TEXAS DISTRICT 31
TOURNAMENT GROUND RULES
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
Revised 4/2025
1. The visiting team should be ready to take infield 30 minutes before game time. The home team should be ready at least 20 minutes prior to game time.
2. Extra Coaches are not permitted to coach or manage in any manner and are not allowed on the playing field at any time, prior to, during or after the games.
3. All players, managers, coaches and umpires are required to stay within the fenced playing field once the game begins, except for restroom use or emergencies.
4. The players, manager and coaches and tournament officials ONLY will be allowed on the field or in the dugout. (Note: Little League Tournament Rules limit the number of adults allowed in the dugout or on the field). Safety rules require those in the dugout to be seated rather than pacing up and down or hanging out of the dugout.
5. Fans, photographers and news personnel are not allowed on the field at any time, prior to, during or after games. Please check with the tournament director for approved places where news personnel may shoot video or photography for news purposes.
6. Recording devices, including but not limited to cell phones, video cameras, etc. are not permitted to be attached to a fields backstop or adjacent/surrounding fencing and/or dugouts. Please refer to LL Streaming Guidelines page on this website for more information or visit https://www.littleleague.org/help-center/internet-webcast-and-streaming-faqs/
7. The manager is the only one authorized to request timeout. Only after the time-out has been granted by the umpire(s), will that adult manager or coach be permitted to leave the dug-out.
8. In accordance with Rule 3.17, the use of electronic equipment during the game is restricted. See penalty under Rule 3.17.
9. No outside food or drink are allowed at the tournament sites. Spectators are not allowed to bring in any outside food, ice chest or coolers. However, teams are allowed to bring in coolers or ice chests to be placed in the dugouts which can only contain bottled water, Gatorade products and other items to keep players hydrated during the game. (NOTE: No glass containers are allowed in the dugouts).
NOTE: Teams cooler and/or ice chest must be checked in with the tournament director and must remain in the dugout for use by players during the games. Immediately after games those coolers and/or ice chests must be removed and placed in vehicles. (Please do not pass out drinks to team members after games from those coolers and/or ice chests).
Host leagues use the concession income to help offset the cost of providing the facilities for use by the teams during the tournaments. Please purchase your team drinks and refreshments from the concession prior to and after games.
10. All equipment used in tournaments must be clearly identifiable as Little League Approved. Tournament Directors will check all equipment prior to the first game of the tournament. Managers and coaches understand and confirm all equipment meets Little League specifications. Managers and coaches understand the penalties for illegal equipment.
NOTE: Noise makers such as bells, sirens, whistles, air horns, and jugs with rocks in them are NOT permitted at any tournament site.
NOTE: Any walk-up music can only be played when players are approaching and reach the home plate area. League officials, tournament directors, and umpires have the sole discretion to permanently terminate walk-up music that is deemed inappropriate, distracting, offensive, explicit, etc. Once the request is communicated to terminate the playing of music, the equipment must be immediately removed from the playing area.
11. Spectators, players, managers or coaches of one team shall not yell strike, swing or make other remarks towards players of the opposing team or umpire. Stomping feet, cadence counting and clapping of the hands for the obvious intent of distracting the other team will not be permitted. The umpires and tournament officials have the right to rule on any noise they feel is distracting.
12. Jewelry is allowed unless deemed unsafe by tournament umpire.
13. Each team must position a protection player (spotter) facing the batter in order to stop any batted ball from striking the pitcher warming up outside the outfield foul lines or in the bull pen. (Note: Only Pitchers and Catchers are allowed in the bull pen at any time.)
14. Foul or rude language or unsportsmanlike conduct by spectators will not be tolerated and can result in offenders being barred from the Little League Park.
15. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WILL BE ALLOWED at any Little League Tournament Game.
SOFTBALL ONLY
If Manager and Coaches of a Softball Tournament Team are male, then that team must have an adult female assistant present at all practices and games. During Tournament games, the female assistant may occupy a seat outside, but close to the dugout.
Thunderstorm & Lightning Policy for all Tournament Games:
During a game, if lightning is seen, within 10 miles, or thunder is heard, umpires shall suspend all play immediately. Umpires and Tournament Directors shall work together to assure safety of all involved in the Tournament Games.
When play is suspended, players, coaches and parents should move immediately to a safe place. No one should take shelter in the dugouts during a thunderstorm. These locations are not safe from a lightning strike.
Games suspended by lighting shall wait 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or when reported outside 10 miles of the playing area by an approved lighting application. Each visible lighting strike resets the 30 minute delay clock.
All Tournament Directors and Game Officials should have access and utilize to the WeatherBug Little League software program. Tournament Directors shall monitor the weather and work with the umpires to assure play is resumed only after all lightning threats are resolved.
Please refer to Appendix A Lightning Safety Guidelines which are included in Little League Rulebooks and part of the Little League Regulations.