[Need introduction]
[A link to the full rules would be nice]
RULE UPDATES: AA will once again phase in stealing. Here is the modified stealing rule in effect in AA for the first three weeks of the season:
Week 1 = no steals.
Week 2 = Stealing second only. No advancing on overthrows from catcher to second.
Week 3 = Stealing second and third only. No advancing on overthrows from catcher to second or third.
Week 4 – end of season = No restrictions on stealing
As a reminder: In Majors and below, it is no longer necessary for the pitcher to throw pitches if the coach wants the batter walked intentionally. The coach must make this known to the umpire before any pitches are thrown to the batter; the ball is dead and four pitches are added to the pitch count.
REMINDER ON RULE CHANGES INTRODUCED IN 2018
Rule 1.10 (BATS): Beginning in 2018, there were significant changes in Rule 1.10. BPF 1.15 bats are now prohibited at all levels. The maximum bat diameter at all levels is now 2-5/8 inches. Use of pine tar or similar adhesive substances is prohibited. For Majors and below, all non-wood bats must bear the USA Baseball logo, signifying that the bat meets USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard. For Intermediate Division and Junior League, all non-wood bats must either bear the USA Baseball logo or the BBCOR (batted ball coefficient of restitution) certification mark. For Senior League, non-wood bats must bear the BBCOR certification mark and bats may not exceed in inches by more than three their weight in ounces (for example, a 33-inch bat shall not weigh less than 30 ounces). At the Intermediate Division level and above, aluminum/alloy and composite bats shall be marked as being aluminum/alloy or composite. This requirement applies only to bats that have aluminum/alloy or composite barrels. The BBCOR and bat material markings shall be permanent, whether by silkscreen or otherwise, a minimum of one-half inch on each side, and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color.
REGULATION VI NOTE 3 – PITCHERS and RULE 4.10(D) – All suspended games will be resumed from where they were stopped, regardless of when. Pitching records, including number of pitches, will be counted for that day and days of rest.
RULES 8.06(a) and (b) VISITS TO THE MOUND: A manager may come out twice in a inning to visit the pitcher, but on the second visit, the pitcher must be removed. A manager may come out three times in a game to visit a pitcher, but on the third visit, the pitcher must be removed. Majors and above only.
NOLL/SOLL Local Playing Rules for 2019 in AA thru Seniors
We have local rules that supplement or alter what is in the official Little League rule book. These local rules are set forth in the Umpire Manual and on the NOLL/SOLL website. They do not apply to Inter-league games. Also mentioned are those instances where we have not adopted an optional Little League rule. All Little League Baseball rules are in effect, except as described below. In a couple of cases below, we have returned to the official Little League rule and that is mentioned for clarity.
· REGULATION VII(D) – PITCHERS: In AA and AAA, no pitcher may pitch more than nine defensive outs in a game. This will not apply in the regular season tournament. This rule is not a Little League rule.
· Rule 1.01, 4.17 (note) (Number of Players): In all divisions, a team may play with eight players. There is no penalty for playing one player short. If the team drops below eight players, there is no forfeit; the game is suspended and referred to the board for a decision. Little League rules do not allow for playing with less than nine players and a waiver has been APPROVED.
· Rule 1.10 (Field Dimensions): For Juniors, we use 60’ (distance to the pitcher’s plate) and 90’ (distance between bases). We have not adopted the Little League optional dimensions of 54’/80’.
· Rule 3.03 (Substitutions): The NOLL/SOLL local rule in this section has been replaced by the Little League rule as follows:
A substitute who enters for a starter can be replaced in the lineup, but both starters and substitutes can only enter in the same place in the batting order. A starter can re-enter but only in their original spot in the lineup and only after the substitute has met MPR. Once both starter and substitute have met MPR, they can re-enter freely in that lineup spot. Note that a starter does not have to meet MPR before being replaced but, once the starter re-enters the game, the starter will have to be in the game for six continuous defensive outs and one at-bat (if the starter did not get that at-bat while they were in the game the first time).
· Rule 4.04 (Batting Order and Substitutions): Continuous Batting Order (CBO) is in effect in AA thru Juniors.
· Rule 4.10(e) (Ending a Game): In all divisions, a game will end if one team is ahead by 15 or more runs after 3 innings (4 innings for Intermediate and higher); or if a legal game (4 innings in Majors and below, 5 innings in Intermediate and above), the game ends if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs. If the home team is ahead by 10 or more runs, game ends after 3 ½ innings (Majors and below) or 4 ½ innings (Intermediate and above).
· Rule 6.02(c) (Batter Keeping One Foot In Batter’s Box): We have not adopted the optional Little League rule requiring the batter to keep one foot in the batter’s box at all times during their at-bat with several noted exceptions.
· Rule 6.05(b)2 (Uncaught 3rd Strike): The batter advancing on an uncaught 3rd strike rule is in effect in Majors and above. We have not adopted the Little League option to have it not apply in Majors.
· Rule 7.14 (Special Pinch Runner): We have adopted the Little League option to apply this rule during the regular season. It is only in effect in games that are not using CBO.
· Rule 9.01(d) (Stealing Signs): We have not adopted this Little League optional rule to eject players and/or managers caught stealing pitch selection or location signs.
· Time Limit (No Rule): In AAA and lower, no new inning may start once the game has reached 1 hour & 50 minutes in length. In Intermediate and above, no new inning may start once the game has reached 2 hours & 15 minutes in length. The game ends immediately if the time limit is reached in the bottom of an inning with the home team ahead, if a legal game. There is no time limit in Majors games. There are no Little League rules regarding time limits.
