2015 Wiffle Ball World Series Rules
Section 1: Divisions/Teams/ Players
A. Minors Division (13 and under)
Players- 3 players per team
3 players will play the field
An Adult will pitch
B. Majors Division (16 and under)
Players- 3 players per team
3 players will play the field (1 pitcher/ 2 fielders)
Pitching Rotation- (every Inning)
C. Championship Division (open)
Players- 3 per team
3 players will play the field (1 Pitcher/ 2 fielders)
Pitching Rotation- (every inning)
*** Teams can also be flighted up or down a division regardless of age based on ability determined by the WBWS committee. ***
Section 2: Equipment and Field Regulations
A. The Ball: Only official wiffleballs are allowed. (provided)
B. The Bat: Only yellow regulated wiffleball bats are allowed. The handle may be taped or the barrel painted. They can’t be weighted or modified. If
you bring your own bats they will be inspected by the Wiffleball World Series Committee.
C. Bases: No Base running. The bases and base paths will be used to determine hits.
D. Strike Zone: There will be a strike zone placed behind home plate. The ball must hit the netting or orange to be a strike.
E. Umpires: There will be a designated umpire for each game. The umpire has final say on all calls. Remember this a game and supposed to be
fun. No arguing with umpires will be tolerated.
F. Uniforms: Matching uniforms are required with numbers on the back. A professional baseball team name must be used. (can be a
minor league team--see the following links for teams/logos) Pro teams names will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis.
http://www.sportslogos.net/leagues/list_by_category/22/Minor_League_Baseball/logos
http://www.sportslogos.net/leagues/list_by_category/23/Independent_Baseball/logos
Section 3: The Game
A. Length: The game will be 5 innings in length. If the score is tied at the end of 5 innings, 2 extra innings will be played for a max of 7 innings to
determine a winner. If the game is still tied after 7 innings the game will count as a tie. Only in Round Robin play (play-offs) will be played until a
winner emerges. Three (3) Innings of play determines a winner.
Time Limit: Games are scheduled 45 minutes apart. A final time limit will be determined prior to the start of the tourney depending on entries,
but it will be at least 45 minutes.
B. Mercy Rule: If a team is up 7 or more runs following the 3rd inning, the game is over.
C. Mercy Inning: Only 9 runs are allowed to be scored per inning. If a team hits a home run before reaching the 9 runs, all runs count. For
Example: With the bases loaded and 8 runs already scored, if a team hits a grand slam, all runs score. This would result in 12 runs scored. If a
team is trailing they will be allowed to score until they have a 9 run lead and then the mercy inning will come into play.
Section 4: Offense/Batting
A. Hitting: There is no base running. Ghost runners must be pushed. For example: If player A hits a double that player is on 2nd base. If player B
hits a single Player A advances to 3rd base and runners are at 1st and 3rd. If player B is walked runners would be at 1st and 2nd.
1. Walk – 4 balls equal a walk. If a batter is hit by a pitch it’s just a ball. (Minor’s Division no Walks)
2. Single- any ball hit past the back corners of 1st and 3rd base, or past the dirt base baths on Wiffle Ball Park Field that isn’t field cleanly,
comes to a stop or a clean play isn’t made to the pitcher. The player must field the ball cleanly and throw in motion to the pitcher. The pitcher
must have one foot on the rubber. The umpire will have final say on the call. (In the Minors Division if the pitcher doesn’t make the catch
but it was a good throw the batter will be out.)
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Any ball that hits in front of the plate is a fair ball. If the ball hits the plate or behind the plate first it will be a foul ball. The umpire will have
final say.
If the ball is not hit past the baselines and the pitcher tries to field the ball and bobbles it in any way, the play will result in a single.
If the pitcher is outside the baselines and fields the ball, he must make a throw to someone covering the mound. If he does not, the play will
result in a single.
Blooper ball-any ball that is blooper in the outfield that is allowed to hit the ground and not caught will result in a single.
If a hard ground ball is hit and the pitcher touches the ball but the ball is fielded by another fielder, the play will still result in a single.
********************************************************************************************************
3. Double- any ball hit to the wall or bounces over the wall that is not touched by a fielder.
4. Triple- Any ball that hits the wall in the air, even if it’s touched by a fielder. Tree Rule (explained below)
5. Homerun- any ball landing over the fence. A player cannot hop over the wall or stand on the wall to make a catch.
***Tree Rule- If a ball is hit over the fence and hits a tree and comes back into play, the ball will be considered live. If it’s caught it will be an
out; if it hits the ground it will be a triple. This only applies to the trees and no other structures or spectators.***
6. Foul Strike Out: This rule only applies when there are two strikes on the batter. If the batter foul tips the ball and the ball hits the netting of
the strike zone, the batter is out. It must hit the netting.
7. The Count: Four (4) balls equal a walk. Three (3) strikes equal a strike out.
8. Big Elbows: No part of your body, including your arms, may extend over or in front of the strike zone. A warning will be issued to the team by
the ump. The next time it happens it will be called a strike.
Section 5: Defense/Pitching
A. Fielders: 3 Players will play the field.
1. Minors Division: 3 fielders, and an adult will pitch.
2. Majors Division: 3 fielders (1 pitcher/ 2 fielders)
3. Championship Division: 3 fielders (1 pitcher/ 2 fielders)
B. Fielding: A hit ball must be fielded and thrown cleanly and without hesitation to the pitcher to be an out. Any delay or
hesitation will result in a hit. The Umpire will have the final say. (see hitting section)
C. Pitching Bucket: The pitcher can place the ball bucket within 5 feet of the mound inside the infield. If the ball hits the bucket it will be considered
a ground out.
D. Pitching Rotation: The pitcher that starts an inning must finish the inning.
1. Minors Division- Adult will pitch
2. Majors Division- TBD
3. Championship Division- rotate every inning. (example: The pitcher that pitches the 1st inning will pitch the 4th, Etc….)
E. Walk- 4 Balls. A hitter hit by a pitch will count as a ball. ( no Walks in the Minors Division)
F. Strikeout- 3 Strikes. Unlimited foul balls. 3rd strike foul that hits the netting of the strike zone will count as a strike out.
G. Outs- Three (3) outs per inning
H. Double Play Rule: A double play can be attempted with any runners in a force out position. The fielder must field the ball cleanly and make a
throw to the pitcher. The pitcher must catch the ball on the rubber and make a throw to the strike zone. If the pitcher hits the strike zone, a
double play will be awarded. There can be no hesitation from the pitcher on the turn. The Umpire will determine the cleanliness of the play. If
the batter is in the batter’s box or blocks the strike zone in any way and is hit by the pitcher's attempt, a double play will be awarded.
Section 6: Misc.
A. Game Time: The scheduled game times will be used as a guideline and are subject to change. Games can start up to 30 minutes prior to
scheduled game time.
B. Score Keeping and Umping- A schedule will be provided to help with score keeping and umping. When your game has finished one person from
your team will be responsible for staying behind to help with umping and scoring the next game on the same field unless we have a volunteer. If
you were the HOME team, one person from your team will be responsible for umping the next game. If you were the AWAY team one person from
your team will be responsible for running the scoreboard for the next game.
A. Minors Division (13 and under)
Players- 3 players per team
3 players will play the field
An Adult will pitch
B. Majors Division (16 and under)
Players- 3 players per team
3 players will play the field (1 pitcher/ 2 fielders)
Pitching Rotation- (every Inning)
C. Championship Division (open)
Players- 3 per team
3 players will play the field (1 Pitcher/ 2 fielders)
Pitching Rotation- (every inning)
*** Teams can also be flighted up or down a division regardless of age based on ability determined by the WBWS committee. ***
Section 2: Equipment and Field Regulations
A. The Ball: Only official wiffleballs are allowed. (provided)
B. The Bat: Only yellow regulated wiffleball bats are allowed. The handle may be taped or the barrel painted. They can’t be weighted or modified. If
you bring your own bats they will be inspected by the Wiffleball World Series Committee.
C. Bases: No Base running. The bases and base paths will be used to determine hits.
D. Strike Zone: There will be a strike zone placed behind home plate. The ball must hit the netting or orange to be a strike.
E. Umpires: There will be a designated umpire for each game. The umpire has final say on all calls. Remember this a game and supposed to be
fun. No arguing with umpires will be tolerated.
F. Uniforms: Matching uniforms are required with numbers on the back. A professional baseball team name must be used. (can be a
minor league team--see the following links for teams/logos) Pro teams names will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis.
http://www.sportslogos.net/leagues/list_by_category/22/Minor_League_Baseball/logos
http://www.sportslogos.net/leagues/list_by_category/23/Independent_Baseball/logos
Section 3: The Game
A. Length: The game will be 5 innings in length. If the score is tied at the end of 5 innings, 2 extra innings will be played for a max of 7 innings to
determine a winner. If the game is still tied after 7 innings the game will count as a tie. Only in Round Robin play (play-offs) will be played until a
winner emerges. Three (3) Innings of play determines a winner.
Time Limit: Games are scheduled 45 minutes apart. A final time limit will be determined prior to the start of the tourney depending on entries,
but it will be at least 45 minutes.
B. Mercy Rule: If a team is up 7 or more runs following the 3rd inning, the game is over.
C. Mercy Inning: Only 9 runs are allowed to be scored per inning. If a team hits a home run before reaching the 9 runs, all runs count. For
Example: With the bases loaded and 8 runs already scored, if a team hits a grand slam, all runs score. This would result in 12 runs scored. If a
team is trailing they will be allowed to score until they have a 9 run lead and then the mercy inning will come into play.
Section 4: Offense/Batting
A. Hitting: There is no base running. Ghost runners must be pushed. For example: If player A hits a double that player is on 2nd base. If player B
hits a single Player A advances to 3rd base and runners are at 1st and 3rd. If player B is walked runners would be at 1st and 2nd.
1. Walk – 4 balls equal a walk. If a batter is hit by a pitch it’s just a ball. (Minor’s Division no Walks)
2. Single- any ball hit past the back corners of 1st and 3rd base, or past the dirt base baths on Wiffle Ball Park Field that isn’t field cleanly,
comes to a stop or a clean play isn’t made to the pitcher. The player must field the ball cleanly and throw in motion to the pitcher. The pitcher
must have one foot on the rubber. The umpire will have final say on the call. (In the Minors Division if the pitcher doesn’t make the catch
but it was a good throw the batter will be out.)
*****************************************************************************************************
Any ball that hits in front of the plate is a fair ball. If the ball hits the plate or behind the plate first it will be a foul ball. The umpire will have
final say.
If the ball is not hit past the baselines and the pitcher tries to field the ball and bobbles it in any way, the play will result in a single.
If the pitcher is outside the baselines and fields the ball, he must make a throw to someone covering the mound. If he does not, the play will
result in a single.
Blooper ball-any ball that is blooper in the outfield that is allowed to hit the ground and not caught will result in a single.
If a hard ground ball is hit and the pitcher touches the ball but the ball is fielded by another fielder, the play will still result in a single.
********************************************************************************************************
3. Double- any ball hit to the wall or bounces over the wall that is not touched by a fielder.
4. Triple- Any ball that hits the wall in the air, even if it’s touched by a fielder. Tree Rule (explained below)
5. Homerun- any ball landing over the fence. A player cannot hop over the wall or stand on the wall to make a catch.
***Tree Rule- If a ball is hit over the fence and hits a tree and comes back into play, the ball will be considered live. If it’s caught it will be an
out; if it hits the ground it will be a triple. This only applies to the trees and no other structures or spectators.***
6. Foul Strike Out: This rule only applies when there are two strikes on the batter. If the batter foul tips the ball and the ball hits the netting of
the strike zone, the batter is out. It must hit the netting.
7. The Count: Four (4) balls equal a walk. Three (3) strikes equal a strike out.
8. Big Elbows: No part of your body, including your arms, may extend over or in front of the strike zone. A warning will be issued to the team by
the ump. The next time it happens it will be called a strike.
Section 5: Defense/Pitching
A. Fielders: 3 Players will play the field.
1. Minors Division: 3 fielders, and an adult will pitch.
2. Majors Division: 3 fielders (1 pitcher/ 2 fielders)
3. Championship Division: 3 fielders (1 pitcher/ 2 fielders)
B. Fielding: A hit ball must be fielded and thrown cleanly and without hesitation to the pitcher to be an out. Any delay or
hesitation will result in a hit. The Umpire will have the final say. (see hitting section)
C. Pitching Bucket: The pitcher can place the ball bucket within 5 feet of the mound inside the infield. If the ball hits the bucket it will be considered
a ground out.
D. Pitching Rotation: The pitcher that starts an inning must finish the inning.
1. Minors Division- Adult will pitch
2. Majors Division- TBD
3. Championship Division- rotate every inning. (example: The pitcher that pitches the 1st inning will pitch the 4th, Etc….)
E. Walk- 4 Balls. A hitter hit by a pitch will count as a ball. ( no Walks in the Minors Division)
F. Strikeout- 3 Strikes. Unlimited foul balls. 3rd strike foul that hits the netting of the strike zone will count as a strike out.
G. Outs- Three (3) outs per inning
H. Double Play Rule: A double play can be attempted with any runners in a force out position. The fielder must field the ball cleanly and make a
throw to the pitcher. The pitcher must catch the ball on the rubber and make a throw to the strike zone. If the pitcher hits the strike zone, a
double play will be awarded. There can be no hesitation from the pitcher on the turn. The Umpire will determine the cleanliness of the play. If
the batter is in the batter’s box or blocks the strike zone in any way and is hit by the pitcher's attempt, a double play will be awarded.
Section 6: Misc.
A. Game Time: The scheduled game times will be used as a guideline and are subject to change. Games can start up to 30 minutes prior to
scheduled game time.
B. Score Keeping and Umping- A schedule will be provided to help with score keeping and umping. When your game has finished one person from
your team will be responsible for staying behind to help with umping and scoring the next game on the same field unless we have a volunteer. If
you were the HOME team, one person from your team will be responsible for umping the next game. If you were the AWAY team one person from
your team will be responsible for running the scoreboard for the next game.