Rules

Playing Rules

Participants MUST be 35 yrs. or over by Dec 31st of the playing year.
Games will be 6 innings in duration.
A pitcher is entitled to pitch to 6 outs. if removed from the mound, the pitcher will not return to pitch in that game.
Professional rules of baseball apply to base stealing in the Vintage Baseball Federation.
Body contact on the base paths is to be discouraged, and in the case of deliberate contact, an appeal to the umpire may be lodged by the team offended. A player making the violation is to be called out by the umpire and ejected from the game. An additional ejection for the same offense in any subsequent game in the tournament, automatically brings about suspension from the entire tournament.
Substitutions: the following modifications may be used as alternatives to the official baseball rules...
(i) Whatever your roster is, once a player is removed from batting, he cannot re-enter as defense or offense.

(ii) Total team batting order where ALL members of the team constitute the batting order on offense (to be referred to as the "Niagara Rule").

(iii) Designated hitters will not be used in tournament play.

(iv) The catcher MUST be removed as a base runner and substituted for with a pinch runner, when 2 outs are registered.

(v) Anyone can run for anyone else during a game, but only once.

(vi) All players on the playing field MUST wear a full uniform, including a baseball cap.
Equipment:
(i) Proper protective equipment is essential.

(ii) Helmets with earflap/flaps MUST be worn at the plate and on the bases.

(iii) Regulation baseballs are required for tournament play.

(iv) Wooden bats are to be used for Tournament Play. If an illegal bat is used, it will result in an automatic out.
Teams will not dispute an umpire's judgement or decision. Consistent ungentlemanly hassling of an umpire will cause immediate ejection of the player from the game.
Tournaments:
(i) Tournament schedules MUST provide for a minimum of 3 games for every team entered.

(ii) The tie ball game rule is left to each tournament chairman. It MUST be clearly written in the tournament program.

(iii) One major tournament is to be scheduled in each of the 4 regions annually.

(iv) One MASTERS tournament is to be scheduled annually.

(v) Tournament fees are to be paid in advance of the tournament, unless otherwise specified by the tournament chairman.

(vi) One third (1/3) of the tournament fee is to be non-refundable, and designated to cover tournament preparation costs, in the event of the cancellation of a tournament.

(vii) The loss of entrance fee ($250) will occur if a team does not give at least 15 days notice of not being able to attend, and if the hosting team cannot replace the original team.

(viii) NO prize money is to be provided at tournaments.
Teams playing lists indicating the name, address, and the date of birth of each player are to be forwarded to the Commissioner early in each year, with the deadline of May 1st fo the playing year. Playing cards may be issued by the V.B.F. and MUST be presented at the tournaments, in order that the player may be eligible to participate.
Tournaments:
(i) One invitational tournament may be scheduled in each of the 4 regions annually.

(ii) Player lists are to be approved by the tournament chairman; and when a team picks up players from other teams, it is subject to the approval of the tournament chairman.

(iii) Individual prizes and awards are left to the discretion of the tournament organizers.

(iv) Teams must particapate in at least 1 sanctioned tournament per year.
At least one Vintage (Seniors - 50 yrs.) Tournament per season is to be scheduled during each playing year, if possible.
The Vintage Baseball Federation recognizes and supports that Tournament awards and prizes are to be provided by the tournament chairman.

Masters (45 Yrs and Over) Rules

The same basic rules of Vintage Baseball apply equally to Masters Play, with the following exceptions:
(i) You may NOT steal 2nd base when your team is ahead in the score.

Updated: Dec 6, 2010