Listed below is the current rules for our 2026 season. These will be ammended prior to the actual season to reflect some changes, (turf field) as well as input from players. Final rules will be approved by a rules committee that has a rep from each team. Stay tuned! 

65 NORTHSTARS BASEBALL LEAGUE

RULES & PROCEDURES

2026 Season

 

GENERAL RULES

1. All games will be played in accordance with Major League baseball rules, and our League rules will take precedence over them. The intent is to address age and physical limitations but minimize changes from the normal rules of baseball.
2. The League will have a president, treasurer, and commissioner. 
3. There will be a Rules and Competition Committee and each team will have a representative on both. 
4. All players should be 65 during the calendar year to play in the League.  The competition committee can decide if underage players are talent appropriate and should be allowed to play.  They can also decide if an over 65 player is not talent appropriate or would not fit in.  
5. It is expected that all players conduct themselves properly to assure everyone enjoys their baseball experience.  Managers and teams should enforce this, and if they cannot do this the competition committee and commissioner will decide appropriate course of action.    
6.  New players will go into a free agent pool.  They will be evaluated and the Competition Committee will assign them to teams to maintain parity.  Friend requests will be honored when possible.  Teams will preferably have 15 players at the start of the season, but final number will be adjusted based on number of players and teams. 
7. League officers will set fees based on actual expenses, and finances will be open for anyone who wants to review them. 
8. All players must register and pay their league fee before they will be allowed to play. 
9.  Teams are responsible to follow all rules set by Wheeling Park District that give guidelines for use of the fields.  Before leaving, managers are to make sure dugouts and fields are clean and rules were followed.
10. The League and umpire coordinator will decide on fees and how the umpires are to be paid.  In the event of a rainout the umpire will get 50% as a show-up fee. 

 

GAME PARAMETERS

11. Only wood bats, including composite bats, can be used.
12. All games are scheduled as seven inning contests.
13. No inning can start after 2Hours - 15 minutes.  At the start of any inning after 12:30 pm the ump will inform both managers it could be the last inning.  If the visitors get the potential 4^th run of the inning on base it automatically becomes the last inning.  If they do not get a potential 4^th run on base before the 3^rd out, then having an opportunity for unlimited runs did not come into play.  If the bottom of the inning goes past 2:15 elapsed time, it becomes the last inning and home team can keep batting as necessary.  If the bottom of the inning ends before 2:15, then another inning is played.
14. If the game is tied after 7 innings, or when the 2:15 minute time limit has been reached, there will be only 1 extra inning and a tiebreaker rule will be applied.  The extra inning will start with the last out, which could be a courtesy runner, at 2^nd base and there will be a 2 run limit.  Rule 13 time limit does not apply for the extra inning. 
15. There will be no forfeits.  For player safety, managers must have at least 11 players at a game so everyone will have a chance to sit out an inning and rest.  When substitutes are needed, the managers will contact the Substitute Coordinator and let him know who they are missing and how many subs are needed.  The coordinator will work with the manager to arrange for substitutes of equal ability to those missing.     
16. In order to speed up games, managers must make sure their team gets to their positions quickly and courtesy runners are ready to enter the game when needed.  For pitcher warmup pitches, normal baseball rules will be followed (a maximum of 8 for pitchers entering a game and 5 for pitchers who have already pitched).   

BATTING ORDER/LINEUP

17.  It is mandatory that managers use a continuous batting order.  The final on-deck batter will bat first in the next game.   The continuous batting order for the entire season is the one used for the 1^st game and all players will bat unless they request not to. If a batter gets a walk off game winning hit, he can lead off in the next game. 
18. Substitute players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order and can only pitch with approval from opposing manager.  Regular team members must play at least as many innings as each of the substitute players unless the regular player requests not to play in the field before the game.
19. Players arriving after the game has started will be placed at the bottom of the lineup for that game and return to their regular spot in the rolling lineup for the next game.
20. If a player leaves a game prior to conclusion due to injury or other reasons, the team will skip the batter’s place in the lineup WITHOUT penalty.
21. If a player is ejected from the game, the player’s place in the lineup will be recorded as an out for the entire game.  The commissioner and Competition Committee will determine appropriate penalty.         

 

 

SCORING

22. There is NO slaughter rule. If a game is getting out of control, the team leading should consider substitutions to weaker players and runners not advancing on passed balls or wild pitches.
23. There is a maximum of 4-runs per inning, with no limit in the final inning.

FIELDING

24. For regular season and playoff games, all players will play a minimum of 2 innings defensively unless they request not to play (opposing manager should be notified prior to the start of the game, if possible). 
25. The use of the “hidden ball trick” is not allowed.
26. A batter CANNOT be thrown out at first base by an outfielder or infielder if the ball touches the outfield grass, but plays can still be made at 2^nd, 3^rd or home if there are runners on base.  If momentum takes an infielder into the outfield grass, they can still throw the batter out.
27. For player positioning, there must always be 2 infielders on either side of 2nd base. 
28. Outfielders must be at least 20 yards into the outfield grass, cannot make a play on the infield on a batted ball, and they cannot be a part of a pickoff play.  For other plays on the infield such as backing up throws or rundowns outfielders can be involved.  
29. In the final inning (or an extra inning) of a game when the tying or go ahead run is on third base, the team in the field shall have the option of playing with five infielders and two outfielders. 

PITCHING

30. Pitchers are allowed a maximum of 12 outs or continuous play (double play resulting in the 12^th and 13^th outs).  Managers can ask the opposing manager to waive the innings limit (request can be denied).  
31. Every pitcher will be allowed 1 balk warning and after that the balk rule will be enforced.   
32. Pitchers may re-enter as a pitcher only one time during the same game.
33. Intentional Walks: a team may elect to issue an intentional walk by informing the home plate umpire that the batter is to be intentionally walked. No pitches need be thrown. A team may use this rule only once during a game.  If the umpire feels there is another intentional walk with pitching, any pitch can be ruled a balk. 
34. A pitcher must be removed after he hits 3 batters in a game, or if in the umpire’s judgment, the pitcher deliberately threw at the hitter whether he hit the batter or not.
35. A pitcher cannot wear batting gloves, wristbands or anything that would distract the batter. 

 

BASE RUNNING

36. Runners can advance, except to home plate, when the catcher does not catch the ball and it leaves any part of the circle at home plate, including that part of the circle in front of home plate.  Runners can advance only 1 base and they run at their own risk.  If ball 4 is a wild pitch, the batter must stay at 1^st base.  If runners attempt to advance on a dropped ball and it does not leave the circle, it is a live ball and the runner can be picked off with a force play, not a tag.  Umpires will determine when the ball leaves the circle and will call out and raise their hand to make it clear when a ball has left the circle. 
37. For all situations, if there is a dropped third strike, the batter is out – catcher does not have to throw to 1^st base.  Baserunners can still advance if the ball leaves the circle at home plate.
38. Pitcher can throw from a stretch or windup with runners on base, and runner(s) are NOT allowed to steal.  If a runner is played on in a pick-off attempt by the pitcher or catcher at any base, the play is a Force Out – no tag required.  When any runner is played on, all runners can advance AFTER TAGGING UP.  The baserunners run at their own risk and normal baseball rules apply with tag plays at 2^nd and 3^rd. 
    39. For safety, all plays at home plate will be Force Outs, even if baseball rules require a tag.  The catcher cannot intentionally block home plate, with or without the ball, unless it occurs in the course of having to field the ball.  To avoid a collision the runner can run into foul territory and umpire will determine if he would have been out.  If the runner initiates a collision at home plate that the umpire feels is not inadvertent, they will be ejected.  39 B... New Rule: When a baserunner is running to home, when he crosses the ½ way point between 3rd  and home he is committed and can be forced out at home. He cannot return to 3rd base."
40. Baserunners going into 2^nd base must slide to bag – not through it.  If the baserunner slides through the bag and makes contact with the defender, the baserunner and batter are both out.  If the baserunner is forced out, he must veer off to not obstruct the defender or there is interference and the batter is out.  If the defender is in front of the bag, the runner is entitled to the bag and there may be a collision.  The umpire will use his judgement to determine if it is inadvertent contact. 
41. When double base is used for 1^st base, the white section is the normal base that is in fair territory and the red is a normal sized base that is in foul territory.  A batted ball must go over the white part of the base to be fair.  For everything else, the 2 sections can be considered a single base.  To avoid collisions, baserunner should use the red bag and 1^st baseman uses the white bag.  When the batter believes there might be a collision with the first baseman, the runner will be allowed to run into foul territory without touching the first base bag.
42. Runners cannot advance on the catcher's return throw to the pitcher, even if the ball gets away from the pitcher. 
43. Batters will run the bases unless they request a courtesy runner prior to the game or if injured during the game.  Courtesy runners are determined by the last recorded out, either on the bases or batting.
44. There are unlimited courtesy runners, including the pitcher and catcher positions.  If the batter has a courtesy runner, they do not have to touch 1^st base on a walk, hit by pitch, base hit to the outfield, etc.  If a player does not have a courtesy runner, they must be available to be a courtesy runner and only when they have an injury can they get a courtesy runner later in the game.
45. NEW!! 70 Division Game Rule:  - When there are runners on first base or first and second base and there is a base hit to the outfield, the runners cannot be forced out and can advance to the next base.  

 

PLAYOFFS

PLAYOFF GAME RULES: The batting order can be reset for all games.  The team with more players can use A/B batters to have same number of batting slots as their opponent.  There will be no time limit and no limit on extra innings.  However, Rule 14 tiebreaker will apply except there will be no run limit.  The Competition Committee will decide player playoff eligibility.

MISSION STATEMENT

This league was formed to give older players a chance to keep playing competitive baseball in a league with rules that help keep games close and recognize the physical limitations of many older players.  Playing time is split fairly among the players and opportunities to play different positions is provided. 

The league’s first priority is to assign players to teams to maintain competitive balance.  After players register, the Competition Committee will assign players to teams to maintain competitive balance and fill team needs.  If friends ask to be on the same team, the league will approve their request when possible. 

While teams will always do their best to try to win, a culture of respect for other players and the umpire(s) will be maintained.  We expect everyone to keep the game in proper perspective and be courteous and friendly with both teammates and opponents.  And most of all we want everyone to have fun playing the game we love.             

While all age eligible players are welcome to play in this division, they must make sure they can agree to this mission statement and support its goals before committing to the 65 Division.