Minors

• League Age 9 to 10 years old - Use the Little League Age Charts.
• This division has player pitchers and is competitive, so scores and standings are kept.
• The players are taught to understand strategies of the game and improve their skills.  The role of the coaches is to develop skills and encourage (and demonstrate) good sportsmanship. The game is about the kids having fun and learning, NOT the coach's win-loss record.
• Coaches conduct practices before and during the season.
• Each team will have no more than 12 players unless approved by the Player Agent.
  

Schedule

• Games are 6 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first.
• Spring games are played twice per week - one weekday game (starting at 6 pm) and one on Saturday.
• Fall Ball games are played twice a week - times and days will vary.
  
• Rainouts are to be played on the next available date.
  
• Coaches may schedule an additional night for practice. 

Field Locations - Games are played at our Arbutus MS fields and other as designated by the schedue.

Players Equipment

• All players will be provided with a team shirt, baseball pants, hat, socks, and belts.
• Plastic Cleats are recommended for players.
• Athletic supporters are recommended for boys. 
• Male catchers are REQUIRED to wear an athletic supporter with a cup. 
• Bats and helmets are provided. Players must provide their own glove
• See Tips for Parents and Players webpage for info on getting the proper bat, helmet and glove.

Coaching Expectations

• Each team must have a manager/head coach, 2-3 assistant coaches and a scorekeeper.  Anyone coaching must be at least 16 years old.  
• FREE Coaches Clinic in mid-March. 
• See Coaches Corner page for info on info on practice plans, drills, and position instructions.
• Team Line-Up Sheet - Managers/coaches must complete a team lineup sheet and submit to the field office at the end of each game. Sheets should be filled out with the first initial and last name of each player.  Players present will be at the top of the lineup sheet and those absent will be at the bottom with "Absent" next to their name.
• Manager must complete an Accident Form at the end for their team's game injuries.

Game Rules 

Minor League plays by Little League Rules, which have been amended by Arbutus LL as follows:

• Length of Play - Games are considered complete at the end of 2 hours or 6 innings, whichever comes first. 
• 10-Run Mercy Game Rule - When at the end of 4 or more innings, a team is ahead by 10 runs or more, the game may be declared "over" with the team ahead noted as the winner.
• 5-Run Inning Rule - There is a max of 5 runs per inning per team.
• Uncaught third strike rule is NOT applicable to this division.
• Score should be kept by both teams, home team score book is official record of game.
  
• First 2 games of the season are coachable, meaning the coaches can be on the field coaching the players.
• Official Game - 9 players are required to start an official game.  Pool players shall be accepted. When there are not enough players, the coaches may play an unofficial game, but umpires may opt-out of the unofficial games.
• Player Participation - All players must play a minimum of 2 defensive innings, Continuous batting order is required.  Players in attendance at the start of the game shall be in the line-up.  Players arriving after the start of the game may be placed at the end of the lineup in the order of arrival.
• Stealing - The ball must reach the batter before runners may attempt to advance.
• Adults are not allowed to warm-up a pitcher on the field.
• Offensive coaches must be in the coaches box at 1st and 3rd base when their team is at-bat.  Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field except during a time-out.
•  There is NO on-deck arm warm-ups in or around the dugout. 
• No head-first diving or sliding at any base or home plate.
• Catchers must wear a catcher's helmet with a dangling throat guard, catchers mitt, chest protector, and shin guards.  Males must wear an athletics supporter and cup.
• NO spectators are allowed in the dugouts, behind the dugouts, or immediately behind the backstop.

BEFORE and AFTER each GAME

• Teams are encouraged to arrive at the field 30 minutes prior to their game to warm-up.
• Teams are to store the bases in the shed boxes, and rack the fields after each game.