• Mandatory Play-Time/Rotations –
Teams will bat all rostered, present players in a continuous batting order.
Defense will play 9 players in the field
Players cannot sit consecutive innings.
No player may sit TWICE before every rostered, present player has sat ONCE
• Time Limits –
Friday & Saturday: 1 hr 45 min
Weekday: 1 hr 30 min; (in the case of a late start, still cannot start a new inning after 7pm)
A complete game is 6 innings
• Game Play –
Pitching distance will be 42 feet
The first 3 innings will continue until the offense has scored 5 runs or the defense has recorded 3 outs. The 4th inning and on will be unlimited runs (or until 3 outs) or the game reaches the time limit.
When the pitcher has the ball, stealing or advancing is no longer allowed. This includes (but is not limited to) walks & stealing home.
Games can end in a tie.
In the event of a suspended game (weather, lights, etc): a complete game is 4 innings (3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead after the top of the 4th) & there would be no make-up/continuation of the game. If less than 4 innings, then the game is continued as stated in the Rule Book. All info in Rule Book: Rule 4:10 a.-e. & 4.12
• Run Rules –
o Summary: 15 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings
▪ Rule Book: Rule 4.10(e)):
▪ “If after three (3) innings, two and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after four (4), three and one-half 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 victory to the opponent. If after five (5), four and one-half if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of eight (8) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent.”
• Days Rest –
o Rule Book: Regulation VI(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 days of rest must be observed.
▪ If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
▪ Exception: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold 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 retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.”
• Pitch Counts (per game/outing)
o 40 pitches WITH THRESHOLD : Entire Fall Regular Season and Playoffs
• Pitcher/Catcher Regulations:
o Rule Book: Rule VI(a)
o “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. The catcher receiving one pitch to a batter in the fourth inning constitutes having caught four (4) innings.”
o “If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception*, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.”
▪ *Threshold exemption: “NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.”
o “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.
Rule Book: 7.14(b)
Courtesy Runner: A local league may permit a “courtesy runner” for the catcher and/or pitcher of record when there are two (2) outs…. A courtesy runner must be reported to the plate umpire. ...If the continuous batting order is used, the “courtesy runner” may be in the team’s batting order and must be the player in the batting order who made the last out”
• Umpires –
Two umpires per game
Plate umpire will be paid for & provided by SLL
Field umpire will be provided by another AAA team (manager/coach volunteer OR UIC/league approved umpire)
Teams will be responsible for checking their schedule for ump duties
If a no-show for Ump Duty, then the team will acquire an additional “loss” in standings
• Other Rules –
Standings (W/L %) will be kept throughout the season and will be used for seeding for playoffs
Pool Players: See section on rules for All Majors/Minors Drafted Divisions
Managers/Coaches may warm up pitchers in the bullpen or at the plate
Playoff Rules: see Playoff Addendum (TBD)