Team & Player, biggest 'bar stars', & championship MVP.
  1. cy young award - best pitcher of the year. (chosen by the league statistician).
  2. Hank Aaron Award - best hitter (chosen by the league statistician).
  3. gold glove award - best defender (chosen by the league statistician and umpire).
  4. Clemente award - extraordinary character and social player of the year. (chosen by our umpire).
  5. Louisville slugger award - most homeruns in a season. (earned via stats).
2. free grand rapids gold basketball tickets for an entire team.
All league members will receive:
1. a dry-fit custom designed jersey.
2. memories & pictures that will last a lifetime.

Lastly

IF your full TEAM is expected to miss THEIR GAME, PLEASE LET A STAFF MEMBER, umpire, or photographer KNOW, OR CONTACT THE LEAGUE before the game starts:

EMAIL: contact@grrecsports.com

call or text (616) 485-9046.

Nobody likes wasting their time and money; this simple gesture will go a long way!

IF ALL PLAYERS ON THE ABSENT TEAM FAIL TO INFORM THE LEAGUE; A “NO-CALL NO-SHOW” BADGE may BE GIVEN TO ALL PLAYERS ON THAT TEAM.