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2009 Changes to LL Rules
Little League International makes changes to their rules every year. This year there have been some changes to the pitching rules that are worthy of special mention:
Regular Season Rule Changes
- The Pitcher/Catcher provision has been modified to allow a pitcher that has delivered 40 or fewer pitches in a game to subsequently play the position of catcher that day. After delivering 41 or more pitches, a player in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. There are still no restrictions on moving a player from Catcher to Pitcher.
- Little League International gave local leagues the ability to choose from two sets of pitching rule options. The SRLL Board of Directors has chosen to adopt the option that is the same as the rules used last year by all leagues. Pitchers league age 16 and under who deliver 41 or more pitches in a game must also have a game of rest, in addition to the number of days rest prescribed. Pitchers league age 17-18 who deliver 51 or more pitches in a game must also have a game of rest, in addition to the number of days rest prescribed. This enhancement is designed to help ensure that teams develop more pitchers, and to help ensure that scheduling anomalies do not result in undue advantages for some teams.
- For Majors division and below, any non-wood bats used must be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less.
- The “automatic” intentional walk was removed. If a pitcher wishes to intentionally walk a batter, he/she must do so by pitching four pitches intentionally outside the strike zone that are not struck at by the batter, and are called “balls” by the umpire. All such pitches will count in determining that pitcher’s pitch count.
The complete regular season pitching regulation for baseball may be found by clicking this link.
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2009 Local Rules (Updated 1/5/2007)
This page contains our local rules, broken up into the following categories: SRLL Local Rules Applicable to All Divisions, SRLL Playoff Rules, Juniors, Majors, Minors AAA, Minors AA, Minors A, MAPs, Rookies, and T-Ball.
These rules can also be viewed in a PDF document.
You can find more information on the new pitch count rules in a fact-filled LL publication.
We also suggest that all managers, coaches, and parents read the new SRLL Code of Conduct.
If you have questions about our rules please contact your child's team manager or the division representative.
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I. Preliminary Statement
All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball Incorporated (the green book) shall apply to all games and operations of Scripps Ranch Little League. The following SRLL Local Rules are intended to supplement, not replace the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball.
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III. SRLL Playoff Rules (last revised 1-5-07)
- At the end of the regular season, all teams in Juniors, Majors, all minor League Divisions, and MAPS, will be eligible for the SRLL double elimination playoffs. Playoff seeding is based on regular season record. Ties are broken using the following formula:
a. Head to Head
b. League record (American or National)
c. Coin toss
- The team with the highest seed will be the home team in all playoff games until the Championship Game. In the Championship Game, the home team will be the team from the winner’s bracket. If a second (or "if necessary") game is played, the home team will be the highest seeded team.
- In the World Series game, the home team will be determined by a coin toss.
- All playoff games shall go 6 innings (except as described in local rule II.10), unless the game is tied at the end of six innings. If the game is tied after six innings, the game shall continue until the tie is broken.
- The spirit of the SRLL policy that regular season standings do not result in trophies, but merely in the seeding for the play offs. This is designed to encourage managers and coaches to not get wrapped up in winning every regular season game, and to encourage managers and coaches to exhibit SRLL’S philosophy of fair play, giving every child a chance to play different positions, and to keep playing times relatively even amongst the players on the teams.
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II. SRLL Local Rules Applicable to All Divisions (unless otherwise stated) (last revised 1-5-07)
- Local SRLL dead-ball areas are:
a) The dugouts, and the areas between the backstop and dugouts, each of which should be marked with a chalk line drawn from the front post of the backstop to the nearest post of the dugout fence; and
b) Areas extending from the end of the 1st and 3rd base side fences, straight out down the line in an imaginary straight line (these areas can chalked), to the point where these lines intersect the outfield fence. On the fields at lower Jerabek (Jerabek School), the curbing, dirt pathway, and anything outside of these areas along the left and right field lines, are out of play dead ball areas.
- SRLL is committed to fair play for all players. This includes all players receiving an equitable amount of playing time, at bats, etc. We realize that baseball is a competitive game, and that healthy competition is a good thing. However, the desire to “win” must be secondary to fairness, and should never result in treating a player unfairly. Good managers discover how to be competitive, while also being fair to all the players. Fairness is a subjective term. As a result, we have enacted “rules” which can be found below, requiring certain minimum levels of play, etc. In addition, we have adopted a Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches, which provide additional minimum guidelines regarding other matters, which we ask that managers and coaches follow. The following are the SRLL Local Rules regarding fair play, which are meant to supplement Little League Rules (i.e., you must comply with both SRLL Rules, and Little League Rules):
a) Except in T-Ball and CAPS (where games are often only 4 innings), Juniors, and playoffs in Minors AAA and Majors, all eligible players will play a minimum of 3 defensive innings (9 defensive outs) and batted at least one time by the end of the 5th inning. This rule provides for a more strict compliance with the principles of fair play than Rule 3.03 of the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball Incorporated (which requires players to play only 6 defensive outs per game.) Exception - where the game is shortened due to time, or where the home team does not get its last at bats, this rule will be deemed to have been complied with when all players have played a minimum of 6 defensive outs, and batted at least one time, prior to suspension of the game. The spirit of this rule is to help insure that all SRLL players will receive fair play time.
b) In a regular season game no player shall sit out more than 2 innings and no player shall sit out 2 innings in a row. By the end of the game all players should have sat out at least 1 inning if any player had to sit out 2 innings. (Example: 11 players show up for the game. In a six inning game there would be 12 sit outs required. Therefore each player should sit 1 inning and one player will sit 2 innings).
c) Violations of SRLL’s fair play rules will be treated in the same manner as a violation of Little league International’s fair play rules [see, Regulation IV(i) of the Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules.]
- As permitted by Rule 4.04 of the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball Incorporated, with the exceptions noted below, SRLL requires a continuous batting order (all eligible players will bat in their pre-assigned place in the order, and the team will bat in a continuous batting order containing all players present, regardless of whether the player is in the game defensively), and permits free substitution (except that once a player has pitched and been taken out as the pitcher, he or she cannot pitch again this game). A player arriving late will be placed at the bottom of the order. Exceptions to this rule include: the second half of the season in Juniors, and playoff games in AAA and Majors, where the Little League International non-continuous batting order set forth in Little League Rule 4.04 will be utilized [except that Juniors will be permitted a 10th batter (extra hitter).]
- On game days, no one other than another player may warm up or play catch with a player. This means that parents, siblings, non-teammate friends, managers and coaches, cannot warm up a player at a SRLL game field. For the purpose of this rule, “warming up” means playing catch with. Managers and coaches who have submitted a volunteer application, been appointed by the league president, and approved by the league board, may hit and/or throw infield and outfield practice (grounders and/or fly balls) to players, including wearing a glove to receive balls thrown back from the fielder, but may not play catch with players. The spirit of this rule is in part to protect the safety of players, parents and other spectators, as well to insure that game days are left exclusively for the fun and excitement of players. No adult may ever warm up a pitcher at either a practice or a game.
- Except in Juniors Division, there is absolutely no “on deck” position permitted. In addition, warm up swings are not allowed, except when the batter is at the plate, ready to hit, and the pitcher, catcher and umpire are in their proper positions. Other than when a child is walking to, or at the plate, he or she should not ever have a bat in their hand. In Juniors Division, warm up swings may be taken only in the on deck circle or at the plate.
- All male players, from Caps through Juniors must wear a protective cup. This rule is in recognition of the safety advantages of a protective cup, and with fair play rules, the realization that all players, Caps and older, may be called upon to play the catcher position, where Little League Rules mandate a protective cup.
- A batter who accidentally throws their bat will be given one warning. Each time after that, they will be called out. A player who intentionally throws a bat is subject to ejection under the Umpire’s discretion under Rule 9.01(d) of the Official Little Regulations and Playing Rules, and may at the umpire’s discretion be called out on the first such offense.
- Managers, coaches and parents, are not to publicly or loudly question an umpire’s call, or direct negative comments at an umpire, opposing team player, managers, coaches, or parent. Managers and coaches shall not make calls for the umpire by saying such things as “strike”, “ball”, “yeah”, “no”, “out”, “safe”, “fair”, “foul” during the play. Let the umpire make the call!
- If an issue arises which requires a discussion, the Manager must ask for time out, and if the umpire awards a time out, discuss this issue quietly, privately and politely with the chief (home plate) umpire and any other umpire(s) who are involved in the issue. The opposing manager has a right to be present during any such discussion. This discussion is to be a calm, polite conversation out of the hearing of spectators. The goal (particularly with youth umpires) should not be to dispute or argue the call, but should be to insure that the umpire understood and applied the correct rule, and if not, to have the situation corrected in a manner not upsetting to the umpire, players and parents. If the call is not a call the manager believes is critical, or which he or she feels a protest is appropriate, the manager should consider letting the call, good or bad, go, and perhaps, along with the opposing manager, discuss this call with the umpire a later time, in a manner designed to help the umpire to better understand the rule, and how a call might be better made in the future.
- If a spectator becomes unruly, it is the job of the manager of the spectator’s team to speak to the spectator, not the umpire. If the situation becomes more serious, the umpire should call time and discuss it with the manager, who in-turn should discuss it with the spectator. If the issue is not resolved, the umpire can, at his or her discretion, eject the manager of the team the unruly fan belongs to, or terminate the game. Once a manager is ejected, a coach must be designated as the team manager for the remainder of the game, and that person is now subject to ejection for future continued spectator violations. At no time should an umpire confront, or be expected to confront a spectator.
- Pursuant to Note (2) of Rule 4.10 of the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball Incorporated (the green book), SRLL has adopted the option of not utilizing the Mercy Rule set forth in Rule 4.10(e). This decision has been made because it is believed that no SRLL Manager would willfully allow the score of his game to excessively run up against another team, and would take steps to keep the score with in no more than 10-12 runs, including, but not limited to changing pitchers, allowing other players to play key positions, etc. (a manager who repeatedly runs up scores, may be subject to removal, or of not being appointed as a manager the next season). In addition, in divisions from AAA down to Maps, a run limit has been placed upon each inning, thereby hopefully further avoiding overly lop-sided games. By not adopting the mercy rule, and instead adopting a run limit and calling upon managers to exercise a high degree of sportsmanship, SRLL hopes, and expects that rather than the players’ games ending abruptly, with the stigma of being “mercy ruled,” that the games will continue to full length, the players will have fun, and the stigma from being mercy ruled will be avoided.
- Rule 4.11 of the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball Incorporated (the green book), determines when a game shall end. Games in which one team has mathematically won due to the imposition of run limits (i.e., one team is so far ahead, that even scoring the maximum runs allowed per inning, the trailing team cannot tie the team in the lead), it will be at the sole discretion of the manager of the trailing team to decide whether to continue to play. Please remember that under rule 4.11, if the home team is ahead after the visiting team has had its at bat in the last inning, then the game is over.
- In all Divisions with pitchers (Minors A and higher), the teams will assign scorekeepers to keep score, and to keep track of pitch counts. After each inning the two scorekeepers will confirm they have the same score and number of pitches per pitcher. If there is a discrepancy, they will try to reconcile the difference, including discussing this with managers, and in the event the differences cannot be reconciled, the home team score keeper’s value, shall be the official count. All attempts to avoid a forfeits shall be made, including announcing when the pitcher has reached his or her maximum number of pitches. The definition of a pitch is contained in Rule 2.0, as “a pitch delivered to a batter.” Thus, a pick-off attempt does not count as a pitch, warm-up pitches do not count, and throws by pitchers to make a put out do not count.
- The infield fly rule will be enforced in all divisions, except T-Ball and Caps.
- The Little League Pledge and Pledge of Allegiance will be said at the beginning of all games.
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IV. SRLL Local Rules - Juniors Division (last updated 1-5-07) - With the exception to the rules set forth above, SRLL will follow the Rules set forth in the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball Incorporated (the green book).
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V. SRLL Local Rules - Majors Division (last updated 1-5-07) - With the exception to the rules set forth above, SRLL will follow the Rules set forth in the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball Incorporated (the green book).
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VI. SRLL Local Rules - Minors AAA Division (last revised 1-5-07)- Except in play-off and World Series games, no new inning is to begin after 6 innings have been played, or 2 hours have elapsed since the game began (recall that a new inning begins as soon as the bottom half of the previous inning ends), whichever occurs first. If the score is tied after the last inning completed according to this rule, the game is considered a tie. Playoff games will not end in a tie and will not have a time limit or limit on the number of innings.
- There shall be a five run per inning maximum.
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VII. SRLL Local Rules - Minors AA Division (last revised 1-5-07)- 1. Except in play-off and World Series games, no new inning is to begin after 6 innings have been played, or 2 hours have elapsed since the game began (recall that a new inning begins as soon as the bottom half of the previous inning ends), whichever occurs first. If the score is tied after the last inning completed according to this rule, the game is considered a tie. Playoff games will not end in a tie and will not have a time limit or limit on the number of innings.
- There shall be a five run per inning maximum.
- A runner attempting to steal or advance on a passed ball, may advance only one base per pitch. A runner attempting to steal or advance on a passed ball, may not advance to an additional base on an overthrow made during the steal play. A runner, who steals more than one base per pitch, is at risk of being put out. If the runner stealing more than one base makes it safely to the next base, he or she will be returned safely to the last base they were legally at. If they are put out in the process of attempting to advance to a second base, they are out.
- Runners may advance on all overthrows, except overthrows attempting to throw out a runner attempting to steal a base.
- Players of league age 11 or older are not eligible to pitch.
- A player may pitch in a maximum of 3 innings in any one game. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.
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VIII. SRLL Local Rules - Minors A Division (last revised 1-5-07)- Except in play-off and World Series games, no new inning is to begin after 6 innings have been played, or 1 hour and fifty minutes have elapsed since the game began (recall that a new inning begins as soon as the bottom half of the previous inning ends), whichever occurs first. If the score is tied after the last inning completed according to this rule, the game is considered a tie. Playoff games will not end in a tie and will not have a time limit or limit on the number of innings.
- There shall be a four run maximum per inning.
- A runner attempting to steal or advance on a passed ball, may advance only one base per batter. Thus, a runner who steals 2nd base may not steal 3rd base while the same batter is up. However, once another batter comes to the plate, the runner may again steal. A runner attempting to steal or advance on a passed ball, may not advance to an additional base on an overthrow made during the steal play. A runner, who steals more than one base per batter, is at risk of being put out. If the runner stealing more than one base per batter is not put out, and makes it safely to the next base, he or she will be returned safely to the last base they were legally at. If they are put out in the process of attempting to advance to a second base, they are out.
- No runner may steal home. Thus, runners cannot advance home, except on a hit ball, a walk, or a hit batter. A runner who attempts to steal home, or is picked off 3rd base who proceeds to home, may proceed to home at his or her own jeopardy of being tagged out. If the runner safely reaches home, they will be returned back to 3rd base and all runners behind them will be returned to the base they started at. This rule is modeled after Rule 7.13 of the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball (leaving base early).
- Runners may advance on all overthrows, except overthrows attempting to throw out a runner attempting to steal a base or home, and overthrows back to the pitcher. There shall only be a total of one base awarded on an overthrow or ball thrown into a dead ball area (the play is then dead).
- For the first half of the season, in the event a player pitcher walks and/or hits three batters in a row, or any combination thereof, a manager, coach or adult volunteer from the batting team, will pitch the remainder of the inning. Each child thereafter will receive five pitches to hit, and if he or she does not put the ball into play on or before the fifth pitch, the batter will be declared an out (even if they hit a foul ball on the fifth pitch), and the at-bat will be scored as a strike out. There will be no walks while the adult is pitching. Any batted ball that hits the adult pitcher will be declared dead. Runners will return to their previous positions and the batter will receive an additional pitch. During the second half of the season, ordinary pitching rules apply, and managers and coaches will not pitch.
- Players of league age 11 or older are not eligible to pitch. A player may pitch in a maximum of 2 innings in any one game. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.
- All plays at home plate will be force plays. A runner from third base who passes the halfway line cannot return to third base, and is out when a fielder with the ball tags home plate. If the runner returns to 3rd base after crossing the commit line, the play remains a force at home, and once a player with the ball touches home plate, the runner is declared an out.
- In addition to the customary lines for little league baseball, a hash mark will be placed intersecting the 3rd base line, halfway between 3rd and home.
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IX. SRLL Local Rules - MAPS Division (last revised 5-3-09)
- During the regular season, game results are recorded but standings are not kept. Playoff seedings are determined by a blind draw.
- Except in playoff games, no new inning is to begin after 6 innings have been played, or 1 hour and 40 minutes have elapsed since the game began (recall that a new inning begins as soon as the bottom half of the previous inning ends), whichever occurs first. If the score is tied after the last inning completed according to this rule, the game is considered a tie. Playoff games will not end in a tie and will not have a time limit or limit on the number of innings.
- There shall be a four run maximum per inning,
- The defensive team may use 10 players. The 10th player will be used as a 4th outfielder. All four outfielders must be positioned at least 25 feet beyond the infield dirt/grass line when the ball is batted. The four outfielders are to play four abreast (left field, left-center, right center, and right field), rather than to have one become a shallow rover.
- No runner may advance more than one base on a batted ball that does not leave the infield dirt. No runner may take an extra base on an overthrow and no runner may be awarded an extra base on a ball that leaves the field of play. Runners who advance in violation of this rule shall be returned to their proper base unless they are tagged out before arriving safely at the next base or returning safely to the prior base, in which case they shall be called out.
- The batter and all base runners may freely advance on balls hit to the outfield until the ball is returned to the infield. The ball is considered returned to the infield when it breaks the plane between the outfield grass and infield dirt. Once the ball breaks that plane, the runners may continue to advance to the base to which they are already running. A runner who attempts to take another base after the ball breaks the plane does so at his own peril and may either continue to advance to the next base (in which case he will be returned to the prior base if he arrives safely) or return to the previous base (except that a runner advancing to home who has crossed the halfway line must arrive safely at home before being returned to third base). A runner who pauses or stops after rounding a base and then, after the ball is returned to the infield, advances safely to the next base, will be returned to the previous base.
- In addition to the customary lines for little league baseball, a hash mark will be placed intersecting the third base line, halfway between third base and home plate, and a ten foot circle will be drawn around the pitcher/pitching machine location.
- All plays at home plate will be force plays. A runner from third base who passes the halfway line cannot return to third base, and is out when a fielder with the ball tags home plate. If the runner returns to 3rd base after crossing the commit line, the play remains a force at home, and once a player with the ball touches home plate, the runner is declared out.
- Each offensive team will provide one adult (18 years or older) to operate the pitching machine. Unless both managers agree otherwise, the speed of the machine shall be set at 40 MPH and may not be changed during the game unless agreed upon by both managers at the end of a full inning. The operator may adjust the direction and height of the machine before the beginning of a half inning and as reasonably necessary to bring the machine back into alignment during a half inning. The operator, however, may not adjust the machine simply to accommodate a player’s strike zone.
- Any ball that strikes the pitching machine is a dead ball and all play immediately stopped. A batted ball not first touched by a fielder that strikes the machine shall be treated as an unhittable pitch and all runners shall be returned to their bases and the batter returned to the plate. If a batted ball first touched by a defensive player hits the machine, all play immediately stops and the hitter and all runners shall be placed safely at the base to which they were advancing. For purposes of this rule, the “machine” includes the power cord, plastic cover, ball bucket (if any) machine operator and any object other than the pitching rubber.
- In the first half of the season, each batter will receive 5 reasonably hittable pitches, whether the batter swings at the pitch or not. Thus, should a batter swing at a pitch which, in the umpire’s judgment, is not a reasonably hittable pitch, the player will be awarded another pitch. After 5 reasonably hittable pitches, the batter is out, except that an uncaught foul ball cannot be the last pitch. During the second half of the season, each batter may receive up to 5 pitches. A pitch that the batter does not swing at and which is, in the opinion of the umpire, an unhittable pitch, is not counted in determining the 5 pitches (thus, if during the second half of the season, a batter swings at an unhittable pitch, he or she will not be awarded an additional pitch). After 5 pitches the batter is out, except that an uncaught foul ball cannot be the last pitch.
- There will be no base on balls nor will the batter be awarded a base if hit by a pitch. There will be no called strikes nor will a batter be called out solely for 3 missed swings. The batter must take a full swing. Bunting is not allowed, and an attempted bunt shall be treated as a swing and miss even if contact is made and/or the ball put in play.
- The pitcher must have one foot inside of the pitcher’s circle and one foot outside of the circle and may be positioned no closer to home plate than the machine. Other than the catcher, no defensive player shall be positioned closer to the plate than the pitcher. The catcher will wear the issued catcher's mask, chest protector, and shin guards, and will stand or squat inside the backstop area, but need not squat behind the plate.
- Before the game, the managers shall exchange lineup cards containing the batting order and defensive positions of their players for each inning of that game. The managers shall use their best efforts and good faith to honor those defensive positions for that game, and may not modify the planned defensive positions solely for competitive reasons.
- During the regular season and playoffs, each player shall play at least two innings in the infield and one inning in the outfield every game. (In the MAPs division, catcher is considered an outfield position.) No player shall sit out two innings until all players have sat out one inning, and no player shall sit out more than two innings.
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X. SRLL Local Rules - Rookies (last revised 1/5/07)
- No new inning is to begin after 6 innings have been played, or 1 hour and thirty minutes have elapsed since the game began (recall that a new inning begins as soon as the bottom half of the previous inning ends), whichever occurs first. If the score is tied after the last inning completed according to this rule, the game is considered a tie.
- CAPS is a purely instructional Division. Score shall not be kept. A half inning will end when the batting team has batted nine batters, or made three outs, whichever comes first.
- The defensive team may use 10 players. The 10th player will be used as a 4th outfielder. All four outfielders must be positioned at least 25 feet beyond the bases and baselines when the ball is batted.
- No defensive player other than the catcher will be positioned within 40 feet of home plate prior to the ball being hit.
- There will be no infield fly rule.
- There will be no stolen bases, advancing on passed balls, or advancing on overthrows from the catcher to the pitcher. Runners may not advance until the batter hits the ball. Should a player improperly advance, they will be returned to the base they came from.
- The play becomes dead when the ball is returned to the infield area and the defensive team is not trying to make a play. Runners are allowed to proceed, at their own risk, to the base they were heading to, if they are approximately half-way. Managers and coaches are reminded this is an instructional division, and managers and coaches should not encourage their runners to stretch their hit into an extra base, simply because the throw back to the infield was errant, or the ball was missed. However, a batter and other runners may continue to run until the ball is returned to the infield. Thus (as a reward, and because it’s a fun part of the game), a child who makes a great hit, such as a double, triple or home run, can continue to run, at his own risk, until the ball is returned to the infield.
- Runners may not advance on overthrows.
- All plays at home plate will be force plays. A runner from third base who passes the halfway line cannot return to third base, and is out when a fielder with the ball tags home plate. If the runner returns to 3rd base after crossing the commit line, the play remains a force at home, and once a player with the ball touches home plate, the runner is declared an out.
- Each offensive team will provide one adult (18 years or older) to operate the pitching machine for their own team. The speed of the pitching machine will be agreed upon by both managers prior to the start of the game, and the speed may only be adjusted at the end of each full inning. The teams should strive for a soft, easy to hit speed and arc. The arc of the pitch may change during the game, and as a result, the direction and height (not speed) can be adjusted if needed during an inning. The pitching machine should not be adjusted simply to accommodate each player’s strike zone. If a batted ball hits the adult pitcher and/or machine, the ball is dead and it is a no pitch. The defensive pitcher (player) must have at least one foot within the pitcher’s circle until the ball is hit.
- If the ball hits the pitching machine, the cord, the operator, or the outlet cover, it immediately is called a dead ball, and all play stopped. SRLL does not want any player to have any incentive to go after a ball under or near the pitching machine. If the ball striking the machine, cord operator, etc., was a hit ball, this has likely equally prejudiced both the hitter (who may have had a hit), and the fielders (who may have gotten an out), and thus will be re-played, with all runners returning to the base they were on at the time the ball was hit. If the ball striking the machine, cord, or cover (note, this does not include the operator) last touched a defensive player (i.e., it was thrown or deflected by a defensive player), the offensive team is likely the team prejudiced, and as a result, the batter and any runners will be awarded the base they were going to at the time the ball struck the machine, cord, or cover. If the ball thrown by a defensive player hits the adult operator, this is deemed returning the ball to the pitcher, and runners should not advance any further, except the batter may continue to 1st base, and if any runners are forced to additional bases, they shall continue to said base. If an adult pitching machine operator does not catch a ball thrown to him from the defensive team, the runners should not advance any further, except the batter may continue to 1st base, and if any runners are forced to additional bases, they shall continue to said base.
- No defensive player other than the catcher will be positioned within 40 feet of home plate prior to the ball being hit (thus, the closest part of the pitcher’s circle must be at drawn at least 40’ from home plate).
- Each batter may receive up to 7 pitches. A pitch, which in the opinion of two managers is an unhittable pitch, is not counted in determining the 7 pitches. After 7 pitches, if the child has not put the ball into play, a batting Tee will be used, and the batter will be permitted to swing until he or she puts the ball into play past the 12-foot arc in front of the plate. If the ball does not travel past the 12-foot circle, it is considered a foul ball. There are no strikeouts in this division.
- There will be no base on balls, nor will the batter be awarded a base if hit by a pitch. There will be no called strikes nor will a batter be called out solely for 3 missed swings. The batter must take a full swing. Bunting is not allowed.
- The catcher will wear the issued catcher's mask and chest protector and, shin guards, and will stand or squat inside the backstop area, but need not squat behind the plate.
- One adult coach may be positioned in the outfield on defense. This coach may instruct and direct, but may not touch any player.
- A medium firmness RIF (Reduced Injury Factor) baseball will be used.
- In addition to the customary lines for little league baseball, the following lines will be drawn: i) A hash mark will be placed intersecting the 3rd base line, halfway between 3rd and home; ii) a ten foot circle will be drawn around the pitcher/pitching machine location; iii) an outfield arc line will be drawn which is 25 feet beyond the bases and baselines; and, iv) a 12 foot arch extending out from home plate, from the 3rd base line, to the 1st base line will be drawn.
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XI. SRLL Local Rules - T-Ball (last revised 1/5/07)
- No new inning is to begin after four innings, or 1 hour has elapsed since the game began. (Recall that a new inning begins as soon as the bottom half of the previous inning ends.)
- T-Ball is a purely instructional Division. Score shall not be kept. A half inning will end when all batters on the team at bat, have hit.
- The defensive team may use 10 players. The 10th player will be used as a 4th outfielder. All four outfielders must be positioned at least 25 feet beyond the bases and baselines when the ball is batted.
- No defensive player other than the catcher will be positioned within 40 feet of home plate prior to the ball being hit (thus, the closest part of the pitcher’s circle must be at drawn at least 40’ from home plate).
- There will be no infield fly rule.
- There will be no stolen bases, advancing on passed balls, or advancing on overthrows from the catcher to the pitcher. Runners may not advance until the batter hits the ball. Should a player improperly advance, they will be returned to the base they came from.
- All plays at home plate will be force plays. A runner from third base who passes the halfway line cannot return to third base, and is out when a fielder with the ball tags home plate.
- The catcher will wear the issued catcher's mask and chest protector and, shin guards, and will stand or squat inside the backstop area, but need not squat behind the plate.
- The pitcher must be inside the 10’ pitcher's circle until the ball is hit.
- Each batter will hit off a Batting Tee, and the batter will be permitted to swing until he or she puts the ball into play past the 12-foot arc in front of the plate. If the ball does not travel past the 12-foot arc, it is considered a foul ball. There are no strikeouts in this division.
- There will be no base on balls nor will a batter be called out solely for 3 missed swings.
- A coach may adjust the height of the tee once per swing; after adjusting the tee, the coach must stand clear of the tee.
- To avoid the other players becoming bored, batters should be discouraged from taking practice swings, and discouraged from performing more than one aiming swing (sizing up the ball). If the bat touches the ball while taking their aiming swing, it will not be considered a hit.
- A new batter may not enter the home plate area until told to do so by the umpire. Batters shall not be allowed to have a bat in their hand unless standing at the Tee, ready to hit, with no other children present, the catcher at the backstop facing in the proper direction (so the catcher’s protective equipment will be most effective), and the batter is under adult supervision. The coach supervising the Batting Tee should hold the child’s bat until it is time for the child to hit.
- Two adult coaches may be positioned in the outfield on defense. These coaches may instruct and direct, but may not touch any player.
- A soft RIF (Reduced Injury Factor) baseball will be used.
- The ball must be hit off the Tee. There will be no live pitching (not even on the last game of the season.) Sorry, it’s a Little League Rule!
- In addition to the customary lines for little league baseball, the following lines will be drawn: i) A hash mark will be placed intersecting the 3rd base line, halfway between 3rd and home; ii) a ten foot circle will be drawn around the pitcher/pitching machine location; iii) an outfield arc line will be drawn which is 25 feet beyond the bases and baselines; and, iv) a 12 foot arch extending out from home plate, from the 3rd base line, to the 1st base line will be drawn.
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