IM Whiffleball Rules

1. Sportsmanship - All teams engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct will be removed from the tournament IMMEDIATELY at the discretion of the IM Department! Because of the confined nature of the game and unique umpiring setup, fans and players watching games must refrain from commenting on calls. Failure to comply will result in removal from the park or facility!

2. Umpiring- The Umpires will have the final decision on calls.  Disputed calls of rule misinterpretation will be settled by the Supervisor

3. Equipment - All bats used in league play must be IM Department issued. All shoes must be flat-soled (no cleats, turf shoes, or shoes with ridges, heels or exterior arches).

4. Rosters - All teams must have five players on their roster. Each team shall have five players in the game at all times.

5. Players in a game - Teams unable to field four players, at any time, for any reason, will forfeit any games scheduled at that time.

6. Substitutions- may be made, however once a player leaves a game, that player may return to the same game for the substitute in the same place in the lineup.

7. Pitching - All pitches must be slow and have an arc on them. No sidearm pitching will be allowed. The batter may ask the pitcher to slow pitches down. Balks are legal. The pitcher must have one foot on, and one foot in front of the rubber when the ball is released.

8. At bats - There will be no balls, walks (see next rule), or called strikes. Batters may strike out swinging (including fouls before the third strike). Batters may choose not to swing at any pitch. Hit batters will not advance. One-handed batting will not be allowed.

9. 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.

10. No infield fly rule will be in effect.

11. Stealing first - Batters may not steal 1st base after the catcher drops strike three.

12. Stealing home and leading off - Base runners may not lead off of Runners on first and second may leave their base after the batter makes contact with the ball.

13. Pegging - Fielders may throw the ball at runners. Runners struck below the neck will be out. Runners hit below the neck with a thrown ball, which first hits any player, a base, or the ground first, will be out.

14. Home runs - All balls hit on to the track will be homeruns.  

15. Extra innings - Each team will begin its half of all extra innings with two outs. The last batter from the previous inning, (whether finished with his, or her at bat), will go to 3rd base and the next batter will bat first.

16. Mercy rule - If at the end of 3 innings,any team leading by 15 runs or more, the game will be over. If the home team leads by 15 or more runs at end if 2 1/2 innings, the game will be over.

17.  Players must have a valid ID to enter the Huston Huffman center.