SPRING SEASON TIME LIMITS and CURFEWS

The Commissioners sometimes need to schedule two consecutive games on the same field.   Such a doubleheader might consist of two new six inning games; or the resumption of a suspended game from earlier in the season followed by a new game.  When either happens, the following rules apply.

1.  On any evening before a school day, no new (i.e., top of an) inning may be started after 9:00 p.m.  

2.  A "resumed" game must precede a new game.  This is because a resumed game should take less time and therefore helps ensure that at least one game will be played to completion if weather, etc fails to cooperate.

3a.)  A new (i.e., non-resumption) game may not start the top of a new inning unless there are at least 25 minutes until the scheduled start time of the following game.  This is to ensure adequate warm-up time and a timely start for the following game.

3b.) A resumption game which has not yet met the definition of a "Regulation Game", may start the top of a new inning without regard for the 25 minute buffer, but they may not play past the start time of the following game. A six-inning contest is considered a Regulation Game after four full innings (3 1/2 with the Home Team ahead) have been played - unless tied (see the rules document for further details).

4.  On some weekdays, the commissioners might permit a game to start earlier than the typical 5:45 p.m. start time.  In establishing the earlier start time, they must be sure to factor-in travel time from work/school/home for players, managers and umpires, and adequate team warm-up time.

5.  Some divisions have Run Differential Rules (aka, "Mercy Rule"), half inning run limits, a "no-new-inning-starts-after" limit, and a hard stop time limit. See the respectve division's Rules Document for further details.

6.  Majors and AAA games are equally important.  Neither may bump the other at the field.

Art Krusinski, Rules Interpreter.  E-mail:  978-443-6101