Streamwood Little League
AA Division Rules of Play – Spring Season

These rules are intended to provide a clear, consistent, and age-appropriate playing experience for all participants in the Streamwood Little League AA Division.

The most current edition of Little League Baseball Regulations and Playing Rules shall govern all games except where those rules conflict with the league-specific rules listed below. In the event of a conflict, the rules below shall apply.

1. Game Length

• All games are scheduled for six (6) innings.

• No new inning may begin after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the first pitch.

• A game is considered official after three (3) complete innings, or 2½ innings if the home team is ahead.

2. Slaughter (Mercy) Rule

A game will end early if any of the following conditions are met:

15-run lead after

• 3 innings (visiting team)

• 2½ innings (home team)

10-run lead after

• 4 innings (visiting team)

• 3½ innings (home team)

8-run lead after

• 5 innings (visiting team)

• 4½ innings (home team)

3. Player Participation Requirements

• No player may sit out twice before all players have sat out once.

• Every player must play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs per game (outs do not need to be consecutive).

• By the end of the 4th inning, every player must have:

  • Played at least one inning in the infield (P, C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS)

  • Played at least one inning in the outfield (LF, LC, CF, RC, RF)

• No player may play the same defensive position more than four (4) innings in a game.

• Four (4) outfielders are permitted.

• A game may be played with as few as seven (7) players.

• If a team has fewer than seven (7) players 10 minutes after the scheduled start time, the game will be ruled a forfeit.

4. Base Running

• Stealing is not permitted.

• No lead-offs are allowed. Each team will receive one warning; on the second offense, the runner will be called out.

• Secondary leads are allowed once the ball reaches home plate.

• Runners must slide feet-first at 2nd base, 3rd base, and home plate to avoid contact.

• No sliding into 1st base is allowed.

• A runner will be called out for:

  • Head-first sliding

  • Sliding into 1st base

  • Initiating contact with a fielder

• On any defensive overthrow, a dead ball is called and runners may not advance.

• Runners may not advance extra bases on overthrows.

• Runners may advance on any ball hit to the outfield unless a dead ball is declared.

5. Batting Rules

• Bunting is allowed during player pitch only.

• Bunting is not allowed during coach pitch.

• Once a bunt is shown, the batter may not pull back and swing. Violation results in the batter being called out.

• No walks are awarded.

• A maximum of five (5) runs per inning is allowed.

• The five-run limit is suspended in the final inning, as agreed upon by both coaches.

• Late-arriving players will be added to the end of the batting order.

• If a player is injured and unable to bat, their spot may be skipped with no out recorded.

• A continuous batting order is used.

6. Pitching Rules

• All Little League pitching rules and limits apply unless otherwise noted.

• Pitching distance is 42 feet.

• A pitcher may throw a maximum of 50 pitches per game.

• Any pitcher who throws 41 or more pitches may not play catcher for the remainder of that day.

• A pitcher must be removed if they:

  • Hit two (2) batters in one inning, or

  • Hit three (3) batters in a game

• A pitcher removed from pitching may not return to pitch in the same game.

• A player may pitch in only one game per day and may not pitch three consecutive days.

Pitch Count Rest Requirements

• 1–20 pitches: 0 days rest

• 21–35 pitches: 1 day rest

• 36–50 pitches: 2 days rest

Player Pitch / Coach Pitch Transition

• Every at-bat begins with player pitch.

• The player pitcher must complete the at-bat until:

  • The batter strikes out

  • The ball is put in play

  • The batter receives four balls (walk)

• After a walk, coach pitch takes over and inherits the count.

• If a batter is hit by a pitch, they may:

  • Take first base, or

  • Continue the at-bat with coach pitch inheriting the count

• Coaches may pitch from a standing or kneeling position (kneeling recommended).

• High-arc or rainbow pitches are not allowed during coach pitch.

Pitch Count Tracking

• All teams must accurately track pitch counts.

• Pitch counts must be entered into GameChanger within 24 hours of game completion and before the team’s next game.

7. Defense

• Teams will field ten (10) players:

  • 1 pitcher

  • 1 catcher

  • 4 infielders

  • 4 outfielders

• The infield fly rule does not apply.

• No coaches are allowed on the field while a team is on defense.

8. Scorekeeping and Standings

• Scorekeepers from each team must confirm the score each half-inning.

• The home team manager is responsible for entering the final score into GameChanger.

• Standings will be maintained in GameChanger.

• Games tied at the end of regulation end in a tie.

• Games stopped due to weather or darkness after becoming official will use the score from the last completed inning.

• A forfeited game will be recorded as a 7–0 shutout.

9. Player Eligibility & Pool Players

• Pool players are permitted but may only pitch for their rostered team.

• Maximum pool players allowed:

  • One (1) pool player if a team has 9 players (maximum of 3 innings)

  • Two (2) pool players if a team has 7 or 8 players

• If a team has 8 rostered players, pool players must substitute for each other.

10. Tie-Breakers (End-of-Season Tournament)

Tie-breakers will be determined in the following order:

1. Head-to-head result (if only two teams are tied)

2. Total runs allowed

3. Run differential

4. Total runs scored

5. Coin flip

11. General League Rules

• All coaches must arrive 45 minutes prior to game time.

• No players may be added to a roster without league approval.

• In the event of weather-related cancellations, league officials will notify managers via phone and email.

• Coaches, players, and parents are expected to treat opponents with respect and sportsmanship.

• No infield practice is allowed before games.

• Teams may play catch in the outfield if time permits.

• No flip drills, soft toss into fences, stepping on foul lines, or stepping in batter’s boxes before games.

• All teams should be ready to play 30 minutes prior to scheduled game time.

• There are no additional “house rules” beyond those listed in this document.