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Majors Guidelines

In general the Major Division rules will be consistent with the Little League 2004 Official Regulations and Playing Rules as published by Little League Baseball. The exceptions and additions to the rules include:

1. The Fair Play Policy will be in effect. All players shall receive the same amount of playing time, divided equally amongst infield and outfield positions.
   
2. Umpires: The Major Division Umpire Coordinator will attempt to schedule umpires for all games. If no umpires are assigned, the home team shall be responsible for recruiting a home plate umpire and visiting team shall be responsible for recruiting the base umpire.
   
3. Regulation Game: Six (6) innings (refer to Rule 4.10).
   
4. Tie Games: If the score is tied after 6 complete innings, play shall continue (see Rule 4.10 (b) & (e)).
   
5. Mercy Rule: In the event a team is losing by ten (10) or more runs after completion of four (4) full innings or three and a half (3½) if the home team is ahead, the manager of the losing team MAY concede defeat.
   
6. Scorekeepers: Each team shall provide a scorekeeper. The Home Team scorekeeper is the Official Scorekeeper. Scorekeepers are encouraged to consult frequently during the course of the game.
   Scorekeepers will have the Home Plate Umpire sign the Scoresheet after the game.
   
7. Number of Players: Teams must have a minimum of eight (8) players to start a game. If a team is only able to field eight (8) players at the start of the game, the ninth (9th) batter shall be declared out when it is the ninth (9th) batter's turn at bat. A team which cannot field at least eight (8) players shall forfeit the game.
   
8. Batting Order: The batting rotation shall consist of all players present at each game. Late players shall be added to the bottom of the batting order.
   
9. Coaching: Adult coaches may coach the offensive team at 1st and 3rd bases and may or may not be accompanied by a player coach (with helmet).
   
10. Mandatory Playing Rule: Every player on a team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of 3 innings.
    
    Penalty: The player(s) involved shall start the next scheduled game and play any previous requirement not completed and the requirement for this current game before being removed.
    The manager shall for the:
    - First Offense - receive a written warning
    - Second Offense - A suspension for the next scheduled game
    - Third Offense - A suspension for the remainder of the season.
    
    Note: If the violation is determined to have been intentional, a more severe penalty may be assessed by the Board of Directors.
    
    Little League's objective is to ensure all players receive an equal opportunity to develop their skills. That said, it is recognized that each team manager must have the discretion to handle disciplinary and safety concerns.
    
11. Pitching:
    a) Any player on the team roster may pitch.
    b) If a player pitches in less than four (4) innings, one (1) calendar day of rest is mandatory. If a player pitches in four (4) or more innings, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. A player may pitch in a maximum of six (6) innings in a calendar week, Sunday through Saturday. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.
    
    Example
    

    If a player pitched in four or more innings on:	And is still eligible, that player can pitch again on:
    Sunday	Thursday
    Monday	Friday
    Tuesday	Saturday
    Wednesday	Sunday
    Thursday	Monday
    Friday	Tuesday
    Saturday	Wednesday

    
    c) Players of league age 12 may pitch a maximum of 2/3 of the innings in a calendar week (Sunday through Saturday).
    d) A player once removed as a pitcher may not pitch again in the same game.
    e) Not more than five (5) pitchers shall be used in one game.
    Exception: In the case of injury to a fifth (5th) pitcher, an additional pitcher may be used.
    
    NOTES:
    1. Innings pitched in games declared "no contest" or "Regulation Drawn Games" shall be charged against pitcher's eligibility for that week. If resumed in the following week or weeks, pitcher of record may continue up to six (6) innings or to the extent of their remaining eligibility for the current calendar week.
    2. Re-scheduled games are considered played on the actual date the game is played and NOT on the originally scheduled game.
    3. All league teams require a Pitching Control roster which MUST be used and kept up to date. After each game, each manager will verify and then sign the opposing teams' Pitcher Roster. Any player in a game illegally will result in forfeiture of such game automatically by the offending team. Such games will not be replayed.
    4. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after being announced, or after a warm up pitch has been delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation. Little League officials (Managers, Coaches, Umpire & Scorekeepers) are urged to take precautions to prevent protests whenever possible. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately.
    5. Makeup Games: Should the game be unable to be played for any reason, the Manager of the Home team shall be responsible to call the Commissioner who will then reschedule the game. All make-up games should be rescheduled as soon as possible, ideally, within the same week that the original game was scheduled.
    6. Reporting of Game Results: Game results including pitching rosters for both teams must be forwarded by the winning team to the league statistician within twenty-four (24) hours of the game via the scoresheet on NWLL's website at www.nwll.org
    
12. Substitution: A player in the starting line-up who has been removed for a substitute, may re-enter the game ONCE, in any position in the batting order, provided:
    a) His or her substitute has completed one time at bat; and
    b) Has played defensively for a MINIMUM of six (6) consecutive outs.
    c) A pitcher may NOT re-enter the game as a pitcher.
    d) Only a player in the starting line-up may re-enter the game.
    e) A starter (S1) re-entering the game as a substitute for another starter (S2) must fulfill all conditions of a substitute (once at bat and 6 defensive outs) before starter (S2) can re-enter the game.
    NOTE: A substitute must fulfill his/her playing requirement for that game before being removed (3 innings) but the starter may re-enter the game replacing a different player after a) and b) above are fulfilled.
    
13. Throwing of Equipment: A batter who throws a bat will be given a warning the first time and if he does this again he will be called out. The umpire shall instruct the scorekeeper to mark the player and remind the umpire the next time the player bats.
    
14. Reporting of Game Results: Game results must be forwarded to the league statisticians within twenty-four (24) hours via the scoresheet on NWLL's website at www.nwll.org.
    

Rule 1.08:	Note: The on deck position is not permitted.
Rule 4.10 (d):	If a game is called before it has become a regulation game, but after one or more innings have been played, it shall be resumed exactly where it left off. Note: All records, including pitching, shall be counted.
Rule 7.08 (a) (4):	Any runner is out when he/she slides headfirst while moving forward. Note: applies only when advancing to a base, does not apply when returning to a base from a run down or a pick off situation.
Item 6 - Regulation VII	Schedules (d) A team may play in one (1) doubleheader per week (Exception under condition of Rule 4.12)

Revised - April 2004

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