Yarmouth Little League
Baseball Local Rules—2010
RULES APPLYING TO MAJORS AND MINORS
- Regular Season Pitching
- pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher.
- A pitcher cannot pitch in more than one game per day.
- Pitch limit:
- League Age 11-12 85 pitches (League Age 12 players cannot pitch in minors.)
10 75 pitches
9 60 pitches
8 50 pitches
Note: 60 pitches for League Age 9 and 50 pitches for League Age 8 is a Yarmouth Local Rule only.
- League Age 11-12 85 pitches (League Age 12 players cannot pitch in minors.)
- A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
- Pitchers league age 12 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
--If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed
--If a player pitches 61-75 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
--If a player pitches 41-60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
--If a player pitches 21-40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
--If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Note: These rest requirements differ from the Little League regular season and tournament rules.
For example, if a player pitches 76 pitches on Monday, he will not be eligible to pitch again until Saturday (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday = 4 calendar days.)
- Infield Fly Rule: Runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded, less than 2 outs—a fly ball (not a line drive) that can be caught by an infielder with ORDINARY effort (umpire’s discretion)—batter is out. Runners may advance at their own risk.
- No “must slide” rule: Runner must either AVOID the fielder with the ball or SLIDE. A head-first slide is an automatic out (unless the runner is returning to a base). The fielder covering a base may not obstruct the runner or block the base unless he is in possession of the ball.
- Equipment: Any player warming up the pitcher must be properly equipped with a full mask and helmet, catcher’s mitt and protective cup. COACHES MAY NOT WARM UP PITCHERS.
- Minimum play requirements: A continuous batting order is used—all players, whether playing in the field or not, bat in their order. All eligible players should play a minimum of 4 full innings in the field. In the minors, even and balanced playing time for all players is required. (i.e. the same player should not sit out 2 innings every game). Also, every player should have many opportunities to play in the infield.
- Curve Balls: The throwing of curve balls is discouraged. Coaches should not direct their players to throw curve balls or instruct their players in the use of them.
MINOR LEAGUE ONLY LOCAL RULES
- Stealing: Starting the week of May 9, stealing will be permitted on a limited basis. A runner can advance ONE BASE ONLY on a called or swinging strike. (Note: the runner may not take a lead or leave the base prior to the ball crossing the plate.) If there is an overthrow in an attempt to throw the stealing runner out, the runner MAY NOT advance. The runner must return to the base when the pitcher has the ball and is standing on the rubber. THERE WILL BE NO STEALING HOME. (The purpose of this rule is to encourage the development of catchers in the minor league.)
- 9 Batter Rule: If 3 defensive outs are not achieved and the ninth batter of the inning is up, the coach should announce the batter as the ninth and any play that occurs will be the final play of the inning.
- Advancing runners: Baserunners may advance only one base after an overthrow (no advancing on an overthrow during a steal). When the ball is under control in the infield (anywhere in the dirt), runners may not advance any further than the base they are attempting at the point the ball becomes under control.
- Any player who expresses an interest in pitching should be given the opportunity.