Official VLB Rules
Official Rules: Foreword
This code of rules is written to govern the playing of baseball games by the sandlot teams of Veto League Baseball and the leagues that may become members of Veto League Baseball in the future.
We recognize that many other sandlot leagues play their games under Veto League rules, and we are happy to make our rules available as widely as possible.
Baseball not only has maintained its position as the National Game of the United States, but also has become an International Game being played in 100 countries. Its popularity will grow only as long as its players, managers, coaches, umpires and administrative officers respect the discipline of its code of rules.
Official Rules:
1.00 Veto League Rules
1.01
Veto League Baseball follows all organized rules of playing the game of baseball as stated in the Official Rule Book of Major League Baseball with the exception of the subsequent rules.
1.01
Teams are selected by two captains scheduled to play on a particular day. In the event that one or both captain(s) are absent on the scheduled day, a substitute captain shall be used. The home-team captain will select one player first. Next, the visiting-team captain will select one player. Then, the home-team captain will select again. This process will continue until all players have been selected. Should a player arrive after teams have been selected, they will be assigned to team in the order that they arrive, starting with the captain that would have had the next pick in the draft order. If two or more players arrive late together, the captain whose turn it is to pick may select which player he wants, then the other captain gets to select a player if necessary.
1.02
The pitcher shall make every attempt to throw strikes and may not throw curveballs, knuckleballs, sliders, or any other “junk pitches” meant to deceive the hitter. The pitcher shall throw from behind a protective L-screen. It is not necessary for the pitcher to pitch from the pitching mound or pitching rubber, just near it.
1.03
The catcher will not receive pitches from the pitcher; he is placed near the home-plate area and is only to be involved in defensive plays. He may stop balls thrown by the pitcher if he chooses. Protective gear is not worn by the catcher.
1.04
Any batted ball that hits the protective L-screen behind which the pitcher is pitching shall be deemed a dead ball and shall be redone.
1.05
In the event that one or more teams have less than nine players, a pitcher’s hand rule shall be in effect and a catcher will not be used. In this instance there is a “point of no return” for the base runner when rounding third base. There is an assumed risk when a player rounds third. Players make the decision to pass the point of no return risk being thrown out at the plate. If the player is between the point of no return and the designated scoring plate, and the pitcher receives a decent throw from the field, while standing on or within a foot of the pitcher’s mound dirt, the runner is out. If he is in front of the point of no return and the pitcher receives the throw, he goes back to third, and the pitcher may throw where he pleases. If the runner reaches the scoring plate before the pitcher receives the throw from the field, the runner scores. If, in any of these occurrences, the pitcher fielding the pitcher’s-hand throw is playing for the batting team (see 1.06) and is out of position, the fielding team shall throw toward the L-screen, or the pitcher’s dirt, either of which will serve as the pitcher’s hand in this instance.
1.06
In the event that one or more teams have less than eight players, both teams shall pitch to itself. The pitcher will not field unless the pitcher’s hand rule (1.05) applies. Any batted ball that has been deemed the pitcher’s defensive play shall be ruled a dead ball and be redone.
1.07
In the event that one or more teams have less than seven players, each offensive team shall provide the opposing team with a defensive second baseman. The second baseman must field as if he is on the defensive team and may not intentionally miss plays to help his/her team. Failure to comply with this rule will result in an out being awarded to the defensive team. Rules 1.05 and 1.06 still apply.
1.08
In the event that one or more teams have less than six players, any batted ball toward right field shall be ruled an out. Right field is considered anything to the right side of second base extended to the midpoint of the center-field wall. A first baseman will be used to field putouts at first base, but is not considered in play otherwise. A team may elect to shift the first baseman to second in which case he is in play, but first base will remain uncovered. Rules 1.05 and 1.06 will still apply.
1.09
In the event that one or more teams have less than five players, the game shall be postponed due to lack of players unless all players present agree to play with any combinations of rules 1.05-1.08.
1.10
In the event that a doubleheader is agreed upon by the players involved, each of the two games shall be seven innings in length unless extra innings are required, or a nine-inning game is agreed upon.
1.11
At any point in time during any game, a 2/3-majority rule may agree to shorten (to no less than five innings) or lengthen (to no more than nine innings) the game. This inning total must be collectively agreed upon.
1.12
A mercy rule is in effect during all Veto League games. In the event a team is trailing by 20 or more runs after its at-bat in the fifth inning in a nine-inning game, the game shall be called and the leading team awarded the win. If a team is trailing by 15 or more runs after its at-bat in the seventh inning in a nine-inning game, the same shall apply. In the event that the game has been agreed upon to be less than nine innings (agreement subject to rules 1.10 and 1.11), the mercy rule is adjusted to 20 runs after the fourth inning and 15 runs after the fifth inning.
1.13
A strike is only called when the batter swings and misses or bats the ball foul. The batter can only strike out if s/he swings and misses at the third strike.
1.14
There are no balls called in Veto League unless the defensive captain uses his/her option to intentionally walk a batter. Any one batter may only be intentionally walked once per game and a captain may only walk three players total during the course of a single game.
1.15
Bunts and stolen bases are prohibited in Veto League Baseball, as the catcher and pitcher are not in proper fielding position. Accidental swinging bunts and full-swing slap hits are legal unless a catcher is not in play.
1.16
Base runners are allowed a three-step lead from first and third base and a five-step lead from second base. Secondary leads are illegal.
1.17
Caps, pants, and at least short sleeves are required to be worn by all players participating in the night game or any other special Veto League game.
1.18
All Veto League players are required to be courteous to all other players and show respect for the field and for the people who help take care of it. Degrading remarks directed toward other players will not be tolerated and will be addressed with dismissal from the league standing as a potential result.