Games:
A team must field nine (9) players to start a game, but can finish with eight (8) players. Refer to the Green Book for specific details.
Games will consist of six (6) innings unless the home team leads the game after the first half of the final inning. All games must be played out and shall not end in a tie.
No players may participate in a game unless the player is present before the start of the fourth (4th) inning. Any such player must meet playing requirements of that game.
Player Participation for Resumed Games: Any Player not in the original line-up can only play in the completion of a resumed game if such team needs the addition of such Player to complete a nine (9) Player roster.
The 10-run rule will apply only to Regular Season games. At the completion of four innings or more, if there is a 10-run difference in the game by either team, the game will be called officially over with that score standing.
The remaining innings will be played up until the conclusion of 6 innings or two hours of game time. Once the 10-run rule applies, the game will continue and no new inning will start after a 2:15 minute duration. Scrimmage will be played with a 5 run maximum per half inning after the 10-run rule has been applied. During this time there will be free substitutions (“subs” may re-enter). All other rules will still apply. (Pitch counts will be kept and documented as normal). A Manager will not face disciplinary actions for failure to achieve minimum playing time requirements for any of their player if the full six (6) innings are not played.
If a manager refuses to comply with the requirements of the “controlled scrimmage” that manager will face a minimum of one (1) game suspension. Subsequent failures to comply will receive additional disciplinary action, up to and including, being released from their managerial responsibilities.
Distance between bases is sixty (60) feet. Distance between home plate and the pitching mound rubber is forty (46) feet.
Each team will strive to have a designated Manager and two additional Coaches.
A Manager/Coach or approved volunteer must be in the dugout at all times during the game.
Game scores are kept during the game and the final score of each game must be posted to the Local League web-site before midnight the day of the game by the home team Manager/Coach.
The pitch counts must be submitted by the Manager/ Coach by midnight the day of the game.
The home team in each game shall be the official score keeper for a game. The scoring will include the number of runs by each team, numbers of outs in each half inning, and the balls and strikes pitched to each batter. Each team is encouraged to keep score during the game and to compare what they have recorded with the other team several times during the game. If there is a discrepancy and a mutual agreement can’t be reached then the home team’s scoring shall be used.
Standings for the Majors (1st through last place) will be determined by the winning percentage of the teams, calculated by dividing the number of games won by the total number of games played. Each team is required to play and complete all games scheduled in the "Official Playing Schedule."
Managers may keep, but shall not publish or disseminate, under any condition or for any reason, without the prior written consent of the President and Player Agent, statistics of Player performance.
Umpires shall be provided by the Local League. If there is ever a time when no umpire is available, the defensive team Manager or one of his/her coaches will call balls and strikes from a safe location behind the pitcher’s rubber while that Manager's team is on the field. The offensive team's first and third base coaches will serve as the base umpires, calling fair and foul balls and plays at all bases. The “umpire" who is (in the opinion of the defensive team's "umpire”) in the best position, and/or has the best view of a play at home plate shall make the call at home plate.
Offensive Play/Batting:
The Offensive team shall supply first and third base adult coaches who will assist the runners on base. A player may assist an adult coach or act as a first base coach, but no player is allowed to assist or act as a base coach at 3rd base. All players assisting the adult base coach at first base must wear a batting helmet.
Bunting is allowed.
Leading off is not allowed.
The infield fly rule does apply.
A runner may steal 2nd, 3rd and home, but shall not leave the base they are on until the pitched ball crosses home plate.
A runner may steal home on a passed ball by the catcher.
A batted ball that hits the top (yellow guard) of an outfield fence in fair territory, at any field so equipped, and then continues over the fence and out of the field of play beyond such fence, shall be called a home run. Any batted ball that strikes any portion of a foul pole, at any field so equipped, shall be called a home run.
Runners may advance to the next base on any overthrown balls, but are subject to being put out. If the ball goes out of the field of play then the runner may advance to the next base.
A player may slide into any base, other than first, on any close play. A runner may only slide feet first. No head first sliding is permitted, unless they are returning to the base.
Defensive Play:
No defensive coaches are permitted on the field to assist the players unless the defensive Manager/Coach calls time with the Umpire.
Each team will field players at traditional defensive infield positions, with a Pitcher, Catcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base, Short Stop, 3rd Base, and three (3) outfielders, so as to have nine (9) defensive players on the field at any one time.
The dropped third strike rule shall apply.
Catcher play limitations shall be followed as outlined in Appendix I – Local League Pitching and Catching Limitations.
A Catcher must wear all the proper protective equipment (Helmet, Mask, Throat Guard, Chest Protector, Leg Protection, and Little League Approved Catcher’s Glove).
Each Player, in every game, must play at least two (2) full defensive innings, and have at least one official at-bat. There will be no exceptions unless a player is injured and leaves the game or the Manager makes alternative arrangements with the consent of the President, Vice President of Divisions, or Player Agent. Parents shall be notified of any change made to the application of this rule.
Pitching:
Pitching will be facilitated by use of player pitch only.
The pitcher must pitch from the pitching mound rubber.
No balks will be called in this division.
The maximum pitch count per player is outlined in Appendix I – Local League Pitching Days of Rest Requirements.
The manager is responsible for keeping a pitch count log book for each game documenting pitches thrown for each team’s pitchers. Pitch counts should be compared between opposing teams each half inning to limit the chances of discrepancies. If a mutual agreement can’t be reached in the event of a pitch count discrepancy then the home team pitch count book will be the official pitch count used. The manager must use the pitch count book supplied by the Local League. The pitch count book must be presented upon request to an opposing manager or any Board Member from the Local League for inspection 15 minutes before the beginning of a game, during the game, or for 15 minutes after any game. All pitch counts must be posted on the Local League’s web-site no later than 24 hours after the game has concluded.
Any player pitcher who hits three (3) batters in a game must be replaced by another pitcher.
Coaches that willfully violate any of rules set forth in the Major Division playing rules are subject to disciplinary action including suspension.
Any Tournament games with another league will revert to the International Little League Green book of rules (and/or a mixture of FALL’s local rules the other League’s rules)
APPENDIX I:
LOCAL LEAGUE PITCHING AND CATCHING LIMITATIONS
Divisions Effected:
Singe A, AA, AAA, and Majors.
Pitching Limitations:
Any player, who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher in the same game.
A pitcher may not pitch in more than one game in a day.
Days of Rest Limitations:
Pitchers League age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
- If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar days of rest is required.