STAMFORD NORTH LITTLE LEAGUE
2023 AAA/JR.MAJORS DIVISION RULES
GAME RULES
· The AAA Division adheres to the rules as published annually in the Little League Baseball “Official Regulations and Playing Rules” a.k.a. “The Green Book”.
DURATION
· Each manager will confirm with the umpire start time of a particular game. A new inning may not begin more than 1 hour and 45 minutes after the beginning of the game or 6 innings, whichever occurs first. The start of an inning is as defined by the Little League rule book. Ex: If the start of a game is 4:05 PM a new inning cannot be started after 5:50 PM.
START of the GAME
· Every game will start with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Little League Pledge
· Each team must have at least 9 players to start a game. A team forfeits the game if it cannot field 9 players.
BATTING
· Each team will bat all of their eligible players in a “continuous” batting order. There is no substitution of one player for another in the batting order. If a player due up has left the game or field (i.e. injury), then that spot is skipped over and the next scheduled batter will hit. The opposing manager or coach should be advised that a player will miss their spot in the batting order and the reason why. If during the next time through the batting order the player has returned, then the player is reinserted into their spot in the batting order.
· Before each game, each team shall exchange their batting lineup with the opposing manager.
· No dropped 3rd strike – can’t run to first on a strikeout.
· No Infield fly rule.
· The manager should post the lineup (include positions) of their team in their dugout at the beginning of the game for the benefit of the players.
· In each half inning, the team at bat will hit until there are 3 outs or 5 runs, whichever occurs first, except for the last inning of the game during which each team may continue to score until there are 3 outs unless the the 5-run rule was applied in earlier innings (see below).
· A player not present at the start of the game will be added to the bottom of the order when he or she arrives (regardless of who it is).
· Only “USA Baseball” approved bats are allowed in play.
· There will be no automatic outs until possibly the playoffs (mid-season coach discussion to decide)
SCORING
· Teams will score by normal baseball rules, except that no team will be able to score more than 5 runs in an inning except under the following circumstances:
o If a player hits a fence clearing home run, then all runs will be counted or
o Teams may score an unlimited amount of runs in the 6th or final inning, unless the 5-run rule was used against the opposing team in an earlier inning or used fewer times than the opposing team (As an example, to clarify, if Team A has had two innings capped at 5 runs and Team B has had one inning capped at 5 runs, then Team B may not score unlimited runs in the final inning. The “final inning is determined by time constraints, darkness or weather. The home plate umpire will decide upon the last inning. The umpire’s judgment is not to be questioned as it sets a poor example. If, however, the managers did not agree upon the final inning because of an unexpected occurrence (i.e. unexpected weather or a longer than expected inning), then the “unlimited run” rule may not apply.
· There is a 10 run mercy rule after 4 complete innings (or 3 1/2 innings if the home team is leading) of play. See Little League Rule Book for details.
· There is a 15 run mercy rule after 3 complete innings (or 2 1/2 innings if the home team is leading) of play.
BUNTS
· Players may bunt, although all players should be encouraged to swing the bat.
POSITIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
· Each team will field 9 players in the field – 4 infielders, 4 outfielders, a pitcher and a catcher.
· Players will rotate in and out of their positions and no player may sit out 2 consecutive innings, unless for disciplinary reasons, which then must be reported via verbal and in writing to the AAA Commissioner within 24 hours.
· Players can play a maximum of 4 innings at any one position, except the pitcher, who is governed by pitch count rules listed below. We encourage to always exercise best discretion in placing players in positions and not to allow a player to play more than 2 innings in a row at any one position so that possibly 3 players may play at a designated position to further enhance the educational aspect for said player as we are an instructional and developmental league.
· A pinch runner can be used for the catcher at any time. The pinch runner must be the last batted out.
SUSPENDED GAME
· On occasion, games will be suspended due to darkness or weather. Game after 4 complete innings have been played (or 3½ innings if the home team is winning) is considered a COMPLETE game. If the game is stopped after 4 complete innings, but before the completion of the 5th or 6th inning, the score will revert back to the last full inning that was completed before the suspension. Those games suspended before the completion of 4 innings (or 3½ innings if the home team is winning) will be resumed as soon thereafter as possible. The game will be resumed at the spot that it was suspended.
· In the past, if a game was suspended in the 1st inning, the game was replayed from the beginning without regard to how many pitches were thrown. Under the new rule, all games suspended in the 1st inning will be resumed from where they left off. Pitch count rules will apply based on the number of days off the players have had (e.g., if a player throws 36 pitches in the top of the first inning and the game is made- up the next day, that pitcher will not be able to pitch since he/she did not have the required rest).
PITCHING RULES
· Under no circumstances will a player be allowed to pitch on 3 consecutive days even if he/she met the pitch count rules.
· A manager/coach must remove a pitcher from the game on the 2nd visit in an inning. If the manager only goes out to the mound once in an inning, then he must remove the pitcher from the game on the 3rd visit.
If a pitcher is replaced in the middle of an inning, the manager/coach can visit the new pitcher once in that inning without having to remove him from the game.
· All pitchers will follow these pitching rules:
o 9, 10 and 11 year olds may not pitch more than 65 pitches per day, except if the 65th pitch is thrown during the middle of an at bat at which point the pitcher will be permitted to finish pitching to that batter.
o 8 year olds may not pitch more than 50 pitches per day, except if the 50th pitch is thrown during the middle of an at bat at which point the pitcher will be permitted to finish pitching to that batter.
All ages are determined in accordance with 2017 revised Little League age determination rules.
When finishing against a batter, pitch counts will revert to the maximum for purposes of calendar days of rest as stated below.
· Intentional walks are allowed. You can wave a batter to 1B and add 4 balls to the pitch count only at the START of the AB. If you want to walk the batter at any other time, 1-0, 0-1 etc.. the pitches MUST be thrown. Batter advances to first base on intentional walk and all other base runners advance one base if forced.
· Days of rest must be observed according to the Little League Rule Book, which are as follows:
o If a pitcher throws 51 to 65 pitches in a day, then he must receive 3 calendar days of rest.
o If a pitcher throws 36 to 50 pitches in a day, then he must receive 2 calendar days of rest.
o If a pitcher throws 21 to 35 pitches in a day, then he must receive 1 calendar day of rest.
o If a pitcher throws 20 or less pitches, then he is not required to receive any calendar days of rest and is permitted to pitch the next day.
o
· After a player throws over 40 pitches in any game, he/she may not play the position of catcher at any time during that game. After a player catches however, they may pitch in that game.
· After a player catches, he may pitch in that game; provided, however, if a player catches for 4 innings in a game, they are not eligible to pitch in that game.
· Each manager must designate a coach, parent or spectator 13 years of age or older to count the number of pitches thrown by the opposing pitcher. The managers will ask the designated pitch counter the number of pitches at the end of each half inning. They will record the pitch counts for the player agent after each game.
BASE RUNNING
· On a batted ball put in play, players may only advance one base, from any base, on overthrow by any fielder, but while advancing he/she can be thrown out. If the ball is overthrown a second time during the play – the play is dead/stopped.
· Players on base may lead only AFTER the pitched ball crosses home plate.
· A player in the field can ask for a timeout once he/she has the ball in his/her possession with reasonable control and is located inside the basepaths of the infield. IT IS UP TO THE UMPIRE'S BEST JUDGMENT AND DISCRETION WHEN TO GRANT A TIMEOUT.
· Stealing
o Players may steal once the pitched ball crosses home plate.
o Players attempting to steal may advance only 1 base, may not advance on an overthrow by a catcher (encourage kids to make the play).
o No stealing of home.
o 3 steal attempts maximum per half inning (including passed balls, wild pitches and steals). The trail runner on a play is considered a separate steal.
· Sliding
o There is no must slide rule at home plate in AAA/Jr. Majors.
o If the catcher/fielder covering home plate/base does not have the ball in their possession or if the ball is traveling to them, the runner is not obligated to do anything except score in a fashion that does not injure the catcher or fielder.
o If the catcher/fielder does not have the ball, then the catcher/fielder must not block the plate/base in a manner that would prevent the runner from scoring or reaching the base.
o If the catcher/fielder impedes a runner, then it is in the umpire’s discretion to award that base to the runner.
o When the catcher/fielder has possession of the ball and there is a play at home plate/base, the runner must either return to their base or slide into that base or attempt to score in a manner to avoid a tag without causing a collision with the catcher/fielder.
· Tagging Up - is allowed from first, second and third base.
CALL UPS
· Call ups from AA to AAA are not eligible to ptich.
PLAYOFFS
· Playoffs will be single elimination format unless decided otherwise during mid-season coach discussion.
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
· The HOME team shall prep the field (including raking infield dirt, placing bases, lining batter's box and foul lines). The HOME team is also responsible for opening up the field if it is the first game at that field (including opening all necessary locks), or closing up the field (including locking up, turning off lights, etc.)
· The HOME team supplies at least two new games balls to the umpire.
· All batters and baserunners must wear batting helmets.
· All batting helmets must have face guards.
· Catchers must wear protective gear, including mask with throat protection, chest protector and shin guards.
· Winning team shall promptly enter on website directly, or text to National Division Web Master (203.912.4729), the teams and final score of each game.
