Diamond Toss - Official Rules
1) Game Format
- Game length: 5 innings or 30-minute time limit (whichever comes first).
- Match format: Best of 3 games.
- Throwing distance: 27 feet measured from the front of the batter’s box to the front edge of the board.
2) Start of Play
- Home team: listed first on the bracket; bats in the bottom of each inning.
- Away team: listed second on the bracket; bats in the top of each inning.
- Lineup cards: before the game begins, each team captain must give their lineup card to:
- the opposing team captain (for review), then
- the umpire (final submission).
3) Gameplay Basics
- Each batter receives up to three (3) bag throws per at-bat.
- Whether the batter throws the 2nd and/or 3rd bag depends on the result of prior throws.
- Just like baseball: you are either on base or out.
3.1 Outcomes by Hole / Result
- On-base holes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Walk, Home Run
- If a bag lands in one of these holes, the batter is credited with that base outcome and runners advance accordingly.
- Out hole:
- If the batter throws a bag into the Out hole, the batter is out immediately on that bag and does not throw any remaining bags in that at-bat.
- Strike (non-scoring throw):
- If the batter misses the board, or the bag lands on the board but not in a hole, it is a strike.
- Three (3) strikes = out.
3.2 Runner Advancement
When a batter reaches base via a Single, Double, Triple, or Home Run, any runners already on base advance the same number of bases earned by the batter:
- Single: advance 1 base
- Double: advance 2 bases
- Triple: advance 3 bases
- Home Run: batter scores; runners advance and score as forced by advancement.
If the batter receives a Walk runners already on base only move via force. I.e. If a runner is on First they will advance to Second so that the Walked player may take their place on First. If a player is on Second or Third they will remain on those bases as the walked player takes their place on First.
3.3 Outs per Half-Inning
- Each team continues batting until they record three (3) outs in that half-inning.
- Then the other team bats.
4) Throwing / Foot Fault Rules
- Throws must be underhand only.
- A batter may throw from anywhere behind the foot foul line in either:
- the left batter’s box, or
- the right batter’s box (left/right of home plate).
4.1 Foot Fault Penalties (Strike)
A throw is a strike if the player:
- steps on or over the batter’s box line and releases the bag, or
- steps on home plate and releases the bag.
4.2 Bounce Rule (Strike)
- If a bag hits the ground first and then bounces onto the board, it is removed from play and counted as a strike.
4.3 Same-Hand Rule
- A batter must throw the entire at-bat with the same hand/arm, except in the case of a medical emergency.
5) Interference & Conduct During Live Throws
- Players not batting may not create interference with the batter.
- Cheering is allowed and encouraged, as long as it does not become interference (umpire judgment).
6) Bag Interaction, Clearing, and Hole Decisions
- Bags are not removed from the board until:
- all three bags are thrown, or
- the at-bat ends early due to an Out or an On-Base result.
- If a bag is pushed or bounces into a hole due to contact with another bag, it counts based on where it finishes.
- If two bags enter a hole (same or different holes) during the same action:
- the umpire will declare which bag entered first, and that is the outcome of the at-bat.
7) Batting Rotation During the Game
- Each team starts the 1st inning with the first batter listed on their lineup card.
- Batters follow the order listed on the lineup card.
- Each following inning begins with the batter after the one who made the last out in the previous inning.
- Lineups may be different from game to game in a best-of-3 match.
- Once a lineup is submitted to the umpire for that game, it cannot be changed.
8) Run Rule (Per Inning Cap)
- The maximum runs scored per team, per inning is 5.
- Once a team scores 5 runs in a half-inning, their at-bat ends for that inning.
9) International Tie Breaker Rule
If the game is tied at the end of:
- 5 innings, or
- the 30-minute time limit,
…the International Tie Breaker goes into effect:
- Teams play additional innings as needed.
- Each half-inning starts with a runner placed on 2nd base.
- The inning is played using the same rules as standard gameplay.
- Both teams must bat each extra inning.
- Extra innings continue until there is a winner.
10) Sportsmanship
- Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in warnings, penalties, or ejection (umpire discretion).
- Any ejection may also include removal from the remainder of the game and/or match (event organizer discretion).