Playing Rules

2017 Little League Program

Updated Monday May 15, 2017 by Kanata Baseball Association.

The following Playing Rules apply to the 2017 Spring Little League Program ONLY. (ie Spring Minor and Major). When we participate in other Leagues (for example Spring or Summer Interlock, or ABEO or EOBA) then the rules of that league prevail.

General

Coaches are allowed free substitution of players throughout the game to promote equitable playing time for all. All players bat in a continuous batting order.

The first and third base coach may be a player with a batting helmet or an adult. There must be at least one adult manager/coach in the dugout at all times.

Both Visiting and Home coaches (or designated scorekeeper) shall update the website of the outcome of the game before the end of the day.

A game will be forfeited if fewer than 8 players are present at game time. There will be no automatic out. It is preferential that coaches arrange for a call­up player prior to game times.

The home team is responsible for the field on game day. This includes set­up beforehand, raking if the weather is questionable, tear­down afterwards and providing game balls. The home team also provides the adult game coordinator.

Game start time is 6pm sharp. Teams should be at the field ½ hour early for pre­game practice, and be ready for the first pitch at game time at 6:00pm. For the month of May, no new inning may start after 7:45pm, for June no new inning may start after 8:00pm. Games are 6 innings.

Gameplay

There is a 5-run limit per half inning at all divisions of play. There is no other mercy rule.

No on­deck batters are allowed in Major and below. Players in these divisions must not have a bat in their hands while not up to bat. Bats must be dropped and not thrown.

Runners must slide at home when a collision is “imminent” to avoid injury and a collision. This is at the discretion of the umpire. Head first sliding is not permitted in Major and below.

Between inning warm­up will be limited to 3-­5 pitches per inning. The pace of the game should be quick and players should know their assigned defensive position prior to transitioning from offense to defense. There is no between inning warm­up in Rookie.

Minor 9-10

• To provide defensive reps and opportunities for pitchers to develop, there will be no walks in May. On ball 4, the batter will put the ball into play by hitting off of a tee.
• There will be no stealing bases or taking bases on passed balls in May. Advancement on overthrows after a ball is in play by a hit is allowed.
• Base­runners will not be permitted to advance on a return throw back from the catcher to the pitcher.

10-11

• Not caught third strike (aka dropped third strike) rules in effect (batter can run).
• Runner may leave base once pitch reaches batter.
• Infield fly rule in effect
• Cannot steal home on a passed ball.

Major 11-12

• Not caught third strike (aka dropped third strike) rules in effect (batter can run).
• Runner may leave base once pitch reaches batter.
• Infield fly rule in effect

 

Pitching

Pitch counts must be tracked for each team. Illegal pitches are included in the pitch count. The limit for the number of pitches in a day is dependent on the league age of the pitcher. A day of rest is a full calendar day.

Once the pitch count reaches the pitch limit the pitcher must be removed from the game, except if a pitcher reaches the limit while facing a batter the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. The batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half ­inning.

Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning. Once removed, a pitcher cannot be reinstated.

A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. Any player, who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.

League Age	Pitch Limit		Pitches Thrown	Days of Rest
13-14	95		66 or more	4
11-12	85		51-65	3
9-10	75		36-50	2
7-8	50		21-35	1
			1-20	0

Rookie uses a pitching machine or a coach for the batting team pitching.

Safety Equipment

Bat size Major and below: maximum diameter is 2 ¼", composite bats are generally not permitted unless specifically allowed by Little League. Intermediate: maximum diameter 2 ⅝”, composite bats must be BBCOR. 

The batters, all base runners and player base coaches must wear helmets with attached chinstraps, if so equipped.

Catchers must wear a mask/helmet with “dangling” type throat guard during practice, infield warm­up, pitcher warm­up and games.

All players are required to wear athletic supporters with protective cups. Baseball cleats are recommended. Metal cleats are not permitted in Major and below. Appropriate baseball attire is required including long pants, preferably white baseball pants, to protect while sliding.

Except for MedicAlert, players must remove all jewelry, including earrings, necklaces and bracelets regardless of their composition.

Adult Game Coordinator Responsibilities

Rule 9.03(d)(1) ­ Participate in pre­game meeting with managers & umpire (Rule 4.01). Be at pre­game meeting and contribute if needed.

1. Pre­game conference (Manager and 1 player from each team).
2. Check that official scorer has the lineups recorded correctly
3. No jewelry allowed (except medical alert bracelets) on players
4. No spectators or unofficial photographers in foul ball areas or behind plate

Rule 9.03(d)(2) ­ Be present at the game at all times.

Rule 9.03(d)(3) ­ Oversee conduct of all players, managers, coaches & umpires.

• Field decorum – Regulation XIV Umpire judgment & rule violations/misapplication (Rule 9.02)
• Unruly spectators (Rule 9.01 (f))

Rule 9.03(d)(4) ­ Disqualifications/ejections 
Our job is to keep everyone in the game, but there are times when a manager, coach, or player steps over the line and brings ejection upon him or herself. Examples...

• Use of tobacco (in any form) or alcohol
• Use of electronic communication with personnel during the game
• Profanity (directed at an umpire or audible f­bomb)
• Personal insults directed at an umpire; especially the “Y” word (“You ____!”)
• Physical contact
• Refusal to stop arguing & further delaying the game after umpire has provided adequate opportunity for discussion
• Leaving position to argue balls & strikes, arguing calls from the dugout (chriping)
• Persistently instructing players to infringe the rules (unsportsmanlike conduct).
• Persistently arguing or objecting to the decisions of an umpire.
• Intimidating a youth umpire.
• Histrionic gestures while expressing disagreement with an umpire’s decision
• Throwing equipment in disgust over an umpire’s call
• Anything else that the umpire deems inappropriate (Rule 9.03(4)).

Depending on the severity of the offence, the umpires often use a “3 strike” guideline. Looking at the offending person or in direction of dugout is a first warning, verbal request to cease is the 2nd warning), followed by ejection (can restrict to the dugout as an intermediate step prior to ejection). If the offence is severe enough, ejection without prior warning may be appropriate. See also Rule 4.06 & 4.07

Rule 9.03(d)(5) ­ Stop play for inclement or unsafe playing conditions. You are the sole arbiter of this.

Safety issues (catcher’s gear, batboys, on deck batters, base coaches, bat throwing) Reporting to league president (Rule 9.05 (a))

What adult game coordinators CANNOT DO!

• Over­rule any umpire’s decision.
• Remove any umpire from the game (Rule 9.02(d)).