Minors Local Playing Rules

last updated Fall 2017

 

Although BRLL does keep score and standings, this division is instructional.

 

1. Pre-game/Post Game Procedures:

 

1. Dugouts and Field Warm-ups

 

1. The visiting team shall occupy the first base dugout. Home team shall occupy the third base dugout.

 

2. Teams are not guaranteed or entitled to demand the infield for warm-up prior to the game start time. However, if available, and allowed by the league officials or game umpire,  prior to the game start time the following applies: 
   1. No team may take occupy the infield for warm-ups until 30 minutes prior to the game.
   2. The visiting team has the first right of infield 30 minutes prior to the scheduled games start and the home team will the rights to the infield 15 minutes prior to the game start.  Should the field not be available a full 30 minutes prior to the start of the game, then practice time on the field shall be equally shared by both teams. 
   3. No pitcher may warm-up on the mound until umpire has conducted the plate meeting. 
   4. No batting practice shall occur on the field within the 30 minute game warm up period. 
   5. No coach or adult may warm up a pitcher at any time on or off the field. 

 

2. End of Game:
   1. Upon completion of the game, both teams, including all players, coaches and managers should line up and conduct a congratulatory handshake.
   2. At the completion of a game, both teams are responsible for policing areas near the playing fields, bleachers and depositing the refuse in the trash containers provided.

 

2.  Length of Games

 

Games conducted between two BRLL teams have the following time limit:

 

Minors, 6 innings, 1 hour, 45 minutes, 4 inning minimum regardless of time limit. The innings played requirement applies to Spring season only.

 

Time of the game begins upon conclusion of the plate meeting and announced/determined by the Umpire.  The official start time shall be responsibility of the umpire.

 

By Definition - No inning shall start after the time limit is reached.  An inning begins at the last out of the previous inning.  For example, on a game with a hour thirty minutes time limit; if the last out in the fifth inning should occur before one hour and twenty-nine minutes, the sixth inning will still be played. 

 

Umpires may limit warm-up pitches between innings if a team fails to take the field promptly. Generally, umpires will be allowing a maximum of 2 minutes between innings.

 

Regular season games can end in a tie if time expires and official game requirement is reached.

 

Regular season games that are tied after 6 innings with time left, may continue to the next inning until time expires or a winner is determined whichever comes first.

 

Umpires may allow managers to use a special catcher speed up rule that states that if the team’s designated catcher is on base an there is two outs, the coach may substitute the last batter to make an out to pinch run for that player.  This only applies to teams using continuous batting order. 

 

3.  Official Scorekeeper/Pitch Counter

 

The home team is responsible for providing a scorekeeper at each game.  The visiting team is responsible for official pitch count.  The scorekeeper will record the pitch count. 

All scores and pitch counts  should be verified at the end of each inning with the other team. 

Both teams must report the score, innings played, pitcher name and pitch count and days of rest to the division commissioner and [email protected] within 24 hours of the game being played. 

 

4.  Pledge

 

Both teams are responsible for reading the Little League Pledge prior to the start of the game.  Teams should line up on the foul line in front of their dug outs, each team will send at least one and not more than two representatives to the mound to lead the pledge.  Pledge is located on the back of the green book.

 

5.  Game Baseballs

 

The each team will provide one (1) new official Little League baseball for each game as provided by the league.  It is the responsibility of the manager to bring a game ball to the game. 

 

 

6.  Pitchers (Regulation VI

1. Pitching is to be performed from 46’.
2. 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:                                                                                                                                             
   1. League Age:   Limit of number of pitches
      1. 11         --      85 pitches per day
      2. 9-10      --     75 pitches per day
      3. 7-8        --     50 pitches per day                                                                                    
3. Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed for days of rest or for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until the earliest of 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.

That pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar days of rest for the threshold reached during that at bat.   (see VI (d))

4.  Playing the position of pitcher and catcher in the same game. 

   1. A pitcher who delivers over 40 pitches in a game is ineligible to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day

   2. A catcher who catches more than 3 full innings in a game is ineligible to pitch for the remainder of that day 

   3. Notwithstanding 4(a) and 4(b), regardless of succession, order, rotation, etc., any player who plays the position of pitcher and catcher for any length of time on the same day shall not, under any circumstances, deliver more than 40 pitches or play the position of catcher for more than 3 full innings for that day 

5. Pitchers must adhere to the following rest requirements:
   1. If a player pitches 66 or more pitches, 4 calendar days of rest must be observed.
   2. If a player pitches 51 - 65 pitches, 3 calendar days of rest must be observed.
   3. If a player pitches 36 - 50 pitches, 2 calendar days of rest must be observed.
   4. If a player pitches 21 - 35 pitches, 1 calendar days of rest must be observed.
   5. If a player pitches 1-20 pitches, no calendar day of rest is required.
6.  No coach or adult may warm up the pitcher on or off the field.
7. Failure to follow pitch count regulations will result in the suspension of the manager for 1 game.

7. Rain outs:

1. Postponements of games prior to game start time is determined by the City of Boca Raton field staff and not by the league (field condition hotline 367-7068).
2. Postponement of a game in progress is determined by the umpire in charge.
3. When lighting alarm sounds or when lighting is seen, all players MUST removed from the field immediately and seek shelter until the all clear siren is sounded. 
4. When lighting alarm sounds or when lighting detector is flashing, all players MUST be removed from the field immediately and seek shelter.  Note:  some fields do not have their own lightning detector.  These fields are monitored by nearby facilities.  For example, Estridge is monitored by Lynn university and Spanish River Park.
5. Games that get rained out:
   1. Prior to completing one inning of play will be rescheduled and began as a new game in its entirety and all records of the first inning will be expunged, except for days of rest requirement for pitchers.
   2. After one inning but before it can be considered an official game (4 innings), will be picked up at that point in the game when the game is reschedule to commence with a full 1 hour and 45 minutes of time to play.  The pitcher of record at time of the suspension will be allowed to continue pitching with a zero pitch count, as long as the days of rest requirement is met. 
   3. That have reached official game length (4 innings) but are rained out prior to completion or reaching the time limit, shall be considered an official game and final at that point. 
6. If your game is rained out, it is up to the managers of each team to coordinate and reschedule the game at the next available practice time.  Inform your commissioner of the time and date of the rescheduled game.  Consider enough time for the league to schedule umpires for the game. If the game is not played within 7 days, the game will be rescheduled by the commissioner.  Any team not able to field a team at the rescheduled date will forfeit the game with a 6-0 loss.  
7. Note: batting order and pitching regulations of any previous games still apply to all rescheduled games due to rain. Substitutes or new players will be added to the bottom of the order.  Missing players are skipped in the batting order with no penalty. 

8.  General rules

1. There will be a continuous batting order that includes all players on the team roster present for the game.  Each player is required to bat in his/her respective spot in the batting order.  If a player arrives late to a game, they are added to the end of the current lineup. 
2. In all divisions where a run limit exists, over the fence home runs are counted in full.  All runs earned from over the fence home runs count, regardless of the number of runs previously scored that inning.  
3. NOTE:  If a player is injured or leaves, the team will skip over him/her when it is his/her time at bat without penalty.  If the injured player returns, they are inserted into their original spot in the batting order and the game continues.  If a player is injured while at bat and can not continue, the next player in the line up takes his place and assumes the injured players pitch count. 
4. No more than two adult base coaches/manager are allowed on the field and one adult manager/coach must remain in the dugout.  (4.05)  Unless coaching a base or coach pitcher, the manager and coaches must remain in the dugout with the door closed. The assigned manager must remain on the field of play or dugout during the course of the game
5. There are no on deck batters allowed inside or outside the gates.
6. Gates must be kept closed to the dugout and to the field.
7. All male players must wear athletic supporters.  Male catchers must wear the hard cup protector. 
8. AAA 5-run limit per inning shall be imposed. 
9. AA Minors: 4 run limit per inning shall be imposed
10. Mercy Rule - When a team is mathematically eliminated from winning the game the team should concede victory.
    1. AA Minors: 9-run Mercy Rule - Down 9 or more runs after 4 innings, 5 or more runs after 5 innings
    2. AAA Minors: 10-run Mercy Rule - Down 10 or more runs after 4 innings, 6 or more runs after 5 innings
11. Each team shall have a minimum of 8 players to start the game.  If you find that you are not able to field 8 players for a game email your commissioner directly as soon as possible and they will find subs.  Subs will be provided to allow for 9 players not 10.

Subs from a lower division can play anywhere except pitcher and catcher and shall bat last.

Subs from same division bat last, play outfield and cannot pitch or catch.

11. All teams should play with a 4^th outfielder. 
12. If the manager or pitcher chooses to intentionally walk a batter, no pitches need to be thrown. The 4 pitches are automatically added to the pitcher's total pitch count.
13. If there are two outs a substitute runner may be used for the catcher only.  The substitute will be the player who made the last out.
14. All coaches on the field must be wearing the unaltered, league issued coaches shirt. 
15.   Runners are not allowed to make head first slides into a base, unless they are returning to the base.  Runners will be called out for a head first slides. 

 

16.   The butcher boy play is not allowed.  This is where the batter squares to bunt and then follows through with a full swing. 

 

17.  There is to be no alcoholic beverages or tobacco products consumed by volunteers or spectators during games or practices. 

 

18.   There is no “must slide rule” however a runner must slide or avoid contact with a defensive player who has possession of the ball.  A runner will be called out for violation of this rule. 
19.  Base stealing - (base running occurring after a pitched ball not put into play)

AA Minors

1. Base Stealing is Allowed - 3rd base and Home ONLY

AAA Minors

1. Base stealing on any pitch will be allowed.    A base runner can attempt to steal the base once the pitch has reached the batter.  
2. A base runner may advance on a wild throw to the base after stealing.   The base runner can also run to first base on ball 4 and attempt to steal second base.
3. If a base runner advances on a wild pitch, the play is still live and the runner can attempt to take an extra base. 
4. A runner may attempt to steal home on a pitched ball, passed ball, wild pitch or errant throw. (Starting from first game of the season). 

      20. A team may not hold any non-scheduled meetings consisting of five (5) or more players at a field or batting cage. Any                     such meetings will be considered an illegal practice subject to potential disciplinary action by the Board of Directors

 

J.  Base Running

As opposed to base stealing) is when a ball is batted into play remains a “live ball” and base running may continue until either time is granted by the umpire or the pitcher has the ball and a foot on the pitchers plate.

 

 

L.  Rotation:

 

1. No player shall be allowed to play the same position for the first 4 innings (except the pitcher).   Every player must play an infield position at least three (3) consecutive outs (one inning) within the first four innings of the game.
2. A player should not be allowed to play an infield position when in the opinion of the League,  Manager and Player Agent; the player may be at risk of injury solely because of a lack of skills. The Manager must present this opinion to President of League for approval prior to making any decision and the parents shall be informed before the next game 
3. No player will sit out more than one (1) inning per game unless all other players have sat out once.
4. Failure to follow these rotational rules may result disciplinary action taken by the board of directors. 

 

 

 

To break the tie between any two teams within a division:

The Team with the higher winning percentage in head-to-head games played between the two tied teams during the season; or

If the Teams remain tied, then to the tied Team that won the last game between the two tied teams during the season; or

If the Teams remain tied, then to the tied Team with the higher winning percentage in the divisional games during the season (use only if applicable); or

If the Teams remain tied, then to the tied Team with the higher winning percentage in the games played against the same opponents in cross divisional games (if another division exists).

If the teams remain tied, the last result of each team against the highest non-tied team within the division.  Note: use only one game per team, the latest game played. IF tied, then continue with the results of the last game against the 2^nd highest non-tied team, then 3^rd and so on; or

If teams remain tied that team with the highest season cumulative (all games) differential of runs scored less runs allowed will be used; or

If teams remain tied, that team that has scored the most total runs scored in all games.

To break the tie between any three or more teams within a division:

First, use only the result of the last game each team played against each other. The team with the best head-to-head Win-Loss record of those games advances or the team with the poorest record of the tied teams is eliminated.  As one or more teams advances or is eliminated from this process, remaining teams shall use the appropriate tie break system; or

If all teams remain tied, that team with the highest win/loss percentage of games played within the division.  If one team either advances or is eliminated from the process, the two teams remaining shall use the two team tie break; or

If teams remain tied, that team with the highest season cumulative (all games) differential of runs scored less runs allowed will be used. If one team either advances or is eliminated from the process, the two teams remaining shall use the two team tie break; or

If teams remain tied, that team with the most total runs scored in all games.

Examples :

1)   If the Team A, B and C end the season with identical records and it happens that A beat B the last game, B best C in their last game and A lost to C in their last game, A has a record of 1-1 B has a record of 1-1 and C has a record of 1-1. The finish would be determined by divisional record.

2)   If found B and C had tied with a better divisional record over A, then A would be seed last and eliminated from the tie breaker. With two teams remaining, B & C, use the two team tie break system, during the season B and C won and loss to each other, but since B won their last game against C, then B would be the higher seed, and C would be the next higher seed.  The ranking would be B,C,A.

3)   Two coach pitch teams (X and Y) have identical 7-6-1 records, they played each other 3 times and won-lost-tied a game with each other - the last game was a tie ’ and there was no other division, but the Y team beat the best team in the league last week that had a 13-1 record, team Y is the higher over team X since the last result the team against the highest non-tied team within the division.

4)   If 4 teams tied, and their records against each other was A: 2-0-1, B: 1-1-1 and C: 0-1-2, D: 1-2-0. Team A would advance to be the higher seed. With three teams remaining, restart the tie break procedure between B,C,D (removing the game against A): their records are now B: 1-0-1, C: 0-1-1 D: 1-1-0.  Team B would be next seed.  Then C and D remain and start into the two team tie break procedure. C and D played three times during the season, C beat D twice but lost to D the last game played, since C had the higher winning percentage in head-to-head games played between the two tied teams during the season, thus C is given the next seed and D would be the last seed.