OBR but Not MLB

[johnnyg08]

For amateur leagues that use OBR, what are some things are used in OBR (MLB) that are likely not used in amateur leagues playing under OBR? 

Things I'm thinking about: 
1. Pitch clock

2. Larger bases

3. Runner Lane Interference dimensions (RLI still enforced of course at the amateur level) 

4. Disengagements/Throw overs

What else? 

 

[Velho]

Shift ban

Foul tip beyond hand/glove(?)

Implicit Time (e.g. ball swap)

Firm batter timeout per AB limits

[johnnyg08]

6 minutes ago, Velho said:

Shift ban

Foul tip beyond hand/glove(?)

Implicit Time (e.g. ball swap)

Firm batter timeout per AB limits

Good ones...thanks! 

[orangebird]

Three-batter minimum?

[johnnyg08]

7 minutes ago, orangebird said:

Three-batter minimum?

Yep! There's another one! 

[Velho]

One added vs subtracted: limit on how many times you can verbally IBB a given batter before you have to start doing old-school pitches thrown IBB, e.g. LL only allows it once. Have to pitch the ball anytime after that.

[Richvee]

7 hours ago, Velho said:

Shift ban

Including an infielder's feet on the outfield grass. 

[Richvee]

Ghost runner

[MadMax]

MSBL & NABA both use a NCAA-esque FPSR, despite using OBR for (nearly) everything else. OBR's standards for contact mitigation is significantly different than these two adult amateur environments.

They also don't count mound visits, except if it involves the team captain ("head coach") or another teammate who enters the playing field from the bench. 2nd "actual visit" in the same inning → change the pitcher. 

Pitch-com; there ain't no way they'd have it. 

Fraternization (with or amongst the crowd, or other players); nowhere near as restrictive and draconian in the amateur game. 

 

 

[SeeingEyeDog]

3.08e Base coaches are required to wear helmets

I have yet to see an amateur baseball league (youth or adult) playing under OBR who enforces this rule. And since I don't believe in umpires taking on more liability than they should, I ALWAYS discuss this rule at the plate meeting. If they don't want it enforced fine, but, I want them verbalizing that and I want my partners attentive to it so they can bear witness later, if necessary.

If someone gets injured as a base coach without a helmet, I don't want anyone leaving the ballpark after that thinking they can hang that on the umpires for not enforcing the rule.

~Dawg

[TheLovejoy]

1 hour ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

3.08e Base coaches are required to wear helmets

I have yet to see an amateur baseball league (youth or adult) playing under OBR who enforces this rule. And since I don't believe in umpires taking on more liability than they should, I ALWAYS discuss this rule at the plate meeting. If they don't want it enforced fine, but, I want them verbalizing that and I want my partners attentive to it so they can bear witness later, if necessary.

If someone gets injured as a base coach without a helmet, I don't want anyone leaving the ballpark after that thinking they can hang that on the umpires for not enforcing the rule.

~Dawg

American Legion require it for all age groups, (13-19 (super senior)).

[Velho]

26 minutes ago, TheLovejoy said:

1 hour ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

3.08e Base coaches are required to wear helmets

I have yet to see an amateur baseball league (youth or adult) playing under OBR who enforces this rule. And since I don't believe in umpires taking on more liability than they should, I ALWAYS discuss this rule at the plate meeting. If they don't want it enforced fine, but, I want them verbalizing that and I want my partners attentive to it so they can bear witness later, if necessary.

If someone gets injured as a base coach without a helmet, I don't want anyone leaving the ballpark after that thinking they can hang that on the umpires for not enforcing the rule.

~Dawg

Expand  

American Legion require it for all age groups, (13-19 (super senior)).

We keep waiting for LL to do it. Hope it doesn't come down to an injury to make it happen.

[SeeingEyeDog]

55 minutes ago, TheLovejoy said:

American Legion require it for all age groups, (13-19 (super senior)).

You are correct and thank you for the clarification...

~Dawg

[TheLovejoy]

14 hours ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

You are correct and thank you for the clarification...

~Dawg

Also, to follow up on your earlier statement that “you have yet to see one enforce that rule”: when I said that American Legion requires it, I meant that it is, in fact, enforced — consistently — at the state level, regional level, and national level.

[johnnyg08]

1 hour ago, TheLovejoy said:

Also, to follow up on your earlier statement that “you have yet to see one enforce that rule”: when I said that American Legion requires it, I meant that it is, in fact, enforced — consistently — at the state level, regional level, and national level.

We 100% enforce it during the regular season in our games. (Am Legion) 

[johnnyg08]

Here's another one...

Must declare windup in MLB...not required in amateur leagues...but the pitching motion must be legal.

[SeeingEyeDog]

19 hours ago, johnnyg08 said:

We 100% enforce it during the regular season in our games. (Am Legion) 

Yes...again, to fully re-confirm this...I mis-spoke. AmLegion 100% has the rule on the books and 100% enforces this. As they should!

~Dawg

[834k3r]

On 11/18/2025 at 1:52 PM, johnnyg08 said:

We 100% enforce it during the regular season in our games. (Am Legion) 

Same here.