Pitching Rules

• Max Pitches per day (according to Little League Age)
  • Minors (9-10 year olds)
    • 75 pitches
  • Majors (11-12 year olds)
    • 85 pitches

• If you have a player pitching up, you must adhere to the Little League age and not the division they are playing in. 
• If the player reaches their limit in the middle of a batter, the pitcher can continue to pitch until that batter is retired or reaches base. 

• Days Rest
  • 1-20 Pitches
    • 0 calendar days of rest
  • 21-35 Pitches
    • 1 (one) calendar days of rest
  • 36-50 Pitches
    • 2 (two) calendar days of rest
  • 51-65 Pitches
    • 3 (three) calendar days of rest
  • 65+ Pitches
    • 4 (four) calendar days of rest

• If pitcher reaches a days rest threshold in the middle of a batter they can continue to pitch until that player is retired or reaches base 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 before delivering a pitch to another batter. 
  • EX: Pitcher starts an at-bat having thrown 32 pitches prior to the first pitch to the current batter. The pitches completes the at-bat by striking out the batter, throwing an additional 5 pitches. His pitch count at the end of the at-bat is 37, but since he reached the 35 pitch threshold during the at bat, he will only have to observe 1 (one) day of rest. If the pitcher continues to pitch to the next batter, throwing one official pitch, he will have to observe 2 (two) days of rest. 
• A pitcher may not pitch more than 3 consecutive calendar days.
• A calendar day begins on the next day after the game is complete
  • EX: Situation - Player "A" pitches "X" pitches on Saturday. Player "A" is eligible to pitch again on:

    "X" Pitches	Days Rest	Rest Days	Eligible to Pitch On
    1 to 20	0		Sunday
    21 to 35	1	Sunday	Monday
    36 to 50	2	Sunday, Monday	Tuesday
    51 to 65	3	Sunday, Monday, Tuesday	Wednesday
    66 or More	4	Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday	Thursday

• Catchers
  • A player who has played the catcher position in 4 or more innings in a game cannot pitch on that calendar day. 
    • 1 pitch thrown in the 4th inning constitutes as a full inning playing catcher
  • A catcher who moved to the pitcher position during the game and pitches 21 pitches or more cannot return to the catcher position during that game. 
  • A pitcher who pitches 40 pitches or more during a game cannot enter the game as a catcher after that. 
  • If the pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, they can re-enter the game as catcher once the current batter they are facing is retired or reaches base. 

2021 Pee Wee Bi-Laws
These are amendments to the Little League Rule Book.  If not addressed as an amendment, the rule book applies.

Pitchers:

1. Pitchers can pitch only 1 inning per game, no multiple inning pitching allowed
2. Pitchers can pitch a maximum of 50 pitches per day; they may complete the batter faced when the maximum pitches have been reached.
3. Pitchers may not return to the mound once removed.  They are eligible to play any other position.
4. Pitching Distance is 40’
5. During player pitch, after 4 walks the offensive designated pitching coach will enter the game and complete the inning.  That player is done pitching for that game.
6. During player pitch, balls and strikes are called by an approved volunteer or coach.  Batters can strike out, reach base with a batted ball into fair territory, get walked with 4 balls, or be awarded base with a hit by pitch.
7. Coaches can warm up player pitchers.  Keep warm up pitches to a maximum of 10.
8. During coach pitch a designated coach or approved volunteer will position on the rubber and throw overhand.  The coach may be on a knee or standing but must be in contact with the rubber during release of the ball. 
9. The batter will get 4 pitches regardless of the number of swings.  The batter continues if they foul off the 4^th and consecutive pitches following the 4^th pitch.  The batter either advances with a hit into fair territory or strikes out.  There are no walks or hit by pitch during coach pitch.

Game Process:

1. Games will run 1 hour and 15 minutes or 5 innings
2. Innings 1,2,3 will be Coach Pitch
3. Innings 4 & 5 will be Player Pitch
4. Games are scored as a Tie if at the end of regulation time or 5 innings (whichever comes first) both teams have the same score.  Game is over at the end of 1 hour and 15 minutes, innings are not completed regardless if home team is batting.
5. Only 9 players are allowed on defense per any ½ inning.
6. No player sits on defense more than 1 consecutive inning.  ie: If a player sits an inning, they play the next.
7. Pee Wee is mandatory Roster Batting, all players dressed and in attendance are in the lineup.
8. The maximum number of batters per ½ inning is determined by the team with the most players in the lineup.
9. 7 Runs maximum per any ½ inning.  Run limit does not apply when the game is in the 5^th inning and time has not expired.
10. The inning is over with 3 recorded outs.
11. No infield fly rule, no dropped 3^rd strike rule.
12. Coaches are allowed on the field for both offense and defense.  An approved volunteer may also be used as a base coach while a team’s coach is serving as the designated coach pitcher. While on defense a maximum of 2 coaches or approved volunteers may be on the field.
13. No On Deck Hitter Warm Up allowed.
14. No headfirst sliding into any base including home plate is allowed.  First offense per player is a warning, 2^nd and consecutive offenses by same player is an out.
15. Players are not allowed to steal a base, or lead off.  A base runner can leave base once the pitched ball reaches home plate.
16. The minimum number of players for any one team is 7.  Teams with less than 7 players dressed and in attendance must forfeit.
17. Base runners are not allowed to steal base on an overthrow from the catcher to the pitcher or on a passed ball from the pitcher to the catcher.
18. Both teams shall provide a game ball for play.
19. At anytime the ball is inside the infield baselines whether from a hit or defensive player throw; all runners shall stop at the next base they encounter while running.  Ball must be either fielded or landed inside the baselines.  This rule applies to the foul territory of 1st baseline, 3rd baseline, and behind home plate.

 

2021 Tee Wee Rules

Regulation game: A regulation game will consist of three innings or one hour from the scheduled starting time of the game. A minimum of eight players per team is required to play a regulation game. After one hour, the manager will stop the game regardless of the play situation. No batters will bat, nor complete a turn at bat after the time period has elapsed.
 
Batting order is continuous and includes all players in attendance at the game. Once the game has begun, the batting order must be maintained throughout the entirety of the game. Any player not present at the start of the game must be added to the bottom of the batting order. Exception: if player becomes hurt or ill.
 
The batter shall immediately take a position in the batter’s box. The batter shall take a maximum of two practice swings.  A batter cannot strike out. The batter shall not carry the bat to 1st base; the bat should be dropped when the ball is hit.  Should the batter sling the bat, the coach will give a verbal warning to the batter. Upon a 2nd violation by the same batter in the same game, the batter will be called out and returned to the dugout. A third violation of this rule will result in the player being removed from game participation.
 
Last batter rule: When the last batter comes to the plate, the batting coach will announce to the opposing team ‘last batter’. The batter may be put out by the defensive team by getting the ball to any base in front of the batter. For purposes of implementation, when the last batter takes his place in the batter’s box, it is to be assumed that two outs exist and the bases are all occupied. The ‘dead ball’ rule is in effect during the last batter.
 
Defensive player positions: No player will be allowed to play the entire game in one position. Players should rotate positions at least once per game. Whenever possible, players should play both an outfield and an infield position in each game. (If a player does not have the opportunity to play an infield position during the game, then he should start in the infield in the next game.) Should a coach or parent have concerns about a player being able to protect themselves while playing an infield position, the coach may, with parent approval and notification to the league VP, have the player make his rotations in the outfield positions.  The infield will consist of six (6) infielders; 1st base, 2nd base, shortstop, 3rd base, pitcher and catcher. The outfield will consist of all other players on the team  The pitcher is required to stand on the rubber until the ball is hit  Catchers are to stand behind the batting coach until the ball is hit
 
Throws: When the ball is hit, the fielding player must throw the ball with an overhead motion when attempting to put a player out. The intent of the rule is to prohibit rolling the ball with an underhand action to avoid misplay by the receiving players. Outfielders CANNOT make a play in the infield. They must throw the ball to an infielder to make an out. No player will run the ball to the base unless that base is the direct responsibility of the defensive player with the ball. Exception: When in the manager’s judgment, the ball was fielded near enough to a base so that only a few steps were required for the original fielder to make the out at the base. This rule does not preclude underhand throws from shortstop to second for example, when seeking a force play and the fielding of the ball dictates an underhand throw.
 
Overthrow: An overthrow is any thrown ball that enters foul territory. The ball becomes a “dead ball” at the time the ball enters foul territory. The coach responsible for that foul line will immediately call time as soon as the ball enters foul territory and each runner including the batter will be awarded the base to which he/she was going at the time the ball entered foul territory. A runner that is standing on a base at the time the ball enters foul territory will not be awarded the next base. If the ball hits the fence or the wall behind home plate, it will be called a “dead ball”. Exception: If the ball is thrown to the 1st baseman, is dropped and goes into foul territory, where the defensive player can retrieve the ball with minimal steps and returns to the base before the runner arrives, the runner will be out.
 
Throws to Home Plate: On throws to home plate to retire a runner, only the catcher may field the ball. On balls missed by the catcher that enter foul territory, the overthrow rule will apply. Throws taken by a player other than the catcher will result in a runner scoring and all runners advancing to the base to which they were going.
 
Any player who has failed to make sufficient practices as determined by the manager does not have to be played; but if he/she is not going to be playing, the manager must report the information to the Coaching Coordinator and/or the Player Agent and the parent (if present) prior to the start of the game. Please remember that the players do not drive themselves to
practice, a child is dependent upon their parents to get them to practice and games on time. The “benching” of a player for disciplinary reasons is not allowed without prior approval of the Coaching Coordinator and/or Player Agent.
 
Offensive Coaches: When a team is batting, one manager /coach may assume a position in the marked coach’s box at third base and one manager /coach may assume a position in the marked coach’s box at first base. The purpose of the base coaches is to provide instruction to the base runners.  First base coach: The first base coach will provide instruction to runners for first base and the batter.  Third base coach: The third base coach will provide instructions to a runner for second and third bases.  Batting coach: The batting coach is responsible for assuring that the batter is familiar with the proper techniques of batting. The batter must assume a normal batting stance with a proper grip of the bat. Under no circumstances should a player be permitted to assume a position other than a direct line stance within the batter’s box where he or she steps directly towards the pitcher when hitting.
 
 Defensive Coaches: During a team’s position in the field, two coaches may assume a position in the outfield behind the deepest outfielder. The purpose of the coaches is to re-enforce the primary techniques and to provide direction to the players in fielding and throwing the ball. The coach in right center field will provide instructions to all players left of second base facing home plate and the coach in left center will provide instructions to all players right of second base facing home plate. The manager is considered as one of the two allowed coaches if he/she assumes a position in the outfield while his/her team is on defense.