2019 Rules and Regulations Changes
The following changes to Rules and Regulations will go into effect for the 2019 season.
Regulations
REGULATION I (c) (9)
Background Checks
Requires leagues to contact Samantha Mahaffey, Little League Security Manager (smahaffey@littleleague.org) if a potential volunteer appears to be on the National Sex Offender Registry prior to the volunteer being appointed.
REGULATION VI (a)
Catcher/Pitcher Eligibility
A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more (15- and 16-year-olds: 31 pitches or more) in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit (15- and 16-year-olds: 30-pitch limit) while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game.
REGULATION VI (c) NOTE
If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
REGULATION VI (k)
Junior League and Senior League
A player may be used as a pitcher in up to two games in a day. NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 30 pitches while facing a batter in the first game, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to pitch in the second game on that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher would be allowed to pitch in a second game provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 31 or more pitches in the first game, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not pitch in the second game that day).
Playing Rules
RULE 1.10 BASEBALL
Baseball:
1.10 - Allows Tee Ball bats to be used in Coach Pitch/Machine Pitch Divisions. Additionally allows bats meeting the BBCOR standard to be used in the Junior and Intermediate (50-70) Division.
RULE 2.00 “Out of Play”
2.00 - Defines Dead Ball Territory.
Baseball, Softball, Challenger:
DEAD BALL AREA is the area beyond any intended physical boundary, such as a fence, rope, chalk line, any stands, bleachers, dugouts, player’s benches, or designated media areas, or any other boundary line as determined in the pregame conference. If a ball becomes lodged in a fence, backstop, umpire’s equipment, or catcher’s equipment, it is considered to be in a dead ball area.
RULE 8.01(q)
Provides guidance on how a pitcher may remove herself/himself from the pitcher’s plate after the hands have been brought together while in contact with the pitchers plate.
Softball:
A.R. 2 - For the pitcher to remove himself/herself from the pitching position after the hands have been brought together but prior to the start of the pitch as noted in 8.01(k), the pitcher must legally step back from the pitcher’s plate with the pivot foot first.
RULE 8.02(a)(1)
Provides guidance on when a pitcher’s hand may come in contact with the pitcher's mouth or lips.
Baseball:
(1) bring the pitching hand in contact with the mouth or lips while in contact with the pitcher’s plate. EXCEPTION: The pitcher may bring the hand in contact with the mouth or lips while in the 10-foot circle (Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior: 18-foot circle) surrounding the pitcher’s plate provided he/she distinctly wipes off the pitching hand before contacting the ball.
Softball:
(1) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball, pitching hand, or fingers. The pitcher may bring the hand in contact with the mouth or lips provided he/she distinctly wipes off the pitching hand before contacting the ball. Under the supervision of the umpire, powder rosin may be used to dry the hands; NOTE: A pitcher may use a rosin bag for the purpose of applying rosin to the bare hand or hands. Neither the pitcher nor any other player shall dust the ball with the rosin bag; neither shall the pitcher nor any other player be permitted to apply rosin from the bag to their glove or dust any part of the uniform with the rosin bag.
RULE 8.08
Provides guidance on what is considered a visit to the pitcher.
Baseball:
A.R. 1 - When a manager requests timeout to make a pitching change, it shall not be considered a visit to the pitcher provided the manager makes the pitching substitution prior to speaking to any defensive player. Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior: This applies when a pitcher moves to another position and returns as a pitcher later in the same game.
Softball:
A.R. 1 - When a manager requests timeout to make a pitching change, it shall not be considered a visit to the pitcher provided the manager makes the pitching substitution prior to speaking to any defensive player. This applies when a pitcher moves to another position, Junior/Senior: or removed from the game, and returns as a pitcher later in the same game.
Tournament Rules and Guidelines
MANAGERS and COACHES
Restricts the number of adults in the dugout or on the field to one manager and one coach when a tournament team has eleven (11) or fewer eligible players at the game site at the start of a game.
Managers/Coaches in the Dugout - If a tournament team has twelve (12) or more eligible players in uniform at the game site at the start of a game, then the maximum of three (3) adults who are named on the affidavit (or authorized replacements as noted on the affidavit) will be permitted to act as manager/coaches for that game. However, if a tournament team has eleven (11) or fewer eligible players in uniform at the game site at the start of a game, then a maximum of two (2) adults must be named at the start of the game as manager and coach. The two named adults must be listed on the affidavit, or must be authorized temporary replacements as noted on the affidavit. If there is a third adult listed on the affidavit, that adult is not permitted to be in the dugout or on the field during that game. NOTE: Base coaches may be adults and/or players provided at least one adult manager or coach remains in the dugout. See 4.05(b).
SCHEDULES
Revises the date for tournament schedule submission to be two (2) weeks prior to the start of tournament or June 15, whichever is earliest.
TOURNAMENT RULE 14
Added a rule concerning tie games after 6 innings for 8-10, 9-11 and Major Division, and 7 innings for Intermediate (50-70) Division, Junior and Senior League Divisions.
14. b. Starting in the top of the eighth inning [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: ninth inning], and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base. EXAMPLE: If the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four batter in the batting order will be placed on second base. An eligible substitute or special pinch runner may be inserted for the runner.
OPERATING POLICIES
Code (note: not in printed version of the Rulebook)
Page 194 Baseball / 182 Softball
Updates number 5 in the Code to address compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as the use of racially insensitive, derogatory, or discriminatory marks or words.
Little League Disability Policy
Page 207 Baseball / 195 Softball
Little League policy and procedure for considering waivers of rules due to participant’s disability.
Little League Gender Identity Policy
Page 210 Baseball / 198 Softball
Little League policy and procedure for considering waivers of rules to accommodate gender identity.
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