LEAGUE RULES
Bradley-Bourbonnais 7/8 League
The official playing rules as published by Little League Baseball, Inc., Williamsport, PA shall be
followed by our league along with the following League rules.
1. If a team has only eight (8) players by 10 minutes after the scheduled start of the game, it
will be considered a forfeit. The game can be played upon mutual agreement between the
two Managers. However, all LL rules still apply and the innings pitched/pitches thrown
DO COUNT toward a player’s weekly total.
2. A game in progress shall be forfeited to the opposing team when a team is unable to place
nine (9) players on the field. No manager or coach has the right to forfeit a game without
Board approval.
3. A player in the starting line up who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the
game once provided they re-enter in the same batting order.
4. There will be a maximum of eleven (11) batters per inning. When the 11th batter comes
to bat, there will automatically be two (2) outs. The 3rd out will be called when the play
is dead - by a fly out, ground out, strike out, etc. If the batter gets a hit, the final out is
when the defense touches the base in front of the lead runner. All runs crossing the plate
prior to the final out will count. All players, regardless of the number present and on the
team, will bat in a consecutive order. All players will bat, regardless of being an active
defensive player.
5. Games will have a 1 ¼ hour time limit. No inning will be started after the time limit;
however, the inning in progress shall be completed. The umpire will be responsible for
keeping track of the time limit. The games will be 4 innings long.
6. All players will play a minimum of two (2) innings each game. Each player will play at
least three (3) full games (4 consecutive innings) during the regular season.
7. If a Manager fails to play a player his/her required innings in a game, the following rule
will be enforced against the Manager:
1st offense: Suspended from the next scheduled game.
nd
2 offense: Dismissal of the Manager.
This rule carries into post season and also into the following season, if necessary.
8. There will be no Sunday practices.
9. There will be no protests. The umpire will decide.
10. All play will stop when any health threatening weather exists. The game will be called
by a Board Member, Umpire, or “Gentlemen’s Agreement” between the Managers.
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LEAGUE RULES
Bradley-Bourbonnais 7/8 League
11. Home team is responsible for finding the “Official Scorekeeper” for that game. They
must be at least 16 years of age.
12. Visiting team is responsible for split-the-pot for that game.
13. Any discrepancies on the score will be checked at the end of the inning between the two
Managers and the Official Scorekeeper.
14. All players must slide on close plays or they will be called out. This is a judgment call
and the umpire’s call stands.
15. THERE WILL BE NO HEAD FIRST SLIDES - RUNNERS WILL BE CALLED
OUT.... A runner may slide headfirst when returning to the previous base on a close call.
16. The ball is dead when the pitcher has the ball and is on the rubber and the runner has
stopped forward progress.
16a. Any player may call time out when they have full control of the ball and are on
the infield and the runner has stopped forward progress. Time out cannot be called from
the grass.
17. There will be NO BUNTING by a team that is ahead by ten (10) or more runs.
18. All players must be in complete league-issued uniform consisting of long pants, uniform
shirt, uniform hat and socks before they will be allowed on the playing field.
19. Any batter that fakes a bunt and then pulls back for a full swing will be called “OUT”.
20. Attempted bunts on the third (3rd) strike, if foul, batter is “OUT”.
21. A batter that becomes a runner by a hit and causes a winning run to score must reach first
(1st) base in order for that run to count, if there are two (2) outs prior to his bat.
22. When the ball is in play, Managers and Coaches may not touch any offensive player. The
player is automatically called out. This is a judgment call by the umpire.
23. THERE WILL BE NO ON DECK BATTERS: All players must remain in the dugout
except: 1. Batter at the plate 2. A runner/runners on base 3. Team in the field
24. Managers and Coaches must remain in the dugout while the game is in progress.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Injury to a player 2. A called time-out 3. Coach the bases. 4. Defensive
instruction.
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LEAGUE RULES
Bradley-Bourbonnais 7/8 League
25. There will be no lead offs.
26. THROWING BATS: Each team will receive a warning. Second (2nd) offense – the
batter is out.
27. BATTING OUT OF TURN: Both Mangers are responsible for catching this. Before it
happens call time and correct the batting order. This must be pointed out at the time –
not later in the game. Replace with “See section 6.07 in the 2006 LL rule book.”
28. LEAVING BASE TOO EARLY: Umpire call only. Runner returns to previous base,
unless that runner is put out – the out will stand. If safe, runner must return to previous
base.
29. INFIELD FLY: When declared in conjunction with the rulebook, batter is out. If ball is
not caught, runners may advance at their own risk to the next base. If a run scores, that
run is allowed.
30. APPEAL PLAY: Team on the field may appeal for an umpire ruling on a missed base,
or not retouching a base on a fly out. Appeals must be made before the next pitch, play,
or attempted play.
31. HOW TO APPEAL: Refer to the rulebook Section 7.10.
32. If a game is called before it has become an official game, but after one (1) or more
innings have been completed, it shall be resumed exactly where it left off when
rescheduled.
33. An official game = three (3) innings.
34. Smoking is prohibited in the bleachers and along the first and third base lines. Smoking is
allowed only along the outfield fence of the Little League and Minor League fields, from
the left field foul pole to the scoreboard.
35. In the event of rain, you are to report for a scheduled game unless you hear from the
division Vice President or the Player Agent that the game is canceled.
36. All players must play a minimum of 2 defensive innings.
37. All players must play at least one inning in the infield.
38. The batter/runner may advance one base on an infield overthrow.
39. No stealing.
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LEAGUE RULES
Bradley-Bourbonnais 7/8 League
40. Each team may have one defensive coach in the outfield.
41. The pitcher’s mound will be set at a distance of 40’ for the kids.
42. Coaches should make every effort to pitch the ball, not lob it, to the batter.
Revised: 11/2006
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