SABA Major League Rules vs. Official Little League Rules

SABA Major League Rules vs. Official Little League Rules SABA is not affiliated with Little League and therefore is not obligated to follow any Little League Rules or Regulations. SABA follows many of the Official Little League Regulations and Playing Rules, but there are some that SABA has modified or declines to adopt. Below is a list summarizing some key (but not all) differences between the SABA Major League Rules we use and the Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules. Little League Rule ing LL Regulation VI Pitchers at all levels are limited by specified pitch counts. Pitchers must rest for specified time periods relative to pitch counts. Pitchers may only pitch in consecutive games if they pitched less than 40 pitches in the first game. Pitchers may not play Catcher after delivering even one pitch in a game. Pitchers are limited to maximum numbers of innings per game and innings per week. Pitchers may pitch in consecutive games if they have rested. Pitchers may play Catcher after pitching in a game. SABA pitching limitations are simpler than the LL Rules and are therefore easier to track and manage accurately. Generally, the SABA pitching rules have the effect of limiting pitch counts more than the amounts allow under the Little League Rules. This provides more opportunities for more players to pitch during the course of the season. Because of the reduced number of pitches in SABA, there is no need to prohibit the Pitcher from playing Catcher after first pitching. Page 1

Little League Rule ing LL Regulation XVII The official Little League diagrams indicate that the base paths shall be 60 feet long and that the distance from the Pitcher s Plate to Home Plate shall be 46 feet. Base paths = 70 feet Mound to Plate = 50 feet. At the Major League level, the players are generally bigger and faster and are ready play on a larger diamond. LL Rule 2.00 No run limit. There is no limit to the number of runs scored in a half inning at the Major League level. 10 Run Maximum. Teams may only score a maximum of 10 runs per half inning. 10 runs is a lot in one half inning. Having a limit results in shorter games and fewer lopsided wins. LL Rule 3.03 All players must play a minimum of six consecutive outs defensively. All players must and bat at least once. All players must play at least 3 defensive innings. All players must bat throughout the game in order (whether in the game defensively or not). These minimums improve distribution of playing time and at-bats as compared to Little League Rules. LL Rule 3.09 Coaches cannot warm up pitchers at any time. Coaches can warm up pitchers. The SABA Rule moves games along more quickly. LL Rule 3.17 No Bat Boys or Girls. Bat Boys and Bat Girls are prohibited. Bat Boys/Girls Permitted. Teams may have one Bat Boy or one Bat Girl. The SABA Rule encourages a fun atmosphere. LL Rule 4.01 The Umpires are responsible for the Line Up Cards. The Managers and Coaches are responsible for the Line Up Card; the Umpires are not. The Umpires have enough to do without also tracking Line Up changes. Page 2

Little League Rule ing LL Rule 4.17 Teams must have 9 players on the field at all times. Teams May play with 8 players, but the 9 th spot in the order is an automatic out. If a team can only field less than 8 players, then it is a forfeit. SABA tries to avoid forfeits where possible. LL Rule 6.05 No Dropped 3 rd Strike Rule. The batter is out on a dropped 3 rd strike. Dropped 3 rd Strike Rule Applies. The batter and all runners may advance on a dropped 3 rd strike. At the Major League level, the players are ready to operate under more traditional baseball rules. LL Rule 7.13 Controlled steals. Runners must stay in contact with the bag and may not leave until the pitch has been delivered and the ball has reached the batter. All steals are permitted. There is no prohibition against leaving early. At the Major League level, the players are ready to operate under more traditional baseball rules. Players are generally ready to deal with steals and squeeze plays. It also makes the games more entertaining for the players. LL Rule 8.01 & 8.05 No Balks are called in Major or Minor League games. Balks will be called in Major League games. At the Major League level, the players are ready to incorporate all proper pitching techniques, including observation of the rules governing balks. Page 3

Little League Rule ing LL Rule 8.06 Coaches are only allowed 3 visits to the mound per pitcher per game. The pitcher must be changed on 3 rd visit in one inning or the 4 th visit in one game. The Manager or Coach is allowed 2 visits to the mound each inning. (The Manager or Coach may also confer with other defensive players at the mound or on the diamond.) Allowing more trips to the mound and allowing meetings with the defense may slightly prolong the games. However, this has not created problems in the past. The benefits of permitting coaches to provide instruction during the key moments of games outweigh any drawbacks. No LL Rule Breaking Pitches Allowed. There is no LL Rule that prohibits Pitchers from throwing breaking pitches. No Breaking Pitches. Pitchers are prohibited from throwing breaking pitches, such as sliders, curves, sinkers, etc. Pitchers who throw breaking pitches at an early age risk injury to the arm, especially if the breaking pitch is thrown incorrectly or with poor pitching form. Page 4

SABA Minor League Rules vs. Official Little League Rules SABA is not affiliated with Little League and therefore is not obligated to follow any Little League Rules or Regulations. SABA follows many of the Official Little League Regulations and Playing Rules, but there are some that SABA declines to adopt. Below is a list summarizing some key (but not all) differences and similarities between the SABA Minor League Rules we use and the Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules. Little League Rule ing LL Regulation VI Pitchers at all levels are limited by specified maximum pitch counts. Pitchers must rest for specified time periods relative to pitch counts. Pitchers may only pitch in consecutive games if they pitched less than 40 pitches in the first game. Pitchers may not play Catcher after delivering even one pitch in a game. Pitchers are limited to a maximum numbers of innings per game and innings per week. Pitchers may pitch in consecutive games if they have rested. Pitchers may play Catcher after pitching in a game. SABA pitching limitations are simpler than the LL Rules and are therefore easier to track and manage accurately. Generally, the SABA pitching rules have the effect of limiting pitch counts more than the amounts allow under the Little League Rules. This provides more opportunities for more players to pitch during the course of the season. Because of the reduced number of pitches in SABA, there is no need to prohibit the Pitcher from playing Catcher after first pitching. Page 5

Little League Rule ing LL Regulation XVII The official Little League diagrams indicate that the base paths shall be 60 feet long and that the distance from the Pitcher s Plate to Home Plate shall be 46 feet. No change. SABA uses the same dimensions as Little League. These are the appropriate dimensions for the Minor League level. LL Rule 2.00 5-Run Maximum. Teams may only score a maximum of 5 runs per half inning at the Minor League level. 5-Run Maximum. SABA uses the same limitation as Little League. Having this limit results in shorter games and fewer lopsided wins. LL Rule 3.03 All players must play a minimum of six consecutive outs defensively. All players must and bat at least once. All players must play at least 3 defensive innings. All players must bat throughout the game in order (whether in the game defensively or not). These minimums improve distribution of playing time and at bats as compared to Little League Rules. LL Rule 3.09 Coaches cannot warm up pitchers at any time. Coaches can warm up pitchers. The SABA Rule moves games along more quickly. LL Rule 3.17 No Bat Boys/Girls. Bat Boys and Bat Girls are prohibited. Bat Boys/Girls Permitted. Teams may have one Bat Boy or one Bat Girl. The SABA Rule encourages a fun atmosphere. LL Rule 4.01 The Umpires are responsible for the Line Up Cards. The Managers and Coaches are responsible for the Line Up Card; the Umpires are not. The Umpires have enough to do without also tracking Line Up changes. Page 6

Little League Rule ing LL Rule 4.17 Teams must have 9 players on the field at all times. Teams May play with 8 players, but the 9 th spot in the order is an automatic out. If a team can only field less than 8 players, then it is a forfeit. SABA tries to avoid forfeits where possible. LL Rule 6.05 No Dropped 3 rd Strike Rule. The batter is out on a dropped 3 rd strike. No Change. The SABA rules is the same as the Little League Rule. This is a good Rule for the Minor League level. LL Rule 7.13 Controlled Steals. Runners must stay in contact with the bag and may not leave until the pitch has been delivered and the ball has reached the batter. Specialized Graduated Rules for Steals. Specific Rules govern steals and advancements on passed balls and wild pitches. The rules change mid-season to allow advancement on passed balls and wild pitches. At the Minor League level, the players are not ready to operate under more traditional baseball rules. Players are generally not ready to deal with unfettered stealing and squeeze plays. Prohibiting advancement on passed balls and wild pitches during the first half of the season allows players to become more adept at pitching and catching before mistakes within the battery are penalized by advancement of the runners. Essentially, it stops every walk from turning into an effective triple by just having the runner wait to advance on passed balls and wild pitches, of which there are many in the first half of the Minor League season. Page 7

Little League Rule ing LL Rule 8.01 & 8.05 No Balks. Balks are not called in Minor League games. No Change. SABA has the same rule as Little League Rule. This is a good Rule for the Minor League level. Besides, runners may not lead off, so there is no need for the pitcher to try to deceive the runner, which is what the balk rule is primarily designed to address. LL Rule 8.06 Coaches are only allowed 3 visits to the mound per pitcher per game. The pitcher must be changed on 3 rd visit in one inning or the 4 th visit in one game. The Manager or Coach is allowed 2 visits to the mound each inning. (The Manager or Coach may also confer with other defensive players at the mound or on the diamond.) Allowing more trips to the mound and allowing meetings with the defense may slightly prolong the games. However, this has not created problems in the past. The benefits of permitting coaches to provide instruction during the key moments of games outweigh any drawbacks. No LL Rule Breaking Pitches Allowed. There is no LL Rule that prohibits Pitchers from throwing breaking pitches. No Breaking Pitches. Pitchers are prohibited from throwing breaking pitches, such as sliders, curves, sinkers, etc. Pitchers who throw breaking pitches at an early age risk injury to the arm, especially if the breaking pitch is thrown incorrectly or with poor pitching form. Page 8

SABA Minor League Rules vs. SABA Major League Rules There are some key differences exist between the Major League and Minor League Rules. Run Maximum = 5 Runs per half inning. Pitching Maximums Maximum = 2 Innings/Game. Maximum = 4 Innings/Week. No Balks will be called. Distances Mound to Plate = 46 feet. Between Bases = 60 feet. IFR: The Infield Fly Rule does not apply. Head-first sliding is prohibited. Limitations on steals and advancement are specialized and graduated throughout the season. The Dropped 3 rd Strike Rule does not apply. Run Maximum = 10 Runs per half inning. Pitching Maximums Maximum = 3 Innings/Game. Maximum = 6 Innings/Week. Balks will be called. Distances Mound to Plate = 50 feet. Between Bases = 70 feet. IFR: The Infield Fly Rule does apply. Head-first sliding is permitted. No limitations on steals. All steals and leads are permitted. The Dropped 3 rd Strike Rule does apply. Page 9