No Walks
Intentional included. DiamondBall is a skill-based game. A batter must put the ball in play, hit their way on. And a pitcher has to throw strikes. Umpire only calls strikes. Speaking of which.
Three Strikes You’re Out Means Three Strikes YOU’RE OUT
Batters only get three strikes. Any combination of called, swinging, and/or foul strikes results in an out. Back to the bench.
So, if the count is 0-2, and the batter foul tips, or hits a ball foul into the stands, or dribbles one foul towards third: That’s it. Done. Out.
At-Bat over. Next batter, into the box please.
Foul Pop-Ups
Foul Pop-Ups that are not caught and/or are dropped by the fielder result in a continued at-bat for the batter.
Stolen Bases
Each team is awarded three per game. As a fan, who wants to watch the pitcher constantly, again and again, over and over, throw to first? “Keep the runner close”? Fans pay for that? Of course not. Let’s see some action! Pitchers throw strikes: Batters get hits. That’s DiamondBall. Fast. Simple. Exciting.
(Stealing home is allowed. Otherwise, one stolen base per runner, per inning. Speaking of which.)
A Game is Seven Innings
That’s it — no extra innings. If the score is tied after seven, the game is over, and both teams lose. Play to win! (Best for everybody.)
Hit By Pitch
Batter hit by pitch gets two bases. All runners on base when this happens move up a base regardless if batter moves them along. Again, Diamondball is about skill: If a pitcher misses, then other team benefits from it.
Designated Hitters/Designated Fielders
Each team can use up to three of each. That is, three players who only play the field, and do not bat. And three players who only bat, and do not play the field. (These three include the pitcher, if manager so decides. A pitcher, however, can also still bat if manager so decides.)
Length of Base Paths
Length between bases is the same for the athletes as it usually is. Bases are switched out at the half-inning. So, the male athletes run their normal distance and the female athletes run their normal distance.
No Pitcher’s Mound
Each team uses a pitching strip, for their appropriate distance, which is also switched out with each half-inning.
(As Diamondball grows and Levels of Play change, some of these Rules may be adjusted somewhat based on circumstances.)