FCLL Baseball: FCLL Local Options
Wednesday, March 21FCLL Local Options
FOSSIL CREEK LITTLE LEAGUE
LOCAL OPTIONS
Section 1: BOUNDARIES
The boundaries of Fossil Creek Little League are on file with the league. A mapped copy is available for review by request.
Section 2: LEAGUE DIVISIONS
The Leagues divisional structure shall be as follows based on the official League age on April 30 of the current year:
T-Ball ages 5, 6
Coach Pitch ages 6*, 7, 8
Minors (Player Pitch) ages 8*, 9, 10
Majors ages 10*, 11, 12
*NOTE: The * indicates that player must have at least one year of previous experience in FCLL and be approved by the Board of Directors. Transfers from other leagues will be considered on merit. Such approval must be noted on registration forms by signature of league president or player agent. Without that notification, players will be played in the appropriate division for their age.
**NOTE: Each team may have up to three protected players (children of Manager AND Assistant Coach(es) and/or Team Parent) prior to forming of teams. In the Majors division, there can be no more than eight twelve (12) year olds on any given team. (See definition of protected players at end of local options).
Section 3
T-Ball: The following rules shall govern the operations of the T-Ball division.
a. Team size. Team roster size shall be at least ten (10) players, with expansion up to fifteen (15), if necessary.
b. Team Selection. Selection is by blind draw, conducted by FCLL Board members. Also, there shall be no more than eight (8) players of the same league age assigned to one team, unless circumstances prevent it. FCLL will consider parent/coach requests to place players on same team, but will NOT guarantee such placements.
a. Game Length. Games will consist of a maximum of three (3) innings with no new inning starting after one (1) hour. ** See explanation of time limit at end of these options. No score is kept; game ends at the end of the inning after both teams have had equal number of at bats. Infield practice will begin ten (10) minutes before game time with the Visiting team taking the field first. The Home team will then take the field (5) minutes before game time. Games will start promptly according to schedule.
c. Playing rules. All Official Regulations and Playing Rules in the Little League manual apply, with the following exceptions:
1) There will be no strikeouts.
2) Each team will bat its entire lineup each inning; HOWEVER, three (3) outs will be observed and players who are ruled out will NOT remain on the bases but shall return to the dugout. (this is being done to provide a basis foundation for the rules of baseball). If the third out comes before the entire lineup has batted in an inning, the bases will be cleared if there are any runners are on base, and then the rest of the lineup will continue to bat. (This process will be repeated each inning, until the entire lineup has batted). When the LAST batter of the team comes to bat, the coach shall declare LAST BATTER by yelling out that phrase to be heard by the opposing coach and team. That will be the final batter, regardless of how many outs, if any, at that time.
3) See participation rules below RE: lineups and batting orders.
d. Managers, Coaches and Umpires. The offensive team shall have three (3) coaches. The first coach will work at home plate and is responsible for assisting the batter by adjusting the tee, moving the tee away from home plate after the ball is hit, and serves as Umpire-in-Chief. The other two coaches will be in the coaching boxes at 1st and 3rd bases and are responsible for instructing their runners and umpiring their respective bases. The defensive team shall have three (3) coaches. Two (2) coaches will be located in the outfield behind the outfielders, one in left field and one in right field. They will be responsible for positioning and instructing the players in their immediate areas. Additionally, the coach in right field is responsible for umpiring 2nd base. A coach or Team Parent MUST be in the dugout at all times.
e. Participation.
1. When playing defense, the normal infield positions (P, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B -- there will be NO catcher) must be filled with the balance of all players spread throughout the outfield in fair territory at least ten (10) feet beyond the baseline as to not interfere with base runners or assigned infielders.
2. The batting order shall include every player present and be changed each game so that the same players are not always batting at the top or the bottom of the lineup.
3. Every effort should be made that no player shall play consecutive innings in the same position, and the efforts should be made to rotate players between infield and outfield positions each inning (if the number of players at a game allows). Every effort should be made to let each child play each infield position through the season. We want all players to get an opportunity to learn all positions.
Section 4
Coach Pitch: The following rules shall govern the operation of the Coach Pitch division.
a. Team size. Team roster size shall be at least ten (10), with expansion up to fifteen (15), if necessary.
b. Team Selection. Selection is by blind draw conducted by FCLL Board members. Also, there shall be no more than eight (8) players of the same league age assigned to one team, unless circumstances prevent it. FCLL will consider parent/coach requests to place players on same team, but will NOT guarantee such placements.
b. Game Length. Games will consist of a maximum of five (5) innings with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes. ** See explanation of time limit on final page of these options. An inning will be completed when: 1) Three outs are made, or 2) five runs have been scored (this applies to every inning). Four (4) innings are a regulation game unless the home team is ahead after three and one half (3-½) innings and the time limit has expired; a maximum of five innings may be played. Infield practice will begin ten (10) minutes before game time with the Visiting team taking the field first. The Home team will then take the field (5) minutes before game time. Games will start promptly according to schedule.
c. Playing rules: All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Coach Pitch league will apply with the exception of the following local options:
1. The distance from home plate to the pitching rubber shall be 35 feet. NO EXCEPTIONS.
2. Pitching coach MUST pitch with one foot on the rubber of the Coach-Pitch field or the 35-foot line that will be marked for games played on other fields.
3. Pitching coach must move OFF playing field when ball is hit. Move to foul territory by 3rd Base dugout to avoid batter/runner
4. On deck batters are not allowed on the field.
5. The batter will get a maximum of six (6) pitches. There are no strikeouts, but if a batter had not reached base after six (6) pitches, the batter is out.
6. All batters must take a full swing, bunting is not allowed.
7. A player shall be ruled out for throwing a bat outside of the 10-foot circle whether or not the ball is hit and is fair or foul.
8. Leadoffs and base stealing are not allowed. Runners may advance only on a batted ball.
9. Play stops only when lead runner is stopped and the umpire rules the ball dead.
10. DEAD BALL definition: A ball is considered dead when controlled by the pitcher or an infielder that is within the confines of the infield AND no runners are making a deliberate attempt to advance. (i.e. runners `dancing around a base in hopes of drawing an errant throw are not considered making a deliberate attempt to advance, and the ball is dead).
11. On an overthrow when the ball goes out of play, base runners are awarded the base they were going to, plus the next base. (out of play is any ball that goes over/under a fence including any ball that hits the top of the dugout above the fence line and bounces back onto the field, through the `gate, into the a dugout or past what is considered the line by which the fence would be if extended the length of the field
12. A Level-9 baseball will be the official game ball.
13. The infield fly rule will NOT apply in Coach Pitch.
d. Umpires/Scorekeeper:
1. The home team shall provide a scorekeeper (a non-coach that can NOT be on the field or in the dugout) for each game. The scorekeeper will maintain the batting order and outs in the league-issued scorebook or score sheets, assist the umpire with outs and notify the umpire and coaches when five (5) runs have been scored to end an inning.
2. Instead of providing an umpire for home games, each coach will responsible for umpiring (or assigning a team representative who has been through a Little League background check) games for which his team is not involved. Umpire assignments will be made by the FCLL umpire chief. Coaches unable to umpire as scheduled are responsible for trading with another coach or finding a substitute.
3. The umpire, positioned behind or in an area near the catcher, will be responsible for counting pitches and determining safe/out calls at each base and home plate.
4. In the league-issue scorebooks or score sheets, the following information must be completed on for each game _ scorekeepers name, date, teams, players. The acting umpire must sign the scorebook/score sheet at the end of each game, and the final score should be clearly indicated on the sheet.
Section 5
Minors (Player Pitch): The following rules shall govern the operation of the Minor (Player Pitch) division.
a. Team size. Team roster size shall be at least eleven (11), with expansion up to fifteen (15), f necessary.
b. Team Selection. FCLL will utilize a combination 3-plus-3 and blind draft system for the selection of teams. The manager/coach of each team will have three protected players (see definition of protected players at end of these local options). Protected players must be declared by the coach, and approved by the FCLL board, before draft begins. The draft will be conducted and overseen by FCLL board members. After the protected players are determined, the draft will continue with three rounds of selections for each team, with teams able to select any player by name from the available pool of players as determined by official league registration and provided by the league secretary prior to the draft date, as determined by the FCLL board. If a team has fewer than three protected players, that coach will be guaranteed one of the first picks in the three rounds of by-name selection (If more than one team has fewer than three protected players, they will draw numbers to determine the order of picks). If a team has only one protected player at the start of the by-name selections, that team will get an additional pick to make sure every team has the same number of players (six) on their roster before blind selections begin. Blind selections will then be conducted. The draft order will be determined by draw of numbers. Once the draft order is determined, each team will pick until the complete pool of available players is exhausted. Each team MUST make a pick, no skipping or bypassing picks. (The league can NOT and will NOT consider request for team placements in Majors or Minors divisions due to carpool or other reasons. A coach will have more than 3 protected players only in extreme circumstances that must be considered and approved by the FCLL board)
c. Game Length. Games will consist of a maximum of six (6) innings with no new inning commencing after 1 hour and 45 minutes. ** See explanation of time limit on final page of these options. If time allows, Infield practice will begin ten (10) minutes before game time with the Visiting team taking the field first. The Home team will then take the field (5) minutes before game time. Games will start promptly according to schedule.
c. Scorekeeper. The Home team will provide the official scorekeeper for the game. It can NOT be a coach, or anybody on the field or in the dugout. ALL INFORMATION MUST BE COMPLETED ON THE SCORE SHEETS (ie: scorekeepers name, date, teams, and players). Also, a log of the number of pitches thrown by each pitcher must be recorded. The Umpire must sign the Official scorebook at the end of the game, and the final score should be clearly indicated on the sheet.
d. Run Limit. A maximum of five (5) runs or three (3) outs; whichever occurs first, is allowed by each team per inning.
e. Mercy rule: If after three and one half (3 ½) innings _ or any point after that _ the Home team is ahead 10 or more runs, the game is officially over.
f. Participation: The batting rotation shall include every player present. All other Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Minor League will apply, no exceptions.
g. Playing rules: All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for minor league will apply with the exception of the following local options:
1. A batter shall be ruled out for slinging a bat (away from the general area of home plate) whether of not the ball is hit and whether of not the ball is fair or foul.
2. On a batted ball, or when a batter reaches first base on a walk, plays stops under the following situations:
_ The lead runner is stopped and on the base while the pitcher has control of the ball within the confines of the pitchers mound (on the raised mound area, NOT necessarily on the rubber) OR
_ A ball has been declared foul or dead by the umpire. OR
_ Time out is declared by the umpire.
3. When a pitcher delivers a pitch to the catcher that isnt batted into play, or isnt declared a foul ball, the ball is considered live _ thus allowing runners to advance _ until it is thrown back to the pitcher and the pitcher has the ball in control on the raised mound area AND the lead runner is back ON his appropriate base. The defensive team can request time when the ball is under control, but the umpire does not have to grant such timeout if the lead runner is not back ON the base.
4. The batting order shall include every player present.
h. Pitching Rules: All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Minor League will apply, no exceptions. Twelve (12) year olds cannot pitch in the minor division.
i. Official game: An official game can count with only 8 players with no automatic out.
Section 6
Major League: The following rules shall govern the operation of the Major League.
Team Size. Team roster size shall be eleven (11), however, expansion up to fifteen (15) may occur if necessary.
j. Team Selection. FCLL will utilize a combination 3-plus-3 and blind draft system for the selection of teams. The manager/coach of each team will have three protected players (see definition of protected players at end of these local options). Protected players must be declared by the coach, and approved by the FCLL board, before draft begins. The draft will be conducted and overseen by FCLL board members. After the protected players are determined, the draft will continue with three rounds of selections for each team, with teams able to select any player by name from the available pool of players as determined by official league registration and provided by the league secretary prior to the draft date, as determined by the FCLL board. If a team has fewer than three protected players, that coach will be guaranteed one of the first picks in the three rounds of by-name selection (If more than one team has fewer than three protected players, they will draw numbers to determine the order of picks). If a team has only one protected player at the start of the by-name selections, that team will get an additional pick to make sure every team has the same number of players (six) on their roster before blind selections begin. Blind selections will then be conducted. The draft order will be determined by draw of numbers. Once the draft order is determined, each team will pick until the complete pool of available players is exhausted. Each team MUST make a pick. Mo skipping or bypassing picks. (The league can NOT and will NOT consider request for team placements in Majors or Minors divisions due to carpool or other reasons. A coach will have more than 3 protected players only in extreme circumstances that must be considered and approved by the FCLL board). There are no carryover players on teams from previous years, with the exception of protected players. There may be no more than eight twelve (12) year olds on any given team.
k. Game Length. All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Major League will apply. Games will consist of maximum of six (6) innings, with the exception being that the game is tied after the completion of six (6) full innings and the time limit has not expired. No new inning can commence after two (2) hours. ** See explanation of time limit on final page of these options.
d. Scorekeeper. The Home team will provide the Official scorekeeper for the game. ALL INFORMATION MUST BE COMPLETED ON THE SCORE SHEETS (ie: scorekeepers name, date, teams, and players). Also, a log of the number of pitches thrown by each pitcher must be included. The Umpire must sign the Official scorebook at the end of the game, and the final score should be clearly indicated.
e. Participation. All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Major League will apply, no exceptions.
f. Playing rules: All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Major league will apply with the exception of the following local options. (NOTE: Big League rules, those in section 3.03 of Little League rule book do NOT apply to FCLL):
1. A batter shall be ruled out for slinging a bat (away from the general area of home plate) whether of not the ball is hit and whether of not the ball is fair or foul.
2. Play stops only when the lead runner is stopped and the umpire rules the ball dead.
3. If after 3 1/2 innings (or at any point after that), the home team is ahead by 10 or more runs, the game is officially over.
4. The batting order shall include every player present.
g. Pitching Rules: All Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. for Minor League will apply, no exceptions.
h. Official game: An official game can count with only 8 players with no automatic out.
Section 7
Practice/Games/Player Attendance: Fossil Creek Little League does not recommend practice on Wednesdays or Sundays. No players shall be expected to attend more than three team-related baseball activities per week: Two (2) weekday events and one (1) weekend event per week. The initial game schedule will not have games scheduled on Wednesdays or Sundays, though makeup games could be played on those days. Baseball activities include games, practices and team meetings at batting cages and/or other practice facilities. Also, practices should generally not exceed the length of what the time limit would be for a normal game. (ex: 1 hour for T-Ball, 2 hours for Majors).
Section 8: DRESS CODE
Short pants will not be worn by players in the games. Short pants are not recommended for practice sessions. Managers and Coaches must wear appropriate footwear. Open-toed shoes will NOT be allowed.
Section 9: UNIFORMS
All teams will be issued shirts, caps and socks at the beginning of the season, which they may keep. Managers and Coaches will be provided with shirts and caps; three (3) maximum. Players will be responsible for appropriate baseball pants, matching color determined by coach. Also, there can NO alterations or additions to uniforms (vests, warm-up shirts, etc). Aside from the pants, coaches can NOT require parents to purchase any addition items as part of the team uniform.
Section 10: EQUIPMENT
All equipment issued by the league to each team at the beginning of the season will be returned to the Equipment Manager at a specified place/time. Managers must sign a form at equipment check-out informing them that they must return equipment or reimburse the league at the end of the season for the replacement cost of each item missing; damaged equipment must be returned but manager will not be responsible for replacing unusable items. (Also, team trophies will NOT be distributed until equipment has been checked in after the teams final game). Tournament teams will be reissued equipment and must follow the same procedure for receiving equipment as they did at the beginning of the season.
Section 11: GAME RESCHEDULING
The League President or duly appointed representative is responsible to reschedule any game that is postponed. Games will only be postponed due to poor weather or other acts of God. The games will be rescheduled at the soonest open date available in the order that they were postponed, if possible. (FCLL guarantees 10 games).
Section 12: FIELD PREPARATION
The HOME team is responsible for preparation of the field prior to each game. This includes the following:
1. Raking the field
2. Chalking the foul lines and batters boxes (use metal templates for boxes)
3. Setting bases up before first game of day or
4. Returning bases to equipment shed after last game of the day
5. Home team shall occupy the first base dugout
Section 13: GAME BALLS
FCLL will provide game balls for each game. The balls will be kept in the storage unit.
Section 14: SCOREKEEPERS
The Home team for each game is responsible for supplying one qualified scorekeeper. The scorekeeper is responsible only to the Umpire-In-Chief for that game. The scorekeeper MUST complete the score sheets in their entirety, and in Majors and Minors, pitchers log has to be completed.
Section 15: COURTESY ROSTERS
Each Manager will furnish one (1) courtesy roster to the Umpire-In-Chief for the official scorekeeper and one (1) courtesy roster to opposing team manager.
Section 16: DUGOUTS
During the course of the game, Coaches and/or Team Parent are responsible for keeping all team players in the dugout when not on the field. Players may be excused for quick trips to the restroom if absolutely necessary. Only Managers, Coaches, and/or Team Parent will be allowed in the dugout/field during a game. At least one adult must be in the dugout at all times; NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN (18) IS ALLOWED IN THE DUGOUT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PLAYERS. All adults coming in contact with players MUST fill out a Volunteer Application and be approved. Managers and Coaches may not leave the dugout during a game without permission from the Umpire-In-Chief unless to take their normal position (coachs box) when their team is at bat. Each team will be responsible for cleaning out the trash from their dugouts after the game. REMEMBER, our children are always watching so please help them to help us keep our fields and KISD property clean and safe. FCLL has provided trash cans on the fields, so please dispose of any trash before you leave your dugout.
Section 17: PROTESTS AND FORFEITS
All Little League Officials, including scorekeeper, are urged to take precautions to prevent any Manager from making a decision, which could cause forfeiture of a game. Protests shall be considered only when based on the violation or interpretation of a playing rule or the use of an ineligible player. Only the Manager of a team shall have the right to protest a game (or in his/her absence, the Coach). All protests must be made in accordance with Rule 4:19 of the Official Little League Rules for the appropriate division with strict adherence to the following: Written notification of any unresolved protest must be provided to the FCLL President within twenty four (24) hours. A check of $25 made payable to FCLL is to accompany the written notice. If the Rules Board rules in favor of the plaintiff, the check will be returned with notice of the ruling. If the protest is not upheld by Rules Board, the Treasurer will deposit the check in the name of FCLL. Upon notification of an unresolved protest, the FCLL President will immediately request the Rules Board to investigate.
Section 18: RULES BOARD
The Rules Board shall consist of: FCLL President, Chief Umpire, Player Agent or a board member duly appointed by the League President.
Action of the Rules Board in regards to protests filed with FCLL will be the official league position. As such, Rules Board decisions will be executed as expeditiously as possible and no later than ten (10) days after receipt of the written protest.
In the event that a Rules Board member is associated with the division in which the protested game was played, the member may participate in debate of the protest, but must abstain from voting on the issue. If a Rules Board member is involved with the protest, they will abstain from the Rules Board meeting during resolution of the protest.
Section 19: MANAGERS RIGHT TO DISCIPLINE
Managers have the right to declare any player ineligible for play at an official game for missing practices, causing trouble, i.e., horseplay at practices, foul language, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc. Managers must contact the Player Agent immediately following any such action from a player. With prior approval of the Executive Committee, a written notice must be provided to the respective Commissioner before the game is started. The Manager shall also inform the Umpire-In-Chief, the scorekeeper, and the opposing teams manager at game time. All conditions above must be met for the Manager to avoid the Official Little League MINIMUM PLAY TIME rule (Players, rule IV, 1.)
Section 20: SPECTATOR REMOVAL
Any spectator may be told by the Umpire-In-Chief or an Officer of the League to leave the ballpark for continued harassment of any league official, umpire, manager, coach or player, for destruction of league/KISD property, or improper conduct. At the discretion of the Umpire-In-Chief and/or league official, any related game will not continue until resolved. Please make sure all parents are aware of this.
Section 21: MANAGER, COACH OR PLAYER REMOVAL
When any Manager, Coach or Player is disqualified for flagrant offense such as use of indecent language or assault upon an umpire, manager, coach or player, the umpire shall forward full particulars to the League President within twenty-four (24) hours of the game. After receiving the umpires report, the League President shall require named person to appear before the Executive Committee to explain his/her conduct. In case of a player, his/her manager, along with his/her parent or guardian, shall appear with the player in the capacity of an advisor.
Section 22: DISQUALIFICATION PENALTIES
The Board of Directors may impose any of the following penalties: verbal warning, game suspension, and loss of future consideration as coach or manager, or disbarment from league.
Section 23: ALL-STARS, SELECTION OF COACHES, PLAYERS
SLECTION PANEL: The FCLL Majors and Minors All-Star coaches and players will be chosen by a panel of FCLL board members and/or league-affiliated personnel as duly appointed by the league president by the midpoint of the regular season schedule.
MANAGERS/COACHES: That panel will initially determine the managers and coach(es) for the Majors and Minors All-Star teams that will represent the league in postseason tournaments. By the second weekend in May, or a date determined by the panel, managers in Majors and Minors will be asked to submit nominations for All-Star managers (preferred method will be for each coach to submit two-three choices, listed in order of preference, though a coach will be unable to vote for themselves). Based on those recommendations, but NOT bound by results of that vote that will NOT be made public, the FCLL panel will chose the manager and coach(es). That decision will not be based solely on the record of the coachs regular league team, but also character, the ability to work with players, parents and league officials, and the ability to make the time commitments to be available to conduct practices and participate in postseason tournaments for whatever length of time such teams are not eliminated from play.
PLAYERS: By the final weekend of May, or at a date determined by the FCLL panel, each manager in Majors or Minors will be asked to submit nominations of players to be part of the All-Star teams. The written nominations by the coaches should include players names, primary position(s) played, and a short description on why the player should be considered for All-Stars. Those nominations will be taken and converted into a ballot for the FCLL panel (and team manager, at the discretion of the panel) to use to determine the All-Star teams. Each All-Star team will include 12 players, with up to three alternates, and a manager and assistant coach. An effort will be made to include at least one player from each team on the appropriate All-Star teams (Majors and Minors), but is not guaranteed. The goal is to select players that will best represent the character of FCLL, and also provide a competitive group representing our best players on the field who can play together as a team. Another consideration for player selection will be if the players will be available to attend all practices and games for whatever length of time such teams are not eliminated from play.
All-Star teams can NOT be announced or begin practice prior to dates set by Little League, in accordance to national policy and based on starting dates of tournaments.
(NOTE: All-Star selections are based solely on age, only players league age 9 and 10 are eligible for Minors and players league age 11 and 12 are eligible for Majors. Thus, a 10-year-old player participating in the FCLL Majors Division can be eligible to be part of the FCLL Minors All-Star team, but NOT the Majors team. When making All-Star nominations for his team, any Majors coach can nominate 10-year-old for Minors All-Stars, but must be clear in that nomination, which will be considered by the FCLL panel. Any players playing up in the Minors division are NOT eligible for All-Star consideration because they will not be at least league age 9).
The Board of Directors each year shall confirm the method of selecting the players that will make up the FCLL-sponsored teams to play in Little League tournaments.
The league will determine the uniforms/jerseys used by All-Star teams, and may require players to return the uniforms/jerseys at the completion of tournament play, or to purchase them.
Section 24: TOBACCO
No Tobacco products of any kind will be allowed on the school grounds during practices or ball games. Not only is this a school policy, but a Little League Baseball, Inc. policy. All KISD policy will apply at all times.
Section 25: PETS
Pets will not be allowed in or around the ball fields and surrounding area. This is for the safety of the pet as well as the safety of our children. It is also a KISD rule.
Section 26: BAD WEATHER
If lightning is seen, game play or practice is automatically suspended, no exceptions. The childrens safety is the most important consideration. The Umpire and/or Managers (if no Umpire is present) should determine if continued play is unsafe, game play should be suspended if necessary in a rain situation. If available and/or operable, a league-purchased lightning detector will be use to make determine if conditions are safe for play.
Section 27: POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS
The seedings for the postseason single-elimination tournaments in Majors, Minors and Coach Pitch will be determined by the standings from the regular season. The brackets will be standard brackets in each division, the seedings determined by the league standings. (i.e. for a six-team division, the first- and second-place teams will get a first-round bye, with the No. 3 seed playing No. 6, and No. 2 playing No. 5 in the first round / for an eight-team division, the seedings would be 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6 and 4 vs. 5)
If two teams are tied for the same position, the first tiebreaker will be head-to-head competition during the regular season. If they had the same record against each other (i.e. both winning one game), a coin flip will determine the higher seed.
If three teams or more are tied for the same position, the first tie-breaker will be head-to-head competition among the teams involved (i.e. Team 1s combined record vs. Team 2 and Team 3) based on winning percentage. Continue until ties are broken, with each team eliminated placed in the lowest remaining seed. Once ties broken to two teams, head-to-head results or a coin toss could be used. If above doesnt get below three tied teams, the FCLL board will determine the seedings.
If teams in the division play an uneven number of games due to weather and/or other postponements, the winning percentage will be the final determination (ties count as half a win/half a loss).
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
DEFINITION OF PROTECTED PLAYER: Those players MUST BE directly related to the head coach and assistant coaches and/or team parents who will be ACTIVELY involved in coaching and/or the duties of a team parent for that team.
TIME LIMITS*: The time limits listed for each division are used to determine at what point a new inning shall NOT be started. Once the time limit has been reached in Coach Pitch, Minors and Majors divisions, the game concludes immediately when:
1) the visiting team records its third out of an inning and trails the game; OR
2) the home team scores a go-ahead run OR
3) a complete inning ends with a tie score, in which the game will be declared a tie game.
4) In T-Ball, when no score is kept, play will continue through the completion of the inning so that each team has the equal number of at-bats.
*_The home-plate umpire, at his/her discretion, can shorten the time limit by up to 20 minutes in CP,Minors and Majors if in his/her determination a new inning can NOT be completed due to impending darkness (for games starting after 5:30 p.m.) or threatening weather.
*_On days when multiple games are scheduled on the same field (i.e. Saturdays) , if there are 5 minutes or less remaining in the time limit when the visiting team completes its at-bat and TRAILS in the game, the umpire can declare the game over without the home teams taking its turn at bat.
Any rules and/or issues not covered specifically by these FCLL local options will fall under the official rules of Little League Inc., as specified in the rule book and/or operating manual.
REVISED FEBRUARY 2008, approved by FCLL Board