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Little League Rule Changes for 2025

Baseball Rules
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).

NCLL Local Baseball Rules 2025
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.

Pool Player Rules
1. Pool players can not be added beyond the 10th player that day.
2. Pool players can not pitch.
3. Pool players must bat last in the lineup.
4. Playing time for a pool player can not exceed that of any current rostered player.

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
No players will sit the bench; "standard" infield positions will be filled, and all other defensive players present will play the outfield. 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. For batted balls hit to the outfield, the batter and any base runners may take more than one base. Once the ball is returned to the infield dirt, runners cannot advance past the next base. No steals, and catchers are optional (but highly encouraged).

Minors AA (in development, to be finalized for 2025 Spring season by end of February 2025)
The pitching distance will be 40’ from home plate. 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.