to the guys that know rules, if playing with 8 guys is there a rule that says what positions HAVER to be filled. Yes I know the obvious ones :) and can the opposing team have a throw the ball back catcher for you but they are not allowed to make a play at home .
you never specified age bracket
4.3 • NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON A TEAM
4.3(1) • MEN'S DIVISIONS UNDER AGE 70+ AND MEN’S AND WOMEN’S
40-MASTERS
Ten players constitute a team. However, a team may start a game with no
fewer than nine players. A tenth player on the roster may be added any time
during the game, batting in the last (10 ) position. Until the tenth position is th
filled, an out will be declared only the first time that position comes to bat.
A. For men’s 70+ through 80+ and women’s divisions age 50+ and above
– Eleven players constitute a team. However, a team may start a game with
no fewer than ten players. An eleventh player on the roster may be added
any time during the game, batting in the last (11 ) position. Until the (11th) position is filled, an out will be declared only the first time that position
comes to bat.
B. For Men’s 85+ and older divisions – Twelve players constitute a team.
However, a team may start a game with no fewer than eleven players.
A twelfth player on the roster may be added any time during the game, batting in the last (12 ) position. Until the 12 position is filled, an out will be declared only the first time that position comes to bat.
tc4whlr ... You may want to continue reading §4 ... There is no provision in the Official SSUSA rules regarding the "courtesy catcher" ...
__________
§4.4 • SHORT-HANDED RULE
This rule may be used with the following requirements:
A. If a team begins play with the required number of players as listed in §4.3(1) or §4.3(2) above, that team may continue a game with one less player than it started with provided no eligible substitute is available, whenever a player leaves the game for any reason other than ejection. NOTE: Under no circumstances shall a team be permitted to bat less than nine (or ten in men’s 70+ and older or women’s senior divisions). A forfeit will be recorded.
tc4whir, If nine players are required to start a game and team A has only 8 players and lets say team B has 11 there are many local house leagues (men’s, women’s, coed and senior) that will allow team B to supply a catcher when team A is in the field. Some leagues would leave it up to team B. Other leagues simply won’t allow it.
Personally I always make sure whatever the rule is, that it’s in writing.
