BMSPL Rules FAQ
A collection of frequently asked questions about our rules. Email us to add to this list.
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Do I have to wear a current league shirt to my game? (General Rule 2a)
Wearing a current year league shirt is a requirement for two reasons. First, it helps us ensure that only registered players are playing in the league games. And second, it helps ensure that league sponsors/partners (logo on the back of the shirt) are being correctly recognized for their support.
What happens if there is no time to play a full 7 innings? (General Rule 4a,4b)
Each game should last no more than 75 minutes to allow later games on the schedule to start on time. In cases where the 7 full innings cannot be completed within the allotted time, captains should be calling ‘last inning’ for any inning that begins with less than 15 minutes remaining on the clock. Both captains should be on the same page about calling last inning. If the top and bottom of the last inning are not completed before the 75-minute mark the last inning will not count and the score will revert to what it was before the inning began.
Who decides if the base runner is safe/out or if a ball hit was fair/foul? (Regular Season Rule 1a, 1b)
BMSPL games are not umpired; so 1st and 3rd base coaches are responsible for calling runners safe or out on the bases and can play a huge role in having a fair and fun game. Base coaches are to be provided by the batting team and anyone acting as a base coach should be comfortable making quick, decisive and impartial play calls. The 1st base coach is responsible for the play calls at 1st base and at home plate. The 3rd base coach is responsible for play calls at 3rd base and 2nd bases.
Catchers are responsible for loudly and decisively calling balls fair or foul. Using fair/foul hand signals is also recommended especially if catchers voice does not carry. As a reminder for our catchers, if a ball is hit in the air it is where the ball lands that determines if it is fair or foul and a ball landing on the foul line is considered a fair ball.
What is a safe line? (Regular Season Rule 3c)
In the BMSPL, the base runner should never touch home plate and doing so is an automatic out. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of both the base runner and the catcher. To be considered safe at home, base runners need to run across the safety line, which is a line traced from the edge of home plate to the adjacent fence. The home team captain is responsible for tracing the safety line at the start of each game, and the catcher should refresh the line as required throughout the game.
Note, tagging the runner at home is NOT necessary at home plate even when not a force play.
The catcher needs only to have the ball and touch the plate before the runner crosses the safe line.
What is an intentional leadoff? (Regular Season Rule 3f)
This is a popular question. First, let’s describe an accidental leadoff; when the base runner lifts their foot off the bag but it comes back down directly on the bag, this is considered an accidental leadoff. The deciding factor here is where the foot lands after it comes off the bag. So what is an intentional leadoff? When the base runner lifts their foot off the bag and it lands anywhere other than directly back on bag.
As an infielder, can I charge past the baseline before the batter makes contact? (Regular Season Rule 4d)
No. Infielders must stand on or behind the baseline until the batter makes contact or the ball crosses home plate.
Who is responsible if interference occurs on the base path? (Regular Season Rule 4d)
Both base runners and defensive players have a responsibility to avoid collisions or interference on the base path. Intentional or carless interference is not permitted by either player. That being said, the base runner is ultimately responsible for avoiding contact with the defensive player. Why? Because the base runner should have the opportunity to look ahead to where they are going and see/avoid colliding with the fielder, whereas the defensive player is typically looking at the ball and not the runner.
There is no fence at my diamond, what if the ball rolls past the line? (Regular Season Rule 5d)
Balls rolling past the home run line are considered ground rule double. Outfielders should loudly and decisively call a ground rule double when it occurs to avoid confusion with infield players who may not see the ball cross the line.
When is a ball considered out of bounds?
Any ball hit outside the field of play is out of bounds and will be considered a dead ball. For example, a foul ball hit beyond the backstop/fence on either side of the field is out of bounds and if caught will not result in an out. On certain fields the fence does not extend the full length of the diamond however crossing the fence line will still be considered out of bounds.
If a player carries a ball past the fence line into out of bounds territory after a catch, intentionally or unintentionally, the batter remains out but base runners will be awarded one base due to the fielder carrying the ball out of bounds.
Are batters required to stand in the batters box when hitting?
Yes. ‘Happy Gilmore’ swings are not permitted. This is described as the batter taking several steps (or stutter steps) out of the batters box prior to making contact with the ball. This type of swing is not allowed and will result in an automatic out
What is the rule regarding spares??
Teams that are short handed can recruit spares using the BMSPL spare requests page. In order to reduce games that are missed due to forfeit, teams can recruit as many spares as needed to get them to 8 total players, the minimum required to play. Any additional spares (if a team wants to get to 10 players or more) must be approved by the opposing teams captain. For TOURNAMENTS, the same spare rules apply however teams must have MINIMUM 6 of their own players or the game will be considered a forfeit. For more information see Section 3 of the rules: Player Spares.
Wearing a current year league shirt is a requirement for two reasons. First, it helps us ensure that only registered players are playing in the league games. And second, it helps ensure that league sponsors/partners (logo on the back of the shirt) are being correctly recognized for their support.
What happens if there is no time to play a full 7 innings? (General Rule 4a,4b)
Each game should last no more than 75 minutes to allow later games on the schedule to start on time. In cases where the 7 full innings cannot be completed within the allotted time, captains should be calling ‘last inning’ for any inning that begins with less than 15 minutes remaining on the clock. Both captains should be on the same page about calling last inning. If the top and bottom of the last inning are not completed before the 75-minute mark the last inning will not count and the score will revert to what it was before the inning began.
Who decides if the base runner is safe/out or if a ball hit was fair/foul? (Regular Season Rule 1a, 1b)
BMSPL games are not umpired; so 1st and 3rd base coaches are responsible for calling runners safe or out on the bases and can play a huge role in having a fair and fun game. Base coaches are to be provided by the batting team and anyone acting as a base coach should be comfortable making quick, decisive and impartial play calls. The 1st base coach is responsible for the play calls at 1st base and at home plate. The 3rd base coach is responsible for play calls at 3rd base and 2nd bases.
Catchers are responsible for loudly and decisively calling balls fair or foul. Using fair/foul hand signals is also recommended especially if catchers voice does not carry. As a reminder for our catchers, if a ball is hit in the air it is where the ball lands that determines if it is fair or foul and a ball landing on the foul line is considered a fair ball.
What is a safe line? (Regular Season Rule 3c)
In the BMSPL, the base runner should never touch home plate and doing so is an automatic out. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of both the base runner and the catcher. To be considered safe at home, base runners need to run across the safety line, which is a line traced from the edge of home plate to the adjacent fence. The home team captain is responsible for tracing the safety line at the start of each game, and the catcher should refresh the line as required throughout the game.
Note, tagging the runner at home is NOT necessary at home plate even when not a force play.
The catcher needs only to have the ball and touch the plate before the runner crosses the safe line.
What is an intentional leadoff? (Regular Season Rule 3f)
This is a popular question. First, let’s describe an accidental leadoff; when the base runner lifts their foot off the bag but it comes back down directly on the bag, this is considered an accidental leadoff. The deciding factor here is where the foot lands after it comes off the bag. So what is an intentional leadoff? When the base runner lifts their foot off the bag and it lands anywhere other than directly back on bag.
As an infielder, can I charge past the baseline before the batter makes contact? (Regular Season Rule 4d)
No. Infielders must stand on or behind the baseline until the batter makes contact or the ball crosses home plate.
Who is responsible if interference occurs on the base path? (Regular Season Rule 4d)
Both base runners and defensive players have a responsibility to avoid collisions or interference on the base path. Intentional or carless interference is not permitted by either player. That being said, the base runner is ultimately responsible for avoiding contact with the defensive player. Why? Because the base runner should have the opportunity to look ahead to where they are going and see/avoid colliding with the fielder, whereas the defensive player is typically looking at the ball and not the runner.
There is no fence at my diamond, what if the ball rolls past the line? (Regular Season Rule 5d)
Balls rolling past the home run line are considered ground rule double. Outfielders should loudly and decisively call a ground rule double when it occurs to avoid confusion with infield players who may not see the ball cross the line.
When is a ball considered out of bounds?
Any ball hit outside the field of play is out of bounds and will be considered a dead ball. For example, a foul ball hit beyond the backstop/fence on either side of the field is out of bounds and if caught will not result in an out. On certain fields the fence does not extend the full length of the diamond however crossing the fence line will still be considered out of bounds.
If a player carries a ball past the fence line into out of bounds territory after a catch, intentionally or unintentionally, the batter remains out but base runners will be awarded one base due to the fielder carrying the ball out of bounds.
Are batters required to stand in the batters box when hitting?
Yes. ‘Happy Gilmore’ swings are not permitted. This is described as the batter taking several steps (or stutter steps) out of the batters box prior to making contact with the ball. This type of swing is not allowed and will result in an automatic out
What is the rule regarding spares??
Teams that are short handed can recruit spares using the BMSPL spare requests page. In order to reduce games that are missed due to forfeit, teams can recruit as many spares as needed to get them to 8 total players, the minimum required to play. Any additional spares (if a team wants to get to 10 players or more) must be approved by the opposing teams captain. For TOURNAMENTS, the same spare rules apply however teams must have MINIMUM 6 of their own players or the game will be considered a forfeit. For more information see Section 3 of the rules: Player Spares.