Rule 1
Section 1:
Positions, Equipment, and Players
Article 1...
In Beep Baseball, each of the two teams is permitted six turns at bat during which it attempts to score runs by having its batters hit the beeping ball into fair territory and reach a buzzing (activated) base before the ball is legally fielded by the defense. The team in the field attempts to end the turn at bat of the opponent by causing three of its batters to be put out. Each of the two teams consists of six batters / fielders throughout the game (except as noted elsewhere in these rules), at least one but no more than two of who must be designated Captain. The captain and the coach represent the team in all communication with the umpires and other game or tournament officials. The captain’s duties can include: providing the head umpire with the name, shirt number, position, and batting order of each starting player; and informing all players of his team as to special ground rules as announced by the Head Umpire. Each team must also furnish its own pitchers and catchers on offense and at least one, but not more than two, spotters on defense. It shall be a forfeit if a team cannot provide these support personnel.
Article 2...
A Player is designated on the official line-up sheet by his fielding position, name, and shirt number. **
Article 3...
All Players in a team’s line-up shall be visually impaired. EXCEPTION:
[a]
Each team is allowed to have sighted members on their official roster. When blindfolded, they are eligible to play as fielder / batter; HOWEVER, no more than two fully sighted persons may participate as fielder / batter on any team at one time during any one game, and ONLY IF no visually impaired player is available to play;
[b]
Pitcher and catcher should have good visual acuity with corrective eye wear.
Article 4...
At the time of the pitch, all defensive players, including the spotters, shall have both feet in fair territory, and shall be at least forty feet from home plate.
Article 5...
An active player may change to a different fielding position at any time without notifying the Head umpire.
Article 6...
Uniforms are recommended for all players.
[a]
Uniforms of all team members should be the same color and style. Caps are recommended and shoes are required equipment (no track spikes are allowed). Metal cleats are prohibited. For individual players, sleeve lengths may vary. A uniform shall not have any dangerous buttons, pins, or ornaments. Each player shall be numbered on the back of the shirt with a plain number of a solid color contrasting with the color of the shirt. The number shall be at least 8” (eight inches) high and no players on the same team shall wear identical numbers;
[b]
It is mandatory for each batter and fielder to wear a blindfold. The on-deck batter shall have the blindfold in place and properly adjusted before entering the on-deck circle or area and shall leave it in place until being put out, striking out, or scoring, unless permission to lower it is given by the umpire. Each fielder is required to have the blindfold in place and properly adjusted before assuming initial position on the field. If the head umpire has given permission to enter and leave the field with blindfolds down, fielder must face away from home plate and adjust blindfold before turning to face home plate after reaching initial position on the field and prior to the first pitch, legal or illegal, to the next batter. Fielders shall leave blindfold in place until the batting team has been retired and defense has left the field, unless otherwise instructed by the head umpire. Blindfolds will be determined by the NBBA Board and recognized as the minimum standard blindfold. Homemade blindfolds must be accepted by the NBBA Head Umpire and both team captains and coaches before being used; coach or captain should request this approval prior to the start of each game. Each blindfold shall have firm elastic bands that do not droop and shall be worn in such a manner as to completely prohibit any possible use of vision. [Note: These blindfolds are designed to be worn with the upper elastic band over the top of the ear and the lower band below the ear to insure a firm, close fit at all points of contact with the face]. The umpire has the right to inspect the blindfold of any player at any time; if the umpire determines that the blindfold is not being correctly worn he may issue a team warning to that team that the next player found to be wearing a blindfold improperly or wearing a blindfold that does not meet minimum specifications may be ejected from the game;
[c]
Protective equipment of the type approved for use in baseball or softball is allowed and encouraged for any player on any team;
[d]
Loose equipment of either team may not be on or near the field;
[e]
All splints, casts, and braces must be padded. No protective equipment shall have exposed metal or any other hard material. Prostheses may be worn. The head umpire prior to the game to evaluate the potential for danger must examine any equipment, which has exposed metal or other hard surface. Any equipment, including prostheses, judged by the head umpire to be potentially dangerous is illegal and will not be allowed;
[f]
Prior to the start of the game, the coach and / or captain(s) of each team shall be responsible for verifying to the head umpire that all that team’s players are equipped in compliance with these rules. The Head Umpire and / or tournament officers shall determine any questions regarding legality of a player’s equipment;
[g]
Non-traditional playing equipment must be reviewed by the National Board of Directors for Beep Baseball before it will be permitted;
[h]
Jewelry is prohibited to be worn by all players with the exception of medical alert bracelets or necklaces. If a player must wear a medical alert bracelet/necklace, it should be taped to the body so as to remain visible but not present a possible hazard.
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