Little League Rules

[QBUA]

1. Can you describe the dimensions of a Little League catchers box.
2. Describe how to draw it up.
3. Why is it so short, ie: back edge close to the plate.
Remembering that a normal catchers box is 8 feet in length.

[44]

Practicing for the LL Nationals QBUA ?
Good on you if you are.

LL catchers box look odd compared to MLB standard.

LL catchers box formed by extending foul lines 9 foot from the point of home plate. They are then drawn from the back of batters box.

Not sure why but the LL Catchers box is much wider at the back but shorter than MLB F2 Box.

If anyone has the LL Green Rulebook, the diagram is on Page 41.

[QBUA]

Ramsfan44, well done.
I am close to ready for the LL Nationals.
Just trying to find a few more umpires to fill some extra spots,
ABF Level One and above of course.

I thought I'd throw the question out there and see what I got.
At all the LL games I have seen, including Last years Nationals and the last 2 QLD titles, I have not seen the catchers box drawn up as per the Rule Book for LL.
I will be informing or reminding the club organizers this year of the dimensions, so the field looks correct and the game feels right for the kids.
Just by seeing the difference in the catchers box can remind people that they are at a Little League game and not normal Junior baseball.

Yes, the foul lines are extended 9 feet past the point at the plate, and then the ends of those lines are connected, making it a triangle, and not a rectangle.

My guess is that it stops the catchers from positioning to far back, maybe scared of the bat. Keeps them in the zone.
Why so wide, maybe pitch outs, the pitchers can throw at the zone, its pretty big, but for a pitch out, they have to hit the glove.
So maybe, the pitcher has to concentrate more and throw more accurately for a pitch out than to throw a strike.

Watch this space.

[44]

Also no on deck batters allowed in LL,
No bat doughnuts allowed.
No Bat boys/girls in the dugout.(designated team member must be bat boy/girl. )

All safety Issues after 60+ years of LL.



Should be a scorers issue but all player MPT ( Minimum Playing Time) is 1 At bat and 3 consecutive outs in the field.

Every player from every team in every game must have MPT.

[QBUA]

Ramsfan44, thankyou for your input.
Could you please supply me with information references when you supply a Rule, as with Little League, there are so many different places to look for Rules that apply.

1. Can you clarify your statement, (All safety issues after 60+ years)

2. NO on deck batter is correct, but the first batter of the inning may be on deck. (time saving)
3. NO BALKS
4.
5. NO DROPPED THIRD STRIKE
6. PITCHER CAN COME FROM THE FIELD.
7. NO COLLISION Rule. (considered interference)
Note: The NO COLLISION Rule is seperate and different from the SLIDE Rule.
8. RUNNER'S LEAVING EARLY.
Note: This Rule is applied as per LL Rules, not as per Brisbane/QLD Bylaws. (Offending runner's are not automatically called OUT)

Have you heard of the RE-ENTRY RULE. "Tournaments"
I have deleted my original interpretation/definition as not to confuse people.
NOTE: Since this posting, I have been made aware that it is 3 DO's and 1 at bat. Correct, my posting mistake.

[oldmate]

Re-entry rule. As long as the substitute player has had the mandatory 3 consecutive DO's and 1 at bat, the original player can re-enter the game in the same batting spot. Where does it state there has to be 6 DO's?

What about the special pinch runner rule?

[JRA Qld2]

I was also under the impression it was 3 DO's as well, that was how state titles was played..

[QBUA]

Thank you posters for your input.
It great to see that people are still looking at the forum, since the Summer season has finished.

If I was wrong or posted incorrect information, I stand corrected.
I have to say also that I'm referring to LL Majors ONLY.
This weekend I will do some cross checking and have another look at the Official LL Book, your references would be handy.

Can you please indicate the reference (Book used, page number, Rule number) you have used or referring too, when you post a reply.
It will make it easier to hunt down.

The references I use are:
1. Australian Baseball Rule Book 5th edition
2. ABF National Youth Championship Rules
Note: Some Rules have been changed, however, the written Rules have not been changed as yet in this document.
3. The Official Little League Rules. (Little Green Book)
Official Regulatoins and Playing Rules 2007 (ORPR-07)

In the QLD Titles, was the re-entry rule used by any team?
I was not aware that it was being used.

Pinch runner? Are we talking about the normal Rules of baseball, and not a special reference to Little League.

POSTERS: I have done some homework, thankyou for you input into this thread.
Official Regulations and Playing Rules 2007 (ORPR-07)
Little League Tournament Rules,
SUBSTITUTIONS/RE-ENTRY Page T-15 > Rule 10
3 defensive outs and 1 at bat.
My previous ref: (6 DO's/1 AB) page 54 > Rule 3.03

Pinch Runner Rule: (ORPR-07) Page 76 > Rule 7.14 Note: (ORPR-07) Page T-15 > 10g. (Not sure if it will apply).
Not usually used, I have not seen it used, however, I do not get to see every game, (possible exception, runner for the catcher.)
I look forward to further postings.

[44]

QBUA
"4. NO INFIELD FLY RULE (National Championships)"

That must be a Local ABF rule ?

Infield Fly applies in Little League. Green Book 6.05 D

[QBUA]

ramsfan44, thanks for picking me up.

I have made some mistakes with my previous postings, however, I will endeavor not to make them again.

If my mistakes with postings is incorrect, it looks as if people out there are looking up the Rules to correct me.
This can work to our advantage, with reference numbers being used.

As we say, the BOOK is not the best read, and Little League Championships are covered by 3 References.
I have missed, or incorrectly interpreted Rules governing Little League.

Thanks for the Rule reference, I'll do my homework again.

[44]

Here's one for you QBUA.

What about an Intentional Walk at the Titles?

What if the Defensive Coach signals Intentional Walk but the Pitcher is already at his Pitch Limit?

[QBUA]

May 23, 2009 10:12:13 GMT 10 44 said:

Here's one for you QBUA.

What about an Intentional Walk at the Titles?

What if the Defensive Coach signals Intentional Walk but the Pitcher is already at his Pitch Limit?

Ramsfan, my research once again showed me that I had postered an error, (ORPR-07) page 79, Rule 8.04, intentional walk applies to Junior/Senior/Big League.
I made the reference that it was in LL, not so.

To your question, I would "assume" that the pitches (4), although not thrown, would be added to thier count.

Correct me if I'm wrong,
(Total pitch count = Total number of pitches allowed for that game or that day.)
1. If a pitcher has reached their total pitch count, then they are to be removed before the next batter.
2. If the pitcher reaches their total pitch count during a batters time at bat, the pitcher is be allowed to finish that batter, then removed from the mound.

[scorekeeper]

May 22, 2009 13:33:24 GMT 10 QBUA said:

Pinch runner? Are we talking about the normal Rules of baseball, and not a special reference to Little League.

POSTERS: I have done some homework, thankyou for you input into this thread.
Official Regulations and Playing Rules 2007 (ORPR-07)
Little League Tournament Rules,
SUBSTITUTIONS/RE-ENTRY Page T-15 > Rule 10
3 defensive outs and 1 at bat.
My previous ref: (6 DO's/1 AB) page 54 > Rule 3.03

Pinch Runner Rule: (ORPR-07) Page 76 > Rule 7.14 Note: (ORPR-07) Page T-15 > 10g. (Not sure if it will apply).
Not usually used, I have not seen it used, however, I do not get to see every game, (possible exception, runner for the catcher.)
I look forward to further postings.

QBUA,

I haven't got a copy of the ORPR you are referencing - is it available online? In the meantime, could you please explain the pinch runner rule if it differs from normal OBR? Is it just a "courtesy runner" (to speed up game) or is it an offensive substitution?

I am curious about an Intentional Walk - is it in the rules that a catcher may signal an intentional walk and the pitcher is not required to pitch it out?

Also, is it correct that no BALKS are called in LL?

One last Q: If a pitcher is called for a BALL when he/she has taken too long to pitch (and the pitch wasn't thrown), should that ball be added to the tally of total pitches thrown by the pitcher?

Thanks for your help.

[QBUA]

Jun 1, 2009 11:10:49 GMT 10 scorekeeper said:

May 22, 2009 13:33:24 GMT 10 QBUA said:

Pinch runner? Are we talking about the normal Rules of baseball, and not a special reference to Little League.

POSTERS: I have done some homework, thankyou for you input into this thread.
Official Regulations and Playing Rules 2007 (ORPR-07)
Little League Tournament Rules,
SUBSTITUTIONS/RE-ENTRY Page T-15 > Rule 10
3 defensive outs and 1 at bat.
My previous ref: (6 DO's/1 AB) page 54 > Rule 3.03

Pinch Runner Rule: (ORPR-07) Page 76 > Rule 7.14 Note: (ORPR-07) Page T-15 > 10g. (Not sure if it will apply).
Not usually used, I have not seen it used, however, I do not get to see every game, (possible exception, runner for the catcher.)
I look forward to further postings.

QBUA,

I haven't got a copy of the ORPR you are referencing - is it available online? In the meantime, could you please explain the pinch runner rule if it differs from normal OBR? Is it just a "courtesy runner" (to speed up game) or is it an offensive substitution?

I am curious about an Intentional Walk - is it in the rules that a catcher may signal an intentional walk and the pitcher is not required to pitch it out?

Also, is it correct that no BALKS are called in LL?

One last Q: If a pitcher is called for a BALL when he/she has taken too long to pitch (and the pitch wasn't thrown), should that ball be added to the tally of total pitches thrown by the pitcher?

Thanks for your help.

Scorekeeper, great to see you in the forum and interested in our section of it.

The ORPR is far as I know not online.
It"s a book that is like the Official Baseball Rules and our junior Rules combined.
Our Junior Rules are seperate from the ORB, more like seperate bylaws.
Our J Rules do cover all ages some of the time, but then each age group (League) individually.
The ORPR is more inclusive, then gives reference to the age group (League) that a particular Rule governs.

I'm not to sure where to find one, I'll find out at the Nationals.
I am receiving some a special files soon, with LL Rules, similar to the Jim Evans Manual, but designed for LL.

INTENTIONAL WALK: Not used in Qld or Australia as far as I know.
ORPR. Not a Rule for LL. Applies to other junior leagues.
The catcher turns to the Plate umpire and informs him that they want to batter to have an intentional walk.
The umpire then sends the Batter straight to first base, no pitches required.

NO BALKS: No balks in Little League, with this no runner is allowed to get a lead off, until the pitched ball has reached the batter. It's good, the pitcher can concentrate on throwing strikes.

Pitcher not delivering the ball to the batter within the time limit. (12 seconds/No Runners on base)
Yes a BALL is called, that is the penalty, since the pitcher did not physically throw the ball, the called BALL should not be added to the count. (the pitcher should not be penalized twice in my opinion)
When looking at the time the pitcher takes to deliver the ball to the batter, we don't look at our watches, it's a judgment decision.

I hope that help.

[scorekeeper]

Thanks, it does help. I'm hoping to never see Intentional Walks just signaled and not pitched out. Leave that with softball and keep it out of baseball!