PRE-GAME
A line-up card must be turned in to the official scorer no later than five minutes before the start of the game. The lineup card must show the batting order, the starting pitcher, and pitchers availability (who started the previous game)
Each team is allowed a maximum of three batters in the line-up but there can only be two players in the field (1 designated the pitcher, one the fielder). NOTE:If a team starts with two players in their line-up, they can only substitute, they cannot add a player to the lineup once the game starts.
There are no re-entries in the TCBL
Once a pitcher is taken off the mound he may not pitch again in that game
Pitchers cannot start consecutive games* on the mound. Also, the starting pitcher must pitch three innings in the game he starts. EXCEPTION: A pitcher may be relieved before the required three innings are complete if he is replace by a pitcher who meets one of the following criteria:
A)New pitcher did not start teams previous game
B)New pitcher does not start teams next game
C)The pitcher relieving has not pitched in two full days (EX: Pitched Monday and it is Thursday)
*A Pitcher who has had two full days of rest may start consecutive days. (EX:Tim Smith starts Monday and his teams next game is Thursday. He may start that game)
If starting pitcher is relieved before three innings he will be allowed to start the teams next game
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS RULE, AN INNING PITCHED WILL BE CONSIDERED ONE PITCH THROWN IN AN INNING. THIS WILL NOT SHOW UP IN THE STATISTICS
ON THE FIELD
GAME LENGTH: 5 INNINGS(extra innings will be played)
OUTS: 3 OUTS
BALLS AND STRIKES 3 BALLS 2 STRIKES (The first time three balls is reached on a batter, the count will "clear" back to 0-0...If the pitcher reaches three balls again a baserunner will be placed at first base while the same hitter remains at the plate...The count can only be "cleared" once to a hitter...(EX: Count is 3-0 to a hitter and the count is cleared back to 0-0. Pitcher "walks" the batter on three pitches and a runner is placed at first while the same hitter remains at the plate. If the Pitcher again reaches three balls the count would not clear and another baserunner will be awarded)...
***NEW RULE: With bases loaded the count-clear rule will again be in effect
THERE ARE NO HIT BY PITCHES IN THE TCBL...THE PITCH SIMPLY COUNTS AS A BALL
HITTING: Since bases are not run in the TCBL runner positioning is determined by the place in which the ball lands. If the ball lands over the fence the batter will be credited with a homerun. If the batted ball hits above the blue-line/gray bar in centerfield or falls between the green wood fence and regular screen fence the batter will be awarded a triple. If the ball hits the fence on a fly the batter will receive a double. If the ball's first bounce is on the red surface the batter will receive a single.
FAIR/FOUL: Works much the same as real baseball. The ball can roll from fair to foul and vice versa before it hits the fence. Once the ball hits the fence or is touched by a fielder it is established in that area. A ball hitting the netting down the left field line is automatically foul.
BATTED OUTS: Anything landing on the green of the tennis court will be an out. With runners on base a batted out will result in the runners remaining at their respective stations with the batter being out. The only exception to this is described in the hit and run section.
RUNNERS ADVANCING: The "runners" on base will advance an equal amount of bases that were batted. (EX: If a runner is on first and a double is hit the baserunner will now be on third) EXCEPTION: With two outs a runner will advance an extra base on all batted balls. (EX: A runner on first will go to third on a single)
**THROWING RUNNERS OUT: If with less than two out a runner is on second and a single is batted, the offensive team has the choice on whether or not to send the runner home. If they choose to send the runner with less than 2 out the outfielder of the opposing team will attempt to throw a ball into the strike-zone mechanism from the mound. If it is a strike the runner will be out, if the pitch is a ball the runner will score. With two out the outfielder must move to the farthest of the two lines and attempt to do the same. NOTE: This may only occur with a single and a runner on second. Runners on first or third during this are irreliavant and their advancement is not related to the play at the plate.
STEALING/HIT AND RUN: A team may decide to conduct a steal of second base. Before the pitcher begins his delivery the batter must declare that the runner is attempting by notifying the opposing pitcher. If the pitcher throws a strike the runner is out, if a ball the runner is safe. NOTE: The only base that can be stolen is second.
The hit and run will be conducted in the same manner. Instead of letting the pitch go by the batter may choose to swing at the pitch. If the pitch is struck the runner will advance one more base than the runner would normally advance without a hit and run being conducted. EX: A hit and run with a runner on first and a double struck will allow the runner to score). If a ball is grounded out the runner will go to second but the hitter will still be out. If the pitch is a strike reguardless of whether or not the batter has swung the runner is out. A ball will allow the baserunner to steal the base.
A HIT AND RUN CANNOT BE CALLED WITH TWO OUTS.
THE PITCH WILL BE COUNTED AS A BALL OR STRIKE ON A HIT AND RUN
RAIN/LIGHT POLICY: In the event that rain begins to fall during a league game managers along with the official scorer shall decide if the conditions allow the game to be continued. If a game is after three complete innings the last full inning will be counted as the last and the game will be considered official. If rain begins to fall on a game that is not yet offical or a game in which the score is tied, the contest will be continued at a later date from the exact spot in which the game was stopped. These same rules apply to if the lights shut-off. If a team is accused of stalling in order to bring on a rain-out or light-out, the accused will forfeit the evenings competition.
The TCBL mercy rule is 12 runs. Three innings must be completed before the mercy rule can be in effect.
FRONT OFFICE
Each team will designate a manager who will be incharge of providing a lineup card to the official scorer before the start of a game. Also the managers tasks will include managing the roster of his team.
RELEASING A PLAYER
Players that begin the season on a roster may not be released unless the player has been truant or detrimental to his team in some way. Each decision on the release of a player will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Commissioner's Office.
SIGNING A FREE-AGENT
A team may sign a free agent to fill the roster space to the maximum alloted three if these steps are followed.
1)The free-agent registers with the Commissioner's Office
2)The signing will not throw off the balance of the league
3)Commissioner and League Presidents provide their approval
A FREE AGENT MUST STAY WITH HIS TEAM FOR A MINIMUM OF EITHER 7 GAMES OR 10 DAYS
TRADES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED FOR THE 2002 SEASON
STATS
Most stats will be recorded exactly like statistics in the Major Leagues with some exceptions.
WINNING PITCHER: In order for a starting pitcher to be credited with a WIN the pitcher must throw three innings. If the pitcher is removed before the three innings have taken place the official scorer will determine the winner.
SAVE:If the pitcher enters the game and finishes it under one of these conditions:
A)The closing pitcher is not the winning pitcher
B)The closing pitcher enters the game with either the winning or tying run up or on-deck OR
C)The closing pitcher comes in the beginning of an inning with a three run lead
SAVES CAN BE TWO INNINGS LONG
