Changes to the 2008 Regulations and Regular Season Rules
For Baseball Divisions of Little League®
GENERAL INFORMATION
PROOF-OF-AGE REQUIREMENTS
NOT ACCEPTABLE AS SOLE PROOF OF BIRTH: Baptismal Certificate;
Certificate of Blessing; Certificate of Dedication; Certificate of Circumcision, etc.;
Hospital Certificate; photocopied records; passports.
Regulation I – THE LEAGUE –
(a) 3. The Tee Ball division is an extension of the local league to accommodate
participants league ages 5-8 and may utilize the batting tee or the pitched ball (by a
coach). The league may opt to deliver a designated number of pitches to all batters and
then utilize the tee if necessary.
b. Officers shall be elected by the Board (i.e., president, one or more vice presidents,
secretary, … A president may manage, coach or umpire provided he/she does not
serve on the Protest Committee nor serve as tournament team manager or coach.
The president will not serve in the capacity of District Administrator.
President, with approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint managers,
coaches and umpires annually. Manager/coach representation on the Board shall
not exceed a minority. NOTE: All members of the local league Board of
Directors, as well as managers and coaches, whose activities in another youth
baseball/softball program are deemed detrimental to the operation of the local
league, can be removed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Additionally, the local league’s Board of Directors has the right to NOT approve
that individual as a tournament team manager.
c. Each league shall:
1. prepare, adopt…
2. be considered…
3. apply for and, if …
4. have separate boundaries as provided for in Regulation II. (Delete the
remainder of paragraph 4.)
9. Conduct an annual background check on all personnel that are required to
complete a "Little League Volunteer Application" prior to the applicant
assuming his/her duties for the current season. No local league shall
permit any person to participate in any manner, whose background check
reveals a conviction or guilty plea for any crime involving or against a
minor. A local league may prohibit any individual from participating as a
volunteer or hired worker, if the league deems the individual unfit to work
with minors.
A local league must conduct a nationwide search that contains the
applicable government sex offender registry data.
NOTE 1: Each year, Little League International provides 80 free
background checks that exceed the minimum standard required in
this regulation. Information on how to utilize this benefit, as well as
how to conduct background checks, can be found on the Little League
website at:
http://www.LittleLeague.org/common/childprotect/states.asp
NOTE 2: The United States Department of Justice National Sex
Offender Public Registry is free and available at www.nsopr.gov.
[I.c.9. also is added to the Junior/Senior/Big League Regulations.]
f. Mergers where there is sufficient enrollment to maintain separate charters, shall
require the recommendation of the District Administrator to Little League
International and be subject to final approval by the Charter Committee.
(Removed the reference to the 20,000 population limit.)
Regulation II – LEAGUE BOUNDARIES –
(g) Each local Little League’s boundary is “frozen” at the status as of April 23,
2007. “Frozen” means, each league will continue to operate under that boundary.
The league shall limit its boundary to and draw its players from an area approved
by the District Administrator and Regional Director. Boundary maps for leagues
(and any changes made after April 23, 2007 to the approved map on file at the
Regional Office) must be signed and dated by the League President and District
Administrator with a copy to be sent to the Regional Office. The approved map
on file at the Regional Office is the “official” map, provided it does not encroach
on any other chartered Little League’s boundary. The Charter Committee
reserves the right to grant waivers and adjust boundaries where needed. All
requests for mergers and to expand league boundaries by adding additional
territory must be provided to the Charter Committee through the District
Administrator and Regional Director. The decision of the Charter Committee on
these requests is final and binding.
NOTE 1: Each league will be required to have a current boundary map, approved
by the District Administrator, in the regional office files. This will be required
for tournament privileges for the current season.
NOTE 2: All leagues currently operating under a divisional format must
continue to operate under this method. Exceptions to the divisional format can
only be granted by the Charter Committee in Williamsport.
NOTE 3: Any request for newly chartered leagues will be reviewed by the
Charter Committee under this regulation before a charter is granted. The decision
of the Charter Committee is final and binding.
(h) Deleted in its entirety.
Regulation IV – THE PLAYERS –
(g) Player roster forms supplied by Little League Headquarters must be completed
and filed no later than June 7, 2008. Players claimed under…
(h) If a person had previously resided within the league boundaries for two or more
years while serving that league as a dedicated manager, coach or member of the
Local League Board of Directors for two or more years, his or her sons and/or
daughters are eligible to try out and be selected by teams in that league (1)
provided such service to the league from which the person has moved has
continued, (2) subject to written agreement from the league within whose
boundaries they currently reside and (3) and approved by the District
Administrator.
Regulation V – SELECTION OF PLAYERS –
1. The selection of players for the various teams within a league shall be in
compliance with the Little League Draft Selection System as detailed in the
Operating Manual. NOTE: All candidates who are league age twelve (12) must
be drafted to a Little League Major Division team, or to a Junior League team.
Exceptions can only be made with written approval from the District
Administrator, and only if approved at the local league level by the Board of
Directors and the parent of the candidate.
Regulation VI – PITCHERS –
(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the
number of pitchers a team may use in a game.)
(b) Players once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers; Junior, Senior,
and Big League Divisions only: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a
different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but
only once per game.
(c) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her
age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:
League Age 17-18 105 pitches per day
13-16 95 pitches per day
11-12 85 pitches per day
9-10 75 pitches per day
7-8 50 pitches per day
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI (c) for his/her
league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the
following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3.
The third out is made to complete the half-inning. NOTE: A pitcher who delivers
one or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the
remainder of that day.
(d) Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest, and
a game (see e. below), must be observed.
• If a player pitches 41 - 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest, and a
game (see e. below), must be observed.
• If a player pitches 21 - 40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Pitchers league age 17-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest, and
a game (see e. below), must be observed.
• If a player pitches 51 - 75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest, and a
game (see e. below), must be observed.
• If a player pitches 26 - 50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 1-25 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must is
required.
(e) A player may not pitch in consecutive games. Exception – League Age 16 and under -
A player may pitch in consecutive games if 40 or less pitches were delivered in the
previous game. League Age 17-18 - A player may pitch in consecutive games if 50 or
less pitches were delivered in the previous game.
(f) Each league must designate the scorekeeper or another game official as the official
pitch count recorder.
(g) The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when
requested by either manager or any umpire. However, the manager is responsible for
knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed.
(h) The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher
has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Regulation
VI (c). The umpire-in-chief will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be
removed in accordance with Regulation VI (c). However, the failure by the pitch
count recorder to notify the umpire-in-chief, and/or the failure of the umpire-in-chief
to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to
remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.
(i) Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it
occurs. Protest shall be made in accordance with Playing Rule 4.19.
(j) A player who has attained the league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the
Minor League. (See Regulation V – Selection of Players)
(k) A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day. (Exception: In the Big
League Division, a player may be used as a pitcher in up to two games in a day.)
NOTES:
1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a
warm-up pitch is delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall
not be considered a violation. Little League officials are urged to take precautions to
prevent protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should
be notified immediately.
2. Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended
Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility.
3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the
game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day,
provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest.
Example 1: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when
the game is suspended. The game resumes on the following Thursday. The pitcher is
not eligible to pitch in the resumption of the game because he/she has not observed
the required three days of rest.
Example 2: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when
the game is suspended. The game resumes on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to
pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game because he/she has
observed the required three days of rest.
Example 3: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when
the game is suspended. The game resumes two weeks later. The pitcher is eligible to
pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game, provided he/she is eligible
based on his/her pitching record during the previous three days.
NOTE: The use of this regulation negates the concept of the “calendar week” with
regard to pitching eligibility.
Rule 1.06 – First, second and third bases shall be marked by white canvas or rubber
covered bags, securely attached to the ground. The first and third base bags shall be
entirely within the infield. The second base bag shall be centered on second base. The
base bags shall not be less than fourteen (15) nor more than fifteen (15) inches square and
the other edges shall not be more than two and one-fourth (2-1/4) inches thick and filled
with a soft material. Leagues are required to ensure that first, second and third bases will
disengage their anchor.
Rule 1.10 – The bat must be a baseball bat which meets Little League specifications and
standards as noted in this rule. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick and made of wood or of
material and color tested and proved acceptable to Little League standards. It shall not be
more than thirty-three (33) inches (34 inches for Junior; 36 inches for Senior League
and Big League) in length, nor more than two and one-quarter (2 1/4) inches for Little
League; (2 3/4 inches for Junior, and 2 3/4 inches for wood and 2 5/8 inches non-wood for
Senior and Big League in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenth (15/16)
inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part. Wood bats may be
taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not exceeding sixteen (16) inches (18 inches
for Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) from the small end. A non-wood bat must have
a grip of cork, tape or composition material, and must extend a minimum of 10 inches
from the small end. Slippery tape or similar material is prohibited. Senior/Big League
baseball: The bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces less than the
length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-long bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces). All nonwood
bats shall meet the BESR performance standard, and such bats shall be labeled with
a permanent certification mark. All divisions: White bats are prohibited. An illegal bat
must be removed.
2.00 – DEFINITION OF TERMS –
An INNING is that portion…the preceding inning. (Minor League Only – A five-run
limit is to be imposed, which would complete the half inning.)
Rule 3.03 – 3. pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers;
Junior/Senior/Big League – A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different
position, can return as a pitcher any time in the remainder of the game, but only once per
game.
Rule 3.03 – BIG LEAGUE –
(c) A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a
pitcher any time in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.
Rule 3.17 – Players and substitutes shall sit on their team’s bench or in the dugout unless
… No team shall use electronic equipment, including walkie-talkies, cellular telephones,
etc., for any communication with on-field personnel including those in the dugout,
bullpen or field.
Rule 4.03 (d) – Deleted as obsolete and no longer applicable.
Rule 4.04 – The batting order shall be followed throughout the game unless a player is
substituted for another … However, a player may be entered and/or re-entered
defensively in the game anytime provided he/she meets the requirements of mandatory
play. NOTE 1: The continuous batting order is mandatory for all Tee Ball and Minor
League Divisions. NOTE 2: For the Tee Ball and Minor League Division (and when the
continuous batting order is adopted for other divisions), when a child is injured, becomes
ill…
Rule 4.11 (e) - NOTE: When a TIE game is halted, the pitcher of record may continue
pitching in the same game on any subsequent date provided said pitcher has observed the
required days of rest for his/her particular age group. For scorekeeping purposes, it shall
be considered the same game, and all batting, fielding and pitching records will count.
Rule 6.02 – (c) if the batter refuses to take his/her position in the batter’s box during a
time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter without the need for a pitch to be
delivered. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter
may take a proper position and the regular ball and strike count shall continue, but if the
batter does not take the proper position before three strikes are called, that batter shall be
declared out.
Rule 7.05 (j) - one base, if a fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball with his/her cap,
mask or any part of his/her uniform detached from its proper place on his/her person. The
ball is in play, and the award is made based on the position of the runner at the time the
ball was touched.
Rule 7.08 – (a) (1) running more than three feet away from his/her baseline to avoid
being tagged, unless such action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted
ball. A runner’s baseline is established when the tag attempt occurs, and is a straight line
from the runner to the base to which he/she is attempting to reach; or (2)…….
Rule 7.09 (b) and (k) deleted because they are redundant and already in Rule 6.00.
Rule 7.15 –
(a) A batted ball that hits the white section of the double base shall be declared
fair. A batted ball that hits the colored (orange or green) section without first
touching or bounding over the white section shall be declared foul.
(b) Whenever a play is being made on the batter-runner, the defense must use the
white section of the double first base. NOTE 1: A play is being made on the
batter-runner when he/she is attempting to reach first base while the defense is
attempting to retire him/her at that base. Penalty: Batter-runner is out. NOTE
2: If there is a play…
(c) Whenever a play is being made on the batter-runner, the batter-runner must
use the colored (orange or green) section on his/her first attempt to tag first
base. NOTE: On extra-base hits or other balls hit to the outfield when there is
no chance for a play to be made at the double first base, the batter-runner may
touch either the white or colored (orange or green) section of the base. Should,
however, the batter-runner reach and go beyond first base, he/she may only
return to the white section of the base. Penalty: If there is a play on the batterrunner,
and the batter-runner touches only the white portion and the defense
appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to first base, it is treated the same
as missing the base. If properly appealed, the batter-runner is out.
Rule 8.01 –
(a) The Windup Position. The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, the pivot foot
in contact with the pitcher’s plate, and the other foot free. From this position
any natural movement…
(b) The Set Position. Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when the
pitcher stands facing the batter with the pivot foot in contact with, and the
other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, holding the ball in both hands in front
of the body and coming to a complete stop.
Rule 8.02 (a) (1) – bring the pitching hand in contact with the mouth or lips while in the
10-foot circle (18-foot circle in Junior/Senior/Big League Baseball) surrounding the
pitcher’s plate. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire,
prior to the start of a game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on
his/her hands while in the 10/18-foot circle. |