| Age Division | Mites (7/8) | Minors (9/10) | Majors (11/12) | Pony (13/14) |
| GAME RULES |
| The rules below are the exceptions or clarifications of this governing body | Little League Baseball of America | Little League Baseball of America | Little League Baseball of America | Little League Baseball of America |
| Player Age | Age as of August 31st | Age as of August 31st | Age as of August 31st | Age as of August 31st |
| Thunder / Lightning | Play will be delayed 30 minutes each time thunder is heard or lightning is spotted | Play will be delayed 30 minutes each time thunder is heard or lightning is spotted | Play will be delayed 30 minutes each time thunder is heard or lightning is spotted | Play will be delayed 30 minutes each time thunder is heard or lightning is spotted |
| Dugouts | Home team will utilize the third base dugout | Home team will utilize the third base dugout | Home team will utilize the third base dugout | Home team will utilize the third base dugout |
| Borrowed Players | Borrowed players are allowed to bring the team to +1 beyond the maximum number of players allowed defensively.They may not play the position of pitcher and, must bat at | Borrowed players are allowed to bring the team to +1 beyond the maximum number of players allowed defensively.They may not play the position of pitcher and, must bat at | Borrowed players are allowed to bring the team to +1 beyond the maximum number of players allowed defensively.They may not play the position of pitcher and, must bat at | Borrowed players are allowed to bring the team to +1 beyond the maximum number of players allowed defensively.They may not play the position of pitcher and, must bat at |
| the bottom of the batting order. | the bottom of the batting order. | the bottom of the batting order. | the bottom of the batting order. |
| Base Paths | 60' - Hashmarks halfway between all bases | 60' - Hashmarks halfway between all bases (for pitching machine) | 60' - 70' | 80' - 90' |
| Ball Used | Baseball | Baseball | Baseball | Baseball |
| Pitchers Circle | 16' diameter around the center of Pitching Rubber | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pitchers Circle Ball in Play | The ball is in play until the ball is back into the pitching circle or the umpire calls time. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pitching Rubber Distance | 46' | 46' | 46' - 50' | 54' - 60' 6" |
| Team Shirt / Hat | Players must wear uniform provided | Players must wear uniform provided | Players must wear uniform provided | Players must wear uniform provided |
| Metal Cleats | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Allowed |
| Jewelry | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Maximum Run per Inning Rule | 5 run limit in first three innings only | 5 run limit in first three innings only | 5 run limit in first three innings only | No |
| Mercy Rule | 15 runs after 4 innings,10 runs after 5 innings, or 20 run lead at the end of any inning | 15 runs after 4 innings,10 runs after 5 innings, or 20 run lead at the end of any inning | 15 runs after 4 innings,10 runs after 5 innings, or 20 run lead at the end of any inning | 15 runs after 4 innings,10 runs after 5 innings, or 20 run lead at the end of any inning |
| Infield Fly Rule | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Game Length | 6 innings | 6 innings | 6 innings | 6 innings |
| Game Cutoff (back to back games on same field) | No new inning starts after 1 hour 20 minutes. Drop dead time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Final score will revert back to last completed inning. | No new inning starts after 1 hour 20 minutes. Drop dead time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Final score will revert back to last completed inning. | No new inning starts after 1 hour 20 minutes. Drop dead time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Final score will revert back to last completed inning. | No new inning starts after 1 hour 20 minutes. Drop dead time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Final score will revert back to last completed inning. |
| Full Games when only one game on a field on a given night | Games be played to the fullest extent (sunlight and weather permitting) | Games be played to the fullest extent (sunlight and weather permitting) | Games be played to the fullest extent (sunlight and weather permitting) | Games be played to the fullest extent (sunlight and weather permitting) |
| Minimum Number of Players Rule | There are no minimum players required to be on a roster for an official game.No "outs" will be taken if less than a "full" roster of players are available to play. | There are no minimum players required to be on a roster for an official game.No "outs" will be taken if less than a "full" roster of players are available to play. | There are no minimum players required to be on a roster for an official game.No "outs" will be taken if less than a "full" roster of players are available to play. | There are no minimum players required to be on a roster for an official game.No "outs" will be taken if less than a "full" roster of players are available to play. |
| Maximum players on defense | 10; 4 of which must start in the outfield grass | 10; 4 of which must start in the outfield grass | 9 | 9 |
| Defensive Field Coaches | Defensive team may have 2 coaches positioned in the outfield and they must not interfere with play | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ball out of Play | If the ball becomes stuck in the fence or goes out of the field of play, one additional base will be allowed. | If the ball becomes stuck in the fence or goes out of the field of play, one additional base will be allowed. | If the ball becomes stuck in the fence or goes out of the field of play, one additional base will be allowed. | If the ball becomes stuck in the fence or goes out of the field of play, one additional base will be allowed. |
| Minimum defensive play | No player will sit out more than two innings per game (unlimited substitutions).Must play 1 inning on the infield. | No player will sit out more than two innings per game (unlimited substitutions). | No player will sit out more than two innings per game (unlimited substitutions). | Must play six defensive outs (unlimited substitutions). |
| Umpires | The team on the field defensively will utilize a member from their coaching staff to run the pitching machine and umpire the game. | Home team will provide umpires for live-pitch | Home team will provide umpires for live-pitch | Home team will provide umpires for live-pitch |
| Appeals / Protests | Will be resolved by opposing managers | Will be resolved by umpires before play continues | Will be resolved by umpires before play continues | Will be resolved by umpires before play continues |
| Courtesy Runner | A courtesy runner may be issued to the next innings’ catcher if there is at least one out when he has reached his base or during the inning after one out has occurred. The runner must be the last recorded out. | A courtesy runner may be issued to the next innings’ catcher if there is at least one out when he has reached his base or during the inning after one out has occurred. The runner must be the last recorded out. | A courtesy runner may be issued to the next innings’ catcher if there is at least one out when he has reached his base or during the inning after one out has occurred. The runner must be the last recorded out. | A courtesy runner may be issued to the next innings’ catcher if there is at least one out when he has reached his base or during the inning after one out has occurred. The runner must be the last recorded out. |
| Assisting a baserunner | Any time that a coach touches a base runner in order to assist them, it will result in that player being called out after the play has been called “dead.” | Any time that a coach touches a base runner in order to assist them, it will result in that player being called out after the play has been called “dead.” | Any time that a coach touches a base runner in order to assist them, it will result in that player being called out after the play has been called “dead.” | Any time that a coach touches a base runner in order to assist them, it will result in that player being called out after the play has been called “dead.” |
| Facemask | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| BATTER |
| Batting Order | Continuous, if a player shows up late they will be added to the bottom of the batting order | Continuous, if a player shows up late they will be added to the bottom of the batting order | Continuous, if a player shows up late they will be added to the bottom of the batting order | Continuous, if a player shows up late they will be added to the bottom of the batting order |
| Facemask | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Injuries | If a player leaves or is injured during the game (unable to bat), that position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty as long as 8 players remain. | If a player leaves or is injured during the game (unable to bat), that position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty as long as 8 players remain. | If a player leaves or is injured during the game (unable to bat), that position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty as long as 8 players remain. | If a player leaves or is injured during the game (unable to bat), that position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty as long as 8 players remain. |
| Specific Bat Rules | Little League Baseball of America | Little League Baseball of America | Little League Baseball of America | Little League Baseball of America |
| On Deck Circle | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Drop Third Strike | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sliding | Runners will be called OUT for sliding head first when advancing a base.Runners will NOT be called OUT for diving head first back to a base. Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder (without leaving the basepath) who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.If the runner intentionally collides with the fielder, they will be called out (umpire's judgment). | Runners will be called OUT for sliding head first when advancing a base.Runners will NOT be called OUT for diving head first back to a base. Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder (without leaving the basepath) who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.If the runner intentionally collides with the fielder, they will be called out (umpire's judgment). | Runners will be called OUT for sliding head first when advancing a base.Runners will NOT be called OUT for diving head first back to a base. Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder (without leaving the basepath) who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.If the runner intentionally collides with the fielder, they will be called out (umpire's judgment). | Runners will be called OUT for sliding head first when advancing a base.Runners will NOT be called OUT for diving head first back to a base. Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder (without leaving the basepath) who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.If the runner intentionally collides with the fielder, they will be called out (umpire's judgment). |
| base.Runners will NOT be called OUT for diving head first back to a | base.Runners will NOT be called OUT for diving head first back to a | base.Runners will NOT be called OUT for diving head first back to a | base.Runners will NOT be called OUT for diving head first back to a |
| Definition of "passed ball" | | A pitched ball that goes behind the catcher | | |
| May Advance on a passed ball | No | Yes; only 2 (two) runs per inning can score on a passed ball | Yes | Yes |
| Leadoffs | No, runners cannot leave the base until the ball crosses home plate | No, runners cannot leave the base until the ball crosses home plate | No, runners cannot leave the base until the ball crosses home plate | Yes |
| Penalty for Leading Off | After one team warning, the runner will be called "out." | After one team warning, the runner will be called "out." | After one team warning, the runner will be called "out." | N/A |
| Stealing | No stealing | Runners can leave their base after the ball crosses home plate | Runners can leave their base after the ball crosses home plate | Stealing is allowed |
| Bat Throwing | The team will be given one warning per game for throwing a bat. The next infraction during that game will result in the batter being called out. | The team will be given one warning per game for throwing a bat. The next infraction during that game will result in the batter being called out. | The team will be given one warning per game for throwing a bat. The next infraction during that game will result in the batter being called out. | The team will be given one warning per game for throwing a bat. The next infraction during that game will result in the batter being called out. |
| Bunting | Bunting is allowed, 1 max per inning. | Unlimited bunting | Unlimited bunting | Unlimited bunting |
| Fake Bunt Hitting | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| MACHINE PITCHING |
| Utilization of Pitching Machine | Yes | | | |
| Umpire allowed to also coach players on the field | Yes | | | |
| Pitching Machine Speed | The pitching machine speed will be 52 rpm at the start of the season. Halfway through the season, the speed will be adjusted to 56-58 rpm/32-34mph. | | | |
| Pitcher Must Wear a Helmet with a Mask | Yes | | | |
| Runners may advance on errant throw from catcher to the pitcher | No | | | |
| Pitcher Positioning | The pitcher must be placed on the non-wheel side of the machine. | | | |
| Defensive Player Positioning | At the time the pitch is delivered, no defensive players may be forward of the pitching machine. Outfielders shall be standing in the outfield grass untilt he ball crosses home plate. | | | |
| Basepath Hashmarks between bases | If a base runner is not past the hash mark when the play is called “dead”, he must go back to the previous base if open. | | | |
| Overthrow to 1st Base | Runners may attempt to advance one base on overthrow to first base. | | | |
| Overthrow to any base besides 1st Base | Runners may attempt to advance as many bases as possible on an overthrow to any other base. | | | |
| Ball Hitting the Machine or Umpire | This is considered a dead ball on any batted ball.Each offensive player, including the batter, is allowed to move forward one base. | | | |
| Pitching Machine Adjustment | Adjustment is at the beginning of an inning, as well under manager discretion during the game for errant pitches. If a no pitch is called and the batter swings, it remains a no pitch. | | | |
| Balls / Strikes - Pitching Machine | Strikes will be called on all pitches in the strike zone and foul balls. Each batter will be allowed 3 strikes. | | | |
| LIVE PITCHING |
| Pitcher Rest Rules | | 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) 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) day of rest is required. | 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) 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) day of rest is required. | 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) 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) day of rest is required. |
| Maximum pitches per game by one player | | 75 | 85 | 95 |
| Maximum Innings pitched by one player per game | | 3 innings or 9 outs (whichever happens first) | 3 innings or 9 outs (whichever happens first) | 4 innings or 12 outs (whichever happens first) |
| Pitching Log | | Managers must make pitching logs available to opposing managers for the previous 5 days' games | Managers must make pitching logs available to opposing managers for the previous 5 days' games | Managers must make pitching logs available to opposing managers for the previous 5 days' games |
| Pitcher / Catcher Rule | | A pitcher that throws 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of the day. | A pitcher that throws 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of the day. | A pitcher that throws 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of the day. |
| Penalty for a "Balk" with runners on base | | A "Ball" is called on the batter | A "Ball" is called on the batter | Runners advance 1 base |
| Penalty for a "Balk" with NO runners on base | | A "Ball" is called on the batter | A "Ball" is called on the batter | A "Ball" is called on the batter |
| Manager's Visit to the Pitchers Mound Rules | | Upon the second visit to the mound in the same inning, the pitcher must be removed | Upon the second visit to the mound in the same inning, the pitcher must be removed | Upon the second visit to the mound in the same inning, the pitcher must be removed |
| Pitcher, once replaced as the pitcher, can return to pitch later in the game | | No | No | Yes |
| Runners may advance on errant throw from catcher to the pitcher | | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Runner Advance on overthrow to 1st Base | | Runners may attempt to advance one base on overthrow to first base. | Yes, unlimited bases | Yes, unlimited bases |
| Runner advance on overthrow to any base besides 1st Base | | Runners may attempt to advance as many bases as possible on an overthrow to any other base. | Yes, unlimited bases | Yes, unlimited bases |
| Pitcher Warmup | | Pitchers will be given six (6) pitches when entering a game the first time, and four (4) warm up pitches between innings. Manager may warmup pitcher between innings. | Pitchers will be given six (6) pitches when entering a game the first time, and four (4) warm up pitches between innings. Manager may warmup pitcher between innings. | Pitchers will be given six (6) pitches when entering a game the first time, and four (4) warm up pitches between innings. Manager may warmup pitcher between innings. |
| Intentional Walk | | If a team intends to give a batter an intentional base on balls, the manager of the defensive team shall notify the umpire and the batter will be awarded first base. This may be done at any time during the at-bat. | If a team intends to give a batter an intentional base on balls, the manager of the defensive team shall notify the umpire and the batter will be awarded first base. This may be done at any time during the at-bat. | If a team intends to give a batter an intentional base on balls, the manager of the defensive team shall notify the umpire and the batter will be awarded first base. This may be done at any time during the at-bat. |
| CATCHER |
| Catcher MUST wear a protective cup | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Catcher's Gear | Must wear mask with helmet, long (low cut) chest protector, and shin guards.Throat guard is required if not built into mask. | Must wear mask with helmet, long (low cut) chest protector, and shin guards.Throat guard is required if not built into mask. | Must wear mask with helmet, long (low cut) chest protector, and shin guards.Throat guard is required if not built into mask. | Must wear mask with helmet, chest protector, and shin guards.Throat guard is required if not built into mask. |
| The catcher must use a baseball catchers mitt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pitcher / Catcher Rule | | A pitcher that throws 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of the day. | A pitcher that throws 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of the day. | A pitcher that throws 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of the day. |