2023 MCLL Caps Rules
1. Before starting a game, each team must have at least seven players. Teams may “borrow” players from the opposing team in order to field 9 players on defense. The “borrowed” players play the outfield and shall consist of the final “outs” of the opposing team the previous inning.
2. Length of games shall be 1 hour 45 minutes from the actual start of the game (not scheduled start time) or six innings, whichever occurs first. No new inning will be permitted to begin after 1 hour 45 minutes has elapsed. Home team manager will be responsible for time-keeping of the game.
3. One-half inning will end once 5 runs have scored or 3 outs have been recorded, or the lineup bats once through the order whichever occurs first.
4. There shall be free substitution of all players in Caps Division. A player shall not sit out more than two consecutive innings. No player shall sit out more than one defensive inning until all players have sat out a minimum of one.
5. Every eligible player shall be in the batting lineup. All players shall bat in order, regardless of which players were in the field the preceding half-inning. The batting order shall not be altered during a game unless a player cannot continue to play (due to illness, injury, etc.), in which case, that player shall be removed from the batting order until such time the player is able to re-enter the game. A player re-entering the game shall return to the same place in the batting order. No out will be recorded for a player failing to bat due to illness/injury. If during the at-bat,
the batter is unable to continue due to illness/injury, the last player making an out (assuming said player is not currently on base for any reason) will assume the count of the batter who can’t continue until the at-bat is completed.
6. Any manager who desires to bench a player for disciplinary reasons must notify the Board of Directors.
7. The Infield Fly rule shall not apply.
8. No base-stealing is allowed. Runners may not advance on a wild pitch, passed ball, or overthrow by the catcher to the pitcher.
9. The maximum number of players allowed on defense is 9, including the catcher. The maximum number of players in the infield is 6, including the catcher.
10. All outfielders must be positioned at least 10 paces onto the outfield grass when the ball is pitched or delivered. After the ball has been hit, players can then play the ball as needed.
11. Runners may advance on a batted ball, at their own risk, only to the base they are proceeding to when an infielder takes possession of the ball and does not attempt to make a further play.
12. An overthrow is defined as any ball thrown from one fielder to another that is not caught or fielded cleanly by the receiving fielder. On an overthrow to any base, all runners may advance, at their own risk, to the base they are proceeding plus one additional base.
13. Any Caps baseball player that plays up into Minors will no longer be eligible to play Caps baseball. This would include practices and games.
14. The base coach and pitching machine operator will officiate the game.
a) First base coach will be responsible for all calls at first base and fair/foul calls for the right field line.
b) Third base coach will be responsible for all calls at third base and fair/foul calls for the left field line.
c) Pitching machine operator will be responsible for all calls at second base and home plate.
d) In the event of a conflict, both team managers will confer to make the final decision. If managers cannot agree, then the home team manager will make the final call, and the Board of Directors will be notified immediately following the game.
15. Conduct in the dugout shall be in accordance with the following rules:
a) There must be at least one approved coach in the dugout at all times.
b) There will be no food, gum, or sunflower seeds in the dugout.
16. No official score shall be kept.
17. Caps PITCHING MACHINE ADDENDUM
The following special rules will be in effect before and during games in the Caps Division in which the pitching machine is used. All other rules and regulations remain in effect.
a) If prior to or during a game, the pitching machine becomes inoperable (power outage, etc.), coaches will pitch the remainder of the game, overhand either sitting on a bucket or kneeling on one/both knees.
b) A batter will be allowed five hittable pitches in order to hit a fair ball. The coach operating the pitching machine will determine if the pitching machine delivered the ball in the strike zone. A strikeout is recorded if/when:
(1) The batter receives five hittable pitches.
(2) The batter has swung at three pitches and did not make contact on the third swing.
(3) If a batter fouls off the fifth pitch, the at-bat continues until the batter swings and misses a pitch, is put out, or reaches base safely.
c) The pitching machine shall be operated by coaches only.
d) A batted or thrown ball that makes contact with the pitching machine or comes to rest in the pitching circle is a dead ball, and base runners advance only to the base to which they are proceeding. A batted ball will be scored as a single.
e) The pitcher will be positioned to the first base side of the circle, adjacent to the rubber with one foot in the circle of the mound when the pitch is delivered. Note: players must never pass in front of the pitching machine.
f) The pitching machine shall be set at 40 mph.