The following items apply across all divisions unless otherwise addressed in divisional rules:

• There will be no protests on judgment calls by umpires. For any protest/question due to a rule’s clarification, play should be stopped and addressed immediately with an Officer on Duty. If play continues, the protested issue will be considered resolved and will not be revisited.
• Home teams take the 1st base dugout; visiting teams take the 3rd base dugout.
• Games can start with only 8 players and be considered a regulation game. The 9th batter is skipped and not counted as an out. If additional players arrive after the start of the game, they are added to the end of the batting order.
• Application of time limits depending on the division and season of play.
• A continuous batting line-up is used during regular season and playoffs so every player present will bat.
• For divisions with a pitching circle in play, on/touching the line is considered inside the circle.
• Umpires (Minors, Majors, Intermediate, Juniors). In the event a League-supplied umpire is not available for a game, the home team shall coordinate one or more umpires. The umpire(s) can be either team’s manager or coaches, or any other adult. If the manager or coach umpires, an additional coach will be permitted on the field. Note that volunteer forms must be submitted, and background checks completed by the League, for any non-player before they are permitted on the field.
• If it is the first game of the night, home team is responsible for uncovering the mound and the visiting team is responsible for adjusting the bases for Intermediate games if it has not already been done.
• If it is the last game of the night, the home team is responsible for covering the mound and the visiting team is responsible for resetting the bases to 60’ from Intermediate games.
• After entering the batter’s box, the batter must remain in the box with at least one foot throughout the at bat. (Refer to Rule 6.02c as a local league option)

Exceptions:
1. On a swing, slap, or check swing.
2. When forced out of the box by a pitch.
3. When the batter attempts a “drag bunt” in Baseball [or attempts a “slap” or “slap bunt” in Softball]
4. When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball.
5. When a play has been attempted.
6. When time has been called.
7. BASEBALL: When the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher’s plate after receiving the ball or
the catcher leaves the catcher’s box. SOFTBALL: When the pitcher leaves the eight-foot circle or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box.
8.On a three-ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.

Penalty: If the batter leaves the batter’s box or delays play and none of the exceptions apply the umpire shall warn the batter. After one warning on a batter, the
umpire shall call a strike. Any number of strikes can be called on each batter.