Please note: Regulations are currently under review for the 2024-25 season and so those currently published are subject to change.
BSB i The BUCS Baseball Championships shall be conducted in accordance with the following BUCS sport specific regulations, the BUCS general regulations, and the 2021 edition of the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules.
BSB ii In the event that these regulations contradict the BUCS general regulations, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
BSB iii In the event that these regulations contradict the 2021 edition of the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
BSB 1 Championships There shall be an Open Team Championships. The programme shall include leagues and knockout competitions as per BUCS general regulations, Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’) and Appendix 10 (‘BUCS Promotion, Relegation and Knockout Information’).
BSB 2 Equipment Helmets are required for all batters, base runners and coaches. To ensure quality of competition, all matches should be played with equipment that adheres to the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules and all matches should be played with regulation leather baseballs. In addition, BBCOR bats can be used. Footwear must have studs or soles capable of traction in usual playing conditions, protective equipment must not be damaged and must be adequate for the task, and cups are mandatory for male catchers.
BSB 3 Squad size The maximum squad size for each match shall be 26 players, however institutions/Playing Entities with multiple teams should be aware of REG 11.1 (Team selection). The minimum squad size for each match shall be eight players, however teams with only eight players shall have an automatic out enforced for the missing 9th player at the point at which they would be due up to bat.
BSB 4 Substitutions Will be made in line with the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules and no re-entry of players is permitted.
BSB 5 Designated Hitter Rule Rule 5.11 (a) of the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules shall apply to all BUCS Baseball fixtures. This means a designated hitter may bat for the pitcher.
BSB 6 Lineup cards In addition to teams completing BUCS Team Sheets (as per REG 11.2), teams are responsible for completing Lineup Cards to be presented ahead of the match starting.
BSB 7 League specific regulations
BSB 7.1 The baseball diamond must be either grass, dirt or artificial grass (3G or 4G) and dimensions should comply with the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules. BSUK have a diagram of field dimensions available here. Portable pitching mounds are permitted to be used. It is the responsibility of the first named (home) team when confirming the fixture (note REG 9.5) to advise the opposition team and all match officials of the playing surface, whether a portable pitching mound will be used, and on any footwear restrictions (note REG 9.3.3).
BSB 7.2 The field of play should be booked for three hours 15 minutes per match, allowing for a 15 minute warm up on the field and three hours of match time.
BSB 7.3 Matches shall be played over seven innings or three hours, whichever comes first. No new inning should start after two hours 45 minutes. The last inning is not run limited and therefore needs to be called to fit in with the time limit.
BSB 7.3.1 It may be possible for a match to be tied after the last, open inning. If this is the case and if the match cannot continue to the point of conclusion due to field booking availability, the winner will be determined by count-back to the last team that held the lead at the end of an inning. For the avoidance of doubt, any extra innings will start with a runner on 2nd base as per the MLB (Major League Baseball) Official Baseball Rules.
BSB 7.4 Match officials Match officials should be appointed as per Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’).
BSB 7.4.1 Institutions/Playing Entities can contact Leah Holmes at BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) to request support with sourcing officials, however, as per REG 10.2, it is the responsibility of the first named (home) institution/Playing Entity to arrange all appropriate match officials.
BSB 7.5 There will be a 7-run limit per inning – apart from the last scheduled inning.
BSB 7.6 All balks should be called to ensure consistency, however where there is the opportunity to warn a player and or educate players about balk situations before they happen and or are material, this should be taken.
BSB 7.7 Scorecards Both teams should keep a scorecard during the match, agreeing the running score at the end of each half-inning and the final score at the end of the match. Teams should keep copies of all scorecards until the end of the season.
BSB 7.8 League points
BSB 7.8.1 Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.
BSB 7.8.2 Where a forfeit has been awarded/conceded (REG 13), three points shall be given to the non-offending team and three points deducted from the offending team.
BSB 7.8.3 No points will be awarded to either team in the case of a void fixture.
BSB 7.9 Calculating final league positions Final league positions will be primarily based on league points accumulated. However, should there be any ties on points within a league, they shall be split by the following sequential system:
BSB 7.9.1 A team tied on points who has conceded at least one voluntary walkover shall automatically be placed below any other tied teams who have conceded fewer voluntary walkovers. If a tie still exists, then BSB 7.9.2 or BSB 7.9.3 shall be followed as applicable.
BSB 7.9.2 Tie between two teams
BSB 7.9.2.1 Where two teams are tied on league points, the result between the teams will be the determining factor in placing one team above the other. Where fixtures are played on a ‘home’ and ‘away’ basis, the aggregate score of the two (or more) matches will determine the higher placed team. If this does not determine the higher placed team;
BSB 7.9.2.2 Runs data shall be used as per BSB 7.9.2.3 – BSB 7.9.2.4. If the tie on league points has been effected by any walkovers conceded to either of the teams or any void fixtures, all the relevant results against the team(s) which conceded the walkover(s) or the team(s) involved in the void fixtures (i.e. all the results between the teams tied on league points and the team(s) conceding the walkover(s)/void match(es)) will be removed from the results table and the recalculated runs data shall be used.
BSB 7.9.2.3 The team with the higher runs difference shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;
BSB 7.9.2.4 The team with the higher number of runs scored shall be deemed the higher placed team.
BSB 7.9.2.5 If the higher placed team cannot be determined from the system above, then this shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the BUCS Executive.
BSB 7.9.3 Tie between three or more teams
BSB 7.9.3.1 Where three or more teams are tied on league points, a 'mini league' table shall be formed to calculate the higher placed team from the results between the relevant teams using the following sequential system:
BSB 7.9.3.2 League points accumulated. If a tie still exists;
BSB 7.9.3.3 The team with the higher runs difference shall be deemed the higher placed team. If a tie still exists;
BSB 7.9.3.4 The team with the higher number of runs scored shall be deemed the higher placed team.
BSB 7.9.3.5 If the higher placed team cannot be determined from the system above, then this shall be determined by the toss of a coin by the BUCS Executive.
BSB 8 National Championship knockout competition specific regulations
BSB 8.1 BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) shall organise the National Championship knockout competition on behalf of BUCS.
BSB 8.2 BUCS/BSUK shall communicate any competition specific requirements, rules and regulations to teams which qualify for the National Championship on an annual basis.
BSB 8.3 Disputes at events In line with REG 7.7, should a dispute occur at an event, the event appeal panel for Baseball shall comprise of the Tournament Director and/or a BUCS Staff Member.
