SMLLA's Local Rules
Local Rules - Spring Season
In addition to the Little League® Official Rules (aka the "Green Book"), the SMLLA Board and our Divisional Commissioners have instituted some local rules and clarifications for each of our Divisions. These are documented below. ***Little League Age Limits & Rest Rules Still Apply for our Pitchers!!!
| Local Rules by Division |
Commissioner for 2023 |
Pitching Limits*** |
| Juniors 54/80 (District 52) | Andy Ward | During pre-season, pitchers may throw a maximum of 50 pitches in a game. For the first month of the regular season, pitchers may throw a maximum of 70 pitches in a game |
| Majors, PCL, & Minors | Majors: Pete Schuit PCL: Andy Ward Minors: Alex Kaminaris |
Majors: March 65, April 75, May 85 PCL: 50 Minors: 50 |
| Cal League | Jason Humphrey | 40 Pitches or 2 Innings |
| Single A | Andrew Armstrong | N/A |
| T-Ball | Jason Humphrey | N/A |
| Wiffle Ball | Jim DeMartini | N/A |
Courtesy Runner for Pitcher and Catcher
A courtesy runner will be allowed for pitchers and catchers of the NEXT inning when there are 2 outs. That courtesy runner must be the last recorded out. For PCL, Minors, Cal, Single A - If there is no next inning because the time limit has hit and the current inning is deemed the last inning, a courtesy runner will not be allowed. For Single A, this applies to Catcher and not pitcher.
SMLLA Divisional Rules - Quick Reference
Last updated 1/31/2023
Gameday Requirements
All coaches who are on the field for Game Day must be Badged. If you are short a coach/manager, you may ask any badged coach from any team to help. Make sure you have a minimum of 3 coaches, unless you want to use a player to coach a base (a helmet is required). You must use a coach/manager for the dugout (even if you have only 1); players may coach the bases, but not the dugout. Limits by Division:
| Wiffle Ball | Unlimited - Parents can be on the field |
| T-Ball, Single A, and Cal |
1 Manager and 3 Coaches (4 total) *1 Coach policing the Dugout at all times *Coaches may be on the field on defense |
| Minors, PCL, Majors and Juniors | 1 Manager and 2 Coaches (3 total) |
Please keep other parents off of the field.
For Single A and above:
- Home teams do Field Prep – before and after the game! Trinta Field Prep Manual
- Visiting teams are responsible for Scorekeeping and man the Booth. Detailed information on Scorekeeping Requirements.
- Pitch Counts - Pitch count violations are serious! Please be aware of your kids ages and the pitch count rules for your Division.
- Please also be aware of the Pitcher Rules for your Catchers (you can’t catch if you throw 40+ pitches, you can’t pitch if you start catching the 4th inning). Pitch counts and days rest are on the website and should be printed on your badge.
- Pitch all your pitchers at some point. Try to rotate and develop 4-6 pitchers regularly, if possible. Slowly ramp up those arms in the preseason and first month of the season.
- Umpires - Do not under any circumstances bully or influence the kid umpires. The only adult on the field talking to an umpire is a Manager (assistant coaches can’t talk to umpires). If your assistant coach has an issue they come to you as the Manager who than talks to the umpire.
- Player Pool – Please give the Player Agent 3 days if you can. The Player Agent will do everything they can to get you a player. A team should never have to forfeit. You can use a pool player if you have 10 or less. You can only use 2 to get you to 9 to start a game. Start with 9, end with 8 is ok. Start with 8 is a forfeit so let’s reschedule if you know this will be a problem way in advance.
Local Rules - Fall Ball
In addition to the Little League® Official Rules (aka the "Green Book"), the SMLLA Fall Ball Team & Managers have agreed on some local rules and clarifications for each of our Divisions. These are documented below.
|
Division |
Rules Link |
| Majors | Fall Ball Rules Addendum |
| Minors/PCL | Coming Soon |
| CAL | Coming Soon |
The Player Pool
SMLLA opts to use a 'Player Pool' to aid Teams who are short players on game days. This helps Teams avoid forfeits or the need to reschedule. When managers have a need for an upcoming game, they reach out to the SMLLA Player Agent who assigns a Pool Player (or two) for their game. Pool players come dressed to the game in their regular uniform.
USA BAT Standard
Little League Baseball® adopted the USA Baseball bat standard for mandated use effective January 1, 2018. All players in Majors and below (4-12) must have a bat with the USA logo. See the USA Bat Website for more information.
For our Juniors Division (ages 13 & 14):
Bats meeting the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard may be used in the Intermediate (50-70) Division and Junior divisions (54-80). USA Bats may also be used at this level.
LL Rule or No?
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