1) The home team will furnish one new game ball and a good backup ball for all games.
2) The coach or designated pitcher is to pitch the ball from the mound.
3) It is expected that all managers will make every rotate as many players as much as possible without putting a child’s safety at risk.
4) Each batter will receive a maximum of five pitches. After the fifth pitch, if the batter has not successfully hit the ball, he will be declared out unless the fifth or last pitch is a foul ball. The batter will then receive another pitch. If the last pitch is declared unhittable by the umpire, the batter will receive another pitch.
5) If the batted ball hits the designated pitcher, it is a dead ball and will count as a foul ball to the batter.
6) If the coach purposely interferes with the batted ball, the batter will be called “out”, and no runners may advance.
7) The coach pitcher is not allowed to talk to batters or base runners after he delivers the pitch to the batter if the ball is put in play. After “time” is called by the umpire, the coach pitcher may speak to the batters and runners. One warning will be given to the coach; thereafter the batter will be declared out and the coach pitcher will be removed from the game.
8) The coach catcher will stand behind his own defensive catcher. He may not instruct players during play, but may speak to them after “time” is called.
9) In order for “time” to be called for the defensive team, the players must stop the progress of the leading runner.
10) The player-pitcher must stand within six feet of the coach pitcher; he may not play in front of the pitcher’s rubber.
11) The entire team will be the batting order. The teams may field a maximum of ten defensive players at any one time; four of these players must be outfielders.
12) If a player is injured or sick during the game, his batting spot will be skipped and no out will be recorded. If a player leaves for any other reason, he is called out the first missed at bat. A late player will be added at the end of the batting order and may be put in the game upon arrival.
13) Six innings will constitute a complete game. The ninety-minute time limit will be enforced on all games.
14) In the event of a tie, one inning will be played to determine the winner. If the game is still tied, it will end in a tie.
15) Each team must have at least eight players to begin a game. A catcher must be used if a team has at least nine players.
16) When a player is injured during a game, time should be called immediately. The base runners will be allowed the base that they are going to plus one extra base.
17) The on-deck batter may not be out of the dugout at any time.
18) The “must slide” rule at home plate will be strictly enforced; the runner must slide if there is a potential play at home.
19) Slinging the bat can be very dangerous. The team will be warned the first time this occurs. If the same team slings the bat a second time during the game, an “out” will be recorded and no runners may advance.
20) One successful bunt per inning will be allowed. If a batter fakes a bunt attempt and swings away, his team will receive a warning. If this action occurs again by the same team, an out will be called and no runners may advance.
21) Two defensive coaches are allowed on the field while their team is on defense. These coaches must stand in foul territory along the left field and right field lines. These coaches may speak to their players at any time.
22) Only the manager will be allowed out of the dugout when the team is in the field. (This is in addition to the defensive coaches in the outfield). When the team is batting, only the base coaches are allowed out of the dugout. No other coaches or scorekeepers will be allowed out of the dugout.
23) If a batter hits a foul tip with two strikes and is caught by the catcher, an out will be recorded.
24) During each of the first five innings of the game, no team may increase its lead by more than five runs. (Example: the leading team may only score five per inning, but a team behind by seven runs can score twelve in an inning.) No scoring limit applies in the sixth inning or extra innings. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, only one extra inning will be played.
25) Plays at the plate are to be made by the catcher rather than another position player, unless the other player is backing up the play. The umpire will allow the runner to score if this happens during the game.
26) A courtesy runner will be used for the catcher when there are two outs in order to speed up the game. This runner will be the runner who made the last out of the inning.
27) Sliding is mandatory at home plate if there is a play. If an attempt is not made to slide on the play, the runner will automatically be called out. This is umpires discretion and cannot be disputed.
28) The home team will be stationed in the 1st base dugout and the visiting team will be in the 3rd base dugout.
29) All games will be played as scheduled unless cancelled by Ed Godfrey. If a team does not have at least eight players at game time, that team will be given a ten-minute extension before a forfeit will be declared.
30) The ten run slaughter rule after five innings will be in effect.
31) Tee ball bats are permissible assuming it states ‘Little League approved’ on it.
32) The season will begin on September 18 and the tournament will begin on October 30.
33) Please remember to show sportsmanship at all times as Little League is a game for the “kids”.
