1. Western Piedmont Baseball
Rule 4
Starting and Ending Game

2. Rule 4 Starting a Game
Home coach determines if conditions are suitable before start, umpires decision after start.
Home coach proposes special ground rules, if accepted by visiting coach – in force; if not, umpires decide.
Foul poles at least 210 feet past first and third, screen behind catcher no closer than 60 feet – recommended.
Batting order to UIC before start, substitution rules in effect at that point.
Coaches verify to UIC that players are properly equipped and that good sportsmanship is expected.

3. Rule 4 Ending a Regulation Game
Each team must have 9 players in lineup to start game, 8 to finish. If not, forfeit.
Game ends when team behind in score completes turn at bat in 7th inning or when home team scores winning run in bottom of 7th or any extra inning at any time or when 10 run lead is reached after 4.5 inning with home team ahead or 5 complete innings when visitor is ahead.
Two seven innings games are a doubleheader.

4. Rule 4 Ending a Regulation Game
If weather or darkness ends a game, it is a regulation game if: 5 full innings have been played or 4.5 innings if the home team is ahead or if play has gone beyond 5 full innings.
If game is called when teams have not had an equal number of at-bats, the score reverts back to last completed inning, except, if home team in its half scores a run (or runs) which ties or exceeds the opponent's score.
State associations may adopt game-ending procedures. If none, mutual agreement of coaches and UIC determine if game will be shortened or terminated.

5. Rule 4 Called Game, Forfeited Game, Protested Game
Game is called before completion of innings as specified in and
Game is forfeited (score 7-0) when team is late, refuses to continue after game is started, delays more than a reasonable amount of time in resuming play, refuses to replace a player disqualified by the umpire, persists in tactics designed to delay or shorten the game, willfully and persistently violates rules after warnings, or is unable to provide nine players to start or eight to finish the game, home team fails to make field ready.
Protested games are option for state associations.