League

18+ Men's Baseball

Minimum Lineup

Start with 8 players

Game Formats

7 or 9 innings

Equipment

Wood bats required

Statistics

Player stats due in 5 days

PrimeTime Baseball League Official Men's League Rules

Spring/Summer & Fall Seasons. Major League Baseball rules apply except where modified by the PrimeTime Baseball League rules below. League Directors and the League Commissioner retain authority to interpret and rule on situations not specifically addressed in these rules.

Rules DirectoryTap any section to jump directly to it

Official League Standard: Major League Baseball rules apply except where modified by PrimeTime Baseball League rules. League leadership retains authority to interpret situations not specifically addressed.

Rosters, Registration & Player Eligibility

All team rosters must be entered on the official League website by the team’s first game of the season.
All players must be at least 18 years old unless specifically approved by the League.
Every player must complete the PrimeTime Baseball League waiver before participating in a game.
A player must appear on the team’s official roster before entering a game.
Players may be added during the regular season until the roster/transaction deadline announced by the League.
Managers are responsible for making sure every player used in a game is properly rostered, age eligible, has completed the League waiver, and is otherwise eligible to participate.
The League may request identification or other documentation when necessary to confirm a player’s identity, age, roster status, or eligibility.
A player may play for only one PrimeTime team during the same season unless the player is formally released by the original team and the transfer is approved by the League Commissioner before the player participates for another team.
Teams may not borrow players from another PrimeTime team because they are short-handed.
All team registration fees must be submitted according to the League payment schedule.
Managers are responsible for checking official League communications for schedule changes, roster deadlines, playoff information, disciplinary notices, and other League announcements.

Playoff Eligibility

Fall Season – 10-Game Schedule

A player must record at least 10 Plate Appearances (PA) OR at least 8 Innings Pitched (IP) during the regular season.
A player does not need to meet both requirements. Meeting either requirement qualifies the player.
Defensive innings at catcher, infield, or outfield do not count toward playoff eligibility.

Spring/Summer Season – Approximately 20+ Games

A player must record at least 20 Plate Appearances (PA) OR at least 15 Innings Pitched (IP) during the regular season.
A player does not need to meet both requirements. Meeting either requirement qualifies the player.
Defensive innings at catcher, infield, or outfield do not count toward playoff eligibility.

Additional Postseason Requirements

All postseason players must be properly rostered before the League transaction deadline.
A postseason player must have participated during the regular season.
Players may not be added solely for postseason competition.
Each playoff team must have at least 10 qualified players unless the League grants an exception because of documented circumstances.
A team’s designated manager is automatically postseason eligible if identified as the manager before the season begins.
Assistant managers who wish to play must meet normal player eligibility requirements unless specifically approved by the League.
Before the postseason, the League may provide or publish a list of playoff-eligible players for each team.
Eligibility concerns should be raised before that team’s first playoff game whenever reasonably possible.
The League Commissioner may consider documented injuries, emergencies, or extraordinary circumstances.
Any playoff eligibility exception must be approved before the player participates.

Pregame Procedures

Each team is responsible for paying its share of the umpire fees before the game.
If only one umpire is present, the applicable one-umpire fee will apply.
Lineup cards must be provided to the home plate umpire during ground rules.
Lineup cards must include each player’s first and last name and uniform number.
Teams may use a 9-player lineup, a 10-player lineup using an EH, or a continuous/rotary batting order using any number of players up to the entire available roster.
An Extra Hitter (EH) may freely enter and leave defensive positions without affecting the batting order.
A Designated Hitter (DH) may be used for the pitcher only.
A pitcher may be listed as P/DH and may remain in the game as the DH after being removed as pitcher, or remain as pitcher after being replaced as DH.
Free defensive substitution is permitted at every defensive position except pitcher and does not affect the batting order.
Lineup cards and scorebooks should be completed in pen.

Starting & Continuing a Game

A regular-season game may begin with 8 players.
If a team starts with 8 players, the ninth batting position will be recorded as an automatic out each time that position comes to bat.
Once a ninth eligible player arrives, that player may enter the ninth position in the batting order.
A team may not continue a game with fewer than 8 eligible players.
A maximum 15-minute grace period may be used when a team has fewer than 8 players and is waiting for an eighth eligible player.
After the grace period expires, a team unable to field 8 eligible players is subject to forfeit.

Game Length & Time Limits

Single games are scheduled for 9 innings. No new inning may begin after 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Doubleheader games are scheduled for 7 innings. No new inning may begin after 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The game clock begins when the umpires are on the field and ground rules have been completed.
A team’s late arrival does not delay the start of the game clock.
Extra innings will use a runner at second base unless otherwise announced by the League.
Regular-season games tied when the time limit is reached may receive additional playing time when field availability permits.
The League may establish a specific extra-inning procedure for a season or event.
Postseason games may not end in a tie.

Baseballs, Bats & Uniforms

Each team must provide at least 3 new baseballs per game.
If additional baseballs are required, teams will alternate providing baseballs.
League-approved baseballs should be used. Previously approved models include Wilson A1010 Pro, Diamond D1-Pro, AD Starr 600 or 800 Professional, and Champro DML-100. The League may approve additional or replacement baseball models.
Wood bats are required. Any legal wood bat may be used unless specifically prohibited by the League.
Players participating in a game must be in a proper baseball uniform unless an exception has been approved.
Managers and coaches who are not playing are not required to wear a full baseball uniform but should wear appropriate team apparel.
Only rostered players, the manager, and up to 3 coaches are permitted in the dugout.

Substitutions, Injuries & Re-Entry

If a player becomes injured and legal substitutes remain, a substitute may enter the injured player’s position in the batting order.
If no legal substitutes remain, the last eligible player removed from the game may re-enter in the injured player’s batting position.
Re-entry is otherwise permitted only because of injury.
A starter may re-enter into the starter’s original batting position to replace an injured player.
A substitute may not re-enter after being removed.
If an ejection causes a team to fall below 8 eligible players, the game is subject to being declared over.
When a team is batting its entire available roster and a player is ejected without a legal replacement, that player’s batting position will be recorded as an out for the remainder of the game.

Courtesy Runners

One designated injured player per game may receive a courtesy runner.
The player requiring a courtesy runner must be identified during ground rules.
The courtesy runner will be the last recorded out.
With two outs, a courtesy runner will also be used for the catcher.
The catcher’s courtesy runner will be the last recorded out.
If the last recorded out is unavailable because that player is also designated for a courtesy runner, the previous eligible recorded out will be used.

Pitching & Mound Visits

One mound visit per inning is permitted.
The pitcher must be removed on the second mound visit in the same inning.
Relief pitchers are not required to face three batters.
A relief pitcher must face at least one batter or record an out before being removed, unless an injury or other umpire-approved circumstance applies.
Intentional walks may be issued verbally.

Batter’s Box & Pace of Play

Batters are expected to remain in or near the batter’s box and avoid unnecessary delays.
Once ready to hit, a batter should not repeatedly leave the batter’s box without a legitimate reason.
The umpire may grant time when appropriate.
Repeated or intentional delay by a batter may result in pace-of-play penalties at the umpire’s discretion.

Mercy Rule

7-inning game: 15-run lead after 4 completed innings.
7-inning game: 10-run lead after 5 completed innings.
9-inning game: 15-run lead after 5 completed innings.
9-inning game: 10-run lead after 7 completed innings.
The home team does not need to bat in the bottom half of an inning if already ahead by the required mercy-rule margin.

Forfeits

Teams are expected to make every reasonable effort to play scheduled games.
A team unable to field at least 8 eligible players after the permitted grace period is subject to forfeit.
One forfeit during a season will be reviewed by the League.
A second forfeit during the same season may result in postseason ineligibility.
Repeated, intentional, or avoidable forfeits may result in additional League penalties.
A team using an ineligible player will forfeit every game in which that player participated.

Sportsmanship, Conduct & Discipline

Good sportsmanship is expected from all players, managers, and coaches.
Friendly and good-natured baseball chatter is permitted.
Taunting, baiting, excessive trash talking, personal insults, threats, intimidation, antagonizing opponents or officials, deliberately attempting to provoke a confrontation, or behavior intended to escalate a disagreement into a physical altercation is prohibited.
Players, coaches, and managers may not continuously argue with, follow, ridicule, antagonize, or attempt to embarrass an umpire after a call has been made.
Depending on the severity of the conduct, an umpire may issue a warning or ejection.
All ejections are subject to League review. A $50 penalty may be assessed when warranted.
A player or coach may be suspended for one calendar year following a third ejection, subject to League review.
Threatening an umpire, player, coach, manager, or League official may result in a minimum 3-game suspension and additional League discipline.
Managers are responsible for helping control their players and coaches and may be disciplined when repeated misconduct occurs under their supervision.
Managers, players, and coaches are responsible for leaving fields, dugouts, and surrounding areas clean after every game.

Fighting

Fighting is strictly prohibited.
Any player, coach, or manager who throws a punch, participates in a physical fight, leaves a position or dugout to join a fight, or attempts to escalate an ongoing physical confrontation will be ejected and subject to a minimum 3-game suspension.
The League may impose additional discipline depending on the circumstances, including a longer suspension, suspension for the remainder of the season, postseason ineligibility, or removal from the League.

Alcohol, Drugs, Smoking & Vaping

Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited on the playing field and in dugouts.
Marijuana use is prohibited on the playing field and in dugouts.
Smoking or vaping is prohibited wherever restricted by the facility or municipality.
Violations may result in removal from the game, suspension, or additional League discipline.

Malicious Contact

A runner may not deviate from a direct path for the purpose of initiating contact with a defensive player.
An offensive player may not use purposeful or excessive force when contacting a defensive player.
Players are expected to avoid unnecessary contact whenever reasonably possible.
A catcher or defensive player may not illegally block a runner’s pathway without possession of the ball.
A fielder may occupy the runner’s pathway when necessary to field a throw and unavoidable contact results.
A player judged to have committed malicious contact may be called out, ejected, and subject to additional League discipline.

Slide Rule

A runner attempting to break up a double play must make a bona fide slide by making contact with the ground before reaching the base, being capable of reaching the base with a hand or foot, remaining within reach of the base, and not changing direction for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.
Roll blocks, raised-leg kicks above a fielder’s knee, grabbing a defensive player, throwing the upper body into a defensive player, and intentionally changing the runner’s path to initiate contact are prohibited.
When an illegal slide interferes with a double-play attempt, both the runner and batter-runner may be declared out.
Incidental contact during an otherwise legal slide is not automatically interference.

Ineligible Players

A player found to be ineligible may be suspended or otherwise disciplined.
A team using an ineligible player will forfeit every game in which that player participated.
A manager who knowingly used, or reasonably should have known that the team used, an ineligible player may be suspended.
Opposing managers and League officials may request proof of player eligibility, including age, identity, waiver completion, official roster status, or playoff eligibility.
An eligibility protest must be submitted within 24 hours after completion of the game unless the issue was resolved during the game.
A player suspended for the remainder of a season may be required to request League reinstatement before participating in a future season.

GameChanger & In-Game Scoring

Teams are expected to use GameChanger during League games to score the game and maintain an accurate running record of the score.
Managers should exchange GameChanger lineup information before the game whenever possible so both teams have the correct player names, batting order, and roster information.
GameChanger may be used during the game to track runs and score, batting order, hits and outs, pitching, player participation, and other in-game scoring information.
Teams are responsible for making a reasonable effort to keep GameChanger scoring accurate throughout the game.
GameChanger is an in-game scoring and tracking tool and does not replace the official League website.
All official player statistics used for standings, playoff eligibility, awards, and League records must be entered into the official PrimeTime Baseball League website.
Managers or their designated representatives remain responsible for entering complete and accurate statistics into the League website within the required reporting deadlines.
If there is a discrepancy between GameChanger and the official League website, the League may review the available scorebook, GameChanger record, lineup cards, and other documentation to determine the correct record.
GameChanger video, livestreams, or scoring information may not be used during a game to challenge or overturn an umpire’s judgment call. The League’s separate protest and video-review rules remain in effect.

Statistics & Game Reporting

Managers or their designated representatives must enter game scores and player statistics on the official League website following every regular-season game.
Game scores must be entered within 24 hours of the scheduled game start time.
Player statistics must be entered within 5 days of the official scheduled game start time.
Statistics entered on the League website are the official record used to determine postseason eligibility.
Failure to enter complete and timely statistics may result in players losing game credit or playoff eligibility.
Teams must accurately report only players who actually participated in the game.
Falsifying statistics, adding players who did not participate, or manipulating statistics for playoff eligibility may result in player disqualification, game forfeiture, manager suspension, fines, removal from postseason competition, or other League discipline.

Weather, Suspended & Official Games

A weather-shortened 9-inning game is official after 5 completed innings, or after 4½ innings if the home team is ahead.
A weather-shortened 7-inning game is official after 4 completed innings, or after 3½ innings if the home team is ahead.
A regular-season game stopped before becoming official does not count in the standings.
Statistics from an unofficial game do not count toward playoff eligibility unless specifically approved by the League.
A postseason game suspended because of weather or field restrictions will resume from the point of suspension.
The same lineup will remain in effect unless the League determines otherwise.

Standings & Playoff Seeding

Standings are determined by winning percentage.
If two or more teams finish with the same winning percentage, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head winning percentage.
The second tiebreaker is head-to-head run differential.
The third tiebreaker is overall regular-season run differential.
The fourth tiebreaker is fewest runs allowed during the regular season.
The fifth tiebreaker is most runs scored during the regular season.
If teams remain tied, the League may use a coin flip or League Commissioner determination.
If an unbalanced schedule or unusual circumstance makes a tiebreaker unfair or impossible to apply, the Commissioner may determine the most equitable method consistent with the intent of the League rules.

Playoff Field & Postseason Format

The number of teams qualifying for the postseason and the playoff structure will be based on the total number of teams participating in the League for that season.
The League may adjust postseason series length when necessary because of weather, daylight, field availability, or scheduling limitations.

6-Team League

The top 4 teams qualify for the postseason.
There is no Wild Card Round.
Semifinal matchups will be: No. 1 seed vs. No. 4 seed; No. 2 seed vs. No. 3 seed.
Semifinal series will be Best-of-3 unless otherwise announced by the League.
The two semifinal winners advance to the Championship Series.
The Championship Series will be Best-of-3 unless adjusted by the League because of weather or scheduling limitations.

Spring/Summer Option

When the League elects to use a 6-team playoff field, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds receive first-round byes.
Wild Card Weekend will consist of: No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed; No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed.
Wild Card games are single elimination.
After Wild Card Weekend, the lowest remaining seed will face the No. 1 seed.
The other remaining Wild Card winner will face the No. 2 seed.
Semifinals will be Best-of-3.
The Championship Series will be Best-of-3 unless otherwise announced by the League.

8-Team League

The League may qualify 6 teams for the postseason.
The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds receive first-round byes.
Wild Card Weekend will consist of: No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed; No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed.
Wild Card games are single elimination.
After Wild Card Weekend: The lowest remaining seed will face the No. 1 seed; the other remaining team will face the No. 2 seed.
Semifinal series will be Best-of-3.
The Championship Series will be Best-of-3 unless otherwise announced by the League.

12-Team League

The top 8 teams remain eligible for postseason play.

Play-In Game

The No. 7 seed and No. 8 seed will play a single-elimination Play-In Game.
The winner advances to Wild Card Weekend.
The loser is eliminated from postseason competition.

Wild Card Weekend

The No. 1 seed receives a bye through Wild Card Weekend and automatically advances to the Best-of-3 Semifinal Round.
Wild Card Weekend will consist of three single-elimination games: No. 2 seed vs. Winner of No. 7/No. 8 Play-In Game; No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed; No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed.
The three Wild Card winners will join the No. 1 seed in the semifinal round.

Best-of-3 Semifinals

The four remaining teams will be reseeded according to their original regular-season seed.
The No. 1 seed will face the lowest remaining seed.
The other two remaining teams will face each other.
Both semifinal matchups will be played as Best-of-3 series.

Championship Series

The two semifinal winners will advance to the PrimeTime Baseball League Championship Series.
The Championship Series will be Best-of-3 unless the League announces a different format because of weather, field availability, or scheduling limitations.

General Postseason Rules

Regular-season standings and the League's official tiebreaker rules determine playoff seeding.
The League will announce the official postseason bracket, dates, locations, series length, and championship schedule before the postseason begins.
Higher seeds will receive any applicable byes and seeding advantages described in the postseason format.
Wild Card and Play-In games are single elimination unless otherwise announced by the League.
After Wild Card play, teams may be reseeded so the highest remaining seed faces the lowest remaining seed.
The League Commissioner may adjust the postseason format when necessary because of weather, daylight limitations, field availability, scheduling conflicts, number of participating teams, or extraordinary circumstances.
Any postseason adjustment should preserve competitive fairness and reward regular-season performance whenever reasonably possible.

Protests

A protest may be filed only for incorrect application or interpretation of a League rule, or for player eligibility.
Umpire judgment calls may not be protested.
A rule protest must be announced when the disputed situation occurs.
The protesting manager should identify the rule believed to have been incorrectly applied.
The protesting manager must notify the opposing manager and home plate umpire before the next pitch or play whenever possible.
A protest resulting from a game-ending play must be submitted to the League on the date of the incident.
Video, photographs, livestream footage, GameChanger footage, or other recordings may not be used during a game to challenge or overturn an umpire’s judgment call.
The League may review recordings after a game for player eligibility, fighting, malicious contact, threats, ejections, serious sportsmanship violations, or other disciplinary matters.
Postgame video review will not be used to overturn an ordinary umpire judgment call.
The League Commissioner or designated League official will issue the final ruling on all protests.

Umpires & Fees

Teams are responsible for paying all applicable umpire fees.
Current umpire fees are $130 for a 9-inning game and $110 for a 7-inning game.
The League may announce updated umpire rates before or during a season when necessary.
If only one umpire arrives, the game will still be played and will remain official.
The applicable one-umpire fee will apply.
If a game is rained out and the home team fails to notify the umpire crew within the required advance-notice period, the home team may be responsible for travel or game fees.
If umpires arrive and the field is unplayable because the home team failed to properly inspect or report field conditions, the home team may be responsible for the applicable full umpire fees.

Roster Deadline & Postseason Verification

The League will announce a roster/transaction deadline for each season.
No player may be added after the deadline without written League approval.
Teams are responsible for reviewing their official roster and player statistics before postseason eligibility is finalized.
Once postseason play begins, players may not be added simply because a team is short-handed.
The League may consider an exception for documented extraordinary circumstances.
Any exception must be approved before the player participates.

League Rule Authority

PrimeTime Baseball League reserves the right to interpret, clarify, modify, and enforce League rules in the best interest of fair competition, player safety, sportsmanship, League operations, and field or facility requirements.
League Directors may rule on situations not specifically covered by these rules.
Managers are responsible for knowing the League rules and communicating them to their players and coaches.
Participation in a PrimeTime Baseball League game constitutes acceptance of League rules and disciplinary authority.