League Rules | Pelham Little League

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League Rules

Pelham Little League Rules - All Leagues - WORD DOCUMENT

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PELHAM LITTLE LEAGUE RULES

C O N T E N T S

Mission Statement
Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct – Tips for parents
General rules for all leagues
4 Stars Rules –Intro to Baseball (boys &girls)
T- Ball rules ( boys & girls )
American League rules (1^st grade boys )
National League rules (2^nd grade boys )
Boys Minor League rules (3^rd & 4^th grade)
Boys Major League rules (5^th&6^th Grade & 7^thGraders born on or AFTER 5/1/02)
Boys Seniors (Those born between 5/1/1999 through 4/30/2002)
Girls International rules (1^st & 2^nd grade girls)
Girls Minor League rules (3^rd & 4^th grade girls)
Girls Major League rules (5^th & 6^th grade girls)
American League rules (1^st grade boys )
National League rules (2^nd grade boys )
Boys Minor League rules (3^rd & 4^th grade)
Boys Major League rules (5^th&6^th Grade & 7^thGraders born on or AFTER 5/1/02)
Boys Seniors (Those born between 5/1/1999 through 4/30/2002)
Girls International rules (1^st & 2^nd grade girls)
Girls Minor League rules (3^rd & 4^th grade girls)
Girls Major League rules (5^th & 6^th grade girls)

M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T

Pelham Little League ( “PLL” ) is incorporated as a non-profit organization. The mission of the PLL is to promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in little league baseball and softball in the Town of Pelham. PLL was founded in 1952.

Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the PLL baseball and softball programs assist local youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork, good sportsmanship and physical well being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the PLL baseball and softball programs aim to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes.

P E L H A M L I T T L E L E A G U E

C O D E O F C O N D U C T

All officials, coaches, parents, spectators and participants shall :

Respect one another
Respect officials’ decisions
Engage in fair play and abide by all game rules
Refrain from engaging in taunting of officials, coaches, parents, players, spectators or other participants by means of baiting or ridiculing
Refrain from verbal and/or profane abuse of officials, coaches, parents, players, spectators or other participants
Refrain from threatening physical violence or engaging in any form of physical violence
Win and lose with good sportsmanship and shall strive to make youth sports programs rewarding for all participants

Pelham Little League may ban the presence at events of any official, coach, parent, player, spectator or other participant who 1) engages in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any official, coach, parent, player, spectator or other participant, 2) initiates a fight or scuffle with any official, coach, parent, player, spectator or other participant or 3) engages in repeated or egregious violations of the Code of Conduct, if the conduct occurs at or in connection with such youth sports events.

In the event that any official, coach, parent, player, spectator or other participant is banned from attending youth sports events, such person may petition PLL for permission to resume attendance. Prior to being permitted to resume attendance, PLL may require such person to present proof of completion of anger management counseling or its equivalent.

P E L H A M L I T T L E L E A G U E

C O D E O F C O N D U C T - T I P S F O R P A R E N T S

Stay away from dugout/bench area. Please keep siblings & friends away as well, especially for safety.
If your child leaves the dugout/bench area during a game, encourage him/her to return to his/her team immediately.
If you are asked by a coach to “lend a hand” and accept, please do not undermine the assigned manager/coach’s authority.
Do not publicly ridicule the manager’s/coach’s/officials judgement.
Any disagreements with managers/coaches/officials should be taken up with them in a respectful and reasonable tone, after the game and away from “the crowd” so as not to embarrass your child, yourself, coaches or others. Use the “24 hour rule” as a guide – leave and wait 24 hours before doing or saying anything. It will make a huge difference.
Remind your children to respect their coaches and fellow players.
Remind your children to respect ALL equipment: theirs, their teammates and the league’s.
IF A COMFORTABLE DISTANCE IS MAINTAINED, IT WILL HELP COACHES TO COACH, PLAYERS TO PLAY AND ALL TO ENJOY.

Pelham Little League

General Rules for all leagues

Only the league commissioner can cancel and/or switch games – coaches cannot!

Information regarding the cancellation of a game due to the weather will be noted on the PLL website – www.pelhamlittleleague.org and

office phone (738-7555) by 4:30 pm on weekdays and as early as possible on weekends.
If a RED FLAG is posted at a field, the game is considered cancelled – NO EXCEPTIONS. Violation of this rule will result in an automatic forfeit for both teams.
All players are to be at their appropriate field at least 15 minutes prior to game start time to warm up and stretch.
Game time is start time, not warm up time.
Grace period of 10 minutes after scheduled start time – during weeknight games. Umpire has final say.
Games may start and finish with a minimum of 8 players.
Every player is in the batting order for the game – roster batting - in order.
Two forfeits by a Manager and/or Coach will disqualify them from coaching the next season.
No shorts. No jewelry.
No on deck batter/circle for 4 Stars, T Ball, American, National or Girls International.
No on deck batter/circle at Ingall’s, Hutchinson School or Spring Road fields – any league.
Helmets must be worn by all batters, base runners and player base coaches.
Players must slide to avoid imminent contact at any base.
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Belittling of any kind is unacceptable.
A player, coach or fan arguing with an Umpire is unacceptable. One warning will be given. Second time will result in an automatic ejection from the game, field and seating area. Failure to adhere to this will result in forfeiture by that person’s team.
Line up and shake hands at the end of every game
Please keep fields and dugouts clean after every game
A player must play in at least 60% of his/her teams regular season games in order to qualify to play in playoffs AND be considered for participation in summer and/or fall travel.
Playoffs and all star games, if any, will be outlined and scheduled by the PLL Board of Directors – no exceptions.

Pelham Little League

4 Stars Rules – Intro to Baseball (boys & girls)

GAME PARAMETERS:

60 minutes of field time every Saturday morning from 8:30-9:30 at Prospect Hill School – unless notified differently by league Commissioner.

1 – 1st 30 minutes will be used to teach the children the fundamentals of fielding ground balls and catching pop ups.

2 – Last 30 minutes will be used to teach the children the fundamentals of hitting and base running.

3 – Players hit off a batting “T” only – ABSOLUTELY NO PITCHING.

4 – Bats are provided (Foam Bats are used for the children’s safety) Please leave all bats at home or in the car.

5 – No jewelry is to be worn. Rings, earrings, necklaces etc…

PARENTS, THIS IS NOT A “DROP OFF” LEAGUE. PLEASE HAVE AT LEAST ONE PARENT PRESENT FOR EACH CHILD. PARENT PARTICIPATION IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS EXPERIENCE FUN FOR ALL THE CHILDREN.

With your help, we can make this season even more successful than last.

Pelham Little League

T-Ball – Instructional League (boys & girls)

GAME PARAMETERS:

90 minutes of field time to be used as follows:

- First 20 minutes (more if necessary) should be used for instruction/practice using structured drills, keeping players in small groups ( 3-4 per group ) with as many coaches as possible participating. Ideas on drills will be distributed.

- Remaining time to be used to play a game of as many innings as possible under the following rules:

Use batting “T” only – absolutely no pitching!
All players must bat in every inning, all players in field defensively.
No outs, every player bats in every inning to complete their half of the inning.
Rotate players at different positions as much as possible.
No on deck batter/circle – players should be kept behind a fence while teammates are at bat.
Emphasize to batters that bat throwing will not be tolerated.
Teach players to run thru first base.
Teach runners to be aware of base runners in front of them.
Teach fielders to field/retrieve balls hit in their immediate vicinity only. Multiple players should not be chasing the ball.
Generally advance one base at a time. Allow players with an exceptional hit to run out the extra base(s).
No score is kept – no wins or losses.

Pelham Little League

American League (1^st grade Boys)

GAME PARAMETERS:

90 minutes of field time to be used as follows:

-MUST USE FIRST 20 MINUTES (more if necessary) for instruction/practice using structured drills, keeping players in small groups ( 3-4 per group ) with as many coaches as possible participating. Ideas on drills will be distributed.

- Remaining time to be used to play a game of as many innings as possible under the following rules:

1- All players are in the batting lineup and play in the field – no one on bench.

2- No outs, everyone bats to complete an inning.

3- Rotate players at different positions as much as possible.

4-No on deck circle. Your team should be in a safe place (behind a fence) when others are at bat.

5- Coach pitching. 5 pitches per batter, then “T” is brought out.

6- Remind players not to throw bats after a hit.

7- Generally advance one base at a time. If a player gets an exceptional hit, allow them to go on to the next base(s).

8- Teach players to run thru 1^st base.

9- Players should be aware of players in front of them on the bases.

10- If a batter is out, remove them from the base.

11- No score is kept. No wins or losses.

12- Line up at the end of the game to shake hands.

Pelham Little League

National League (2^nd grade boys)

GAME PARAMETERS:

90 minutes of field time to be used as follows:

- Remaining time to be used to play a game of as many innings as possible under the following rules:

1 – All players are in the batting order – roster batting.

2 – EVERY player bats in every inning. No walks. When an out is recorded, the player simply returns to the dugout.

3- Field all players – no one on bench. 4 outfielders, 1 player on either side of pitchers mound & catcher ( in equipment ) if you have enough players.

4- Players must be moved around defensively.

5- No on deck area. Players should be in a safe place, behind fence when teammates are at bat.

6- No bat throwing after a batted ball.

7- Coaches will pitch for the first half of the season. Players will pitch (on a limited basis) in the second half. League commissioners will set date and parameters for player pitching.

8- Coach will throw 5 pitches per batter. If no hit, batter is out. Be flexible…

9- Generally advance one base at a time. If a ball is hit exceptionally well, allow players to advance to additional bases. Keep them from running wildly from base to base.

10 - Teach players to run thru 1^st base.

11- Teach players to be aware of players in front of them on bases.

12- When players begin pitching:

- Coach should be next to/behind player pitching.

- Pitchers throw 4-5 pitches to a batter. If no hit, coach steps in to pitch to batter. Repeat process for next batter.

- Allow player to pitch to several consecutive batters or one inning – coach’s discretion.

- No one should pitch more than 1 inning in a game.

- Coach has option of taking over all pitching of last inning of game.

Pelham Little League

Boys Minor League rules

the season. Any complaints will be directed to the league commissioner. Umpire judgement calls may not be challenged. Formal protests must be filed, in writing, with the league commissioner within 24 hours of game completion. The protest will be reviewed by the rules committee and a decision will be rendered before the teams next scheduled game. All decisions are final. PLL exception rules:

1- Every player must be in the batting order – roster batting. If a player leaves during any inning of the game, his/her batting spot is replaced with the next player in the line up.

An out is not recorded because that player has left. If a player arrives after a game has started, they are placed in the next spot – at the end – of the batting order.

2- Every player must have at least 3 innings of defensive play in the field.

3- 4 outfielders – all must be on the outfield grass.

4- A game may be played with 8 players. If a team only has 7, it may “borrow” an 8^th player from another team in that league. The league commissioner may disapprove a team’s selection of a borrowed player. Please use discretion, borrow a player of similar ability to one that is missing. * see below for further clarification of this rule.

5- Players MUST be moved around to different positions. We are trying to get each player 2 innings of infield play per game. If the commissioner has doubts about whether or not this is being done by every team, very specific and stringent minimum play requirements will be mandated.

6- Use as many pitchers as possible – it pays off at playoff time – you might find some pleasant surprises.

7-There is a limit of 6 runs per inning (except 6^th inning, which is unlimited). * see below for further clarification of this rule

8- Pitching limitations -SEE THE NEW HANDOUT

9- Unlimited stealing of 2^nd and 3^rd in an inning. No stealing home. On an overthrow on a steal at 2^nd or 3^rd base, the runner may not advance beyond the base they are stealing. This will encourage catchers to throw on steals. Players may only advance more than one base on a batted ball.

10 – NO INTENTIONAL WALKS.

11- WOOD BATS.OR ALUMINUM BATS WITH THE USA STAMP

Boys Minor League Rules – continued ( Rule clarifications 2015 )

MINIMUM # OF PLAYERS TO START A GAME (Regular season)

8^th player rule:

When a team has 7 players, it may borrow 1 (ONE) player from another team in that league to make an 8 player batting/fielding order. Borrowed player must be from the other teams in that league, not the opposing team in that game. Borrowed player should be of similar ability to the missing players – please make your best effort on this. The 8th player bats 8th & plays either right or left field only for the entire game and may not pitch. You may not borrow 2 players, as described above, to get 9 in the batting order and field.

If a team can only get to 7 players, it is a forfeit. Once the forfeit has occurred, you may use the field time you have for a practice or exhibition game.

9th player rule:

made the prior out. The 9th player must play right or left field but will not bat for the team he is "loaned" to. Once requested, the opposing team must comply and provide the 9th fielder to the "short" team.

TIME LIMTS

Weeknights or Impending darkness ( final game of the day ):

Umpire’s decision shall rule. No NEW inning should start if an Umpire feels a FULL FINAL INNING (top & bottom) cannot be completed due to darkness. If a game is stopped before the FINAL INNING is completed, the score at the end of the PRIOR full inning shall be the final score. Safety is first priority.

Saturdays - except last game of the day:

At game start, both teams should establish the game start time

No NEW inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes from game start. Once started, the full final inning should be completed.

The 6 run max rule is waived for the 6^th inning of games. It may be waived earlier in a game if both coaches and the umpire agree that they are starting a FINAL inning for that game.

GAME SCORING

Please confirm and agree upon the score at the beginning of every inning with the umpire and the opposing coach.

Pelham Little League

Boys Major League rules

Pelham Little League rules will consist of the 2015 official rules and regulations of Little League Baseball. The following are amendments to those rules. PLL may also amend rules at it’s discretion, at any time during the season. Any complaints will be directed to the league commissioner. Umpire judgement calls may not be challenged. Formal protests must be filed, in writing, with the league commissioner within 24 hours of game completion. The protest will be reviewed by the rules committee and a decision will be rendered before the teams next scheduled game. All decisions are final. PLL exception rules:

1- Every player must be in the batting order – roster batting. If a player leaves during any inning of the game, his/her batting spot is replaced with the next player in the line up.

An out is not recorded because that player has left. If a player arrives after a game has started, they are placed in the next spot – at the end – of the batting order.

2- Every player must have at least 3 innings of defensive play in the field.

3- 3 outfielders – all must be on the outfield grass.

4- A game may be played with 8 players. If a team only has 7, it may “borrow” an 8^th player from another team in that league. The league commissioner may disapprove a team’s selection of a borrowed player. Please use discretion, borrow a player of similar ability to the one that is missing. *see below for further clarification of this rule.

6- Use as many pitchers as possible – it pays off at playoff time – you might find some pleasant surprises.

7-There is a limit of 6 runs per inning (except 6^th inning, which is unlimited).*see below for further clarification of this rule.

8- Pitching limitations are a) Pitchers are limited to 65 pitches per game (finish a batter if it comes up in the middle of an at bat) b) 3 innings pitched (or less) needs 1 day of rest before pitching again – 1 pitch constitutes an inning. c) More than 3 innings pitched needs 3 days of rest before pitching again. d) Max of 6 innings can be pitched in a week (Sun –Sat).

9- Unlimited stealing of 2^nd, 3^rdand Home (within limits of #7 above ) in an inning.

10- WOOD BATS ONLY. League commissioner may prohibit the use of certain bats.

11 – NO INTENTIONAL WALKS.

Boys Major League Rules – continued ( Rule clarifications 2015 )

MINIMUM # OF PLAYERS TO START A GAME (Regular season)

8^th player rule:

If a team can only get to 7 players, it is a forfeit. Once the forfeit has occurred, you may use the field time you have for a practice or exhibition game.

9th player rule:

Once a team has 8 players to start a game, that team may borrow a player ("the 9th player") from the opposing team in that game to play the field only (defense). The 9th player should be the "last out" in the opposing team's order. In the first inning, it is the last batter in the opposing team's order. The 9^th player should not be the opposing team’s pitcher or catcher – defer to the player who made the prior out. The 9th player must play right or left field but will not bat for the team he is "loaned" to. Once requested, the opposing team must comply and provide the 9th fielder to the "short" team.

TIME LIMTS

Weeknights or Impending darkness ( final game of the day ):

Saturdays - except last game of the day:

At game start, both teams should establish the game start time

No NEW inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes from game start. Once started, the full final inning should be completed.

The 6 run max rule is waived for the 6^th inning of games. It may be waived earlier in a game if both coaches and the umpire agree that they are starting a FINAL inning for that game.

GAME SCORING

Please confirm and agree upon the score at the beginning of every inning with the umpire and the opposing coach.

Pelham Little League

Girls Softball – International Division - League rules (1^st & 2^nd Grades )

GAME PARAMETERS:

90 minutes of field time to be used as follows:

- Remaining time to be used to play a game of as many innings as possible under the following rules:

1 – All players are in the batting order – roster batting.

2- An inning consists of 3 outs or “batting around”, whichever comes first. No walks.

3- Field all players – no one on bench. 4 outfielders, 1 player on either side of pitchers mound & catcher ( in equipment ) if you have enough players.

4- Players must be moved around defensively.

5- No on deck area. Players should be in a safe place, behind fence when teammates are at bat.

6- No bat throwing after a batted ball.

7- Coaches will pitch for the first half of the season. Player pitching in the second half. League commissioners will set date and parameters for player pitching.

8- Coach will throw 5 pitches per batter. If no hit, bring out batting “T” for batter.

9- Generally advance one base at a time. If a ball is hit exceptionally well, allow players to advance to additional bases.

10 – No stealing of any base. Runners may lead after the pitch crosses home plate.

11- Teach players to be aware of players in front of them on bases.

12- If a player makes an out, the player leaves the field.

13- When players begin pitching:

- Coach should be next to/behind player pitching.

- Pitchers throw 4-5 pitches to a batter. If no hit, coach steps in to pitch to batter. Repeat process for next batter.

- Allow player to pitch to several consecutive batters or one inning – coach’s discretion.

- No one should pitch more than 1 inning in a game.

- Coach has option of taking over all pitching of last inning of game.

Girls Softball – Minor Division - League rules (3^rd & 4^th Grades )

All players bat – roster batting.
10 players on the field defensively.
4 outfielders – all on outfield grass when ball is pitched.
Infielders must start on infield dirt. Not allowed on grass except when “charging to field a ball.
Free substitution throughout the game. Every player must play at least 3 innings in the field defensively.
Must use SBC – 11 ball or equivalent.
Game consists of 6 innings or 90 minute time limit, whichever comes first.
No stealing.
Leading from bases permitted only after a pitch passes home plate. Must return to base when ball returns to pitcher on mound.
Pitchers mound is 30 feet from home plate.
Bunting is permitted – NO SLASH BUNTING (faking bunt then hitting away).
6 run limit per inning (except for 6^th inning – unlimited)
3 consecutive walks, or 4 in one inning, results in an AUTOMATIC – pitching change. Next pitcher is allowed one walk in that inning then all players must hit or make an out.
Pitchers are limited to 2 innings per game & 6 for the week (Sunday – Saturday )
On a batted ball there is no advancing to the next base on an overthrow
No base awarded to a player hit by a pitch
3 batters hit by a pitch in an inning by the same pitcher results in a pitching change

Pelham Little League

Boys Seniors (Those born between 5/1/1999 thru 4/30/2002)

And

Girls Softball – Major Division - League rules (5^th & 6^th Grades)

N O T A P P L I C A B L E

Games are played in the “New Rochelle” league and their league rules govern.

Please ask your respective coaches for rules.