Greater Largo Little League: Rules

Greater Largo Little League Fall 2009 Local Rules

Age Alignment

o       T-Ball               Ages 5 & 6

o       A                     Ages 7 & 8

o       AA                   Ages 8 & 9

o       AAA                Ages 8, 9, 10, & 11

o       Majors             Ages 10, 11, & 12

o       Juniors              Ages 13 & 14

o       Seniors             Ages 14, 15, & 16

Team selection method - Baseball

o       T-Ball, - AA players     Teams will be placed on teams by the Division rep/Player Agent 

o       AAA    Teams will be created by Player Agent and Manager of the Division. Each team will then be placed a number and the managers will draw out numbers to see which team they receive.

o       Majors   Teams will be created by Player Agent and Manager of the Division. Each team will then be placed a number and the managers will draw out numbers to see which team they receive.

o       Juniors  Teams will be created by Player Agent and Manager of the Division.  Each team will then be placed a number and the managers will draw out numbers to see which team they receive.

o       Seniors Teams will be created by Player Agent and Manager of the Division.  Each team will then be placed a number and the managers will draw out numbers to see which team they receive.

The number of players on each team shall be no more than: 8 per team in Tee ball, 9 per team in A Ball, 12 per team in AA, AAA and Majors, 13 per team in Juniors and 15 per team in Seniors.

Late sign ups will be put on a waiting list then placed on teams by the Player Agent once there are enough players to field a full team.

Team selection method - Softball

• All divisions will be created by the Division VP.

Concession Stand

• No one under the age of 16 is allowed to work in the concession stand. The Home team volunteer will work in the Concession Stand for the first half of all games. The away team volunteer will work the second half. Volunteers need to be in the Concession15 minutes before game time following the end of the game. NOTE: When playing a team from another league, the Largo team must provide a volunteer for the entire game. This includes Softball.

Safety/Equipment

• The Board Member In Charge will rule if the games are to be called due to bad weather or if they decide that the fields are unplayable.  The teams must then immediately leave the field until the Board Member In Charge clears the game to go on.  Any Managers/Coaches who refuse to leave the playing area will be brought before the board to explain their refusial.

• Players in T-Ball thru AAA must wear helmets with face guards at all times when batting. (practice, games, games at other locations). 

• Players in Majors shall be given the option of using face guards or not with legal guardians consent.

• Bats are to be used on the field or in batting cages only.

• Gum chewing is not allowed on the field or in the dugout.

• Managers will be given 1 dozen new baseballs at the beginning of the season. The home team will provide the game ball for each game. If additional game balls are needed during the game, the visiting team will provide the 2^nd game ball. Manager must notify Division Rep if additional Baseballs are needed during the season.

• Managers are responsible for lining the field prior to each game.

• When arriving at the fields, the Board member in charge will determine if the fields are suitable for play.

• All trash should be cleared from dugouts and grandstands after each game.

• Visiting team manager is responsible for locking Visitors dugout after each game.

• Home team Manager is responsible for gathering all helmets, putting them back in dugout boxes, locking box, and locking dugout gate after game.

• Any potential safety hazards should be brought to the attention of the Safety Officer immediately via phone call.

Batting Cages

o       Only approved Managers and Coaches may operate Pitching machines or pitch to batters in the cages.

o       Metal cleats cannot be worn in batting cages.

o       Batting cages should be locked after each use.

League Representatives

o       In the Juniors and Seniors divisions, when at the Highland Recreation complex, the Home plate Umpire is the designated League Representative and has all authority that a Board member in charge would carry.

Home Runs

o       A batted ball, on the fly, hitting the scoreboard on any Field is a Home Run.

o       A batted ball, on the fly, hitting the left field fence on Field 1 above the marked line is a Home Run.

Manager/Coach

o       A Manager can manage only one team per season, should they choose they may be an assistant coach in another division. Likewise Coach are only allowed to coach one team in a division.

Discipline Policy

o       Any violation of Local or Little League rules by a Manager or Coach will result in:

Discipline Policy Procedures:

• First offense – Verbal warning
• Second offense – Written warning
• Third offense – suspension for remainder of season.

Player discipline:

• First offense – Verbal warning from Player Agent
• Second offense – Written warning from Player Agent
• Third offense – Player and manager will come before the Board to explain player behavior. Board may suspend player for appropriate amount of time. Depending on the severity of the offence any of these steps might be skipped and suspension may occur.

Board member discipline:

• Board members who miss two Board meetings in a year may be removed from the Board.

• Board members who fail to sign up for Concession duty or who do not show up for their scheduled duty twice may be removed from the Board.

• Manager must return all keys and equipment to the Safety Manager or President by the closing ceremonies.  Failure to do so will result in that manager being ineligible to manage the next season.

• Managers and Coaches must attend the Umpire Clinic provided by the district or they cannot coach or manage.

Tee Ball Division Rules Fall 2009

Playing rules

• Games will consist of 1 hour. Play as many innings as possible in that time, no new inning after this time, however you will finish the inning you are in. 

• All players will bat each inning.  Last batter in each inning will advance to first base only. 

• All players will bat every game.  Batting order must be rotated each game.  Example: Batter number one will move down one spot in the order until he has batted at every position in the batting order.

• No score is kept.

• Defensive positions must be rotated every inning between infield and outfield.

• No pitching by players or coaches is allowed.  Batter will hit off Tee.

• No player will sit the bench.  Defense will consist of Pitcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base, 3rd Base, and shortstop (inside grass line) remaining players will play outfield (outfield grass line).

• There is no catcher.

• 3 Adult coaches max may be on the field on offense only if there is a coach or team parent in the dugout. (All coaches and team parents must be have filled out and had their volunteer application approved.)

• Players are not allowed to leave the dugout without the Managers permission once the game has begun.

• 2009 Little League Baseball rules apply, only exceptions are above.

Field rules

• Dugout gate should be closed at all times. (gate leading to the playing field)

• Managers must return all keys and equipment to the Board member in charge after the last game of the season. Failure to do so will result in that manager being in-eligible to coach the following season.

A Division Rules Fall 2009

• Games will consist of 1 hour and 15 minutes, no new inning  is to begin after this time, however you will finish the inning you are in.

• An inning will consist of 4 runs or 3 outs, whichever comes first.

• Use 9 players on defense.  This should consist of regular infield and 3 outfielders.  Outfielders should be position at a minimum of 10 feet into the outfield grass.

• All players will bat every game.  Batting order must be rotated each game.  Example: Batter number one will move down one spot in the order until he has batted at every position in the batting order.

• The batter will receive five pitches from the machine.  If the ball is not put into play the T will be used.  Please adhere to the five pitches to keep the game moving.

• No score is kept.

• Players may not play the same position more than two innings in a game.  Positions must be rotated each game so every player plays every position at least once during the season.  No child will be forced to play a position.

• Two coaches may be on the field on offense and two for defense in foul area only, if there is a 3^rd coach or team parent they must remain in the dugout. (All coaches and team parents must be have filled out and had their volunteer application approved.)

• No base stealing is allowed.   Players may advance one base only on an overthrown ball per player at bat.

• The catcher must retrieve passed balls.  Coaches may not touch the ball while in play.

• Players are not allowed to leave the dugout without the Managers permission once the game has begun.

• 2009 Little League Baseball rules apply, only exceptions are above.

Field rules

• Dugout gate should be closed at all times. (gate leading to the playing field).

• Managers must return all keys and equipment to the Board member in charge after the last game of the season. Failure to do so will result in that manager being in-eligible to coach the following season.

AA Division Rules Fall 2009

• Games will consist of 1 hour 30 minutes, no new inning after this time, however you will finish the inning you are in. 

• An inning will consist of 4 runs or 3 outs, whichever comes first.

• Use 9 players on defense.  This should consist of regular infield and 3 outfielders.  Outfielders should be position at a minimum of 10 feet into the outfield grass.

• All players will bat every game.  Batting order must be rotated each game.  Example: Batter number one will move down one spot in the order until he has batted at every position in the batting order.

• Stealing is allowed, with the exception of Home.

• The pitching machine will be used for the first at bat for the first half of the season.  The second half of the season will be kid pitch.

• Players may not pitch more than 30 pitches or 2 innings per game and may not pitch in consecutive games.

• Players should pitch from a distance of 40’.

• No score is kept.  Coaches shall keep sitting logs and pitching logs in case of a question regarding playing time.

• Players may not sit more than 1 inning in a game.  No player sits twice before every other player sits once.  Players may not play the same position more than 2 innings in a game.  Positions must be rotated each game so every player plays every position at least once during the season.

• Three coaches may be on the field on offense and two for defense in foul area only, if there is a 3rd coach or team parent they must remain in the dugout. (All coaches and team parents must be have filled out and had their volunteer application approved.)

• The catcher must retrieve passed balls.  Coaches may not touch the ball while in play.

• Base stealing is allowed with the exception that runners may not steal home.  They may advance home if they are on 3rd and there is an overthrown ball.

• The team up to bats coach will be the Umpire, calling balls and strikes from behind the pitcher.

• 2009 Little League Baseball rules apply, only exceptions are above.

Field rules

• Dugout gate should be closed at all times. (gate leading to the playing field).

• Managers must return all keys and equipment to the Board member in charge after the last game of the season. Failure to do so will result in that manager being in-eligible to coach the following season.

Fall 2009 AAA Division Rules

• 2009 Little League Baseball Rules will be the rule, except as indicated below.

• Umpires will be scheduled. If the umpire fails to show, the game should not be delayed or cancelled. Have the managers or coaches call the game from behind the mound. If necessary, parents may umpire the game if approved by both managers. Managers and Coaches should attend the Umpire Clinic provided by the District prior to the start of the season.

• Rainouts will be rescheduled at the HOME teams next available practice time. Please call AAA rep, to assist in re-scheduling the game.

• A game will consist of 6 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first.

• There will be a 5 run limit per inning.

• Weeknight games will have a drop dead time of 8:30 p.m. No new inning after 8:15.

For Saturday games, no new inning will be started after 2 hours.

• All players present at the game will be in consecutive batting order. Players must play 6 defensive outs in every game.

• Pitching rules will be strictly according to the green book.   The official scorekeeper will keep the pitch count in the scorebook and note it on the Pitching Log at the end of each game. The pitching log MUST be signed by both Managers at the end of the game. Note: If a pitcher reaches there pitch limit in the middle of a batter, he/she may pitch until that batter reaches base or is put out. NOTE: player’s league age 8 pitch, count is reduced to 40 pitches.

• Illegal pitch shall be called. When it occurs, the umpire shall call time and notify the pitcher & manager of the improper delivery of the pitch. The result of the pitch is a ball.

• Offensive coaching may consist of 1 adult coach at first & third or 1 adult coach and 1 player coach. 2 coaches may only be used when there is a third coach in the dugout.

• Both teams must keep a scorebook and pitching log. It is to be signed at the end of the game by both Managers.

Pitching logs are to be reviewed at least 15 minutes prior to the start time of the game. If the manager does not have a SIGNED pitching log for the previous game, any player who pitched in the last game will be not eligible to pitch in the game. The manager will also receive a verbal warning. Failure to have a SIGNED pitching log a second time will result in a one game suspension of the manager. Third offense will result in removal of manager.

Fall 2009 Majors Rules

Playing rules

• Games will consist of 6 innings. No new inning may start after 8:30pm. (An inning starts as soon as the final out of the previous inning has taken place.) You must finish the inning that you are in.

• An inning will consist of 5 runs or 3 outs, whichever comes first.

• All players will bat. If a player is injured and unable to bat, it is not an out, just skip that batter in the order.

• If either team does no have enough players, the game still has to be played. You may borrow from the other team. If both teams are short, the game will proceed with each team fielding the players they have and the last batter from the apposing team will play the outfield that inning.

• Every attempt will be made to schedule umpires. If one is not available, a coach or parent should call the game. The Home team is responsible for providing the umpire.

• Keep score. An official score book, provided by the league, must be kept for the sole purpose of recording substitutions and pitching records. Book must be signed by the managers at the end of the game.

• No player will sit twice before any player sits once. Players may not play the same position more than 3 innings in a game.

• Pitching rules will be the same as the Little League Handbook for 2009. An illegal pitch will be called a ball.

• Players are not allowed to leave the dugout without the Managers permission once the game has begun.

• 2009 Little League Baseball rules apply only exceptions are above.

Field rules

• Dugout gate should be closed at all times. (gate leading to the playing field).

• Managers must return all keys and equipment to the Board member in charge after the last game of the season. Failure to do so will result in that manager being in-eligible to coach the following season.