Last Updated 3/13/10

Rule 1

The “Official Regulations and Playing Rules” of Little League Baseball Inc, the League Constitutions, and Bylaws apply in their entirety to all divisions of Manchester Little League Baseball. (Major League, Prep League, and Tee-Ball standing rules may vary from league to league. League specific standing rules will be listed in the standing rules for that specific league).

Rule 2

The following Standings Rules for Manchester Little League Major League Division shall apply to the Minor League as well:

1. Rule 2 – Managers
2. Rule 3 – Coaches
3. Rule 4 – Registration
4. Rule 5 – Tryouts

Rule 3 – Mandatory Play Rule

1. Every player on a team roster must play a defensive position for six (6) outs, whenever his team participates in four (4) or more defensive innings.  If the team plays in three (3) defensive innings, then every player must play a minimum of three (3) consecutive outs.  There is no minimum playing time requirement whenever a team plays in the field less than three (3) innings.  If the home team scores the winning run in the last inning played, then the players in the field will be counted as having played the entire defensive inning.
   
   
2. Players failing to participate for the above mandatory playing time will start the next scheduled game and play no less than their mandatory time for Both Games (the remaining mandatory time from the previous game as well as the mandatory required time of the current game) prior to being removed from the game.
   
   
3. 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.   The offending team’s manager shall have 48 hours (2 days) to notify the Board of Directors. Failure of the offending manager to report the violation to the Board of Directors can give the appearance of an intentional violation. An intentional violation may invoke a more severe penalty allowed by Little League Regulation IV (i).
   

Rule 4 – Games

1. A time limit of 1 hour 30 minutes will be imposed on all regular season Minor League games. Unless tied, no inning shall start after the 1 hour 30 minute time limit. The next inning starts immediately upon completion of the last out of the previous inning.
   
   
2. If after four (4) innings, 3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall conceded victory to the opponent.
   
   
3. A pitcher (player) will be used during the entire season.
   
   
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	85 pitches per day
	10 and 9	75 pitches per day
	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 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 days 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. A player who is league age of 12 is not eligible to pitch in Minor League.
   
   
6. 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 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.

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

7. Base stealing will be allowed for the entire season.


8. 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.


9. No bat slinging. Players will be given a warning for the 1st bat slinging offense. On the 2nd offence, play will continue until all play has ceased.  The umpire will immediately call time and order the removal of the player if he has reached base.  The opposing manager will select the replacement runner from players that will not bat within the next 6 batting positions.  If the 2nd offence occurred without the batter reaching a base or being retired (still at the plate), then the next batter in the line-up assume his ball/strike count.  The offending player will be removed from the batting order for the remainder of the game. Under no circumstances will an out be charged due to bat slinging.


10. There is a 5 run limit per inning. When the 5th run scores, that half of the inning is over, regardless of the number of outs.


11. Two adult base coaches are allowed, provided that there is at least one other adult manager, coach, or approved league volunteer in the dugout.


12. The umpire and/or scorekeeper shall not direct the attention of any person as to the presence of an improper batter (batting out of order) in the batters box. They (scorekeeper or Umpire) are however allowed to point out an ineligible pitcher.


13. Subject to board approval, players may be disciplined and withheld from participation in regulation games.  Unexcused or excessive absences from practices or games are acceptable reasons.  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.
    


14. The home team’s manager is responsible for scheduling a trained person to keep the official score book 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 press box 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 the home plate area before the first games.
    


16. The home team manager is responsible for ensuring after the last game that the following is completed:
    
    a. The infield is raked.
    b. The bases, rakes, and other equipment are stored and locked in the gear lockers.
    c. The field lights are turned off (if applicable) and locked.
    d. The press box is cleared, scoreboard UNPLUGGED, windows closed, and press box locked.


17. The manager of the winning team is responsible for entering the 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 their own team after each game.


18. All injuries must be reported as soon as possible to the Safety Officer. All information must be written explaining in detail what happened, where the accident took place, type of injury, time or injury, what was done at the scene, and follow-up. Please include player’s name, team name, date, manager or coach signature. Accident Report forms will be provided to all managers at the beginning of the season. Additional forms can be obtained from the Safety Officer or at www.manchesterlittleleague.com as required.
    

Rule 5 – Replacement Players

During the course of the season, a Major League team may require a replacement player from the Minors. If a player from a Minor League team is selected as the replacement player, the Player Agent will notify the player, the player’s parents, and his or her Minor League Manager. A Minor League player refusing to join a Major League team will be ineligible to play Major League ball for the remainder of the current season in accordance with Little League Regulation VIII (b). In addition, the player will be ineligible for All-Star selection and must be reassigned to another Minor League team.

Rule 6 - Uniforms

1. Uniforms shall be worn in the appropriate manner with shirts tucked in pants.


2. Names (First, Last, Nicknames, Initials, etc) are not allowed on the shirt.


3. There shall be no altering of the uniforms in any manner, including cutting the neck or the sleeves.


4. Only league-supplied uniforms can be worn in ball games.  Privately purchased or privately funded uniforms are not allowed.


5. Hats and batting helmets shall be worn in the proper manner with the bill of the cap/helmet pointing forward.


6. Names, nicknames, airbrushed or painted artwork, graffiti, etc are not allowed on batting helmets.  A small number is acceptable on the back of the helmet.

Rule 7 - 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 like 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. If it isn’t fun it isn’t Little League