AAA DIVISION RULES
Games must start on time. No infield practice shall be taken if it will delay the start of the game.
12 run Mercy rule is in effect after 4 innings of play ( 3 1/2 if home team leads). If the visiting team has a 12 run lead or more the home team must bat in the Home half of the inning.
In the Home half of inning 4 or later, if the Home team should achieve a lead of 12 runs or greater, the game shall end due to the Mercy rule. For instance, as they come to bat in the bottom of the 4th inning, the Home team leads by 8 runs. During their at bat, they score 4 runs. The game is over. When trailing, if the home team scores enough runs to invalidate the mercy situation, the game continues into the next inning (assuming that it is not the last inning of the game).
A game shortened by darkness, weather, time limit etc 4 innings is an official game
A game not completing the above requirements will be a suspended game and will resume exactly where it left off at a later date.
No new inning may start after 2 hours from when the game began when there are games following.
"Speed Up Rule"
With 1 out and the following innings catcher on base, he may be removed for a pinch runner to speed up the game. The player being removed can only be run for by the player who had made the last out of that inning.
No game may go more than eight innings
Home team uses first base dugout
A game may start with 8 players. Any player arriving after infield practice has started or line-ups have been exchanged will be inserted at the bottom of the line up.
A continuous batting order will be used.
Managers are strongly encouraged to rotate their players continuously throughout the game.
With : 13-14 players in the line up- 3 defensive innings are required
12 players in the line up- 4 defensive innings are required
11 players in the line up- 5 defensive innings are required
5-run rule per inning. Play will continue with respect to the fifth run. ( Example: If a player hits an HR let him finish even if his run doesn't count)
When a ball is controlled by a player in the infield the play is over. Any runner advancing towards a base before it is controlled can continue on to that base. If the player who is controlling the ball chooses to then make a throw on the runner, it will be at their own risk and the ball is again live.
There is no five run rule in the sixth or final inning. Final inning (unless the 6th) shall be determined by both coaches and the umpire prior to the top half of the inning.
Bunting is allowed- Maximum of 2 playable balls per game. (Third strike bunt is included as playable)
There is stealing of second base, one time per inning. If a runner is called safe or out, it constitutes a steal of second base.
Unlimited stealing of third is permitted with no advancement to home on a miss thrown ball.
No stealing of home.
THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO ON DECK BATTER. All players shall be in the dug out except for the batter.
A Manager, 2 coaches and 1 score keeper only are permitted in the dugout only.
A team that is short players may borrow a player of similar ability from another team to make a 9th player. Borrowed player must bat last and play no more than 1 inning in the infield. This is for regular season only.
Pitching regulations are to be followed with no exceptions.
Pitching
a.) Any player on the team may pitch. (There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game)
b.) Players once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers: A pitcher remaining in the game may play any position in the field except catcher.
c.) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position.
d.) A catcher who catches 4 or More innings in game is INELIGIBLE to pitch for the remainder of the game.
e.) Any pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game may not go behind the plate to play catcher for the remainder of the day.
League Age: 11-12 85 pitches per day
9-10 75 pitches per day
7-8 50 pitches per day
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI© for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs:
1. That batter reaches base;
2. That batter is put out;
3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning.
Pitchers league age 12 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements (Reg VI: Option 2). This option increases the days of required rest but eliminates the skip game, allowing players to pitch in consecutive games if the following is met:
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observe
If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed
If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed
If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calander day of rest must be observed
If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar rest is required
Completion of pitching to batter: If a pitcher reaches the pitch-count limit for their day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until the batter reaches base, the batter is retired, or the third out is made to complete the half-inning. The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed before delivering a pitch to another batter.
Clarification on the Misnamed "MUST SLIDE" rule. Little League DOES NOT have a MUST SLIDE rule- The rule states "it is slide or attempt to avoid contact and this only when the defensive player(catcher) is in POSSESSION of the BALL and WAITING to make a TAG. Please ensure that your players under this rule and WHY we have it. There is NO BARRELING over the CATCHER under any circumstances.
Throwing or slamming of bats- 1st offense-warning
2nd offense-batter called out. If offense takes place after at bat is over, he will be out in next turn at bat.
3rd offense - removal from game.
Obstruction rule: A defensive player (including the catcher) may not block the base without the ball. A runner coming home must make an effort to slide or avoid contact with the catcher. A runner may not under any circumstances "barrel over the catcher" and at the discretion of the umpire may be ejected from the game.
Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any area of the ballpark.
The rules listed here are to be followed throughout the season. No managers may make agreements to alter or change them at any time. Consult the Little League rule book for any rules not listed here.