ST. MARYS NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE GROUND RULES

GOVERNING RULES

1. St. Marys National Little League (SMNLL) game play shall be governed by the standard Little League publications, except as noted herein.

2. The SMNLL Board of Directors shall enforce the rules.

FIELD DECORUM

1. Teams will take the field for pre-game warmups as on the schedules or as time allows.

2. All games shall start promptly at the scheduled time and place.

3. If at game time, the Umpire-in-Chief (or designee) notes a heat index at or above 95°, he/she may delay or suspend play to a time in which the index will permit.

4. BENCH AREA

   1. Equipment must be kept behind the players’ bench area fence.

      1. EXCEPTION: may keep one batting tee near the backstop, behind and to the side of home plate.

   2. The bench area is limited to players, manager and three coaches.

5. PLAYER CONDUCT

   1. A player throwing a bat, helmet or other equipment may be ejected from the game without warning by the Umpire, Manager or Coach, regardless of the defensive innings played.

   2. If the action is repeated in a future game, the Manager shall suspend that player for one game.

6. Both managers will be held equally responsible for the control of spectators when verbal or physical reactions are demonstrated.

7. Managers and Coaches are responsible for their Players:

   1. Discourage leaning or sitting on fences.

   2. Police the field and area before, during and after games and practices.

8. The use by SMNLL personnel (Players, Substitute Coaches, Coaches, Managers, Umpires or Directors) of alcohol, tobacco or profanity in any form is expressly prohibited on or around the playing field including the bench area, from one hour before the scheduled game until fifteen minutes after the game ends.

   1. PENALTY:

      1. First offense shall result in a one game suspension.

      2. Second offense in the same season shall result in permanent expulsion from the SMNLL unless reinstated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

9. PERSONNEL

   1. No more than a total of 4 adults per team are permitted in the bench area or on the field.

   2. The scorekeeper or pitch count keeper, if not a Manager, Coach or Player, may not be inside the playing area.

10. SUBSTITUTE COACHES

    1. Substitute coaches may coach in a game only when the regular team Manager and/or Coach is (are) absent from the park.

    2. A late arriving regular team Manager or Coach will immediately replace the substitute Coach who will then immediately leave the field and bench area.

11. No “batboys” or “batgirls” are permitted in the bench area or on the field during games.

12. EJECTIONS

    1. Any player, manager or coach ejected during a game must leave the park within five minutes in which the field is located.

       1. The park is defined as City of St. Marys owned park.

       2. Failure to leave the park shall result in the player, manager or coach being suspended for 10 days.

       3. Also, the police department may be called to have the offender removed from the park.

       4. The Board of Directors may also elect to expel the player, coach or manager for the remainder of the season by a 2/3 vote.

       5. The Board of Directors may also, by a 2/3 vote, prohibit said player, coach or manager from any further involvement with SMNLL.

    2. Any player, manager or coach ejected must serve a one game suspension.

       1. Failure of the player, manager or coach to serve the one game suspension shall result in a 10 day suspension.

       2. The Board of Directors may also elect to expel the player, manager or coach for the remainder of the season by a 2/3 vote.

       3. The Board of Directors may also, by a 2/3 vote, prohibit said player, coach or manager from any further involvement with SMNLL.

13. SUSPENSIONS

    1. Suspension means that the manager, coach or player suspended is prohibited from being on the field or in the bench area with the team at practice or in a game.

    2. A suspended manager, coach or player may not communicate in any way with a team on the field or in the bench area on game days.

14. DISCIPLINARY

    1. A manager may suspend a player for one game for an unexcused absence from a practice or a game.

    2. A player may NOT be suspended because of illness, family vacation, and participation in other organized activities or mistakes made in a practice or a game.

    3. Any such disciplinary suspension of a player by a manager must first be approved by the League President or Vice President and the player must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the time of the suspension is to take effect.

15. PENALTY

    1. Any manager violating any part of the above ground rules shall be suspended for one game.

16. EQUIPMENT

    1. Batters helmets

       1. Must be NOCSAE approved.

       2. Must have both ears fully covered.

       3. Must have no cracks or dent

    2. Bats

       1. SMNLL will adhere to the following guidelines for bats.

          1. No Longer than 33” in length.

          2. Bats can be no bigger than 2-5/8” barrel.

          3. All Bats MUST be stamped USA Baseball (Rev E).

17. PITCHER WARM UPS

    1. Between innings

       1. Manager and/or coaches may warm up pitchers between innings to help speed up play.

       2. Players are not permitted to warm up pitchers between innings unless he/she is a fielding catcher.

    2. During Play

       1. Pitchers must warm up in foul territory in the outfield adjacent to their dugout.

       2. Players warming up pitchers must wear a catcher’s mask.

       3. Pitchers warming up in foul territory should throw in the direction away from the dugout.

       4. A gloved spotter (extra player or coach) should stand near the pitcher facing the playing field to protect the pitcher.

TEE BALL LEAGUE

1. All governing rules apply to the Tee Ball League.

2. All registered players who are eligible to play Tee Ball will be part of the team.

3. This is instructional program beginning in mid-May and ending in late June or early July. These sessions will be held on Saturdays (time and dates to be determined).

4. When there is a Rainout, a maximum effort by both coaches should be made to reschedule and make up the session. (Rev A)

5. The sessions will consist of team warm ups, separate group instruction on throwing, running bases, fielding, batting and a few pick-up games.

6. There are no tryouts or cuts for this league.

7. Teams shall be selected by random draw conducted by the Player Agent.

LOB TEE LEAGUE

1. All governing rules apply to Lob Tee League

2. The current edition of National Little League Playing rules shall govern, except where in conflict with SMNLL governing rules, in which case, the SMNLL governing rules shall apply.

3. COACHES / UMPIRES

   1. Defensive coaches are permitted on the playing field for instructional purposes only. Coaches shall make every effort to avoid being touched by a ball in play and to allow the players unhindered sight and access. If a batted ball touches a coach in fair territory, the ball is dead, batter will be awarded a single and base runners can advance one base whether forced or not.

   2. Defensive coaches are responsible for calling out. There are no disputes permitted over out called.

   3. SMNLL expects its Lob Tee managers and coaches to abide by the honor system in umpiring games. Be fair and give the benefit of any doubt about a call to the opposing team. All unresolved disputes between teams are to be reported to the board of directors.

4. GAMES

   1. All games shall consist of a maximum of four (4) innings or 90 minutes.

      1. No inning may begin after the 90 minute time limit.

   2. An inning shall conclude after each player has received one turn at bat.

      1. The batting order of each team shall be reversed each inning and shall not change in any other way during the course of the game.

   3. During all innings, regardless of how many runners are on base and regardless of where a team is at in the batting order, if a defensive team records a 3rd out the bases will be cleared and the out count for that half inning will start over (Rev E).

      1. This will continue for the entirety of each half inning until all batters have received their turn at bat (Rev E).

   4. If there is a large discrepancy in the number of players on the two teams, consenting

      managers have the option to “share” players in order to enhance the play of the game.

5. FIELDING

   1. The defensive team shall not have more than six (6) infielders, including the pitcher and catcher.

   2. The remainder of the defensive team is to be spread throughout the outfield.

   3. Every attempt should be made to have each player play an infield position for two (2) innings. Each player should play an infield position for at least one (1) inning each game.

   4. The player fielding the position of the pitcher must be within six (6) feet of the pitching rubber on the first or third base side of the rubber (not in front of or behind the coach) at the time the ball is hit by the batter.

   5. When pitched from the coach, a catcher, in full gear, may crouch behind the plate to receive the pitch.

      1. In all other situations, the catcher must stand near the back stop but not directly

         behind home plate with a catcher’s mask on.

6. BATTING / BASERUNNING

   1. During all innings, the batters may receive no more than four (4) pitches to be delivered by a coach, including foul balls and poorly thrown balls.

   2. If the batter has not hit the ball in play after the fourth pitch, the batter MUST hit the ball off a tee.

   3. Batted balls must go beyond a six foot arc that starts from the back of home plate and extends from the 1st baseline to the 3rd baseline. Balls that fail to go beyond this arc are foul.

   4. Batters must take a full swing whether hitting a pitched ball or a teed ball.

      1. If the bat hits the tee before it hits the ball, it shall be a foul ball.

   5. Base stealing is not permitted.

   6. On any wildly thrown balls that have been batted, runners are permitted to advance one base only.

   7. Once the ball is controlled by any player in the infield, a runner is prohibited from taking another base, unless the runner is more than halfway between bases, or a play is made on another runner.

   8. The defensive team must make a play on the last batter each half-inning who may take 2nd on an overthrow and bat in runs before the inning is officially ended.

   9. On deck batters must stay inside the dugout until it is his/her turn at bat.

7. KEEPING SCORE

   1. There is no official score for Lob Tee League

   2. There will be no league standings or champion and no disputes over the score.

MINOR LEAGUE

1. All governing rules apply to Minor League.

2. The current edition of National Little League Playing Rules shall govern, except where in conflict with SMNLL governing rules, in which case the SMNLL governing rules shall apply.

3. UMPIRES

   1. Umpires shall call balls and strikes from behind the pitcher’s mound.

   2. The umpire shall govern all plays and his/her decisions are final.

   3. If an umpire is not available, a coach or parent may assume the duties of the umpire except during the tournament where official league umpires are required.

   4. Base coaches shall assist in making calls on the plays at the bases.

4. GAMES

   1. A game shall consist of a maximum of six (6) innings or 120 minutes, whichever occurs first.

   2. No inning shall begin more than 120 minutes after the scheduled game time or 8:00 pm, whichever is earlier. A game ended by this rule shall be a complete game.

   3. An inning shall consist of three (3) outs by each team.

   4. If a fielding team fails to record three (3) outs before the batting teams scores five (5) runs in a half-inning, the half-inning shall end.

      1. This rule applies to all six (6) innings except during the Minors Tournament.

      2. During Tournament play, the 6th inning will be unlimited (Rev E).

   5. A team that cannot field at least eight (8) players at game time or afterwards shall

      “borrow” opposing players.

      1. Borrowed players will be the last batter or batters of the next inning depending on how many borrowed players are needed (Rev E).

      2. Borrowed players shall field for the borrowing team but shall bat for their own team in regular rotation.

   6. Home teams shall supply two (2) game balls provided by SMNLL.

   7. There is no official score or protests in games played in this division except during tournament play (REV E). The score may be displayed on the scoreboard during the regular season games. The maximum score differential displayed on the scoreboard shall not exceed 10 runs at any time during the regular season games. (REV H)

      1. During Tournament Play, if at any time after 4 innings, 3-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of 12 runs or more the game will be considered complete and over (REV E).

      2. If the visiting team has a lead of 12 runs or more, the home team must bat its half of the inning.

5. FIELDING

   1. The defensive team shall consist of a minimum of eight (8) and up to ten (10) players.

      1. They will be positioned in standard positions with four (4) of them being outfielders playing in the grass.

      2. Defensive coaches are permitted on the playing field to instruct during the first 4 games of the season.

      3. Each player must field three (3) innings per game.

         1. If not, the player must start the next game and fields missed innings in addition to the three for the current game.

   2. A catcher may catch no more than two (2) innings per game.

6. PITCHING

   1. A pitcher may pitch no more than two (2) consecutive innings or 6 consecutive outs.

   2. Pitchers may not reenter.

   3. There are no walks. Upon the fourth ball, the batter MUST hit the ball soft tossed by a coach (Rev H)

   4. Pitchers are required to start from the 46’ pitching rubber.

      1. If they are struggling to throw strikes consistently, they may move up to the closer rubber (43’) if both managers agree.

   5. Curve balls are illegal to prevent damage to young players’ arms.

   6. There will be no pitch count at the minor league level; however, coaches shall use proper judgement and remove a pitcher who is struggling to throw strikes.

7. BATTING

   1. Team batting order shall be “round-robin”.

      1. That is each player bats in assigned order whether playing in the field that inning or not.

   2. A batter hit by a pitch not swung at has the option to take first base or continue his/her at bat.

   3. Batters are permitted to bunt except when hitting a soft tossed pitch. (Rev H)

   4. There are no strikeouts during soft toss. (Rev H)

   5. On deck batters must stay inside the dugout until it is his/her turn at bat.

8. BASERUNNING

   1. Base runners may lead off once the pitched ball has crossed the plate.

   2. Base runners are permitted to steal once the pitched ball has crossed the plate.

   3. Base runners may only steal one base on a passed ball.

   4. Base runners may not steal home on a passed ball.

   5. Base runners may advance only one base on an overthrown ball by a defender.

9. FIELD MAINTENANCE

   1. The home team shall be responsible for filling in holes, raking baselines and tamping home plate and the pitching mound areas immediately after the game.

10. MINOR LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

    1. All regular season rules apply with the exception that score is kept and wins/losses are recorded.

    2. The tournament bracket will be randomly set during the minor league draft.

MAJOR (INTERMEDIATE) LEAGUE

1. All governing rules apply to Intermediate League.

2. The current edition of National Little League Playing Rules shall govern, except where in conflict with SMNLL governing rules, in which case the SMNLL governing rules apply.

3. FIELD DECORUM

   1. The manager must ask for time out and be recognized by an umpire before leaving the bench area and entering the field of play.

   2. Only Head Coaches may question an umpire’s call only after calling for and receiving time out.

   3. Assistant coaches and players may NOT question an umpire’s call and are not permitted

      to attend any conference with an umpire.

   4. The calling of balls and strikes are not up for questioning.

   5. Comments made by a manager, coach or player concerning an umpire’s calling of balls

      and strikes are not permitted.

   6. In questioning an umpire’s decision, the burden of proof rests on the manager to convince the umpire that the decision was in conflict with the rules, not on the umpire to prove his decision is correct.

   7. If a manager, coach or player fails to follow the procedures, the umpire is to issue a warning to the bench. If the procedure is violated again, the offender will be ejected from the game.

   8. If the umpire believes the first offense was severe, he/she may eject the offender without issuing a warning.

4. GAMES

   1. A game shall consist of six (6) innings. In the event of a tie, teams will play extra innings.

   2. On a school night, no inning shall begin more than 120 minutes after the scheduled game time or 8:00pm, whichever is earlier.

   3. On a non-school night, no inning shall begin more than 150 minutes after the scheduled game time or 8:30pm, whichever is earlier.

   4. A game that is not completed shall be considered a make-up game and begin where the game was stopped.

      1. Both managers should meet and agree on the point of continuation.

   5. If at any time after 4 innings, 3-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of 12 runs or more the game will be considered complete and over (REV E).

      1. If the visiting team has a lead of 12 runs or more, the home team must bat its half of the inning.

   6. A team may begin game play with no fewer than eight (8) players.

      1. If a team starts with 8 players, the opposing team will provide one (1) defensive player to fill an outfield position on defense.

         1. The player provided from the opposing team shall be the last batter due up in the lineup in the first inning, then the last batter due up in each consecutive inning.

   7. If a team has less than 8 players, unless it is rescheduled, the game will be considered a forfeit.

      1. The game may still be played for fun if both coaches agree to play.

   8. All players must bat once and play six (6) consecutive outs in the field each game unless under disciplinary suspension.

   9. A player who fails to meet this commitment must start the next scheduled game and play both, the omitted requirement from the previous game and the full requirement for the current game, before being removed.

      i. No game may be played prior to the regular scheduled time and date.

5. MAKE-UP GAMES (Intermediate League only)

   1. Each necessary make-up game shall follow the procedure indicated on the schedule.

   2. If necessary, teams can make up games as double headers on Saturdays if many rainouts occur.

      1. Double headers consist of two (2), five (5) inning games. The first game of the double header shall be the game being made up.

   3. Home team manager is responsible for the scheduling of diamonds with the city office if necessary and contacting the Umpire-in-Chief to schedule umpires for the make-up game.

   4. Managers and coaches of teams not completing all scheduled and make-up games by the end of the regular season play risk of being declared ineligible to participate in the Little League Tournament at the discretion of the board.

      1. Substitute managers and coaches will be assigned by the Board of Directors as necessary.

6. FIELDING

   1. The defensive team shall consist of nine (9) players in standard positions.

   2. Each player must play a minimum of six (6) consecutive outs.

7. BASE RUNNING

   1. Base runners must avoid any contact with a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a ball or a tag.

   2. Base runners must slide or attempt to avoid a fielder when a play or tag is being made.

   3. Base runners will be called out if he/she fails to follow the above rules and if the umpire determines that player safety is at risk. (Rev F)

   4. Base runners deliberately running into a fielder shall be ejected from the game.

      1. All ejection rules apply.

   5. No delayed steals are allowed on the throw back from the catcher to the pitcher unless the ball is overthrown to the pitcher.

   6. Lead offs are NOT allowed (Rev A).

   7. Stealing of bases is permissible with the following exception:

      1. Runner can NOT leave the base until the ball has crossed the plate (Rev B).

      2. One cannot steal home base on a wild pitch.

      3. The base runner can only advance home under the following conditions: he/she is batted in, a play is made on a runner stealing another base, an errant throw from the catcher to the pitcher or an errant throw during a routine play in the field. (Rev A)

8. BATTING

   1. All bats must meet Little League specifications.

9. EXTRA HITTER

   1. If a team has 10 players or more present for a game, they will use an Extra Hitter (EH) in their lineup, which can be in any spot in the lineup, and that spot will remain the EH spot for the remainder of the game.

      1. If the original player designated as an EH is substituted out of the game, the new EH player will hit in the same spot in the lineup.

      2. If a team has more than 11 players present for a game and a player suffers an injury that requires him to be removed from the game, that team will continue to use an EH in the lineup in the same spot as originally designated.

   2. If a team starts the game with 9 players and any additional players show up after the start of the game, that team will place an EH into the lineup at the end of their batting order.

   3. Only if a team has 9 players or less present for a game or is reduced to 9 players or less during a game due to injuries can that team not use an EH.

      1. If a team is forced to remove the EH from the line up due to injury, they will NOT be penalized to take an out for the EH.

      2. If the EH position is removed due to injury, everyone in the lineup below the EH will move up 1 spot in the lineup.

10. PITCHING

    1. Curve balls are illegal to prevent damage to a young players arm.

    2. The following pitching rules apply to Intermediate League only.

       1. Maximum of three (3) innings pitched per game (1 pitch = 1 inning).

       2. No player may pitch in more than six (6) innings in a seven (7) day period.

    3. Pitcher / Catcher ban (Rev B):

       1. Any player who pitches and catches in the same game may not do so for more than 4 innings.

          1. Any combination of playing in the pitcher / catcher position that adds up to 4 cumulative innings in a single game.

             1. ie: 4 innings at catcher / 3 innings at pitcher & 1 at catcher / 2 innings of each / 3 innings at catcher & 1 at pitcher

          2. However, as stated above, a pitcher may not pitch more than 3 innings.

    4. When runners are on base, it is encouraged to have pitchers throw from the stretch.

    5. Intentional walks are permitted. The defensive coach must inform the home plate umpire of the intentional walk.

       1. For example:

          1. A batter comes to the plate and the defensive manager requests the batter to be walked, the batter takes first base.

          2. The count is 3 balls and 0 strikes, the defensive manager can request the batter to be walked, and therefore the batter takes first base.

       2. During an intentional walk, the play is dead and does not begin again until the next pitch is delivered.

    6. A team cannot pitch any combined 13 year-old pitchers more than 3 total innings in a single game (Rev C).

11. FIELD MAINTENANCE

    1. The home team shall be responsible for filling in holes, raking the baselines and tamping home plate and pitching mound areas after the game.

INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

1. Regular season game rules shall govern tournament play except when in conflict with tournament rules as presented in this section.

2. Team records from the regular season round-robin play shall determine the seeding for the tournament.

   1. Teams with the same record shall have their seeding decided by the following:

      1. Record from head to head play.

      2. Single game playoff (Rev F)

3. NO PROTESTS

   1. Tournament games may not be played under protest. A dispute during tournament game play shall be decided by the umpire before the play may resume.

4. CHALLENGES

   1. A manager may lodge a tournament game challenge only for disputes specifically governed by this section. All other appeals shall be made as governed by applicable regular-season game rules. Valid challenges are player participation and pitcher eligibility.

   2. Only Head Coaches may lodge tournament game challenges.

   3. A challenge must be announced by the umpire prior to the third out.

      1. In no case shall more than ½ innings be replayed.

   4. If the umpire’s decision results in replaying any part of the game, the Umpire, at his/her discretion, may consult all same-league non-Managing/Coaching directors who may be present at the part at the time of the dispute. If there are no such directors present, the umpire must decide and that decision shall be final. In no case shall play be delayed to contact any directors not physically present at the time of the dispute and same-league managing/coaching directors present are not to be consulted.

   5. PROCEDURE

      1. A time out must be called and play halted.

      2. The home plate umpire must determine whether the challenge is valid.

      3. If valid, the home plate umpire must clearly announce the challenge to the opposing team manager and coaches; as well as, to the spectators behind the home plate backstop.

      4. The exact point of the challenge shall be clearly marked on the score sheets of both teams.

      5. The home plate umpire and two managers and no one else (except as per paragraph e above) shall briefly confer on the field between home plate and the pitcher’s rubber.

      6. The umpire shall make his final decision known simultaneously to both managers.

      7. Game play shall resume.

5. INELIGIBLE PARTICIPATION

   1. Any player having not yet completed six (6) consecutive outs of play in the field MUST

      start his team’s defensive half of the 4th inning.

      1. Violation of this rule is challengeable by the opposing manager.

         1. If such a challenge is upheld by the umpire, the player(s) in question shall be installed on the field and the game shall be replayed from the beginning of the half-inning during which the challenge was made.

   2. Upon challenge by the opposing team manager, a pitcher determined by the umpire to have pitcher while ineligible shall be replaced and the game shall be replayed from the point of that pitcher’s ineligibility in the half-inning currently in play.

   3. Outs played during ineligible participation, if replayed; do not count toward any player’s

      game play requirement.

6. PITCHER ELIGIBILITY

   1. All pitching rules will adhere to the same rules as the regular season (Rev E).