University of Chicago

Revised: Fall 2019

EQUIPMENT & TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

Teams may pick-up equipment (bases, bats and/or balls) at the IM Office (Ratner #139) on weekdays between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.  The office is not open on weekends, so equipment must be picked up by 6:00 pm on Friday for weekend play and returned on Monday.  Rental agreements AND a cash deposit are required for all equipment pick-ups.  One wiffleball, one wiffleball bat and a set of four bases requires a $40 deposit.  This deposit fee – which is fully refundable if all equipment is returned, undamaged, in a timely manner – is to ensure that the equipment is returned for other users and programs.  There is generally a 3-day limit on all "rentals".

Equipment Reservation Forms may be found online here.

PLAYERS

• A team consists of seven (7) players in the field. 
• A team may start and play with as few as five (5) players.
• Each team must field a catcher, regardless of the number of players present.
• Coed teams must have a minimum of 3 female players in the field (4 males maximum).  If only 2 females are present, the team will only be permitted to play with 3 males in the field.  Less than 2 female players will result in a forfeit.
• Teams must mutually agree on any deviations from these rules prior to the start of play. 

GAME PLAY

• A game consists of seven (7) innings or 60 minutes, whichever comes first. No new innings should begin after the 60-minute time limit has expired.
• Team captains shoot-it-out to determine home/away. 
• There is a ten (10) run limit per team per inning.
• During the regular season, extra innings will be played as long as time allows.
• During playoffs, extra innings will be played until a winner is determined.
• The fielding team is responsible for making calls at first and third base.  The kicking team is responsible for calls at second and home.  A team must designate one person responsible for this duty.

PITCHING

• Teams pitch to their own team members.
• A pitch can be overhand or underhand.
• Pitchers must not intentionally interfere with a batted ball and allow fielders to make a play.

BATTING

• All players playing in the field must also bat.
• All players present should be included in the batting order (not limited to only the players in the field).
• The batting order must be set prior to starting play and the same order kept throughout the game.  Late arrivals can be added to the end of the order.
• Coed teams should try to have no more than 3 consecutive males in the batting order.
• Batters receive 3 pitches to hit. If they fail to hit the ball fairly in 3 pitches, they are "out".
• A foul ball on the third pitch will be an "out".
• Bunting is NOT allowed.
• The ball cannot make contact with the ground before being hit.
• If a ball hits an object (wall, backboard, etc.) or the ceiling in fair territory, it's considered a live ball and can be caught on the fly for an out. 
• The infield fly rule will not apply.
• Homeruns are determined by the mutually-agreed upon ground-rules between captains prior to starting.

BASE RUNNING

• No leading-off or stealing bases. The runner can't leave a base until the bat makes contact with the ball.
• A runner is out if they are off the base in fair territory and struck by a batted ball.
• Base runners are responsible for avoiding all collisions with fielders and will be called out if this occurs.
• Fielders may not be in the base path or on a base unless they are attempting to make a play.   
• No Sliding.  Violation of this rule will result in the runner being called out.
• If the runner makes contact with a base and the base slides the runner is "safe" if it occurred before the tag or put-out.
• Once the pitcher has the ball back in the general vicinity of the "mound" baserunners that are in between bases may proceed (at their own risk) to the next base but no further.  Baserunners on a base when the pitcher receives the ball must stay at that base.