1. All nominations for returning first line coaches will be submitted by the managers to the Manchester Little League Vice-Presidents for presentation to the Manchester Little League President at least one week prior to try-outs.
   
   
2. The board using the procedures as stated for Managers in Rule 3 above must approve any new first line coaches. A new coach shall not be appointed nor approved until after the draft to avoid “Red Shirting” of players through selective coaching appointments.
   
   
3. Only under extenuating circumstances and with board approval shall a new first line coach be added to a team roster after the submission of the official team rosters to Little League Headquarters.

Rule 4 – Registration

1. Registration will be conducted in accordance with Little League policies and dates set by the Board of Directors. Parents or guardians of eligible candidates will be required by the Board of Directors to furnish such information as is needed to properly register a child to participate in the Manchester Little League program.
   
   
2. The Manchester Little League Board of Directors may assess a reasonable registration fee not to exceed $50.00 for each eligible candidate registering to participate in the Manchester Little League program. The fees will be charged as follows: For one (1) child the fee will be $50.00. Each additional child from the same family will be accessed a fee of $25.00.
   
   
3. No child shall be refused the right to participate in the Manchester Little League program due to an inability to pay any fees assessed by the Manchester Little League Board of Directors.
   
   
4. Player uniforms - Player's names or other additional insignia shall not be affixed to the uniforms without prior approval from the Board of Directors.
   

Rule 5 – Tryouts

1. All Player applications shall be turned into the Player Agent. The Player Agent will supply a player list to all managers giving player names and playing ages. The Player Agent’s list must be maintained as the basis for the future player replacement. Every player meeting current Little League age requirements residing within Manchester Little League boundaries is eligible to participate.
   
   
2. Tryouts will be conducted in the presence of all managers, or their designated representatives. If a manager will not be present, their designated representative must be reported to the Player Agent prior to the day of tryouts.
   
   
3. In the event of inclement weather, the Player Agent will set an alternate tryout date.
   
   
4. Eligible candidates missing official tryouts shall be notified by phone as to the date and place of the alternate tryout.
   
   
5. All players with playing ages 11-12 must participate in Major League tryouts, except for returning Major League players. Any players with playing ages 11-12 who fail to participate in 50% of the try-outs will forfeit eligibility for the pre-season draft and shall forfeit league eligibility for the remainder of the season.
   
   Exception 1: If, for any reason, a player cannot attend try-outs, an excuse must be presented to the Board of Directors and accepted by a majority of the board. If not accepted, the player cannot be enrolled at any level of the Manchester Little League program.  The Board of Directors may choose to allow a player who did not attend try-outs to participate in the Minor League system for the current year; however, that child will not be eligible to be picked up as a Replacement player for a Major League team as outlined in Rule 10 for the current season.
   

Rules 6 – Draft Procedure

1. National League and American League drafts shall be held concurrently. The National League will receive the first draft choice during even numbered years and the American League will receive the first draft choice during the odd numbered years.

2. Teams select players in reverse order of the previous year’s final standings, as determined by the previous year's City Tournament seedings. Thus, the last place team from the preceding season will have 1st choice in each round of the draft; next to last place team has 2nd choice etc.

3. Teams will draft in the above stated order until the number of players returning plus the number of drafted players equals eleven (11)..

4. Bonus Picks:

   1. Each manager requiring eight (8) or more players prior to the draft to complete their team roster, will be allowed one (1) bonus pick at the completion of round four (4).  If more than one manager requires a bonus pick for this reason, the order of rotation will be identical to that of the draft.  These bonus picks supercede those given by a player re-entering the draft (described below)..
      
      
   2. If a previously released player re-enters the draft and is selected by another team, then the released player’s original team will be granted a bonus pick.  This pick occurs at the end of the round that the released player was selected in the current draft.  If the player re-entering the draft is a brother or manager option, then the timing of the bonus pick will be determined by the majority opinion of managers attending the draft.  If more than one manager requires a bonus pick resulting from a re-entering player, then the order of the bonus pick will be the same as the order in which the re-entering players were selected.
      
      
5. Expansion Team Draft
   
   
   1. Each expansion team shall be allowed to select seven (7) players before the established teams begin to participate in the selecting of players on a rotating basis.
      
      
   2. The order of the expansion team draft shall be the same as the order of the regular draft.
      
      
   3. Manager’s options must be taken within the 1st seven (7) players selected.
      
      
6. Brother / Sister
   
   
   1. Managers may submit an option in writing on a draftee if the player candidate’s brother or sister is a member of that manager’s team. This option must be exercised within the first three draft selections.
      
      
   2. When there are two or more siblings in the draft, and the first brother or sister is drafted by a manager, that manager automatically has an option to draft the other brother or sister on the next turn. If the manager does not exercise this option, the second sibling is then eligible to be drafted by any team.
      
      
7. Children of Managers and Coaches
   
   
   1. If a manager has a son and/or daughter who is an eligible draftee, and wishes to draft them, the manager must submit this option in writing to the Player Agent one week prior to the draft.  The Manager then must exercise this option at or before the draft round as specified below:
      
      a. For an eligible draftee, player age 12, at or before Round 3.
      
      b. For an eligible draftee, player age 11, at or before Round 4.
      
      c. For an eligible draftee, player age 9 or 10, at or before Round 5.
      
      Parent/Manager options take priority over any other option; these provisions also apply to managers having an eligible brother or sister in the draft as well.
      
      
   2. A returning coach, through the manager, may exercise the above option in writing to the Player Agent provided:
      
      a.  The coach has served as a manager or coach in the league (at any level) for the past two years AND,
      
      b. The coach is returning to the same Major League team as last year.
      
      
   3. In the event a parent becomes a manager in another league, that parent may not claim the son or daughter.
      
      
   4. Parents of Major League players who become managers or coaches after their children have been selected to a Major League team may not automatically claim their sons or daughters. However, a trade satisfactory to all involved parties (managers, players involved in trade, parents of children in the trade) can be arranged through the Player Agent. All such trades shall be player for player only. Trades for draft picks are prohibited.
      
      
   5. A coach appointed as a “new” coach to a team for the current season, regardless of year’s service, cannot have the above option in accordance with the policies of Little League Baseball.

Rule 7 – Teams / Players

1. Each Major League team shall be comprised of 11 players.  Each team must have a full roster on opening day. Upon notification by the Player Agent, each manager shall complete his/her roster within a time specified by the Player Agent. In the event that a team loses a player during the season, the Player Agent and Board of Directors will be notified within three (3) days and the manager shall have ten (10) calendar days to fill his/her roster. Failure to abide by the above stated rule shall results in a player being appointed to the team by the Player Agent and the incident reported to the board for appointed actions.
   
   
2. Each Major League player acquired will, for the duration of his/her Little League career, be a member of the team making the acquisition, unless subsequently traded or released.
   
   
3. Once a Major League team has selected a player, the League associated with that team retains certain rights for the duration of the player’s Little League eligibility.  If a player subsequently quits or is released and later chooses to re-enter the draft, then his original team’s League retains exclusive drafting rights for the 1st round of the draft.  Beginning with the 2nd round of the draft, a team from either league may select this player.  This process is necessary to maintain the balance of talent between the leagues (American and National) and will help prevent ‘stacking’ one league for All-Star competition.
   
   
4. The Board of Directors reserves the right to maintain eligibility of any player whose residence changes after becoming a member of Manchester Little League. However, the best interest of the player must always be the prime consideration.

Rule 8 – Trade Procedures

1. Player Agent is to monitor all trades proposed by managers. The Player Agent must strive to maintain a balance in player talent between teams in the local league. Manchester Little League considers trades as a last option. Opening trades as a means of conflict resolution creates an element of abuse. To prevent the potential for manipulation of the system no trade will be considered unless there is a justifiable reason. Manchester Little League Board of Directors take the position that these players are not in the big leagues and should be afforded some stability throughout these learning years.
   
   
2. Policy requires trades, which involve players who are already on a roster (carried over from last season's team), be approved by the Board of Directors. Little League Regulation III (D) addresses trades of this sort conducted during the 1st 14 days of the current season. Little League Regulation III (E) addresses trades between seasons (off-season). The purpose of the review by the Board of Directors is to avoid trades that may not protect a player’s right to continue on his/her team. This review will also reduce the manager's and parent's opportunity to build a team that is not equal in talent to the rest of the league.
   
   
3. Trades may be approved immediately after the draft, prior to player notification, involving players acquired in the current season’s draft. There will be a time immediately after the draft when these trades may be approved. As with all trades,
   they must be approved by the Player Agent.
   
   
4. Little League Operating Manual Policy states trades may be made until 14 days after the first scheduled game. The following restrictions apply:
   
   
   1. Minor League players may NOT be traded for Major League players.
      
      
   2. All trades must be player for player only. (Example: Two (2) players from team A could not be traded for one (1) player from team B.
      
      
   3. Trades involving a player for draft choices are not permitted.
      
      

The Player Agent will monitor any attempts by managers and or parents to manipulate the system and thus create an imbalance in the league. ALL TRADES MUST BE FOR JUSTAFIABLE REASONS AND BE APPORVED BY THE MANCHESTER LITTLE LEAGUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

Rule 9 - Replacement Players

1. A player is considered lost if he/she quits the team or, due to injury or other justifiable reasons cannot play for the remainder of the season. Replacement players must be selected using the eligibility requirements stated in Rule 6 (E).
   
   
2. A manager requiring a replacement player, as determined by the board, may observe Minor League players to ascertain their baseball skill level. However, the manager may not inform the Minor League player or his/her manager that he wants that Minor League player to become a member of his team. The manager will instead inform the Player Agent of his intent to acquire the player. The Player Agent will contact the Minor League player and that players Minor League manager. Failure to follow this procedure shall be reported to the board for appropriate action.
   
   
3. A Player selected as a replacement and joining a Major League team becomes a permanent member of that Major League team.
   
   
4. A Minor League player refusing to join a Major League team is ineligible to play Major League ball for the remainder of that season, is ineligible for All-Star selection, and must be moved to a different Minor League team.
   
   
5. Replacement players from the Minor League are prohibited from being moved to the Major Leagues during the last two (2) weeks of the regular season schedule.

Rule 10 – Mandatory Play Rule

1. With an eleven man roster, a continuous batting order that includes all players on the team will be used.  If a child becomes ill, injured, or must leave the game site during a game, the team will skip over his/her time at bat without penalty.  If the player is later able to return, then they will be inserted into their original spot in the batting order.  If a player arrives after the game has started, the manager, if he chooses to allow the player to participate, must add this player to the bottom of the batting line-up.
   
   
2. Every player on a team roster must participate, in each four (4) or more inning game, defensively for a minimum of six (6) outs.  Each player must enter the game no later than the 4th inning.
   
   
3. When a violation of the mandatory play rule occurs the offended player(s) shall start the next scheduled game, play any previous requirement not completed as well as the requirement for this game prior to being removed (Little League Regulation IV (i)).
   
   
4. When a violation of the mandatory play rule occurs, the offending team manager, the official scorekeeper, AND the opposing team manager are responsible for notifying the Board of Directors. Any failure of a player to receive the minimum playing time must be reported by the offending manager to one or more of the following Board Members: the President, either Major League Vice President, the Secretary, or the Player Agent.  This notification must be made within 2 days of the infraction.  Failure of the offending manager to report the violation to the Board of Directors can give the appearance of an intentional violation, which may invoke a more severe penalty as allowed by Little League Regulation IV (i).
   
   
5. No such notice is required for teams involved in shortened games; however, the offending manager is required to provide notice whenever the affected player(s) does not: 1) start the next game; 2) fulfill playing time requirements from the previous game; and 3) play the minimum time for the current game. A game that ends after the top of the 6th inning, because the home team is ahead, does not qualify as a shortened game.
   
   
6. Managers involved in losing consecutive mercy rule games may appeal to the board for relief from penalties provided the manager has made a good faith effort to meet the mandatory playing requirements. 
   
   
7. A manager, who utilizes a substitution pattern that places the player's minimum playing time at risk, will be viewed harshly if that player fails to receive mandatory playing time. The Board will likely view such violations as an intentional act.
   
   
8. The manager, violating the mandatory playing time, shall for the:
   1. 1st Offense - receive a written warning from the Board or Directors.
      
   2. 2nd Offense - receive a suspension for the next scheduled game.
      
   3. 3rd Offense - be suspended for the remainder of the season.
      
      
9. The Board will impose two simultaneous penalties (shown above) on any manager who is determined to have intentionally violated the mandatory playing time requirements. For example, if the manager had not received at least one prior warning from the Board concerning mandatory play, then the offending manager would receive both a written warning and a suspension for the next scheduled game.  If the manager had already received a written warning for violation of mandatory play, the manager will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
   
   
10. Suspended managers cannot be in contact with his coaches at any time during the course of the game.  Suspended managers are not allowed in the stands, behind home plate, or behind the dugout.  The manager may, however, observe the game from beyond the outfield fence.  An acting manager (during the manager’s suspension) who fails to ensure all players receive the minimum playing time, may also be subject to suspension as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. 
    
    
11. Players subject to disciplinary action by the manager, subject to Board approval, do not have to meet minimum playing time.  Also, players, who arrive at the field after the game has started, do not have to receive the minimum playing time.  In such instances, the manager must notify the Umpire-in-Chief and the official scorekeeper of the situation prior to the start of the game.
    

Rule 11 - Games

1. The 1st game during weekdays will start at 5:00 P.M. The 2nd game immediately following the 1st game, but no earlier than 7:00 P.M. Teams playing the 1st game must be ready to take infield practice starting at 4:45 p.m.   Each team shall be given 7.5 minutes (or one-half of the available time) for infield practice, starting with the visiting team.
   
   
2. An inning starts the moment the 3rd out is made of the previous inning. Under no circumstances shall an inning start after 10:00 P.M. on any night. A game should not be started unless two (2) hours remain before the time curfew.
   
   
3. If after four (4) innings (three and one-half innings if the home team is ahead), one team has the lead by ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent.
   
   
4. Any player on a regular season team may pitch.  There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.
   
   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. NOTE:  A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
   
   

   	League Age 11 and 12	85 pitches per day
   	10 and 9	75 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 that batter reaches base or is put out.

       

   Pitches 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 day of rest must be observed
   • If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must be observed.
     
     
5. An official scorekeeper will be the official pitch count recorder.
   
   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.
   
   The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches of 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.
   
   A pitcher may not pitch in more than one game a day.
   
   
6. At the beginning of each game, the home and visiting team managers shall submit their lineup sheet to the Umpire-in-Chief (home plate umpire). Included on the lineup sheet will be a list of players on the team's roster and their jersey numbers. Roster players not present or present but ineligible for that game must also be noted. As soon as the home team’s lineup sheet is submitted to the Umpire-in-Chief, the umpires are in charge of the playing field. From that moment the Umpire-in-Chief has the authority to determine when a game shall be called, halted, or resumed on account of weather, conditions of the playing field, or other circumstances. The original lineup sheets' batting order retained by the umpire will become the official batting order. A copy of each team’s batting orders should be submitted to the official scorer at least 15 minutes prior to game time to allow adequate time to prepare the scorebook for the game.
   Note: Roster players who arrive at the game site after a game begins may be inserted in the lineup, at the manager's discretion. This applies even when a suspended game is resumed at a later date.
   
   
7. Rainouts are determined by the Manchester Little League President, or his duly-designated representative, PRIOR to the beginning of a game, and by the Umpire-in-Chief (home plate umpire) once he is in charge of the game (see above F).
   
   
8. If there is thunder or lightening present all play should be suspended.
   
   
9. Make-up games will be rescheduled as determined by the Vice President of that league. In the event that a game has to be rescheduled, that game moves to the next available normal game day slot. If more than 1 game is canceled, the games will be rescheduled in the order in which they were canceled. If this occurs during the later part of the regular season, it may become necessary to schedule a makeup game on a “non” regular game day slot.
   
   
10. Major League make-up games shall have priority over Minor League make-up games.
    
    
11. The umpire and/or scorekeeper shall not direct the attention of any person to the presence in the batter's box of an improper batter (batting out of order). They (scorekeeper or Umpire) are however allowed to point out an ineligible pitcher.
    
    
12. No bat slinging. This rule applies to unintentional bat slinging while at bat when called by the umpire. If the umpire deems that the bat slinging was intentional or feels it is becoming a safety issue, the player may be removed from the game. An eligible player from the team’s roster will be chosen by the opposing team’s manager to replace players removed from the game for bat slinging. Players will be given a warning for the 1st bat slinging offense and removed from the game for a 2nd offense. If the offending batter is still at bat when removed from the game the substitute player will resume the at bat. If the ball is hit into play when the 2nd offense occurs, after the resulting play has ended, the player will be replaced and the play will stand.
    
    
13. Two adult base coaches are allowed, provided that there is at least one other adult manager, coach, or approved league volunteer in the dugout.
    
    
14. The home team’s manager is responsible for scheduling a trained person to keep the official scorebook for the game. The visiting team’s manager is responsible for scheduling a scoreboard operator and announcer for the game. The announcer shall announce in an impartial manner the name of the players for each team as they bat. A minimum of two persons is necessary to adequately perform these duties. 
    
    
15. The home team manager is responsible for the preparation of the field to include raking the field and marking the first and third baselines, and correctly marking at home plate before the first games.
    
    
16. The home team manager is responsible for ensuring after the last game that the following is completed:
    1. The infield is raked.
    2. The bases, rakes, and other equipment are stored and locked in the gear lockers.
    3. The field lights are turned off (if applicable) and locked.
    4. The press box is cleared, scoreboard UNPLUGGED, windows closed, and press box locked.
       
       
17. The manager of the winning team is responsible for entering game score and summary information on the league's web site in a timely manner. Entering the scores will ensure that the standings are correct and the web site remains current. Each team is responsible for entering individual player statistics for the game on the league's web site.

Rule 12 - Parents and Spectators Conduct

1. Criticism
   Parents and spectators shall be encouraged to be positive in any criticism of the program and will to volunteer their services to improve the League. Their opinions and criticisms should be presented to officers of the League in a constructive manner.
   
   
2. Recognition of Volunteers
   Parents and spectators shall be encouraged to demonstrate that they recognize the effort expended by the volunteer personnel of the Manchester Little League program by refraining from unsportsmanlike conduct and grandstand managing.
   
   
3. Umpire
   Parents and spectators shall be encouraged to realize that the Umpire is the closest to the play and that each Umpire calls the play as he or she sees them. (The Umpires assume a difficult but necessary role).
   
   
4. Encouragement
   Parent and spectators shall be encouraged to recognize that Little Leaguers are children, not professional players, and need encouragement, not criticism.
   
   
5. Applause
   Parent and spectators shall be encouraged to applaud good plays and ignore errors. Parent and spectators should encourage greater effort, initiative, and hustle. They should congratulate the winner and encourage the loser. They should enjoy the game for what it is. If it isn’t fun it isn’t Little League.

Rule 13 - Standings / Tie-Breakers

1. Best Record
   The League champion is the team with the best overall record at the conclusion of the regular season.
   
   
2. Tied Record
   If two or more teams have an identical overall record at the end of the regular season, the following tie breakers will be followed in the below sequence until the final standings are established:
   
   
   1. Head to head record against each other.
      
      
   2. Best overall record against teams within their league.
      
      
   3. Best record against individual teams within their league. Comparing each tied teams’ head to head record against each team, starting with the first place team continuing through the last place team until one of the tied teams has an advantage over the other(s).
      
      
   4. Compare records against teams from the opposing league using the procedure in part 3 above.
      
      
   5. The league president, in the presence of the tied teams' managers, determines the winner using a coin toss.
      

Rule 15 - Post Season City Tournament

1. A full post season city tournament will be played if scheduling permits upon approval by the Board of Directors and Regional Headquarters, according to the schedule in the District Administrator’s book.
   
   
2. An abbreviated post season city tournament will be played if available time does not permit a full tournament. The Board of Directors will make this decision.