PDF Download: MLB House Rules

The rules of Little League Baseball will be followed unless changed or modified by the following rules. For situations and questions not addressed here, defer to Little League Rules.

 

1. Home plate to pitching mound is 44 feet from tail of plate to the front of the mound.
2. All bases are 60 feet. First and third bases are measured from tail of plate to the front of the bases. Second base is measured from foul ball line to front of the base.

 

1. Teams will be allowed to use nine (9) players in the field.
2. Each player must play a minimum of two (2) innings in the field per game. It may be any two (2) innings. They do not have to be consecutive innings.
3. All players who are present at game time must be inserted in the line-up unless he or she is sick or injured. All rostered players who are not present for the game must be listed on the game sheet as absent along with a reason for said absence if known.
4. It is within the discretion of the manager to play a player who comes after the start of the game as long as two (2) innings have not been yet completed. If the manager decides to play the player, he will insert his name in the last position of the batting order and that the player will bat as soon as his position in the batting order is reached. The opposing manager and scorekeeper must be notified of such insertion. If the player arrives after the completion of the 2nd inning, the player will be considered absent and not be allowed to play in that game.
5. It will be the discretion of the manager to play a player who misses practices without "good reasoning" as long as the proper procedures are taken by the manager according to league rules. 
6. ANY MANAGER WHO VIOLATES A PLAYER’S MINIMUM WILL FORFEIT THAT GAME AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
7.  A team may start with eight (8) players in the field against a team that has nine (9) players in the field. If the 9th player shows up after the start of the game, he or she will then be used in accordance with item D above.
8. A player must have 75% completed season games at players level, including playoffs in order to qualify for Clear Ridge All Stars (no exceptions).

 
Games are six (6) innings with the following exceptions.

1. There is a fifteen run slaughter rule after four (4) innings, 3 1/2 innings if the home team is leading by fifteen (15) runs. If the home team is losing, the bottom of the inning must be completed.
2. In the case of rain or darkness, four (4) innings constitute a complete game, 3 1⁄2 if the home team is leading.
3. In the case of rain or darkness when an official game has NOT been reached, the game will be suspended and play is resumed from where game was suspended.
4. There will be one extra inning allowed with the exception of the playoffs. Ties will count as a 1/2 game won and 1/2 game lost.
5. Time limit: No inning can start 1 and 45 minutes after the start of the game. If the inning started before the time limit, the inning shall be completed. The time limit can be waived on weekdays if BOTH managers agree before the start of the game and there are no games scheduled after. On weekends, this rule is strictly enforced.

 

1. There will be a continuous batting order. All eligible players will be inserted into the batting order and will bat even if they are not currently playing in the field in that respective inning.
   1. A continuous batting order means everyone bats and you keep batting until three (3) outs has been obtained. Remember this is a neighborhood league to develop our kids. These players are nine (9) and ten (10) years old.
2. If the player is removed from the game in case of an emergency, parent removal due to an emergency, or injury/sickness, he will be removed from the batting order and an out will not be enforced when his position in the batting order is reached. If the player leaves the game for any other reason including umpire ejection, an out will be enforced when his position in the batting order is reached.

 

1. Leadoffs are not permitted.
   
2. A base runner can break contact with the base when the pitched ball breaks the plane of home plate. No runner may break for home on the throw back from the catcher to the pitcher unless the ball gets away from the pitcher or on an errant throw. If the runner advances he does so at his own risk and may be thrown out. Double steals are allowed. All bases can be stolen. EXCEPTION: A player on third base cannot steal home unless played upon by the pitcher or catcher. He can however advance on a wild pitch.
3. After a pitch, which has not been put into play, has been delivered by the catcher directly back to the pitcher, a "dead Ball" will be declared if the pitcher has possession of the ball on the mound. Any attempts to steal must be continuous and made prior to the pitcher possessing the ball on the mound. If the runner stops his advancement while the pitcher has possession on the mound, the runner must immediately return to the last established base. If the runner advances, he does so at his own risk and maybe thrown out. If the
   pitcher/defense elects to make a play on the runner, normal rules apply.
   1. NOTE: On a field when there is no clearly definable mound, the mound will consist of a circle in the middle of the infield, 4 1/2 feet wide with the pitching mound in the middle (nine (9) feet diameter). This area will be a judgment call on the part of the umpire.
4. Runners can advance to any base on any live play. Live play means until the umpire calls time or the pitcher has control of the ball on the mound. The pitcher has to be on the mound to kill the play (see above). Example: Any overthrow to any base, the runner can advance as far as he can until the play is called dead even if that means from 1st base to home plate.
5. There is no walk off stealing at all. A continuous steal must be made.
6. A base runner must not collide with a fielder. It is the job of the umpire to declare the base runner out. A collision is a judgment call and not the basis for a protest.
7. A slide rule to avoid contact is in effect.

 

1. Any player on the team roster may pitch in a game. There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.
2. Any player who has been removed from the position of pitcher may not return as a pitcher in that particular game.
3. Any player who delivers pitches in a game can play the position of catcher unless they throw over 41 pitches. Any player who plays catcher four (4) or more innings is not allowed to be reinserted into the game as a pitcher.
4. The manager MUST remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the allowed number of pitches in a game. The pitcher is allowed 75 pitches per game. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 75 pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until the batter reaches base or is declared out. The pitcher may remain in the game at any position with the exception of catcher.
5. A manager must make a pitching change if he goes to the mound (visit) to see the pitcher two (2) times in the same inning or three (3) times in a game.
6. There are no drop third strikes. 
7. The balk rule will not be enforced.
8.  No intentional walks allowed.
9. A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day. This includes makeup games scheduled as doubleheaders. 
10. If a pitcher hits three (3) batters in an inning or five (5) batters in a game, he must be removed immediately- NO EXCEPTIONS.
11. All games in the minor league division will be considered open. Both 9- and 10-year-old players will be allowed to pitch at any time. Managers are strongly encouraged and should be sure to use both 9- and 10-year-old players evenly. Do not use only 10-year-old pitchers all the time.
12. Pitchers in the Clear Ridge little league division must adhere to the following rest requirements:
    

• Pitchers in the minor league must adhere to the following rest requirements: 
  • Maximum number of pitches per calendar day is 75 pitches.
    • 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
    
  
  

• •  Examples:
    • Pitcher throws 20 pitches during Tuesday game - requires 0 days rest and could pitch again on Wednesday
    • Pitcher throws 21 pitches during Tuesday game - requires 1 day rest and could pitch again on Thursday
    • Pitcher throws 65 pitches during Tuesday game - requires 3 days rest and could pitch again on Saturday
    • Pitcher throws 66 pitches during Tuesday game - requires 4 days rest and could pitch again on Sunday

 

1. "Pitch count" regulations are safety oriented and are not to be abused or misused to gain an unfair advantage during the season.
2. Team managers are ultimately responsible for keeping pitch counts, proper record keeping and exchanging such information with other managers. 
3. Pitch counts can be kept game by game by managers, coaches, scorekeepers, team mom, team dad or other acceptable volunteers.
4. If the pitch count is being kept by someone other than the 4 adults allowed in dugout, the pitch counter must remain outside the dugout.
5. Pitch counts will be kept with the use of the mechanical pitch counters provided by the league.
6. Both teams will keep pitch counts. These will be verified every half inning.
7. in the event of disputes, the count of the home team will govern.
8. Pitch counts will be recorded every half inning for respective pitchers and recorded on sheets provided by the league. Keep all records for future verification.
9. Pitch counters will alert coaches when any pitcher is within 10 pitches of their maximum allowed pitches.
10. Prior to each game, both managers must declare which players are ineligible to pitch in that game based on previous pitching appearances in the presence of the umpire. All prior pitch count records must be immediately available in case of any questions

NOTE: ANY INTENTIONAL VIOLATION OF PITCHING OR PITCH COUNT RULES WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY
THE CLEAR RIDGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

 

1. All teams make the playoffs.
2. No time limit on games.
3. Run Rule: There is a fifteen run rule after (3) innings, ten run rule after (4). 2 1/2 innings if the home team is leading by fifteen (15) runs, 3 1/2 if the home team is leading by ten (10) runs. If the home team is losing, the bottom of the inning must be completed.
4. Standings
   1. Standings will be based on a point system of 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.
   2. Tiebreakers for any playoff position will be determined by the team’s head-to-head season record.
   3. If head-to-head record is the same a coin toss will be used.
      

THERE WILL BE NO YELLING OF YOUR OPINION OF THE PLAY. THE UMPIRE MAKES THE CALL NOT THE MANAGERS, COACHES, MOMS, OR DADS. THE UMPIRE HAS THE FINAL SAY SO. RESPECT THE UMPIRES, THEY ARE YOUNG BUT THEY DO CONTROL THE GAME, AND ONLY THEM.

1. The infield fly rule will be enforced in the minor league division.
2. Home team uses the third base dugout. Visiting team uses the first base dugout.
3. Only four (4) adults in the dugout- manager, 2 coaches and scorekeeper.
4. Only the mangers are allowed to dispute or discuss a call with umpire. There is no exception.
5. All players must be in the dugout during the game.
6. The on-deck batter must stay in the dugout until it is his turn to bat.
7. There is absolutely no talking to the opposing pitcher while the pitcher is on the mound.
8. At the end of each game BOTH managers will sign BOTH the score sheet and pitch count records.

NO PLAYER IS ALLOWED BEHIND THE BACKSTOP OR OUT OF THE DUGOUT WHEN NOT BATTING OR IN THE FIELD.

NO PARENTS ARE ALLOWED IN OR BEHIND THE DUGOUT OR BACKSTOP. PARENTS AND SPECTATORS MUST REMAIN TO THE OUTFIELD SIDE OF FIRST AND THIRD BASE.

THESE RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED AND THE GAME MAY BE STOPPED UNTIL ALL PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS ARE IN COMPLETE COMPLIANCE.

THE ORANGE SAFETY BASE WILL BE USED AT FIRST BASE. THE BASE RUNNER MUST RUN THROUGH/PAST THE ORANGE BASE ON A BATTED BALL WHEN NOT ADVANCING PAST FIRST BASE IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY CONTACT OR COLLISION WITH THE FIELDER. IT WILL BE THE UMPIRES DISCRETION ON ENFORCING THIS RULE DURING THE COURSE OF THE GAME AND SHOULD BE DISCUSSED ALONG WITH OTHER GROUND RULES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE GAME.

DEFINITIONS: 

1. Player eligibility: To determine whether or not a Clear Ridge baseball player is eligible to play in a scheduled game (regular season or playoff).
2. Unexcused absence: Any player absence from a scheduled practice(s) and/or scheduled game(s), which had not been previously communicated in writing, in person and/or by phone, to the appropriate manager or coach.

 
CLEAR RIDGE BASEBALL PLAYER ELIGIBILITY RULE FOR GAMES:

1. If a player should have two (2) consecutive unexcused absences from scheduled practices in the same calendar week, such player is not eligible to participate in the next scheduled Clear Ridge baseball game (regular or playoff game) 
2. If a player should have one (1) unexcused absence from a scheduled practice and one (1) unexcused absence from a scheduled game in the same calendar week, such player is not eligible to participate in the next scheduled game (regular or playoff). 
3. If a player should have two (2) consecutive unexcused absences from a scheduled game in the same calendar week, such a player is not eligible to participate in the next game.
4. If a player is absent from a scheduled practice or game, it is responsibility of that player (or players parent) to find out when the next scheduled practice or game will be held. “Not knowing” about a scheduled practice or game in not a valid excuse for player eligibility.
5. If a manager allows an ineligible player due to any or all of the circumstances listed above to enter a game, such manager will be suspended and may forfeit his right to manage his current assigned team.
6. This rule is not up to the discretion of the manager, this is a Clear Ridge in house rule.
7. This rule applies to any player, any time during the regular season and playoff season.

CLEAR RIDGE BASEBALL GAMES COME FIRST!

Managers please be sure to inform all of your team members and their parents of this rule. Advise them that this Clear
Ridge player eligibility rule for games will be strictly enforced. Parents need to be aware that if their child is ill or on
vacation, the parent must notify you in advance in order to meet criteria of a player eligibility.

OF NOTE, effective January 1, 2018, Little League Baseball® adhered to the new USA Bat standard.

1. All bats must be stamped with the new USA Baseball Mark.
2. USABat approved bats are available in 2 1/4-, 2 1/2-, and 2 5/8- inch dimensions.
3. See www.usabat.com for additional information.