SLLL AA Division Ground Rules
The Current Little League Baseball Official Regulations and Playing Rules shall govern the “Playing Rules” for the AA Division.
1. Time limit: No new inning after 90 minutes. The inning must be completed. 6 innings max, if time allows.
2. Only 3 board approved coaches or team parent will be allowed in the dugout or on the field during games. There must be a coach or team parent in the dugout when there are player(s) in the dugout.
3. Home team responsibilities:
a. Supply game ball
b. Keep scorebook. Home team scorebook is official.
4. Away team responsibilities:
a. Provide scoreboard operator.
b. Provide concession volunteer.
5. Line-up cards must be exchanged and provided to the scorebook keeper(s).
6. Side is retired when,
a. The offensive team has batted entire roster once, or
b. Three (3) outs are made, or
c. Maximum runs allowed per inning is reached:
i. Five (5) run maximum for all innings.
7. Only 10 players may be on the field when on defense.
a. Infielders must play at normal positions, with 4 players in the outfield.
8. Continuous batting order will be used.
a. This means, even if a player is sitting on the bench for defense, they still bat when it is their turn in the line-up.
9. No on-deck batters.
a. Only the first batter of each half-inning will be permitted outside the dugout between half-innings. This includes bullpens.
10. The runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to avoid collision with a player that has the ball. Umpire (if provided), or coach, judgment. There is no “must slide rule”.
11. No headfirst slides when advancing.
a. Runner may slide headfirst when returning to a base.
12. Defensive team:
a. May have one coach in each outfield foul territory.
b. May have one coach behind the plate at the fence to help speed the pace of play and help relay balls and strikes.
13. Rotate players in the infield and outfield.
a. All players must play one inning in the infield.
14. On overthrows at any base, the runner may advance one base at own risk. No additional bases can be taken on subsequent overthrows. (We want to avoid continuous overthrows moving the runner around all the bases in one play and focus on ball control).
a. Example: After contact by the batter, the shortstop throws the ball over the first baseman’s head. The runner advances toward 2nd base. The first baseman recovers the ball and throws the ball wildly into the outfield when attempting to get the runner out at 2nd base. The runner must remain at 2nd base in this example.
15. Coach Pitch: Innings 1 & 2
- a. Coaches shall pitch from a sitting or kneeling position just inside of the pitchers’ circle.
- b. Coaches pitch to their own players.
- c. Coaches shall deliver meaningful pitches; no meatballs.
- d. Seven (7) pitch max, or three (3) strikes, whichever comes first.
i. Batter can be called out on the seventh pitch if it is a foul.
ii. Batter can be struck out by the coach.
iii. There is no walking.
iv. If coach DOES deliver a pitch within the strike zone, it will be considered a strike, as determined by the pitching coach, or umpire (if provided), whether the batter swings or not.
v. If coach does NOT deliver a pitch within the strike zone and the batter does not swing, it will be considered a “no pitch” as determined by the pitching coach, or umpire (if provided), but will still count towards the players seventh (7) pitch max.
vi. If batter does not put ball in play by the seventh pitch, batter is called out.
- e. If a batted ball hits the coach - it is a dead ball. The batter automatically goes to first base and any forced runners advanced one base.
- f. Pitcher must stand on either side of the coach, NOT in front. The pitcher must remain behind the front of the coach until the ball has crossed the plate or has been put in play.
- g. Play is dead when the coach or player pitcher has controlled possession of the ball within two (2) feet of pitching rubber.
i. Players may not advance past their current base.
ii. Runners who are between bases may advance or return to their previous base at their own risk.
16. Kid Pitch: Innings 3+.
- a. A portable mound will be placed so that the pitching rubber is directly over the front edge of the pitcher’s circle.
- b. If a player pitches 4 balls, then the coach will come up and finish the pitch count.
- b. Players cannot be walked.
- c. Players CAN be struck out.
- d. Play is dead when pitcher has controlled possession of the ball and is anywhere on the portable mound.
- e. Pitcher is limited to pitching 1 inning or 35 pitches, whichever comes first.
17. Pitch Days of rest apply:
a. League age specific:
i. See Little League International Rules for League Age Chart, or
ii. Visit: Southlakell.com > League Info > Local Rules > General Local Rules and Guidelines.
b. Pitcher to catcher/Catcher to pitcher rules apply:
i. League age specific:
a) See Little League International Rules - Regulation VI.
18. Players may not advance past their current base.
i. Runners who are between bases may advance or return to their previous base at their own risk.
- a. Batters being hit by player pitcher shall be treated as:
ii. The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided said runner advances to and touches first base) when the batter is touched by a pitched ball which the batter is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball. Rule 6.08 (b)
iii. Note: If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether the batter tries to avoid the ball, or not. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if that batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched.
19. Ball hit to the outfield is limited to a double (at the risk of the player being thrown out), however, overthrow rule still applies.
20. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, it is a dead ball. The batter automatically goes to first base and any forced runners advanced one base.
21. The play is dead when:
a. An infielder has CONTROLLED possession of the ball in the infield between the foul lines.
i. Players may not advance past their current base.
ii. Runners who are between bases may advance or return to their previous base at their own risk.
22. Mercy Run rule is in effect:
a. A 15-run lead after 3 innings.
b. A 10-run lead after 4 innings.
23. Not Allowed:
a. Bunting
b. Stealing
c. Protests
d. Forfeits
Updated: 8/2024