San Jose American Little League Division Rules
X. DIVISION RULES
A. GENERAL
The local ground rules and regulations are intended to remain as constant as possible from year to year.
Changes are to be made only when required by the Official Rules, or in order to improve the quality of playing conditions for the children involved in this program. Board approval is required for any changes.
• The team manager shall have their players at the designated field not less than forty five (45) minutes prior to the scheduled game time.
• Lineups shall be presented to the scorekeepers not less than ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled game time to assist the official scorekeeper in preparing for the game.
• Lineups will be exchanged with the umpire and opposing manager at the pregame meeting at home plate prior to the game and shall include the last name and uniform number of each player.
• The Home team manager, coach or team representative shall be responsible for the prep of the field and facilities before each game. The visiting team manager, coach or team representative shall be responsible to take down the field and facilities after each game. Each team is required to clean their respective dugouts after the game. Visiting teams from interlock leagues are excused from this requirement.
• The League will adhere to and abide by Rule 4.10E of the Official Rules as they relate to the ten (10) run rule.
• The home team shall occupy the first base side of the field on the Majors field and the third base side of the field on the Minors field.
• No players are permitted in an on-deck area prior to their at-bat.
• All gates to the playing field shall remain closed during games. The Official Rules will govern all play except where noted below.
• Rule 6.02 (c) (i.e., Player’s foot must stay in batter’s box once player enters the box) will be enforced at levels AAA and higher. Warning will be given to AA, but there will be no penalty.
B. DIVISION RULES - MAJORS
In addition to the general rules described above in Section X.A., the rules described below shall apply in the Majors division.
In a complete 6-inning game, each player shall play at least three (3) innings and get at least one (1) at-bat in League and Interlock games that are played through the end of the regular season, not including League playoff games. The penalties affecting both player and manager shall be enforced as defined in Regulation IV(i) in the Official Rules. If a team plays fewer than 6 defensive innings such as in a regulation game shortened by darkness, weather, or 10-run rule or if the visiting team loses in a complete game (5 ½ innings), each player on that team shall play at least two (2) innings and get at least one (1) at bat in League and Interlock games that are played through the end of the regular season, not including League playoff games. Note that the home team in a 5 ½-inning complete game is still subject to the full 3-inning requirement. In the event that a player does not meet the shortened 2-inning requirement, he/she must make up the playing time as specified in Regulation IV(i) in the Official Rules, but there shall be no penalty for the manager unless the violation is deemed by the League Board to have been intentional. Playing time for all League playoff and any tournament games shall be governed by the minimum standards as set forth in the Official Rules.
C. DIVISION RULES – AAA MINORS
In addition to the general rules described above in Section X.A., the rules described below shall apply in the Minors (AAA) division.
• Any inning which starts after the one hour forty five minute mark (1:45) of the start of the game will be announced by the chief umpire as the final inning of the game. No inning shall start after the two hour mark (2:00), regardless of whether or not the previous inning was declared the last inning. It is understood that any inning starts as soon as the last out of the prior inning is recorded.
• Each player shall play in the field for at least one-half the number of defensive outs made by his/her team in League and Interlock games that are played through the end of the regular season, not including League playoff games. Any inning ending due to Rule 5.07 (5-run rule) or due to a walk off win by the home team shall be considered as 3 defensive outs regarding this rule. Playing time for all League playoff and any tournament games shall be governed by the minimum standards as set forth in the Official Rules. The penalties affecting both player and manager shall be enforced as defined in Regulation IV(i) in the Official Rules.
• A maximum of 5 runs per inning can be scored by a team in any inning, with the exception of the final inning. When the final inning can be declared prior to the start of that inning, it shall end upon the earliest of (1) three recorded outs or; (2) once all players have had one at bat in the inning (not applicable in League playoff games); or (3) the home team scoring the winning run. In games where the final inning cannot be declared prior to the start of the inning, the five run limit shall remain in effect.
• The team playing defense shall be limited to one coach or manager on the field at any time. This coach shall remain within an arm’s length of their dugout while their team is in the field.
• All players on the roster will bat in rotation. Any player arriving to the field after the lineup has been given to the scorekeepers must be added to the last position of the batting order.
D. DIVISION RULES – AA MINORS
In addition to the general rules described above in Section X.A., the rules described below shall apply in the Minors (AA) division.
• Any inning which starts after the one hour thirty minute mark (1:30) of the start of the game will be announced by the chief umpire as the final inning of the game. No inning shall start after the one hour forty five minute mark (1:45), regardless of whether or not the previous inning was declared the last inning. It being understood that any inning starts as soon as the last out of the prior inning is recorded.
• A maximum of 5 runs per inning can be scored by a team in any inning, including the final inning. In addition, an inning will end once all players have had one at bat in any inning. For games under the time limit, if the home team is ahead after the top half of the final inning, they are permitted to take their at-bat for the bottom half of the inning if mutually agreed upon by both managers.
• Walk Rule – For the purposes of this rule, a walk is defined as a pitcher issuing 4 balls to a single batter irrespective of the batter being allowed to attain first base. On a walk from the player/pitcher, a coach for the offensive team will come in and pitch to that batter. The coach has 5 total pitches with the number of strikes being carried over from the player pitched portion of that at bat. The batter cannot reach first base as a result of a walk or being hit by a pitch while a coach is pitching, but the batter can strike out on (3) swings based on the Umpires call. If the last pitch is a foul ball the batter will receive another pitch. A player cannot be retired on a foul ball that is not caught. The pitcher will then resume pitching to the next batter. In any inning after (3) total walks from one or more pitchers, the offensive coach must pitch to all remaining batters according to the 5-pitch rule for the remainder of the inning. The coach shall pitch from within six feet of the permanent rubber. The coach may pitch with his/her pivot foot six (6) feet from the pitching rubber as if it were a pitchers’ rubber. While a coach is pitching, there will only be one adult base coach since the 3rd coach must remain near the dugout with the players.
• Hit by Pitch Rule - When a batter is hit by pitch from a player/pitcher, the batter is entitled first base, and it will count as a walk per the walk rule above. The player can opt to coach pitch instead of taking the walk.
• Coach Pitch will be utilized for the 5th and 6th innings of all games during the regular season. During Play-off games, player/pitchers shall pitch in the 5th and 6th innings and will follow the “Walk Rule” stated above.
• Base runners will not be able to advance when the ball is caught by the pitcher or ball passes the vicinity of the pitcher based on the umpire’s judgment that the throw was intended for the pitcher. The pitcher must also be in the vicinity of the mound based on the umpire’s judgment.
• Base runner may only advance one base per overthrow.
• Base runners may advance one base on a passed ball or wild pitch. A base runner on third base may not attempt to advance home on a wild pitch or passed ball. Base runners may not advance on a passed ball or wild pitch thrown by a coach.
• Base runners may not advance on the throw from the catcher back to the pitcher.
• During any League game, including playoffs, runners may not steal bases on a pitch stopped by the catcher. These rules shall not be changed for end of season tournament play.
• Each player shall play in the field for at least one-half the number of defensive outs made by his/her team in League and Interlock games that are played through the end of the regular season, not including League playoff games. Any inning ending due to Rule 5.07 (5-run rule) or due to a walk-off win by the home team shall be considered as 3 defensive outs regarding this rule. Playing time for all League playoff and any tournament games shall be governed by the minimum standards as set forth in the Official Rules. The penalties affecting both player and manager shall be enforced as defined in Regulation IV(i) in the Official Rules.
• All players on the roster will bat in rotation. Any player arriving to the field after the lineup has been given to the scorekeepers must be added to the last position of the batting order.
• Bunting is not allowed at any time.
• The infield fly rule shall not be enforced.
• The team playing defense shall be limited to one coach or manager on the field at any time. That shall remain within an arm’s length of their dugout while their team is in the field.