MARIPOSA COUNTY LITTLE LEAGUE
LOCAL RULES
2023

Age qualifications
7, 8, 9, 10-year-olds are eligible for Minor League. 9-, 10-, 11- & 12-year-olds are eligible for Major League. 11-, 12- & 13-year-olds are eligible for 50/70 intermediate league. 13 and 14-year-olds are eligible for the Juniors Division.

SAFETY PLAN IS LOCATED IN ALL STORAGE SHEDS.

Tee-ball
1. All players will play defense each inning and will be rotated to different positions during the game.
2. Due to insurance liability policy, you must use only your team members. At no time may you borrow from the other team.
3. Each team will bat the roster in a continuous batting order, if an out is made the player is removed from the base.
4. The game will consist of 4 innings, but no new inning will begin after 1 ½ hours.
5. Adult coaches will be the base coaches and allowed on the field with players.
6. At no time will a game be played with less than seven (7) players.
7. Must be league age 5.

Coach Pitch
1. There can be up to eleven (11) players on the field; at no time will a game be played with less than eight (8) players, and they will be rotated to different positions each inning of the game.
2. All players must play 2 defensive innings.
3. Each team will bat the roster in a continuous batting order, unless the defensive team makes 3 outs before the roster is completed. If the defensive team retires the side on outs, you will start the next inning with the batter that was due up when the 3rd out was made.
4. Due to insurance liability policy, you must use only your team members. At no time can you borrow from the other team
5. The game will consist of 4 innings, but no new inning will begin after 1 ½ hours.
6. The batter will have 3 pitches pitched from a coach, and then the tee will be brought out.
7. Adult coaches will be the base coaches.

Minors
1) Each team will bat the roster in a continuous batting order, after 3 outs you will retire the side.
2) No new inning will start after 2 hours, however if a game is tied, and no other games are scheduled after, the game can continue.
3) During the first three complete innings, if a team scores 5 runs in the inning the side will be retired.
4) From the top of the fourth inning on; scoring will not be limited to 5 runs; it is unlimited scoring, and the 10-run rule will not go into effect until the end of the 4th inning.
5) At no time will a game be played with less than 8 players. (If you cannot field eight players, you cannot borrow from the other team. The game is not an automatic forfeiture. The board will determine, after reviewing the circumstances, if the game will be replayed or forfeited.
6) Adult coaches will be the base coaches as long as there is another coach in the dugout.
7) Only one offensive time out for the purpose of a visit or conference, will be permitted per inning. (rule 5.10 (d)). See rule 8.06 for additional visits to the pitcher.
8) For game time keeping purposes the official time begins when the umpire informs the official score keeper that they have received the home team lineup card.
9) Game curfew, no new inning will start after 8:45pm
10) 5th inning tie, at the start of the 6th inning and each half inning after the offensive team will start their at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last placed on second base. Example: If the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four batter in the batting order will be placed on second base.
11) The line-up card presented to the umpire will include the entire team roster. Players not in attendance will be marked absent.

Majors
1) Each team will bat the roster in a continuous batting order, after 3 outs you will retire the side.
2) No new inning will start after 2 hours, however if a game is tied, and no other games are scheduled after, the game can continue.
3) At no time will a game be played with less than 8 players. (If you cannot field eight players, you cannot borrow from the other team. The game is not an automatic forfeit. The board will determine, after reviewing the circumstances, if the game will be replayed or forfeited.
4) Only one offensive time out for the purpose of a visit or conference, will be permitted per inning. (rule 5.10 (d) ). See rule 8.06 for additional visits to the pitcher.
5) Drop third strike will be in effect.
6) 5th inning tie, at the start of the 6th inning and each half inning after the offensive team will start their at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last placed on second base. Example: If the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four batter in the batting order will be placed on second base.
7) The line-up card presented to the umpire will include the entire team. Roster players not in attendance will be marked absent. If you decide to play a scrimmage, this is acceptable as long as there is no umpire, you do not use other team’s players, and you do not have your uniform tops on. You can only play a team from the same division. If a Majors team loses a player for any reason, they need to notify the board within 7 days to make arrangements for a replacement. If the player is out due to an injury, it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis after all documentation is provided. If a Minors player refuses to go up to a Majors team they will be frozen to their Minors team for the remainder of the season. No players will be moved in the last 2 weeks of the season.

Intermediate (50/70) and Juniors
1. No new inning may start after 2 hours 15 minutes for ALL games.
2. 15 run rule is in effect after 4 innings; 10 run rule is in effect after 5 innings.
3. Each team will provide two new baseballs per game.
4. Team that provides field is home team first game; travel team is home team second game. (If the same teams are playing a double header only)
5. Home team is the official score book.
6. League where the game is played will provide umpires.
7. Use District Pitcher’s Eligibility Form. Pregame: Managers/Umpire meet at home plate and confirm ineligible pitchers. After the game: Fill out the form completely. Make sure pitch counts are correct, days’ rest, proper signatures and any incidents that should be noted.
8. Illegal Bats:
- Rule 6.06 (d) will be strictly enforced
- If a bat once removed from a game for being illegal shows up at a subsequent game, the following consequence(s) will then take effect:
o Player who owns said bat and manager of team will be suspended for the remainder of that game plus the next physically played game that the player and/or manager are in attendance.
o If a bat is found back in any subsequent game after the suspension, the owner of the bat and the manager will be gone the remainder of the season.
o Appeal process: Rule 9.05 (a), (b), (c)
9. COURTESY RUNNER is a player not currently in the batting order who may become a base runner for the catcher provided there are two (2) outs in the half inning. See Rules 3.04 and 7.14(b) for conditions if adopted by the local league during the regular season.
10. The Pitcher:
(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.) Exception: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
(b) 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 per game.
(c)  A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day.

EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions occur: (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.

(d) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:

League Age:
13-14 – 95 pitches per day
11-12 – 85 pitches per day
(e) 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 days of rest must be observed.
● If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.

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.”

NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 30 pitches while facing a batter in the first game, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to pitch in the second game on that day, 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 would be allowed to pitch in a second game provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter.

11. Coaches' visits to the mound are now limited to twice in one inning, or three times in a game.
12. 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.

Player Replacement Policy
1) Before the Draft: If for any reason, a returning player wants to change teams, or a manager wishes to release a player; the following process will be followed:
a. A written notice from the parents or manager must be submitted to the Player Agent.
b. In the case of a parent request, the Player agent shall notify the Manager of the team that the player wishes to leave the team.
c. If this is the parent’s request, the Manager of the team will decide if he wishes to release the player, trade the player, or retain the player on his team.
d. If this is the manager’s request, the request must be made between the conclusion of one season and seven days prior to the evaluation period of the second season.
e. The Player Agent will notify the League President and the Board of Directors of the parents and manager’s wishes.
f. If the manager decided to release the player, and upon approval by the Board of Directors, that player shall be removed from the team roster, and then go through the evaluation and draft process as previously noted.
g. Once a decision is made, the Player Agent, acting for the League President will notify the player of the decision.
2) Trades:
a) Only players participating in the draft process are eligible to be traded.
b) All trades will be final at the conclusion of the draft.
c) The Player Agent will monitor any attempts by managers and parents to manipulate the draft system, and thus create an imbalance in the league.
d) Once a decision is made, the Player Agent, acting for the League President, will notify the player of the decision.
e) After the draft: If for any reason a player refuses, or is unable to play, notice must be given to the Player Agent by the manager within 24 hours. The Player Agent shall notify the League President and the Board of Directors. Upon approval of the Board of Directors, the Player Agent shall send a letter of release to the player and parents. The letter of release of player from the team will contain the policy of refusal, which states, once a player refuses to play for a Major team, that player will be frozen to the lower division league for the remainder of that season.
f) The Player Agent and Manager have seven days from the time of notification to replace the player. If the manager has not selected a replacement at the end of seven days, the Player Agent shall assign a player to the team.
g) Failure of the manager to notify the Player Agent of a player’s continued absence shall result in disciplinary action by the Board of Directors. A continued absence is seven continuous days of missed practices or games, NOT seven practices and games. Excused absence is medical, church and/or school related absence. Players who have missed games and/or practices due to an injury cannot return to play without a medical release. Absence must still be reported and monitored by the Player Agent.
h) No player may be called-up in the final two weeks of the regular season.

Tournament of Champions
1. The team that is in first place will go to tournament of champions, along with the Manager of that team.
2. Tie breaker:
a. 2-Way Tie – Head-to-Head Record.
b. 3-Way Tie- The top two teams with the best record against those that are tied will advance to a playoff. If it is still tied, then it will go to head-to-head competition amongst those that are tied. If by chance there is still a tie, it will be the best record against the next team in the standings. The 3-way tie must be taken care of first to become a 2-way tie, and then it goes to a playoff.

All-stars:
1. All players will be invited by age group to the all-star tryout at the conclusion of the season where the managers/coach’s and player agent will evaluate and vote on all-star player assignment. All required proof of league eligibility for the player must be presented to the league player agent and approved at conclusion of all-star tryouts for the player to be considered for all-star team placement.
2. Managers/Coaches are nominated by managers/coaches of their division. The player agent will forward the nominations to the board and the board will approve.
3. The manager/coach must attend the all-star breakfast.

Notes to Remember:
1) The home team is the official score keeper and they are responsible for keeping the pitch count and informing the umpire and managers of the count.
2) Umpires must sign the official book.
3) Official score books for Minors, Majors will be in the storage sheds. These books must be used as they are the only books signed by the Head umpire verifying the official pitch count. No exceptions.
4) Zero Tolerance: Any player, coach or spectator determined to be disruptive, disorderly, or disrespectful by the game umpire or any Board Member present, can and will be ejected from the field, and the incident will be reported to the league board of directors for review and possible sanctions.
5) Manager, Coaches, Players or Board Members are the only members allowed in the Dug Outs. No Exceptions.
6) Umpire has authority of the field of play when they step onto the field. Home team manager and or board member is responsible for field decorum and player safety in absence of an umpire.

These rules are the local rules dated 2/05/2023 and are for the 2023 season; any previous local rules are null and void.