INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to the Athens Little League. We, the Athens Little League Board, are pleased to invite you as a manager or coach in the program and hope that you have a terrific season. Our website www.athenslittleleague.org is filled with information including schedules and calendars. Little League requires each hometown league to have every manager and coach attend a training session each season and to communicate clearly the objectives of the local league. Please make sure to attend all mandatory training sessions.
This Handbook has been prepared to give you the objectives for your season and the tools you need to manage a team. Please refer to this guide along with the Little League International rules app as your “bylaws and local ground rules” for play. As managers, it is your responsibility to be familiar with the rules that govern our league and your game. Thanks again for your commitment to the program and the kids. Play ball!!!
MANAGER’S ROLE:
• Reflect an understanding of the age group they supervise.
• Be aware that they are an example to those with whom they work.
• Demonstrate that they have an appreciation of the philosophy of Little League, and cooperate with others in making the program of mutual benefit to all children.
• Show by example, that they respect the judgment and the position of authority of the umpire. Instill in their players a respect for the authority of adult leaders in the league.
• Exercise their leadership role adequately but leave the ball game in the hands of the players.
• Provide an opportunity for each child to participate,within the regulations of their own league and of Little League
• Encourage their players at every opportunity.
• Impart as much baseball or softball knowledge as possible to each player.
• Be instrumental in shaping acceptable behavior patterns whether the team wins or loses.
• Know the playing rules and regulations of Little League and be able to interpret them correctly. Play by the rules and adhere to their intent, instilling in the players a respect for the rules of the game.
• Be well acquainted with the player selection system used in their league and select players for the team according to their abilities.
• Be cautious and use sound, reasonable judgment in protest situations.
• Participate in a preparatory training program concerning their responsibilities before being assigned to their position. (An apprenticeship program is highly desirable in screening potential managers).
• Have knowledge of first aid and safety.
ATHENS LITTLE LEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS GUIDELINES:
Managers are the leaders for each team. Managers will not only coach the kids but also encourage the participation of parents, enforce rules of play, ensure that the guidelines and requirements of play are met and that the team is following the Athens Little League rules, regulations and principles. Managers will need to delegate but it is a manager's responsibility to ensure that everything is handled according to the rules and requests of Athens Little League.
Communications: Get to know your kids and their families early and often. Emails and phone calls are great, but face to face clear understanding between you and your team is the best way to develop the expectations and goals for your season. Never underestimate the value of excitement in your voice and have fun as Little League is a great journey for everyone involved.
Practices and Indoor Cage time: Schedules are assigned by A.L.L. Changes in practice schedules should be handled through the Board to ensure that all available times are updated. Managers will ensure that all practice is designed to meet the skill development for the specific age group. “Practice Plans” are encouraged. Setting clear expectations for one’s self, each coach, each player, and the team (including the parents) will set the stage for a confident and productive season for all. As directed by Little League International: “Each manager or coach, without a plan, who gives less than best effort in good conscience does a disservice to L.L. and the children they serve.” Success begins with planning.
Games: Managers will communicate the game schedule with players including early arrival for warm-ups. Managers will name the coaches who are on the field during the game. Each age group limits the adults on the field and in the dugout during play and the manager must designate these individuals. Managers will provide scorekeepers and/or pitch count recorders Winning managers must report final scores(and pitch counts for applicable leagues) to the designated league officer immediately following each game. Winning managers may also submit a summary to [email protected] for radio reports.
Rainout or League Bulletins: Will be posted on the Athens Little League website and social media as well as emailed to all registered participants via the registration system.
Team Parent: The Team Parent is selected by the manager and should be an organizing and inclusive force for the team. Team parents will assist managers in completing paperwork, and notifying parents of activities. At games, he/she should be a positive role model and culture keeper for LL.
Paperwork: Any adult working with the kids MUST complete the Volunteer Screening paperwork, including team volunteers and any other persons and/or hired workers working with kids. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure that this is completed and turned in to the League Safety Officer. No adult should be working at a practice until his/her paperwork is submitted and cleared. Additionally, managers are required to have eligibility paperwork for each player on hand at all games and for future All-star eligibility reports. Affidavits of “proof of residency” must be dated prior to Feb 1st /yr. The manager must ensure that it is complete and always available in the event of an injury or accident. Incident reports and Accidental Insurance forms for both Little League and ACC-Holland Park will be located in the concession stand/shed.
Uniforms/ Equipment: Little League provides team hats and jerseys for each player, plus catcher’s gear, balls, and batting helmets for each team. Parents should be made aware of LL approved equipment. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure that equipment provided by the league for the team is maintained and returned at the end of the season. Managers need to double check uniform orders and communicate with their families the colors for pants, belts and socks required.
Athens Little League Ground Rules of Play:
1. GENERAL GUIDELINES
1.1. Teams must adhere to all health and safety policies and protocols the Athens Little League Board of Directors implements.
1.2. Home team provides 2 game balls, but bring extra. Home team also provides the official score book-keeper and the official pitch counter, and is responsible for setting up and storing the machines as needed. Holland Park Staff is not responsible for setting up the field.
1.3. Visiting team provides the scoreboard operator.
1.4. It is the manager’s responsibility to have the team clean out and clear the dugout immediately following the game and before team meetings. This is especially important for early games. Please respect our park facilities and keep things clean.
1.5. Conduct or behavior of any player, coach or manager during game play that in the opinion of the presiding umpire creates a safety hazard shall be deemed to be unsportsmanlike conduct and may subject the player, coach or manager to disqualification or ejection pursuant to Official Little League Rule 9.01 (d), regardless of whether the unsafe conduct or behavior was intentional or merely negligent. This shall include, but is not limited to, unsafe discarding of the bat after a batter has hit, “warm-up swings” in violation of Little League rules, throwing of helmets, etc. It is the sole discretion of the umpire to determine if such unsafe conduct has occurred and to take steps necessary to correct the behavior. The umpire should issue a warning for such unsafe conduct, and if the unsafe conduct continues, may request that the player, coach, or manager withdraw from the field of play for the remainder of the game, or officially eject the player, coach or manager in accordance with Little League Rules. In any division of play in which a continuous batting order is used, the voluntary withdrawal of a player at the request of an umpire shall result in the team receiving an automatic out in that spot in the batting order.
1.6 Any player or coach ejected in two games during the season shall be subject to potential dismissal from the league.
2. LEVELS OF PLAY, TEAM FORMATION AND DRAFT RULES.
2.1. Per Little League Rules, drafts and team formations are conducted in secret. Therefore, the only people allowed in the draft room are the approved managers and coaches of the teams, the Player Agent(s), Division Vice-President, the League President, League Vice President and A.L.L. Board members.
2.2. Tee Ball (4 & 5 year-old players) Score is not kept and every player bats each inning. Teams are generated randomly by division vice-president and approved by Player Agent and League President.
2.3. Coach Pitch (5 & 6 year-old players) (5 year old players are encouraged to have previously played a season of tee ball). Score is kept and outs recorded. Standings are not kept and there is no end of season tournament. All players shall participate in player evaluations – a brief skills assessment judging ability in the following areas: Batting, running, fielding, catching, and throwing. Players are placed on evenly distributed teams based upon skill ratings.
2.4. Machine Pitch (7 & 8 year old players) Score is kept and outs recorded. Season standings are kept based upon winning percentage and posted on the Athens Little League website. All players shall participate in player evaluations – a brief skills assessment judging ability in the following areas: Batting, running, fielding, catching, and throwing. Players are placed on evenly distributed teams each based upon skill ratings from player evaluations.
2.5. Minors (9-11 Year Old Baseball) All 9-11 year old players not currently assigned to a major league team must participate in player evaluations. Skills assessed shall be batting, running, fielding, catching, and throwing. Division Vice Presidents and Player Agent(s) shall conduct player evaluations. Major league managers shall observe and, in addition to any personal notes on players, they shall rank each player on a scale of 1-5 for each assessed skill. Major League managers may utilize the assistance of a volunteer. Nine (9) year olds are not draft eligible for Majors teams and must play in Minors, except with approval of the Board. 10 & 11 year-old players not selected for Major League teams will be placed on Minor League teams. Season standings are kept based upon winning percentage and posted on the Athens Little League website. Modified base stealing rules apply.
2.6. Major League. Players 10-12 years of age may be drafted to existing major league teams using option “A” from the Little League Operating Manual. Ten (10) year olds are only draft eligible upon request and permission of parents/guardians. All 12-year-olds who participate in player evaluations will be drafted to major league teams, unless deemed unsafe by the Board.
3. RELEASE AND REPLACEMENT OF PLAYERS DURING REGULAR SEASON (BASEBALL)
3.1. Multiple League Participation. Athens Little League does not prohibit players from participating in more than one youth sports program at a time (i.e. Little League Baseball AND school baseball). If doing so causes a player to repeatedly miss games and practice or otherwise causes a disruption to his/her Little League team, he/she may be released by the manager from the team.
3.2. Absenteeism. Players missing more than ten consecutive calendar days of scheduled team events (games or practices) without explanation should be reported by the manager to the Player Agent and V.P. of the division. Repeated unexcused or unexplained absences may result in the player being released from the team.
3.3. Injuries and Replacement of Players Due To Injury or Removal from Team
3.3.1. Any player who is injured/isolating or quarantining due to illness during the season must be immediately reported to the Player Agent by that player’s manager.
3.3.2. The Player Agent will consult with the player and the player’s parents/guardians, and any treating physician if necessary to determine whether the player will be able to return to play within a reasonable time. The board has determined that “reasonable time” shall mean within 4 weeks of the injury, but each player’s situation will be determined on a case by case basis by their parents and/or physician and the Board. If a player is unable to return in a reasonable time as determined by the board then the player must be released and replaced on his/her team.
3.3.3. In lower divisions of play (Coach Pitch, Machine Pitch, Minor League) release of an injured player may not result in replacement, subject to player availability.
3.3.4. A player lost to injury with 2 weeks or less in the regular season remaining is out for the year and will not be replaced.
3.3.5. If duration of title applies to any player released due to injury (Major League ONLY), the player released will re-enter the draft the following year.
3.3.6. Any release of a player from a Major League team, regardless of reason for release, must be approved by the Board pursuant to the Little League Rule Book.
3.3.7. Once a vacancy on a Major League team has been created, the Player Agent will provide the manager with a list of eligible minor league players who may be “called up” to fill the vacancy. The Player Agent reserves the right to not include players on teams with 9 or fewer players.
3.3.8. Once provided with a list of eligible players, the manager shall determine his or her choice for a replacement player within a reasonable time, no later than five days, although the Player Agent may extend this time in order for the manager to observe all potential candidates play.
3.3.9. Once a choice is made, the manager shall inform the Player Agent, who shall confer with the parent(s) of the prospective replacement player. Players may refuse to be called up to the majors during the season, but by doing so they forfeit their right to be called up by a different major league team later that same season.
3.3.10. If the player accepts the call up, then he or she immediately becomes a rostered member of his or her new major league team and will play in the next regularly scheduled game for that team.
3.3.11. If the manager’s first choice for a replacement player declines to be called up to the majors, the manager shall choose another eligible player as a replacement player.
3.3.12. Any player selected and moved up to the major league to fill a vacancy gains duration of title and shall remain on his or her new team for the remainder of his or her 10-12 eligibility.
3.3.14. The Board reserves the right to create a player pool pursuant to Official Little League Rules to address vacancies on teams.
4. PROTESTS:
Game protests must be made by a manager only, in accordance with the Little League rulebook (4.19). Protests may be made in Machine Pitch, Minors, and Major League divisions. No protests are allowed in Tee Ball or Coach Pitch.
5. POST SEASON PLAY:
5.1. Post-Season Divisional Tournaments. Machine Pitch, Minors, and Major League Division teams shall play in postseason tournaments at the conclusion of the regular season. These tournaments may be single or double elimination tournaments based upon the number of teams and at the discretion of the board. Teams are seeded based on rankings from the regular season. Higher seeded teams are always the home team in tournament play.
5.2 Tiebreaker Rules. In order to break ties in regular season play to accurately slot teams by division into seeded tournaments, Athens Little League has adopted the following rules:
1. Winning percentage
Highest of: (Total Number of Wins plus (Total Number of Ties times 0.5)) divided by Total Number of Games played. This could also be written as: "(wins + (ties * 0.5)) / games"
2. Head to Head Winning percentage
Highest of all teams tied after computing #1 of: (Total Number of Wins against tied teams in #1 plus (Total Number of Ties against tied teams in #1 times 0.5)) divided by Total Number of Games played against tied teams in #1
3. Runs against overall
Lowest of: Total number of runs allowed for all games played in the division
4. Number of forfeits
Lowest of: total number of forfeits in the season
5.Dice roll
The managers meet with the league president and division vice president and roll a die. The manager with the team name that would come first sorted alphabetically is the one that rolls first. Highest number on the die wins. If more than two teams are still tied after 6., the die roll occurs between all managers once and the manager with the highest number wins and gets the better seed, second highest number gets the next better seed, and so on until all ties are broken.
5.3. All-Stars. Athens Little League participates in a variety of “All-Star” tournaments geared towards multiple age groups during the summer months. Teams are selected through a ballot procedure including players, coaches, managers and the Athens Little League Board. Teams are fielded by age group and may include baseball teams in Coach Pitch (6-7), Rookie Division (7-8), Sandlot Division (8-9), 8-10, 9-11, and 10-12. Specific decisions regarding All-Stars, including number of and formation of teams, are made by the board after the regular season has begun. The Board has final approval of all All-Star team selections.
6. LOCAL RULES OF PLAY
6.1. Tee Ball League
6.1.1. Score will not be kept.
6.1.2. All players will bat every inning. Outs may be recorded for training purposes only.
6.1.3. Players must wear batting helmets before leaving dugout & may not remove helmets before returning to the dugout. No “warm up swings” allowed outside the fence/dug out.
6.1.4. Players for the offensive team may not leave the dugout except to bat. This includes being on the field or with their parents in the stands.
6.1.5. One coach will be stationed at home plate to “size” up the tee for the batter and place the ball on tee. This coach is also responsible for watching to be sure (in a minimal amount of time) the player is in a proper stance to hit the ball.
6.1.6. No bunting is allowed.
6.1.7. A runner may be put out by the defensive team and must return to the dugout. Do not leave players on base if they are put out.
6.1.8. Base-running: Once the batter hits the ball, all runners may only advance one base.
6.1.9. The offensive team’s inning is over when all players have batted, regardless of how many outs the defense has recorded.
6.1.10. No new inning shall begin after 45 minutes of game time have elapsed. Managers shall determine the official start time of the game prior to commencement of the first inning.
6.1.11. A team will position one coach or volunteer in the coach’s box at first base and one coach or volunteer in the coach’s box at third base. These coaches are responsible for giving instruction to the runners.
6.1.12. All players will play defense regardless of how many are on a team.
6.1.13. Players will rotate defensive positions every inning in order to develop depth of skills at different positions.
6.1.14. There is no catcher for safety reasons.
6.1.15. Defensive players should be placed according to regulation play.
6.1.16. Encourage players to throw to 1st base when a batter becomes a runner.
6.1.17. The defensive team is allowed two (2) coaches in either the outfield or outside the foul lines, but must not interfere with any play. They may give instruction but may not touch the ball or any player on the field while any hit ball is in play other than to keep players safe.
6.1.18. The infield fly rule does not apply.
6.2. Coach Pitch League
6.2.1. Late players must be placed at the bottom of the lineup.
6.2.2. Score will be kept, but there will be no record kept of games won, lost, or tied throughout the season.
6.2.3. All players will bat every inning unless 3 putouts or 5 runs are scored (5 run rule). The batting order is continuous.
6.2.4. Players must wear batting helmets before leaving dugout & may not remove helmets before returning to dug out. No “warm up swings” allowed outside the fence/dug out.
6.2.5. Players for the offensive team may not leave the dugout except to bat. Includes being on the field or with their parents in the stands.
6.2.6. Each team will have no more than five (5) coaches (including Manager) inside the fence during games, including any adult volunteer acting as a dugout coach or monitor.
6.2.7. The offensive team will have four coaches in the field: one pitching, one behind the plate, and two base coaches in the coach’s boxes at first base third base.
6.2.8. The pitching coach will position him/herself on the field approximately 22 ft. in front of home plate (half way between the pitching rubber and home plate).
6.2.9. The offensive coach behind home plate will retrieve missed pitches and, in the event it is needed, “size” up the tee and place the ball on the tee.
6.2.10. 1st and 3rd base coaches are responsible for giving instruction to the runners. The base coaches may not for any reason touch, push or in any way physically help a runner advance. A coach touching or helping a runner advance will result in the runner being called out (unless the coach has to touch the player to keep them safe).
6.2.11. The offensive team will have one additional coach or adult volunteer in the dugout.
6.2.12. The defensive team is allowed two (2) coaches in either the outfield or outside the foul lines, but they must not interfere with any play. They may give instruction but may not touch the ball or any player on the field while any hit ball is in play.
6.2.13. The pitching coach will toss a minimum of three pitches from his/her knees to the batter and ensure they are in the strike zone. Batter will get 3-6 swings/misses from the coach. If none are put into play, the batter will swing to hit off the tee.
6.2.14. No bunting is allowed.
6.2.15. A runner may be put out by the defensive team and must return to the dugout. Players may not be left on base if he/she is put out.
6.2.16. All runners may advance a maximum of two bases on any offensive play, regardless of any defensive indifference or errors. Players advance one base if the ball is fielded in the infield and 2 bases if the ball is fielded in the outfield.
6.2.17. All players will play defense regardless of how many are on a team.
6.2.18. Defensive players will rotate every inning in order to develop depth of skills at different positions. Each player MUST play at least one inning in an outfield position each game.
6.2.19. There is no catcher for safety reasons.
6.2.20. Defensive players shall be placed according to regulation play, including the outfield. No more than six players may play infield at a time.
6.2.21. Encourage players to throw to 1st base when a batter becomes a runner.
6.2.22. No new inning shall begin after 60 minutes of game time have elapsed. Managers shall determine official start time of the game prior to commencement of the first inning and an official game time shall be kept by one manager/coach.
6.2.23. The infield fly rule does not apply.
6.3.Rookie League
6.3.1. A team may play a game with eight or seven players. If a team has eight players and if the opposing team has a lineup that has two or more players present and in the lineup than the team with eight, there will be a penalty of an out when the ninth spot in the order is due up. If a team has eight players and if the difference in lineup size is only one player, there will be no penalty. If a team has only seven players, there will be a penalty of an out when the 8th place in the lineup is due up. If a team does not have 7 or more players that team will forfeit the game. If players show up late they will be added to the end of the lineup.
6.3.2. Players will pitch the first inning and must follow Little League defined pitch count rules. At the midpoint of the season, the VP of Rookie League and Rookie League coaches can decide to go to two player pitched innings. A player may only pitch one inning per game. The remainder of innings will be machine pitch.
6.3.3. All players will bat every inning until 3 putouts or 3 runs are scored in the player pitched innings or 5 runs are scored in machine pitched innings. In the fifth and sixth innings (or beyond), if played, all players will bat until 3 putouts. The batting order is continuous. Little League run rules apply (15 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5). .
6.3.4. Players must wear batting helmets before leaving the dugout & may not remove helmets before returning to the dugout. No “warm up swings” allowed outside the fence/dugout.
6.3.5. Each team will have no more than four (4) coaches (including Manager) inside the fence during games, including any adult volunteer acting as a dugout coach or monitor.
6.3.6. Offensive managers shall have (2) approved coaches outside foul lines at first and third base and place one to either the left or right side of the catcher against the backstop to police pitched stray balls. The coach may not in any way alter the direction of any thrown or batted ball. Coach must immediately vacate any area occupied if any play could be made.
6.3.7. First and third base coaches are responsible for giving instruction to the runners. The base coaches may not for any reason touch, push or in any way physically help a runner advance. A coach touching or helping a runner advance will result in the runner being called out (unless it is to keep a player safe).
6.3.8. The offensive team will have one additional coach or adult volunteer in the dugout.
6.3.9. No defensive coaches are allowed on the field either inside or outside the foul lines during play – defensive coaches may be outside the dugout, but must remain within arm’s length of the dugout fencing.
6.3.10. The machine and the extension cord are part of the playing field. If the ball is deflected, hits and stops, goes fair or foul, the ball is still a “live” ball.
6.3.11. Machine speed shall be set at 40 mph and placed 45 ft. from home plate.
6.3.12. No inning shall begin after 75 minutes of game time have elapsed. Managers and umpires shall determine official start time of the game prior to commencement of the first inning and an official game time shall be kept by one manager/coach.
6.3.13. During player pitched innings, a batter can walk and strike out under normal Little League rules. During machine pitched innings, a batter may strike out but not walk. If a player is hit by a machine pitch, they are not awarded a base. A strikeout is declared if the batter swings and misses 3 pitches OR in the umpire’s judgment 3 pitches are strikes AND the batter refuses or does not swing. There is no minimum or maximum number of pitches thrown by the machine. The umpire reserves the right to call a “no pitch” and to adjust the machine up and down when a batter is at bat in order to get the ball in the strike zone.
6.3.14. On an overthrow to the fence/outfield marker on a play at first base, a player may advance only one base at their own risk. Any players on base or advancing to the next base may advance to the next base (but no more). If the defensive team, after recovering the thrown away ball, tries to throw out an advancing runner, the ball is live and will be played according to section 6.3.15.
6.3.15. Unless a ball is overthrown at first base as described above, the umpire shall call "time" and the ball shall be dead when the pitcher possesses the ball within the circle around the pitcher’s mound and no runners are in the act of advancing to the next base. An umpire shall have the final decision as to whether a play has stopped or not and at which time he or she will declare: “TIME.” For consistency, Umpires must declare “TIME” at the conclusion of each play. Players should be taught/reminded NOT to relinquish the ball to the umpire until he or she has called “TIME”
6.3.16. During machine pitched innings, players in the pitcher position must stand to either the left or right side of the machine (not in front), AND MUST have 1 foot completely inside the 10 ft. dirt circle surrounding the machine. The player may not leave this position until the ball is put into play, at which time he becomes a fielder- THIS IS A SAFETY RULE AND WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED
6.3.17. No bunting is allowed. No stealing is allowed.
6.3.18. Ten defensive players per inning. Each player must play a minimum of 2 innings or 6 defensive outs per game but managers may substitute after 3 defensive outs. (Free substitutions between innings). Managers are strongly suggested to provide each player with at least 4 innings of defensive play.
6.3.19. No more than six players may play infield at one time.
6.3.20. A player must play catcher each inning in catcher's gear. A standard glove can be used in place of a catcher’s mitt. A cup must be worn at all times by the catcher.
6.3.21. A ball stuck under the fence or bouncing over the fence shall be declared dead and the umpire will place kids on the appropriate base/bases.
6.3.22. The infield fly rule does not apply.
6.4. Minor League
6.4.1. Each team must have a minimum of eight players for a game to be played. A team may play a game with 8 players. A game may commence with either team having only seven players present (i.e. a player running late), the “late player” must be placed at the bottom of the lineup. If a team has eight players and if the opposing team has a lineup that has two or more players present and in the lineup than the team with eight (i.e. one team has 8, and one has 10), there will be a penalty of an out when the ninth spot in the order is due up. If a team has eight players and if the difference in lineup size is only one player, there will be no penalty. Home team may take the field with only seven players at the top of the first inning, but the “late player” must arrive by the time he or she has been reached in the lineup when the home team bats. If the “late player” has not arrived by the time he has been reached in the lineup, then the game shall be suspended and recommended pursuant to Little League rule book.
6.4.2. All players will bat every inning until 3 putouts or 5 runs are scored (First through fourth innings), or until 3 putouts (fifth and sixth innings, if played). The batting order is continuous.
6.4.3. Players must wear batting helmets before leaving dugout & may not remove helmet before returning to the dugout. No “warm up swings” allowed outside the fence/dug out.
6.4.4. Each team will have no more than four (4) coaches (including Manager) inside the fence during games, including any adult volunteer acting as a dugout coach or monitor.
6.4.5. Offensive managers shall have (2) approved coaches outside foul lines at first and third base and one additional coach or adult volunteer in the dugout.
6.4.6. No defensive coaches are allowed on the field either inside or outside the foul lines during play – defensive coaches may be outside the dugout, but must remain within arm’s length of the dugout fencing.
6.4.7. On a seasonal basis, the board will determine whether pitching machines will be partially used at the minor league level. If machines are used, machine speed shall be set at 45 mph and placed 45 ft. from home plate.
6.4.8. Play stops when the defensive team has control of the runner(s), pitcher has control of the ball and has held all runners & catcher is in position to receive the ball, not just when the ball is in the area of the pitcher’s mound. An umpire shall have the final decision as to whether a play has stopped or not.
6.4.9. No inning shall begin after 90 minutes of game time have elapsed. Managers and umpires shall determine official start time of the game prior to commencement of the first inning and an official game time shall be kept by one manager/coach. The 5 run rule is not in effect during the fifth or sixth innings, if time allows more than four innings to be played.
6.4.10. A batter is automatically out on a dropped / missed third (3rd) strike by the catcher.
6.4.11. With the direction of the VP, minor league managers may agree to allow runners to advance on passed balls and overthrown/dropped returns to the pitcher per Little League rules, as well as decide if stealing is allowed.
6.4.12. Batters may bunt against player pitchers.
6.4.13. For pitch count rules---follow the Little League Rule Book. All teams shall follow pitch count rules and provide for record keeping. Managers shall enter/submit game scores and pitch counts within 24 hours of the conclusion of any game as instructed by the Minors VP.
6.4.14. All overthrows are “live”.
6.4.15. Nine defensive players per inning. Each player must play a minimum of 2 innings or 6 defensive outs per game but managers may substitute after 3 defensive outs. (Free substitutions between innings) Managers are strongly suggested to provide each player with at least 4 innings of defensive play per game.
6.4.16. The infield fly rule does apply.
6.4.17. There are no balks.
6.4.18 There is no dropped third strike.
6.5. Major League
6.5.1. No new inning shall begin after 105 minutes of game time have elapsed. Umpires shall determine official start time of the game prior to commencement of the first inning and shall keep the official game time.
6.5.2 The batting order is continuous.
6.5.21 If a manager anticipates that they will not have their full roster in advance, they will need to make a request of the player agent for a pool player for the game. The player pool will consist of 10-11 year old minor league players. Pool players must play in positions according to LLI rules, but may not play pitcher or catcher.
6.5.22 If a team does not have its full roster for a game (and could not utilize the player pool), the team must take an automatic out for each position in the order not represented beyond a one player difference from the opposing team. For example, if Team A has 12 players show up for a game and Team B has 11 players, no automatic out needs to be taken. However, if Team A has 12 players show up for a game and Team B has 10 players, then Team B must take an out for the 11th spot in the order. This is non-negotiable. Any automatic out counts as three pitches towards the opposing pitcher’s pitch count.
6.5.3 Nine defensive players per inning. Each player must play a minimum of 2 innings or 6 defensive outs per game.
6.5.4. All other rules come directly from the official Little League Rule Book.
6.5.5. For pitch count rules---follow the Little League Rule Book. All teams shall follow pitch count rules and provide for record keeping. Managers shall enter/submit game scores and pitch counts within 24 hours of the conclusion of any game as instructed by the Major League VP.