Blountville Little League follows the rules as noted in the official Little League rule book. Below are a selection of REGULAR SEASON rules that raise common questions. This is not a comprehensive list - please see the Little League Rulebook for more details. Note: tournament rules may differ.
Regulation IV - The Players
i. Mandatory Play: Every rostered player present at the start of a game will participate in each game for a minimum of six (6) defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time. For the purposes of this rule, “six (6) defensive outs” is defined as: A player enters the field in one of the nine defensive positions when his/her team is on defense and occupies such position while six outs are made; “bat at least one (1) time” is defined as: A player enters the batter’s box with no count and completes that time at bat by being retired or by reaching base safely.
Regulation VI - The Pitcher
Pitchers (a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. Exception: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day.
(d) Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
- If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Regulation XIV - Field Decorum
(a) The actions, on or off the field, of players, managers, coaches, umpires, and league officials must be above reproach. Any player, manager, coach, umpire, or league representative who is involved in a verbal or physical altercation, or an incident of unsportsmanlike conduct, at the game site or any other Little League activity including through online or social media, is subject to disciplinary action by the local league Board of Directors.
(b) Uniformed players, news photographers, managers, coaches, and umpires only shall be permitted within the confines of the playing field just prior to and during games. Batboys and/or batgirls are not permitted at any level of play. Except for the batter, base-runners, and base coaches at first and third bases, all players shall be on their benches in their dugouts or in the bullpen when the team is at bat. When the team is on defense, all reserve players shall be on their benches or in the bullpen.
(c) Two adult base coaches are permitted.
(d) A manager or coach shall not leave the bench or dugout except to confer with a player or an umpire and only after receiving permission from an umpire. (EXCEPTION: In Tee Ball and Minor League, managers and coaches may be on the field for instructional purposes, but shall not assist runners or touch a live ball. At least one adult manager or coach must be in the dugout at all times.)
(e) The possession and/or use of firearms, tobacco products, cigarettes (including e-cigarettes and vapors), controlled substances, and alcoholic beverages in any form is prohibited on the playing field, benches, or dugouts. Alcohol is prohibited at the game site.
Rule 1.0 Objectives of the Game
1.01:
Little League Baseball in all divisions is a game between two teams of nine players each, under the direction of a manager and not more than two rostered coaches, played on a regulation Little League field in accordance with these rules, under the jurisdiction of one or more umpires.
NOTE: Competitive Minor Leagues and above may only use nine players on defense. See Rules 4.16 and 4.17.
Tee Ball/ Minor League Instructional Division is a game between two teams, under the direction of a manager and not more than three coaches, played on a regulation Little League field in accordance with these rules, under the jurisdiction of one or more umpires.
1.17:
All male players must wear athletic supporters. Male catchers must wear the metal, fibre, or plastic type cup, and approved long or short-model chest protector. Female catchers must wear long or short model chest protectors. All catchers must wear chest protectors with neck collar, throat guard, shin guards, and catcher’s helmet, all of which must meet Little League specifications and standards. The catcher’s helmet must meet NOCSAE specifications and standards, and bear the NOCSAE stamp. All catchers must wear a mask, “dangling” type throat protector, and catcher’s helmet during infield/ outfield practice, pitcher warm-up, and games.
NOTE: Skull caps are not permitted. Warning! Manufacturers have advised that altering helmets in any way can be dangerous. Altering the helmet in any form, including painting or adding decals (by anyone other than the manufacturer or authorized dealer) may void the helmet warranty. Helmets may not be re-painted and may not contain tape or re-applied decals unless approved in writing by the helmet manufacturer or authorized dealer.
A.R. - Wearing of a catcher’s helmet with mask and dangling throat guard (even if the mask has a wire extension) is required during games, pitcher warm-up, and any form of infield or infield/ outfield practice. The “Hockey Style” helmet is authorized for use at all levels of play. The “dangling” throat guard still must be attached properly.
Rule 3.0 - Game Preliminaries
3.09:
... Managers or coaches are permitted to warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at any time including in-game warm-up, pre-game warm-up, and in other instances. They may also stand by to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bullpen.
Rule 4.0 - Starting and Ending the Game
4.10:
(a) A regulation game consists of six innings , unless extended because of a tie score, or shortened (1) because the home team needs none of its half of the sixth inning or only a fraction of it; or (2) because the umpire calls the game.
(b) If the score is tied after six completed innings (Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior/Big League: seven innings), play shall continue until (1) the visiting team has scored more total runs than the home team at the end of a completed inning; or (2) the home team scores the winning run in an uncompleted inning.
(c) If a game is called, it is a regulation game:
- If four innings have been completed;
- Local League Option: If the game has been played for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Any inning which has been started prior to that time limit expiring will be completed. No new inning will begin once the time limit has expired.
- If the home team has scored more runs in three and one-half innings than the visiting team has scored in four completed half-innings;
- If the home team scores one or more runs in its half of the fourth inning to tie the score.
(d) If a game is called before it has become a regulation game, it shall be resumed exactly where it left off.
(e) If after four (4) innings , three and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victor to the opponent. NOTE: (1) If the visiting team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the home team must bat in its half of the inning. (2) The local league may adopt the option of not utilizing this rule.
(f) Tee Ball: The local league may determine appropriate game length but shall not exceed 6 innings. It is recommended that Tee Ball games be 4 innings or 1-1/2 hour time limit or less.