This league shall be primarily governed by the “Official Rules of Little League Baseball,” as published by Williamsport, PA. The following exceptions and modifications to the existing rules have been generated and Board approved in the interest of safety, fair play, and more even competition.
I. Pre game and post game rules:
A. Home team duties and responsibilities (Home team listed first on the schedule.)
1. Uses the 1st base dugout
2. Put out bases and helmets
3. Has the field for practice from 6:10PM to 6:25PM (except Sat.)
4. Furnishes a new game ball.
B. Visiting team duties and responsibilities
1. Uses the 3rd base dugout
2. Puts away bases, helmets and any other equipment
3. Has the field for practice from 5:55PM to 6:10PM (except Sat.)
4. Furnishes a good back-up ball
C. Dual responsibilities
1. Any available practice time prior to 5:55PM will be shared equally.
2. All players and equipment not directly involved in the game must remain on the bench. A manager or coach may excuse a player, providing it does not delay the game.
3. There is no on-deck position in Little League. No batter may warm up outside the field of play during the game.
II. General rules and Avon Little League rules:
A. Managers will not be allowed to cancel any games. Any cancellations due to inclement weather will be decided by the Umpire-in-Chief. In the case of inclement weather, the manager or assigned coach can call the Avon Little League hotline, at 934-1197, to find out about the field conditions and if their game has been cancelled. All make-up games must be scheduled with the T-Ball General Manager (Bill Heilman).
B. All teams must use a continuous batting order and all eligible players must be included in the batting rotation. If play has started and a player shows up late, he/she will assume the last position in the original batting order; see Rule 4.04 in the Little League Handbook.
C. Each member of the team must not sit out for more than 2 defensive innings. Each team member must play one of the 5 infield positions by the end of the 3rd inning and may not play the same defensive position in consecutive innings and no more than twice in a game. Try to get every player to play every position at some time during the season.
D. Defensive players may not be moved during an inning except for an injury or other emergency.
E. A base runner will be called out if he/she deliberately removes his/her helmet while running the bases.
F. There is no leading off.
G. No more than 3 adults will be allowed to represent the team on the playing surface (the team mom may sit on the bench).
H. Thrown balls out of play, runners will not advance, play is dead.
I. There is a 6 run limit per team per inning. The inning is over after 6 runs are scored or 3 defensive outs.
J. On a ball hit to the outfield, base runners will be frozen as soon as the ball is in the infield. Please use discretion in advancing your runners and remember that being overly aggressive only gets you to the 6 run limit faster. However, you may allow a player to take extra bases on a solid hit that goes by the outfielders without errors.
K. No inning shall begin after 1 hour and 15 minutes. Since weekday games start at 6:30, no inning can begin after 7:45.
L. One coach will be in the outfield to instruct the defense and will umpire 2nd base. The 1st and 3rd base coaches will umpire their respective bases.
M. Teams will have a maximum of 9 defensive players on the field at one time. That includes 4 outfielders and no catcher, and they should assume normal defensive positions. The pitcher must be on or behind the rubber before the ball is put in play and the use of the Pitching helmet is optional.
N. By coaches’ consent the game can be played with less than 9 players per team.
O. There will be no sliding.
P. By Little League Policy all players must hit off the tee for the entire season. If the ball travels less than 15 feet, it shall be ruled a foul ball.
III. Final notes:
1. THIS IS JUST A GAME! DON’T TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY! HAVE FUN!
2. Players may not deliberately throw or abuse helmets, bats or other playing Equipment.
3. Profanity or abusive language of any kind will not be permitted from any player, manager, coach, parent, etc. Violators will be banished from the field or ballpark and violating players will be benched and may be suspended if necessary.
4. At the discretion of the manager and the approval of the VP of Baseball, a player, manager, or coach may be suspended for disciplinary reasons for one game. If this occurs a second time, the player, manager or coach, shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors, for possible expulsion from the league. All league officials can recommend disciplinary action to the Board for all off field violations by players, managers, coaches, etc. while on Little League property at any time!