McHENRY COUNTY METRO DIVISION 2014 Minor AAA League Rules Addendum Updated 3/20/2014

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1 McHENRY COUNTY METRO DIVISION 2014 Minor AAA League Rules Addendum Updated 3/20/2014 League Description The Minor AAA Division has a moderate level of competitiveness and more advanced strategy is taught in this league. Stealing is introduced in this division, kids are taught base coaching, score is kept, standings are recorded and playoffs are held. Reference McHenry County Metro Division follows the rules established by Little League International. Please refer to the official Little League rulebook for clarification on rules. The rules listed below either supersed or clarify a Little League rule. Amendments & Key Rules Game Length: 1. A regulation game consists of 6 full innings or 5 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead (Rule 4.10a). 2. Complete Game - A game is considered a complete game after 4 innings are complete 3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead (Rule 4.10c). 3. Slaughter Rule - A game will be considered over when either team has a lead of 10 runs or greater after 4 innings - 3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead. Note: both managers are encouraged to continue the game to normal length, but the game is official after the 4th inning (Rule 4.10e). 4. Darkness - With the consent of the managers, an umpire may call the game in the event of darkness. If the game is not considered complete because 4 innings have not been played, it must be completed at a future date. 5. Time Limit - No inning shall start after 1 hour and 45 minutes of play or 8:00pm or 9:50pm on a non-school night, regardless of how long the game has been played. 6. Inning Start Time - An inning starts the moment that the 3rd out is made, completing the preceding inning. Players: 1. Minimum - Nine defensive players will play the field. If a team is not able to field 9 players, they are not required to borrow a player as a team can start and finish with 8 players (regulation III a). 2. Borrower Rule - Any team that is unable to field 9 players, or thinks that they cannot field 9 players, may borrow a player(s) from any other team within their respective AAA League. The borrowed player will bat in the last position and will not be allowed to play the position of pitcher or catcher.

2 3. All players are required to play a minimum of one inning in an infield position by the 4th inning and cannot play more than 3 consecutive innings at one position. The catcher position qualifies as an infield position. No player shall sit out two innings before every player has sat out 1 inning. a. Exception: The starting pitcher will be allowed to continue to pitch and play the pitching position (considered an infield position) for 3 or more consecutive innings and then will be required, when replaced, to sit on the bench for one full inning before taking a position in the outfield. b. Violations: Result in the manger being suspended for the next physically played game and will result in a forfeiture of the game in which the rule was violated. Any player that sat twice before another player sat once, will start and play the entire next game. 4. Defensive substitutions are allowed any number of times per game as long as the ball in not in play (Rule 4.04). A player may sit out an inning and then go back into the game. A player may play a position, exit the position and play it again any number of times. The only exception being pitcher. Once a player stops pitching they cannot pitch again in that game (Reg. VI b). 5. Pinch runners or courtesy runners are not allowed (Rule 3.04). However, with two outs a courtesy runner is permitted for the catcher and shall be the last player to make an out. Note: If a base runner is injured, they may be replaced by the batter who made the last out. Batting: 1. Batting Order - A continuous batting order will be utilized. There is no pinch hitting. If a player arrives after the start of the game, that player will be placed at the end of the lineup (Rule 4.04). 2. Batters per Inning - Each team will bat until they make 3 outs or 5 runs have scored (Rule Inning). Once 5 runs have scored the inning immediately stops. The 5 run rule does not apply to the last inning of the game for either team. The last inning will be identified by the managers and umpire before the start of the inning. 3. Bunting - Once a bunt is shown, a player is not allowed to swing at the ball. The batter will be called out if penalty occures. 4. Intentional Walks - Not allowed. 5. On-Deck -There is no on deck in Little League (Rule 1.08). The only exception is the first batter of an inning may be outside the dugout while the pitcher is warming up. Warm-up donuts are not allowed in Little League (Rule 1.10). 6. Infield Fly Rule - Enforced (Rule 2.00, 6.05 d, k). 7. Bats - a. BPF rating of <=1.15 b. Wood bats may be used c. Diameter shall not exceed 2-1/4" d. Composite barreled bats are banned unless they are listed as "approved" on the Approved Composite Barreled Bat website Base Running: 1. Sliding - a. A runner must slide to a base if the opposing team is making a play on him/her and there is a chance of contact with the defensive player (Rule 7.08). A player will be called out and the ball ruled dead if he/she does not slide to avoid contact. This is a judgment call by the umpire.

3 b. Head first slides are not allowed, unless the runner is returning to a base (Rule 7.08). 2. Stealing - Stealing of any base, including home, is allowed. No delayed steals of home allowed. a. Only allowed to steal home on a pass ball or wild pitch. Limited to 2 steals of home per inning. b. Should the defensive team make an errant throw to the pitcher or third baseman, the runner is allowed to advance home which does not count as a steal of home. 3. Lead Offs - There are no lead offs in Little League. Base runners must remain on the base until the ball reaches the batter (Rule 7.13), i.e. crosses home plate. 4. No runner shall advance to an additional base after the pitcher has control of the ball and is within the dirt circle of the mound. Pitching: After a player pitches in a game they will require rest as defined by Little League. The following chart identifies how many "calendar" days of rest and games off are required based on the number of pitches thrown (Regulation VI): # Pitches Required days of rest 1-20 No rest required calendar day of rest calendar days of rest calendar days of rest calendar days of rest The following normal Green Book pitch count limits apply: Players Age Maximum Pitch Count A) Baseball Age: pitches per day maximum B) Baseball Age: pitches per day maximum C) Baseball Age 9-10: 75 pitches per day maximum D) Baseball Age 8 50 pitchers per day maximum If the pitcher s last pitch occurs during the middle of a batter, the pitcher may finish that batter before being replaced. Violation of the pitch rule will have the following penalty: 1 st offense will result in forfeiture of the game; 2 nd or greater offense will result in forfeiture of the game and an appearance of the manager before the disciplinary committee. 1. A "calendar" day starts at midnight and ends at midnight. Example: a pitcher throws 50 pitches on Saturday will need 2 calendar days of rest. They will not be allowed to pitch until Tuesday (resting Sunday and Monday). 2. There is no limit to the number of pitchers that a team may use in a game. 3. Pitchers get 8 warm-up pitches or 1 minute, whichever comes first. 4. Each manager is responsible for keeping complete pitching records for his team. A pitching log must be signed by the opposing manager confirming agreement. 5. A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. 6. Pitcher Removal -

4 a. A pitcher will be removed from the game if he hits 2 batters in an inning, or 3 batters in a game. b. A pitcher will be removed for walking four batters in an inning. i. Exception - The pitcher can remain in the game for either of the above situations if both managers agree the quality of the game will suffer from that pitchers removal. If they do not agree, the pitcher must be removed. 7. Mound visitation will take place at the foul line. 8. A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. 9. A team violating any of the above while in process or once completed, will forfeit that game and will be suspended for 1 game. 10. Reporting - The winning manager shall post the score of the game along with appropriate pitch count to the League Website no later than XXXX with the opposing manager responding to the accuracy of the data within XXXX. Coaching: 1. There must be at least one adult coach in the dugout during play (Rule 4.05). 2. Cannot have more than 3 coaches in the dugout. 3. There are no coaches allowed on the field during play. 4. No base coaches are allowed on the field until the umpire calls "play ball". 5. Players are allowed to be base coaches but they must wear a batting helmut when doing so (Rule 1.16). 6. Only catchers wearing full catchers gear are allowed to warm up a pitcher. Coaches cannot warm up a pitcher (Rule 3.09). Equipment: 1. An official Little League ball shall be used. The home team (as listed on League Schedule) shall provide two game balls identical in brand to the umpire prior to the game. 2. No metal spikes allowed (Rule 1.11h). 3. Catchers must wear a protective cup and must use a catcher's mitt (Rule 1.12). They must also have a dangling throat protector (Rule 1.17). 4. Hats must be worn straight, shirts must be tucked in and socks must match. 5. Player can use their own helmets as long as they are stamped "NOCSAE" approved. Rainouts: 1. Canceled games due to inclement weather will be called by 5:00 PM. If managers are not called by 5:00, or the cancellation is not listed on the website, teams are to report to the fields for play. If weather makes the game unsafe or unplayable, the game will be called after discussion between managers and the umpire. Any Little League official may call a game if they deem the weather or field is unsafe. 2. A complete game is 4 innings (3 ½) if the home team is ahead (rule 4.10). All rained out games will be made up with the date and time being determined by League V.P. Generally we will attempt to make up games the first Saturday or Sunday after the rain out. Do not try to schedule a makeup game by contacting the other manager and working something out.

5 3. If a game is suspended because of rain and at least 1 complete inning has been played, it will be re-started where it left off. If a game is called before 1 inning is complete, a new game will be played (rule 4.10). 4. Lightning Detections Systems (LDS) are installed at Merryman, Emricson and Bates Parks. The audible signals for the system are as follows: LDS Signal Required Action 15 second blast and flashing strobe light Stop all activity. Participants and spectators must leave field and spectator areas. Shelter in automobiles is recommended. Three 5 second short blasts, no strobe light Activities may resume, evaluate field safety prior to play. Visible Lightning: If an LDS is not present or not reporting at your field of play, suspend activity immediately after lighting is spotted or thunder is heard. Play may resume after a 20 minute period has elapsed and no additional lighting has been observed. If additional lighting is sited, 20 minutes must pass again without lightning seen