House Rules

Division: Minors AA

The AA Division is intended to be more of an instructional league with emphasis being on skill refinement, increased competition and introduction of new positions and defensive plays for players. Although scores are kept, the intention is for players to be given exposure to all positions on the field so as to prepare them for the more competitive AAA and Major Divisions.

Fair Play Rules

·      Managers shall utilize the continuous batting rule and all players on the roster card shall bat whether or not they are playing defensively in the field.

·      The batting order should be rotated every game, every child should get an opportunity to bat near the top of the order. One possible solution is rotate the top 3 players in the line up to the bottom for the next game. Repeating this process every game will give every player an equal opportunity.

·      Playing time – CSLL requires AA players to play a minimum of six (6) consecutive defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time. In a game that is shortened by the 10-run rule occurring, darkness or any other reason that deems it an official game, less than six (6) innings. If a player does not play three (2) defensive innings in a regular game, then the player must start the next game and complete missed playing time from the previous game and what they are due for that game before they can be substituted defensively. Any player who starts an inning that ends because the 5 run/inning cap is reached before 3 outs are made will have been considered to have played a “complete inning” for purposes of mandatory play.

·      Managers or coaches who violate minimum play rules are subject to discipline including warning, suspension and forfeit of eligibility to manage or coach in post season district, section, division, state, regional and world series tournaments.

·      Players shall not play more than 2 innings in any one position per game

·      Players shall not sit a second time until all players on the roster have sat at least once in that game.

·      No player may sit two innings in a row.

 

Playing Rules

·      Pitching distance is 35 feet. An 8’ radius circle, centered on the pitching rubber is used.

·      An 11-inch hard ball will be used for regulation play.

·      Game length: Game ends 1hr 30min from scheduled start time. Game is official after 4 innings are completed. Exhibition (fun) play can continue with allotted time remaining.

·      The maximum runs that can be scored in an inning are 5, commonly referred to as the “5-run” rule. When a team scores 5 runs that inning concludes and a new one starts.

·      Home Team will use the 1^st base dugout; Visiting Team will use the 3^rd base dugout.

·      Minimum 8 players, maximum 10 fielding with maximum of 6 players playing on the infield dirt If you are short players the empty positions must come from the outfield.

·      The league does not provide umpires for AA, instead each team will identify an officiant for the game. This will be the offensive coach (batting team) shall act as the umpire for that half inning. Another coach may assist as a field umpire if both teams deem necessary. There will be no disputes about balls or strikes.

·      The ball is not live on throws from catcher to pitcher.

·      The ball is not live during a pass ball situation.

·      Sliding is permitted, however there will be no head-first slides allowed.

·      There will be no infield fly rule and no dropped 3rd strike rule.

·      Little League Rule 4.1 is in effect. 15 runs in the third inning, 10 runs in the 4th inning and 8 runs in the 5th inning.

·      Balls hit to outfield: Regardless of whether the ball is hit into the outfield on the fly or on the ground, if a hit ball reaches the outfield, runners may advance the bases until the ball is thrown back into the infield and controlled by the pitcher in the pitcher’s circle. If the ball is thrown back into the infield and is possessed by any player other than the pitcher, or if the pitcher possesses the ball but is not in the pitcher’s circle, runners may continue to advance until the pitcher has possession and is in the pitcher’s circle. Runners will be called out if physically tagged by the ball (or by the glove with the ball inside) when possessed by an infielder. If the runner has “rounded” the base at the time the ball is possessed by the pitcher in the pitcher’s circle, they may advance (at the risk of the runner being tagged out) to the next base. Base coaches are asked to honor the game and return runners back to the correct base should the umpire not be in position to see where the runner was when the ball is possessed by the pitcher in the pitcher’s circle.

 

·      Balls hit to any player playing an infield position (i.e. all players except the 4 outfielders) and thrown to first base or thrown against a forced runner to 2nd base, 3rd base, or home plate stops all play even if there is an overthrow. Runners can only advance to the base they are running to at the start of the play. In attempted tag plays at 2nd, 3rd or home from the infield with no force out, only one additional base may be advanced on an overthrow (at the risk of the runner).

 

·      Base stealing and bunting are not allowed. A player bunting or stealing a base will be called out and runners cannot advance.

 

·      Base runners may not advance on any pitch not batted in play by the batter regardless of wild pitch or passed ball. Runners may not advance on an over throw by catcher when returning the ball to the pitcher.

 

·      Runners must avoid making contact with a defensive player when that player is in the act of fielding a batted ball (either in the air or on the ground). Runners will be called out for interference if they do not allow enough room for a defensive player to field a batted ball. Otherwise, the runners must remain in the base paths when moving from one base to the next and the fielder must not contact the runner unless they are attempting to field the ball or if they are in possession of the ball. If a fielder creates interference, the runner will be allowed to safely advance to the next base. 

 

·      Hit batter is a dead ball and batter is awarded coach pitch (count remains the same and rules for coach pitch then apply).  However, if the batter is hit by a ball that hits the ground first, the pitch is a ball and the batter continues to face the player pitcher. If a batter swings at a pitch that then hits the batter, the pitch is considered a “strike” and play continues. A batter is considered to be “hit by pitch” if she is struck by a ball traveling into the batter’s box regardless of whether she attempts to get out of the way.

 

·      If a coach pitcher is accidentally struck by a batted ball (either when pitching or when acting as the umpire), the ball is immediately ruled dead and the pitch is treated as “no pitch”.  The batter returns to the batter’s box and the count remains the same.

 

·      If a coach inadvertently catches a line-drive hit during coach pitch, the ball is dead and the pitch is thrown again. The play and pitch DO NOT count. If the ball hits the coach, the play is dead and the pitch does not count. Coach pitchers should make every attempt to get out of the way of the ball to allow the play to occur. If a coach obstructs a player from making a play, the same rule applies, play is dead and pitch does not count.

 

·      If a batted ball passes a defensive player in the infield and that player could reasonably make a play on the batted ball but does not, and the runner is unintentionally struck by the ball, the ball is considered in play and the runner is not ruled out.

 

Pitching Rules:

Player Pitch:

Player pitch rules are as follows:

·      Player pitcher will pitch to the batter until 4 pitches are thrown, or the ball is put in play, or the batter is hit by a pitch. If three strikes are called, the batter will be called out.

·      After 4 player pitchs, a coach will step in and throw a maximum of 3 pitches to that batter. The strike count carries over. If the batter does not hit the ball in 3 coach-pitch attempts, the batter is out (unless the 3^rd pitch is fouled off, in which case they get another pitch).

 

Coach Pitch:

Coach pitch are as follows:

·      The batter is allowed up to (3) coach pitches. There are no called balls or strikes for the coach pitches. If the batter has not put the ball in play after three (3) coach pitches, the batter is out. If the last pitch is fouled, another pitch is allowed until the ball is put in play or missed by the batter.

·      No walks allowed. The player pitcher throws to each batter. After the player pitcher throws 4 balls out of the strike zone, as called by the coach umpire in that inning, the coach pitcher will enter the game to pitch. The strike count will remain on the batter. The coach will pitch to the batter until:

1. The ball is hit into fair play,
2. The batter strikes out swinging (no called strikes),
3. The coach throws a total of three pitches and batter is out. Foul balls with two strikes are unlimited.

If a batter is hit by a pitch while the coach is pitching, no base shall be awarded. Based exclusively on the well-being of the player, the manager has the option of either 1) having the player continue their at-bat with the same count or 2) replacing the batter with a player currently in the dugout of the opposing manager’s choosing.