North Carolina Wiffle Ball League

Edition 1

1.01 The bases will be set at 50 feet apart.

1.02 The pitchers mound will be 40 ft from home plate

1.03 The strike zone will be 2 ft behind home plate.

1.04 The fence distance will be 90 ft to the corners and 110 ft to centerfield.
 

2. Teams and Rosters

2.01 A team must have at least 4 players present for league games.

2.02 Teams must produce a batting lineup before the start of each game.

2.03 Teams must have a player designated as the team captain.

2.04 Teams are not required to wear uniforms, but may provide their own uniforms.

2.05 Teams can only play a maximum of 4 players on defense. All other players must be used as extra hitters.

2.06 A player will not be allowed to play in any NCWBL event without a signed waiver form. Any player under 18 years of age, must have waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

2.07 Teams may be co-ed.

3.01 Games will be 7 innings. Extra innings will be allowed to settle a tied score.

3.02 All games, excluding the championship, will have a 1 hour 15 minute time limit.

3.03 Games will be played with the WIFFLE® Brand balls..

3.04 There will be 3 outs per inning, 3 strikes per out, and 4 balls to a walk.

3.05 Pitches that strike a batter will be called balls. The batter must at least try to avoid being struck by the pitch. If a batter leans into a pitch to gain a ball in the count the official may call it a strike instead. A batter struck in the head by a pitch will be awarded a walk.

3.06 Check swings will be called strikes. A check swing will be called if a batters front shoulder opens to the pitcher.

3.07 Leading off and stealing bases will not be allowed. Any of these will be called an out. The runner may not leave the base until contact has been made.

3.08 Peg-outs are allowed. If the runner is hit in the head without ducking, he is safe. The ball must hit the runner in the air for an out. If the ball deflects off one base runner and hits another base runner, both are out. A base runner may dodge the ball at any time, but must stay in the baseline.

3.09 If for some reason the ball shatters, the play is re-done.

3.10 Sliding will be allowed at players own risk.

3.11 Bunting is not allowed. This will be ruled an out and the ball is dead.

3.12 Substitutions may be made any time during the game. If a player is replaced by a substitute he/she may return to that same game as a substitute. However, players may not return to the same inning they were subbed out of unless injury is the reason for needing a substitute. Pitchers may stay in the game if a fielding player replaces them as a relief pitcher. A pitcher may be replaced at any time.

3.13 If the ball is thrown at a runner for an out and misses the play is still live.

3.14 If the ball is thrown at a runner for an out and hit’s the runner the play ends and all other base runners remain at the base the are currently occupying. If the base runner is trying to advance to the next base when a runner gets pegged, he must be at least half way to the base.

3.15 A fielder must catch the ball with both feet in play when attempting to rob a homerun. The fielder must keep both feet in play and maintain possession without stepping over the fence line in order for the catch to count. If the fielder makes the catch and steps over the line, the hit is ruled a homerun. A fielder may dive over the fence line and knock the ball back into play as well. If this is the case the ball is live and the fielder who knocked the ball back into play cannot be the first person to touch the ball.

3.16 Any ball that has been thrown and hits a fan will be a dead ball. Each runner moves up one base.

3.17 When the batter that is due up to bat is on base, an available player must take his place to run the bases while the batter takes his/her turn at bat.

3.18 Bats used in games can be: WIFFLE® Brand, Junkball Brand, or Easton (plastic). All others must be approved by an NCWBL Official.

3.19 A ground ball that rolls past the fence boundary is a live ball.

3.20 If bases are loaded and a ground ball is hit, a defensive player may throw to plate to get a force out by hitting the strike zone. If the player hit’s the strikezone the play is dead. If the player misses, the ball is still live.

3.21 The batter may not interfere with the pitch while in flight such as catching the pitch. This will be ruled as an automatic strike.

4.01

 An NCWBL Representative will official each game.

4.02

Arguing with the official will not be tolerated. All who do not abide by this rule are subject to ejection.

5.01

Fighting will not be tolerated. If a player is in a fight, that player will be ejected from the rest of the tournament or league.

6.01

There will be a 10 run mercy rule after 4 innings and a 15 run mercy rule after 3 innings. This can come into effect at any point after the 3^rd inning. If the visiting team is winning the home team must get their at-bat.

7.01

All other MLB rules apply.

8.01

9.01

Games may be called due to lightning, heavy rain or strong winds. In most cases, games will not be cancelled. Be prepared to play every game. The decision will be made by an NCWBL Official. You will be informed of any cancellations or delays by an NCWBL Official as well.