JUNIORS DIVISION LOCAL RULES

These local rules do not attempt to explain every playing or safety rule. All managers and assistants should have a thorough understanding of all Rules and Regulations in the Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules Book (the “Blue Book”). The rules and regulations within the Blue Book allow the local leagues some room for modifications. The following are the permissible options or modifications that have been adopted:

 GENERAL

 1. The Junior Division is a competitive division, but the primary focus of managers and coaches should be on the development of the players.

2. Each team can have only one manager and two coaches in the dugout. One of the managers or coaches must be in the dugout at all times. If only the manager and one coach is at the game, while on offense, only one of them may be a base coach and the other must remain in the dugout. A player may coach a base but must wear a helmet.

3. Prior to the start of the game, the infield shall not be used for warm ups or practice. All warm-up activity should take place outside of the 1st and 3rd baselines towards the outfield.

4. Home Team scores and pitch counts are official, so make sure you're coordinating in between innings. Pitch counts and game scores must be submitted by the Home Team to Juniors Admin by text or email by 2:00PM next day. We will make an attempt to remind you, but failure to report score and pitch count ultimately will result in forfeiture. You can use Game Changer between yourselves, or screenshot it for your report, but Admin will not follow the App and it will not be official. The easiest way to report score and pitch count is to scribble the score on your pitch log, take a pic, and text it to Admin before you leave the park.

5. Postponement of games will only be allowed in the event of field closure, by order of the host league board, or by the umpire. On days with poor weather looming, expect to play unless told otherwise. 

6. If a manager or coach is ejected by an umpire, it is the responsibility of the ejected party to self-report to the Division Admin so that their own home league can be officially notified. Discipline will be handled by the home league.

 TIME AND RUN LIMITS

 7. A regulation game is 7 innings, however no new inning may commence after 1 hr and 45 min has elapsed in accordance with rule 4.10c. The final inning will be played to completion. There is no rule of thumb "drop dead" rule, EXCEPT in the following situations.

• a. Exception 1: If a regular season game is called due to weather or lights out after the end of the 3rd inning - OR - after the umpire's timer has reached 1hr: 15 m, it will be considered complete by reverting the score to the last completed inning. If a game is called prior to those threshholds, it will be continued later.
• b. Exception 2: If a regular season game is tied after 7 innings, the game will be considered complete and will end in a tie.
• c. Exception 3: Regular season games previously scheduled with a 5:30 pm or 7:45pm start time instead of the typical 5:15pm/7:30pm, WILL have a 2-hour drop-dead rule. No new inning may commence after 1.45. but when 2 hr mark arrives, if the game has not concluded then the score will revert to the last completed inning. Managers and umpires will be reminded by Admin when this situation may occur.

8. There is no run limit in any inning.

9. Mercy Rule: The 15-run rule after 4 inning or 10-run rule after 5 innings are in effect.

 PLAYING RULES

10. The baseball diamond will be a 90-foot diamond with a 60-foot 6-inch pitching distance.

11. Leading off before a pitch is delivered and base stealing prior to the pitch arriving at home plate are permitted.

13. Pitchers will be penalized for illegal pitches and balks. There will be NO GRACE PERIOD this season, because this is Spring. However, umpires have the discretion to issue a warning on the first occurence.

14. Players may wear metal spikes.

15. Batters may use the on-deck batting position outside of the dugout.

16. The batting order will consist of all players on the team roster (Continuous Batting Order) regardless of whether they are currently playing in the field. A player that arrives late must be placed at the bottom of the batting order with no penalty.

17. The infield fly rule is in effect.

18. Players may advance to 1st base on an uncaught third strike pursuant to Rule 6.09 of the Blue Book.

19. Players are required to play the field at least 6 defensive outs and cannot sit in consecutive innings. If your game day roster is 15 players or more, you may revise that to three consecutive outs. The 6 defensive outs do not have to be consecutive innings.

20. Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher or catcher if there are 2 outs in the inning in accordance with rule 3.04.

21. Official games may be played with 8 players. Fewer than that and it's a forfeit.

PITCHING LIMITS

21. Pitching limits are governed by the Blue Book. Pitching limitations have two components; (1) maximum number of pitches a player can pitch based on his “League Age;” and (2) rest requirements after a player has pitched.

22. Maximum Pitches Based on Age: Blue Book Regulation VI(c) provides that the manager must removethe pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position

23. Rest Requirements: Pitchers must adhere to the rest requirements stated in the Blue Book.

24. Pitching/Catching: Blue Book Regulation VI also outlines limitation for a manager wishing to use the same player as both a pitcher and a catcher in the same game. Managers are responsible for knowing the rule and correcting the issue on the field once discovered.

25. Penalty for violation: The use of an ineligible pitcher will not automatically result in forfeit of the game. The issue will be immediately reported to Admin for determination of the game result and that result will be FINAL. There will be no appeal to the Committee. Any disciplinary action will be the responsibility of the home league.

26. Admin will publish a pitch tracker on the website.  It is official.

27. 2024 League Age 15+ year old can play, but not pitch. There is no League Age restriction for catchers.

28. If you are new to Juniors, remember that pitching riles differ from the Majors Division. Make sure you thoroughly review the rules before playing. If you need clarification, feel free to contact division admin and ask.

APPROVED BATS

29. All bats must conform to playing rule 1.10. Only BBCOR, USA Baseball, or fully wooden bats are allowed. Club Ball bats are not allowed.

30. Should a batter attempt to use an illegal bat, he will be out and the Manager will be given a warning. 2nd time, the Manager will be subject to ejection and disciplinary considerations.

PROTESTS

31. All protests must be recorded with the umpire in-game. The protest must be reported to Admin immediately upon conclusion of the game. Admin's determination will be final, and there will be no appeal to the Committee.

PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP TOURAMENT

32. A seeded double elimination playoff championship tournament will be held May 4-18. All teams will play. Seeds will be determined by regular season standings. Winner and runner up will be awarded trophies.  Playoff Rules will be published.