KAU Little League endorses the National Little League overarching philosophy. The KAU Board and has made only slight modifications to the playing rules to enhance the playing experience for our children. The following excerpt is taken from the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of the National Little League organization:

"Little League Baseball is a program of service to youth. It is geared to provide an outlet of healthful activity and training under good leadership in an atmosphere of wholesome community participation.

The movement is dedicated to helping children become good and decent citizens. It strives to inspire them with a goal and to enrich their lives toward the day when they must take their places in the world. It establishes for them rudiments of teamwork and fair play."
 

Playing Rules

National Little League Baseball offers a booklet titled "Official Regulations and Playing Rules". The booklets are generally available for purchase, and each team manager is provided with a copy. We encourage all players and parents to read and become familiar with both the Official Regulations and Playing Rules and any Local Rules that may apply.

Local Rules
Local rules are encouraged by National Little League to adjust for local conditions. Local rule modifications to the National rules are approved by the KAU Little League Board of Directors. Please review the local rules appropriate for your child's playing level:

2006 KAU REGULAR SEASON LOCAL RULES

 

T-BALL:

 

1.      Continuous batting order (late arriving players are put at end of order).

 

2.      All players in the line-up bat once each inning and then the inning is over.

 

3.      The bases are cleared at the end of each inning.

 

4.      Base Coaches: If the manager and both coaches are present, the team may elect to use two of the three coaches/manager as base coaches. The other coach/manager MUST remain in the dugout with the players.

 

5.      All players on the defensive team may play  in the field, however, infield positions are restricted to normal number of players to keep base paths clear.

 

 

Minor C Division:

 

1. Continuous batting order (late arriving players are put at the end of the order).

 

2. Five (5) run max per inning.

 

3. No base stealing.

 

4. Maximum of one base advanced by base runners on an overthrow.

 

1. No advancement by base runners after the ball is returned to the infield  unless a base runner (in the umpire’s judgment) is more than halfway to the next base in which case he can continue to the next base at his own risk.  Once ball is in the infield, regardless of whether the ball is in a player’s possession, runners must stop at the base they occupy or are entitled to obtain.

 

5. Time Limits: For games that begin at 5:30 p.m., a new inning may not begin after 7:15 p.m. regardless of when the game actually started. Games ended by the 10-run mercy rule (per the rule book) will not be allowed to continue play beyond that point nor will the winning team be allowed to have its final at-bats in the inning if it is the home team. These time limit rules are to be enforced by the  managers.

 

6. Base Coaches: If the manager and both coaches are present, a team may elect to use two of the team’s three coaches/manager as base coaches at both first and third base (in lieu of using one coach and one player as in the past). The other coach/manager MUST remain in the dugout with the players.

 

7. If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine or screen and remains in fair territory, it is considered a live ball, no other ball will be entered into play for any reason.

 

8. No player may play at the same position more than two innings per game.  In the case of First Base, pitcher, and shortstop, they may not play in consecutive innings.  All Players must play at least two innings in the outfield.

 

9. Maximum of ten players in the field.  All others must remain in the dugout.

 

10. Equal playing time for all players. (two inning minimum does not apply here)

 

11. If a player takes more than three pitches in a row, the third pitch shall be called a strike. (speed of play issue) [Exception: If the pitching machine needs adjustment, player will not be penalized.  Managers must adjust pitching machine as needed to keep balls in strike zone]

 

Suggestions for Fair Play:

 

A.     Avoidance of Ten Run Rule:

Managers owe it to both teams to get as many innings into a game as possible.  When a team takes a four run lead, the Manager of the team on offense should hold his runners to one base, unless the ball is in play in the outfield.  Extra bases on overthrows, or stretching a hit to a double or scoring a run should not be allowed.  Simply put, one base.  If the ball comes into the infield, runners stop, whether a player has it or not.   Once the deficit falls below four runs, return to regular play, using discretion on the respective team talents.  Nothing is more discouraging to a player then to see his team crushed.  Sometimes that is just the way the games go (one team is hitting and fielding, the other is not), but managers to a large extent can influence the balance of things.

 

B.     Move players at all positions, every inning:

Do not place your best kids at the key fielding positions (1^st base, pitcher, third base, and second base) for the entire game.  Do not rotate them among the key positions for the entire game.  Doing so will often result in a fast approaching 10 run rule.  Let all kids play every position.  The only exception would be catcher or 1^st base, where there is a safety issue.  If a team is up by a lot of runes, move the better players to the outfield.   Managers owe it to all players to keep a balanced game and allow the fun of competition to occur. 

 

Minor B:

 

1. Continuous batting order (late arriving players are put at the end of the order).

 

2. Each player shall play a minimum of 2 inning in the infield each game.

 

3. Limit of 4 steals per team per inning.

 

4. 10 players may be used defensively as long as the 10th player remains in the outfield on the grass.  The 10^th player cannot be used as an additional infielder.

 

5. An error on an overthrow does not count as a steal. It is counted as a normal error.

 

6. For each throwing error a player may advance one base.  Exception – see rule 14 & 15

 

7. There will be one stealing of home base permitted per inning per team.

 

8. Five (5) runs per team per inning maximum.

 

9. Play will become dead when the ball is in the possession of a player on the dirt area of the pitchers mound. Exception – see rule 14 & 15

 

10. Time Limits: For games that begin at 5:30 p.m., a new inning may not begin after 7:15 p.m., regardless of when the game actually started.  For games beginning at 7:30 p.m., a new inning may not begin after 9:35 p.m. unless the start of the late game was delayed by an earlier game in which case an inning may not begin more than 1 hour and 50 minutes after the actual start time of the late game. Games ended by the 10-run mercy rule (per the rule book) will not be allowed to continue play beyond that point nor will the winning team be allowed to have its final at-bats in the inning if it is the home team. These time limit rules are to be enforced by the umpires and the managers.

 

11. Base Coaches: If the manager and both coaches are present, a team may elect to use two of the team’s three coaches/managers as base coaches at both first and third base (in lieu of using one coach and one player as in the past). The other coach/manager MUST remain in the dugout with the players.

 

12. Pitching:  Each pitcher may pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game and a total of 6 innings per week.

 

13.  Pitching:  A pitcher is to be removed from the position of pitcher if he or she hits three (3) batters during the game.

 

14.  Overthrows from Catcher to Pitcher:  A runner on 1^st may proceed to 2^nd  and a runner on 2^nd may proceed to 3^rd on an overthrow from the catcher to the pitcher.  This will not count as a steal.  A runner on 3^rd may not advance to home and score on an overthrow from the catcher to the pitcher.  However, a runner on 3^rd may proceed home if a throw is made to the 3^rd basemen which results in an overthrow.

 

15.  Balls hit in the infield:  The batter only gets a single on any ball hit in the infield unless there is an overthrow.  For balls hit in the outfield, both the batter and any runners may advance more than one base until a defensive player has control of the ball on the dirt area of the pitchers mound.

 

16.   Catchers and Base runners:  To encourage catchers to learn to throw to 2^nd and 3^rd base during steal attempts, a base runner can not advance beyond the base he or she is stealing even if the catcher overthrows the base.  A runner on third base can not steal home at anytime unless a play is made on the runner at 3^rd base.

 

Minor A:

 

1. Continuous batting order (late arriving players are put at the end of the order).

 

2. Each player shall play a minimum of 1 inning in the infield each game.

 

3. Limit of 4 steal per team per inning

 

4. No player shall sit on the bench two innings in a row unless injured.

 

5. Time limits:  For games that begin at 5:30 p.m., a new inning may not begin after 7:15 p.m., regardless of when the game actually started  For games beginning at 7:30 p.m., a new inning may not begin after 9:35 p.m. unless the start of the late game was delayed by an earlier game in which case an inning may not begin more than 1 hour and 50 minutes after the actual start time of the late game.  Games ended by the 10-run mercy rule (per the rule book) will not be allowed to continue play beyond that point nor will the wining team be allowed to have its final at-bats in the inning if it is the home team.  These time limit rules are to be enforced by the umpires and the managers.

 

6. Base Coaches:  If the manager and both coaches are present, a team may elect to use two of the team’s three coaches/manager as base coaches at both first and third base (in lieu of using one coach and one player as in the past).  The other coach/manager MUST remain in the dugout with the players.

 

7. If both teams have 10 players present, all 10 may play defensively as long as the extra player is in the outfield. If one team can only field 9 players then both teams are to use 9 players.

 

8. A maximum of 6 runs may be scored per inning.

 

MAJORS:

 

 

1.      Minimum playing time of 9 defensive outs and 1 at-bat per player for 6-inning games.  Minimum playing time of 6 defensive outs and 1 at-bat per player for games less than 6 innings.

 

2.      Free substitution of defensive players (excluding pitcher) is allowed throughout the game.

 

3.      Time limits:  For games that begin at 5:30 p.m., a new inning may not begin after 7:15 p.m., regardless of when the game actually started.  For games beginning at 7:30 p.m., a new inning may not begin after 9:35 p.m. unless the start of the late game was delayed by an earlier game in which case an inning may not begin more than 1 hour and 50 minutes after the actual start time of the late game.  Games ended by the 10-run mercy rule (per the rule book) will not be allowed to continue play beyond that point nor will the wining team be allowed to have its final at-bats in the inning if it is the home team.  These time limit rules are to be enforced by the umpires and the managers.

 

4.      Base Coaches:  If the manager and both coaches are present, a team may elect to use two of the team’s three coaches/manager as base coaches at both first and third base (in lieu of using one coach and one player as in the past).  The other coach/manager MUST remain in the dugout with the players.

 

5.      The batting line-up for each team is 1 through 10 plus an A and B

              position anywhere in the line-up (when 11 or 12 players are present for a game), thus insuring that every player on the team is in the batting line-up. The A and B batters alternate times at-bat (e.g. the player in the 6A spot in the line-up will bat the first and third times through the order and the player in the 6B spot in the line-up will bat the second and fourth times through the order.

 

6.  If a player bats in the A/B position in a game (game ‘a’), A/B position in the next game (game ‘b’) then in the next game (game ‘c’) the player MUST be in a non A/B batting position. This rule would apply over a continuous three game span in which all 11 players are present.

 

7.   A player in the majors cannot sit on the bench two (2) innings in a row unless injured.

 

 

 

Please note: the playing rules for T-Ball are designed for player participation. A game consists of 3 innings and no official score is kept.

The Game
A regulation game consists of 6 innings, unless extended due to a tied score or shortened due to one of the following conditions:

    1) the home team needs none or only a fraction of its half of the sixth inning.
    2) the umpire calls the game for any reason.

Note: T-Ball games are a maximum of 3 innings, score is not kept, and umpires are not used.

Pitching Restrictions
The following restrictions are in regards to pitching.

• Any player on a team roster may pitch. One exception is any player who has attained a league age of twelve is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League (Minor A).
• If a player pitches in less than four innings, one calendar day of rest is mandatory.
• If a player pitches in four or more innings in a game, three calendar days of rest must be observed.
• A player may pitch in a maximum of six innings in a calendar week, Sunday through Saturday.
• Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.

Team Rules and Conduct
In addition to the National and Local playing rules, each team may have additional team rules approved by the Director of Baseball. Team rules are established to provide team, parent and player specific participation and other requirements. Any player (or parent) who interferes with team management, including failing to adhere to the established team rules, can expect reduced playing time or other possible sanctions to insure team harmony.

Game Conduct
Players are expected to arrive on time for pregame workouts and conduct themselves during the game in an acceptable manner. It is a team's responsibility to promote good sportsmanship and fair play. Following are simple rules for players to follow throughout the season:

• Play for the fun of playing, not just to please your parents.
• Play by the rules.
• Never argue with or complain about umpire's calls or decisions.
• Control your temper and resist the temptation to retaliate when you feel you have been wronged.
• Concentrate on playing baseball and on affecting the outcome of the game with your best effort.
• Be a good sport by cheering all good plays, whether it is your team's or your opponent's.
• Treat all players as you would like to be treated.
• Cooperate with your manager, coaches, teammates, opponents and umpires.
• Food and gum are not allowed in the dugouts, although sunflower seeds are permitted.

Ejection Protocol
Each umpire has the power and authority to eject players, managers, coaches and spectators from the game and or Little League Park or other playing area.

Players
If a player is ejected, the player shall immediately leave the playing area (field, dugout, bullpen etc.) before play continues, but may become a silent spectator in the stands. In addition, the player is expected to attend subsequent practices for behavior modification counseling. The player shall NOT participate in the next scheduled game, but may watch the game from the stands, but may not wear the team uniform.

Manager/Coach
When a manager or coach is ejected, that individual shall IMMEDIATELY leave the Little League Park or other playing area. In addition, that individual shall have NO CONTACT with the team and shall be PROHIBITED from the Little League Park or other playing field until the day AFTER the completion of the next scheduled team game.

Parents/Spectators
Other ejected individuals shall immediately leave the Little League Park or other playing area. Refusal to do so may result in the Umpires "calling" the game and other sanctions being assessed on the team associated with that individual.

Other Disciplinary Action
The Board feels strongly that proper field decorum is an important element of the Little League experience. For example, ejected individuals who do not "go quietly" once ejected can expect additional sanctions. Note: Any player, manager or coach who is ejected or otherwise suspended three times in a season, will have their association with KAU Little League terminated.

The Executive Committee or Protest Committee is responsible to impose any other disciplinary sanctions necessary to effectively operate the League.