If a ball is caught on one bounce, it's an out.
If a ball is caught off a foul tip, either on the fly or one bounce, it's an out.
Balls caught on the fly or one bounce by anybody (players from either team, spectators, etc.) are outs.
If the ball is caught on the fly, you cannot tag up and advance. If a ball is caught on one bounce, runners may advance at will without tagging up.
A ball is determined fair or foul based on where it first strikes the ground. It does not have to pass first or third base to be considered fair.
No overrunning first base. If you overrun the base, you can be tagged out.
Balls and strikes were not usually called in 1860. The hurler's job is to pitch balls that the striker can hit. The defense is supposed to put out the striker, not the hurler.
The umpire's word is the law! Only the team captain is permitted to speak to the umpire, who is always addressed as "sir." Any arguing with the umpire, profane language, or ungentlemanly conduct is punishable by a 25 cent fine.
We strive to stick as closely to the 1860 rules as we possibly can. At times, the playing field or other conditions may force us to bend the rules just a bit.
The 1860 rules in detail, as established by the National Association of Base-Ball Players on March 14, 1860 are listed below in italics. Rule interpretations and modifications made by the ATVBBL are in bold.
The ATVBBL uses the 1870's white lemon peel ball as sold by K & P Weaver. We have found that this is a well-produced ball that holds up well for a number of games. It has to take quite a pounding over a long time before it falls apart.
Effective 2015/2016 season, the ATVBBL will no longer allow the use of cupped bats in league play.
Sec. 3. The bases must be four in number, placed at equal distances from each other, and securely fastened upon the four corners of a square, whose sides are respectively thirty yards. They must be so constructed as to be distinctly seen by the umpire, and must cover a space equal to one square foot of surface. The first, second, and third bases shall be canvas bags, painted white, and filled with sand or sawdust; the home base and pitcher's point to be each marked by a flat circular iron plate, painted or enameled white.
The ATVBBL has set the ideal length between bases at 80 feet. This may be adjusted depending on which field we are playing on at the time. Some fields we play on may be little league or softball fields, which are set up for 65-75 foot base paths. In situations where placing first base 80 feet from home plate would put the base in the outfield, the base paths are shortened. On the rare occasion where a game is played on an actual professional field (such as Warren Ballpark in Bisbee), the full 90 foot base paths are used.
Since we usually play on city park baseball or softball fields, we do not use a "flat circular iron plate" to mark the pitcher's point and home plate. We simply use whatever markings already exist on that field.
Sec. 5. The pitcher's position shall be designated by a line four yards in length, drawn at right angles to a line from home to the second base, having its center upon that line, at a fixed iron plate, placed at a point fifteen yards distant from home base. The pitcher must deliver the ball as near as possible over the center of the home base and for the striker.
We usually just mark off a distance 45 feet from home plate and have the pitcher deliver the ball from there. We rarely mark of the distance with a line, and never use a fixed iron plate.
Whether a ball is fair or foul depends on where it first touches the ground. It does not have to pass first or third base first. So if it hits fair just inches in front of home plate, then immediately bounces foul, it's a fair ball.
A ball that bounces off of a player in foul territory and then bounds fair shall be a fair ball as long as it is deemed by the arbitrator that the player did not hit or swat the ball fair.
The striker may only run to first if it is not already occupied by a runner.
The ATVBBL does not follow this rule because of the confusion it creates for the striker, fielders and arbitrator.
Sec. 12. Or, if three balls are struck at and missed, and the last is caught, either before touching the ground or upon the first bound.
Again we do not use this part of rule 12 because of the confusion.
Note how it does not say the ball must be caught by an opposing player!
The "first bound" is the first time the ball touches the ground. So if the ball deflects off another object (fence, wall, tree, etc.), or a player, it can still be caught on the fly for an out. If it touches the ground after hitting an object or a player, it can still be caught off the first bound for an out.
On a caught fly ball, runners may not tag up and advance.
On a bound out, runners are free to advance at will. They do not need to tag up.
After a foul tic, once the pitcher is in possession of the ball, play is live again. Runners who are slow getting back to their bases may be picked off.
We rarely have a striker's line. Any position within the modern batter's box is okay.
The ATVBBL has adopted a rule the no striker shall be allowed to intentionally bunt the ball. If the arbitrator deems that a striker has bunted intentionally, the striker will be called out and it will marked on the tally as a dead man.
If a runner behind a force play is put out, the force is not removed from the runner in front of him. For example, if there's a man on first, and a ground ball hit back to the pitcher, who then throws to first to put the batter out, there is still a force play at second. The runner can be put out if the ball is thrown to the second baseman and he just tags the base.
The rules say nothing about leading off or stealing, and rules regarding this vary from club to club across the country. The ATVBBL has decided not to allow lead-offs or stealing.
The batter leading off the next inning is the batter after the player who made the third out, not necessarily the next in batting order. For example, if there's a man on first with two outs, and a ground ball is hit to short, who tosses it to the second baseman for the final out, then the player in the batting order who is immediately after the runner who was put out at second leads off the following inning.
On days where a team plays multiple games, games will be seven innings long.
The ATVBBL allows up to a maximum of three substitutes per team. Substitutes must be in good standing with the league, in that they must have a signed waiver on file and be current on league dues. Players who arrive late because of unforeseen circumstances will be allowed to replace a substitute.
A team must be able to field 8 men on the field in order to be an official game. If a team is unable to field 8 players within the 15 minute grace period allowed (section 35) by the league, a forfeit is declared.
Sec. 28. The umpire shall take care that the regulations respecting balls, bats, bases, and the pitcher's and striker's positions, are strictly observed. He shall keep record of the game, in a book prepared for the purpose; he shall be the judge of fair and unfair play, and shall determine all disputes and differences which may occur during the game; he shall take especial care to declare all foul balls and baulks, immediately upon their occurrence, unasked, and in a distinct and audible manner.
Umpires will usually start calling balls and strikes after the 4th pitch, however, it's a rare thing when an at bat in an ATVBBL game even gets to the 4th pitch. The striker will be awarded first base after the fourth called ball.
Teams are permitted to bring players to try-out for one weekend of regular season game play. Try-outs are prohibited during playoffs or tournament play. Teams must already have 9 paid league rostered players in the game (Excluding try-out player(s)). Captains must declare the try-out player(s) prior to game play and must obtain and maintain a signed waiver for ALL try-out players. All league fees must be paid and player must be added to league roster prior to any future game play.
Minimum age of player in the ATVBBL is 12 years old.
Courtesy runners will be allowed in case of a medical/injury reason only.The courtesy runner will be the person with the last recorded out.
All ballists must bat in the lineup, Defensive changes are not limited. Ballists unable to bat due to injury may be removed from the lineup without penalty. They may no longer play a defensive position.
The First and Third maintainers must be within two strides of their sack in Fair Territory and may position themselves to the front, side or rear of their sacks. The Second maintainer must be within two strides of their sack and may be to the front, rear or sides of their sack. The Gardener's must be positioned in the middle of the sacks with the center Gardner in line with second sack, this is their neutral positions. The Gardener's may adjust forward or backwards depending on the ability of the striker but cannot be passed the maintainers, when adjusting for a striker and they must remain in their neutral positions. Once they have adjusted for the striker they can not move until the striker hits the ball. The Rover can position themselves anywhere in the field of play, either in front of the maintainers, the hurler, either side of the infield, or in the outfield and this is the only player that may move while the hurler delivers the ball and does not have to wait for the ball to be struck. The rover however cannot position themselves in foul territory before the striker hits the ball.
This is a No glove league. Exceptions allowed, will be limited to the First Maintainers and the Hurler, glove should be a slap down type or a farmer type looking glove. No batting gloves or modern type gloves will be allowed on the field of play. All other players must play bare handed, no exceptions. However, we do encourage that no player wear a glove as they did not have gloves during the 1860s. Gloves are subject to board approval.
Bats: The bat must be round, and must not exceed two and a half inches in diameter in the thickest part. It must be made od wood, and may be of any length to suit the striker. Logos must be sanded of or painted over. NO FUNGO BATS ALLOWED!
Baseballs: The ball must weigh not less than five and three-fourths, nor more than sixes ounces avoirdupois. It must measure not less than nine and three-fourths, nor more than ten inches in circumference. It must be composed of indian-rubber and yarn, and covered with leather. An allotment of league approved game balls will be provided to your team captain at pre-season meeting.
All players must have the same vintage style uniform for your team. League minimum uniform is allowed as a substitution. New recruits must wear the league minimum while waiting on their team uniform.
Absolutely NO shorts or jeans allowed. All uniforms shall be the same style for the entire team.
All cleats/turf shoes should be black in color. Any modern logos should be blacked out and not visible.
No steel spikes allowed, no exceptions, plastic spikes or turf shoes only.
ALL Prescription sunglasses will be allowed.
1. No plastic or wrap around frames. All frames must be metal\wire.
2. No mirrored or reflective lenses allowed.
In general, if any piece of equipment gives a player an extra advantage, it is unwelcome in an ATVBBL match, even though it may conform to the rules laid out in 1860.
The following code of conduct applies to all players, representatives and volunteers associated with the ATVBBL.
* I will learn the rules of the game and follow them within the traditions and customs of 1860's base ball with the best of my ability.
* I will treat the arbitrators and volunteers with respect.
* I will bring problems or game play protests to the attention of my team captain for immediate resolutions.
* I will not criticize other teams or their players.
* I will not use unsportsmanlike conduct.
* I will uphold all the rules and regulations of the ATVBBL.
* I will not deliberately incite unsportsmanlike conduct.
* Foul language will not be tolerated.
* I will cleanup after myself and my team and respect all property of others and the facilities for which we play.
* I agree to adhere to the language uniform and equipment policy as written.
As in the true spirit of 1860's base ball, players and cranks (fans) may be fined 25 cents for spitting, scratching, swearing or acting unsportsmanlike. Incurred fines must be paid before game play resumes.
I understand that violation of the code of conduct may result in ejection from the game play at the discretion of the arbitrator and/or ATVBBL officer. I also understand that blatant disregard of the code of conduct or multiple violations may result in an official review by league officers and suspension or permanent removal as an ATVBBL participant. No refunds will be given for league dues.