TBL RULES

 

Official Rules:Forward

We recognize that many nonleague organizations Play their games under different rules and we are happy to provide our rules for everyone. Burby has not only maintained its name as the official Game of urban Toronto but it also has become an international game being played in more than 100 countries. The popularity of the game will only grow so long as it’s managers, players and officials respect the discipline of its code of rules.

 

1.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE GAME 

 

-Due to time constraints and arms falling off we play seven inning games with two outs an inning. 
 

-A maximum of three players are allowed on the field of play. One pitcher and two fielders. Playing with 2 players is not allowed. You must have at least 3 players in order to make a game official. 
 

-officiating is based on the honour system. A batter on deck and the pitcher will call balls and strikes. If there is an argued call then it is a re-pitch.

-in the case of extra innings, if the game goes to 13 innings then the 14th inning will start with a man on 2nd base. The 15th inning will start with the bases loaded. Every inning after that will have the bases loaded. 
 

- if the ball ticks off the bat and goes in the box it is still deemed a foul. If a player claims he has ticked the box and the ump doesn't hear it then another witness must back up the tick call. This is an honour system call and should not be abused. 

 

-hits will be determined by the length that the ball travels off the bat. Markers signify a single,double,triple or homerun. 

 

Box Size 

-the dimensions of the Burby box should be 26height x26 width. The managers should make sure the box is as close  to this size before a game starts. 

 

1.1 HITTING

Advancement of runners

-base runners will advance according to probable situations ex. A man on second is brought home by a double.A man on third base is sent home on a single. 

 

Hits past the Pitcher

-anything hit past the pitchers line with no bounce is considered a hit. If the ball hits the pitcher and continues forward then it is a hit. If the ball hits the pitcher and stays in front of the line then it is deemed a foul.

 

-a ball that hits the ground and is caught on one forward bounce is deemed an out. That ball can be caught  on one bounce beyond the pitchers line. 
 

-a pop up before the pitcher must be caught and not let to bounce. If the ball hits the ground then it’s considered a foul unless the first bounce is past the pitchers line. 

 

Errors

- if an error occurs then the batter still gets the appropriate hit depending on where the ball lands. The pitcher is not charged a hit or possible run. The error must be agreed upon by the person who commits it.

 

Crowding the Plate

-a batter must  make an attempt to avoid getting hit by a pitch if you are not swinging. If a batter lets the ball hit him and it should have been a strike then the ump will issue a warning. If that player crowds the plate again at any time during the season then it's called a strike. 

 

Wasting Time at The Plate

 

A batter should not consistently delay the game in between pitches in order to throw off the rythym of the pitcher. This is considered poor form and may result in a bitch slapping. 

- the pitcher also must give the batter enough time to settle in to the box. 

 

 

Fair Ball

-a ball hit down the line is fair as long as it bounces in bounds first and past the pitchers line. 
 

-if the ball hits a tree in bounds and then goes out of bounds then it is a fair ball. A ball can’t hit a tree out of bounds and then come back into fair play. 

 

-the ball is fair game for a catch if it hits a tree in bounds or out of bounds and is not let to bounce. 

- A ball can be caught out of every tree if it comes back up onto the field. The only place where you are not able to catch a ball off the tree is at Guildwood Yards.

 

- A ball may not be caught off a fence or leaves that are attached to the fence. It is then deemed a triple.

- If the ball hits a player and that player touches the fence and he does not catch the ball then it is a triple.

 

1.2 PITCHING

 

 

- In the Kings Conference a team must have at least 2 pitchers play in a game. The max innings in a 7 inning game is 5 with the other pitchers accounting for 2 innings. If the game goes into extra innings then the 5-2 pitch combo resets to 5-2. 

- in The Premier Conference a pitcher is allowed to go the full 7 innings. It's recommended however to have back up pitchers in the game.

- A starting pitcher must go at least 4 innings to get the win unless all other pitchers provide the same or less innings than the starter and that team is in the lead throughout the game.  Ex. Starter goes 3 Reliever goes 3 and the closer goes 1.
 

- A pitcher cannot be pulled mid inning in a game more than 2 times. Once he is pulled twice then he can't pitch again in that game. You can still rotate freely the pitchers at the beginning of each inning.
 

- A save opportunity can be had with at most a 3 run lead per inning. Ex 3 run lead going into the 7th. 6 run lead going into the 6th. In order to gain a save you need to finish the game. You cants earn a save and a win in the same game. A pitcher can't create his own save situation. If he enters  in a non save situation and gives up runs,  then he is not eligible for a save regardless of the lead total at the end of the game. Conversely if a pitcher enters a game in a save situation and his team creates a much larger lead then he is still in line for the save as long as he closes the game out.