South Oldham Little League Local Rules

Revised 1/22/09

 Underlines mean changes or additions from the 2007 Local Rules

   Time Limits:

A.     In all divisions, each inning that is started must be completed.

      Junior Baseball              7 innings      No new inning after 2 hours 20 minutes      

      Major Baseball               6 innings      No new inning after 1 hour 50 minutes 

Senior-Minor Baseball   6 innings      No new inning after 1 hour 40 minutes

Machine Pitch Baseball 6 innings      No new inning after 1 hour 30 minutes

Rookie Machine Pitch    6 innings      No new inning after 1 hour 15 minutes

T-ball                              3 Innings           No new inning after 40 minutes

B. Extra Innings

Junior Baseball - No Ties no matter the length of the game

Major Baseball - No Ties no matter the length of the game

Senior-Minor - If tied can begin a new inning up to 1 hour and 50 minutes

Machine Pitch - No extra innings - games can end in ties

Rookie Machine Pitch - No extra innings - games can end in ties

C. Darkness

Junior Baseball - All games that are called because of darkness will

Follow  Little League Rules to determine if game is official. (If visiting team is

Ahead  in the middle of an inning , revert back to the previous inning to determine winner)

All Other Divisions - Games that are stopped because of lights needing to be

turned off will be resumed at the same point with the same time-limit

stipulations attached as soon as VP of Baseball can reschedule.

D. Tournament Games

No Tournament Game will be shortened due to weather.

Scorekeeping & Official Scorebook:

A.     All divisions except T-Ball will keep score during the games and all divisions except T-Ball and Rookie will keep standings for seeding for the end of the year tournaments.

B.     Managers of each team will record their lineup in the Official Scorebook by last name, first initial and player number.  In addition, managers will exchange lineup cards with the opposing team.

C.    Each team will provide one qualified scorekeeper, for a total of two people.  One of the two persons elected shall also run the scoreboard.

D.    Managers and the umpire are ultimately responsible for making sure the game score is correct and will sign the official scorebook after each game.

E.     Scorekeeper may not call attention to batting order errors or affect the play of the game in any way EXCEPT to call to the attention of the home plate umpire any situation that might result in a protest: i.e. Ineligible pitchers, ineligible players entering the game, etc.

Conduct of Managers, Parents and Spectators:

A.     Before a manager may go on the field, time must be called.  If the manager goes on the field before time is called, they will be warned the first time.  The second offense will result in ejection from the game.  At no time will managers cross the foul lines except to tend to an injured player.  The only exception will be T-Ball, Rookie, Machine Pitch.

B.     All game discussions with the umpire should be conducted in a professional tone.  In no way should managers or coaches try to intimidate the umpire(s) into changing their call.  They should respect the umpire’s authority over the game.

C.    While it is the prerogative of baseball fans at professional games to voice loud or uncomplimentary opinions of umpires, managers or players, this practice is not condoned at Little League games.  It is always in order to applaud a good player or outstanding feat of athletic skill.  However, parent must accept that umpires, coaches and others identified with the game are volunteers and should not be subject to criticism during ballgames, especially by those unwilling to lend a hand.

D.    The manager is directly responsible for the actions of the parents and spectators of their team.  It is his responsibility to keep this policy in check at all times.  If a parent or spectator is out of line, the umpire will first go to the manager and issue a warning.  If the problem continues to exist, the manager, as they are responsible for the parent, will be ejected from the game. Ejection from a game means that the offending party must leave Little League premises for the remainder of the current game as well as the next regularly scheduled game.

E.     Any manager may write his or her own rules for conduct or discipline. A copy must be given to the league commissioner for baseball committee approval.

T-Ball Division Local Rules

1.      A player will be allowed 5 swings to put the ball in play.  No out will be assessed after 5 swings, but their turn at bat will be over. 

      2.      Everyone plays defense.  6-players maximum will be located in the infield.

                              2 players in the pitcher area

                                    1 player at 1^st base

                                    1 player at 2^nd base

                                    1 player at 3^rd base

                                    1 player at shortstop

      The rest will be spread out in the outfield.  No catcher!!!                                                                                            

3.      Everyone will bat in every inning. Manager will determine batting order.

     4.      If ball is hit to the outfield, play halts when ball is thrown toward the infield and is inside the base lines.

5.      Runners advance only one base on all balls hit to infield.

6.      All players will be permitted to run the bases regardless if the hit was an out.

7.      Bunts or half swings are not permitted.

8.      Bat may not be thrown after putting ball into play.

9.      3 coaches are allowed on the field.

Offense – Coaches will be in the coach’s box at 1^st and 3^rd bases and a coach to help with the batters. 

                        Defense – Can be anywhere as long as they do not interfere with play.

Rookie Division Local Rules

1.      Manager or Assistant feeds the machine.

2.      There is no stealing allowed.

3.      Using a catcher is allowed, but not mandatory.   A maximum of 10 players is allowed in the field for defense consisting of a normal infield, and the others dispersed in the outfield.  If a catcher is not used, then five outfielders will be utilized.

4      Runners may not advance on over-throws.

5.      Play will stop when a ball hit into the outfield is returned to the infield.

6.   Teams will bet until 3 outs are recorded, or the maximum number of batters per inning is reached (see # 7 below). 

7.    The maximum number of batters per inning will be equal to the number of players on the team with the most players.  (i.e., if one team has 10 players and the other has 9, each team would bat 10 each inning).

8. Minimum players per game is 7 – Must take an out for each player under 9.  Game must finish with at least 7 players.

9. No infield fly rule.

10. No player shall sit for more than 1 consecutive inning.  All players shall bat, whether playing in the field or not.

11. Each batter will be given 5 swings to put the ball in play. There are no strike-outs.  After 5 swings the ball will be placed on a tee.

 12.A Pitched ball must be fair (not bunting allowed), once the ball is placed on the tee, the batted ball must go 4 feet from home plate.

 13. Players must attempt to throw to first base (Pitcher cannot run and touch first base every play)

14. Although we will keep score and determine winners of games, no league     standings will be kept, and there will be no year-end league tournament.

15. Base umpires may be used as a training tool.

Machine Pitch Division Local Rules

1.      A predetermined number of preseason games will be played to assess the player’s skills at different positions.  The Vice President will determine how many preseason games will be played based on the length of the season.  Preseason games may not necessarily be made up in the event of cancellation.

2.      Standings will be kept for tournament seeding during the regular season only.

3.      Stealing begins with the first game.  There is no advancement on an overthrow of a stolen base.  2^nd base may be stolen twice and 3^rd unlimited during an inning.  No double steals are allowed and only one stolen base per batter is allowed each inning.  No stealing of Home allowed.

4.      Maximum 7 runs per inning.  (NOTE:  Runs that come across the plate on the same play as the seventh run, but after it, will not be counted.  Under no circumstances will a team score more than 7 runs per inning.)

5.      Minimum players per game is 7 – Must take an out for each player under 9.  Game must finish with at least 7 players.

 6.      No infield fly rule.

 7.      No player shall sit for more than 2 innings.  All players shall bat, whether playing in field or not.  Once Regular Season games begin manager must inform official scorekeeper who is not playing in the field every inning.  If any player sits more than 2 innings, that player must play the entire next game.  If the same coach allows this to happen again, then that coach will be penalized by the Vice President and Player Agent.

8.      One or two umpires may be used to call the game.  If two umpires call the game one will feed the machine and is solely responsible adjusting the machine.  He is also responsible for determining whether a pitch is hittable (if the player did not swing at the pitch).  The other umpire will be placed on the field at the discretion of the SOLL Chief of Umpires. Otherwise one of the assistant coaches will feed the machine, but the umpire is still the only person authorized to adjust the pitching machine and determine if a pitch was hittable. At the top of every inning the umpire has the discretion to adjust the machine, to try to get the perfect pitch, once the inning begins, the machine shall be adjusted at the discretion of the umpire, only if he feels the pitches are no longer in the strike zone.  Coaches can adjust their batters location at the plate to help with the height of the pitch coming into the batter.    As with any other division, the batter is allowed to take his position at the plate and then the catcher must adjust to the batter’s location.

9. The speed should be set at 40 mph on the digital readout of the machine.

10.  Two coaches are allowed in the field with their team on defense.  These coaches should be no closer to home plate than the deepest outfielder.

11.      Managers and the umpire must sign the official scorebook at end of   each game.

12. Each batter will receive five HITTABLE pitches, or 3 strikes.  There are no walks. (Hittable is determined by Umpire only)

13. All players bat in a continuous batting order.

14. Play will be called dead when the ball is returned to the circle.   The umpire shall call time and if base runners are not half way to the next base will be returned to the previous base.  This rule will apply to the lead runner first, and then any runner “forced” back will return to the previous base. Example: Runner on first and second and the ball is hit and the runner that was on second is not half way home when the ball is returned to the circle, even if the runner on first was half way to third, he must return to second since third is now occupied.

15.  If a batted ball hits the machine (either off a defender’s glove or directly) the play is called dead, and the batter is awarded first and only runners force to move up are allowed to advance a base (treated just like a Hit Batter).  Example – Runners on First and Third ball is hit and hits the machine – Batter is awarded first and runner on first is forced to second, runner on third must remain on third base.  If the umpire determines that a collision with the machine by a player or ball has altered the machine’s adjustment.  He will (at his discretion) stop play and check the adjustment of the machine before the next pitch is dropped.

16. No Fake Bunting is allowed, once batters shows bunt, they must either bunt, or take the pitch, may NOT swing at pitch.  If they do, then the ball is dead and the batter is automatically out.

      17. Batters are not allowed to wave bat in attempt to distract the catcher.

Senior-Minor Baseball Division Local Rules

1.      Pre-game meetings will be held at home plate prior to each game to discuss any special instructions. 

 2.      In-field fly rule will apply.

 3.      Minimum players per game is 7 – Must take an out for each player under 9. Game must finish with at least 7 players.

 4.   After 4 innings (3 ½ if home team is ahead) 15 run rule applies, after 5 innings 10 run rule applies.

 5.      No player shall sit for more than half of the game.  All players shall bat, whether playing in the field or not.

 6.      A player cannot be called up to major division unless major team has less than 9 players.  If called up, player must agree to move up.  The call up would be for one game only. All call ups will be done through the Vice President or Player Agent (Coaches will not be allowed to pick who they call up)

      7.      Coaches and Umpire must sign the official scorebook at end of each game.

 8.   No more than five runs may be scored by a team in innings 1-4; no more than 7 runs may be scored by a team in any inning after inning 4.  (Under no circumstances will a team score more than 5 runs in innings 1-4 or 7 runs in any inning after the fourth, even if additional runs should score on the same play that the maximum run scores on.)

9.   Defense will be allowed to play 10 fielders with 4 outfielders (must start in the outfield grass).

10. No Fake Bunting is allowed, once batters shows bunt, they must either bunt, or take the pitch, may NOT swing at pitch. If they do, the ball is dead and the batter is automatically out.

11.  Batters are not allowed to wave bat in attempt to distract the pitcher/catcher.

12.  Dugout/Coaches must not do anything that, in the umpire’s opinion, is an attempt to distract the opposing pitcher (yelling, screaming etc.) Players will always be allowed to cheer for their team, but change in inflection etc, when pitcher is ready to pitch will not be allowed.

13  Schedule will be done to try to make league as fair as possible, which means that pre-season games may be played to assure a balance schedule.

Major Baseball Division Local Rules

1.      Pre-game meetings will be held at home plate prior to each game to discuss any special instructions.

 2.      In-field fly rule will apply.

       3.      Minimum players per game is 7 – Must take an out for each player under 9. Game must finish with at least 7 players.

       4.   After 4 innings (3 ½ if home team is ahead) 15 run rule applies, after 5 innings 10 run rule applies.

      5.   Managers may utilize 10 batters in their lineup.

6.   Managers may freely substitute players at anytime for any player defensively.  All players must still bat at least once per game and play 6 outs in the field.  Because of the free defensive substitution, and player removed from the batting order will be allowed to re-enter the batting order (anywhere in the line-up) once they get back to his original spot in the order.  (B hits for A in the 3^rd spot in the order, A can then hit for E in the 5^th spot in the order after B has come back up for the 2^nd time.)

7.   Managers and the umpire must sign the official scorebook at end of each game.

      8.  No Fake Bunting is allowed, once batters shows bunt, they must either bunt, or take the pitch, may NOT swing at pitch. The player will automatically be out, and the pitch deemed a dead ball. (No runners may advance)

      9.  Dugout/Coaches must not do anything that, in the umpire’s opinion, is an attempt to distract the opposing pitcher (yelling, screaming etc.) Players will always be allowed to cheer for their team, but change in inflection etc, when pitcher is ready to pitch will not be allowed.

                                    Junior Baseball Division Local Rules

1.      Pre-game meetings will be held at home plate prior to each game to discuss any special instructions.   

2.      Minimum players per game is 7 – Must take an out for each player under 9. Game must finish with at least 7 players. 

3.   Managers may utilize 10 batters in their lineup.  Players must still bat at least once per game and play 6 outs in the field. 

4.   After 5 innings (4 ½ if home team is ahead) 15 run rule applies, after 6 innings 10 run rule applies. 

5.      Managers and the umpire must sign the official scorebook at end of each game.

6.   Managers may freely substitute players at anytime for any player defensively.  All players must still bat at least once per game and play 6 outs in the field.  Because of the unlimited substitution in the field, players substituted in the batting order will be “married” to that spot in the order for the remainder of the game.