2024 U15/17 SUBWAY STINGERS LEAGUE RULES

1.      Flip for home game. Team scorekeepers get together to share team lineups and check the score periodically throughout the game.

2.      Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.

3.      U15/17 pitching whip-pitch style (NEW for 2024). Orthodox pitching may be used at coach's discretion.

4.      Pitchers must wear a fielder’s mask. For all other players on defense a fielder’s mask is not mandatory. However, it is highly recommended, especially for infielders.

5.      Batters and base runners must wear helmets with full face shield.

6.      Pitching distance - 40’

7.      Base distance – 60’

8.      12” red dot optical ball.

9.      7 innings or a 1-hour 45-minutes time limit. Innings starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes will be declared the Last inning (see 12 below). A game can exceed 1-hour 45-minutes. Once an inning begins, it must be completed. At the start of game teams should note time and when it approaches 1-hour 30-minutes and you are not in the 7th inning, designate the next inning as Last inning.

10.  No mercy rule.

11.  5 run maximum/inning (other than Last inning).

12.  Run limit – Last inning:

-          if the visiting team is behind by 5 runs or more, they will be limited to the run differential plus 1 run;

-          if the visiting team is behind by less than 5 runs, they will be allowed to score a maximum of 5 runs;

-          if the visiting team is ahead, they can only score a maximum of 5 more runs;

-          if the home team is behind (or game is tied), they will be limited to the run differential at the start of their at bat plus 1 run;

-          if the home team is ahead before their at bat or at any time during their at bat, the game is considered over.

13.  If game is tied after 7 innings or Last inning, it will end as a tie.

14.  No limit on innings pitched, however coaches are encouraged to use more than one pitcher per game.

15.  10 players maximum on defense. Both teams must agree if game will be played with 9 or 10 players on defense.

16.  All players bat, order must remain the same throughout the game. Unlimited defensive substitutions.

17.  Stealing of 2^nd, 3^rd and home is allowed. Baserunner must not leave base until after the ball has left the pitchers hand.

18.  Passed balls: advancing and scoring is allowed on a passed ball.

19.  If a team is ahead by 10+ runs they are not allowed to steal bases, advance on passed balls or score on a passed ball.

20.  The infield fly rule is in effect.

21.  Bunting is allowed.

22.  Butterfly rule (catcher fails to catch called third strike) is in play. Batter may advance.

23.  When the team batting has 2 outs or 4 runs scored and the player designated to catch the next inning is on base the coach must substitute the last player available to bat as a replacement runner for the catcher. The runner replaced must then play the catcher position the next half inning.

24.  No player should sit more than 1 consecutive inning. Coaches should ensure that every player sits out one inning before any player sits out two innings.

25.  A player should not play the same position more than three innings per game.

26.  Each player should play an infield and outfield position in a game (unless safety is an issue).

27.  Coaches must play all players as equally and fairly as possible over the course of the season.

28.  The umpires decision is final.