Baseball Regulations

BSB i The BUCS Baseball Championships shall be conducted in accordance with the following BUCS sport specific regulations, the BUCS general regulations, and the relevant edition of the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules as defined and amended by British Baseball Federation (BBF) in the BBF Senior Handbook current as of 1 September of the BUCS season.

BSB ii In the event that these regulations contradict the BUCS general regulations, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.

BSB iii In the event that these regulations contradict the relevant edition of the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules as defined and amended by British Baseball Federation (BBF) in the BBF Senior Handbook current as of 1 September of the BUCS season, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise. 

BSB iv The gender eligibility criteria for the BUCS Baseball Championships will be determined as per REG 4.3.

BSB 2 Equipment Helmets are required for all batters, base runners and coaches. To ensure quality of competition, all matches should be played with equipment that adheres to the guidelines for bats, balls, and other mandatory equipment in the BBF Senior Handbook current as of 1 September of the BUCS season. Footwear must have studs or soles capable of traction in usual playing conditions, protective equipment must not be damaged and must be adequate for the task, and protection is mandatory for catchers. 

BSB 3 Squad size The maximum squad size for each match shall be 26 players, however institutions/Playing Entities with multiple teams should be aware of REG 11.1 (Team selection). The minimum squad size for each match shall be eight players, however teams with only eight players shall have an automatic out enforced for the missing 9^th player at the point at which they would be due up to bat.

BSB 4 Substitutions A substitute may take the place of a player whose name is in their team’s batting order. The following regulations govern player substitutions:

BSB 4.1 The manager or team representative of the team making the substitution shall notify the Plate Umpire at the time the substitute enters. The Plate Umpire shall then report the change to the scorer. Any defensive change involving the pitcher or catcher must be reported to the Umpire.

BSB 4.2 A substitution must take place only when the ball is dead. The manager or team representative must immediately notify the Plate Umpire before the substitution is made. The substitute is not legally in the game until a pitch has been thrown or a play has been made. The Plate Umpire will notify the scorer of the change.

BSB 4.3 Any substitute who has entered the game but has not been reported to the Umpire becomes an unreported substitution. There is no violation if the manager, coach, team representative or the player in violation notifies the Umpire prior to the offended team’s appeal.

BSB 4.4 A player will not violate the illegal player rule until a pitch, legal or illegal, or a play made. The use of an illegal player is handled as a protest by the offended team while the player is in the game.

BSB 4.5 Illegal Players include:

1. Illegal Pitcher: A player who returns to pitch after being removed from the pitching position by the umpire.
2. Illegal Re-entry: Occurs when: A starting player returns to the game a second time after being substituted for twice; a starting player returns to the game, but is not in their original position in the batting order; and/or A substitute returns to the game a second time after being replaced twice.

BSB 4.6 So called “courtesy runners” for the catcher, where a temporary and unlisted runner replaces the catcher on base with two outs in an attempt to speed up the game, are permitted. The replacement runner shall be the hitter that preceded the catcher in the lineup. If this player is on base, then it shall be the hitter that preceded them, etc. If the catcher has reached base with less than two outs, the catcher must remain as the baserunner until two outs have been recorded, at which point the courtesy runner will replace the catcher at whichever base they occupy when the second out has been recorded.

BSB 5 Designated Hitter Rule Rule 5.11 (a) of the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules shall apply to all BUCS Baseball fixtures. This means a designated hitter may bat for the pitcher.

BSB 6 Lineup cards In addition to teams completing BUCS Team Sheets (as per REG 11.2), teams are responsible for completing Lineup Cards to be presented ahead of the match starting. Although Digital Scorecards are acceptable as per BSB 7.7, Lineup cards must still be physical copies.

BSB 7 League specific regulations

BSB 7.1 The baseball diamond must be either grass, dirt or artificial grass (3G or 4G) and dimensions should comply with the BBF Playing Field Standards as defined in the BBF Senior Handbook current as of 1 September of the BUCS season. Portable pitching mounds with sloping sides are permitted to be used. It is the responsibility of the first named (home) team when confirming the fixture (note REG 9.5) to advise the opposition team and all match officials of the playing surface, whether a portable pitching mound will be used, and on any footwear restrictions (note REG 9.3.3).

BSB 7.2 The field of play should be booked for a minimum of three hours and 30 minutes per match, allowing for a 30 minute setup and warm up on the field and three hours of match time. 

BSB 7.3 Matches shall be played over seven innings or three hours, whichever comes first. No new inning should start after two hours 45 minutes. The last inning is not run limited and therefore needs to be called to fit in with the time limit.

BSB 7.3.1 It may be possible for a match to be tied after the last, open inning. If this is the case and if the match cannot continue to the point of conclusion due to field booking availability, both teams will receive one league point. For the avoidance of doubt, any extra innings will start with a runner on 2nd base as per the relevant edition of the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules as defined and amended by British Baseball Federation (BBF) in the BBF Senior Handbook current as of 1 September of the BUCS season.

BSB 7.4 Match officials Match officials should be appointed as per Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’).

BSB 7.4.1 Institutions/Playing Entities can contact BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) to request support with sourcing officials, however, as per REG 10.2, it is the responsibility of the first named (home) institution/Playing Entity to arrange all appropriate match officials.

BSB 7.5 There will be a 7-run limit per inning – apart from the last scheduled inning.

BSB 7.6 All balks should be called to ensure consistency, however where there is the opportunity to warn a player and or educate players about balk situations before they happen and or are material, this should be taken.

BSB 7.7 Scorecards Both teams should keep a scorecard during the match, agreeing the running score at the end of each half-inning and the final score at the end of the match. Teams should keep copies of all scorecards until the end of the season. Digital Scorecards are acceptable, but as per BSB 6, lineup cards must still be in physical format.

BSB 7.8 League points

BSB 7.8.1 Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.

BSB 7.8.2 Where a forfeit has been awarded/conceded (REG 13), three points shall be given to the non-offending team and three points deducted from the offending team.

BSB 7.8.3 No points will be awarded to either team in the case of a void fixture.

BSB 7.9 Calculating final league positions Final league positions will be primarily based on league points accumulated. However, should there be any ties on points within a league, they shall be split by the following sequential system:

BSB 7.9.1 A team tied on points who has conceded at least one voluntary walkover shall automatically be placed below any other tied teams who have conceded fewer voluntary walkovers. If a tie still exists, then BSB 7.9.2 or BSB 7.9.3 shall be followed as applicable.

BSB 7.9.2 Tie between two teams

BSB 7.9.2.1 Where two teams are tied on league points, the result between the teams will be the determining factor in placing one team above the other. Where fixtures are played on a ‘home’ and ‘away’ basis, the aggregate score of the two (or more) matches will determine the higher placed team. If this does not determine the higher placed team;

BSB 7.9.2.2 Runs data shall be used as per BSB 7.9.2.3 – BSB 7.9.2.4. If the tie on league points has been effected by any walkovers conceded to either of the teams or any void fixtures, all the relevant results against the team(s) which conceded the walkover(s) or the team(s) involved in the void fixtures (i.e. all the results between the teams tied on league points and the team(s) conceding the walkover(s)/void match(es)) will be removed from the results table and the recalculated runs data shall be used.

BSB 7.9.2.3 The team with the higher runs difference shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;

BSB 7.9.2.4 The team with the higher number of runs scored shall be deemed the higher placed team.

BSB 7.9.2.5 If the higher placed team cannot be determined from the system above, then this shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the BUCS Executive.

BSB 7.9.3 Tie between three or more teams

BSB 7.9.3.1 Where three or more teams are tied on league points, a 'mini league' table shall be formed to calculate the higher placed team from the results between the relevant teams using the following sequential system:

BSB 7.9.3.2 League points accumulated. If a tie still exists;

BSB 7.9.3.3 The team with the higher runs difference shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;

BSB 7.9.3.4 The team with the higher number of runs scored shall be deemed the higher placed team.

BSB 7.9.3.5 If the higher placed team cannot be determined from the system above, then this shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the BUCS Executive.

BSB 8 National Championship knockout competition specific regulations

BSB 8.1 BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) shall organise the National Championship knockout competition on behalf of BUCS.

BSB 8.2 BUCS/BSUK shall communicate any competition specific requirements, rules and regulations to teams which qualify for the National Championship on an annual basis.

BSB 8.3 Disputes at events In line with REG 7.7, should a dispute occur at an event, the event appeal panel for Baseball shall comprise of the Tournament Director and/or a BUCS Staff Member.