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Minors Division Rules

AAA RULES

In the event of Interlock Play, LGLL will play by our Local Rules when playing on our home fields and LGLL will play to the Local Rules of the opposing League while playing away unless explicitly stated below.

1. AAA division shall have “continuous Batting” per the Williamsport rulebook.

2. 10 Run rule (4.10) is in effect.

3. 5 Run rule (5.07) is in effect, except for the last inning of the game where both teams will have the 5 run rule suspended.

4. Uncaught 3rd strike rule (6.09 and the Minor League option of 6.05.b.2) will be in effect for games between two Lincoln Glen Little League teams starting on April 1st of 2020. Before April 1st, the rule 6.05 is in effect.

3. Playing time - Each player must play three (3) defensive innings, nine (9) outs or two (2) inning, six (6) outs, in a game that is shortened by the 10-run rule occurring, darkness or any other reason that deems it an official game, less than six (6) innings. If a player does not play three (3) defensive innings in a regular game, then he/she must start the next game and complete missed playing time from the previous game and what he/she are due for that game before they can be substituted defensively. Any player who starts an inning that ends because the 5 run/inning cap is reached before 3 outs are made will have been considered to have played a “complete inning” for purposes of mandatory play.

4. No new inning may be started after 1 hour 45 minutes from the actual start time of the game.

Managers or coaches who violate minimum play or pitch count rules are subject to discipline including warning, suspension and forfeit of eligibility to manage or coach in post season district, section, division, state, regional and world series tournaments.

5. To attempt to get every player as many batting opportunities as possible throughout the course of the season, each manager must adjust his or her batting rotation for each game. The easiest way to accomplish this is to set your order on Opening Day. Each player in attendance will be included in the batting order for the duration of the game and will bat in order. In the next game the last batter from Opening Day moves up to the leadoff spot and 2-11/12 move down the order one spot. With each subsequent game the last batter moves to the #1 spot. Theoretically, after 11 or 12 games everyone will have batted leadoff. After you have cycled through the lineup you may create your own lineups for the remaining games of the season.

AA RULES

1. AA division shall have “continuous Batting” per the Williams port rulebook. Managers may freely substitute their players defensively throughout the game.

2. 10 Run rule (4.10.e) is in effect. If the home team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 3.5 innings or the visiting team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 4 innings, the game ends and the winning team is recorded.

3.  Playing time - Each player must play four (4) defensive innings, twelve (12) outs or three (3) inning, nine (9) outs, in a game that is shortened by the 10-run rule occurring, darkness or any other reason that deems it an official game, less than six (6) innings. If a player does not play four (4) defensive innings in a regular game, then he/she must start the next game and complete missed playing time from the previous game and what he/she are due for that game before they can be substituted defensively. Any player who starts an inning that ends because the 5 run/inning cap is reached before 3 outs are made will have been considered to have played a “complete inning” for purposes of mandatory play.

4. No new inning may be started after 1 hour 45 minutes from the actual start time of the game.

5. Managers or coaches who violate minimum play or pitch count rules are subject to discipline including warning, suspension and forfeit of eligibility to manage or coach in post season district, section , division, state, regional and world series tournaments.

6.Number of Defensive players – During the regular season and playoffs there are ten (10) defensive players on the field, with four outfielders playing equal distant apart. There should be no “short fielders” or “buck short”.

7. There will be no infield fly rule and no dropped 3rd strike rule in the AA division.

8. On offense (during each 1⁄2 inning) the team bats until three outs are made or until the hitting team has scored five runs. An exception is made if a player hits a home run that clears the fence. All runs will be granted. The 5 run rule is waived for the last inning of the game, but no batter will bat twice in any inning. For playoffs, there will be no restriction on a number of at-bats or runs scored for the last inning.

9. Pitchers are limited to 3 innings maximum per game. All other pitching rules apply per the Williamsport Rule Book.

10.Walk rule

The intent is to let the players hit the ball. (Note in AA, the strike zone is considered any pitch that is reasonably “hittable by the batter”.)

Condition 1: If bases are loaded and the batter receives the fourth ball in that at bat.
The Coach will come out and pitch to the batter about to walk, the count is fresh when the Coach starts pitching. The Coach cannot walk the player but they can strike out. Once that player completes their at bat, then the player pitcher resumes pitching. Condition 2: After 2 walks in any half inning and a third batter receives the fourth ball in that at bat.
The Coach will come out and pitch to the batter about to walk, the count is fresh when the Coach starts pitching. The Coach cannot walk the player but they can strike out. The coach will continue to pitch for the remainder of the 1⁄2 inning.

Each batter receives a maximum of 6 pitches via coach pitch. (This simulates a full count plus another pitch.) If the batter fails to hit after 6 pitches, this counts as an out and the next batter comes to the plate. Fouling off the final pitch will allow an additional pitch (see example below). Standard baseball rules apply in terms of 3 strikes (batter attempts to hit the ball) and a batter is out.

Example: Batter stands in the Batter’s box and “takes” 6 Pitches –
Ruling: Batter is out.

Example: Batter “takes” on four pitches then swings and misses the next two pitches.
Ruling: Batter is out

Example: Batter swings and misses on the first 3 pitches or misses on 3 of any of the 6-pitch maximum.
Ruling: Batter is out.

Example: Batter swings and fouls off 6th pitch then fouls off 7th, 8th, 9th
Ruling: Batter continues to bat until the batter does not swing at the pitch (batter is out), swings and misses the pitch (batter is out) or puts the ball into play.

If a batter is hit by a pitch while the coach is pitching, no base shall be awarded. Based exclusively on the well-being of the player, the manager has the option of either 1) having the player continue their at bat with the same count or 2) replacing the batter with a player currently in the dugout of the opposing manager’s choosing.

There are no called strikes during coach pitch No bunting is allowed.

A batted ball that strikes the coach that is pitching is a dead ball and the batter is awarded a “base hit.” The batter and the runner will advance one base only.

When the ball is put in play, the coach will make his way quickly off the field moving away from the direction of play towards the home or visitor's dugout so that they do not have impact the play or the conclusion of the play.

11. Stealing– There will be no base stealing or advancing on pass balls for the first 5 games of the season. In subsequent games, runners will be allowed to steal and advance on pass balls up to one base per at-bat. A run must be batted in, no stealing of home allowed.

12. Runners may only advance one base on an overthrow and only one overthrow is allowed per play.

13. Speed of Game Catcher Rule – A manager may provide a courtesy runner for the catcher, if the catcher is on base and there are 2 outs. The courtesy runner will be player that made the last out.

14. To attempt to get every player as many batting opportunities as possible throughout the course of the season, each manager must adjust his or her batting rotation for each game. The easiest way to accomplish this is to set your order on Opening Day. Each player in attendance will be included in the batting order for the duration of the game and will bat in order. In the next game the last batter from Opening Day moves up to the leadoff spot and 2-11/12 move down the order one spot. With each subsequent game the last batter moves to the #1 spot. Theoretically, after 11 or 12 games everyone will have batted leadoff. After you have cycled through the lineup you may create your own lineups for the remaining games of the season.

All other rules are per the official 2024 Little League rule book and are to be followed accordingly.

Single A Rules 

Length of game

Games are 6 innings except Saturday where no new inning will start after 1:45 minutes from the actual start time of the game (last game of the day does not apply). An official scorebook by GameChanger should be kept by the home team to keep the lineup intact for each inning and there will be a record of the final score. A lineup card should be filled out by each manager and presented to the opposing manager every game. Mercy rule will be in effect (10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5). If mercy rule is applied, then coaches have discretion to continue play within allotted time with no formal scorekeeping. Hustle in and out 2 minute rule will apply to each half inning.

Home team shall be on the 3rd base side of the field.

The home team for the first game on Saturday mornings and all weeknight games is responsible for setting up the field (drag/water/chalk/ install bases). The visitors for the last game on Saturday and all weeknight games tear down (put bases away use the rake to fill in holes around the plate/infield) .

Each team bats until three outs are made or until 5 runs are scored. An exception is made if a player hits a home run that clears the fence. All runs will be scored.

Batting Order Rotation Rule

To attempt to get every player as many batting opportunities as possible throughout the course of the season, each manager must adjust his or her batting rotation for each game. The easiest way to accomplish this is to set your order on Opening Day. Each player in attendance will be included in the batting order for the duration of the game and will bat in order. In the next game the last batter from Opening Day moves up to the leadoff spot and 2-11/12 move down the order one spot. With each subsequent game the last batter moves to the #1 spot. Theoretically, after 11 or 12 games everyone will have batted leadoff. After you have cycled through the lineup you may create your own lineups for the remaining games of the season.

Batting

Each batter receives a maximum of 5 pitches from the pitching machine, or coach pitch in the event the pitching machine is not available. If the batter fails to hit after 5pitches, this counts as an out and the next batter comes to the plate. There are no “walks” in A (unless it is player pitch). Standard baseball rules apply in terms of 3 strikes (batter attempts to hit the ball) and a batter is out. NO BUNTING.

Example: Batter stands in the batter’s box and “takes” 6 pitches

Ruling: Batter is out.

Example: Batter “takes” on four pitches then swings and misses the next two pitches.

Ruling: Batter is out.

Example: Batter swings and misses on the first 3 pitches or misses on 3 of any of the 6-pitch maximum.

Ruling: Batter is out.

Example: Batter swings and fouls off 6th pitch then fouls off 7th, 8th, 9th

Ruling: Batter continues to bat until he/she misses again (then batter is out) or puts the ball into play.

***On weekdays the coach that is pitching will count the number of pitches.

***On weekends umpires will count the number of pitches.

Defense

Every player must get the opportunity to play an infield position for a minimum of 2 innings. There are -10 fielders ,including four outfielders playing equal distance apart. If a team has 9 players, then three outfielders is permissible. There should be no “short fielders” or “buck short”. All outfielders will be a minimum of 25 feet behind the infield dirt until contact is made by the batter. No player should sit more than 2 innings for any game.

***Control means:

The pitcher has secured the ball in fair territory with at least one foot on the infield dirt (fair territory) with the ball raised in either their glove or throwing hand. Once it is controlled no play can be made.

A putout on the infield has occurred. Unless a double or triple play can be executed the ball is dead and runners cannot advance an extra base. This will be at the Umpire's discretion.

***The Defensive team may have two coaches in the outfield to assist in positioning, directing and instructing the defense.

Additionally, the player assigned to play pitcher must be within 6 feet of the coach pitching at all times in either direction, preventing the pitcher or another infielder from playing “buck short.”

If the batter throws the bat it is an automatic out. Any runners on base will remain at their current base. Safety is paramount and this will be enforced.

The Catcher position is intended to be a focused position in Single A. The Catcher should be behind the plate in full catcher gear and catch all pitches from the machine. Any pitches caught by the Catcher should be thrown back to the Pitcher. If the Catcher misses a passed ball, the coaches may support the Catcher in retrieving the ball for speed of the game. By the end of the season, teams should have established at least 2 players interested in Catching in AA. The Catcher may make any routine defensive play and there is no ‘dribbler’ rule in Single A. Any ball in fair territory near the plate should be attempted for putout by the Catcher or Pitcher in unison.

Running bases:

Runners will be allowed to slide feet first. No headfirst slides unless diving back into a base.

If the ball has been hit into the outfield, once the ball has been thrown back to the pitcher and has been “controlled” in fair play on the infield dirt, runners must stop.

Runners must be at least halfway in order to take the next base.

A chalk line will be marked halfway between 1st & 2nd, 2nd & 3rd, and 3rd and home to help determine when runners advance, score or have to go back to a base.

Overthrows- Any overthrow is a live ball and a runner may advance only one base at their own risk. The play is then dead. Should a ball go out of play an extra base will not be given unless the runner was already half way to the next base prior to the ball being called out of play.

There will be no “infield fly rule.”

The coach that is pitching is responsible for being the umpire and makes every call during games on weeknights. The coach pitching also has authority on the position of base runners once the ball is controlled by the pitcher. No help from the base coaches, unless the coach pitching appeals for help. Umpires will be provided for weekend games. No appeals. The umpire’s call stands. Any challenging of a call by a coach without the opposing coach consent is subject to ejection by the umpire.

Each team must have an adult in the dugout and it is recommended that there be two adult base coaches at all times. If there aren’t enough adults helping, the dugout position must be filled first. Only adults with approved volunteer forms can coach pitch, help with the dugout, or coach the bases. In order to run the game safely and at the proper pace of play, it is recommended that there be a manager and 3 coaches every game.*

Coach pitch:

Pitches the ball, counts total of pitches (Max of 5), makes all calls.

Dugout coach:

Sits players in batting order, monitors dugout, keeps game moving.

3rd base coach:

Coaches base

1st base coach:

Coaches base

*A coach from the defensive team should help retrieve pitched balls.

Managers are responsible for dealing with the conduct of Parents and Fans supporting their teams and for enforcing the “Code of Conduct” that each parent has signed. If a parent/fan should “cross the line” of acceptable behavior please remind them of the “Code.”

 

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San Jose, California 95155

Email: [email protected]

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