2018 LITTLE LEAGUE® INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS AGENDA RESULTS Approved by the Little League International Board of Directors for 2018 Implementation
REGULATIONS
ITEM 2 Affects: Regulation III(c) – THE TEAMS and Operating Policies Local League Draft Methods – Major Divisions of Baseball and Softball
(c) Little League (Major) Division: Local league must establish the age structure for the Little League (Major) Division. It is recommended that the local Little League set a maximum and/or minimum number of participants of a particular league age. For Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League, it is recommended that the local Little League set a maximum and/or minimum number of participants of a particular league age. (Example: If the league has all 15- and 16-year-olds in its Senior League Division, it may have a local rule that states that each team must carry between four and eight players of league age 16.)
METHODS FOR EXISTING LEAGUES
It is recommended that managers not select more than eight players in a given age group. The team roster may be comprised of players of league age 9, 10, 11, and 12 unless modified by the local league according to options established by Little League. The local league may opt to allow only 10, 11, and 12, or 11- and 12-year-olds, to try out for the Major Division.
Synopsis: This eliminates the maximum of eight (8) – 12-year-olds on a Major Division team.
ITEM 3 Affects: Regulation VI (d) - PITCHERS – All Divisions of Baseball and Challenger
(d) Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
NOTE: Under no circumstances shall a player pitch in three (3) consecutive days.
EXCEPTION: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.
Pitchers league age 15-16 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If player pitches 61-75 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 46-60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. • If a player pitches 31-45 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-30 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
NOTE: Under no circumstances shall a player pitch in three (3) consecutive days.
EXCEPTION: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) of rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher will only be required to observe the calendar day(s) of rest for the threshold he/she reached during that at-bat, provided that pitcher is removed or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.
Synopsis: This restricts a player from pitching in three consecutive days in Regular Season and Tournament.
ITEM 4 Affects: Regulation VI NOTE 3 - PITCHERS and Rule 4.10(d) – All Divisions of Baseball, Softball, and Challenger
Regulation VI NOTE 3: 3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest. In the event that the first inning is not completed, all records, including pitching records, batting records, etc., shall be retained.
4.10 (d) if a game is called before it has become a regulation game, it shall be resumed exactly where it left off. NOTE: In the event that the first inning is not completed, all records, including pitching, shall be counted.
Synopsis: All suspended games will be resumed exactly where they were left off. Regular Season pitching will be governed by Regulation VI. Tournament pitching will be governed by Tournament Rule 4.
ITEM 5 Affects: Regulation VII (a) – SCHEDULES and Tournament League Eligibility (2) – Senior Divisions of Baseball and Softball
Regulation VII:
(a) The schedule of games for the regular season shall be prepared by the Board of Directors of the league and must provide for not less than twelve (12) games [Senior Division: Ten (10) games)] per team per regular season against other Little League teams within their respective division, exclusive of playoff and tournament games. Tee Ball: It is recommended that no more than twelve (12) games be scheduled per team per season.
League Eligibility: (2) The league must have scheduled and played, at a minimum, a 12-game [Senior League: Ten (10-game)] (per team) regular season, exclusive of playoffs and tournament games, for each division, or age appropriate division, entering tournament prior to the first game in their respective tournament. See Reg. VII. NOTE: For Junior Tournament eligibility, Senior League players must have played in a minimum of 8 games.
Synopsis: This allows a Board of Directors to only schedule 10-game Regular Season schedule Senior Baseball and Softball teams. For Senior Division Tournament eligibility, a team must play a 10-game Regular Season schedule.
PLAYING RULES
ITEM 6 Affects: Rule 3.03 – All Divisions of Baseball and Softball
3.03 - A player in the starting line-up who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game, in the SAME 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) Baseball: pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers; Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher any time in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.
NOTE: A player who has met the mandatory play requirements, and is a pitcher at the time she/he is removed, may be removed for a substitute batter and re-enter the game as a pitcher once, provided the pitcher was not physically replaced on the mound.
EXAMPLE: Player A is a starter and not a pitcher, Player B substitutes into the game for player A. Both players have met mandatory play by completing one (1) time at bat and six (6) consecutive defensive outs and both occupy the same spot in the batting order. In the fifth inning player A becomes a pitcher and is scheduled to bat in the sixth inning, but player B bats for player A. Both players have met mandatory play requirements and player A was not physically replaced on the mound as a pitcher, therefore, player A can return to pitch the sixth inning. Softball: a pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once in the same inning as he/she was removed. Minor/Major Divisions:
NOTE: A pitcher, withdrawn from the game for a substitute offensively or defensively, may not re-enter the game as a pitcher. This applies to continuous batting order. EXCEPTION: A pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher, if withdrawn for a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner, and then returned to the game at the beginning of the next half inning. Junior/Senior Divisions: A pitcher may be withdrawn from the game, offensively or defensively, and return as pitcher once per inning provided the return does not violate either the substitution, visits per pitcher, or mandatory play rule(s).
(d) A starter and her/his substitute must not be in the line-up at the same time, except as provided in 3.03 Note 3. Once mandatory play is met, starter and substitute can enter/re-enter for each other as desired.
(e) Defensive substitutions must be made while the team is on defense. Offensive substitutions must be made at the time the offensive player has her/his turn at bat or is on base.
NOTE 1: A substitute may not be removed from the game prior to completion of his/her mandatory play requirements.
NOTE 2: When two or more substitute players of the defensive team enter the game at the same time, the manager shall, immediately before they take their positions as fielders, designate to the Umpire-in-Chief such players’ positions in the team’s batting order and the Umpire-in-Chief shall notify the official scorer. The Umpire-in-Chief shall have authority to designate the substitutes’ places in the batting order, if this information is not immediately provided.
NOTE 3: If during a game either team is unable to place nine (9) players on the field due to illness, injury, ejection, or inability to make a legal substitution, the opposing manager shall select a player previously used in the line-up to re-enter the game, but only if use of all eligible players has exhausted the roster. A player ejected from the game is not eligible for re-entry.
Synopsis: This would revise the substitution rule for all divisions of play.
ITEM 7 Affects: Rule 4.10(e) and Tournament Rule 12 - Regulation Game – All Divisions of Baseball and Softball
4.10:
(e) If after three (3) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: four innings], two and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: three and one-half innings] if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after four (4) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: five innings], three and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: four and one-half innings] if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. NOTE: (1) If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15) or ten (10) runs or more respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning. (2) The local league may adopt the option of not utilizing this rule.
12. RUN RULE: If at the end of three (3) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: four innings], two and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: three and one-half innings] if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after four (4) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: five innings], three and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/ Junior/Senior League: four and one-half innings] if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. NOTE: If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15) or ten (10) runs or more respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning.
Synopsis: This allows a local league to implement a 15-run rule after three (four innings for Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League). This would be mandatory during the International Tournament.
ITEM 8 AFFECTS: Rule 8.06(a) and (b) – Major Division and above of Baseball and Softball
8.06 - This rule, which applies to each pitcher who enters a game, governs the visits of the manager or coach to the pitcher at the mound.
LittleLeague.org/Congress 2018 Little League® International – Congress Agenda Page 5
(a) A manager or coach may come out twice in one inning to visit with the pitcher, but the second time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher. Example: If a manager visits Pitcher A once in the first inning, then makes a pitching change in the same inning, Pitcher B would be allowed one visit in that inning before being removed on the second visit.
(b) A manager or coach may come out two times in one game to visit with the pitcher, but the third time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher. Example: If a manager visits Pitcher A twice in the first three innings, then makes a pitching change in the fourth inning, Pitcher B would be allowed two visits in that game before being removed on the third visit, subject to the limits in (a) above.
Synopsis: This reduces the number of visits to a pitcher to twice in one inning or three times in a game for the Major Division and above for Baseball and Softball.
TOURNAMENT RULES & GUIDELINES
ITEM 9 Affects: Player Eligibility – Little League (10-12) and Intermediate (50-70) Divisions of Baseball
Little League (Major) Division - Any player League Age 10, 11, or 12, with amateur status, who has participated as an eligible player in 60 percent (60%) of the regular season games by the start of Tournament Play in their respective District, with the exception of the school baseball season, on a: 1. Little League Baseball (Major) Division team, or; 2. Intermediate (50-70) Division Team.
Synopsis: This allows players league age 11 and 12, who participated in 60% of their respective Intermediate (50-70) Division Regular Season games to be eligible for selection to the Little League Baseball (Major) Division tournament team. Special Games at the Intermediate (50-70) Baseball Division will NOT count towards Tournament eligibility.
ITEM 10 Affects: Player Eligibility – Little League (10-12) and Junior Divisions of Softball
Little League (Major) Division - Any player League Age 10, 11, or 12, with amateur status, who has participated as an eligible player in 60 percent (60%) of the regular season games by the start of Tournament Play in their respective District, with the exception of the school softball season, on a: 1. Little League Softball (Major) Division team, or; 2. Junior League Softball Team.
Synopsis: This allows players league age 12, who participated in 60% of their respective Junior Division Regular Season games to be eligible for selection to the Little League (Major) Division tournament team. Special Games at the Junior Softball Division will NOT count towards Tournament eligibility.
ITEM 11 Affects: Tournament Protests – The Use of an Ineligible Player – All Divisions of Baseball and Softball
The use of an ineligible player:
Ineligibility under this rule applies to league age, residence or school attendance (as defined by Little League Baseball, Incorporated), participation in other programs, or participation as an eligible player for sixty (60%) percent of the regular season in the proper division, or violation of Regulation I-XVII. 1. If the facts establishing or verifying the ineligibility of a player become known to a complainant, Tournament Official, or Tournament Director after the ineligible player participated in a game during the International Tournament, that team shall be disqualified and removed from the International Tournament, subject to any of the following conditions:
(a) A protest is lodged by the manager or coach with the Umpire-in-Chief, who shall consult with the Tournament Director or District Administrator. The Tournament Director or District Administrator must contact the Regional Director (or his/her appointed agent), who shall contact the Tournament Committee for a decision. The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final and binding.
(b) The Tournament Director, District Administrator, or Tournament Official become aware of the circumstances by any means, they must contact the Regional Director (or his/her appointed agent), who shall contact the Tournament Committee for a decision. The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final and binding.
Synopsis: This would disqualify and remove any team from the Little League International Tournament who is found to have used an ineligible player during a game.
ITEM 12 Affects: Tournament Rule 9 – Mandatory Play – 8-10, 9-11, 10-12, Intermediate (50-70), and Junior Baseball and Softball Divisions
9. MANDATORY PLAY 8- to 10-Year Old Division, 9- to 11-Year-Old Division, Little League, Intermediate (50-70) Division, and Junior League: If a tournament team has thirteen (13) or more eligible players in uniform at a game, then every player on a team roster shall participate in each game for a minimum of one (1) at bat. If a tournament team has twelve (12) or fewer eligible players in uniform at a game, then every player on a team roster shall participate in each game for a minimum of six (6) consecutive defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time.
a) Prior to the start of play in the top of the fourth inning (Intermediate/Junior Divisions: fifth inning), the umpire-in-chief or other individual designated by the game Tournament Director in consultation with the official scorekeeper, shall advise both team managers of their obligation to insert all players who have not completed their mandatory play requirement into the line-up as outlined below. A manager’s failure/refusal to insert players into the line-up as outlined below shall result in immediate ejection of the manager and removal for the remainder of the International Tournament.
1. If a team has 12 or fewer players in uniform at the start of a game, and is:
a. Visiting Team: Any player(s) who has yet to enter the game to meet the defensive requirement of mandatory play must be inserted prior to the first pitch or play in the bottom half of the fourth inning (Intermediate/Junior: fifth inning) into a position in the line-up that will ensure all requirements of mandatory play will be satisfied, absent a shortened game, including one at-bat.
b. Home Team: Any player(s) who has yet to enter the game to meet the defensive requirement of mandatory play must be inserted prior to the first pitch or play in the top half of the fifth inning (Intermediate/Junior: sixth inning) into a position in the line-up that will ensure all requirements of mandatory play will be satisfied, absent a shortened game, including one at-bat.
2. If a team has 13 or more players in uniform at the start of a game, players must be inserted into the line-up to bat offensively during the:
a. Visiting Team: fourth or fifth inning, or as one of the first three batters in the sixth inning (Intermediate/Junior: fifth or sixth inning, or as one of the first three batters in the seventh inning), that will allow their one at-bat to be satisfied.
b. Home Team: fourth inning or as one of the first three batters in the fifth inning (Intermediate/Junior: fifth inning or as one of the first three batters in sixth inning), that will allow their one at-bat to be satisfied.
b) Managers are solely responsible for ensuring that all players fulfill the requirements of mandatory play, even if notification is not made.
c) There is no exception to this rule unless the game is shortened for any reason. NOTE: A game is not considered shortened if the home team does not complete the offensive half of the sixth or seventh inning (or any extra inning) due to winning the game.
d) Failure to meet the mandatory play requirements in this rule is a basis for protest. If one or more players on a roster do not meet this requirement, and if protested or brought to the Tournament Committee’s attention, it shall result (by action of the Tournament Committee) in the removal of the team’s manager, without replacement, for the remainder of the International Tournament. Additional penalties (including but not limited to forfeiture of a game, additional mandatory play requirements for players who failed to meet mandatory play, and/or disqualification of the team or coaches from further tournament participation) may be imposed if, in the opinion of the Tournament Committee:
1. a manager or coach takes any action that results in making a travesty of the game, causing players to intentionally perform poorly for the purpose of extending or shortening a game, or;
2. a team fails to meet the requirements of this rule more than once during the International Tournament, which begins with District play and ends at the World Series level (State level for 8- to 10- and 9- to 11-Year-Old Divisions), or;
3. a manager willfully and knowingly disregards the requirements of this rule. A manager or coach suspended for any reason is not permitted to be at the game site and must not take any part in the game(s), nor have any communications whatsoever with any persons at the game site. This includes pregame and postgame activities. Violation may result, by action of the Tournament Committee, in further suspension; forfeiture of a game; and/or disqualification of the team, managers, or coaches from further tournament participation.
e) For the purpose of this rule, “six (6) consecutive defensive outs” is defined as: A player enters the field in one of the nine defensive positions when his/her team is on defense and occupies such position while six consecutive outs are made; “bat at least one (1) time” is defined as: A player enters the batter’s box with no count and completes that time at bat by being retired or by reaching base safely.