Minnesota 50+ Baseball League Rules

The Anderson rule

The standing rules are strict about dress and conduct: wood bats only, full uniform with hats, numbered jerseys and baseball pants, helmets on the bases, no shorts or civilian clothing on the field, no smoking or alcohol in the dugout, metal or rubber spikes.

The amendments are where it gets interesting. In 2016 a pitcher faking a throw to third became a balk. In 2017 clubs got the option of a shared lineup — two or more players occupying the same line in the order, running or hitting for each other, declared to the umpire and the opposing manager before the game, with the manager calling out "line-share" the first time it is used; the older courtesy runner system remains, but a club may not use both in one game. In 2018 came a rule the league named after a player: a batter may not be thrown out at first by any defensive player who starts the play with a foot in the outfield grass, with an exception for a ball deflected by an infielder. In 2019 the Anderson rule was made permanent in the playoffs too. High Cheese keeps a league's rules beside its schedule and against its rosters, so an amendment made in February reaches every man in June.