NWLL 9/10
Division Rule Summary and Amendments
Regular Season
2005
Proposed 02/02/05
This summary is for the NWSLL 9/10 Minor league and is
provided to highlight some of the rules that regularly affect play. The
Official Little League rules apply except where noted as a NWSLL Amendment.
Rulebook: 2005 Official Regulations and Playing Rules for Little League
A. Game Length. 4.10 (a) Regulation games are 6 innings. A game called due to darkness or weather is counted if 4 innings have been played as described in 4.10(c). Tie games are to be played if time permits. NWSLL Amendment: After Daylight Savings Time, no inning should be started after 8:00pm unless both Managers agree.
B. 10 Run Rule. 4.10(e) The game is over if a team is ahead by 10 or more runs at the end of the 4th or 5th innings. The "Home" team always gets its last at bats (unless, of course, it is ahead by 10 or more runs at the end of innings 4 or 5, in which case it is not necessary for the Home team to have last at bats). For example, if the Home team is behind 12 runs going into the bottom of the 5th, the Home team gets to bat in the bottom of the 5th. If the Home team is behind less than 10 runs at the end of the 5th, the 6th inning is played. If the Home team is still behind 10 or more runs at the end of the 5th, play is stopped with the Away team the victor.
C. 6 Run Rule. NWSLL Amendment: No team may score more than 6 runs in any inning, except the 6th inning (or in subsequent innings in an extra inning game). In the 6th inning (or in extra innings) only, more than 6 (and up to a maximum of 9) runs can score after the 6th run crosses home plate provided all subsequent runs safely cross home plate before the play is over (i.e., runs 7-9 must score on the same play as run 6).
D. Substitutions. (3.03) A starter who has been removed for a substitute may re enter after the substitute has played for 6 consecutive outs and had at least one at bat.
E. Playing Time. (IV (i)) NWSLL Amendment: Each player shall play a minimum of 3 complete innings in every 6 plus inning game or 2 complete innings in 4 inning games. If a game is called after 5-1/2 innings because the home team is ahead, each player must play a minimum of 2-1/2 complete innings. The only permitted exceptions are injuries or games shortened by the 10 run rule. In games shortened by the 10 run rule, each player must play a minimum of 2 complete innings. Make your substitutions on or before the top of the third inning. Penalties are applied in accordance with Rule IV (i).
II. Pitching
A. Pitching Limits. (Rule VI) A pitcher may not pitch more than 6 innings in any calendar week (Sunday - Saturday). After pitching 3 innings or less in a game, there must be 1-day rest before pitching again. If a pitcher pitches more than 3 innings in a game, there must be 3 days rest before pitching again. The delivery of a single pitch in any inning constitutes having pitched a full inning. This rule applies regardless of the number of games a team may play in any given week.
B. Strike Zone. 2.00 Definition of Terms. The strike zone is the top of the knees to the armpits, and the full width of the plate.
C. Balks. 2.00 Definition of Terms . No balks will be called.
D. Warm Up. (8.03) At the beginning of an inning a pitcher gets up to 8 warm up pitches up to one minute. It is important to keep the games moving quickly.
Per 1.17, a catcher warming up a pitcher must be wearing at least a helmet with throat protector.
Per 3.09 , Managers or coaches must not warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bull pen during a game. If a pitcher has to warm up in the “bull pen”, station an adult or player with a mitt to protect against foul balls hitting the players warming up.
III. Batting
A. On Deck Batters. (1.08) There is no on deck circle. The on deck batter must remain in the dugout, with his/her helmet on, ready to get in the batter's box when it is his/her turn to bat. The on deck batter may not take any practice swings until he/she is at the plate.
B. Batting Out of Order. (6.07) If a player bats out of order and the mistake is caught before the at bat is finished, the correct batter is allowed to bat with the existing count. If the wrong batter becomes a runner, he/she will be called out (and all runners will be returned to their original bases) only if the opposing team appeals before the first pitch to the next batter.
C. Plays at Home. (6.06) The batter shall not hinder the catchers play at home base.
IV. Base Running
A. No Leadoffs. (7.13) The runners shall not leave their bases when a pitcher is in contact with the pitchers plate and is in possession of the ball. Base runners must stay on the bag until the pitch reaches the batter. Base runners who leave early must return to the original base or unoccupied closest base unless they are put out. NWSLL Amendment: Coaches should not encourage base runners at third to taunt the pitcher/catcher and delay the game. If the catcher has possession of the ball and has the runner in check, the runner should return to the base.
B. No Head First Sliding. (7.08 (a)) Violators will be called out.
C. Interference. (7.08 (a)) Base runners will be called out for running into fielders. A base runner is allowed to go beyond 3 feet from the base line to avoid a collision, but not to avoid a tag.
D. Overthrows. (7.05) A base runner is awarded two bases if a thrown ball goes out of play. The umpire will make the award based on the runners position at the time of the overthrow.
V. Fielding
A. Infield Fly Rule. 2.00 Definition of Terms The infield fly rule applies. With less than 2 outs and runners on at least 1st and 2nd, the batter is called out on an infield fly. Base runners can be thrown out when returning to their base.
B. Obstruction of a runner. (7.06) Fielders should not block the bases unless there is a play being made.
VII. Miscellaneous
A. Equipment (1.17) All male players must wear athletic supporters. NWSLL Amendment: Male players must wear cups.
B. Minimum number of players (4.16) A game may not be started with less than nine players on each team. The coordinator reserves the right to determine which games will be made up. NWSLL Amendment: A game may not be started with less than 8 players. If a team cannot field 8 players, the game is forfeited.
C. Tournament rules. Supplemental rules will be issued separately for the playoff tournament. Playing time. Pitching rest and other rules may be revised for playoffs. It should be noted that the 6 inning per week maximum will not be waived although it may be extended to 9.
A. Dugout Assignments. The Home team gets the 3rd base
dugout, and the Away team gets the 1st base dugout.
B. Base Coaching. Both base coaches may be an adult manager or coach as long as there is an adult or coach in the dugout.
C. Warm up for Games. No hard ball batting practice by players on fields within 1 hour prior to start of game. It is too dangerous as kids and parents are arriving for games. Use wiffle balls for batting practice. Infield practice is permitted with coaches hitting once the both coaches have arrived and the teams are under control.
D. Both teams email scores to Ed Kommers ekommers [at] comcast [dot] net
E. The All Star Balloting procedure will be issued separately
F. Make up games shall be determined by the coordinator.
G. Standings will be reported in order of win percentage.
H. Playoff Tourney berths will be determined by lottery. Regular season teams in first and second place will get trophies.