Major League Rules

Article 1 Pitching

1. A player can pitch no more than six (6) innings per calendar week. Exception, a player may pitch a seventh (7) inning if they have pitched the previous six (6) in one game and it is tied.
2. A calendar week shall commence on Sunday and end on Saturday.
3. A player can pitch no more than six (6) innings during any three (3) day period, regardless of the calendar week. If a player pitches more then three (3) innings in any game, they must have one day of rest before they can pitch again, regardless of the calendar week.
4. Coaches are to log the number of innings pitched by all players into their scorebook.
5. No Balks.
6. No curveballs.
7. Managers or coaches may be allowed to warm up pitchers prior to the start of the game, between innings while the catcher is suiting up and in the bullpen.
8. Managers or coaches may visit pitchers at the mound. The third visit to the same pitcher in the same inning will constitute an automatic removal.
9. Championship Series Pitching Rules –

Article 2 General Rules

1. Batting order will consist of all players on a team, whether or not a player is assigned to a starting position.
2. Runners will advance only one base on a ball leaving the playing field.
3. All playing fields are "alive" inside the fenced area, except in the dugout area.
4. Stealing from all bases is permitted.
5. Runners may not leave a base until the pitched ball passes home plate.
6. All team players must be assigned to a field position for a minimum of two (2) innings per game.
7. Helmets are required at all times for batters at the plate, on deck, base runners and base coaches.
8. Team equipment is to be kept in the dugout area.
9. Players are required to remain in the dugout while play is in progress, except for the on deck batter and the base coaches.
10. PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO THE CONCESSION STAND DURING THE GAME. NO FOOD OR CANNED / BOTTLED BEVERAGES ARE ALLOWED IN THE DUGOUT.
11. Players coaching first and third base may be assisted in the coaches box by a team coach for the first half of the season (prior to Memorial Day). The emphasis of the coach shall be on on instructing the player coach.
12. All players are to be dressed in full uniform for each game. Full uniform will include: League issued cap, shirt, and socks. Pants are required and should be purchased by the player. Light jackets, sweatshirts, etc may be worn under team shirt.
13. For safety reasons, no jewelry will be permitted to be worn during games. This includes watches, medals or chains, rings or earings.
14. ALL WEEKNIGHT GAMES WILL START PROMPTLY AT 6:00PM.
15. The home team shall occupy the field for 45 minutes starting one hour before game time. For the second game of back to back games, the home team shall occupy the field for 15 minutes commencing 30 minutes prior to the start of the game.
16. The visiting team shall occupy the field for 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.
17. The visiting team shall be responsible for picking up and restoring the score panels, and keeping score on the scoreboard during the game.
18. The home team manager is responsible for supplying the home plate umpire with three game balls.
19. The managers and coaches of the home team shall be responsible for preparing the field for the game. Field prep shall be completed prior to the visiting team occupying the field (15 minutes prior to the start of the game). For the second game of back to back games, both coaches shall be responsible for field prep.
20. The home team shall be responsible for returning the bases to the storage building.
21. ALL TRASH IS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE DUGOUT AT THE END OF EACH GAME.
22. A team must field a minimum of eight (8) players to constitute an official game.
23. If a Major A team is unable to field the required amount of players for a game, they may draw a player from the Major B level. No player will be chosen if they have a game on the same day. All levels will have a list of players that can play up. This list is determined thru input of coaches and the Board of Directors. Every effort will be made to give all players a chance to play up.
24. Six innings constitutes a complete game. If the score is tied after six innings, one additional inning shall be played, conditions permitting. If the game is tied at that point, it will be recognized as such in the standings.
25. The standings will be computed on a point basis with a win counting as two points and a tie as one point.
26. Four innings is an official game, 3 ½ if the home team is ahead. If the score is tied at the end of four innings and the game is called due to playing conditions, the game shall be considered a tie in the standings.
27. If a team is ahead by at least ten runs and at least twice the run count of the opposing team, and the game is stopped by time constraints (darkness or excessive length in the first game of a two game set), that team shall be declared the winner. For the visiting team to win, they must meet the run advantage criteria at the point the game is stopped and at the conclusion of the last completed inning. For the home team to win they must meet the run advantage criteria at the time the game is stopped.
28. Infield fly rule is in effect. Exceptions – Minor League
29. The batter may not take first base on a third strike passed ball. Base runners may however advance.
30. Once a player has squared to bunt, they must attempt to bunt or pull back. They can not pull back and swing away. If they do, they will be declared out.
31. Only sneakers or rubber cleats are allowed.
32. The home team head coach is responsible for notifying the visiting team head coach and the chief umpire if a game is to be cancelled due to weather at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the game.
33. Make up games are to be rescheduled by the respective head coaches within one week of the originally scheduled game. The league commissioner and the umpire chief must be notified.
34. Calling a game due after it has started is at the discretion of the home plate umpire.
35. The home plate umpire is authorized to call the game if, in his opinion, players, coaches and / or on-lookers representing one team continue to display unsportsmanlike conduct after a warning has been issued.
36. Coaches may not make a call in an effort to influence the umpires judgement. The first offense will be a warning. The second offense will result in removal from the game.
37. No heckling of opposing players is allowed.
38. The on-deck circle shall be located past the far end of the dug-out.
39. All comments or complaints relevant t the officiating, coaching, player conduct, etc., are to be addressed to the WNYL Baseball Board of Directors outside of the playing field. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
40. There is a must slide rule for all baserunners approaching home plate. If a runner does not slide at home plate during a play at the plate, the runner is automatically out.
41. Catchers can not block home plate on any play at home whether or not in possession of the ball.
42. All other Little League rules apply.