In AAA, the kids will make the transition to the next phase of youth baseball, a game almost identical to adult, Major League baseball. Now that the kids have had the opportunity to master the basic skills of baseball, it is time to introduce more advanced skills: taking leads, pitching from the stretch, balks and passed balls, and the Infield Fly rule. The goal in this division is to introduce these new aspects of the game and to continue to refine the basic skills introduced in previous years, further increase their levels of awareness and responsibility within the game by again expanding the range of potential outcomes on the field and work on the intricate and subtle strategic maneuvers that make baseball the unique game of thinking, preparedness, and teamwork that it is.

NOTE: The Major League Rulebook is always in effect, unless superseded by a league modification in these rules.

The Field

• Bases shall be 70’ apart. The pitching rubber is 46 feet from Home Plate.
• The home team is responsible for preparing the field for each game. This includes setting the bases, lining and raking the field, and any other necesary field preparations.
• The home team is responsible for making all decisions on field conditions due to the weather.

Equipment

• METAL SPIKES ARE NOT PERMITTED.
• Nine players should be on the field at all times. Teams may play with 8 players. For teams that have more than 9 players at a game, it will become necessary to sit one or more player out each inning in the field. To deal with this situation, a rule has been created to ensure fairness: In order to keep nine players on the field at all times, a player rotation must be established. The manager has complete discretion as to which inning to sit out a player within the confines of the rotation.
• As this is Recreation Baseball, players shall rotate positions and all players shall play at least two innings in the infield. 
• This field rotation does not affect the batting order, everybody bats in regular turn.

Game play

• The games will be six innings in duration. Each inning will end after three outs OR on the play that scores the fifth run. Play will conclude in a half inning once the fifth run has scored. Any additional runs scored beyond the fifth run will count (in other words, the continuation rule is in effect). In the 6th inning, either team can score up to a maximum of ten (10) runs. No new inning can begin after 2 hours from the first pitch.
• A game halted during play for weather or time limit reasons will be considered complete if the losing team has batted at least four innings. Games called before this point can be rescheduled with the agreement of both managers. If at the end of 6 innings the score is tied, the game shall continue to a maximum of 8 innings.  If after 8 innings the game remains tied, the result will be a tie.

Batting

• All players on a team will bat in a continuous order in each game. 
• Slug-bunting/Fake Bunting and Swinging is PROHIBITED for safety reasons. This is defined as squaring around to bunt and then stepping back and swinging away.
• No intentional walks.
• A thrown bat results in a warning for the batter after the play has ended. Thrown bats calls are at the umpires discretion. All subsequent violations by either team will result in the batter being called out and all runners returning to the base occupied at the time of the pitch, again, at the umpires discretion.

Baserunning

• Players may lead and attempt a steal at any time the game is live.
• On an errant throw by an infielder or a subsequent errant play by the receiving infielder that travels beyond the field of play, the base runner (including the batter) may advance beyond the base to which he is going.  If the ball is thrown out of play, the runner is awarded the base he/she was headed to plus one additional base. Runners may score from third on an overthrow out of play.
• A straight steal of home is not permitted.
• Baserunners may advance on passed balls.
• AVOID CONTACT RULE: A runner must make an attempt to avoid contact at any base if a play is being made or they are out. It is not a MUST SLIDE rule, but sliding is recommended. Headfirst slides are prohibited, unless a runner is returning to a base. The intent in these instances is to encourage safety and avoid injuries or collision.
• Stealing any base is not permitted if a team is winning by 10 or more runs. 
• Courtesy runners are allowed for catchers with 2 outs. The courtesy runner must be the last recorded out. If a courtesy runner is used, that player much catch the next defensive inning.
• The ball will remain live when the ball is being thrown from the catcher to the pitcher. 
• The Infield Fly rule is in effect at this level. For more info, click here: http://www.littleleague.org/learn/newsletters/Fairball_Newsletter/2012/FBNov12/TheInfieldFlyRule.htm

Fielding

• Once the ball is put into play it is live.
• Play will stop when (a) a play has been made at a base and time has been called by the umpire; (b) the ball goes out of play on an overthrow and each runner is awarded the appropriate base; or (c) with the ball under the control of an infielder and time has been officially called by the umpire.
• The ball will remain live when the ball is being thrown from the catcher to the pitcher. 
• Dropped 3rd strike IS NOT in effect.
• Defensive players may not block bases if they are not in possession of the ball.

Pitching

• The pitching rubber is 46 feet from Home Plate.
• Pitchers MUST adhere to the following rest requirements:

66 or more pitches – pitcher is required to rest 4 calendar days before pitching again

51 to 65 pitches – pitcher is required to rest 3 calendar days before pitching again

36 to 50 pitches – pitcher is required to rest 2 calendar days before pitching again

21 to 35 pitches – pitcher is required to rest 1 calendar day before pitching again

20 or less pitches – pitcher requires no days rest and may pitch again the next day

• A maximum pitch count of 85 pitches will be observed. If the pitcher reaches their maximum pitch count limit in the middle of a batter, he may continue until the batter reaches base or is put out. Coaches must assign pitch counting to an assistant coach or scorekeeper.
• If a pitcher hits 2 batsmen in one inning or 3 batsmen in the game, he/she must be removed from the pitcher position. In this instance, he/she may be placed in another position in the field.  Umpire has total discretion as to removing a pitcher from the game for deliberately throwing at or hitting a batsman.
• The ball will remain live when the ball is being thrown from the catcher to the pitcher. 
• There are no intentional walks permitted.
• Balks will be called-after 1 warning per pitcher, per inning.
• Two conferences in one inning means the pitcher must come off the mound.
• Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, they cannot pitch for the remainder of the game.
• A pitcher 11 or under (or combination pitchers 11 and under) must pitch 2 of the first 4 innings of the game. The innings need not be consecutive. An 11 and under pitcher or pitchers must pitch 2 complete innings unless they walk a total of 5 batters or 2 hits batsman in one inning or 3 batsmen in the game. After 5 walks or 2 hits batsman in one inning or 3 hits batsmen in game or 5 runs the rule is considered satisfied and the team may use senior pitchers.
• Any player who plays “up” in this league will play one year as an eleven (11) year old (even though they are 10). (This does not include call ups from the lower level for a game or two!) Their next year in the league, said player will be considered twelve (12) for the experience on the mound even though they are 10.  If this player stays back the following year, he will have a second year at the twelve (12) level.

Mercy Rule

• If one team leads by 15 or more runs after the trailing team has batted 4 times, the game will be terminated and the team with the lead is declared the winner.  If the home team is behind more than 15 runs after the top of the inning, the inning should be completed. If a team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 5 innings the game is complete.

Coaching

• Weeknight game starting time will be 6:00 PM.
• The league will make a decision as to a rainout prior to the game, but no later than 4:30 pm unless rain begins after 4:30 pm.  
• If the game is not called by 4:30 pm and telephone contact cannot be made, then both managers must appear at the field with a playing team. Failure to field eight (8) players will result in forfeiture of the game.  Once the game is commenced, it should be called for weather or darkness by the home Umpire. ALL GAMES STOP IMMEDIATELY FOR LIGHTNING. If no lightning occurs for 30 minutes, game may resume.
• The winning team must be report scores to the scheduler. 
• Managers should try to reschedule and play rainouts.  The scheduler is the only one who can reschedule a game.  Please contact Tim Rice ([email protected]) to reschedule games in the next two weeks of the cancellation.
•  Any manager or coach involved in oral arguments and/or fighting during or after a game will be subject to discipline by the FCABSA Board on a case-by-case basis.
• Umpires have the right to remove unruly spectators from the game, interpreted as “the sight and sound of the field.”   

Callups

• Any player eligible for “AAA” Division can play in the next higher division. Playing up a division is at the sole discretion a parent and manager. A 12 year old or 13 year old player, at the request of the parents, can play down in “AAA” division. Such a request will be brought before the Board for a decision. The main criterion will be the safety of the players. Failure to follow these rules could result in forfeiture of a game