Roster & Lineup FAQ
For anyone who has ever managed a team; in a league, for a tournament, or something to do on a Wednesday, you are aware how difficult it can be to put a full roster of players on the field. After the final out is recorded on Sunday, Team reps often spend the entire week preparing for the next game. Working around people’s work schedules, dealing with injuries or vacations, and calling (also read as begging) spares to come out can be an exhausting and thankless job.
My hat is off to everyone who does this week in and week out. For those of you reading this who don’t have these issues- you just wait, your time is coming!
In addition to finding enough able and willing bodies to show up, it is important to make sure you meet the required lineup parameters. So we will try and make that a little easier with a breakdown of the current lineup requirements and rules by answering some frequently asked questions!
What is the maximum number of players I can put in my batting order/ lineup?
- You can have a maximum of 26 players in your batting order and a maximum of 10 players on the field at a time.
Can I have an uneven number of guys and girls in my batting order?
- Yes! You must alternate guy/girl/guy/girl or vice versa, but you don’t have to have even numbers.
What is the minimum number of girls I have to have in the field?- Updated 2020
- You must have at least three (3) girls in your lineup and on the field to play.
If I have 3 girls on the field, how many guys can I have?- Updated 2020
- Division 1: You can have up to a maximum of six (6) guys on the field at one time and 3 females.
- Divisions 2-5: You can have up to a maximum of five (5) guys on the field at one time and 3 females.
Are there any restrictions on where players can play?
- Division 1: If you have 6 guys and a female pitcher- you must have a male catcher.
- Divisions 2-5: No.
If I am short girls, can I play 6 (guys) & 4 (girls) in the field?
- Division 2-5: Nope! You can play no more than 5 guys and 4 girls in that scenario. You can still bat 6 guys and 4 girls in your batting order, alternating genders, but just 5-4 on the field.
What is the fewest number of male players I can have in my lineup?
- Three (3)!
What is the minimum number of players I can play with?- Updated 2020
- You must have a total of 8 players in order to take the field. You can have three (3) guys and five (5) girls, four (4) guys and four (4) girls, or five (5) guys and three (3) girls with one male player behind the plate.
Is there a maximum number of girls I can have in my lineup or on the field?
- Nope! You could field up to 10 girls on the field in an inning and have as many girls in your batting order up to 26 players minus three (3) male players. You must have at least three (3) male players in your batting order to play.
I have a player coming from work/ a tournament/ the barbershop and they might be late, can I still add them once the game starts?
- Yes! You can add players to the end of your lineup once they arrive. Make sure you inform the other team and the umpire of the late addition when they are added to your batting order. A player can be added at any time, regardless of how many times you have gone through the order.
If I have an injury during the game and that player is removed from the lineup, are they an out?
- No! That would be mean. Please inform the umpire and the other team of their removal from the batting order and then skip the injured player when their spot in the order comes up.
If a team only has eight (8) players and a player gets injured during the game and can’t continue, what happens?
- Unfortunately, the team must forfeit as they do not meet the minimum roster requirements.
In the above scenario, can a player that is not participating in the game, be subbed into the lineup?
- Yes, if you have a player at the diamond and that is immediately ready and on your roster, they can be added into your lineup if needed. The umpire is not required and will not wait for the new player to come to the park. Act quickly.
If a player is ejected from a game are they an automatic out when their at-bat comes up?
- Yes. If you are kicked out of a game you are an out when it is your at-bat. The opposing team is not allowed to walk a player to get to the automatic out. That is dirty! If you have a player on your roster that is not in the line-up, they can be substituted into the ejected player’s spot to avoid the automatic out.
If my opponent is playing with a lineup that I do not think meets the league requirements, what should I do?
- Mistakes happen! In this scenario, check the League rules as posted on the website and/or in this FAQ. If you still feel there is an issue, please approach the Umpire in an appropriate manner to bring the issue to his/ her attention. If in the very rare scenario, you still feel there is an issue- please contact a member of the Executive immediately. Contact info can be found here. If you cannot reach a member of the Executive, please take a picture of the offending scenario (6-4 in the field or a scorebook showing a lineup that does not meet the minimum requirements). We will do our best to remedy the situation as soon as possible.
If there are any additional questions/scenarios not covered please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Executive and we will do our best to answer your question and update the FAQ. People have varying levels of experience when it comes to running a team, please offer positive support when needed. Conversely, if a team frequently breaks the rules, they will be subjected to punishments ranging from forfeited games or potential removal from the league.
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