2024 MILL VALLEY MINOR LEAGUE
RULES, POLICIES and PROCEDURES
(Revised October 17, 2023)
1. All National Little League rules are in effect per 2023 “Official Regulations and Playing Rules” which can be downloaded from Little League International (www.littleleague.org), or viewed on the Little League Rulebook app, except as noted below.
2. Game times: Monday-Friday games must end by 8PM. Saturday games must end no later than 2 hours after the scheduled start time if there is a following game to allow for field prep. Refer to Rules 4.11 and 4.12 for games halted during an inning. Essentially, the final score will be the last completed full inning (a complete game is 4 innings). Games that are over 1 hour 45 minutes are complete games irrespective of the innings played.
3. Rain: When a field has not been closed by the City per the City’s website (https://www.millvalleylibrary.org/477/Fields), teams are expected to show up at the field 45 minutes before the scheduled start. Our fields drain very well and showers in the morning may not result in cancellation. If a team does not appear and the field is playable, that team will be subject to a forfeit at the discretion of the MVLL Board. The Minors Commissioner or his/her designee will make the final decision regarding whether a field is playable.
4. Dugouts: Home teams as designated by the schedule shall occupy the 1st base dugout, visitors the 3rd base dugout.
5. Batting Practice on Game Day Field: Batting practice, soft toss, pepper, or any other drills involving swinging bats are prohibited on any game day field prior to scheduled start time.
6. Continuous Batting Order: Players attending the game shall bat in a continuous order throughout the entire game regardless of when they play in the field. (Note: 7.14(a) Special Pinch Runner and 7.14(b) Courtesy Runner do not apply).
7. 5-run Rule (Inning Mercy): The inning ends once a team has scored 5 runs.
8. 10-run Rule (Game Mercy): If after 4 innings (3.5 innings if home team ahead) one team has a lead of 10 or more runs, the losing team shall concede the victory to the opponent. If the teams wish to continue as a scrimmage, without interfering with a following game, they may do so, but the umpires will be excused at the completion of the regulation game.
9. Playing Time Local Rule: Every player on the team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of half the scheduled innings in the field or three (3) complete innings. A complete inning is three (3) consecutive outs. A player who does not start in a game must start in the following game. Players can be alternated in consecutive innings.
10. Adult Coaches: Teams may have no more than 3 approved/certified adults within the confines of the field during a game. Adults may coach in the coach’s boxes at 1st and 3rd bases when the team is on offense. When the team is not on offense all adults must be in the dugout. A team may have a scorekeeper sitting in the stands, but coaching should not be done from the stands or other field areas. One adult must be in the dugout at all times. Only adults within the confines of the field at the time of first pitch will be permitted. All adults on the field must have registered as a Volunteer through MVLL Registration, and must have successfully completed a background check as required by Little League International and the State of California.
11. Offensive Time Outs: Local: in the interest of time, only one offensive time out will be granted per inning.
12. Defensive Time Outs: There are no defensive time outs in Minors.
13. Mound Visits: In Minors, the manager or coach may visit a pitcher twice per inning; if there is a third visit in the inning to the same pitcher, the pitcher must be removed. Furthermore, the manager or coach can only visit a pitcher three times per game; if there is a fourth visit in the game to the same pitcher, the pitcher must be removed. See Rule 8.06.
14. Runner Must Avoid Fielder/Sliding: A runner must slide or attempt to go around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag. Headfirst slides are illegal unless returning back to the base. Defensive players without the ball cannot block the base path. See Rules 7.08 and 7.09.
15. Leadoffs: There are no leadoffs in Minors.
16. Stealing: Players are allowed to steal bases, including home, all season long.
17. Dropped 3rd Strike: There are no dropped 3rd strikes in Minors.
18. Pitching: When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and in possession of the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. A play is considered dead, resulting in runners returning to their respective bases, once the pitcher has control of the ball on the pitcher’s mound in between pitches. If the catcher overthrows the pitcher, the runners can advance so long as they are more than halfway to the next base prior to the pitcher controlling the ball on the pitcher’s mound. If the catcher overthrows the pitcher, the runners may advance at their own risk to be put out.
19. Pitching Local: During the regular season, a pitcher may pitch a maximum of 2 innings or 6 consecutive outs. The 6 outs may span 3 innings. A pitcher may take another field position immediately under both National and local rules. A pitcher may not return to pitch having been removed from that position earlier in the game. A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day. During the post-season, teams may use National rules regarding pitch count (see below and at the end of these Rules).
20. Pitcher/Catcher: A pitcher who throws 40 or more pitches in a game may not play in the catcher position. If the pitcher reaches 39 pitches while facing a batter, they may continue to pitch until that at-bat is completed, and then thereafter play the position of catcher for the remainder of that game. A catcher who catches less than 4 innings in a game may pitch. For the purposes of this rule, the catcher shall be considered to have caught 4 innings as soon as they receive the first pitch of the 4th inning, and then becomes ineligible to pitch in that game.
21. Intentional Walks: Intentional walks are not allowed in Minors.
22. Balks: In Minors, a balk called by the umpire will result in a warning, as with any other illegal pitch. See Rule 8.05.
23. Pitch Count Rules: Detail regarding the pitch count rules as provided by LL International are included at the end of these Rules.
A pitch is defined as a “ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher”. For example: if a batter fouls off three pitches on a full count. All three are added to the pitch count even though the ball/strike count remains full at 3 and 2. Warm up pitches at the start of an inning do not count towards pitch count.
· Each team will have a designated Pitch Count Recorder (parent, coach, manager)
· Each team will record and complete the “Baseball Game Pitch Log” listing the pitchers name, uniform number, league age, and number of pitches thrown for that specific game.
· The Pitch Counter Recorder for each team will reconcile the pitches thrown after each half inning by meeting to agree on the number of pitches thrown in that half inning.
· Should there be any discrepancy, the lower pitch count will prevail.
· Should a discrepancy arise of 5 or more pitches, the Commissioner should be notified immediately.
· In the event of a protest the scorebooks and Baseball Game Pitch Count Log will be used to determine actual count.
· At the end of each game the “Baseball Pitcher Eligibility Tracking Form” should be filled out by each team, dated and signed by both Managers. This “Baseball Game Pitch Log” and the “Baseball Pitcher Eligibility Tracking Form” must be kept with your team’s scorebook. If the Tracking Form is not completed and signed by both Managers from the immediately prior game and a pitcher is challenged, that pitcher shall be deemed ineligible to pitch in the next game.
· At the beginning of your team’s next game, the “Baseball Pitcher Eligibility Tracking Form” shall be presented to the opposing Manager and Home Plate Umpire. This will indicate any pitchers not eligible for that game.
24. Vocal Harassment: Organized chatter, taunting or uniform cadenced speech intended to unnerve opposing players is not allowed by players or fans in the stands. Managers are responsible for maintaining the decorum of their players, coaches and parents/fans. Positive cheering is always encouraged. Repeated vocal harassment (i.e., continuing after a warning to stop) can result in ejection from the game.
25. Bats: Bats used in practices or games cannot be more than 33” in length; nor more than 2-5/8” in diameter. A bat must meet the USA Baseball Bat standards (see https://www.littleleague.org/help-center/usa-baseball-bat-standard-faqs/) for more information.
26. Umpires: Harassment of umpires by managers, coaches, players or parents/fans will not be tolerated. Managers, coaches, players and parents/fans will not shout “safe” or “out” or give the “safe” or “out” sign from the coach’s boxes or shout “good pitch” in advance of umpire making a call. Such behavior shall be subject to warnings and/or ejection from the game. Any umpire’s decision which involves judgment, such as, but not limited to, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a ball or strike, or whether a runner is safe or out, is final. No player, manager, coach or parent/fan, shall object to any judgment decision. Coaches may not leave the dugout to approach an umpire unless the umpire grants time out first. Umpire calls may not be “appealed”.
27. Clean Up/Post-Game Field Maintenance: Each team is responsible for cleaning up litter in the dugout and stands before vacating the field. Managers should have a team parent encourage families to assist clean-up of the stands area before leaving. The home team drags and waters the field at the end of the game and covers the mound and home plate with the provided tarps.
28. Outfield Fence Line - Friends Field: A) The outfield fence line is to be set at the Little League recommended 180 feet from the back corner of home plate prior to the start of the game. Cones or markers will be set by the umpires signifying the fence line. Once the first pitch has been thrown, the fence line will remain unchanged throughout the game even if it has been set shorter or longer than the recommended 180 feet. B) When a batted fair ball lands over the outfield home run line on a fly it is deemed to be a home run. C) A fair ball touched or caught on the fly by a fielder standing beyond the home run line is a home run. D) A batted fair ball that travels over the fence line, whether touched by a fielder or not, is a ground rule double. E) When a ball travels over the home run line the outfielder nearest the ball should raise both hands over their head to signal to the umpire that it went over the line. Umpires are solely responsible for making these calls. The home team shall retrieve and store the fence line markers after the game.
29. Number of Players: A team must have 9 players to start a game. If a team does not have 9 players, the team may be subject to a forfeit, with the decision resting with the MVLL Board per LL International Rules. If a team starts with 9 players but drops to 8 or less during the game, the game must stop. The team with less than 9 players may be subject to a forfeit, with the decision resting with the MVLL Board per LL International Rules. It is the manager’s responsibility to determine how many players will be available for his or her game, and to request a pool player if the team will only have 9 players or less (see MVLL Pool Player Rules for more information). Managers should encourage all players to participate (unless, of course, in the case of illness, injury, or mandatory school event). “Differentials” (the difference between the number of players on each team) will be ignored.
30. Number of Players – Playoffs: Pool players can only be used to avoid having less than 9 players at the beginning of the game. “Differentials” (the difference between the number of players on each team) will be ignored; automatic outs will not be imposed.
31. Conflicts/Protests: National rules allow for a game to be played under protest. MVLL discourages formal protests as they often result in a game having to be re-played from the point of the alleged infraction, and with schedules so tight, this is not easy. MVLL encourages trying to solve the problem at game time. Using a cell phone both Managers and the Head Umpire should initiate a phone call to the Commissioner.
32. Questions: Any questions should be directed to the Minor League Commissioner, Bill Bindeman.
Regular Season Pitching Rules – Baseball
Regulation VI – Pitchers
Pitch Count Rules – 2023
Copied on October 17, 2023
(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch.
Exception: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day.
EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game; or (4) the pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing his/her at-bat.
Approved Ruling: The catcher receiving one pitch to a batter in the fourth inning constitutes having caught four (4) innings. Warm-up pitches do not count, only when the ball is live will the pitches count toward innings caught.
(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher.
(c) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:
· League Age 6 – 8 = 50 Pitches
· League Age 9 – 10: 75 Pitches
· League Age 11 – 12: 85 Pitches
· League Age 13 – 16: 95 Pitches
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI(c) for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs:
1. The batter reaches base;
2. The batter is put out;
3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning of the game;
4. The pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing his/her at bat.
NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs:(1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; (3) the third out is made to complete the half inning or the game; or (4) the pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing his/her at-bat. The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
(d) Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
- If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
- If a player pitches 21-35 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 1: Under no circumstance shall a player pitch in three (3) consecutive days.
NOTE 2: A pitcher’s pitch count for the purposes of day(s) rest threshold is determined by the first pitch thrown to a batter. The pitcher may not start a new batter once the limit imposed in Regulation VI(c) has been met.
(e) Each league must designate the scorekeeper or another game official as the official pitch count recorder.
(f) The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either manager or any umpire. However, the manager is responsible for knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed.
(g) The official pitch count recorder should inform the Umpire-in-Chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Regulation VI(c). The Umpire-in-Chief will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with Regulation VI(c). However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the Umpire-in-Chief, and/or the failure of the Umpire-in-Chief to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.
(h) Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. Protest shall be made in accordance with Playing Rule 4.19.
(i) [blank]
(j) Minor League: A player who has attained the league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch. (See Regulation V – Selection of Players)
(k) Pitching in more than one game in a day: A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.
NOTES:
1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a warm-up pitch is delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation. Little League officials are urged to take precautions to prevent protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately.
Approved Ruling: Minor League and Little League (Majors): When warming up, if a pitcher is discovered to be ineligible, he/she must be removed and the previous pitcher of record may not return.
2. Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility.
3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest.
Example 1: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on the following Thursday. The pitcher is not eligible to pitch in the resumption of the game because he/she has not observed the required days of rest.
Example 2: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game because he/she has observed the required days of rest.
Example 3: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes two weeks later. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game, provided he/she is eligible based on his/her pitching record during the previous four days.