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.
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.
c. Retrieve pitching machine from cage and set it up.
d. After the game: return machine to cage, place cover over it, lock cage.
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. An approved offensive volunteer or coach may operate the pitching machine.
16. Coach operating machine will also call plays at 2nd base and at the plate. The offensive base coaches will call outs at 1st base and 3rd base.
17. Five (5) pitch max, or three (3) strikes, whichever comes first.
a. Batter cannot be called out on the fifth pitch if it is a foul.
b. Batter CAN be struck out by the machine.
c. There is no walking.
d. If the machine DOES deliver a pitch within the strike zone, it will be considered a strike, as determined by the offensive team coach operating the machine, or umpire (if provided), whether the batter swings or not.
e. If the machine 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 offensive team coach operating the machine, or umpire (if provided), but will still count towards the players five (5) pitch max.
f. If batter does not put ball in play by the fifth pitch, batter is called out.
18. Ball hit to the outfield is limited to a double (at the risk of the player being thrown out), however, overthrow rule still applies.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. The pitching machine will be set @ 4+4+4.
a. The pitching machine will be set up with the back leg directly in front of the pitching rubber. Back leg of machine and rubber should be touching.
22. Pitcher must stand on either side of coach running machine, NOT in front. The pitcher must remain behind the front of the pitching machine until the ball has crossed the plate or been put in play.
23. Mercy Run rule is in effect:
a. A 15-run lead after 3 innings.
b. A 10-run lead after 4 innings.
24. Not Allowed:
a. Bunting
b. Stealing
c. Protests
d. Forfeits
Updated: 12/2023