With Opening Day upon us, we want to highlight several important rule updates for the upcoming season. Over the offseason, the entire rulebook was rewritten to improve clarity, remove redundancies, and make it easier for teams to understand expectations. While the core structure of the rules remain the same, a few key changes have been made since last year.
1. Team‑to‑Team Substitution Rule Removed
The rule implemented last year allowing players to substitute between teams within the same church has been removed. Additionally, the rulebook now clearly states that a player must appear in at least four games for a team to be eligible for tournament play. Any exceptions due to legitimate extenuating circumstances must be approved by the board.
2. Courtesy Runner Rule Standardized Across All Divisions
All three divisions will now use the same courtesy‑runner rule that Division 1 followed last season. The core of the rule is simple: “Up to two batters per half‑inning may receive courtesy runners without restriction, and any player may serve as a courtesy runner for any other player.” Additional details and clarifications are outlined in Rule 7.2.
If your team has a unique situation — for example, three or more players who are physically unable to run — please contact the board so we can work with you on an appropriate solution.
3. Updated Run Rules
Previously, the only threshold our league used was a 15-run lead after 5 innings. These have been slightly adjusted to the following…
- 20‑run lead after 4 innings
- 15‑run lead after 5 innings
- 10‑run lead after 6 innings
4. Refined Swearing and Conduct Rule
The swearing rule has been expanded to clearly distinguish between minor and major offenses. This update allows the league to address conduct issues more consistently while still recognizing the difference between accidental slips and more serious behavior. Full details regarding swearing and other conduct are outlined in Rule 4.4.
With these updates in place, we’re excited to get the 2026 season underway. Thanks for your commitment to the league and for helping us create a great experience on the field all summer long.