1.    Commission Power. The commissioner of the Pleasantview Wiffle League (PWL) has the authority to change any rule, within reason. The commissioner has absolute power, with the following exceptions:

1.1. The commissioner also has the sole authority to ban any person or substance from the PWL or any PWL facility (i.e. Angelodome Sports and Entertainment Complex (ASEC), Great American Wiffleball Field.)

1.2. If the commissioner feels it is necessary, he may consult his panel of VIP to vote on any issues concerning the PWL or ASEC.

1.2.1.  If a vote is initiated the vote must result in a majority to approve of the issue.

1.2.2.  Through the system of checks and balances, a rash decision by the commissioner may be overruled by a unanimous vote by the panel of VIP. Only a panel member can call for a vote to overrule the commissioner (Probationary V.I.P. not included.)

1.2.2.1.  Rash is defined in this context as a decision that is not made in the best interests of the people.

2.    Discrimination. The PWL does not discriminate against race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or anything else.

2.1. Everyone will be treated as equals regardless of race, creed, gender, etc. in context to the rules.

2.2. People might use racial slurs or other inappropriate terminology concerning minorities, at which time the commissioner shall deal with them accordingly.

3.    Rules. The rules of the PWL include those of basic baseball rules with the exception of the specified rules listed below. Also, Jim sucks (as explained in rule 17.)

4.    Rosters. There can be no more than five (5) players per roster (may be exceptions if situation calls for, by the commissioner’s consent).

4.1. Only three (3) players can be on the field of play for the defense.

4.2. Any of the extra players on a roster will be allowed to hit as DH’s and are allowed to sub in for the defense at any time the all is not in play.

4.3. Any team can play only one man down at any time.

4.4. Tournament Rosters can have no more than four (4) players and no less than three (3) players per team. There cannot be a team with four players and a team with two players in the same tournament at any time, unless confirmed by the commissioner.

4.4.1.  If a player for a team of three (not four) cannot play in a game for any reason, the team captain must find a replacement player. If a replacement player is unable to be found, the team must forfeit the game and the forfeit will count as a loss, unless the commissioner rules otherwise. 

4.4.2.  No team may play with two (2) players or less during any tournament. A team may only play with four (4) players when one of the players sits out. This player can pinch hit or play defense, but the team may not have four defenders at one time or four batters in the line-up at one time. The addition of a fourth player to a team must be approved by the commissioner.

4.4.3.  No team can play man-down for any amount of games during a tournament.

4.4.4.  For a person to be eligible to replace a person in a tournament the player may not be on another team in the tournament and must be an approved replacement by the commissioner. All options must be approved by the commissioner.

4.4.5.  If the original player returns, he shall return to his original team and the replacement shall be kicked off the team. But, if a returning player wishes to play no more, they will be ineligible for being a replacement.

5.    There is only one (1) batter to be permitted at bat at a time.

6.    The Offense cannot interfere with a hit ball, or it will result in an immediate out. If a batter remains in the batter’s box, they do not have to leave the batter’s box to avoid the hit ball or a defender. However, once the batter leaves the batter’s box, they must permit enough space for the defender to field the ball, or interference will be called and the batter will be ruled out.

7.    Neither walks nor balks are given in any case.

8.    Rules of Hits. For a fairly hit ball to be considered a Hit, the hit ball must enter one of the Hit zones (Single zone, Double zone, or Triple Zone,) and it must stop rolling. The zone in which the hit ball stops moving will be the hit that the batter receives (i.e. if it stops in the Single zone it’s a single, the Double zone is a double, and the Triple zone is a triple.) The Out zone is the area enclosed by the bases (Home, first, second, third,) and if a hit ball stops inside this zone the hit ball will be considered an out.

8.1. If a hit ball touches first, second, or third base [see rule 10.4 for home plate,] the hit ball will result in an immediate single.

8.2. If a hit ball touches any object other than grass or dirt in foul territory, after the hit ball landed in fair territory past the out zone, the hit ball will be ruled a single. The hit ball can still be picked up for an out before it stops or touches any other object.

9.    Rezoning. The Hit zones, which had been established at the end of the 2005 PWL season, are officially instituted and shall be used from now on. They are as follows:

9.1.     The hit zones consist of the following:
Triple zone is the area in the outfield between the Out zone and the Single zone. It is defined by a line (imaginary or actual) that starts on the foul line, 15 feet from first base down the first base foul line, extends across the field, 15 feet from the Out zone at all times, and ending at the third base foul line, 15 feet from third base.
Single zone is the area between the triple zone and the fence.
Double zone is any tree and any fence in fair territory. When a hit touches either a tree or fence in fair territory, the hit is considered an automatic double.

9.2.     Any rule previously mentioned in the Articles that might conflict with these changes is automatically void.

10. Ghost Runner. A Ghost Runner (GR) will be implemented for each Hit. A GR is an imaginary runner that takes the place of the batter after the batter hits the ball, so that the batter does not have to run the bases. After a batter is awarded a Hit (single, double or triple, as per rules 8 and 9,) there will be a GR placed on the corresponding base. For a single, a GR will be placed on first base; for a double, a GR will be placed on second base; and for a triple, a GR will be placed on third base.

10.1.  If there are if there are Ghost Runners on base and there is a Hit, the Ghost Runners on base will advance the corresponding number of bases. For a single, each Ghost Runner on base will advance one (1) base; for a double, each Ghost Runner on base will advance two (2) bases; and for a triple, each Ghost Runner on base will advance three (3) bases.

10.2.  For a Home Run, each Ghost Runner on base, as well as the Ghost Runner that takes place for the batter, will score and count as one (1) run for each.

11. The Bunt Zone starts 7 feet from home plate down the first base line and extends strait across the out zone to 7 feet from home plate down the third base line. Any bunt inside this line and in fair territory is considered a bunt.

11.1.  To be considered a bunt, the batter cannot swing the bat as if he were trying to hit the ball normally. For a bunt the batter must square around (that is, have one hand by the knob of the bat and one hand on the barrel of the bat) and bunt the ball inside the Bunt zone.

11.2.  When a batter bunts the ball, a defender may pick the ball up before it stops moving. If the defender does so, the lead runner will be considered out. The batter who bunted will be awarded first base, and any other runner will only advance one base if first base in occupied.

11.3.  When a batter bunts the ball and a defender does not pick up the hit ball before it stops moving, the batter will be considered out; however, each runner will advance one base.

11.4.  A bunt is not considered a hit, whether it be successful or not. However, it will be ruled an at bat, whether it be successful or not.

11.5.  Bunts that stop moving in a Hit zone will be considered a Hit, as per Articles 8 and 9. These types of bunts are considered Slap bunts.

12. Outs and Errors. The defender must pick up the hit ball cleanly (see Article 11.1) before it stops moving, in fair territory, for the hit ball to be considered an out. For a Fly ball, a defender must catch the hit ball and maintain possession as per basic baseball rules for the hit ball to be considered an out.

12.1.  If a hit ball touches a defender then touches any other object or person, the hit ball is ruled an error. However, if a hit ball touches one defender and another defender catches the hit ball before it touches any another object, this is ruled an out. An error is ruled a Hit, but is also an error.

12.2.  The zone in which an error is committed determines what type of a Hit the batter will be awarded. If an error is committed in the Triple zone, the batter will be awarded a Triple. If an error is committed in the Single zone, the batter will be awarded a single. If a defender does not cleanly field a hit ball, and the first object that the hit ball touches is a tree or fence, then this will be ruled an error, and the batter will be awarded a double. If a defender touches a hit ball and the ball goes over the fence before touching any other object, this will be ruled an error, and the batter will be awarded a Home Run. If an error is committed in the Out Zone, the batter will be awarded a single.

12.3.  If a defender commits an error in the out zone the batter will be awarded a single.

12.4.  The Ghost Runner Article applies to the previously mentioned Articles about errors for Hits.

12.5.  If a defender has any part of their body touching foul territory or any object in foul territory and they commit an error, the error will be omitted and considered a foul ball.

13. The Idiot Rule. If a batter hits the ball during a game and the batter touches first base under his own power or volition, the batter will be deemed an idiot and be called out. The only exception to this rule is if a batter hits a walk-off Home Run, in which case the batter may run around the bases freely and not be ruled out.  

14. Strikes. Strikes are given by swings.

14.1.  The pitcher may also call strikes, but there are no called third strikes. There are NO foul outs.

14.2.  A foul ball will be awarded as a strike for the first two strikes. The batter will not be out if he/she hits a foul on the third strike.

14.3.  A defender may catch a foul ball, but it must be in the air and may not touch any other object, other than another defender, prior to a defender catching it.

14.4.  Once the ball touches foul territory past first or third base it is a dead ball, unless it lands in fair territory first.

14.5.  If a hit touches home plate it is ruled a foul ball.

14.6.  If a batter steps into, leans into, or makes any other movement to get hit by a pitch intentionally, the pitch will be considered a strike.

14.7.  A Strike zone, consisting of ply-wood or a similar material that is 1.5 feet wide by 2 feet tall, will be placed perpendicularly to the ground, 2 feet behind home plate, so that the face of the strike zone is parallel to the front of Home plate. This zone will serve as the Strike zone only when a batter has two strikes in the count. This is the only way that a third strike can be called without the batter swinging and missing.   

15. Pitching. Any pitcher may pitch as many innings as they wish, and a player maybe be reentered as a pitcher as many times as they wish. Other basic baseball rules apply.

15.1.  For an outing to be considered to start, a pitcher must pitch at least one out.

15.2.  In tournament play no pitcher is permitted to start two consecutive games.

15.3.  In tournament games, for a starter of the previous game to be permitted to pitch, at least one inning must be completed.

15.4.  A one game suspension shall be issued, after the game, to any player in violation of Article 15.3. During the game, the player in violation must cease pitching for one inning, immediately after the violation is recognized. A replacement player may be found to replace him during his suspension.

16. Games. Each game will consist of 5 innings.

16.1.  To be ruled an official game 3 of the 5 innings must be completed.

16.2.  During tournaments, 3-inning games will be initiated.

16.3.  In tournaments only, a run-rule can be initiated after two innings of play if either team has an eleven run lead or more. If the home team maintains an eleven fun lead after the top of the second, the game will end. If the home team reaches an eleven run lead in the bottom of the second or third inning, the game will end immediately. There will be no run-rule eligible for the championship game of any tournament.

17. Beat-off Rule. If a game is tied, it will go into extra innings until the tie is broken at the end of a complete inning (as per basic baseball rules.) However, in tournament play only, the Beat-off rule will take effect in the event of a tied score after six (6) complete innings. Thus, the teams will enter a Beat-off, which is a sudden-death Home Run Derby to determine the winner of the game.

17.1.  In a Beat-off, a player from the home team will pitch to a player from the away team. If this player from the away team does not hit a Home Run, then a player from the away team pitch to a player from the home team. If the player from the home team does not hit a Home Run, then this cycle will continue until one player hits a Home Run. The first team to hit a Home Run wins the game.

17.2.  Each player for each team must bat before any other player can bat a second time. Then, the order in which the team batted in the Beat-off must continue throughout the Beat-off until a winner is determined.

17.3.  Any player can pitch for their respective team for as long as they wish. The other players of the respective team will play defense.

17.4.  The at-bats during the Beat-off will not count as at-bats, except for the winning Home Run. Therefore, outs will not count as outs; single will not count as singles, etc. The only hit that counts is a Home Run. The Home Run will be added normally to the statistics for the respective batter (as an at-bat, hit, Home Run, Run, and RBI.)

17.5.  The Home Run will be added normally to the respective pitcher’s statistics also. No other at-bats during the Beat-off are added to any player’s statistics.

18. Umpiring. Umpires can only be assigned during tournament games, unless the commissioner rules otherwise.

18.1.  The scorekeeper of each game assumes the duties of umpire for that respective game.

18.2.  The defenders will still make calls. The umpire shall only be used to make calls brought into the question.

19. Inappropriate Conduct. There is no throwing or breaking of bats or Wiffle paraphernalia.

19.1.  The violation of this rule shall result in a punishment approved by the commissioner.

19.2.  If there is anyone who gets out of control they may be punished accordingly.

19.3.  If a bat is broken by a perpetrator or violator, the bat shall be replaced in its likeness and wholeness (meaning a new bat that is not broken.)

20. Official Pitch Speed. Any pitcher is now allowed to pitch at mid-lob speed, as opposed to lob speed, which was the previous pitch speed. This rule allows the pitcher to throw the pitch harder, but cannot throw at full speed. This rule officially voids and takes the place of the previous lob rule. A pitcher cannot throw it at fast speed either (The speed in question is a relative speed, which is determined by the PWL commissioner and VIP.)

21. The Jim Sucks Rule. Matt Dunham, commonly known as Jim and previously known as Fat Matt, sucks.

22. Bush League Rule. A.k.a. the Sorrell Rule. In the event that a hit ball is popped up or simply hit in the air, a defensive player must attempt to catch the hit ball before it touches the ground. The defender cannot purposely allow the hit ball fall to the ground, and then pick it up before it stops moving. The play will be ruled an error, no out will be given, and the batter will be awarded a Hit as per Articles 8 and 9. If a play is in question of being a Bush League play, the umpire will confirm whether or not the play was actually Bush League.

Chain of Command

1. Commissioner and General Manager: Greg "Lloyd" Helmstetter
2. Director of Operations: Matt "Meat" Helmstetter
3. Web Designer,  Idea Man, and PWL Great: Nathan "The Godfather" Helmstetter
4. Prognosticator and Eternal Optimist: Louie "Lou" Doenges
5. V.I.P. PJ Stilwell
6. V.I.P. Brett "Freddie" Frederick
7. V.I.P. Greg "Luffman" Luthman
8. V.I.P. Jacob "Giraffe" Bryant
9. V.I.P. Zach "Killer" Kill
10. V.I.P. Rob Doenges

Let it be known that this constitution of rules and regulations have been edited for the good of the game. They have been rigorously drafted to accommodate the wishes of the commissioner, the VIP, and the members of the PWL. Any complaints to this near perfect constitution must be taken to the commissioner and discussed. After the discussion of these complaints the commissioner shall, either, listen to and do something about the person’s complaints, or the commissioner can completely ignore the complaints and do whatever he wants. These rules and regulations are subject to change through the authority of the PWL Commission Office.

These Articles Were Last Revised on Monday, the 21^st day of June 2010, by the Commissioner of the PWL.