Apr 24 2026

2026 Rules

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OCSL League Rules & Regulations

Goal: Fun, fellowship, and exercise for our community. Competitive play is encouraged; animosity and poor sportsmanship are not.

📋 Pre-Game & Field Setup

  • Fees & Equipment: Each team must provide the umpire $30 and one brand new .52/300 restricted flight ball (league provided) before start time.

  • Bases: Each team should bring a set of bases to every game. A full setup requires 5 bases (including the scoring plate and double first base).

  • Field Maintenance: Both teams share responsibility for field prep (clearing puddles, etc.). The home team is responsible for the strike zone mat.

  • Base Distance: Bases should be set at 65’. If field constraints prevent this, captains and umpires must agree on a safe compromise.

  • Sportsmanship Moment: Before the first pitch, both teams gather at home plate. The home team will offer a brief word of respect, a greeting, or the Pledge of Allegiance to set a positive tone.

  • ⚾ Gameplay & Batting

  • The Count: All batters start with a 1-1 count (1 ball, 1 strike).

  • Foul Out Rule: With two strikes, a batter is allowed one additional foul ball ("one to waste"). A second foul ball after the waste results in an out.

  • Pitching: Arc must be 6’ to 12’ in a single motion (no fakes). Illegal pitches will be called while the ball is in the air.

  • Strike Zone: Any pitch landing on the plate or the mat (including the black perimeter strip) is a strike.

  • Inning Limit: There is a 10-run limit per inning, except for each team's final at-bat.

  • Slaughter Rule: 14 runs after 4 innings; 11 runs after 5 or 6 innings. Home team always gets a final at-bat.

  • 👥 Rosters

  • Players must be 18+ to play in a game

  • Max roster per team is 20 players. Names of players on the roster must be submitted to the league commissioner

  • Playoff eligibility: A player must play in a minimum of 6 games to be eligible for the playoffs. There are no exceptions to this rule. 

  • Scorecared Submissions: Captains must submit the Scorecard/Scorebook to the commissioner after every completed game during the season.

  • 🏃 Base Running & Substitutions

  • The Home Plate "Force-Out" Rule: To avoid collisions, all plays at home are force-outs.

    • The Commitment Line: Once a runner crosses the halfway line between 3rd and home, they must continue to the scoring plate.

    • Scoring: Runners must touch the secondary scoring plate (3ft to the right of the original plate). Touching the original plate does not count as a run.

    • Defense: The catcher must touch the original home plate while in possession of the ball. Tagging the runner is not allowed at home.

    • Sliding: Runners may slide into the scoring plate only. Sliding into the catcher's plate is an automatic out.

  • Courtesy Runners: Must be declared before the at-bat. The runner must be the last batted out. The hitter must stop at 1st base (unless the ball goes over the fence).

  • Substitutions:

    • Re-entry is not allowed. If a player is subbed out, they cannot return.

    • One pinch runner is allowed per game (must be someone not currently in the lineup).

    • If a player is injured mid-game and no sub is available, no out is assessed for that spot in the order.

  • ⚖️ Conduct & Equipment

  • Legal Bats: Must have a USA or ASA stamp. USSSA ("Utrip") bats are strictly prohibited. Using an illegal bat results in an automatic out.

  • Footwear: Steel spikes are prohibited.

  • Streaming Policy: Live streaming games is prohibited without the express consent of the opposing team AND the umpire. Violations result in a 3-game suspension for the first offense and a lifetime ban for the second.

  • Ejections: Ejections result in an automatic out in the lineup and a 1-game suspension. A second ejection results in a season-long ban.

  • Prohibited: Alcohol, profanity, and poor sportsmanship are grounds for immediate ejection.

  • 🗓️ Scheduling & Forfeits

  • Game Times: In Weymouth, games are at 6:00, 7:20, and 8:40 PM. Games must start on time to fit the 70-minute window.

  • Minimum Players: A team needs 8 players to play (may use a courtesy catcher). You may borrow a 9th player from another team to avoid a forfeit (they must catch and bat last).

  • Rainouts: Usually declared by 5:00 PM. 4.5 to 5 innings constitute an official game if called due to weather.

  • Forfeits: If a team has fewer than 8 players at game time, it is a forfeit. The umpire must still be paid by the forfeiting team.

  • Rescheduling: Use the group chat to reschedule. Changes must be made by 2:00 PM on game day.

  • Note: In the event of a dispute where no umpire is present, the batting team will make calls. We expect all captains to reach agreements in the spirit of cooperation that has defined this league for 31 seasons.

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