league_rules

Official Spanish Lake Mens League Indian Ball Rules

Introduction

The Spanish Lake Men's Indian Ball League was first established back in 1967,

played at Larimore Park in Spanish Lake, MO. Many ball players That started the

league are still around today. Playing men's softball or baseball on a full diamond

begins to take its toll on the ever aging body. Indianball provides a lesser demand

that allows individuals to play well into there middle ages.

What is Indianball?

Indianball is a game played with 4 teams, ideally 10-11 players on each team. There are no bases in Indianball, thoughfore the team batting doesn't need to run. Each game is played 9 (nine) innings, playing double innings. The field is shaped like pie using safety cone as boundary markers.The defensive team fields 6 (six) players, 2 (two) infielders, 2 (two) mid-fielders and 2 (two) outfielders. The offense bats its entire roster. Each team provides their own pitchers

The object is to either hit the ball pass the two (2) infielders on the ground or hit safely into the mid-field or outfield without being caught. Sounds easy enough right? Every hit is a single, every foul ball is an out, no homeruns, no strikes and no balls.

Terms and Definitions

1. Fielded Cleanly

This terms implies to the defensive infielders only. A ball is considered "Fielded Cleanly" when an infield catches the ball after the batter hits the ball into the ground with 1 or more hops, the infeilder may not bobble, trap or re-deflect prior to catching the hit ball. It must be caught in the web or palm of the glove or bare handed. This rule does not apply to "line drives" or "pop ups"

2. Dead Ball

A "Dead Ball" is when the ball was hit that did not make it pass the the 2 front cones (ref. to Line B) in the Field Dimensions

If the ball hits any part of the 1st cone it is considered a "Dead Ball" and the batter hit again.

3. Foul Ball

Any ball hit pass the 2 front cones (ref. Line B) outside the playing field is called foul and the batters out.

4. Line Drive

Balls hit with force that have little altitude and never hit the ground are considered "Line Drives".These hits do not have to caught cleanly.

5. Pop Fly

A "Pop Fly" or pop-up is a specific type of fly ball that goes very high while not traveling very far laterally. From the perspective of the fielder, pop-ups seem to come straight down. A fly ball is usually caught in flight and thus results in an out

6. Fly Ball

A "Fly Ball" or simply fly is a ball that is hit in the air, usually very high. Fielders attempt to catch fly balls on their descent.

7. Ground Ball

A "Ground Ball" or grounder is a batted ball that rolls or bounces on the ground.

8. Double Innings

A "Double Innings" is when the offense and defense plays (2) three out innings. After the first three outs are made, the runs are tallied and the bases are cleared, the team will start the second half of the double inning.

9. Rookies

First year playing in the league

Field Layout

The equipment manage is responsible for the laying out of the field(s)

Field dimensions are to as describe (see "Field Dimensions" above)

Chaulked or painted lines are permitted

Painted markers are permitted for future references

Draft Day

The four captains will draft players on the Sunday after St. Patrick's Day @ Larimore Park (weather permitting) or local sponsored tavern (time 11:00am.)

Order of draft is determined by the four names being drawn out of a hat

First captain name drawn picks first (1 player)

Second captain pick (1 player)

Third captain pick (1 player)

Fourth captain picks (2 players)

Third 1....second 1....first 2.... second 1....third 1.... fourth 2.... and etc.

Start of the Game

There will be no grace time prior to starting the game, all games are expected to start at the designated time.

Once the flip of the coin has decided which teams play, each team is expected to gather one's equipment and proceed to the field to begin play.

Captains toss a coin to determine home team

General rules

Three (3) out per inning

Each team will play double innings

Nine (9) innings per game (no extra innings, expect playoffs)

All hits are "singles"

A foul ball is an "out"

Any ball that doesn't cross the 11st set of cones is considered a "dead ball"

There will be no run or mercy rule in effect

Standings / Points

2 points awarded for a win

1 point for a tie

0 points for a loss

Team finishing (4) fourth in standings will do the BBQ at playoffs / picnic

Fielding

The maximum number of fielders playing at any giving time shall be no more than six (6)

The infield must have two (2) infielders at all times

Mid-field and outfield may be arranged at team discretion

The minimum number of fielders shall be no less than four (4)

A team may bat first with less than four (4) players, but must field at least three (3) prior to taking the field

Infielders must start in front of the 2 back cones (see ref. line A) and behind the 2 front cones (see ref. line B) prior to the ball being hit.

Once contact has been made, the infielder may move backwards to field the ball, crossing beyond ref. line A

An infielder may not cross ref. line B the field a ball, the ball must cross the line first

The infielder must field ground balls cleanly to be an out, any bobble, deflection or trapping will result in a base hit.

The fielder has the final decision in regards to a hit or an out

If a fielder touches a hit ball in fair territory and misses the ball knocking it foul, the batter is awarded a "hit"

A fielder touching a hit ball in foul territory, misses the ball knocking it fair, the batter is "out"

Any fielder arriving late must wait for a new inning to start before taking the field, unless agreed on by both teams

Batting

The team captain is responsible for making out the line-up, or may appoint a team player

The batting order may be change prior to completion, once everyone has batted the order may not be change until the game is over

Any players arriving late will be place behind the last batter in the line-up

A player may choose to bat only and elect not to play to field

All players must bat, unless prior agreements are made before the game or injuries prevent from doing so

The batter must watch the hit ball to determine fair or foul, batter has final decision

Any ball that hits the 11st cone is considered a "dead ball". The batter will bat again

Any ball hitting the 22nd cone is considered a "foul ball" The batter is "out"

There are no strikes or balls in the game

Every hit is a single

There will be no homeruns, triples or doubles

Any ball hit pass the first set of cones that stops is a hit

The back foot may not cross the front of the plate

Pitching

Each team will provide their own pitcher

Pitchers must pitch under handed to the batter, there are no speed or loft requirements

Pitchers must pitch outside the playing area at a safe distance

There will be no pitch count, a batter may take as many pitches needed

Once the ball has been hit, the pitcher may interfere with the ball preventing the ball from crossing ref.line B or from traveling into foul territory, any obstruction from a pitcher, the ball is considered dead

No pitcher is allowed to throw there glove at a hit ball

Playoffs

Payoffs start at 10:00am

New balls are used for each game

The team finishing 11st in league standing will receive a first round bye, thus advancing to the championship finals

The teams finishing in 22nd and 3rd place in the league standing will play one playoff game to determine which team advances to the championship finals

The championship games are played the best out of three

All regular league rules apply, with the exception of a tie after nine (9) innings

In extra innings each team will play single innings, if tied after 14 innings, each hit is then considered a run

Fourth place team should arrive early enough to begin BBQ (8:00-8:30am)

Miscellaneous

All rookies are required to clean-up any left over trash

All rookies must be present at "draft day"

All player fees must be paid in full on date set by league Treasurer

Any league fees not paid in full will be subject to their team forfeit 1 point each week, until paid in full

Any captain placing forth in league standings (2) two consecutive years will be ineligible the next year as captain

Captains Responsibility

Pick team on draft day