Little League Minors (9-10 year olds)
Key Rules & Local League Options
School Nights: No game shall start after 9:30 p.m. on a school night.
Game Time: Game time is forfeit time. The only exception is the first game of the day/evening, which has a fifteen (15) minute grace period.
Number of Players: Each team may start a game with eight (8) players and end the game with eight (8) players. The ninth spot in the batting order is an automatic out each time through the line-up.
Pitching Rules: A Pitcher must be removed once they have reached their limit of 75 pitches per day. Exception: once the pitcher reaches the limit while facing a batter, the pitcher my continue to pitch until 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. (Note: 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 pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 51- 65 or more pitches in a day, three calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 36-50 or more pitches in a day, two calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 21-35 or more pitches in a day, one calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 1-20 or more pitches in a day, no calendar days of rest must be observed.
Once the player has reached their required rest, then they can pitch their allowed per day limit again.
If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher my continue to pitch until 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. The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he reached during that at-bat.
A player, who has played the position of catcher for four or more innings in a game, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
Players Must Play: All players listed on the line-up roster for that game must play three (3) consecutive outs and bat at least once. This applies to game that become regulation, but not to games that are called because of rain. All managers and/or coaches shall be required to list eligible team players in the official line-up for the official score book by name and number prior to the start of the game.
Batting Requirements: All eligible players shall bat completely through the roster regardless of whether they are playing in the field that inning or not.
Called Games: Games call because of rain, darkness, or other reasons before they become regulation games shall be resumed from the point of termination. A regulation game is one that has completed 4 innings (3 ½ if the Home team is leading).
Time Limit: A game will be called at the end of one hour and thirty minutes from the official starting time. If an inning has been started prior to the expiration for the time limit, that inning must be completed. Note: A new inning begins the instant the third out is made in the preceding inning. If the time has expired and a team is six (6) or more runs ahead of the other, the game is over. For the purpose of satisfying rule 3.03, the ninety minute time limit shall be considered the same as a six (6) inning game.
Run Limit: The maximum number of runs that can be scored per inning is limited to five (5) per team. A team that is behind by ten (10) or more runs after four (4) innings of play has lost the game. The teams have the option of playing out the time limit if they so desire. The umpires will be required to finish out the time limit or six (6) innings, whichever comes first.
Tie Game: In the event of a tie game at the end of the time limit, the game shall be extended one (1) inning at a time until either team breaks the tie. Play is extended for a maximum of two (2) innings. If the game is still tied, it will stand as a tie unless it affects the standings at the end of the season. In this case, it will be played out at the end of the season an inning at a time until a winner is determined.
Infield Practice: No infield practice will be taken between games.
Coaches: All coaches on the field and/or in the dugout must be Little League certified. There must be one (1) certified coach in the dugout; if there are two (2) or less coaches present, a player must coach a base and that player must wear a helmet. A maximum of three (3) certified coaches are allowed in the dugout to comply with the insurance policy of the league.
Catcher on Base: In the event that the catcher is on base with two (2) outs, the coach has the option of using a runner for the catcher to speed up the game. The substitute player shall be a player not presently in the game and shall not be entered in the score book.
Infield Fly: The infield fly rule shall apply in Little League Minors.
Sliding Rules: Players sliding head first to reach the next base are automatically out. This shall apply only to a runner attempting to reach the next base and does not apply to a dive or attempt to return to a base. The runner who does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag is automatically out. Note: The ball is dead and other base runners take bases they had reached, is the umpire’s decision, when the violation occurred.
Helmets: All offensive players (batters, base runners, on deck batters, base coaches, ..) must be wearing a batting helmet. Face mask are optional.
Bats: Only bats manufactured and clearly marked approved for play in the Little league Baseball program shall be legal for league and tournament play.
All-star Rule: Players and Coaches shall be committed to play through the total
designated all-star period (i.e. through end of State Tournament or until eliminated) or will be deemed ineligible for all-stars selection. Players or Coaches who violate this rule, will be ineligible for all-stars the following Little League Season.
Substitute Players: A Team may only ask a player to play up when his team is
short one player from the required players. If you have enough players to play the game, you may NOT bring a player up from a younger age group and let him/her play in front of your roster players.