| 1 |
A Little League regulation safety baseball will be used for all games |
| 2 |
Bat barrel should be no more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter |
| 3 |
Batting Helmets, Protective Cups, and catching gear must be worn at all times.. |
| 4 |
The home team is responsible for setting up and taking down the diamond (i.e. pitching machine, bases, plate and 1B/3B/pitching circle chalk lines |
| 5 |
To ensure consistency, teams should avoid adjusting either the speed or arc of the pitching machine between batters and innings and only make adjustments after several inconsistent pitches are thrown which vary from the initial setup and not be based on the individual batter at the time." Once the machine is initially set up, all adjustments should be made by the home team only |
| 6 |
Bases are to be 60 feet apart |
7
|
The pitching machine is to be 46 feet from home plate and set at a speed of 38-40 miles per hour. A good rule of thumb is to set the machine to allow the ball to pass over the plate consistently with a minimal arc at an average height hittable by a majority of the players |
| 8 |
The home team shall take the bench along the 1st baseline and the visiting team will take the bench along the 3rd baseline |
| 9 |
Each team shall provide a coach/parent operator as the machine pitch operator for their turn at bat. Only adults may operate the machine |
| 10 |
3 outs per inning, Maximum 6 inning game or 1 ½ hr time limit |
| 11 |
No stats or scores will be recorded |
| 12 |
The Machine pitch operator will also act as the umpire |
| 13 |
Offensive coaches should be positioned at first base, third base, and to help the batters as needed (just with positioning, not coaching form per se) |
| 14 |
All players will bat in the lineup |
| 15 |
The batter will receive a maximum of 7 pitches or three strikes and then be declared out unless a fair ball is hit |
| 16 |
If the batter hits a foul ball on the 7th pitch he is entitled to another pitch |
| 17 |
If the batter receives a pitch that is deemed un-hittable by the machine operator, the pitch shall not be counted as one of their 7 pitches |
| 18 |
A batter who throws their bat shall receive one warning and then be called out if they repeat the offense |
| 19 |
No infield fly rule |
| 20 |
There are no walks |
| 21 |
No bunting |
| 22 |
A batter who is hit by a pitch is either entitled to first base or can remain at the plate to hit as determined by the coach’s assessment of the player’s status |
23
|
If a player tips the ball and is caught by the catcher, the batter is out no matter how high the ball is |
| 24 |
There is no on-deck batter allowed on the playing surface |
| 25 |
Maximum 5 runs per inning |
| 26 |
No lead offs |
| 27 |
No base stealing |
| 28 |
No head first slides. Any player who slides headfirst shall be called out |
| 29 |
Mandatory sliding is in effect for close plays at home plate. Players are expected and should be encouraged to slide at any base, other than first, whenever there is a play |
| 30 |
If a play is being made on a player on any base, they must attempt to avoid a collision or they shall be called out |
| 31 |
Runners may advance until the ball is in possession of an infielder within the infield |
| 32 |
Unlimited substitutions allowed in the field |
| 33 |
A team may field 10 defensive players with 4 of them being in the outfield |
|
34
|
No player is to sit out more than 2 innings, and no player may sit 2 consecutive innings. Any Coach who does not comply with this rule will be suspended |
| 35 |
Every player should have the opportunity to play every position, however coaches are responsible for safety and not all players may be able to play each position without risk of injury |
| 36 |
If an overthrow occurs at 1st or 3rd base runners are entitled to the base they were approaching at the time of the throw (regardless of whether the ball remains in play or not) |
| 37 |
The pitcher is to be positioned on either side of the pitching machine, but not in front of it and may not move until the ball is hit |
| 38 |
A 6 ft radius circle is to be drawn around the pitching machine. Any ball entering in the circle shall be declared dead. (Also applies to any ball hitting the pitching machine or pitching operator)
- If it is a batted ball, the batter is entitled to first base. All runners must remain on their base unless forced to advance
- If it is a thrown ball all runners are entitled to 1 base from their last legally touched base at the time of the throw
-No one may enter the circle to field a ball |
39
|
Defensive coaches are encouraged to be on the field to help direct play, teach kids, and keep their focus. Any balls contacting a coach will be declared a dead ball and players may advance to the base they were running to at the time of contact |
| 40. |
The offensive team is to provide an umpire (usually the machine operator) for each half-inning. Judgment calls should never be questioned. |