Needham Little League

Home Rules

Single A

2008

 

The following are the Home Rules which govern Single A.  Modification by mutual agreement by the managers/coaches from each team prior to the game is not authorized.

 

PLAYING TIME/POSITIONS - Each team player present should play at least three innings in the field during a complete six-inning game.  All games will be six innings unless called on account of weather and/or darkness.  A player shall not play more than 2 innings at the same position during a game.  A game playing chart must be completed prior to each game.

Dugouts/Bench Assignment - The Home team will occupy the 1st base dugout or bench.

Game Balls - The Home team will supply 2 or 3 game balls.

BATTING ORDER - Pursuant to Rule 4.04, “A League may adopt a policy of a continuous batting order that will include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order,” Single A teams will bat around the order so that all players bat.  Late players shall be added to the end of the batting order.

 

INNINGS - A half inning shall consist of three outs or nine batters, whichever comes first.  When the ninth batter hits the ball, the half inning is over when:  the batter is out by a defensive play or when the ball, which has been put into play, is thrown to any player who must be standing on the pitcher’s mound.  A runner may score if he is on his way from third to home and crosses the plate before the player on the mound catches the ball.

 

BATTING TEE - When a tee is used, an adult representing the team at bat will place the ball on the tee for each batter.  The tee shall be placed in front of (not on) home plate.  This allows for appropriate swing extension, batting instruction, insures the ball will not be hit until the defensive team is ready, and minimizes potential injury to the catcher.

 

FAIR TERRITORY - When using the tee, a batted ball must cross an imaginary line running in a semicircle from the third base line through the pitchers’ mound to the first base line otherwise it is a foul ball and the batter hits again.

 

BUNTING - Bunting is not allowed in Single A.

 

PLAYER BASE COACHES - After the 8th game is played, team players will be allowed to serve as base coaches.  They must wear helmets and may be assisted by adult coaches.

 

OVERTHROWS - Only one base is allowed on an overthrow.  There cannot be two consecutive overthrows.

 

SCORING - No score will be kept.

 

PITCHING – Coaches may pitch to the players or batting tees may be used.  During the last 2 weeks of the season players may pitch.  All players who express an interest in pitching shall be allowed to pitch (a minimum of 10 pitches), regardless of ability.

  

 

SUBSTITUTE MANAGERS - In the event that a manager is not able to attend a scheduled practice and/or game, only his/her Board-approved coaches may substitute as manager.  In the event that no Board-approved coach is available, the manager must coordinate with the League Director to arrange for a Board-approved coach to take over for that game and/or practice.  It is ultimately the responsibility of the League Director to make his best effort to find approved coaches to cover games so that the players are not penalized by a game cancellation.

 

In no instance may the manager independently authorize a non-Board-approved coach to take over in his/her absence. 

 

Scheduling/Rainouts/Rescheduling - The League Director makes the ultimate determination on the timing and location of rescheduled games.  The game schedule stands and may not be altered at the discretion of individual managers.  If a game is called or cancelled due to bad weather, the manager must contact the League Director for the time and location of the makeup game.  Individual managers may not schedule or reschedule makeup games at their own discretion. 

 

Regularly scheduled games:  Neither individual managers nor groups of managers may relocate or reschedule games at their own discretion.

SAFETY RULES

  1. A, AAA and Majors: In accordance with section 2.00: “a BUNT is a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly… Batters are not permitted to take a half-swing.” HOME RULE: At all Little League levels, the ‘slash bunt’ is forbidden.  The ‘slash bunt’ is defined as a half or full swing or an attempt at a half or full swing after the player assumes a bunting stance (either squaring or pivoting).  If at anytime while in the batter’s box the batter squares or pivots as if to bunt, he either must bunt or attempt to bunt the ball or let the pitch go.  A drag bunt is acceptable.  The umpire MUST call the batter out if in his judgment the batter was attempting a slash bunt.
  2. At all Little League Levels: In accordance with section 1.08 NOTE 1: “The on-deck position is not permitted…” HOME RULE: At the Major League and AAA levels, on-deck swinging is allowed only at Mills Field in the enclosed on-deck area.  Only one player may be in each of the Mills on-deck areas at a time.
    AT ALL OTHER FIELDS, THERE IS NO ON DECK SWINGING.  THE UMPIRE (AA and above) WILL ASSESS A WARNING ON THE FIRST OFFENSE TO BOTH BENCHS (ONE WARNING PER GAME, NOT PER TEAM) AND WILL ASSESS AN OUT TO ANY TEAM WHOSE PLAYER IS SWINGING A BAT WHILE NOT AT THE PLATE ON ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS.
    The only players allowed on the field of play are defense, batter, base runners and player base coaches.  No other player is allowed on the field of play and must remain in the dugout or in special circumstances (e.g. warming-up in a bull-pen area), outside the playing field.  Players must not stand in the dugout door area at Mills, these doors must remain closed during play.
  3. At all Levels: If lightning is sighted during a practice or game, play must stop immediately and can only resume after fifteen minutes free of lightning.  Players must immediately take appropriate and safe shelter while waiting for the game to resume.


    The following are not home rules but are included to reinforce their importance.  ALL OTHER RULINGS NOT SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED HERE ARE GOVERNED BY LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL OFFICIAL REGULATIONS AND PLAYING RULES.  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COPY, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DIRECTOR IMMEDIATELY.

    At all Little League Levels:
  4. In accordance with section 1.08 NOTE 2: “Only the first batter of each half-inning will be permitted outside the dugout between half-innings.”
  5. In accordance with section 7.08 (a) (3): “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.” Needham Little League Note:  This will be at the umpire’s discretion.   Runner is only required to slide into the base when there is a play at that base, otherwise, the runner may ‘stay up’. 
  6. In accordance with section 1.17: “Male catchers must wear the metal, fiber or plastic type cup and a long-model chest protector. Female catchers must wear long or short model chest protectors.  All catchers must wear chest protector with neck, throat guard, shin guards and catcher’s helmet.”  Needham Little League Note: There must not be a gap between the throat protector and the mask, which would permit a baseball to hit the throat.
  7. In accordance with section 1.11 (h): At all Little League Levels, “Shoes with metal spikes or cleats are not permitted.  Shoes with molded cleats are permissible.”
  8. In accordance with section 1.11 (j): “Players must not wear watches, rings, pins, jewelry or other metallic items.”
  9. In accordance with section 1.16: “Use of the helmet by the batter, all base runners and base coaches is mandatory.  Use of a helmet by an adult base coach is optional.”

 

 

ALL OTHER RULINGS NOT SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED HERE ARE GOVERNED BY LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL OFFICIAL REGULATIONS AND PLAYING RULES.  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COPY, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DIRECTOR IMMEDIATELY.