WESTON LITTLE LEAGUE

LOCAL RULES (updated September 1, 2010)

Little League Baseball (LLB) has established rules and regulations that govern Little League operations and games.  These rules are contained in the Official Little League Rulebook that each manager receives at the beginning of each season.  Managers are responsible to read and be familiar with the rules of the game, including conduct and behavior.  Certain rules from the rulebook are included below as a convenience to managers.   Likewise, for pitch count, pitcher rest, and pitcher eligibility rules, refer to the Official Little League Rule Book. 

Local rules provide modifications or additions (as permitted), or reinforcement of rules established by LLB.  Local rules provide flexibility to suit the needs and objectives of the community and Weston Little League.  All Weston local rules remain in force when playing games against other leagues. 

Little League Baseball and Weston local rules are to be consistently enforced at all times.  Coaches are not given the flexibility to modify, change, or otherwise adjust the rules of play.  

As a condition of service to the league, all managers, coaches, Board members, and any other volunteer or hired worker who provides regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to or contact with players or teams must complete a Volunteer Application and undergo a LL background check.

Game:

• At the beginning of each game, managers will give a copy of their team’s batting order to the opposing manager.
• The away team is responsible for running the scoreboard.
• In order to start a game, both teams need to have at least 8 players. There will be a fifteen-minute grace time period.  The missing player will be considered an automatic out during the game. If a team can't field a team, they forfeit the game.  A scrimmage is permitted at that time. If you start a game with nine players and a player must leave or is injured, he is an automatic out when it is his turn in the batting order. If you start a game with ten or more players and a player must leave or is injured, he is not an automatic out when his turn is up. Injured players can return.
• Everybody bats through the order (“continuous batting order”). Players arriving before the start of the third inning can be entered into the game, but must bat at the end of the order.  If the coach has not been notified prior to the game of the player’s late arrival, the coach may use his/her discretion as to the amount of playing time the player gets for that game.  Repeat offenders should be referred to the Player Agent.  
• In the Majors and AAA, if, after 4 innings (three and a half if the home team is ahead) or at the end of any subsequent complete inning, one team has a lead of 15 runs or more, then the game is over.  AA can play on, time permitting.
• Maximum runs that can be scored per inning for Majors and AAA are 8, with the exception of the last inning in which runs scored are unlimited.  If the coaches and the umpires agree before the start of an inning that it will be the last inning due to time limitations, darkness or otherwise, the runs that can be scored in that "last" inning will be unlimited.
• Maximum runs that can be scored per inning for AA are 6, with the exception of the last inning in which runs scored are unlimited.  If the coaches and the umpires agree before the start of an inning that it will be the last inning due to time limitations, darkness or otherwise, the runs that can be scored in the "last" inning will be unlimited.
• There is a 2 hour time limit for all regular season games.  Coaches and officials will not start an inning if it is unlikely to be finished within the time limit.  If the time limit is reached while the visiting team is still at bat, the game must be ended and the score reverts to the last completed inning, even if that results in a tie score.

• Only approved volunteers and players can be on the bench/in the dugout. Teams are limited to one manager and two additional coach/scorekeepers. Unless they are in the game, players must be on the bench. No parents or non-player children in dugouts.
• Players and parents: No standing behind the backstop during a game.
• Check the field before the game for hazards. (e.g. glass).
• Players must wear long pants for games and practices – no shorts.
• Batters, base runners, and players who are base coaches must wear helmets.
• Thrown bats by a batter results in an umpire's warning first and then an automatic out on the second infraction.
• Players cannot use a batting donut.  No swinging in the on deck circle or in the fenced areas of dugouts.  Player should ask the umpire for a practice swing(s) before he gets into the batters box.  Exception:  before the start of an inning, the first player to bat is allowed to take warmup swings outside of the dugout in foul territory.
• All male catchers must wear a cup made of metal, fiber or plastic.
• Only players are allowed to warm up pitchers.  Catchers should be ready in full equipment when warming up a pitcher before the inning starts;  if the catcher is not ready, another team player may warm up the pitcher but must wear a catchers' mask.  Pitchers preparing to enter a game may be warmed up in foul territory in the outfield.  Catchers warming up these pitchers must wear a catcher's mask and a third player with batting helmet and glove must be placed to protect the pitcher from foul balls, no coaches are allowed to warm up pitchers under any circumstances; coaches who are catching in A league must wear a mask. 
• All catchers’ masks must have dangling throat guards.  Never use a mask without a throat guard.

• Read and understand the rules on interference (impeding a fielder trying to make a play) and obstruction (impeding a runner) found in your rulebook.  Examples: players can not apply a fake tag or block the plate unless he has the ball (obstruction).
• Infield Fly Rule (Majors, AAA only):  In situations with none or one out, and runners on first and second, or first, second, and third, and the batter hits a pop up in the infield and in fair territory (umpire’s judgment), batter is out.  Umpire will yell ‘infield fly’.  The runners can advance at their own risk.  If ball is caught, runners can tag up.  If ball is dropped, runners can, but do not have to, advance with no tag up.
• No leading off, a player must remain on the base until the ball reaches the batter.
• No head first sliding running to a base. Head first sliding is okay when going back to a base.
• Foul lines are in fair territory.
• Running to first base – Player should run to the right of the foul line and listen to the first base coach before committing to 2^nd base. Runners must return at once to first base after overrunning or over-sliding that base.  If player turns towards the infield and, in the umpire’s judgment, makes an attempt to go to second, he can be tagged out.
• A runner must slide into home plate - if there is a play at the plate, defined as any time a ball is thrown home, and the runner doesn’t slide in, he is out.
• If a base runner is unable to run, the preceding player in the batting order (who is not on base) may run for the injured player.  Special pinch runners are not permitted.

• Report umpires that don’t show up to a game or show late to the responsible Board member. If the umpire does not show, both coaches get an agreed upon umpire. If they can’t find one/agree on one, alternate adults each inning.
• No arguing calls with the umpires. Openly arguing a judgment call will result in the coach or manager’s ejection.  Players who mouth off to an umpire will be ejected. If managers need to speak with an umpire regarding a call, call time or wait for the inning end and have a private one to one conversation. Teen umpires are to be treated with the same level of respect that adults would receive.