Three Outs Or 5 Runs Scored Will End a Half Inning

2016 Minors Rules

The Minors level is for players ages 8 to 11. At this level players will take the fundamentals they learned in lower levels and expand up them with more advanced techniques and applications. The season is also more competitive, with playoffs being held at the end of the season.
The season will consist of at least 12 games scheduled by the league, plus playoffs. Practices will be scheduled by each manager.
Season Long Rules:
•Nine players in the field at traditional positions.

•Three outs or 5 runs scored will end a half inning.

•Pitchers are subject to the Little League pitch count rules.(see below for more info)

•There will not be an on deck batter. This is a safety rule. Swinging bats can hurt other when they are not looking.

•The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.

•Games are schedule for six innings unless called off by the umpire for darkness or inclement weather. Four innings (or 3 and a half if the home team is winning) need to be played for a game to be official.

•Each team will use a continuous batting order (all players on the team will be placed in the batting order, even if they are not in the field). Players who arrive after the start of the game will be added to the bottom of the batting order.

•Fielders can be freely substituted.

•Pitchers who are removed from the pitcher's position cannot return to pitch later in the game. On the second visit to the mound to talk to the pitcher and or team, the manager/coach must replace the pitcher.

•No player will sit for more than 2 innings per game.

•Runners cannot advance to first base on dropped third strikes.

•When the ball is batted into play, runners can take as many bases as they can until the umpire stops play or if the ball goes out of play.

•In the last inning (If sunlight is a concern, both managers need to declare which inning will be the last inning) teams will need to make 3 outs to end the half inning that they are on defense.

•There will not be an “illegal pitch” called. If a pitcher stops their motion toward the plate or falls off the mound, no ball will be call by the umpire. Managers will need to focus on this rule throughout the season, if it's a concern for one of their pitchers.

•No slashing (faking a bunt, then swinging away)
•Players must slide or avoid contact.
•The Umpire does have the right to eject a Player, Manager or Coach from the game for abusive language or actions, which are not deemed appropriate for participants in the Little League program to exhibit. This will result in the automatic suspension of the individual involved for the next scheduled game. A suspended Player must serve his/her suspension on the bench and in uniform. A second violation will be reviewed by the Board of Directors, which could result in either a further suspension or dismissal fromthe program. A Player, Manager or Coach ejected from a game due to physical contact will be suspended from all League activities until they appear before the Board of Directors. The Board will decide the length of the suspension to be served or permanent dismissal from the program. The Board WILL NOT permit these actions by any person associated with Watertown Little League.
•PROFANITY OR MISCONDUCT PROBLEMS:
The actions of Players, Managers, Coaches, Umpires and League Officials must be above reproach. Any Player, Manager, Coach, Umpire or League Representative who is involved in a verbal or physical altercation, or an incident of unsportsmanlike conduct, at the game site or any other Little League activity, is subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.
•PROPER DRESS:
Uniforms and team hats must be worn at all games. Hats may not be substituted. Player’s uniforms must be neat at all times with shirts tucked in. Player must wear grey baseball pants.
•MAKE-UP / RESCHEDULED GAMES:
Game postponements because of inclement weather or any other consideration will be made by the two opposing Managers and approved by the Division Directors, or the League President in his absence, within one (1) hour of the scheduled start of the game. These games will be rescheduled using the first available open date. If the Managers can not agree on a date, the Division Director/Vice President, or the League President in his absence, will decide by using the first open time slot available. The only exception to this will be on Mother’s Day and Graduation Day. If a game is suspended by the umpire either by weather or any other considerations and is not an “official” game then both team will need to finish the game on another day. An official game is when the game finishes the 4th inning or if the home team is winning after 3 ½ innings.

If the game needs to be finished on another day, the game will resume at the very point the game was suspended. Same lineup will need to be used. If a pitcher was taken out of the game before the suspension of the game, that pitcher will not be able to pitch during the rest of the game. Also, please note the Little League Pitch count rules. If a pitcher was not used before the game was suspended or is currently the pitcher of record when the game was suspended, that pitcher might not be able to pitch depending on their days of rest needed according to the Little League pitch count rules.
•EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS:
Each Manager is responsible for the equipment and uniforms issued to their team at the beginning of the season. Once the season ends, it is expected that each Manager will return their equipment for inventory, repair and/or replacement. Failure to return such equipment is subject not only dismissal from the program, but also financial restitution for the replacement costs to the League for said equipment and uniforms. The current regular season uniforms are kept by the players and are not turned back in.
Rules for the First Half of the Season(First game of season - May 15):

•Runners can only steal second base on any kind of pitch.
•There is no stealing of third base or home.
•Runners cannot advance to third or home on bad throws to second base on a steal.
•Runners cannot advance on bad throws to the pitcher from the catcher.
•No bunting.
Rules for the Second Half of the Season(May 16 - end of playoffs):
•Players can steal second, third or home when open.
•Runners can advance on passed balls or wild pitches.
•Runners can take extra bases on over throws at any point.
•Bunting is allowed.
Pitch Counts
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

11-12 years old 85 pitches per day
9-10 year old 75 pitches per day
7-8 Year old 50 pitches per day
Exception: 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. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out;
3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. Note 1: A pitcher who delivers 41
or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of
that day.

If a player catches 4 innings.1 inning will consist of catching one pitch. That player will not be allowed to pitch during that day/game.

Pitchers league age 12 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 days of rest must be
observed.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.