Local Rules
The primary goals of Minors are to have fun, to instruct the children in the fundamentals of softball, and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. Fundamentals to be emphasized are hitting, base running, fielding of grounders & fly balls, throwing & pitching, and good sportsmanship in preparation for eventual selection to a Majors Division team.
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Game time limit is 1 hour and 30 minutes. A new
inning will not be started after 1 hour and 15 minutes.
| Roster batting or Rocket Rule will apply. If either
team bats through the order, the inning will be considered over. If
one team has fewer players, they shall be able to bat an equal number of
players per inning.
| STEALING IS NOT ALLOWED for the first half of the season,
although leading off is allowed after a pitched ball crosses the
plate. At the start of the second half, STEALING IS ALLOWED TO ANY
BASE if the ball escapes the catcher and leaves the semi-circle around the
catcher or if the catcher catches the ball cleanly. This semi-circle
is to be re-drawn by the coaches after each inning. It will be approx
5' radius from where the catcher sits. The ball MUST cross the plate
prior to a runner leaving the base. A runner MUST slide when there is
a play being made on the runner. Failure to slide may result in the
runner being declared OUT for creating and "Unsafe"
situation. (Coaches, teach this simple rule: "When in doubt,
SLIDE".)
| Game score will be kept. Results will be provided
to the division coordinator by phone or e-mail weekly (these will determine
seeding for the playoffs).
| Three outs per inning.
| Three strikes is an out. Four balls is a walk. Pitchers will stand 5 feet in front of the regular
pitching rubber (if there is not a temporary pitching rubber
available). Each half inning (or as needed), the coaches will re-draw
a pitching line for the pitcher (or re-secure the temporary mound). A
pitcher may not pitch more than 2 innings per game.
| Infield Fly Rule will NOT apply.
| Nine players in the field. A player may NOT sit out
more than 2 consecutive innings (unless injured).
| An outfielder MUST be positioned in the outfield grass at the start of each pitch. An outfielder DOES NOT need to throw the ball into the infield to obtain an out. |
All other rules not covered above are to be followed as written in the "Playing Rules" section of the Little League Handbook. The Handbook will be available with the handout of the uniforms. If you have questions, please contact your Divisional Coordinator. If you require further assistance, call Rockford Little League Vice-President of Softball.
