Major League RULES 

1. Regulation Game is 6 innings. Official game is 4 innings, 3 Ã?½ if the home team is winning. 

1. The Field:  
   1. Bases 70 feet apart.
   2. Pitching rubber is 50 feet from the back of home plate.
   3. Both teams are responsible for the lining/setup of the field before the game and raking the field after.

1. Teams:  
   1. Teams must have (8) players in uniform available up to 15 minutes after the scheduled game time to avoid forfeit.  Minimum to play the game is EIGHT 8. When playing with 8 the ninth spot in the batting order will be an out.
   2. All available players are in the batting order. Example: If 12 players are available, the batting order is 1-12 and 9 play in the field.  Free substitution in the field. 
   3. Nine (9) players in the field.  At no time will more than nine (9) players be allowed to play in the field.
   4. Each available player must play 2 innings in the field. These need not be consecutive innings. However, if the player comes late to the game, the manager may reduce the number of innings played. If the player comes in the second inning, they may be limited to one inning; if they come in the 3rd inning, it is at managerâ??s discretion if they play during that game.
   5. Anyone reporting to the game after the game has begun will be added to the bottom of the batting line up accordingly.
   6. To be eligible for the annual All-Star game and/or HR Derby, player must participate in 60% of regular season games.
   7. To be eligible for consideration for district team, player must participate in 60% of regular season games. 
   8. No more than three coaches in the field/dugout.  These coaches must have completed Background Check form, attended coachesâ?? clinic and have TSBL ID as identification.
   9. Coaches are responsible for seeing that their dugouts are clean after the game.

1. Runs:
   1. There is a maximum of (six) 6 runs per inning during innings 1 through 5.  There is no continuation unless the ball is hit over the fence.    
   2. The run limit will NOT be in effect for the last inning and any extra inning(s) of play. Coaches are urged to communicate with each other and the umpire during the game as the time limit or darkness approaches to establish which inning will be the final inning. The umpire will declare before the start of the final inning that the run limit will be lifted.
      
   3. Mercy rule â?? 10 runs after (FOUR) 4 innings.

5.    Base runners:

1.  
   1. Leading and stealing permitted no restrictions.
   2. Stealing home is permitted
   3. No head-first slides except when returning to a base.  A runner who otherwise slides head first is out.
   4. The â??slide or avoidâ?? rule is in effect.  If a play is being made, and the runner attempts to reach that base without sliding or avoiding the fielder the runner shall be out except where, in the opinion of the umpire no risk of injury or interference was incurred by the failure to slide or avoid.  .
   5. Tagging up is permitted.
   6. A courtesy runner may be inserted if a player is injured while batting or running the bases; or sustained an injury immediately before his at-bat. The pinch runner is the player who made the last batted out in the lineup. A pinch runner can only be inserted once for any given player in any given game
   7. If the catcher is on base with two outs he must be replaced on base with the player making the last batted out. The catcher must of caught the previous inning.
   8. If a coach touches a runner during play in a manner deemed to assist the runner, the runner will be called out.

1. Pitching:   

a.    Coach permitted 2 (two) mound visits per pitcher per inning. The 3rd visit requires removal of the pitcher.  The third visit to the same pitcher in a game requires removal of the pitcher.

b.    A pitcher can only throw 2 innings per game during April.  A pitcher can only throw 3 innings per game during the remainder of the season. In addition to the 2 inning in April and 3 inning rule, there are restrictions on the amount of pitches thrown see pitch count section.

c.    The throwing of one pitch constitutes an inning. 

d.    All innings pitched must be consecutive. Example: A player pitcher is removed in the 3rd inning with 2 out. A relief pitcher throws 1 pitch and gets the 3rd out. The relief pitcher is deemed to have pitched one inning and may return to pitch two more innings.

e.    A pitcher must be removed if they have hit two batters in an inning or three in a game.

f.     If in the judgment of the umpire, a batter intentionally attempts to be hit by a pitch the batter will be out and the pitcher will not be charged with a â??hit batterâ??. A pitch that bounces prior to hitting a batter is considered a hit batter. If a batter swings at a pitch that hits her; or if the batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone, it is a strike the pitcher will not be charged with a hit batter.

g.    The pitcher may not wear a long sleeved shirt of a color similar to the ball used.

h.    Balks: Each pitcher will receive one balk warning, subsequent balks will result in the advancement of a base runner.

1. Pitch Count
   1. A pitcher of league age 11 and 12 has a maximum pitch count of 85 pitches; a pitcher league age 9-10 has a maximum pitch count of 75 pitches.
   2. When a pitcher reaches his limit while facing a batter he may continue to pitch until one of the following occurs:

1.    The batter reaches base

2.    The batter is put out

3.    The third out is recorded

1.  
   1. A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the reminder of that day.  A player who has played catcher for 4 or more innings cannot pitch that day.
   2. We will adhere to a pitch count.  After reaching the pitch count below the pitchers will rest the required amount of time.  Example: If you play on Thursday and use three pitchers and you want to use the same three pitchers in your Saturday game (two days later) then those pitchers can only throw between 21 and 40 pitches on Thursday.

66 or more pitches   =     4 calendar days rest

51 to 65 pitches        =     3 calendar days rest

36 to 50 pitches        =     2 calendar days rest

21 to 35 pitches        =     1 calendar days rest

1 to 20 pitches             =      no rest required

1.  
   1. Pitchers may not throw curveballs or other â??breakingâ?? pitches. If the home plate umpire deems a pitch to be a curveball, the pitch shall be ruled â??no pitch.â??
   2. Pitch counts need to be submitted within 24 hours after a game and before your next game.  So if you play on consecutive days the counts need to be submitted before the next game.  Pitch counts must be submitted to the Majors Division Director and the league Safety Director.

if counts are not submitted, players that pitched in the game where no count is submitted will not be eligible to pitch for two games and the game will be forfeited.  

For a second violation â?? the players that pitched in the game where no count is submitted will not be eligible to pitch for three games and the game will be forfeited. The manager will also be suspended for 1 game. Third violations will result in a removal of a manager.

1.  
   1. All managers need to submit who pitched for their team and the opposing team. Counts are not needed for the opposing team just the number of innings pitched.  

1. Batting:
   1. Bat Throwing:  Umpire shall issue a warning before the game. If someone throws a bat, the team will be issued a warning.  Thereafter, a batter caught throwing the bat on the warned team will be out. 
   2. If the batter is called out for throwing the bat, the ball is dead and no runners may advance.
   3. Dropped third strike rule is in effect.  If the third strike of an at-bat is not caught by the catcher, the batter becomes a runner and may advance to first base or further.  The catcher must either tag the batter or throw the ball to first to record a force out.  This only applies is first base is unoccupied OR if there are two outs.  If first base is occupied with fewer than two outs, there is no drop third strike. 
   4. There must be no attempt at distracting the pitcher once she has begun his motion. This includes, but is not limited to chanting or yelling by players.  Any yells or cheers must end as soon as he begins his windup.  Failure to comply results in that pitches being called a strike.
   5. Infield fly rule is in effect.
   6. Injured batter:  An injured batter may be replaced by the next player in the order, without penalty and without the injured player being prevented from returning.  The replacement batter assumes the count of the injured batter.
   7. If a player has to leave, during a regular season game for any reason that spot in the order will be skipped for the remainder of the game. No out will be recorded as long as there are 9 batters.  If a player leaves during a playoff game for any reason that spot in the order will be recorded as an out every time it comes up in the order.
   8. Bunting is allowed. 
   9. Slashing/Slapping is not permitted.  A batter will be called out if they show bunt but pull the bat back and take a full swing.

1. Equipment:
   1. Catchers must wear full gear, including mask, chest protector, shin guards and catcherâ??s mitt.
   2. All players are required to use helmets.
   3. Non metal cleats are mandatory.
   4. Complete uniforms (consisting of shirt and pants) must be worn by all players.  No jewelry, Medic Alert bracelets are permissible. Players with casts, hard splints or braces on extremities may not play.
   5. Intentional throwing of equipment is prohibited and can mean ejection from the game.
   6. All team equipment must be kept in the dugout or in dead ball territory.

1.  Bats:

A wood bat is used for major league games. Maximum lengthy of bats shall not exceed 33 inches.  Maximum widths of bats (diameter) shall not exceed 2 Ã?¼ inches.  There is no applicable      length/weight differential.  A player found with an illegal bat must change bats.   

1.  Team Responsibilities:

Winning teamâ??s manager or coach is responsible for notifying the Major League Director of the result of the game.

1.  Game Cancellations/Re-Sscheduling 

No game can be canceled or rescheduled for the convenience of the teams without the prior approval of the Major League Director.  Failure to observe this rule will result in forfeiture of the game by both teams.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

13.   Time Limit:

No inning may commence after play has reached 2 hours. Innings already underway after the two-hour time limit shall be completed unless the umpire calls the game for darkness/weather

14.  Umpires:

a.    The umpire shall have the authority to call or suspend a game once the game has commenced.  Managers, coaches, parents, etc, shall have no say. An executive member of the Teaneck Southern Board who is not a manager, coach, or parent in the division may end or suspend the game if he/she feels there is a safety issue.

b.    No Umpire:  If there is no umpire, the managers may agree to utilize anyone they deem suitable and the game will be official.  Please notify the Head Umpire if the umpire fails to show.

15.  Verbal Abuse: 

Verbal abuse of any umpire, player, manager or coach by any other player, manager or coach will not be tolerated and shall be deemed unsportsmanlike conduct.  The offender shall be subject to ejection at the discretion of the umpire or at the discretion of a Member of the Board who observes the abuse.  If the ejected party refuses to leave, the umpire may forfeit the game to the opposing team.

If the abuse is from a spectator, partisan to a team, the umpire shall direct the manager of that team to intervene to stop the abuse.  If the manager refuses to or is unsuccessful in stopping the abuse, the umpire, after a warning, may declare a forfeit to the other team.

If the abuse is from a spectator who is not a partisan of either team, the umpire may request the assistance of either or both managers to intervene.  If the intervention is unsuccessful, the umpire may suspend the game.

1.  Protests:

Protests can be on a point of rule interpretation only, not on an umpire's judgment call.  There shall be no dissent.  If a coach or player is ejected they must also sit the following game.  If it happens a second time, they must come before the Board before they can be reinstated.

Protesting manager must inform the umpire and opposing manager of the protest and the basis for it before the next pitch is thrown.

The umpire must sign both managers' scorebooks at the point of protest and make a notation of the progress of the game (i.e. top of 3rd, 2nd batter, 1 out).

The protested game must be completed.

The protesting manager must submit in writing or email to the Division President the basis for the protest within 24 hours of the completion of the game. If needed, a hearing will be scheduled and the presence of the umpire and both managers (and their score books) shall be required.

If the protest favors the protesting team, the game shall revert back to the time of the protest.

All decisions are final.

Failure to follow any of these rules shall result in a denial of your protest. NO EXCEPTIONS.

**All other Little League rules apply.  Please read the Little League Rule Book.