Rules (Renfrew Minor Baseball)

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LEAGUE RULES

LITTLE LEAGUE ONTARIO DISTRICT 8 HOUSE LEAGUE RULES:

All divisions will play following the rules of Little League, with the following exceptions and/or additions:

ALL LEVELS:

  1. Games are limited to 1 3/4 hrs, light permitting. No new inning shall begin after 1.5 hrs.
  2. The mercy rule is in effect: 10 runs after four innings, 3 ½ if the home team is ahead. All teams must keep score and must be submitted via the score sheet.
  3. There is a 5 run per inning maximum and no unlimited last inning.
  4. If a game is forfeited due to insufficient players the teams are encouraged to play a 4 inning game with blended teams in order to justify costs associated with running a game and most importantly the trip of the visiting team.
  5. The pitcher may not wear sunglasses and position player may wear non mirrored sunglasses.
  6. A pitcher must be removed from the game if he/she hits 2 batters in an inning or 3 batters in a game.
  7. If there is a play at home, players must slide. Avoidable collisions at home will not be tolerated and the base runner will be called out.
  8. There is no head first slides but diving back to a base is acceptable.
  9. Double headers are permitted but teams are to be given at least ½ hr (30min) between games.
  10. Under the safety code for little league, with respect to all eyeglasses: “Parents of players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide safety glasses.”
  11. Over age players may not pitch. Over age players may play the position of catcher for a max of 3 innings per game. The remaining innings of the game the catcher must be proper age for that division.

MINOR DIVISION:

  1. Games are 6 innings.
  2. Pitchers can only pitch two consecutive innings. Once removed as pitcher they may not return to that position for the remainder of that game.
  3. Catchers can catch for three or more innings but then can't pitch once they have started their third inning. A pitcher can come in as a catcher only if they have pitched less than 2 innings.
  4. Batters are out on the third strike. No dropped third strike.
  5. There is no stealing home unless a play is made on a runner at any base, but may advance at their own risk until they reach 3rd base.
  6. There is no “leading off” and base runners may not leave the base until the ball crosses home plate.
  7. Base runners may not advance on a passed ball back to the pitcher.
  8. Coach’s may field up to 10 players defensively and use a “continuous” batting order.
  9. On Deck batters are not permitted, except for the first batter between innings and the start of the game.
  10. No infield fly rule.

MAJOR DIVISION:

  1. Games are 6 innings.
  2. Pitchers can only pitch three consecutive innings. Once removed as pitcher they may not return to that position for the remainder of that game.
  3. Catchers can catch for four or more innings but then can't pitch once they have started their fourth inning. A pitcher can come in as a catcher only if they have pitched less than 3 innings.
    1.  Examples
      1. player pitches for 2 innings and catches the rest of the game. YES
      2.  player catches for 3 innings first, and then pitches for 3 innings. YES
      3.  player pitches for 2.5 innings and THEN catches for next 3 innings NO (They are not eligible to catch if they pitch more than 2 innings.)
      4. player catches for 4+ innings but does not pitch YES
      5. player pitches for 2.5 innings but does not catch YES
      6. player catches for 4 innings and pitches for 1 inning NO  (They are not eligible to pitch if they catch more than 3 innings first.)
      7. player pitches for 1 inning and catches for the rest of the game. YES
  4. Dropped third strike rule is in effect. 
  5. A runner can advance home on a passed ball or wild pitch.
  6. There is no “leading off” and base runners may not leave the base until the ball crosses home plate.
  7. Base runners may not advance on a passed ball thrown back to the pitcher by the catcher.
  8. On Deck batters are not permitted, except for the first batter between innings and the start of the game.
  9. Must have 8 players on the field to start a game and play with 9 players.
  10. Should use continuous batting order.
  11. Coaches may field up to 10 players defensively using 4 outfielders. (NEW 2023)

JUNIOR / SENIOR :

  1. Games are 6 innings.
  2. Pitchers can only pitch two consecutive innings. Once removed as pitcher they may not return to that position for the remainder of that game. (NEW 2023)
  3. Batters can run on a dropped third strike.
  4. Stealing home is permitted.
  5. Leading is permitted and baulks on pitchers will be called by the umpire.
  6. Base runners may advance on a passed ball thrown back to the pitcher.
  7. On Deck batters are permitted.
  8. Coaches may field up to 10 players defensively using 4 outfielders. (NEW 2023)

Note: Pitching rules are meant to fall within LL rules and a pitcher may not pitch more than the pitch count stated in the LL rule book.