Little League Policy

Policy Statement

GROUND RULES/LOCAL RULES FOR LOCAL LEAGUES

What is the purpose of Local Rules?

• Local Rules establish the league's policies in certain areas where leeway is allowed by Little League Baseball rules, regulations and Policies. No league's Local Rules can conflict with the published Rules, Regulations, Policies or Principles of Little League Baseball without expressed written permission from the Charter Committee in Williamsport.
• A league's Local Rules, once approved by Southern Regional Headquarters, should be distributed to all who are required to implement or uphold the policies or directives (i.e., managers, coaches, umpires, player agent[s], Board of Directors, etc.). The Local League should also make them available upon request to any Member. The Local League Board of Directors should adopt the Local Rules at least one month before the first game of the regular season,

What's the difference between Local Rules and the Constitution and By-Laws?

• The Local Rules are not considered part of the Constitution and By-Laws. They are two separate documents. The Local Rules are reviewed, revised (if necessary) and adopted annually by the Board of Directors. The Constitution and By-Laws governs the Local League operation from year to year and can only be amended by the Membership at a duly organized meeting as provided in Article XIII of the Model Constitution and By-Laws.

What should be in Local Rules?

• Any field conditions not already covered by Little League Rules and Regulations, such as a telephone wire erected partially inside fair or foul territory.
• Any specifically optional Rules or Regulations, such as the I 0-run rule (Rule 4. 1 O-e) and any of the several noted optional rules in Minor League and Tee Ball.
• An optional rule limiting the number of visits a manager or coach may make to the foul line per game to talk to his or her pitcher. (The number of visits per inning is already covered by Rule 8.06).
• Local directives, such as requiring each manager to umpire in other divisions, require teams to clean their own dugouts after games, etc.
• The method of selection for the Tournament Teams in all Divisions.
• The draft method for all divisions, if different from the Operating Manual. (A detailed description of the Draft Method, if different from the Operating Manual, must be submitted in writing to Southern Regional Headquarters, and the league must receive approval before the draft begins. This process requires about three weeks, so the method must be submitted to Headquarters at least one month before the draft).
• Duties of those persons or committees not specifically covered by the league's Constitution and By-Laws, such as Concession Stand Coordinator, Hat Collection Coordinator, Fence Repair Committee, etc.
• The league's policy on when a team may no longer call up a player from the Minor League (Regulation HI (d) 2-note), and when a team must fill a vacancy.
• Non-baseball/softball related directives, i.e. no animals allowed on complex, no bike riding on complex, etc.

What must not be in Local Rules?

• Any rule that alters, supersedes, or conflicts with published Little League Baseball Rules, Regulations, Policies or Principles.
• Any rule already covered by a published rule, regulation or policy. Re-wording already published Little League Baseball Rules, Regulations or Policies invites conflicting opinions on how the rules are to be interpreted and must be avoided.
• Rules that remove or replace authority granted to certain persons by the Little League Baseball Rules and Regulations.

Local 9-12 Policy

Policy Statement

AGE STRUCTURE FOR 9-12 YEAR OLDS IN BASEBALL-SOFTBALL

• Starting in 1994, Local Leagues have had the option of placing all 9 and/or 10 year olds (who are not already on a Major Division team) into the Minor League. This is an option, and is not, to be construed as a recommendation from Little League Baseball Incorporated.
• Basically, this means the Local League Board of Directors has the authority, on an annual basis, to prevent all 9 and/or 10 year old players from trying out for the Major Division of Little League Baseball and/or Softball in the Local League. AU 11 - 12 year olds who are not already on a Major Division team must try out for the Major Division.
• This does not give the league authority to create two separate Major Divisions (i.e., a 9-10 Major Division, and an 11-12 Major Division). There can only be one Major Division in a Chartered Little League.
• For example, if a Local League exercises the option to place all 9-10 year olds (who are not already on a Major Division team) into the Minors, it may do so. Any 11-12 year olds not selected to the Major Division would be placed in the Minors, as always.
• We recommend highly that leagues do not automatically place all 11 and/or 12 year olds on Major Division teams, as there are invariably some 11-12 year olds who are not of sufficient ability or maturity to play on a Major Division team.
• Likewise, it is up to the Board of Directors to decide if some 9-10 year olds (sons/daughters of Major Division managers or coaches, or siblings of current Major Division players) will be allowed to play in the Major Division. AU players claimed as "options" must meet the requirements outlined in the current edition of the Operating Manual.
• Please note that any player league age 10-12 for the current season who was on a Major Division team in the previous season (regardless of the current optional age structure of the Local League), must be retained by that Major Division team.
• The selection of Tournament Teams remains the same. Any I I - 12 year old in the Major Division is eligible for selection to the Little League Tournament Team, provided he or she meets current eligibility requirements outlined in the Tournament Rules and Regulations. Any 9-10 year old in the Minors or Majors is eligible for selection to the 9- 10 Tournament Team, provided he or she meets current eligibility requirements outlined in the Tournament Rules and Regulations.

Other Divisions

• All players league age 5 or 6 must only be involved in games using the batting tee. The league has an option to place 7 and/or 8 year olds into the Tee Ball or Minor Division.
• Any game involving a player league age 5 or 6, regardless of the playing position of that player, MUST use the batting tee only.

Boundry Map