: Local Rules

1) If a team is not ready to take the field after a 15-minute "grace" period after the scheduled starting time because 9 players are not available, the game will be declared a forfeit. However, the Board reserves the right to review these circumstances as forfeits should be discouraged at all reasonable costs. Managers are expected to do everything in their power to avoid forfeits. Specifically, this means being aware IN ADVANCE of which of their players will not be available for all scheduled games.

2) HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES: Home Team must provide two new baseballs to the umpire at the start of the game. Home team is also responsible for field maintenance and the concession stand (It is nice if BOTH teams will contribute to field maintenance to get that done much quicker.) 3) VISITING TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES (MAJORS and MINORS divisions only): Visiting team is responsible for providing an Official Scorer, who MUST keep score using the OFFICIAL BOOK in the concession stand. Official Scorer is also responsible for providing the official pitch counts. Every half-inning, both sides are to confirm pitch count between themselves and with the official scorer. Official scorebook MUST include every pitcher used by both teams and number of pitches thrown by each.

4) All players must bat once and play 3 defensive innings (9 outs) in every game. If the criteria is not met, the player MUST start the team's next regularly scheduled game and get the mandatory playing time.

5) No new inning may start after 8 p.m. Start of an inning is defined as the moment the final out is made in the previous inning. In the Majors and Minors divisions, umpires have the discretion of stopping a game earlier due to darkness. 

6) There are NO on-deck hitters allowed in Little League baseball! This is a safety issue and will be enforced at all times.

7) Uniforms will be supplied by the league and may not be altered in any way. Players must wear the COMPLETE uniform issued to him/her for every game. This means shirts, hats, pants. No substitutions for any item will be accepted.

8) There will be no throwing of equipment or obscene language by coaches or players. This will be cause for immediate ejection accompanied by a one-game suspension. All ejections are subject to Board review and stiffer penalties may be assessed. Likewise, parents who cause disruptions or demonstrate unruly behavior toward any participant are subject to ejection from the premises and/or further penalties.

9) A Manager may have 2 assistant coaches, who have been approved by the league on his bench. NO OTHER person(s) shall be in the dugout area without league permission. The team scorer (if it is not one of the coaches) may be allowed in the bench area upon request and approval of the Board.

10) Any manager or player ejected must sit out an additional game.

11) Food is not allowed in the dugout area during games. Players may leave the bench area ONLY to get a drink from the concession stand, and only with permission.

12) Players must remove all jewelry (chains, earrings, watches, bracelets) before they are allowed to play in a game or participate in a practice. This is a safety issue.

13) Head first slides are not allowed. A runner sliding head-first into any base, including home plate shall be declared out. (LL rule)**The exception is a player caught in a run-down may slide head first to return to the base they started from**

14) There is a “Slide or Avoid Contact” rule. The rule, simply stated, is that if a tag is to be applied on a player, he/she must either A) slide; or B) attempt to get around the tag while staying in the baseline without creating contact. In the event a throw takes a defender into the path of the runner and contact is made, resulting in a dropped or missed throw, the umpire's judgment will be used to determine whether contact could have reasonably been avoided by the runner. Any runner who intentionally tries to run over a player in possession of a throw may be ejected from the game.

17) Managers or coaches may NOT warm up pitchers between innings. Catcher’s mask MUST be worn by any player warming up a pitcher.  

18) Catchers must wear throat protectors at all times!

19) Metal spikes are NOT allowed in Little League play. Sneakers (not recommended) or rubber cleats are acceptable. 

20) No spectators are allowed behind backstop areas at any time.

21) Games shall be postponed and made up at a later date for the following reasons ONLY: A) a school function that affects a great many league players, or; B) a town, state, or national event that affects a great many players.

22) In the event of inclement or possible inclement weather, an announcement will be recorded on the TLL “hot line” no later than 4:45 PM by the division Commissioner. No manager shall call a game off on his/her own. If BOTH managers agree that the field becomes unplayable between 5 PM and 5:45 PM, they may jointly agree to postpone. In such a scenario, they must IMMEDIATELY inform the Commissioner. After a game has started, the decision is totally in the hands of the umpire (EXCEPTION: In the PREP division only, both managers can agree to call a game after it begins).
 

1) Pitching restrictions are in accordance with section VI of the 2011 Official Little League Baseball Rulebook, as follows:      

    A) A player once removed as a pitcher may not pitch again in the same game. 
    B) A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.    

    C) 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.     

    D) Players league age 9-10 may not throw more than 75 pitches per day. Players league age 11-12 may not throw more than 85 pitches per day. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher is already facing a batter he is allowed to finish pitching to that same batter in that same inning.
 
    E) MANDATORY REST FOR PITCHERS
         1 to 20 Pitches – 0 days rest
       21 to 35 Pitches – 1 day rest
       36 to 50 Pitches – 2 days rest
       51 to 65 Pitches – 3 days rest
       66 or more Pitches – 4 days rest
Managers are responsible for checking with each other and with the official scorer after every half-inning to verify that all agree on pitch count. 

2) Managers are responsible for bringing their affidavit and for filling it out during every game, listing each pitcher used in the game and how many pitches each threw. Both managers will sign both affidavits after every game. 

3) THE WINNING TEAM is responsible for reporting the final score VIA EMAIL to the Commissioner and to the Baseball Director within 48 hours of the end of the game. Any team may email game highlights at any time and we will try to see to it that the highlights are included in articles on the website and/or in the Sakonnet Times.

4) MERCY RULE: If a home team is winning by 15 or more runs anytime after 3.5 innings of play, the game is over. If a visiting team is winning by 15 or more runs at the end of any inning from inning 4 on, the game is over. 

5) The Major Division uses a 9-man batting order in accordance with rule 3.03 of the 2011 Official Little League Baseball Rulebook. A player in the starting lineup who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game once, in any position in the batting order, provided both (a) and (b) below are satisfied:

(a) WHEN CAN THE STARTER RE-ENTER? He/she can re-enter only after:

       •        His/her substitute has completed one time at bat, AND
       •        His/her substitute has completed two consecutive defensive innings (six outs) in the field

(b) WHO IS THE STARTER ALLOWED TO REPLACE? He/she may only replace a player who:

       •        Has completed one time at bat, AND
       •        Has completed three consecutive defensive innings (nine outs) in the field

Only a player in the starting lineup may re-enter the game. 

6) The visiting team may begin infield practice at 5:25 PM. The home team gets the field for infield practice at 5:35 PM. The game begins promptly at 5:45 PM.

7) All teams are included in the post-season tournament. The teams are seeded according to regular season finish.

8) LOCAL RULE: Every STARTING player must play AT LEAST THE FIRST 3 innings in the field. Every NON-STARTING player must enter the game in the field no later than the 4th inning & MUST PLAY at least to end of regulation game.To be more specific: If you are the VISITING team manager, insert your NON-STARTING players in the game at the beginning of the FOURTH inning. If you are the HOME manager, insert your NON-STARTERS in the batting order either: in the bottom of the THIRD inning in a spot held by a player who has already had at least one at-bat, OR in the field in the top of the FOURTH inning to replace a player who is due to bat in one of the next six spots in the batting order.

9) All other playing rules are those contained in the 2011 Official Little League Baseball Rulebook.    

THE TLL AAA MINORS DIVISION IS INSTRUCTIONAL! THE EMPHASIS IS ON INSTRUCTION, NOT COMPETITION!

1) Each team must play 10 men in the field if available, but no less than 9.

2) Helmets MUST be worn but face guards are optional in the AAA baseball division.

3) All players eligible for a game shall bat whether they are in the field or not. This is the "continuous batting order" rule. The batting order will remain the same throughout the game. EXCEPTION: If a player arrives late, he shall be placed in the last spot in the batting order.

4) There will be a "free substitution" rule, wherein players on the bench can enter and/or be replaced in a game at any time on defense. The batting order shall remain the same. All players MUST play in the field for a minimum of NINE (9) defensive outs (3 innings in field).

5) There is a “four-run" rule for each inning. If a team reaches four runs in an inning their half of the inning is declared over and they will now switch to defense. **The exception to this rule is the last inning, where either the home or visiting team must reach three outs to forfeit their at-bat (open inning)**

6) There will be one advancement on a pitched ball allowed by a baserunner(s) per each individual time a teammate is at bat. Once the base is stolen or the runner is retired, no other attempt may be made during that at-bat. This restriction applies to advancement at ALL bases.

9) With two outs and a team’s CATCHER on base, the offensive team MUST use a pinch-runner for the catcher. The pinch-runner shall be the player who made the last out for the team. NOTE: CATCHERS MUST ALWAYS BE COMPLETELY DRESSED WHEN A TEAM TAKES THE FIELD! THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS WHEN THE CATCHER IS THE LAST PLAYER TO BAT IN AN INNING.   

10) REPORTING OF SCORES: After every game, the winning team should report the final score by email to the Commissioner.

11) PITCHING RULES: (2011)
    A) Player-pitch will be used for the entire season and throughout the playoffs.
    B) A player once removed as a pitcher may not pitch again in the same game.
    C) A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.    

    D) 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.

    E) Players league age 7-8 may not throw more than 50 pitches per day. Players league age 9-10 may not throw more than 75 pitches per day. Players league age 11 may not throw more than 85 pitches per day EXCEPTION: If the pitcher is already facing a batter he is allowed to finish pitching to that same batter in that same inning.
 
    F) MANDATORY REST FOR PITCHERS
         1 to 20 Pitches – 0 days rest
       21 to 35 Pitches – 1 day rest
       36 to 50 Pitches – 2 days rest
       51 to 65 Pitches – 3 days rest
       66 or more Pitches – 4 days rest
 
12) Managers are responsible for checking with each other and with the official scorer after every half-inning to verify that all agree on pitch count.

13) A post-season tournament will be held. Double-elimination format, assuming there is enough time to do so given weather or other unforeseen constraints; otherwise it will be single-elimination. All teams will make the playoffs.  

14) Any Minors player is subject to being called up to the Majors division at any time during the season. If this happens, the player will not return to his Minors team. The purpose of this rule is to fulfill the mandatory requirement that all Majors teams have an identical number of players on their rosters. If a Majors team loses a player, the vacancy is filled (in priority order) by: (1) the Player Pool, or (2) if the Player Pool is empty calling up a player from the Minors division.

15) End of regular season standings will NOT count for positioning in playoffs. Seeding will be determined randomly.

THE TLL AAA MINORS DIVISION IS INSTRUCTIONAL! THE EMPHASIS IS ON INSTRUCTION, NOT COMPETITION!

1) Each team must play 10 men in the field if available, but no less than 9.

2) Helmets MUST be worn but face guards are optional in the Minor baseball division. Regulation (hard) baseballs will be used.

3) All players eligible for a game shall bat whether they are in the field or not. This is the "continuous batting order" rule. The batting order will remain the same throughout the game. EXCEPTION: If a player arrives late, he shall be placed in the last spot in the batting order.

4) There will be a "free substitution" rule, wherein players on the bench can enter and/or be replaced in a game at any time on defense. The batting order shall remain the same. All players MUST play in the field for a minimum of NINE (9) defensive outs (3 innings in field).

5) There is a “four-run" rule for each inning. If a team reaches four runs in an inning their half of the inning is declared over and they will now switch to defense. **The exception to this rule is the last inning, where either the home or visiting team must reach three outs to forfeit their at-bat (open inning)**

6) An attempt to advance a base on a pitch can only be done on a catchable ball. The definition of a catchable ball is any pitch that hits the catcher, the catcher’s mitt or is caught by the catcher. A catchable ball is also any pitch that is called a strike. Only ONE base may be achieved in this manner, even if there is an ensuing overthrow by the catcher.

7) There will be one advancement on a pitched ball allowed by a baserunner(s) per each individual time a teammate is at bat. Once the base is stolen or the runner is retired, no other attempt may be made during that at-bat. EXCEPTION: RUNNERS ON THIRD MAY NEVER ATTEMPT TO SCORE ON WILD PITCHES OR PASSED BALLS ANYTIME.

8) Rules 6 and 7 above apply to pitched balls. Runners may NOT attempt to advance on bad throws from the catcher back to the pitcher.

9) Double-steals will be allowed and counted as the one steal that at-bat, including first and third situations where the runner on third may break for home on an attempt to throw out the runner going to second. 

10) With two outs and a team’s CATCHER on base, the offensive team MUST use a pinch-runner for the catcher. The pinch-runner shall be the player who made the last out for the team. NOTE: CATCHERS MUST ALWAYS BE COMPLETELY DRESSED WHEN A TEAM TAKES THE FIELD! THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS WHEN THE CATCHER IS THE LAST PLAYER TO BAT IN AN INNING.  

11) REPORTING OF SCORES: After every game, the winning team should report the final score by email to the Commissioner.

12) PITCHING RULES: (2011)
    A) WEEKEND GAMES: Player-pitch will be used for the FIRST 90 MINUTES UP THROUGH THE END OF THE COMPLETE INNING IN WHICH THE 90 MINUTES EXPIRES. Machine or coach pitch thereafter. WEEKDAY GAMES: Machine or coach pitch will be used exclusively (home team decides whether machine or coaches will pitch).
    B) A player once removed as a pitcher may not pitch again in the same game.
    C) A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

    D) 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.  

    E) Players league age 7-8 may not throw more than 50 pitches per day. Players league age 9-10 may not throw more than 75 pitches per day. Players league age 11 may not throw more than 85 pitches per day EXCEPTION: If the pitcher is already facing a batter he is allowed to finish pitching to that same batter in that same inning.
 
    F) (NEW RULE) MANDATORY REST FOR PITCHERS
         1 to 20 Pitches – 0 days rest
       21 to 35 Pitches – 1 day rest
       36 to 50 Pitches – 2 days rest
       51 to 65 Pitches – 3 days rest
       66 or more Pitches – 4 days rest

    G) Pitchers must pitch from within the pitching circle.  No pitcher may pitch from a distance that begins in front of the pitching circle.   The recommended minimum is a distance of approximately 40 feet.  Any pitcher with the arm strength to throw strikes from the rubber MUST pitch from the rubber.

13) Managers are responsible for checking with each other and with the official scorer after every half-inning to verify that all agree on pitch count.

14) A post-season tournament will be held. Double-elimination format, assuming there is enough time to do so given weather or other unforeseen constraints; otherwise it will be single-elimination. All teams will make the playoffs.

15) PLAYOFF RULE: In AA, all playoff pitching (except for one inning per game MAX) must be done by players league age 8 or younger.
 
16) Any Minors player is subject to being called up to the Majors division at any time during the season. If this happens, the player will not return to his Minors team. The purpose of this rule is to fulfill the mandatory requirement that all Majors teams have an identical number of players on their rosters. If a Majors team loses a player, the vacancy is filled (in priority order) by: (1) the Player Pool, or (2) if the Player Pool is empty calling up a player from the Minors division.

17) End of regular season standings will NOT count for positioning in playoffs. Seeding will be determined randomly.

1) Coach or machine pitch will be used at all fields. Coach pitchers must stand at the front edge of the pitching mound, 30 ft from home plate.

2) Player-pitch will NOT be used during the FIRST FIVE GAMES of the season. Player-pitch will be used for one inning per game (this shall be the 5^th inning if coach pitch is being used; 1^st inning if machine) for all games in the SECOND THIRD of the season (games 6 thru 10). Player-pitch will be used for two innings per game (these shall be the 4^th and 5^th innings if coach pitch is being used; 1^st and 2^nd innings if machine) for all games in the FINAL THIRD of the season (games 11 thru 14). No player may throw more than 40 pitches in any game. Pitchers may stand closer to the plate than the pitching rubber; however no pitcher may stand closer than 30 feet from the plate. NOTE: If two teams are at different thirds of the schedule when they play each other, both team’s pitching shall follow the earlier team’s guidelines. For example, team A is playing its 5^th game vs team B which is playing its 6^th game. Neither team uses player-pitch for that game.

3) Any batted ball striking the pitching machine or coach pitching shall be declared a dead ball and the batter awarded first base. All runners shall move up one base.

4) Bunting or stealing are NOT allowed.

5) No fielder may be positioned in front of the pitching machine or coach. This imaginary line also extends through the entire infield. Fielders MUST be stationed behind the coach or the machine.

6) Only 5 fielders can occupy the dirt area of the field at one time. Fielders positions may be switched at any time, but the infield must be kept relatively clear to avoid confusion and/or collisions. The 5 infielders must include a player designated to cover the pitcher's position. Before every pitch, this player (pitcher) must have at least one foot on the pitching mound.

7) Each batter will face a maximum of 3 strikes (called or swinging). A foul ball cannot be counted as a 3rd strike. After three strikes, the batter is declared out. There are NO walks during coach or machine-pitch. There ARE walks during player-pitch. Balls/strikes are called by the OFFENSIVE team. If the machine is not throwing consistent strikes, it may be adjusted with no penalty against the batter.

8) ADVANCEMENT OF BASERUNNERS: All baserunners may advance no further than the same number of bases gained by the batter who hit the ball. (EXAMPLES: Runner on first, batter hits double, runner stops at third. Runner on second, batter hits double, runner scores. Runner on second, batter hits single, runner stops at third)

9) There shall be a "3-run rule" for each inning. Any team reaching 3 runs shall relinquish their remaining at-bat and switch to defense. The exception is the final inning, where 3 outs must be made to retire the side for both teams.

10) A continuous batting order will be used. All players present for a team will bat in order. Substitutions defensively may be made at any time, but every player must play in the field for a minimum of nine (9) defensive outs.

11) Managers are strongly encouraged to change players positions as much as possible during a game. Exposure to different positions is very crucial at this young age, both in their development and maintaining their interest in the game.

12) A maximum of three coaches will be allowed on the field when the team is on defense. They must NOT interfere in any play in any way, shape or form.

13) Score of game must be reported by the winning team via email to the commissioner within two days of game, copy to baseball director. Failure to do so within two days will result in game being scored as a double loss.

14) Special Hitting Rules:
          1. Any ball that reaches the outfield through the infield dirt shall be no more than a SINGLE.
          2. Any ball the reaches the outfield in the air before hitting the field and not caught shall enable the batter to attempt to reach SECOND BASE if the ball lands in front of the outfielder. The base is NOT awarded automatically and the batter may be put out if the fielders tag the batter before reaching second base safely. Additionally the fielders may attempt to putout any other base runners that are running the bases at the time of the hit.
          3. Any ball that travels over the head of an outfielder can be advanced by the batter until the batter is either put out, stops advancing bases or scores a "Home run".