This link is to help clarify rules for all divisions.  If you have a question or know something that you think should be on this tab please e-mail me and I will get it verified and put it on the site.  I am trying to get everything possible on here.

Thanks
Dave

Balls and strikes

Ball is on the tee. Three swings Foul on last swing is an out.

Base Running

Runners stop running when the ball is in the infield.  If over half way when the ball is in the infield they get the next base.  Ball in the infield means it has landed in the infield.  Not necessarily in a players possession.

Runs per inning.

Six run limit for all innings.

Last inning is not unlimited runs.

Fielding

Ball must be thrown only overhand to a base. This is to prevent players from under handing the ball or rolling it to the base. Player is safe if not thrown properly.  Pitcher must throw the ball to first base.

Players will rotate positions every inning. No player can play first base and pitcher in the same game.

If a team does not have enough players to play the game. Borrow from the other team. Call the director for players if you know ahead of time.  Those players should bat at the end of the line up and play outfield positions.

On Deck

No one should have a bat until walking up to the plate.  There are no “on deck” practice swings!

CRNLL A Rules – 2009 

These game rules are established to enhance the development of all players and as coaches you should use the games as an opportunity to help all players develop.  Allow your players several opportunities to play every position.  Player’s must switch positions at a minimum of every two innings and they must play at least three different positions in a game.  Every player must have at least two innings in the infield and two innings in the outfield in every game.  Infield positions are defined for our league’s purposes as 1B, 2B, SS, 3B and Pitcher.  Outfield positions include all outfielders plus catcher.  Please read the Official Regulations and Playing Rules for the A level of Little League. 

General

1.                    The league will provide umpires!

2.                    The home team is to sit on the third base bench.  The visiting team will sit on the first base bench.

3.                    Home team returns the bases and visitor team returns the water jugs to the shed after the last game of the day.

4.                    Six inning games.  Play a seventh inning to break a tie game.

5.                    Two hour time limit on Saturday games, unless there are no other games scheduled for the day.

6.                    Little League does not allow an on-deck circle.  Batters are not allowed to have a bat until they are up to bat.

7.                    Little League does not allow adults/coaches to catch pitchers in warm ups between innings and in practice.

8.                    Players are to wear their uniform shirt tucked into their pants and wear hats when on the field.

9.                    Outfielders will play in the outfield.  Outfielders must start each pitch a minimum of 15 feet into the outfield grass behind the infield dirt.  We will not allow an outfielder to play right behind the infield.

10.                 Both teams must email the score to CRNLL@comcast.net and copy the director.  This should be done as soon as possible so standings can be updated on a regular basis. 

Hitting

1.                    No bunting.

2.                    Consecutive batting - all players will bat.

3.                    Maximum of five runs per inning, except in the sixth inning or extra innings in the case of a tie.

4.                    Adult base coaches must be accompanied by a player in the coaching boxes.

5.                    The infield fly rule does not apply. 

6.                    If a player is hit by a pitch while kids are pitching, the count will be wiped out and the coach will come in with a 0 – 0 count.  If the player is hurt, they may take their base.  (Please encourage the player to bat since this is a developmental league and all will benefit from them hitting)  

Pitching

1.                    From the beginning of the season through May 9, the coach will pitch (to their own team) for the full game. 

2.                    Balls and strikes will be called by the umpire.  A batter may strike out by swinging and by called strikes.  The coach will pitch seven pitches (extra pitches will be allowed if the seventh and following pitches are fouled off).

3.                    After, May 9, the players will pitch the first three innings.  The 4^th inning through the rest of the game the coaches will pitch.

4.                    When the players are pitching, the umpire will call balls and strikes.  If four balls have been thrown, the offensive team’s coach will come in and throw two pitches and/or finish the count, whichever is greater.  The batter will be given the opportunity to put the ball in play.

5.                    No pitcher may pitch in more than two innings in a single game.  A single pitch thrown in any inning is considered an inning pitched.

6.                    In the post season tournament a pitcher may pitch in more than two innings in a single game, as long as they don’t exceed the pitch count.   7.                    No pitcher can pitch more than 50 pitches per day.  A pitcher may exceed the pitch count in order to complete the batter they are facing. (ie: A pitcher has thrown 46 pitches and faces a new batter, she/he is allowed to finish against the batter regardless of the pitch count).

8.                    A pitcher must adhere to the following rest requirements:        1 – 20 pitches    1 calendar day        21 – 30 pitches   2 calendar days       31 – 40 pitches    3 calendar days and 1 game       41 – 50 pitches    4 calendar days and 2 gamesFor example, if a player throws 29 pitches on Monday, they must rest on Tuesday and Wednesday, but will be eligible to pitch on Thursday.  If a player throws 35 pitches on Tuesday, they must rest on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and if no game is scheduled again until Saturday, they are not allowed to pitch that game either since the 1 game rest  requirement must be met.

9.                    After each game, record in the scorebook (in the equipment shed) the final score, the pitchers used and the number of innings pitched. 

Catcher/Fielding

1.                    No player may play catcher for more than three innings in any game.

2.                    A maximum of 4 outfielders are allowed 

Base Running

The goal of our base running rules is to prevent “overrunning”.  In other words, we are not going to allow an over zealous coach take advantage of a 7 or 8 year old by making a runner advance when it doesn’t make baseball sense to do so.

1.                    No head-first slides when advancing bases.  The runner will called out, if they do.  Head first slides are allowed when retreating to a base.

2.                    On balls hit to the outfield:

·         The runners may advance until an infielder has control of the ball on the infield dirt. 

·         If the runner has passed the halfway point to the next base when an infielder has control of the ball on the infield dirt, the runner is “allowed” to continue to the next base only.  During the play, the runner may be played upon and may be tagged out.

·         If the runner has not reached the halfway point when an infielder has control of the ball on the infield dirt, the runner is to be sent back to the previous base after the play is over.  During the play, the runner may be played upon and may be tagged out. 

·         If the runner is played upon and the ball is fumbled, they runner may not advance to the next base.

·         Umpires should allow the play to continue and the runner to advance at their own risk before calling “time.” 

·         Encourage outfielders to throw the ball to an infielder rather than running the ball to the infield.

3.                    The outfielders are to play in the outfield.  Therefore, a runner may be thrown out by an outfielder but not tagged out.  In other words, an outfielder cannot run the ball into the infield and tag out a runner. If this occurs, the runner shall be called safe.

4.                    On overthrows to first base and third base that go out of play:

·         The umpire will call time, batter will remain at 1^st base and not advance to 2^nd base.  Runners on base will not advance beyond the base they are going to.  (for example, if runners are on 1^st & 2^nd, an over throw to first base will result in bases loaded).