Majors Little League Rules

Wayland Major League is an instructional program for boys and girls in fifth and sixth grade.

Each player's ability will be assessed prior to the season at an evaluation session and will be assigned to teams by the league commissioner(s) and head coaches in a manner that will attempt to make the league evenly competitive.

Players and Coaches Code of Conduct

Follow the playing rules and practice good sportsmanship at all times.
Act in a manner as to bring credit to the team, league, and yourself.
Refrain from foul language, obscene gestures, or any form of verbal or physical abuse.
Maintain self-control, and refrain from unnecessary demonstrations including the throwing of helmets, bats, or any other equipment.
Refrain from arguing, teasing, or taunting with the umpires, coaches, players, or spectators.
Wear the uniform properly and with pride.
Give 100% effort at all times with a good attitude.
Win graciously - lose graciously.

Coaching Philosophy

In an effort to provide a consistently enjoyable experience for all Wayland Little League players at all levels of play, Wayland Little League has defined the following philosophy to be followed by all coaches:

Make the game fun for all players - keeping their interest and enjoyment for the game alive.
Emphasize positive reinforcement only.
Develop the skills and fundamentals of all members of the team, regardless of skill level or knowledge of fundamentals. Instructions and lessons to players should be delivered to the players at a level the players can understand.
Games are for the players to improve their playing skills and abilities in a low-key competitive setting. All players will be afforded an equal opportunity and be encouraged to participate and try all aspects of the game.
Behavior at all times should reflect the behavior outlined in the Code of Conduct. All decisions and actions should be based on what is best for the players, not the coaches, parents, or others.
Wayland Little League has a zero-tolerance policy - any behavior deemed inappropriate by Wayland Little League will result in an automatic dismissal of the coach.

Coaches Responsibilities

Coaches may recruit as many assistant coaches as are willing to participate. Coaches should follow the rules and guidelines outlined in this manual and adhere to the spirit of the league. Among the coaching staff's responsibilities are the following:

Abide by the Code of Conduct.
Adhere to the Wayland Little League Coaching philosophy.
Attend the coaches' clinic.
Attend the Major League coaches meeting, to be held prior to the beginning of the season.
Contact all parents/players to inform them which team they are on, the coaches names and phone numbers, and to remind them of the following events:
- First Game
- Parade & Picnic
- Kid’s Clinic
Contact league appointee to reserve fields for practice
Obtain the team's equipment from the equipment commissioner
Disseminate any and all information to the players and their parents for all events during the season that do not appear on the schedule
Ensure one coach is always present at the field on game nights 30 mins prior to game time with the equipment bag.
Do what's necessary to ensure the safety of all players, coaches, umpires, and spectators.
Ensure the players and coaches in the league follow the leagues Code of Conduct and discipline appropriately any player who does not adhere to it.
Keep score and winning team should report the final score of each game to the designated league commissioner.
Communicate any problems, issues or suggestions to the league commissioner as soon as necessary.
Return all equipment to the league commissioners when the season is over.

Equipment and Uniforms

Balls – Wayland Little League distributed balls will be used for practice & games.
Bats are provided to players by Wayland Little League and are to be shared with their teammates. Bats must conform to Little League rules and standards. Players may use their own bats.
Wayland Little League follows Little League Rule 1.10 The bat must be a baseball bat which meets Little League specifications and standards as noted in this rule. A list of approved and licensed composite bats can be found on the Little League website at http://www.littleleague.org/media/BatOKBBRule.htm.
Helmets - Helmets are provided by Wayland Little League and must be worn by the batter, base coaches, and all base runners. Players may wear their own approved helmets
Catching Equipment - One set of catchers' protective equipment will be supplied to each team.
Bases - Bases will be supplied by Wayland Little League
First Aid - Each team will be supplied with a first aid kit.
Uniforms - Uniforms will be provided to the players. Players are expected to "look like a team" and be fully uniformed for every game. Shirts must be tucked, and caps must be on players' heads frontward while in the field.
Footwear- Players will provide their own footwear. Sneakers or rubber cleats are permitted; no metal spikes are allowed.
Athletic Supporters - Players will provide their own athletic supporters. All catchers should wear an athletic supporter.
Gloves - Players will supply their own gloves.

Game Play

Games are played according to the published schedule on the Wayland Little League Website and follow normal standard Little League baseball rules apply except as noted in the sections below.

Eight uniformed players for each team are enough to start the game.
Players should arrive early to warm up.
If a team does not have 8 uniformed players by 15 minutes after the scheduled game start, that team will forfeit the game.
A practice game, which does not count in the standings, may be played; in which case, the umpire should stay and be paid.
For any game, no new inning can start after 1 hour 40 minutes from the actual game start.
Game start time should be noted when the game begins and the umpire is the official keeper of the time.
Umpires and Coaches should make every effort to start the game at scheduled start times.
NOTE - Once an inning is started the teams will use every effort to complete the full inning.
If the inning is not completed, the score reverts back to the score at the start of the inning. Umpire has full discretion and authority to implement the rule and determine the appropriate continuation of play under these guidelines.
If the start time of a game is delayed due to issues beyond the control of the coaches, the umpire will use discretion to determine actual start time.
An umpire has full authority and discretion to halt a game at any time if the safety of the players is an issue, (darkness, field conditions or inclement weather)
4 Full innings constitute a regulation game and will count in the standings. If the team that’s winning at the bottom of the 4th is leading and the game is suspended, it is still a complete game. If a game is suspended by the umpire’s decision before becoming a complete game, it shall be resumed from its point of discontinuance and played to a regulation conclusion.
There is a limit of 6 runs per inning a team may score per inning or until the game mercy rule is effect (see below).

GAME MERCY RULE.
- The first time the mercy rule can be considered is after 3-1/2 innings.
- If at the beginning of, or at any time during, the bottom half of the 4th or 5th inning the HOME TEAM is leading by at least 10 runs, the game is AUTOMATICALLY ended.
- If the VISITING TEAM is leading by at least 10 runs at the end of 3-1/2, 4-1/2 or 5-1/2 innings, the game continues, and the inning is completed.
- If at the end of the 4th or 5th inning the VISITING TEAM is leading by at least 10 runs, the game is AUTOMATICALLY ended.
- Coaches may agree to continue the game but the Mercy Rule score is recorded for the league standings.

Major League Field Sizes

Bases should be placed the regulation Little League distance of 60 feet apart.
The pitching rubber should be regulation Little League distance of 46 feet from home plate.
The Umpire is the final authority on the field.

Umpires

Wayland Little League will provide umpires for the Major League. In the event that an umpire does not show for a game, the umpiring will be left for the coaches, assistant coaches, or any volunteers from the parents or spectators. The 2 teams should agree on who will be the umpire for that game. Umpires should be familiar enough with the rules to properly officiate the games.

Umpires are to be provided 100% cooperation from all players and coaches. Coaches should set an example for their players, parents, and other spectators, by not arguing with the umpire on any calls involving the umpire's judgment. If a coach wishes to protest an umpire's interpretation of the rules, but not the umpire's judgment, the coach should inform the umpire at the time of the infraction, in a calm and restrained manner - in a private conversation away from the players. If the matter cannot be resolved, the game will continue and the commissioner will review the protest. The commissioner's decision will be firm and final.

Coaches will limit conversations with umpires to a few brief words, and keep the game moving.

Do not argue with the umpire regarding judgment calls, or if the umpire refuses to make a call because he did not see the play himself you may ask the umpire to explain the reason why a particular ruling was made.

The umpire will eject any player who, in the umpire’s judgment, attempts to injure another player.

Also, the umpire will eject any coach who, in the umpire’s judgment behaves in an unprofessional manner or discourteous manner to the umpire.

Substitutions

Coaches may call time out to talk to a pitcher. If they call time twice to talk to the same pitcher, that pitcher must be removed and subbed with a player from the field. You must notify the umpire first, that you wish to call time.

No player may sit out a second inning until all other players on the team have sat out for one inning. No player may sit out for two consecutive innings. No player may sit out more than two innings in a six-inning game, unless:

The player is removed from the game for disciplinary reasons. In that situation, the opposing coach must be notified.

There are 13 or more players on a team, in which case, over the course of a 6 inning game, a player due to the size of the team would have to sit out more than 2 innings.

A pitcher may not be removed for a player from the bench - only a player in the field may replace the pitcher.

If a player is subbed for a 2nd time prior to a player sitting for the first time, the game is subject to forfeit.

Fielding

Each team will field 9 players.
Coaches should remain in the bench area or out of the way of play and are not allowed on the field during play. If their team is in the field, they should be on the bench or again, out of the way of play.
After the first pitch in a half inning has been made, a position player may not be removed from the game except for injury or for disciplinary reasons.
The infield fly rule does apply.
Fielders must make an honest effort not to block the base paths. Coaches should make sure their aware of the base runners and position themselves accordingly.
Additional players on the team will stay on the bench.
If a coach removes a player from the game for disciplinary reasons, the opposing coach should be notified.
It is up to the coaches to determine which players will play each position.
No player should be forced to play a position if it is unsafe to do so.

Pitchers

Any player on a regular season team may pitch.
Exception:
- Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings is not eligible to pitch on the calendar day.
- The catcher receiving one pitch to a batter in the fourth consecutive inning constitutes having caught four (4) innings.
- Warm up pitches do not count, only when the ball is live with the pitches count toward innings caught.
A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher
- A pitcher remaining on defense 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.
The pitcher shall pitch from the pitching rubber (located 46 feet from home plate).
No balks will be called
Intentional walks are not allowed.
Four balls constitute a walk. (base on balls)
Three strikes constitute a strikeout.
A pitcher must be pulled if they hit 3 batters.
Pitch counts and records must be maintained by each coach and be available if requested by opposing team.
The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his / her age group noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game in another position.

Pitching Maximums

League Age:

17-18 105 Pitches per day
13-16 95 Pitches per day
11-12 85 Pitches per day
9-10 75 Pitches per day
7-8 50 Pitches per day

Exception:
If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in LL Regulation VI(c) for his / her league age while facing a batter the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs:

The batter reaches base
The batter is put out
The third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game

Note: A pitcher who delivers 411 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

Pitching Rest Requirements

Pitcher 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 days of rest must be observed.

Exception: If a pitcher reaches a day(s) rest threshold while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one
of the following conditions occurs:

that batter reaches base.
that batter is retired; or
the third 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.

Each team must keep a record of pitches thrown by each pitcher. The pitch count must be provided when requested by either manager or any umpire. However the manager is responsible for knowing when his / her pitcher must be removed.

Violations of this section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs.

Batting

Each team will have a batting order consisting of all the players on the team.
All players will take their turn in the batting order regardless of whether they played in the field that inning or not.
Each team uses continuous batting order which is unaffected by fielding substitutions.
If a player gets hurt or leaves game early for other commitment, the next batter in the order takes his/her place and assumes the count and the game continues.
If that injured player is unable to continue in the game the next time he/she is scheduled to batskip over him/her and continue the game.
Late arrivals will be added to and bat at the end of the order.
All batters must wear batting helmets when batting and running the bases - no exceptions to this rule will be allowed.
An on-deck circle will be permitted so long as there is a responsible person (coach or volunteer parent) to help ensure the safety of the person in the on-deck circle and spectators.
Only one player will be allowed in the on-deck circle at a time.
Only players at bat or in the on-deck circle are allowed to hold bats.
The strike zone is from the batters shoulders to the knees.
4 balls and the batter receives a base on balls.
Bunting is allowed. A foul bunt with 2 strikes is a strikeout.

Uncaught Third Strike (AKA Dropped third strike)

The uncaught third strike rule is in effect for the major league.

The batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by an umpire is not caught, providing:
- first base is unoccupied - or -
- first base is occupied with two out.
To put the batter out, the defense must tag the batter or first base before the batter touches first base.
An uncaught third strike does not result in a dead ball or stopped play.

(Note: A batter forfeits his / her opportunity to advance to first base when he/she enters the dugout or other dead ball area)

Players on the hitting team may coach first and third base. Coaches should instruct the players on how to coach the bases during practices and the season. Player base coaches must wear helmets.

All coaches and players not on base, batting, in the on-deck circle, or coaching the bases, are to remain in the bench area. Nobody, including parents and spectators are allowed behind the backstop while the game is underway.

Only Little League approved bats are allowed. If a player uses a non- approved bat, the opposing coach must notify the umpire, at which time the bat will be removed from the game. If the player hits with the non-approved Little League bat, the hit will be official unless the opposing coach appeals and protests the hit and use of the bat to the umpire, before the first pitch to the next batter. In this case, the umpire will call the batter out, and all runners that may have advanced will take the positions held prior to the use of illegal bat.

As a guideline, LL bats generally must have diameter less than 2 ¼ inch and -13 ratio. Certain composite bats are not allowed.

Base running

Base stealing and advancing on passed balls is allowed.

Players may advance to home plate from third base by a steal, passed ball, or wild pitch. A player may advance to home if the pitcher mishandles the routine throw from the catcher or if the catcher puts the ball into play other than a routine throw back to the pitcher.

A runner may not leave a base until the pitched ball has reached the plate. In the event a runner leaves early, the umpire shall issue one warning. On a second offense that same runner shall be declared out. If in the opinion of the umpire the runner is out solely because he had to avoid a fielder to get the base he shall be called safe. If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner deliberately collides with a fielder, the runner shall be ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Balls within the restraining lines are in play and runners may advance at their own risk. Balls that go beyond the restraining lines allow the batter and any base runner(s) the base to which he is advancing plus one more base. If a ball goes beyond a restraining line, the play is dead.

A coach can call time to talk to a runner – explain a sign – and the player does not have to be removed. Please try to limit this so as not to slow the game down.

Catching

Each team will field a catcher.
Catchers must wear catching equipment and an athletic supporter when catching - no one will be allowed behind the plate without the proper equipment.
Players may supply their own catching equipment - so long as they share it with their teammates.
All catchers should be instructed on proper positioning before they play behind the plate.
Catching equipment must be worn when warming up any pitcher (regardless of their location i.e on field, off field, bull pen etc)

Scores and Standings

Game scores will be kept and league standings will be published on the WLL web site: Coaches of each team must keep score.

Scorebooks will be provided.

Coaches from both teams should agree on the number of runs scored by each team, after each half-inning and after the game.

The winning team should report the final score of each game to the designated league commissioner. The league commissioner will enter the scores into the web site.

Once the scores are entered in the web site, the standings on the web site will be automatically updated.

Playoffs:

There will be 3 rounds of playoff games at the end of the season. The final standings will determine which teams will play each other in the playoffs. The commissioner of the league is responsible for breaking ties in the standings. Ties will be broken by head-to-head competition first, and then a coin flip.

The playoffs will be structured as follows (or adjusted as necessary to accommodate no. of teams):

Round 1:

Game 1 - The 1st place team will play the 8th place team.

Game 2 - The 2nd place team will play the 7th place team.

Game 3 - The 3rd place team will play the 6th place team.

Game 4 - The 4th place team will play the 5th place team.

Round 2:

Game 5 - The winners of Game 1 and Game 4 from the first round will play.

Game 6 - The winners of Game 2 and Game 3 from the first round will play.

Championship Game: The 2 winners from round 2 will play each other for the championship.

Trophies will be awarded to the champions at the championship game.

All Playoff games must be complete 6 innings, unless the home team is winning after 5 ½. If the game is suspended due to darkness or inclement weather, the game will resume where it left off.

All Star Game:

The Vote:

The annual All-Star Game will be played on a date determined by the Major League commisioners and the Wayland Little League board.
Each team will send an equal number of players to the All-Star game.
The players will elect the All-Star representatives from their team with a secret ballot prior to the All-Star game.
The Major League Commissioner(s) will announce the All-Star team.
Coaches will cast tie-breaking votes in secret.

The Game:

The All-Star game will be a standard 6-inning game.
Pitchers will be limited to one inning.
Each All-Star player will receive a special All-Star cap to wear during the game, and will be called out to the field in a special ceremony prior to the game to receive it.

Call up policy:

Call ups will be instigated by the coach requiring a player to be called up.
Coaches will coordinate directly with each other when the need for a player exists. Coach should provide 24 hour notice if practical.
The coach of the subordinate team will select a player from his/her team to be called up based upon their assessment of physical maturity, ability and skill.
The following guidelines should be used in assigning a player for call up.
- Contact the coach of the team you wish to bring up your minor league player from.
- AAA players are not eligible for Major league
- For Major league call up, the preference is to call up 4th graders
- Limit player to 1 major league game per week
- Minor league players should not pitch in Major league.
- No player should be called up more than 3 times per year.
No player is to be allowed to move up without coordinating with the parents and having the parents consent, such consent may be verbal, email or written.