Stamford Little League - Rules for AA 8s & 7s Division

General

1. Scores and Standings
   • Scores and standings will be maintained, and playoffs will be conducted.

2. Game Duration and Ties

• If time permits, the game will consist of 6 innings. In the event of a tie after 6 innings or if the time limit rule halts the game (refer to Rule 3), the game will be recorded as a tie, except during playoffs.

3. Time Limit

• No inning may commence more than 1 hour and 45 minutes after the game's start. Managers should not intentionally delay the game for competitive advantages. Playoff games have no time restrictions.

4. Pace of Play

• Ensure the game progresses swiftly. Begin on time. If the upcoming inning's catcher is unlikely to bat, have them prepared in their gear while the team is still batting.

5. Player Requirements

• Managers must strive to field 8 players following the SLL Call Up Policy. Refer to the league website for more details. A minimum of 7 players is required to field a team, with the possibility of borrowing a player from the opposing team for fielding purposes only (not batting or pitching). A forfeit will be declared if this requirement is not met. There is a 15-minute grace period from the scheduled start time for a team to assemble 7 eligible players. If a team fails to do so, the game will be marked as a loss (6-0 score) in the standings, although the teams may play a scrimmage game.
• Playoff Exception: A minimum of 9 players is required. If only 8 players are available, an automatic out will be added to the end of the lineup.

6. Coaching Regulations

• During games, only the manager and three coaches are allowed in the coaching areas. When batting, coaches must remain in the coaching boxes or dugout areas. When fielding, one defensive team coach should position themselves behind the catcher to expedite play on passed balls, while all other coaches remain in the dugout. Keep dugout gates closed.

7. On Deck Batters

• On deck and "double deck" batters must remain in the dugout. No on deck batters are allowed.

8. Post-Game Protocol

• After the game concludes, players and coaches should line up and shake hands.

9. Pitching Machine

• The pitching machine should not be considered part of the playing field. If a ball hits the machine, the ball is dead, and batter gets first base with all runners advancing one base.

In the Field

1. Defensive Setup
   • The defense consists of 10 players: Pitcher, Catcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base, 3rd Base, Shortstop, and 4 Outfielders. Managers may choose to have 5th outfielders, provided there's a pre-game agreement. Each player must play at least two innings in the infield unless there are safety concerns. The catcher is considered an infield position.
   • Catchers must wear protective gear, including mask with throat protection, chest protector and shin guards.

2. Equal Playing Time

• Total defensive playing time should be approximately equal for all players, with a variation of no more than one inning. No player may sit out a second inning until all players have sat out at least one inning.

3. Player Re-entry

• Players can re-enter defensive positions as often as desired.

4. Outfield Play (Advancing Runners)

• When a ball is hit to the outfield, play stops once the ball reaches the dirt of the infield and is in possession of a defensive player.
• A runner less than halfway to the next base must return to the previous base but remains at risk of being thrown out. If the runner advances, the umpire will send them back.
• A runner halfway or more to the next base has no safe harbor and is at risk of being thrown out.
• If the infield player in possession of the ball throws it and an overthrow occurs, no further advancing is allowed.

5. Infield Play (Overthrows)

• If a ball is hit in the infield and an errant throw occurs, a runner can advance from 1st to 2nd base only once per inning. No other runners can advance.
• If a thrown ball is knocked down or remains within a reasonable distance of the fielder covering a base, no further advancing is permitted.

Pitching

1. Kid Pitch & Machine Pitch
   • The game will begin play with two innings of kid pitch (with machine pitch rescue) followed by four innings of machine pitch.  Each team will use a different pitcher per inning. For kid pitch innings, the following apply.
     • There will be no walks. After the fourth ball of an at bat, machine pitch rescue (of the batting team) goes into effect and remains in effect for the remainder of the at-bat. After the second “series of 4 balls” delivered by the kid pitcher, machine pitch remains in effect for the remainder of a half inning.  
     • If a batter is HBP by a kid pitch, he will be awarded first base. After the second HBP by a kid pitcher, machine pitch remains in effect for the remainder of a half inning (even after a pitching change). 
     • Important to highlight, a combination of one walk and one HBP, machine pitch remains in effect for the remainder of a half inning (even after a pitching change).
     • For machine pitch:  when a coach (of the batting team) begins machine pitching, the strike count resumes for the hitter (ie., if the batter had 2 strikes, he or she stays with 2 strikes when the machine comes on to pitch).
     • A batter may take a called “Strike 1” or “Strike 2” by the umpire by both kid pitch and machine pitch.  There will be a called third and fourth strike on the machine pitch. A third strike called on a batter during kid pitch by the umpire.  

2. Machine Pitch

• It is the intention of the league to conduct most innings for AA using the Louisville Slugger Blue Flame pitching machine.
• Pitching will be conducted only with sanctioned Stamford Little League machines that are located at the fields
• Both managers will meet prior to the game to agree upon calibration. The machine should provide a hittable pitch that can go over the plate on a repeatable basis.
• The pitching machine must be on the mound, attempting to get as close to the 46’ rubber as possible. If calibration at that angle proves difficult, the machine may be moved closer upon the agreement of both managers.
• There will be no walks with the pitching machine.
• After getting two strikes, a player can strike out by either swinging and missing or by two called strikes. Foul balls do not count as one of the called strikes for this purpose. The goal of the league is to encourage kids to swing at strikes and put the ball in play.
• Hit-by-pitches (HBP) from the machine will be ignored unless the hitter is unable to continue the at-bat. If the hitter cannot continue, that at-bat will be disregarded.
• A fielder playing the pitching position must have one foot parallel to the mound, even with the pitching rubber.
• The pitching machine should not be considered part of the playing field. If a ball hits the machine, the ball is dead, and batter gets first base with all runners advancing one base.

Batting

1. Run Limits
   • For innings other than the last inning, the inning will end when a team scores 4 runs, or 3 outs are recorded. However, in the last inning of the game, both teams have unlimited batting and scoring, and therefore are subject to only the 3-out rule. 
   • “Last inning” for regular season games means either the 6th inning or agreed upon final inning of the game due to time limit considerations. 
   • If there is a 10 run differential, the game can continue with a focus on player development

2. Stealing and Bunting

• 1 steal per ½ inning. No steals of home.
• Bunting is allowed, but no slash bunting (faking bunt then swinging).

3. Order and Equipment

• All players bat in a continuous order.
• It is encouraged (not mandated) all batting helmets have face guards.
• Managers/Coaches for each team must ensure that bats conform to Little League specifications and standards.  In general, the bat must meet the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat) as adopted by Little League and shall bear the USA Baseball logo.  
• For more information, the applicable link to the Little League website is here: http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/baseballbatinfo.htm.  
  • Please refer to the website for complete details.

4. General

• No throwing of bats.  Players will be warned and the following infraction by the same player will result in an automatic out.
• No infield fly rule.
• No intentional walks.
• The pitching machine should not be considered part of the playing field. If a ball hits the machine, the ball is dead, and batter gets first base with all runners advancing one base.

General 

1. General Comments

• Umpires are to be respected.  Judgment calls (ball/strike, safe/out) may not be questioned. Rule interpretations may be discussed, but those should be private and courteous discussions.

2. Administrative Duties

• The home team is responsible to open and prep the field.  
• The home team will have the first base bench/dugout and the away team will have the third base bench/dugout.
• All batters and baserunners must wear batting helmets.
• Home team shall promptly enter score on website directly, or submit by text to the AA Commissioners, the final score of each game.
• Promote sportsmanship!  Cheer for good plays by BOTH TEAMS.