Intramural Wiffleball Rules

Each player must present a valid WSU ID before each contest to be eligible to participate - No Exceptions. 

Rosters

Teams consist of 5 to 6 players per team defensively, with a batting rotation of up to 6.  For teams that use 6 defensive players, one player must be a catcher.  Teams may play with as few as 4 players without forfeiting.

Duration

All games will be 6 innings (unless tied or mercy rule is necessary). Unless a game is tied, after 50 minutes, new innings will not be initiated. In the event of a tie game after both 50 minutes and the end of any inning, extra inning rules will commence.

Scoring

Mercy rule - If after the third inning, or at the end of any subsequent inning, a team leads by 15 runs or more, the game will be over. (If the home team leads by 15 or more runs after the top of the third or any later inning, the game will be over.) 

Safety Rule

It is important that players do not make contact with the curtain (you never know what’s on the other side of the curtain).  Therefore a warning will be given to a player that makes somewhat significant contact with the curtain, whether the player is on offense or defense.  A second incident will result in ejection. 

The Game

Fair and Foul Balls

• If a ball does not reach 1st or 3rd base the call will be made by the umpire
• Balls that go directly over 1st or 3rd base, but initially hit the ground in foul territory will be considered foul balls

Pitching

• The pitcher must have one foot on, and one foot in front of, the rubber when the ball is released. (No back-pedaling will be allowed during a pitch.)

Offense

• At bats - There will be no balls, walks (other than intentional), or called strikes. Batters may strike out swinging (including fouls before the third strike). Batters may choose not to swing at any pitch. Hit batters will not advance. One-handed batting will not be allowed for non-ADA players.
• No sliding will be permitted.  Any violation of this rule, other than accidental, will result in ejection.
• Bunting is not allowed.  If attempted, the batter is out.
• Base stealing is not allowed.  Runners may not leave their base until the batter makes contact with the ball
• Any ball hitting an overhead obstruction is a dead ball, causing the play to be over
• Base runners in contact with a base that are hit with a batted or thrown ball will be safe. Base runners between bases hit with a batted or thrown ball will be out.
• Once the game begins the batting order will not change.  Should this take place, the half inning is over.
• Replacement runners may be necessary at times to allow for the next person in the batting order to bat (should that person be on base).
• Substitutions may be made, however once a player leaves a game, that player may not return to the same game. Exception: If a player suffers an injury, a player who has previously left the game may re-enter that game as a sub.

Defense

• Defensive players are allowed to switch positions as they wish
• All plays at bases are considered to be force outs
• The infield fly rule will not apply
• Pegging - Fielders may throw the ball at runners. Runners struck below the neck will be out. If a player is hit in the neck or head, the player is not out (umpire discretion as to whether the runner lowered his/her head to cause the improper contact).
• Intentional walks - Each team may intentionally walk one batter per game (including any extra innings). The batter will go to first on the command of the pitcher. 
• Defensive players must not interfere with offensive players running the bases.  Unintentional contact will result in a free base (if preferred by the offensive team).  Intentional contact will result in either a warning (2 warnings equal an ejection) or an ejection at the discretion of the umpire.
• All defensive players must be in fair territory before the pitch (unless the defense chooses to use a catcher) and no one can play directly behind the pitcher
• Any thrown ball that misses the intended target is in play unless it goes well out of play, when a ground rule double will go into effect.

Home Runs

• Should a ball be hit over the padding on the wall in fair territory it will be considered a home run
• The batter and all base runners must touch all bases – in order – after a home run

Stalling

Teams suspected of stalling will be cited for unsportsmanlike conduct.  Teams will first receive one warning.  After one warning, stalling will result in a forfeit.

Extra Innings

Each team will begin its half of all extra innings with two outs.  The batter who made the last out in the previous inning will go to third base and the next batter will bat first.