Keystone Little League AA Baseball Rules Spring Season
Goal
The AA division of baseball is an important part of the Keystone Little League program. Its goal is to create and emphasize a positive experience for the 7, 8, 9, and 10 year old players at this level. Coaches should use positive reinforcement to develop basic baseball fundamentals and above all to ensure that the kid’s introduction into organized baseball is FUN!
Game Length
Games are six (6) innings in length or no new inning after 2 hours have elapsed – whichever occurs first, except if the game is tied. There is no drop dead time. There are no forfeits, or ties. Teams in need of player(s) to field a team (up to 10 players) must contact their Player Agent who will assign a player or players from the player pool. No more than 5 runs can be scored per inning with the exception of the last inning which shall be an open inning. The umpire will determine which inning is to be last inning. The umpire will inform both managers before the beginning of the last inning that it is an open inning. The 10 run rule is in effect. Note: teams are allowed 1-minute or 8 pitches, whichever is less, for warm-ups between innings. The 1-minute clock begins when the pitcher and catcher are in place to begin warm ups.
Player Roster
Each attending player shall bat (continuous batting order). Each player shall play at least 9 defensive outs. This requirement is not in force in a time shortened game or a 10-run rule game.
Base Stealing and Sliding
Stealing bases and intentionally bunting are permitted. Head first sliding is not permitted except when a runner is returning to a base. Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. If the umpire determines that the runner deliberately attempted to injure the fielder, the umpire could eject the runner for unsportsmanlike conduct. Similarly infielders including the
pitcher and catcher cannot block a base or home plate if they do not have the ball and/or are not in the process of making a tag.
Pitching:
Pitch count limits will be followed as outlined in Part VI – Pitchers of the Little League Rule
Book.
Section VI Pitching
(e) 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 in a game, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. This means any portion of 4 innings.
(f) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher.
(g) 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 9 - 10 75 pitches per day
7 – 8 50 pitches per day
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in 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: 1.That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. NOTE: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
(h) 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.
** NEW: Days of rest is determined by the pitch count at the beginning of the last batter faced, not total pitches thrown.
On-field Coaches
The offensive team shall station two coaches on the field during play, one occupying the first base coach’s box and one occupying the third base coach’s box. A coach must be in the dugout at all times. No other coaches from either team are allowed to be on the field during play. All gates must be kept closed. Refer to XIV Field Decorum (d) in the Little League
Rule Book. All managers, coaches, and approved volunteers must wear their lanyards for the duration of the game.
Field Preparation
The home team is responsible for lining the field before the game. The home team will keep the official pitch count log. Both teams shall fill in holes in the batter’s box and on the pitcher’s mound, water the field as necessary, and drag the field at the completion of the game.
Post-Game Duties
Teams must ensure that their dugout and bleacher area are cleaned up after the game. Home team should rake out high traffic areas.
If you are holding a player meeting after the game, please clear your dugout and move outside the field of play for your meeting - if there is another game scheduled after your game.