2008 Little League (Majors)Division Tournament Rules

Division 8

Hosted by Sierra Vista Little League

DISCLAIMER!!!

• This is not meant to be an all-inclusive presentation on the rules of little league baseball. This is a guide to understanding the most commonly experienced rules that occur from one game to the next and important rules of notation for tournament play. For more in-depth rules and regulations, please refer to the 2008 Baseball Official Regulations and Playing Rules for All Divisions of Little League Baseball. Tournament specific rules have been written in red text for ease in identification.

-Joseph StringerUmpire-In-ChiefSierra Vista Little League

A Word from the UIC

Congratulations on your participation in the 2008 Arizona District 8 Little League (Majors) Division Tournament! Believe it or not, this is the first round of play for the Little League International Tournament. I hope that all of us are here to have fun, and win or lose, we will send the victors on the road to Williamsport, PA with all our support.

-Joseph StringerUmpire-In-ChiefSierra Vista Little League

Who Makes the Rules?

• The Charter and Rule Committee in Williamsport, PA makes and approves the rules of Little League Baseball.

• No other person or group has the authority approve waivers of ANY of the rules or regulations.

The Participants

• No more than 14 players on a team. • If 12 players on a team, no more than 2 adults in

the dugout or on the field.• If 13 players on a team, no more than 3 adults in

the dugout or on the field.• Any adult in the team’s dugout must be listed on

the team’s affidavit.• No coach may leave his/her dugout without

requesting the permission of the umpire unless moving to base coaching positions.

Pages T-3 through T-4

The Equipment

• The following equipment, as per the little league rules, will be checked by umpires prior to the start of every game:– Bats– Balls– Catcher’s Gear– Helmets

Bats

• Bats shall not be more than 33 inches long• Bats will be no more than 2 ¼ inches in diameter• Must have a minimum of 10 inches of tape, cork,

or composition material and must not be slippery.

• Any bat used may not be dented or cracked and must be able to pass through a 2 ¼ inch bat ring.

• Traditional batting doughnuts are not allowed.• The ruling on white bats has been rescinded as

of .

Rule 1.10 page 47

Balls

• All balls will be 5 ¼ ounces

• No ball shall measure less than 9 and no more than 9 ¼ inches in circumference.

• All balls must be marked as being RS-T

Rule 1.09 page 47

Tournament Rule 1, page T-12

Catcher’s Gear

Long Chest Protector Dangling Throat Guard Helmet with Mask

Leg Guards Protective Cup Catcher’s Mitt

Rule 1.17, page 49

Helmets

• All helmets must meet NOSCAE specifications.

• No after-market decals, stickers or paint may be applied to helmets without approval (in writing) of the helmet manufacturer or authorized dealer.

Rule 1.16 page 48

Game Preliminaries

Rule 3

Substitutions• The Manager will immediately notify the game

UIC of any substitution and that player’s place in the batting order.

• The UIC will notify the scorekeeper of all substitutions.

• Any player not announced will be considered to be a substitute when:– As a pitcher, delivers one warm-up pitch to the

catcher.– As a batter, takes another players position in the

batter’s box– As a fielder, takes a position in the field and play

commences– As a runner, takes the place of another runner

Rule 1.17, page 49

Participants and Spectators

• Players, Managers, and Coaches of the participating teams shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands during a game in which they are engaged.

Rule 3.09, page 56

Unsuitable Weather Conditions

• The Umpire-in-Chief shall be the sole judge as to whether and when play shall be suspended during the game because of unsuitable weather conditions or the unfit condition of the playing field; as to whether and when play shall be resumed after such suspension; and as to whether and when a game shall be terminated after such suspension. Said umpire shall not call the game until at least 30 minutes after play has been suspended. The umpire may continue suspension as long as there is a chance to resume play.

Rule 3.10(b), page 59

Mandatory Play

Mandatory Play

• Every player on a team roster shall participate in each game for a minimum of (3) consecutive defensive outs and bat at least (1) time.

• Managers are responsible for fulfilling mandatory play requirements.

• There is no exception to this rule unless the game is shortened (less than 5 ½ innings) for any reason.

• Failure to meet these requirements is a basis for protest.

Visits

Visits

• Each manager is allowed (2) visits to the mound per inning to confer with a pitcher. On the third visit (fourth visit of the game for one pitcher), the pitcher must be replaced.

• Any manger calling time out in order to speak to any defensive player will be charged with a visit to the mound.

Visits

• Only one offensive time-out will be allowed each inning.

The Pitcher

1

The Pitcher

• Any player is eligible to pitch.

• No player may return to the mound once removed.

• Any player throwing a pitch (even a warm-up) from the rubber is considered to be the pitcher (unannounced substitution) and must finish pitching to one batter before they can be removed. (Rules 3.05, 3.08, Page 56)

Regulation VI, pages 34-36

The Pitcher

• The following limitations have been established for pitch counts: – League Age 11-12: 85 pitches per day

Regulation VI, pages 34-36

The Pitcher

• Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:– 1-20 pitches a day: 0 days rest– 21-45 pitches a day: 1 day rest + 1 game– 46+ 2 days rest + 1 game

• A player may only pitch in consecutive games if 20 or less pitches were delivered in the previous game.

• All umpires should ask which players are ineligible to pitch at the beginning of the game.

• No player may pitch in more than one game in a day.

Tournament Playing Rule 4.e

The Pitcher

• The pitcher may NOT:– Wear long white sleeves (rule 1.11 (a) (3), page 48)– Wear a white mitt– Bring the pitching hand to the mouth or lips while in

the 10-foot circle– Apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball– Spit on the ball, hands or glove– Rub the ball on the person, hands or clothing– Deface the ball in any manner(The pitcher is allowed to rub the ball in bare hands

only)

Rule 8.02, page 80

The Catcher

2

The Catcher

• Coaches are not allowed to warm up a pitcher either on the field, in the bullpen, or anywhere else. (rule 3.09, page 56)

• No pitcher who delivers a ball to a batter may play the catcher’s position for the remainder of that day. (regulation VI, (c), Note 1, page 35)

• Any player that warms up a catcher must wear a catcher’s mitt, helmet and athletic cup at a minimum.

The Batter

• Each player bats in the order that their name appears on the batting order.

• The batter will take his/her position in the batter’s box when it is said batter’s time at bat.

• The batter may not leave the batter’s box once the pitcher goes to the set position

• Batter must have both feet entirely inside the batter’s box

• In the absence of a marked batter’s box (chalk, lime, paint, etc.) the batter’s box is the umpire’s discretion.

The BatterRule 6, pages 66-67

6.07 Batting out of Turn• If another batter COMPLETES an at bat in place of the

proper batter, the proper batter is called out on appeal.• If the improper batter is not put out and does not become

a runner before the appeal is made, the proper batter will take his/her position in the batter’s box, and assume current ball and strike count.

• If an improper batter reaches base, or is put out, and another pitch is thrown to the batter whose name follows the improper batter on the batting order, the improper batter becomes the legal batter.

• If a pitch is not thrown to the following batter before an appeal is made, the proper batter will be called out, and the umpire shall nullify any advancements or runs scored based on a hit by the improper batter.

• Any advanced runners based on a steal while an improper batter is at bat are legal

Rule 6.07, page 67

6.07 Situations

• Baker Bats• Count is 2 balls 1

strike• Defensive team

discovers the improper batter

• Abel• Baker• Charles• Daniel• Edward• Frank• George• Henry• Irwin

Rule 6.07 Situations, Page 68

6.07 Situations

• RULING: Abel assumes the count of 2 balls and 1 strike

• Abel• Baker• Charles• Daniel• Edward• Frank• George• Henry• Irwin

Rule 6.07 Situations, Page 68

6.07 Situations

• Baker Bats• Baker Doubles• Charles takes a pitch• Defensive team

appeals improper batting.

• Abel• Baker• Charles• Daniel• Edward• Frank• George• Henry• Irwin

Rule 6.07 Situations, Page 68

6.07 Situations

• RULING: Baker stays on second

• Charles is the proper batter

• Abel• Baker• Charles• Daniel• Edward• Frank• George• Henry• Irwin

Rule 6.07 Situations, Page 68

6.07 Situations

• Bases are loaded• Two Outs• Henry bats in Frank’s

turn• Henry Triples• Three runs score• The defensive team

appeals immediately

• Abel• Baker• Charles• Daniel• Edward• Frank• George• Henry• Irwin

Rule 6.07 Situations, Page 68

6.07 Situations

• RULING: Frank is out.

• No runs score• George is the leadoff

batter for the next inning.

• Abel• Baker• Charles• Daniel• Edward• Frank• George• Henry• Irwin

Rule 6.07 Situations, Page 68

6.07 Situations

• Bases are loaded• Two Outs• Henry bats in Frank’s

turn• Henry Triples• Three runs score• The defensive team

appeals after a pitch to George

• Abel• Baker• Charles• Daniel• Edward• Frank• George• Henry• Irwin

Rule 6.07 Situations, Page 68

6.07 Situations

• RULING: Henry stays on third

• Three runs score• Irwin is the proper

batter

• Abel• Baker• Charles• Daniel• Edward• Frank• George• Henry• Irwin

Rule 6.07 Situations, Page 68

The Strike Zone

• The space over the front of home plate between the batter’s armpits and the knees when the batter assumes a natural stance.

• Determined by the batter’s usual stance when they SWING AT A PITCH.

Rule 2, page 54

Strike

• Any ball:– That is swung at but not hit– Which any part crosses the

strike zone– Fouled by the batter with

less than 2 strikes– Touches the batter’s

person as they strike at it– Touches the batter in the

strike zone– Becomes a foul tip (ball is

live and in play)

Rule 2, page 54

Fair and Foul Balls

• A Fair Ball:– Settles between first and third in fair territory.– Is in fair territory when bounding to the outfield– Is in fair territory when flying over the outfield fence– Touches home, first, or third

Fair balls are NEVER vocalized by the umpire. The umpire will vocalize FOUL BALL when the ball is foul.

A FOUL TIP only occurs when the ball is CAUGHT by the catcher. A dropped ball is a foul ball (dead ball). A FOUL TIP with two strikes is an out.

Rule 2, page 50

The Runner

• Loses the right to his base when the batter becomes a runner. (FORCE PLAY rule 2.00, page 51)

• Is out if he does not reach the base forced to.

• Is out if tagged.

• Scores a run if legally reaches home plate.

The Runner

• Leaving Early:– A runner may not leave his/her base before the ball

reaches the batter.– If a runner leaves early, a delayed dead ball shall

occur. (A delayed dead ball will be signaled by the release of a red flag by the base umpire).

– If the runner is put out, the out will stand and no reference to the runner leaving early will be made.

– If the runner reaches base safely, the runner will be forced to return to the original base or the base nearest the last one occupied.

Rule 7.13, page 76

The Runner

• Leaving Early Examples:– Runner on first leaves too soon, batter reaches first,

runner goes to second base (nearest unoccupied base)

– Runner on second leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner returns to second.

– Runner on first leaves too soon, batter hits a clean double, runner reaches third only.

– Runner on second leaves too soon, batter hits a clean double, runner reaches third only.

– Runner on third leaves too soon, batter hits a clean double, runner returns to third.

– All runners on base will be allowed to reach home safely when a batter hits a clean triple.

Rule 7.13, page 76

The Runner

• Leaving Early Examples:– Runners on first and second, either runner leaves too

soon, batter reaches first safely, runners go to second and third.

– Runners on first and second, batter hits a clean double, runner on second scores, runner on first goes to third only.

– Runners on first and third, either runner leaves early, batter reaches first, runner on first goes to second, runner on third remains there.

– Runners on second and third, either runner leaves early, batter reaches first, neither runner may advance.

Rule 7.13, page 76

The Runner

• Leaving Early Examples:– Runners on second and third, either runner leaves

early, batter hits a clean double, runner on third scores, runner on second goes to third.

– Bases loaded, any runner leaves early, batter reaches first, all runners advance, no run scores, no out charged. If on the play, a putout occurs at any base, runner on third will return to third.

– Bases loaded, runner leaves early, batter reaches first on walk or hit by pitch, run scores.

Rule 7.13, page 76

Dead Ball/Live Ball

• Play will begin and the ball becomes live when the umpire declares “PLAY!”

• The ball is dead when the umpire declares “TIME!” or “FOUL BALL!”

• For a dead ball to become live, the umpire must declare “PLAY!”

• The ball is live all other times.

Protesting a Game

• No game may be protested on an ADJUDGED call. (Fair/Foul, Safe/Out, Ball/Strike)

• Based only on violation or interpretation of a playing rule.

• Protests are made as follows:– Manager shall notify umpire IMMEDIATELY that the

game is being played under protest prior to the next thrown pitch by either team.

– Protests made due to ineligible pitcher may be made before the umpire leaves the playing field

Protest Sequence of Actions

• Umpires should immediately confer on the field and a rule book should be consulted.

• The umpires should reach a conclusion as to avoid a protested game.

• If the conclusion of the umpires does not resolve the protest, the protest is then taken to the Tournament Director.

• If the Tournament Director does not resolve the protest, the Regional Director or a representative thereof shall be notified.

• If the protest is further brought forth, it will be ruled upon by the Tournament Committee in Williamsport, PA. The ruling of the Tournament Committee is FINAL.

Ejections

• Any manager, coach or player ejected from a game will be suspended for the next physically played game (see Rule 4.07). Ejection shall be noted in the tournament team’s affidavit in the Record of Ejections on page 4. Entry should include member’s name and date ejected and be signed by the Tournament Director or District Administrator.