Little League Baseball and Softball
2025 Rule Changes
Baseball and Softball
Regulations (Summary)
Regulation I(c): Updates made to Regulation 1(c) 8 & 9 to require all background checks to be conducted through J.D. Palatine (JDP), with no other providers being accepted.
Regulation I(c): Updates made to Regulation 1(c) 10 to require all individuals who complete the volunteer application to complete the required annual abuse awareness training through the Little League Abuse Awareness Couse, available at LittleLeague.org/AbuseAwareness.
· Please note that the Child Protection Program has been updated for the 2025 season.
· Please review all updates at LittleLeague.org/ChildProtection.
Regulation II: Updates made to Regulation II to reflect that starting with the 2025 season, children at the youngest level of the program (league age 4-7) will have the ability to register for any program they register under this option will also be fully eligible to participate in all aspects of league play, including International Tournament play, for the duration of their Little League careers provided they have continuous and unbroken participation within the specific league where initially registered and provided all other participation eligibility requirements have been meet.
· Additional information regarding this change may be found at LitteLeague.org/2025Registration.
Regulation IV(i): Mandatory Play for Senior League: Eliminates Mandatory Play for the Senior League Division only.
Softball
Regulation VI(d): removes the restriction on the number of pitchers that a team can use in one game in the Little League (Major), Junior, and Senior League Divisions.
Significant Rule Changes (Summary)
Regular Season Changes
Baseball and Softball
Rule 1.10 – A.R. 2 – Alterations or Modifications made to the Bat: Clarifies that products, such as, but not limited to, choke-knobs, choke-up assists, or thumb protectors are considered alterations to the bat and are not permitted.
Rule 1.11 (a)(3) – Neoprene Sleeves: Permits neoprene sleeves to be worn without being covered by an undershirt, provided the neoprene sleeve is a solid color and not white or gray.
Rule 1.11 (j) – Jewelry: Removed Rule 1.11 (j) to remove the requirement that jewelry, other than medical alert, should be removed, permitting jewelry to be worn.
Rule 1.16 – Helmet Stickers: Permits the use of helmet stickers or decals, provided that such usage is not excessive.
Rule 2.00 – At-Bat (Note 1 and Note 2): Clarifies that when using the continuous batting order, players do not need to meet the running portion of the mandatory play.
Rule 2.00 – Courtesy Runner, Rule 3.04, Rule 7.14(b), and Tournament Rule 3(d): This change provides clarifications for using a courtesy runner with both the traditional batting order and the continuous batting order. It also clarifies that when using the continuous batting order, the offense may use a courtesy runner for both the pitcher and catcher of record at the same time when there are two outs.
Rule 3.01 – Pregame Equipment Inspection: Removes the requirement for umpires to check equipment prior to the start of the game by placing responsibility for legal and proper equipment on the manager.
Regulation VI(b), Rule 3.03(c), 8.06(b)-Note Tournament Rule 4(c), Tournament Rule 9(a), and Tournament Rule 10(h) – Pitchers Moving to a different defensive position once removed from the mound: Provide consistency and clarification in the working that a pitcher, in the Intermediate (50/70) division/Junior/Senior Baseball, remaining on defense in the game but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game. To return as pitcher, once removed from the mound, the player must remain in the game defensively.
Rule 3.17 – Electronic Devices: this change permits a team to use one-way communication to the catcher while the team is on defense.
Rule 7.15(g) – Procedures for the use of a double first base. Makes the working of 7.15(g) consistent with the wording provided in the Softball Rulebook for the same rule.
Softball
Rule 8.02 (a)(1)- Approved Substances on the Pitching Hand or Fingers: Clarifies non-approved substances on the pitching hand or fingers versus the use of approved substances under the judgment of the umpire.
Tournament Rule Changes
Tournament Rule 3 – Playing Rules (Pregame Equipment Inspection): Removes the requirement for umpires to check equipment prior to the start of the game by placing responsibility for legal and proper equipment on the manager.
Baseball
Tournament Rule 14 – Tie Game: This change eliminates playing the seventh inning (Intermediate (50/70)/Junior/Senior League): eighth inning) by placing the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning on second base to begin each extra inning.
Softball
Tournament Rule 14 – Tie Game: This change eliminates playing the seventh inning (Junior/Senior League: eighth inning) as normal. Now, the tiebreaker will begin immediately in the seventh inning (Junior/Senior: eighth inning) by placing the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning on second base to begin each extra inning.