I. PLAYING TIME 1. Regular season games: The batting line-up will include all players on the team who are present at game time, i.e. all players bat in rotation. Once the batting line-up has been set, no changes are permitted. (Exception: Late arrivals shall be entered after the last batter in the original line-up). In the field, each player must play at least 9 innings out of 12 over two games if there are more than 10 players on the team and 10 out of 12 innings if there are 10 players on the team. 2. Round Robin and Playoffs: The batting lineup will be the same as the regular season. In the field, each player must play at least 3 defensive innings. Three defensive innings shall be construed as nine (9) outs. 3. A manager may limit playing time for disciplinary reasons (e.g. improper conduct) but must let the opposing manager and the umpire know before the start of the game. The Majors Director must be notified as soon as possible of such action. 4. Strict observance of the 9 out of 12 inning rule, 10 out of 12 inning rule and "three innings rule is mandatory. A first violation will result in a warning from the Board of Directors. A second violation could result in the forfeiture of the game in which it occurs and possible dismissal of the manager. 1. Regular season games: The batting line-up will include all players on the team who are present at game time, i.e. all players bat in rotation. Once the batting line-up has been set, no changes are permitted. (Exception: Late arrivals shall be entered after the last batter in the original line-up). In the field, each player must play at least 9 innings out of 12 over two games if there are more than 10 players on the team and 10 out of 12 innings if there are 10 players on the team. A manager may limit playing time for disciplinary reasons (e.g. improper conduct) but must let opposing manager and umpire know before the start of the game. The Minor A/B director must be notified as soon as possible of such action. 1. Round Robin and Playoffs: Each player must play at least three (3) defensive innings. Players who sit 3 innings one game will be required to play 6 the next game. This would require a player to play 9 out of 12 innings over two games. Batting rules are the same as the regular season. 3. Innings 1 through 5 will use a 5 run maximum per inning rule for the first half of the regular season, with no run limit for inning 6 to the end of the game. For the second half of the regular season and the playoffs there is no maximum run rule. 4. It is the responsibility of the manager to adjust playing time of a player who has to leave early or arrives late for a game due to a scheduling conflict. Every attempt should be made to fulfill minimum playing requirements. 2010 Playing Rules (Approved March 3, 2010) Page 1
MINOR B: same as Minor A except: 1. Regular season: Batting rules and playing time rules are the same as Minor A regular season. 2. Playoffs games: Batting rules and playing time rules are the same as the Minor B regular season. 3. Innings 1 through 5 will use a 5 run maximum per inning rule for regular season and playoffs. Inning 6 to the end of the game No Run Limit. II. SUBSTITUTIONS PINCH RUNNERS (ALL LEAGUES): Only allowed for: (1) Injury and (2) Catcher two out speed up rule. In both cases, the pinch runner shall be the player that made the last prior out. MINOR B: Regular season: Free substitution of defensive players. Playoffs: According to the Little League Rule Book. Free substitution of defensive players. Playoffs: According to the Little League Rule Book. Free substitution of defensive players will be permitted during all regular and playoff games. III. PITCHING All Little League Rules are strictly enforced. The pitcher s name and number of pitches thrown must be recorded by each Manager in the game-results book in the Snack Bar after each game. Violations formerly ruled balks should now be called a ball to the batter. No pitcher may throw more than 85 pitches per day. Automatic intentional walks have been eliminated; pitches must be thrown and counted. All pitchers must adhere to the following rest requirements: 1 to 20 pitches 0 calendar days of rest. 21 to 35 pitches 1 calendar days of rest 36 to 50 pitches 2 calendar days of rest. 51 to 65 pitches 3 calendar days of rest. 66 or more pitches 4 calendar days of rest. NOTE: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. Also, the pitcher, once removed from the mound, may not return to the lineup as a pitcher. The home team is the official pitch count recorder. 2010 Playing Rules (Approved March 3, 2010) Page 2
Same as Majors except the maximum number of pitches is 75. No 12-year-old may pitch. Same rest requirements apply. No penalty shall be enforced for balks. MINOR B: Same as Majors except for the maximum of 75 pitches or three innings per game, whichever occurs first. Same rest requirements apply. No 12-year-old may pitch. No penalty shall be enforced for balks. IV. STEALING OF BASES MINOR B: According to Little League Rule Book. First half of season, stealing of second or third base but no advance beyond third on catcher s overthrows to any base. Same rules as Majors second half of season. 1. First half of season: Maximum of two (2) steals per half inning. No advance on overthrow from catcher at any base. One base equals one steal. Runner can advance one base at a time. 2. Second half of season: Unlimited stealing of second and third base. 3. NO STEALING OF HOME. No delayed steals. (This rule does not prevent a runner from advancing home if a play is made on a runner at third in a non-steal situation). V. INFIELD FLY RULE MINOR B: According to the Little League Rule Book. According to the Little League Rule Book. The infield fly rule is not in effect. VI. MOUND CONFERENCE A manager or adult coach may visit the mound and confer with the pitcher and catcher only. Little League Rule Book Section 8.06 is in effect. This rule mandates the removal of the pitcher on the third (3 rd ) trip to the same pitcher in the same inning, or the fourth (4 th ) trip to a pitcher in the game. MINOR A & MINOR B: Same as Majors. VII. FORFEITURE OF GAMES Section 4.16 of the Little League Rule Book deals with the situation of a team unable to field nine (9) players. This is not grounds for automatic forfeiture. It is, however, the responsibility of the manager to avoid this situation, and he should contact his players and be prepared to handle this situation in the following manner: 2010 Playing Rules (Approved March 3, 2010) Page 3
1. Managers may not cancel games. Directors of Minor A, B & C will give a list of 10+ player s names and phone numbers from their respective divisions who are qualified to play in the division above theirs to the Player Agent and division director. A team will be assigned a player or players from the lower division needed to prevent forfeiture. Managers needing call up players will contact the division director who will assign a call up player or players to the team. In no situation will a player be brought up if it conflicts with his team s game or practice. A player called up must play at least three innings, but never play more innings than a member of that team; must bat last; must play in the outfield. The player called up is not permitted to pitch. Call up players must be noted in the games results book in the Snack Bar after the game. 2. The player called up should not be called up again until every player on the call up list for their division has been given an opportunity to play up. 3. All teams must field nine (9) players each prior to game time. 4. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, a manager may elect to play with eight (8) players during the course of the game, but never less than eight (8) players. VIII. DISCIPLINE OF PLAYERS Discipline of players for missing games, practices, etc. is left to the manager. A reasonable approach and sense of fair play should prevail. If discipline results in loss of playing time, then: 1. Managers of opposing teams and Umpires must be notified of such action. 2. Notation should be made in the game results book in the Snack Bar and initialed by each manager. 3. Director of league must be notified. IX. DARKNESS OR INCLEMENT WEATHER 1. It shall be the discretion of the umpire to call a game on account of darkness. The Umpire determines when field #1 and #2 lights are turned on. 2. Once a game has begun, it shall be the discretion of the umpire to delay and/or call a game due to rain or lightning. It is required that an umpire delay or call a game when there is visible lightning in the area. 3. The League President or any member of the Board of Directors not involved in the game shall have the authority to call the game in the interest of safety. 4. Called games will be continued or considered "regulation" according to Little League Rule Book Sections 4.10, 4.11 and 4.12. 2010 Playing Rules (Approved March 3, 2010) Page 4
5. Rain outs will be called by the field maintenance director or his appointee at game time. In the event of rain, managers should be present to sign up for a rain date. The following applies to all rain dates: A. If more than one game is logged, the fields will be assigned according to the level of play. Majors have first preference, then Minor-A and then Minor-B. If two teams at the same level have signed for the same date, then the first to sign has preference. B. Majors will play only on fields 1, 2, 5 or 3. If these fields are taken by other Major teams, they will sign for the next rain date. C. Minor-A and Minor-B teams will play, if necessary, on field 4. 6. All playoff games must be played in their entirety before considered official. X. PLAYOFFS / TIE BREAKERS 1. All teams enter playoffs using round-robin format. After round-robin, the four (4) teams with best records as determined by the tiebreakers will advance into the semifinals, and winners into the championship game. 2. If tiebreakers are necessary to determine seeding for playoffs, they will be determined in the following order: a. Head to head play b. Run differential with ten run maximum per game (e.g. 16-3 game is a 10 run differential). c. Special tie-breaker game(s). XI. TIME LIMIT / TIE GAMES If consecutive games are scheduled on a field, there is a two hour time limit from the start of the game. The game ends after the completion of the inning under way when the 2 hour limit is reached. (Rule: A new inning begins as soon as the third out occurs, ending the previous inning). NOTE: Playoff games have no time limit. If necessary, tie games will be continued when the involved teams next meet. If the outcome of tie games affects or delays the playoffs, a special date will be decided upon by the Board of Directors for completion of the game. XII. GAME TIME RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Both Teams are responsible for: A. Preparing the field before the start of the game, that is, raking the infield, pitcher's mound and home plate area, as well as filling in dirt and sweeping water when necessary. B. Assuring that their team has a representative in the refreshment stand. C. Assuring that the dugouts, stands and their side of the field have had all paper and litter properly disposed of and cleaned up after the game. 2. The HOME TEAM will assure that the field is safe and ready for play, including: 2010 Playing Rules (Approved March 3, 2010) Page 5
A. Lining foul lines and batter's box. B. Putting out bases and assuring they are securely fastened. C. Supply two (2) game balls to the umpire. D. Field #1 Home manager or representative will assure that the garage and refreshment stand are secured and locked after the last game and that the refreshment stand representative in charge is escorted to her automobile and is safely on her way. E. Assuring that their team has a representative operating the scoreboard. 3. The VISITING TEAM: A. Rake the infield, pitcher's mound and home plate area after the game to prepare fields for the next game. B. Return bases and equipment to the garage after the last game. XIII. MANAGERS AND COACHES 1. Managers and coaches should possess leadership ability and the know-how to work with young children. Training Little Leaguers in the rudiments of teamwork, good sportsmanship and discipline are attainable goals of the program. 2. During the game, only three (3) adults will be allowed in the dugout and behind yellow lines on concrete pads. 3. Use of tobacco, alcohol and profane language in any form is prohibited on the playing field, dugout and Little League complex. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE LITTLE LEAGUE RULE BOOK COVERS ANY SITUATION NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN OUR LOCAL RULES. ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS CAN BE CHANGED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEWTOWN-EDGMONT LITTLE LEAGUE BY-LAWS, IF DEEMED NECESSARY. Revised and Approved March 3, 2010 2010 Playing Rules (Approved March 3, 2010) Page 6