Article 5 – Rules of the Game Interpretation Guide
Part 2: Courtesy runners, time limits, completed games, weather delays, rescheduling, field setup, and safety base rules.
Purpose of This Section
These rules explain how STLWEST games are timed, completed, delayed, postponed, rescheduled, and safely managed. They help coaches, umpires, and associations make consistent decisions when game conditions change.
Section 5.15 – Courtesy Runner for Injured Player
Official Rule:
A courtesy runner, using the last out, may be used for an injured player if necessary. The injured player may return to the game if able to play in the field or bat in their spot in the lineup.
Meaning:
If a player is injured but not removed from the game entirely, a courtesy runner may be used so the game can continue.
Practical Implications:
The injured player is not automatically out of the game. If they recover and can continue, they may return to defense or bat in their regular lineup spot.
Simplified Wording:
Injured players may get a courtesy runner and can return if able.
Governance Purpose:
Protects injured players while also keeping the game moving.
Best Practice:
Coaches should communicate clearly with the umpire and scorekeeper when using an injury courtesy runner.
Bottom Line:
Injury courtesy runners are allowed, but the injured player keeps their lineup spot if able to continue.
Section 5.16 – Standard Game Time Limit
Official Rule:
All games shall have a time limit of one hour and forty minutes, unless otherwise noted, for baseball and softball.
Meaning:
The standard STLWEST game time limit is 1:40 unless a division-specific or event-specific rule says otherwise.
Practical Implications:
Coaches and umpires must manage pace of play, substitutions, pitching changes, and innings with the time limit in mind.
Simplified Wording:
Standard game time is 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Governance Purpose:
Keeps games on schedule, protects field usage, and supports multi-game league scheduling.
Important Note:
Always check division-specific rules because some divisions or tournament formats may have different limits.
Best Practice:
Umpires should announce the official start time and both teams should track it.
Bottom Line:
The 1:40 time limit is the default STLWEST standard unless another rule applies.
Section 5.17 – Home Team Ahead When Time Expires
Official Rule:
In league and tournament play, if time is up and the home team is ahead, the game is over at the conclusion of the visitors at bat.
Meaning:
If the visiting team finishes its at-bat and the home team is already winning, the home team does not bat again.
Practical Implications:
This prevents unnecessary half-innings when the home team has already secured the lead after time expires.
Simplified Wording:
If time is up and home is winning after visitors bat, the game ends.
Governance Purpose:
Saves time and keeps game flow consistent with baseball/softball logic.
Bottom Line:
The home team does not bat unnecessarily when already ahead after time expires.
Section 5.18 – Run Limit and Time Limit Completion
Official Rule:
At the end of the time limit, if a run limit per inning exists and either team is ahead by more runs than can be scored in the half inning, the game is called complete and the inning will not be concluded. All other divisions complete the inning in progress. The game counts as legal regardless of innings played.
Meaning:
If the trailing team cannot mathematically catch up because of the inning run limit, the game can end without finishing the inning.
Practical Implications:
Coaches and umpires must know the division’s run limit to determine whether the inning should continue after time expires.
Simplified Wording:
If the run limit makes a comeback impossible after time expires, the game ends.
Governance Purpose:
Prevents unnecessary play when the outcome cannot change.
Important Note:
If the division does not have a run limit situation that applies, the inning in progress is completed.
Best Practice:
Umpires should confirm the division run limit during ground rules.
Bottom Line:
Time limit plus run limit can determine whether the game ends immediately or the inning continues.
Section 5.19 – New Inning and Stalling
Official Rule:
A new inning starts immediately after the third out of the home team’s at bat. If there are five seconds left in the time, another inning will be played. Umpires will not tolerate intentional stalling.
Meaning:
The next inning begins as soon as the home half-inning ends, even if only a few seconds remain.
Practical Implications:
Teams cannot intentionally delay to avoid starting another inning.
Simplified Wording:
If time remains after the third out, a new inning starts.
Governance Purpose:
Prevents gamesmanship and protects fair competition.
Important Note:
Umpires have authority to address intentional stalling.
Best Practice:
Umpires should clearly announce when a new inning has started.
Bottom Line:
Teams cannot stall the clock to avoid another inning.
Section 5.20 – Baseball and Softball Inning Rules
Official Rule:
Baseball and softball age divisions play seven innings. No new inning may begin after 1:40 has expired. Baseball allows certain extra-inning situations if seven innings are completed before time expires. Softball uses a tie-breaker beginning in the eighth inning when applicable.
Meaning:
STLWEST uses seven innings as the standard game structure, but the 1:40 time limit controls when new innings may start.
Practical Implications:
Baseball and softball have different extra-inning/tie-breaker handling. Umpires and coaches must know which rule applies.
Simplified Wording:
Seven innings is standard, but time limits control new innings.
Governance Purpose:
Balances complete games with schedule control.
Important Note:
The home team does not bat if already winning and the mercy requirement has been met before the bottom half of the listed inning.
Best Practice:
Umpires should confirm baseball vs. softball tie procedures before extra innings begin.
Bottom Line:
Article 5.20 controls how innings, time limits, and tie-breakers interact.
Section 5.21 – Regulation Games After Weather or Acts of God
Official Rule:
If a game is called due to rain, lightning, or acts of God and cannot be resumed, it is a regulation game if certain inning, score, or time conditions are met. If not completed under the rule, the game starts over from the beginning.
Meaning:
STLWEST has specific standards for determining whether a stopped game counts as official.
Practical Implications:
The inning count, score, and amount of time played determine whether the game is complete, reverts to the previous completed inning, or must restart.
Simplified Wording:
Weather-shortened games only count if they meet regulation game requirements.
Governance Purpose:
Creates a consistent way to handle weather interruptions.
Important Note:
If the game does not meet completed-game requirements, it starts over from the beginning.
Best Practice:
Umpires and associations should document inning, score, outs, and time when a weather stoppage occurs.
Bottom Line:
Weather-shortened games are only official when they meet STLWEST regulation game standards.
Section 5.22 – Weather Postponement Authority and Heat/Cold Policy
Official Rule:
The Home Association may postpone a game before play due to inclement weather. Once play is at the field, weather stoppages are handled by the Umpire-in-Chief, and only the Home Association board member on duty may officially postpone the game. Games may be delayed or canceled if heat index exceeds 105°F or temperature is below 40°F one hour before game start. AccuWeather is the official weather source.
Meaning:
Weather decisions have specific authority depending on whether the game has started or players are already at the field.
Practical Implications:
Players, coaches, and managers must report to the field unless they receive official confirmation of postponement.
Simplified Wording:
Do not assume weather cancels the game unless officially told.
Governance Purpose:
Prevents inconsistent cancellations and protects safety.
Important Note:
Failure to report after no official postponement may result in forfeit.
Best Practice:
Associations should use one clear communication channel for weather updates.
Bottom Line:
Weather postponements must come from the proper authority.
Section 5.23 – Lightning Delay Policy
Official Rule:
Lightning causes a mandatory 15-minute delay. The game time limit pauses during the delay. There is a maximum 45-minute delay. If play cannot resume within 45 minutes, the game is postponed and completed-game rules apply.
Meaning:
Lightning creates an automatic safety delay.
Practical Implications:
The game clock stops during lightning delay, but the delay cannot exceed 45 minutes.
Simplified Wording:
Lightning means stop play for at least 15 minutes.
Governance Purpose:
Protects players, coaches, umpires, and spectators from severe weather risk.
Best Practice:
Clear the field immediately and document delay start time.
Bottom Line:
Lightning safety is mandatory and not optional.
Section 5.24 – Rainout Rescheduling Procedure
Official Rule:
The home team must contact the visitor by email within seven days of the rainout and offer two dates. The visiting team must respond within nine days of the rainout. The game must be rescheduled within fourteen days of the rainout. If neither team initiates the reschedule within fourteen days, both teams forfeit.
Meaning:
Rainout rescheduling has strict deadlines and must be handled by email.
Practical Implications:
Both teams are responsible for acting quickly. Delays can result in forfeits.
Simplified Wording:
Home team starts the reschedule process, visitor responds, and the game must be rescheduled within 14 days.
Governance Purpose:
Prevents rainouts from sitting unresolved and disrupting standings.
Important Note:
“Rescheduled within 14 days” means scheduled to a later date, not necessarily played within 14 days.
Best Practice:
Use email so there is a written record of offered dates, responses, and responsibility.
Bottom Line:
Rainout communication must happen quickly and in writing.
Section 5.25 – Fault for Failure to Reschedule
Official Rule:
If one team is at fault for the game not being rescheduled within the two-week period, that team receives the forfeit. This is determined by email dates and times. A forfeit is recorded as 7-0.
Meaning:
The team responsible for failing to complete rescheduling may be charged with the forfeit.
Practical Implications:
Email records become evidence for determining responsibility.
Simplified Wording:
The team that causes the reschedule failure gets the forfeit.
Governance Purpose:
Encourages timely communication and prevents avoidance.
Best Practice:
Always respond to rainout emails promptly and keep records.
Bottom Line:
Email timestamps matter when determining reschedule responsibility.
Section 5.26 – Coach’s Box Placement on Smaller Diamonds
Official Rule:
When a game is played on a diamond with base distances less than 90 feet, the coach’s boxes at first and third base shall be moved in toward home plate to maintain the same relative position as a regulation 90-foot diamond.
Meaning:
Coach’s boxes should be adjusted proportionally on smaller fields.
Practical Implications:
Coaches should not stand too far down the baseline on smaller fields.
Simplified Wording:
On smaller fields, move coach’s boxes closer to home plate.
Governance Purpose:
Keeps coaching positions consistent and safe across field sizes.
Best Practice:
Field crews should mark appropriate coach’s boxes when preparing smaller diamonds.
Bottom Line:
Coach’s boxes should match the scale of the field being used.
Section 5.27 – Orange Safety Base
Official Rule:
An orange safety base will be used at first base for all levels ages 7U–14U in both baseball and softball.
Meaning:
Younger divisions must use a double/safety base at first base.
Practical Implications:
Associations must ensure the correct first base is installed for applicable age divisions.
Simplified Wording:
7U–14U must use the orange safety base.
Governance Purpose:
Reduces collision risk between runners and fielders at first base.
Best Practice:
Add safety base verification to field setup checklists.
Bottom Line:
The orange safety base is required for 7U–14U baseball and softball.
Important Note: This is Part 2 of Article 5. The official STLWEST rulebook remains the controlling authority for all gameplay, timing, weather, rescheduling, and safety decisions.