THE FALL BALL FINALE – OFFICIAL RULES
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PAYOUTS
• 1st Place: Cash payout based on number of teams plus the Home Run Jackpot (all $2 home run payments).
• 2nd Place: Entry fee refunded.
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GENERAL GUIDELINES
• NO METAL CLEATS – Absolutely prohibited.
• Arrival Time: Teams must arrive 45 minutes prior to scheduled game time.
• A 10-minute grace period will be allowed. Failure to start after that results in a forfeit.
• Warm-Ups: Field 3 is available for warm-ups. Please use it ahead of time to ensure games begin promptly.
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TOURNAMENT FORMAT
• Game Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• No new inning after time expires.
• Drop-dead stop if the home team is up and winning.
• Double Elimination Format.
• Home Team: Coin flip determines home/away each game.
• In the championship: the unbeaten team picks home/away for Game 1. Coin flip for Game 2 (if necessary).
• No Team Jumping: Once your team is eliminated, you are done for the day.
• ASA/USA Bats Only.
• Any team caught using an illegal bat will forfeit that game.
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PITCHING RULES
• Pitch Arc: 6’–10’ arc.
• Strike Zone: Plate and mat.
• Positioning: Pitcher may pitch behind the rubber within the circle.
• Motion:
• Must come to a complete stop before pitching.
• No pump fakes or through-the-legs motions.
• No quick pitching; must be one continuous motion to the plate.
• Safety: Wearing a helmet is recommended.
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BATTING & BASE RUNNING
• Lineup Format: Must alternate male/female batters (7:3 gender ratio).
• Count: 1-1 count; third-strike foul is an out.
• Female Batter Courtesy: Females get one courtesy foul with two strikes.
• Walk Rule:
• If a male batter is walked on 3 straight pitches without a strike before a female batter, he advances to second base.
• The female must bat unless there are 2 outs – then she may choose to hit or take first base.
• EH/DH Rules:
• Up to 11 hitters allowed; the 11th can be male.
• If batting 12, one EH must be a female.
• Courtesy Runners:
• One per gender per inning.
• Pitchers may also have a courtesy runner.
• Does not need to be the last out.
• If the runner is on base when it’s their turn to bat, it’s an out.
• Base Running:
• Runners may leave the base on a swing.
• No leading off, no stealing, and no bunting.
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FIELDING RULES
• Must have at least 3 females on the field at all times.
• 5-man infield is allowed.
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HOME RUNS
• Unlimited Home Runs – $2 each after the first.
• First home run each game is FREE.
• If a player hits a second home run without paying, it counts as an out.
• Teams may prepay for home runs.
• Unused prepaid home runs do not carry over to the next game.
• All home run funds go to the winning team in addition to their cash prize.
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MERCY RULE
• 20-run lead after 4 innings
• 15-run lead after 5 innings
• 10-run lead after 6 innings
• No Mercy Rule in the championship game (unless one team forfeits).
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