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Little League allows the local league(s) to make some rule adjustments for the benefit of play/players where it makes sense.  It may be the number of innings played, additional minimum playing time, at bats, etc.  Each division has specific local season rules (agreed upon by the local league and any other local leagues it will play with).

Below are the local rules for each division.  If a topic is not covered by the local rules, then the requirements/rules listed in the official Little League Rule Book are to be used.  Managers of both teams are responsible for meeting with the Umpire-In-Chief (UIC) before the start of each game to discuss the rules and any questions thereof.  If a topic is not covered by either local rules or the Little League Rule Book, the umpire has the final say in his/her ruling(s).

Local Baseball Rules

NCLL Local Baseball Rules 2024

ALL DIVISIONS

You must bat the continuous lineup. No child can sit consecutive innings on the bench. 5 runs maximum per inning including the last inning. No forfeits allowed. Use player pool, or defensive players from opponent is short players. You may run for the catcher or pitcher with a courtesy runner with 2 outs and the last out in the lineup. Time limit for all divisions except T-Ball will be no new inning after 1:45, and drop dead at 2:00.

T-Ball

The game will be played with the entire team batting each half inning. Game length will be 3 or 4 innings or 90 minutes maximum. There will be no outs. Ball must travel 8 feet from home plate to be considered a hit. The last batter in the lineup shall be announced, and upon hitting the ball will advance all runners including themselves until they reach home plate. No score will be kept, and using a player in the catching position is not allowed.

Coach Pitch

Can play with 4 outfielders if desired. Normally will pitch from a distance of 35’. For weaker batters you may pitch from a closer distance. The maximum pitches per player is 5 per at bat. Foul ball on 5th pitch does not count. No extra bases allowed on overthrows. Once the ball reaches the infield dirt, runners cannot advance past the next base. No steals, and catchers are optional.

Minors AA

The pitching distance will be 40’ from Homeplate. No walks until May 12th, as the coach will take over after ball four to the batter and assume the strike count. After May 12th, the coach will pitch to the batter when the 4th batter is walked in the inning. No bunting or stealing while the coach is pitching.

New Little League Rules



Little League Rule Changes for 2022



Regulation IV(i): Mandatory Play: Rule 2.00 and 3.03(a) Tournament Rule 9(e) - Mandatory Play/At-Bat Definition. 
Regulation VI, Tournament Rule 4 - Pitching Days Rest Threshold Exemptions and Notes. 
rule 1.11(a)(2); Policy:  The Official Shoulder Patch.

Pitching Guidelines

a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.) Exception: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.

(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. Intermediate (50-70), Junior, and Senior League Divisions only: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.

A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more (15- and 16-year-olds: 31 pitches or more) in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit (15- and 16-year-olds: 30-pitch limit) while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game.

(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:

League Age:
13-16 – 95 pitches per day
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 (c) 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. NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

 

(d) Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:

  • If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • 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) calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.

Exception: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold 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 retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. 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 or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.”

NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 30 pitches while facing a batter in the first game, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to pitch in the second game on that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher would be allowed to pitch in a second game provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 31 or more pitches in the first game, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not pitch in the second game that day);

 

(d) Pitchers league age 15-16 must adhere to the following rest requirements:

  • If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 61-75 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 46-60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 31-45 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 1-30 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.

Exception: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold 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 retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. 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 or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.

(e) Each league must designate the scorekeeper or another game official as the official pitch count recorder.

(f) The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either manager or any umpire. However, the manager is responsible for knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed.

(g) The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Regulation VI (c). The umpire-in-chief will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with Regulation VI (c). However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the umpire-in-chief, and/or the failure of the umpire-in- chief to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.

(h) Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. Protest shall be made in accordance with Playing Rule 4.19.

(j) A player who has attained the league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League. (See Regulation V – Selection of Players)

(k) A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.

Local Sponsors

Northern Calvert Little League Baseball and Softball

9765 Smith Way 
Dunkirk, Maryland 20754

Email: [email protected]