Official Rules
Written by “Hot Sauce” Cometa (VP of Operations)
Approved by the Office of the Commisioner
The Players
Members of the Major League Wiffleball of Milford are eligible to participate.
The Field
The field is a standard Little League field where base hits are designated by areas on the field. The wiffleball mound is located approx. 6 feet in front of the little league mound, or approx. 36 feet from home plate. The foul lines are the lip of the grass from home plate to 1st base and home plate to 3rd base. The strike zone is represented as a lawn chair 2 feet behind the plate. A pitch to the backrest, seat, and arms of the chair is a strike, and the legs of the chair are not.
Equipment
Standard wiffleballs used in games are described as white plastic balls with oval-shaped holes on one hemisphere of the ball. Other kinds of balls are not permitted.
Two kinds of bats are permitted:
- the standard yellow skinny bat
- the black official size plastic bat (can be purchased at Dick’s Sporting Goods)
Other kinds of bats are not permitted without consent.
Players
At least 4 players per team (two teams per game) are required to play a game. Teams must choose captains, or “acting managers”.
Game Play
Games are played in 5 innings.
Teams are determined before each game by batting a wiffleball (self-pitched) to the field regardless of contact. Players then stand next to their ball. One team will consists of half the players farthest from home plate and the other closest to home plate. The designated team farthest from home plate will be the home team and will pitch first.
Pitching
This league is slow to medium speed pitching. A starting pitcher must pitch at least 3 innings to claim a win. A closer can only pitch for the save when the tying run is “in the hole” or 3rd to bat in the 5th inning. Pitchers can be relieved by the team captain (acting manager), but a pitcher cannot be relieved during an at-bat.
Both balls and strikes are called. Three strikes is an out, and 6 balls resets the count. A walk is issued on 6 balls and 0 strikes. There are no intentional walks.
Batting/Scoring
Batting order is determined by the acting manager. Bunting is not permitted. Base hitting is determined by the following:
- Single: a ball hit between home plate and the line from 1st to 3rd base.
- Double: a ball hit between the 1st to 3rd line and the lip of the dirt.
- Triple: a ball hit in the little league infield (dirt).
- Homerun: a ball hit to the outfield (past the dirt)
A line drive is a ball hit where the height of the projection is above the chest of the pitcher. This is ruled a hit if the ball hits the ground.
Runners must be forced in. For example, a runner on 3rd cannot score on a single, but can on a triple.
Fielding
A minimum of 3 fielders, not including the pitcher, is required to play the field. Balls caught prior to hitting the ground is an out. Grounders that are fielded cleanly are outs. If a grounder is bobbled by the fielder, it is ruled an error and the batter reaches 1st base. Pitchers cannot have errors.
Disputes/Disciplinary Actions
The MLWM promotes a safe environment where players can enjoy their passion for wiffleball. The official ruling of a play is final. Disorderly conduct and unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. If any player causes a disturbance or harasses other players, he/she will be thrown out. Other disciplinary actions, such as suspensions or banning from the league, will be placed under investigation by the Office of the Commissioner of Wiffleball.
