There rules apply to the style of Bad Ass Baseball.

All normal MLB rules apply if not mentioned, or dictated otherwise.

Blue font denotes new, modified or clarified rule for 2009

Hitting

H1:  Each batter is allotted 3 swings. If the third swing results in a foul ball, the batter is out and given a strikeout. All other combinations of 3 swings, that don’t result in a fair ball in play, are strike outs, except for rule H1a.

H1a: A third swing that results in a foul pop-up or fly ball, which is then caught, is still an out, but not scored as a strikeout.

H2: A hit ball must pass the pitchers' mound to be in fair play.

H2a: If an infielder stops the ball before it reaches the point of the mound, the ball is considered foul---even if the balls' momentum would have carried it past the pitcher.

H3: Stats wise, a hit is awarded to a batter regardless of an error or fielders choice.

The base the batter ends up is the base that’s marked for his hit.

(Example: Batter hits a groundball to third, the throw gets by the first baseman, and the runner ends up at third base. The batter is awarded a triple.)

H4: A fly ball that hits the erected fence, and ends up behind the fence without hitting the ground first, is a homerun.

Exception: If the ball pierces the plastic fence, literally breaking thru the fence, it is then ruled a ground-rule double.

H5: Any ball that goes under the fence or between its gaps, is ruled a ground-rule double.

H6: Any fouled off ball that is caught by the catcher is an out, regardless of the count or

height of the ball.

H7: If a ball is hit up the middle and the pitcher is hit or catches the ball for safety, the batter is not given a strike or pitch against him.

H8: Any ball clearing the fence between Foul lines is a homerun.

H9: No Pinch Hitting.

H10: No Softball bats. Only Aluminum or Wood baseball bats allowed.

Pitchers Hand

PH1: During a game, whenever a throw comes into the pitcher, the play is dead.

PH1a: Pitchers hand doesn’t take effect until the ball is at the pitcher.

PH1b: Any throw to the pitcher must still be accurate to some degree.

Just like any throw to any other fielder.

If a play is in dispute whether a runner is half way or not, but the throw to the pitcher was unrealistically catchable, the runner is awarded the base he was attempting.

Base Running

BR1: No tag ups on any fly ball, in any situation.

BR2: Any passed ball at first base or third base that ends up in a dugout or behind a fence, the runner is awarded one free base.

However, on a pass ball that stays within the field of play, the runner many advance as many bases, at his own risk.

BR3: A runner may run thru first base without risk of being off the bag and tagged out.

However, if the runner makes a turn towards second base, then a tag can be applied to the runner and ruled out if he doesn’t get back to the base safely.

BR4: No lead offs or stolen bases.

BR4a: A runner may position himself off third base in foul territory, parallel to the base or behind it.

This is a safety rule, in case of hard hit balls down the line at third.

Same can be applied for a left-handed hitter, if a runner is on first base and chooses to do so.

Once the ball is in play, the runner is considered off-base. For example, if a liner is caught by the 3rd baseman, he can tag out a runner standing off the base for safety just as on any other play.

BR5: If a hit ball strikes a runner, the runner is out.

BR6: A runner must pass the half way mark between two bases, before pitchers hand is in play.

If the runner is not passed the half way point, he must go back to his last base.

BR7: Pinch-running is limited to players with witnessed or pre-reported injuries. Batters must still run after hitting the ball and may then be substituted after the play is dead. They will be credited with any runs their substitute may score.

Ghost runners are available when required during 5 on 5 games.

Defense

D1: In a situation for a left handed batter, the third baseman must play on his side of second base.

D2: During a situation where one team cannot field a catcher, the team with the catcher cannot register any pop up or tip ball outs.

But that catcher can still field his position, as far as incoming throws to the plate and backing up throws.

D3: If there is a 5-on-5 game, the hitting team must provide a first baseman for the fielding team. In a 6 on 5 game, the team with an extra player must provide a first baseman for the team with 5 players.

D4: If an outfielder is in the field of play when he makes a catch at the fence, but his momentum takes him thru  or over the fence, it is an out.

A fielder may not position himself behind the fence to record an out, but he may leap over the fence and to make a catch as long as he has control of the ball before his feet and/or body touch the ground on the other side of the fence.

(Examples: Minor and Sacramento’s fence buster catches and Stoph's leaping catches.)

D5: If a buck-short attempts to bypass his infielders and use pitchers hand, he must yell out “pitcher” or “pitchers hand” while the ball is in flight.

If he doesn’t and claims the throw was to the pitcher, the ball is still live.

D6: Any throw to the pitcher must come from an infielder or buck short. Outfielders may not throw directly to the pitcher whether he immediately calls "pitcher" or not. If a buck yells pitcher or pitchers hand, but the throw is cutoff by his infielders, then the play is still live.

D7: When the fence is not needed in right field, it will be erected in left-field foul territory.

But when it is not erected, fair balls that deflect off an outfielder and roll past the fence in foul territory will be ruled live balls, just as they would had they landed fair and rolled without a deflection. If fair balls end up going under/through the fence in foul territory, they will be ruled ground rule doubles just as if they had gone under/through the fence in fair territory.

Umpiring

U1: Umpiring is based on honor system. Make the call, Live by the call.

Players with best angles and/or involved in plays have first right to call safe or out.

U2: If we play a game with a designated umpire, his call is the end all.

All Bad Ass Traditions not involving the actual game are not covered in this rulebook.

Unwritten rules such as losing team breaking down the fence, stat keeping duties, captains "on the clock", etc.

Series play, choosing captains, scheduling, open fields, closed fields, player eligibility and things of that nature, are commissioner and/or Captain duties.

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