Ron Matthews President Randy Marmor Vice President Jim Quilici Director of Umpires Paul Skuta Director of Communications
STRUCTURE OF THE RULE BOOK One Rule Book for ALL Divisions of Baseball Broken down into three major sections: Regulations Official Playing Rules Tournament Rules Official Playing Rules in 9 parts: 1.00 Objectives of the Game 2.00 Definition of Terms 3.00 Game Preliminaries 4.00 Starting and Ending the Game 5.00 Putting the ball in play Live Ball 6.00 The Batter 7.00 The Runner 8.00 The Pitcher 9.00 The Umpire
THE UMPIRE Appointed by the League President to be responsible for the conduct of the game Umpires are the official representative of the League and Little League International and shall enforce the rules of same No one shall object to the umpire s judgment Umpires may eject any manager, coach, or player for objecting to decisions, or for unsportsmanlike conduct Umpires may ask another umpire for information, but no umpire may overrule, reverse, or interfere with another umpire Umpires shall report to the League President within 24 hours regarding ejections or protests Umpires may forfeit a game if judged as a travesty (for example, a manager in the lead purposely stalls knowing that curfew is close)
SAFETY No metal cleats Male catchers must wear a cup Catcher s mask (including hockey style mask) must have a dangling throat guard attached Catcher s mask must be worn by a player who assumes the position of a catcher (during game, pre-game warm-up, and pre-game infield/outfield) Runners and youth base coaches must wear helmets No on-deck batter allowed No head first slides advancing to bases (runners may return to bases head first)
CATCHER S PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
JEWELRY IS NOT ALLOWED Players may not wear jewelry such as but not limited to: Rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, or any hard/cosmetic decorative item Rule applies regardless of composition of item Medical Alert bracelets are permissible, but must be taped down
LEGAL BAT RULES Bats used in games must meet the Little League Specifications and standards as noted in Rule 1.10. - Beginning in 2018, BPF 1.15 bats are now prohibited at all levels - The maximum bat diameter at all levels is now 2-5/8 inches - For Majors and below, all non-wood bats must bear the USA Baseball logo, signifying that the bat meets USA Baseball s Youth Bat Performance Standard - For the Intermediate Division, all non-wood bats must either bear the USA Baseball logo or the BBCOR certification mark. Aluminum/alloy and composite bats shall be marked as being aluminum/alloy or composite. - Traditional batting donuts are prohibited for safety reasons
USE OF AN ILLEGAL BAT Illegal/Altered bats must be removed Illegal bats should be found in equipment check prior to the game and removed from the field A batter who enters the batter s box with an illegal bat, with one or both feet entirely on the ground is deemed to be Out for Illegal Action. Penalty: Batter is out (as long as discovered before next batter enters box) If a play occurred, the manager of the defense may decline/accept penalty/play before the next batter enters the batter s box 1st violation: offense loses 1 eligible adult base coach position for the duration of game 2nd violation: manager is ejected from game Subsequent violation: new manager is ejected A cracked or damaged bat is not an illegal bat for purposes of this rule, but must be removed anyway
STRIKES The Little League strike zone is defined as: Armpits to the top of the knees Over any portion of the plate Assuming batter s usual stance when swinging at a pitch A strike is a legal pitch that: Crosses through any part of the strike zone without being struck (not applicable to the single-a division). Is struck at by the batter and is missed Is bunted foul by the batter Is fouled by the batter w/ less than two strikes Becomes a foul tip Touches the batter as the batter strikes at it Touches the batter in flight in the strike zone (not applicable to the single-a division) Foul Tip A batted ball that goes sharp and direct into the catcher s hand or mitt and is then legally caught
STRIKE ZONE - ARMPITS TO KNEES
STRIKE ZONE - BATTER S STANCE
UNCAUGHT THIRD STRIKE Applies only to the Major Division and above: Batter becomes a runner when a third strike is called by the umpire and the pitched ball is not legally caught by the catcher when first base is not occupied, or first base is occupied when there are two outs. A pitch that hits the ground, but is swung at and missed, is considered an uncaught third strike. Batter forfeits his/her opportunity to advance to first base if he/she enters the dugout or other dead ball area.
BALL (Does not apply to the single-a division) A ball is a pitch which does not enter the Strike Zone and is not struck by the batter - A pitch that touches the ground and then bounds through the Strike Zone is a ball, unless it is struck at - If the pitcher brings his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the circle surrounding the pitcher s plate, it will result in a ball being called and count toward pitch count - If the pitcher applies a foreign substance, rubs ball on uniform, delivers a spit ball, or shine ball, the pitch will be called a ball - If the pitcher commits an Illegal Pitch and runners are on base (Rule 8.05), and the pitch is delivered and no play is made, the result is a ball on the batter
FAIR/FOUL Fair territory: that part of the playing field within - and including - the first and third base foul lines, from home plate to the bottom of the outfield fence and perpendicularly upwards. All bases and foul lines are in fair territory. A fair ball is a batted ball that: settles on fair ground in the infield is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield touches first, second or third base while on or over fair territory, touches a player or umpire passes out of the playing field in flight when over fair territory
CATCH A catch is the act of a fielder in securing possession of a ball in flight: - in the hand or glove before the ball touches the ground (not using a cap, pocket, protector or other part of uniform), and - voluntarily removing the ball from the hand or glove to complete the catch If the fielder drops the ball while in the act of throwing, that is still a catch The fielder must prove complete control and that the release is voluntary and intentional. It is NOT a catch if: Simultaneously or immediately, the player collides with another player, falls to the ground, or runs into the fence and loses the ball, or if the fielder touches a fly ball which is then touched by another defensive player
FOUL BALL Foul Territory - That part of the playing field outside the first and third base lines extended to the fence and perpendicularly upwards. Foul Ball - A batted ball that: Settles on foul territory Bounds (bounces) past the bases in foul territory First falls on foul territory beyond the infield While in foul territory, touches any person or object foreign to the natural ground A Foul Ball is judged according to the position of the ball and the foul line or foul pole, not the position of the player when he/she touches the ball
TAG A tag is the act of a fielder in: Touching a base with the body while holding the ball securely in the hand or glove Touching a runner with the ball or with the hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely in the hand or glove It is NOT a tag, if while attempting to make the tag: The ball is dislodged from the hand or glove by the action of the fielder in touching the runner The ball is not in the hand or glove used to touch the runner
BATTED BALL OUT OF PLAY A fair batted ball that leaves the field results in the following: If over the outfield fence on a fly, then four bases are awarded and all runners score If a bounding ball over the fence, or a ground ball that goes through the fence, the batter is awarded second base, AND all runners advance two bases from their position at the time of the pitch The ball is ALWAYS dead at the time it leaves the field of play
THROWN OR PITCHED BALL OUT OF PLAY A thrown ball that leaves the field of play, or sticks in the fence, results in the following: Two bases are awarded to each runner (including the batter) from their position at the time of the throw If the first play is made by an infielder, two bases are awarded based on the runners positions at the time of the pitch, unless all runners including the batter-runner advanced a base prior to the throw A ball, pitched to the batter or thrown by the pitcher from the pitcher s plate to a base to pick off a runner, that leaves the field of play or sticks in the fence results in one base for each runner from the time of the pitch or throw If a pitched ball lodges in umpire s equipment: Award one base to each runner from time of pitch If it is ball four to the batter, he/she is awarded only first base The ball is ALWAYS dead at the time it leaves the field of play
INTERFERENCE BY PLAYERS Offensive Interference: Is an act (either voluntary or involuntary) by a member of the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If an umpire declares the batter, batter-runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference. Defensive Interference: Is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch On any interference, the ball is immediately dead
EXAMPLES OF INTERFERENCE BY PLAYERS A base runner might interfere by: Running into a fielder attempting to field a ball Hindering a fielder attempting to field ball in any way Hopping over a ball if it in fact interferes with the fielder Waving arms Yelling (e.g., I got it or Drop it ) If a batted ball hits a runner before the ball passes any fielder besides the pitcher (unless ball passes first fielder cleanly and second fielder has chance at it), the result is that the ball is immediately dead, that runner is out, and the batter is awarded first base and other runners advance if forced
Occurs when: BATTER INTERFERENCE The batter is hit by a fair ball when out of the batter s box On a steal of a base, the batter hinders the catcher making the play (exception: no interference if the batter stays in the batter s box and makes no movement that may interfere) The runner makes a running lane violation - interferes with a fielder taking a throw (from near the plate area) by running outside of the runner s lane If there is a possible double play and batter interference is intentional, batter-runner and runner closest to home are out The batter crosses in front of the plate after striking out and a steal is in progress
OTHER TYPES OF INTERFERENCE Umpire interference: The catcher s arm hits the plate umpire on a throw attempt A batted ball hits an umpire before it passes a fielder other than the pitcher Result: batter is awarded first base; other runners return to their bases unless forced to advance Spectator interference: Reaching over into the field of play to touch a live ball Standing or sitting on the field of play and being touched by a live ball Coach interference: Either assisting a runner or failing to avoid a defensive player making a play on a ball In all cases, it is an immediate dead ball
OBSTRUCTION The act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner A fake tag is considered obstruction. Obstruction shall be called on a defensive player who blocks a base, base line, or home plate from a base runner while not in possession of the ball
OBSTRUCTION EXAMPLES A fielder is in the base line without the ball and impedes the progress of a runner by: Standing on or in front of a base Faking a tag In a rundown, impeding a runner returning to a base First baseman obstructs the batter-runner rounding first base At home plate, a catcher is positioned in the runner s base line while awaiting a throw Penalty: Type A A play is being made on the obstructed runner. Immediate dead ball. Award at least one base beyond the last base legally touched. The umpire may award bases to other runners Type B A play is NOT being made on the obstructed runner. Delayed dead ball. Afterward, award base(s) to nullify the obstruction if necessary. The umpire may award bases to other runners.
OBSTRUCTION BY FIELDER First baseman does not have the ball and is not making a play on the runner, and The runner s progress in his/her baseline toward second base is impeded
OBSTRUCTION BY FIELDER 2 nd baseman is not yet in possession of the ball. Is this obstruction? Did the throw take the fielder into the path of runner? If so, then the umpire may not rule obstruction Did the fielder establish this position and impede runner? If so, then it is obstruction
OBSTRUCTION BY FIELDER Catcher is not in possession of the ball Runner is impeded from reaching home plate Runner is properly sliding to avoid direct contact Obstruction has occurred; the runner is awarded home plate
SLIDE OR ATTEMPT TO AVOID FIELDER A runner is out when he/she does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag (Rule 7.08 (a)(3)) Runner must slide, attempt to get around, or go back to the prior base Runner must avoid direct contact with the fielder if reasonably possible Fielder without the ball must avoid obstructing the runner Penalty: Runner is out Note: An obstructed runner will be awarded the base, but may be ejected for malicious contact If safe, runner will be awarded the base if obstructed even if ejected for a malicious hit If malicious hit: runner may be ejected from the game after being awarded the base
INFIELD FLY RULE (Only applies to Majors and AAA in our league) Situation: Less than two outs Runners on first and second, or bases loaded Fly ball on the infield (not a bunt or line drive) Must be a fair ball If close to the foul line, say: Infield fly, if fair Capable of being caught by an infielder with ordinary effort An outfielder can in fact make the catch Ordinary effort will vary by level. Batter is out even if the ball is not caught Ball is live and runners advance at their own risk If the ball is caught, runners must tag-up to advance
RUNNER LEAVING EARLY A runner cannot leave his/her base until the pitched ball reaches the batter s hitting zone (front shoulder) A runner leaving early affects the status of all runners A runner leaving early is not automatically out: If the pitched ball is not hit, all runners return to their base at the time of the pitch. All out(s) stand (for example, a runner leaves early on a steal attempt or wild pitch and is put out by the defense). If the ball is batted fair, the umpire determines value of the hit, in which case runners return to the base closest to the base at the time of the pitch. The batter runner is awarded no further than first base on a single or error. Refer to the rule book to study all scenarios
APPEALS An appeal is an action by a defensive player in claiming a violation of the rules by the offensive team Most common: The runners misses a base, or fails to tag-up properly on a caught fly ball An appeal must be an unmistakable act The appeal must be made when the ball is live. An umpire cannot help the defensive team The appeal must be made by a player The ball is live, so runners may advance during the appeal An appeal must be made before the next pitch, play, or attempted play No successive appeals are allowed on the same runner at the same base An appeal is not considered a play as defined by Rule 7.10
CONTINUOUS BATTING ORDER Mandatory for Minors and Majors in our league All players present must bat in their spot in the batting order, as determined by the line-up Players must still meet their minimum defensive play requirement If a player is injured, ill or leaves, that player s spot in the batting order is skipped without penalty If a runner must be removed from the game, the runner is replaced by the player on the bench whose batting order position most closely precedes that of the injured player If the removed player returns, he/she returns to his/her same spot in the batting order Late-arriving players are placed at the end of the batting order
THE TOP MYTHS OF BASEBALL RULES 1. The hands are part of the bat. 2. The ball is dead on a foul-tip. 3. The batter who is out of order is out. 4. The batter is out if his foot touches the plate. 5. If the batter breaks his wrists when swinging, it s a strike. 6. If the batter leaves the bat in the strike zone while in the bunting position, it s a strike. 7. Tie goes to the runner. 8. The runner must always slide when the play is close. 9. The runner is safe if hit by a batted ball while touching a base. 10. A runner is out if he runs out of the baseline to avoid a fielder making a play on the ball. 11. A pitch that bounces to the plate cannot be hit. 12. The batter does not get first base if hit by a pitch that bounces first. 13. If the fielder s feet are in fair territory when he touches the ball, it is always a fair ball. 14. The ball must always be returned to the pitcher before an appeal can be made. 15. The Plate Umpire may overrule another umpire at any time.