Oxford Recreational
Baseball Association
First Year Pitch Division Rules

The Oxford Recreational Baseball League Rules will be used whenever any of the following do not apply. The Michigan High School Rules will be used whenever these or the league rules do not apply.

Eligibility/Batting Order

1. All boys and girls showing up for the game will bat in the order submitted at the beginning of the game.

2. All players on the team must bat.

3. Failure to field at least seven players will result in forfeiture.

4. A defensive team will consist of no more than ten (10) players. The team will have no more than six (6) infielders including pitcher and catcher. Outfielders must be positioned at least six (6) feet behind the edge of the infield.

5. A player will be called out if he/she misses a turn at bat unless he/she has been permanently removed from the game. A player is not considered permanently removed the game until the manager has notified both the home plate umpire and the opposing manager.

6. Each player must play at least six (6) outs in the field. No restrictions may be placed on this rule.

7. Defensive players, other than the pitcher, may be freely substituted at any time during a game.

Playing field

8. The field of play consists of sixty (60) foot baselines and a forty-six (46) foot pitcher's rubber to homeplate.

Length of Game/Inning

9. All games will start at 6:00. A game will consist of six (6) innings of play or two hours, thirty minutes whichever comes first. At least four complete innings must be played (regardless of time limit), to constitute an official game.
 

10. Mercy rule - If a team leads by fourteen (14) runs or more at the end of the fourth inning (3 1/2 if home team is winning), twelve (12) runs 4 1/2 innings, that team shall be declared the winner and the game is complete.

11. The inning stops at the conclusion of play when the tenth (10th) run scores in that inning. Any run scored on that play counts (i.e., it is possible to score up to 13 runs).

Baserunning

12. The infield fly rule does not apply in this division.

13. A runner may steal from first to second and from second to third.  A player may only steal one base at a time.

14. A runner may not lead off bases. The runner may not leave a base until the ball has crossed home plate.  If a runner leaves early, the umpire will call a dead ball.  All runners will return to their bases.  One team warning will be issued.  If it happens again, the runner will be called out.

15. No stealing home ever. A runner may only advance from third base to home if the ball is hit or, if with bases loaded, the batter receives a base on balls.

16. A runner may not advance past first base after receiving a base on balls (i.e., player cannot steal second base on a walk).

17. Any base runner who deliberately collides with a fielder shall be called out. The only contact that is approved is if the runner is sliding.

18. Play is stopped when a runner makes a motion to return to base and the pitcher has possession of the ball in the mound area. Play is stopped if the player remains stationery for five (5) seconds.

19. A player will be called out if he/she runs outside of 3ft on either side of the line of path to avoid a tag.

Batting

20. A player will be called out if he/she throws the bat (no warnings).

21. If a player swings on the third strike, he/she is out and may not advance to first base.

22. Each bat shall be:

A. Two and three quarter (2 3/4") inches in diameter or less

B. Thirty-six (36") inches in length or less

 

Injury

23. In the event of an injury, play is stopped immediately. The umpire will determine placement of any runners who are on base at the time of stoppage of play.

Pitching

24. A player may pitch no more than six (6) innings in a calendar week (Monday through Sunday).

25. A player may not pitch more than six (6) innings in any consecutive three-day period.

26. Innings pitched in games declared "no contest" or "regulation drawn game" shall be included in the pitcher's eligibility for that week.

27. A player may not pitch more than three (3) innings in any one game.

28. There is no limit to the number of pitchers (other than eligible players) that may be used in a game.

29. If a pitcher:

A. throws one (1) pitch, he/she is charged one third (1/3) of an inning.

B. is pulled after one (1) out but before two (2) outs = one third (1/3) of an inning

C. is pulled after two (2) outs but before three (3) outs = two thirds (2/3) of an inning

D. throws three (3) outs = one (1) full inning

34. Six (6) warm up pitches for pitchers per inning and replacement pitchers