Rule differences: Lab league vs. Recreational league

Summary of key rules that are different from one league to the other:

Lab: Foul balls caught by the catcher will be counted as an out, regardless of height of the ball
Rec: The catcher can not catch foul balls to record an out

Lab: Runners can not be tagged out on their way to first base
Rec: Runners can be tagged out if they are on their way to first base

Lab: Mercy rule is 10 runs per inning
Rec: Mercy rule is 8 runs per inning through first 6 innings. No mercy rule for 7th and 8th innings (if played)

Lab: Runners can slide into 2nd or 3rd, but not 1st or home
Rec: There is no sliding at any time on any base while running. If you are found to be sliding, you are automatically out

Lab: No infield fly rule in effect
Rec: Infield fly rule is in effect

Lab: Maximum of 3 pitches thrown to men to put the ball in fair territory. Women get 6.
Rec: Men get 3 pitches to put the ball in play. Women get only 5.

Lab: If the pitcher is hit, the ball is dead, and is repitched.
Rec: If the pitcher is hit, the ball is dead and it counts as one of the batter's 3 or 5 pitches unless it is the final pitch available to the batter

Lab: Pinch runners can run for the batter during the at bat.
Rec: Pinch runners can only take over for the batter once they have reached base (if runner is male, the last male out should replace the runner, if the runner is female, the last female out should replace the runner).

Rec: 2 Home runs over the fence per inning per team. All Home Runs hit over the fence in the same inning by the same team will be converted into a ground rule double.
Lab: No such rule limiting Home Runs over the fence in an inning by a team

Rec: Cone placed down 20 paces (about 60 feet) down each foul line behind first and third base to indicate where outfielders/rovers need to stand behind before contact is made with the ball by the batter
Lab: No such rule limiting where outfielders can stand

Rec: Players need to arrive prior to the completion of the 3rd inning (unless the Captains come up with an agreement before the game) in order to play in the game
Lab: No rule limiting when a player can arrive and still play in the game

Rec: In the regular season, a full team has a maximum of 13 players if you have 3 or more females in the line-up. At least 1 female must play 1st, 2nd, SS, or 3b. If a team has less than 3 females in the field, none of them can play catcher.
Lab: In the regular season, a full team has a maximum of 12 players if you have 2 or more females in the line-up.