WESTON LITTLE LEAGUE - LOCAL RULES FOR MAJORS & AAA

PLEASE REFER TO LEAGUE RULES TAB FOR GENERAL RULES.

General Pitching Rules for Majors & AAA:

• Any team not abiding by the pitching rules will result in the manager being automatically and permanently removed from the team and the team forfeits the game. There is no appeal of the decision; therefore, if you are not sure, don’t do it!
• For the safety of all players, if the umpire rules that 2 batters in one inning or 3 batters in one game are “hit by pitch” by the same pitcher in such a way that the umpire believes the pitcher is a danger to the batter, that pitcher must be removed from pitching any longer in the game.  The umpire is given FULL DISCRETION to determine whether the pitcher is a danger to the batter and may determine whatever he/she believes is in the best interest of the player’s safety.  The pitcher is not ejected from the game and is eligible to remain in the game and play other positions besides pitcher.  All pitching eligibility rules remain in force.\
• No intentional walks.
• Coaches can visit the mound twice in an inning or three times in a game to talk to pitcher. After the third visit in the inning or fourth time in the game, the pitcher is removed. Only the catcher can join the discussion. 
• Pitchers removed from a game may not re-enter game as a pitcher.
• There is a ban all breaking pitches for both the regular season and the playoffs.  A breaking pitch is defined as a curve ball, a screw ball, or a slider.  A player can use whatever grip he or she wants to deliver the pitch as long as there is not a torque of the wrist.  The spirit of this rule is not to eliminate a pitcher's ability to make a ball "move" by using different grips, but rather to eliminate possible injury. The penalty for breaking this rule is a warning on the first occurence and then removal from pitching the game on any subsequent occurrence.  (This is done at Umpires discretion along with Coach’s consent).  Any breaking pitch will be automatically called a ball.

     Majors specific pitching and game rules:

• Maximum one adult base coach. 
• Everybody bats through the order and must play an equal number of innings in the field if possible, but in no event should any one player play more than 1 inning more than any other player. The only exception is a pitcher within the maximum pitch count limit. 
• After a walk, the ball is live - batter can run through first and take second base. Runners may not advance when the pitcher is in contact with the rubber and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the box ready to receive the pitch, or if the defensive team has been granted time by the umpire. 
• Appeal Play: If ball is live – player can appeal to the umpire, if a runner missed a base, by stepping on or throwing to the base the runner allegedly missed. If ball is dead, the pitcher must step on the rubber, get the play ball signal from the umpire, step off the rubber with his contact foot (e.g. right foot for a right handed pitcher), throw the ball to the base or go directly over to the base runner who allegedly missed the base, and appeal to the umpire by telling him which player you are appealing if more than one player crossed that base during the preceding play. Remember in both these situations ball is live and runners can advance. 
• A time limit of 2 hours and 15 minutes will be enforced on weekends. For those games that have not finished by then, the score reverts to the last full inning completed. Innings should begin with a general agreement that the full inning can be finished by that time. During weekdays, and for the last game on Sat/Sun, games can continue through the 2:15 time limit if the umpire believes an inning can be completed before dark. If the game is called the score reverts to the last full inning completed.   
• During playoffs, every effort should be made to complete games, even if this delays the start of subsequent game or practices scheduled for the same field on the same day. Playoff games halted by weather or darkness will be completed under the following rules:  if less than one full inning has been completed, the game will be replayed from the start (no runs scored or pitches thrown are counted); games that have completed at least one full inning but less than an official game (see below) will recommence from the exact point (score, ball/strike count, runners on base, pitch count, etc.) at which the game was stopped;  an official game is any game where a winner can be declared (not a tie score) and at least 4 innings (at least 3 1/2 if home team is ahead) have been completed.  If an official game is suspended and cannot be recommenced the same day, the game must be resumed if the visiting team ties the game or takes the lead in their half of the inning and the home team does not complete their at bat or take the lead in an incomplete inning. The game must recommence at the soonest available time from the exact point (score, ball/strike count, runners on base, pitch count, etc.) at which the game was stopped.  Otherwise, the score reverts to the last completed inning and the game is final.

• AAA pitching distance is 46 feet, same as Majors. 
• Maximum one adult base coach. 
• After a hit to the outfield, when the ball is returned to the infield and in control of an infielder, the runner can attempt the next base, but can not advance past that base because of an overthrow. The umpire makes the final call on ‘control’.  
• On overthrows out of the field of play, based on field ground rules, the runner can advance one base. All other overthrows the ball is “live” until in control by an infielder. The umpire makes the final call on ‘control’.
• Total of two steals of 2^nd or 3^rd base per inning. The runner can not take an additional base, even on an over throw. A double steal is considered two steals. No stealing home. 
• Everybody bats through the order and must play an equal number of innings in the field if possible, but in no event should any one player play more than 1 inning more than any other player. The only exception is a pitcher within the maximum pitch count limit. 
• During weekends, a 2 hour time limit will be enforced. Only begin a new inning if there is a reasonable expectation that the full inning can be completed by that time. During weekdays, and for the last game on Sat/Sun, games can continue through the 2 hour limit if the umpire believes an inning can be completed before dark. If the game is called the score reverts to the last full inning completed.