Official OMBAC Over The Line Rules

 

 

OTL Court

 

1  PLAYERS

Three players per team— substitutes allowed if player has not played for any  other team. A replaced player many not re-enter the same game. He may play in subsequent games.

2  AT-BAT POSITIONS

Bat from home marked. Teammate pitches from anywhere in front of "The Line" or its extensions.

3  FIELDING POSITIONS

Fielders may play anywhere past "The Line" or its extensions.

4  HITS

  • Ball hit into fair territory on the fly without being caught by fielders.
  • Any ball touched and dropped by fielders.
  • Fielder crossing "The Line" or its extensions when attempting to catch ball (see Rule 12).

5  HOME RUNS

Any ball hit PAST last player in fair territory, on the fly, without him touching it. (Not necessarily over his head– just past him).

6  OUTS

  • Two foul balls (see Rule 7).
  • One strike.
  • Fly balls caught by fielders.
  • Ball hitting "The Line" or lines around out area.
  • Ball touched or dropped by batter or pitcher (see Rule 13A). Foul tips that hit batter and land in foul territory are foul.
  • Batting out of turn.
  • Pitcher crossing "The Line" after hit ball (see Rule 12).

7  FOULS

  • Any ball landing outside "Out" or "Fair" areas on the fly. foul line liners are foul.
  • Any taken pitch.
  • Any false pitch or "Balk".

8  SCORING

  • Three hits in an inning scores one run. Each additional hit in the same inning scores one more run. Home runs "Clear the Bases".
  • Intentional throwing of the bat is a three-run penalty (Officials' decision).

9  LENGTH OF GAME

  • Games will be four innings.
  • If tied at the end of the four, play an additional inning to break the tie. If tied after five, play one more.
  • If still tied after six innings, the team with the most hits is the winner. If a tie exists in hits, play additional innings until the tie is broken, either by hits or by runs. Runs take preference over hits in this situation.
  • If at the end of any inning a team has an eleven or more run lead, the game is over.

10  UMPIRING

  • Winning team (all three members) will be the officials for the next game on the same court. Captain of the winning team will be responsible for keeping track of the game ball.
  • Start the games within five minutes after completion of pervious game. Any team not ready to play will forfeit; any exceptions will be at the discretion of the rules committee.
  • Turn in score cards to officials' stand.

11 EQUIPMENT

  • No gloves to be used for fielding except in women's divisions. Taping of hands and fingers permissible if no padding is used.
  • Golf gloves may be used for batting.

11A BATS

  • New in 2005: All bats must be regulation "Official" wooden softball or Little League bats. No baseball bats and no metal bats. On painted bats we must be able to read the "Official" or the bat may be disallowed.
  • Any bat ruled to be illegal will be removed from play for the remainder of the tournament. The game will proceed from that point with all existing hits and runs scored as counted. The game or innings will not be replayed and no hits or runs will be disallowed.
  • A bat deemed illegal which is used in a subsequent game by the team or player will disqualify the player and/or team from the tournament.

12 CROSSING-OVER ("THE LINE")

  • At no time may players cross from one side of "The Line" or its extensions to the other when catching or attempting to catch a hit ball.
  • To avoid penalty, you must make a definite stop before crossing the line. If you catch the ball and your momentum carries you into or across the line, it is a penalty. (See Rules 4 and 6).

13 GENERAL

  • A ball caught on the fly by either the batter or pitcher counts as a "No Pitch".
  • You must have a full team (three players) to start a game.
  • No warming up on playing courts. Begin games immediately.
  • Decisions of the rules committee are final.
  • Field Dimensions: 55 feet from point of triangle to the "line" and 55 feet across from foul line to foul line.
    Three outs to a side per inning.

14 DIVISIONS

  • Men's Open
  • Men's Century (Players total 100 years of age, each 30 or older)
  • Men's Canardly (Players each 40 or older)
  • Men's Cannever (Players each 50 or older)
  • Men's Cadaver (Players each 60 or older)
  • Men's CaMummy (Players each 70 or older)
  • Women's Open
  • Women's Century Players total 100, each 30 or older)
  • Women's Canalways (Players 40 or older)
  • Women's Caneasy (Players 50 or older)    

  For more information on the Over-The-Line Tournament, call (619) 330-2227 or email the OTL Committee at otl@ombac.org .