Rule Changes for 2010
Here's a link to
the 2010 rule changes (these are in the rulebook) and the
new rules adopted at the most recent Little League Congress in March 2010 (these are NOT in the rulebook).
Ground Rules & Special Rules
Some general ground rules to review before each game are provided on this page.
You’ll find a copy of the local rules that we have this season here:
Here are some myths about the rules.
Here are some special rules about SAFETY for players.
Want to test yourself?
Stay Informed
We encourage all umpires to sign up as volunteer umpires on the Little League website.
There is a small fee, but with it you get an early copy of the rules,
including the new e-Rules CD with video explanations, a patch for your
shirt, and you stay informed of rule changes each year.
How to Count Days Off for Pitcher Rest (Baseball Only)
When we count days rest for pitchers, we count days by the calendar, not by the clock
(i.e., two days is not 48 hours, but two days on the calendar). A day
where a player pitches at any time of the day is NOT counted and a day
where they do not pitch IS counted.
The rule is applied as follows for baseball players age 14 and under:
Monday: Player throws 36-50 pitches (so 2 calendar days off)
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Available to pitch
Little League has some great presentations on the damage being done to young arms if you need any reasons to believe this rule is good for our players.
Watch for Stories About Rules
Check this out and remember that the Umpire may judge on anything not specifically stated in the rules.
Comments on Some Recent Rule Changes
Little League is not like the major leagues. We add rules for safety and health of the players. At times there have been important changes and we try to comment on some of them here. Hopefully, this helps you both understand them and remember them.
- BB only: Players once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers. This is because of cool-down/warm-up cycles.
- BB only: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game
cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. Avoids damage to the arm.
- BB only: When a pitch count limit is hit, the pitcher may
continue until the current batter reaches a base, or the next out
occurs.
- First, second and third bases must disengage their anchors. (This
is not a problem in most leagues, but in case you umpire in other
leagues…)
- For 12 and under levels, there is a five-run limit on each half inning
and that run ends the inning. (The ball is dead the moment the
run scores. No other runs may be scored, even if play continues, as it
often would. Simply call time and end the inning.)
- If a player refuses to take their position in the batters box,
the umpire shall "call a strike on the batter without the need for a
pitch to be delivered. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance."
(This is to make it clear that no pitch is required, which might affect
the pitch count unnecessarily or just waste time.)
- They've clarified that a runner may not run more than 3 feet
from "his/her" baseline. However, the way they define "baseline" is now
stated as: "A runner's baseline is established when the tag attempt
occurs, and is a straight line from the runner to the base to which
he/she is attempting to reach." (This could be quite confusing. Their
point is that once a tag is attempted the runner must run mostly toward
the bag they are trying to reach. They can't keep running around the
field once a tag is attempted. This is and was pretty obvious, and I
prefer obvious. Key point here, though, is that the imaginary lines between the bases are just that -- imaginery. They are NOT the baselines.)
- BB only: They shortened the language stating that the pitcher's
has to be "in contact with" the pitcher's plate. (Remember, it is virtually impossible to move your foot from the top of the rubber to the front without a small separation during the full windup. We allow this. We do NOT allow obvious separation TOWARD the plate. That is unfair.)
- BB only: They clarified that the pitcher must come to a "complete and discernible" stop in Set Position. (We knew this, but the wording actually varies as you move up through various leagues.)
- BB only: With agreement from the two
managers, the pitcher can blow warm air on their hands in cold weather
while inside the 10 foot circle around the mound (on the dirt).
We have excluded much of the discussion on pitch count rules, and in
particular, the new rule that in many situations a pitcher may not
pitch in consecutive games. If you are also a coach, I urge you to
review those rule changes. Umpires need only be mindful of what to do
when pitch count limits are hit. We don't count pitches, thank goodness.