Little League Baseball/Softball Rule Interpretations as given at The Western Region Umpire School 1. All rules questions that cannot be solved by the LL Rulebook, and the LL book titled “The Right Call”, or the interpretations given by the Regional staff, may be referred to the Major League Baseball Rulebook and Casebook. 2. No “Catch and Carry” at the Major level down. (This means if you catch the ball in live-ball territory and carry it into out of play area the ball becomes dead and all runners are awarded bases by the applicable rule. Catch & Carry MAY be used at the Jr and above levels by ground rule. If the ground rule is not stated as such before the game catch & carry is NOT in effect.) 3. The overrunning of first base on an awarded base is Ok subject to the same return rule as any other overrun at first base. 4. The Batter/runner being called out for not returning immediately after overrunning first base counts as a force out for purposes of Rule 4.09 5. Batter causing the pitcher to make “Illegal Pitch” or balk is a double violation. Batter should be warned not to do so. Pitcher should be warned also. NO BASES ARE AWARDED for the balk, or illegal pitch at Majors level. 6. Batter remains “in the box” for purposes of a foul ball when hit by the ball until he/she make 1½ steps out of the box. 7. A batter runner is assumed to have abandoned the base when he/she enters the first base dugout or, if going to the third base dugout, when he/she crosses the third base foul line. This is for runners who have made an effort to advance to first base. If a batter runner does not make an effort to reach first base on a play where they may advance, the abandonment takes effect when the batter/runner enters his/her dugout. 8. The award for a pitch that goes off the field of play because a catcher adds force when chasing down will be two bases. The ball going of the field is considered to be caused by the catcher rather than the pitcher, so the ‘one from the rubber’ does not apply. 9. When does a batter/runner become just a runner? When ALL action on the batter/runner ends. 10. Hurdling a defensive player by a runner is permissible as long as there is no contact. If there is contact the penalty is ejection for an unsafe act, NOT an out. Ejection takes effect at the end of the play. Runner is safe, or out, as the play dictates. 11. Pitcher warm-up stops after 8 pitches even if team is not ready to play. Pitcher may play catch with other members of team to keep loose. 12. During an offensive Time-Out the defensive manager MAY go to the pitcher, or any other fielder, without being charged for a T.O. as long as the conference ends immediately when the offensive conference ends. The manager may make no delay in returning to the dugout or the team WILL be charged with a T.O. 13. Coaches Interference. An immediate call, but delayed enforcement until the end of the play. No other runners affected unless the out ends the inning. 14. Ball/Strike: A pitch must be clearly out of the strike zone or it is called a strike. 15. Safe/Out: A runner must be clearly safe or he/she is called out. 16. Double First Base: The use of the double base at first base is approved throughout LL Baseball/Softball without further need of approval by Region or Williamsport. Exception: Leagues involved in an “Interlock League” cannot mandate the use of such bases for the Interlock League unless required by private (outside agency) or municipal ownership of the fields.
Points of Emphasis 1. Between innings. Only the first batter of the inning is leave the dugout before the pitcher completes his/her pitches. This includes adult base coaches. Mangers or coaches giving line-up changes are excepted, but they should still make sure that the umpires know that they are leaving the dugout. 2. The use of the red flag for runners leaving early in LL Baseball should be encouraged. The use of the flag gives notice that the umpire has seen the infraction, let’s the offensive team correct any further problem, and makes the umpires more aware that they must be observing this situation. 3. Teach pitchers the proper way to warm-up. Before game, when entering game, and between innings. Between innings warm-up is NOT pitching practice. Proper technique will allow the pitcher to get more pitches and still keep to the rules about time between innings. 4. Local rules: Local rules that are not field ground rules MUST be approved by Region. Approved local rules that change any LL Rulebook rules must be distributed to all those involved. It is advised that any local rules be posted at the field. 5. Assistant coaches: ONLY roster coaches are to be in the dugout. This means league approved, and submitted to Williamsport as part of the team roster. Approving assistant coaches not on the submitted roster is not allowed. Coaches are not to be replaced during a game. If a coach is ejected, or leaves for any reason, that coaching spot remains vacant for the remainder of the game. EXCEPTION: If all roster coaches are ejected, or must otherwise leave the game, the president of the league (or his designated representative) may appoint a temporary replacement for the remainder of the game in progress. 6. There is ALWAYS to be an approved adult roster coach in the dugout. This may preclude adults in the base coaching box. The primary responsibility of the dugout coach is to ensure the flow of the game. Have batter’s ready. Let fielder’s know in advance when changes are to be made so that they will be ready to take the field. Have warm-up catchers ready for between inning warm-ups. Control the actions of the players in the dugout.