A BALL Rules
SAN LORENZO VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE “A” GROUND RULES (Revised 11/23)
Ages 5, 6, 7 & 8.
- 5 and 6-year-olds must have played one year of T-Ball.
- 9 year olds will be drafted into AA Ball unless there are mitigating circumstances to justify the player playing in A Ball. (Adopted 11/1/2023)
“A” LEAGUE MANAGERS AND COACHES WILL FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE CURRENT YEAR LITTLE LEAGUE OFFICIAL RULE BOOK AND THE DISTRICT RULES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, AND ADHERE TO THOSE AND TO THE FOLLOWING RULES.
1. LINE-UPS:
a. Every team member bats - make your line up to include all players.
Ten players may take the field, with four outfielders (all other positions the same as regulation baseball).
b. Each player will have a minimum of three innings on the field (in a six-inning game).
2. Scores, Scorekeeping, and Standings:
a. The scorekeeper’s role will be to identify the end of the inning (by three outs or 5 runs, and to keep the batting order correctly to ensure the inning changes go quickly and the correct batter takes the batter’s box.
3. UMPIRES:
a. Each team will designate a coach/coaches to umpire the game in a fair manner for the enjoyment of the players. (Adopted 2/16/2023)
4. Coaching Behavior:
a. Poor sportsmanship by managers, coaches, parents, and/ players, derogatory language towards an opposing team or towards a player on the coach’s own team, or harassment of players will result in a warning. If it happens a second time during a game, the game will be forfeited. Chatter (e.g. “hey batter, batter” or “pitcher has a rubber arm”) especially designed to disrupt, is not permitted by players, coaches or parents at any time. It is the manager’s responsibility to inform their players and parents of this.
5. BOTH TEAMS:
a. Prepare the field prior to the game. Last game of the day returns the equipment to the equipment box or room, and locks it. REPORT ANY MISSING ITEMS TO DIVISION REP. Refer to Official League Rule book for proper field set up. Equipment will be kept in a designated area in or near the dugout.
b. CLEAN UP THE FIELD AND BLEACHER AREA AFTER EACH GAME.
c. If a game is played at the High School field, each team provides one snack bar worker per team at designated fields. Note: Visiting team also provides a person to work the BBQ.No team may take the field until snack bar workers are present. A delayed game will not get extra time added due to lack of snack bar workers.
6. HOME TEAM:
a. Uses first base dugout
b. Provides scorekeeper, to track runs per inning, outs and batting order. (Adopted 2/16/2023). No official standings are kept.
7. PITCHING:
a. Coach Pitch will be used for the duration of the season. (Adopted 11/1/2023)
b. 1st Half of the Season:
i. Players shall receive 3 pitches (can continue pitching after a foul ball) from their respective coach then the player gets 2 swings off of tee for the first half of the season. If the player is unable to put the ball into play after 5 attempts (3 pitches and 2 tee swings) the player will be called out.
c. 2nd Half of the Season
i. The batter will receive 5 hittable pitches from their respective coach.
Three swinging strikes is an out. There are no walks. If the 5th pitch is batted foul, the batter gets another pitch. If the batter does not swing at the 5th pitch or any after that pitch the batter is out. (Adopted 11/1/2023)
d. The recommended pitching distance is at least 1/2 the distance between the pitcher’s mound and home plate. Overhand throws from a kneeling position will provide batters with a more accurate representation of baseball and help with the progression to AA. (Adopted 11/1/2023)
e. There is a defensive player in the pitching position on the field within a few feet of the coach pitcher.
f. When the ball is hit fair, COACH/PITCHER MUST MAKE THEIR BEST EFFORT TO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE OPPOSING TEAM’S ABILITY TO FIELD THE BALL.
i. If the coach/pitcher intentionally interferes, the batter is out, runners do not advance & the ball is dead. Umpires will call interference.
8. RUN RULE:
a. There is a 5 run rule maximum for each inning. There is no open inning. (Adopted 1/16/2024)
9. MISCELLANEOUS PLAYING RULES:
a. No on-deck circle. No player other than the batter may have a bat in their hand.
b. No infield fly rule.
c. No stealing, No leadoffs.
d. Play stops when the ball is in the possession of an infield player in the infield area.
i. A runner who has not passed half-way to the next base will be required to return to the previous base.
ii. A runner past half-way at stoppage continues at his/her own risk.(2013)
iii. *The intent is to teach proper base running.
e. One base only on an overthrow. One overthrow per runner per play. Runners may advance only one base regardless of number of overthrows.
f. Bunting is not permitted.
g. Three defensive coaches will be allowed on the field. (Adopted 2/16/2023)
h. Feet-first sliding only. No headfirst sliding. Runner will be called out for headfirst sliding.
10. TIME LIMITS:
a. No inning may begin after one hour and thirty minutes from the start of the game. Scorekeepers must record the start of the game. If not recorded, the scheduled start time will be considered the start time.
i. Should a game be in progress after sunset, it is the responsibility of the umpires to determine the safety level of available daylight and call the game early if necessary
11. DOGS:
a. There are no dogs allowed on school property or at any facility where dogs are clearly prohibited. Dogs are permitted at a game or practice provided they are 1) Leashed, and 2) Kept clear of traveled walkways and paths. Failure to clean up after one’s dog or abide by the above-mentioned rules will result in a revocation of allowing dogs at Little League games.
Winning is secondary to the concept of sportsmanship, fair play and the instruction of the fundamental skills and rules of baseball. Managers and coaches who continue to lose sight of this fundamental goal will be dismissed and replaced by those who don't.
Remember, we are here to facilitate a good time, a love of baseball, to teach and to demonstrate the kind of behavior we wish our children to model in society. Please try not to forget this during the course of a game.