These rules are being reviewed for the 2007 season.  A final copy will be provided to all teams before the season beings.

1. All players must be members or should attend a service at the church they are playing for at least once a week. Two churches may combine to form a team providing they turn in one roster and meet the criteria explained in the following rules. In the event extra trophies are needed, they can be purchased at cost.
2. To be eligible to play in the tournament, all players must play in no less than three (3) games during the regular season. All rosters must be turned in to the eligibility committee before your first game is played on June 3, 2007.
3. Players must be fourteen (14) years of age before June 1, 2007 to be eligible to play in this league.
4. Games are played on Sunday afternoons between 1:00 & 5:00 pm at the church park in Elrod. If needed, make up games may be scheduled on a Saturday. Time of evening service and distance teams travel will be considered in the game schedule. Any changes in schedule will be made and enforced by the scheduling committee. For latest updates, please check the website at http://www.wbc-elrod.org
5. Games will end after seven (7) innings or after a one (1) hour time limit, unless to finish an inning or break a tie.  A fifteen (15) run rule applies after four (4) complete innings.  A ten (10) run rule applies after five (5) complete innings.  The plate umpire must call time out and inform the coaches of both teams when either of these rules are in effect before the inning affected is played.
6. No female pitchers
7. The safety (orange) base is used at 1st base.  The white base is in play, the orange base is for the hitter running to first base only and is out of play.
8. Base stealing is not permitted
9. A pinch runner may be used anytime during the game only after the scheduled hitter attains 1st base.  Only one (1) person can pinch run for any scheduled hitter as needed during the game as long as he or she is not already in the line-up turned in prior to the game.  Gender has no bearing on this rule.
10. Any player taken out of the game may re-enter at anytime at any position on the playing field providing they remain in the same slot in the batting order turned in at game time.
11. No metal cleats; no outlaw bats – refer to ASA bat list or consult the Rules Committee.
12. Male and female players must alternate in the batting order
13. You must be able to field a team with eight (8) players, two (2) of which must be female, up to one-half of the team.  Teams may have eleven (11) hitters including the DH while playing ten (10) fielding positions.
14. Teams have a ten (10) minute grace period to field a team or are forced to forfeit the game.  Due to the time limit, no game will be played unless make up games can be scheduled.  This scheduling will be determined by the coaches of the affected teams and the home plate umpire.
15. All batters will be accessed a “one and one” count upon entering the batter’s box.
16. A player will be “out” if hit two fouls with two strikes against them.
17. When a male batter receives a base on balls or is intentionally walked and the batter behind him is a female, she can choose to take a walk or hit.  If she chooses to walk, the male batter will be awarded 1st and 2nd base.  If she chooses to hit, he will only be awarded 1st base.
18. The strike zone will be limited to a 3’/12’ pitch crossing any part of the home plate and/or hitting the black area of the back-side of home plate.  No flat pitches or “moon balls” will be called strikes.  The plate umpire has discretion in this rule.
19. The on-deck circle will be clearly marked; the on-deck hitter should remain in the circle until play is called.
20. Home team will be determined by the flip of a coin before the start of each game (if not so designated on the schedule).
21. Umpires will be scheduled for each of the games or each series of games in advance.  They are volunteers and should be treated with respect.
22. Only coaches have the right to question calls made by the umpires!
23. Any church wishing to enter two (2) teams in the league, may do so providing they can turn in two (2) full rosters and providing there is an opening in the schedule.  Rosters cannot be mixed.  The entry cost is $175 for one team, $300 for two teams.
24. All teams will pay each other at least once before the tournament in August.
25. There is a dress code – shorts must approach the knee; no tank tops; no crop tops!

Thanks - and have a great season!