General

Eligible players are in 8th grade or lower AND 14-years-old or younger as of January 1st of the current playing season.

Games are 6 innings or 120 minutes, whichever occurs first. When starting the 6th inning, if more than 105 minutes have passed since the start of the game and the home team is behind, the home team shall bat first for the 6th inning and all subsequent extra innings.

A game is considered an official game after 4 innings (3 ½ innings if the home team is leading). If a game is stopped for bad weather, the same rules apply. If an official game is not completed, or the game ends in a tie, the game will be continued later in the season if time permits or it will be declared as a tie.

A team must have a minimum of 8 players within 5 minutes of the start of the game; otherwise the umpire will declare a forfeit.

Coaches must remain off the field. Defensive coaches may stand near the 1 st and 3 rd base coaches.

Mercy Rules - A team will end their turn at bat once 7 runs are scored per ½ inning. If a team is leading by 10 runs or more after 4 complete innings, the game ends with a winner declared.

Extra innings - Teams may play extra innings with agreement of both coaches. During the playoffs, extra innings must be played until a winner is determined.

Between innings, pitchers may throw a maximum of 5 warm up pitches.

Coaches are responsible for keeping score. Umpires are responsible for time and rules. When no modification has been made, rules for Little League (ages 11 and 12) apply.

Defense

Protective cups are required for all male players.

A team must field a minimum of 8 players and a maximum of 10 players including a catcher. If 10 players are used, 4 players must be across in the outfield.

When the ball is in play, the play is stopped only by an umpired calling time out.

All players must play the field for a minimum of 3 innings per game. Players may be substituted freely throughout the game.

The "infield fly rule" may be called by the umpire. If in effect, the batter is out and the runners may advance.

Batting

All players must wear a batting helmet with facemask while batting.

All players on the team will bat in a batting order established prior to the game and shared with the other team (if desired). If a player arrives late, they will be placed at the end of the batting order.

Bunting is permitted.

Pitching

Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 5 innings per week.

Pitchers will pitch from the 48 foot rubber for the entire season if they are 12 or under as of January 1st of the current playing season. Otherwise pitchers will pitch from the 54 foot rubber for the entire season.

A single pitch in an inning constitutes pitching an entire inning.

Once removed during an inning, the pitcher may not pitch in that inning, but may return to pitch in a subsequent inning.

A new pitcher gets 5 warm up pitches. If the pitcher is replacing an injured pitcher, the pitcher gets unlimited warm up pitches (within reason).

Running

All players must wear a batting helmet when running. Facemask is not required. The 1st & 3rd base coaches will each take at least one uncaged batting helmet with them to the coaches' boxes at the start of each half inning.

Runners may advance on a third strike, but batters cannot go to first base. No dropped third strikes.

Runners may lead. Unlimited stealing is allowed including home.