The rules below are meant to clarify, or in some cases restrict, the rules published in the official Little League Rule Book.  Please consult the official book as well as the local rules outlined or clarified here.

The Board of Directors of the Spokane South Little League has adopted these rules for the 2013 Season. These rules shall be followed without exception by ALL teams.  Managers/coaches are responsible for their team and the players’ parents/fans actions and shall be held accountable in accordance with Little League Baseball rules, the SSLL Constitution and policies promulgated by the SSLL Board of Directors.

Number of Players on Teams

1. 1.     To begin the season and in accordance with LL Rule III(a), all teams in the Juniors and Majors levels shall have a minimum of twelve (12) players and a maximum of fifteen (15) players.  No later than ten (10) days prior to the first regular season game, the SSLL Board shall establish the number of players on each team.  To begin the season, all teams in these divisions must carry the same number of players on their rosters.

1. 2.   To begin the season, all teams in the AAA and AA shall have a minimum of eleven (11) players and a maximum of fourteen (14). No later than ten (10) days prior to the first regular season game, the SSLL Board shall establish the number of players on each team.  To begin the season, all teams in these divisions must carry the same number of players on their rosters.

• 3. To begin the season, all teams in the Coach Pitch (A) and T-Ball levels shall have a minimum of nine (9) players and a maximum of fourteen (14).        
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Practices

1. 1.     Teams at all levels, except for Coach Pitch and T-Ball are encouraged to practice at least one (1) time per week, but no more than four (4) times per week.

1. 2.     Teams at the Coach Pitch and T-Ball divisions are encouraged to have at least one (1) game/practice per week, but no more than two (2) games/practices per week.

1. 3.     Selection of Practice Fields: Choices of practice field locations and time shall be based on the teams completing all of the requested paperwork, as instructed at the coaches meeting or otherwise previously directed.  Priority will be given in the following priority:  Majors, AAA, AA, Coach Pitch, T-Ball.   NOTE:  Playing on non-sanctioned Little League fields is strongly discouraged.  When using non-sanctioned Little League fields, there is no insurance coverage for players, fans or coaches.  By choosing to do this the Manager assumes all responsibility and liability.

Rules Interpretation

1. 1.     Any interpretation requests regarding these Local Rules shall be forwarded to the Vice President – Baseball Operations who shall refer such to the SSLL Board of Directors.  All decisions by the SSLL Board of Directors shall be final.

1. 2.     To ensure the safety of our players, slug bunting is prohibited at all levels.  Any batter, who in the sole judgment of the umpire, initiates a “slug bunt” shall be declared out by rule, and all runners shall return to their base.

General Game Formalities

1. 1.     The home team shall provide 2 baseballs for each game and the visitor shall supply 1.

1. 2.     The home team shall occupy the 3^rd base dugout and the visitors shall occupy the 1^st base dugout.

1. 3.     The home team is responsible for setup and tear down of the field. This includes raking the field after each game and securing the lock on the equipment box.

1. 4.     For all divisions with Player pitching, the home book is responsible to report the score and pitch counts for both teams to the designated SSLL representative by Noon of the day following each game.  In the event the home team does not report on time, the visitor book will be used.

King of the Hill Tournament (AA, AAA, Majors)

1. All teams are entered into the KOH tournament.
2. Tie breaker for regular season standings are:  1) Head to Head record  2)  Head to Head combined scores  3) Regular Season run differential.

MAJORS LEVEL

Game Length

1. 1.     No new inning should be started after 8:30 p.m. or dark which ever is first as judged solely by the umpire-in-chief.  If a lighted field is used, no new inning should be started after 10:00 p.m.

1. 2.     In accordance with Little League rules, all players will play two (2) defensive innings and have one (1) at bat.  Due to early season limitations on the amount of daylight, managers are encouraged to adjust their lineup so that such rule can be applied.
2.  During the regular season, continuous batting order shall be used.  During KOH the standard 9 player batting order will be used.

AAA LEVEL

Game Length/Substitutions/Run Scoring

1. 1.     No new inning should be started after 8:30 p.m. or dark which ever is first as judged solely by the umpire-in-chief.  If a lighted field is used, no new inning should be started after 10:00 p.m.

1. 2.     There is free substitution in the field, but only nine (9) players are allowed on the field during the time the team is on defense.  In light of Little League Rule 4.04 mandating a continuous batting order for all Minor League divisions, all players will play at least half (1/2) of the game in a defensive position.  Regardless of this ability for free substitution in the field, the Pitching Rules as set forth in Rule VI shall be strictly enforced, particularly Rule VI(b) which states “Players once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers” and Rule VI(c) which prohibits a player from playing catcher after they have delivered 41 or more pitches during a game.  Due to early season limitations on the amount of daylight, managers are encouraged to adjust their lineup so that such rule can be applied.

1. 3.     In accordance with Little League Rule 2.0 and the definition of “inning”, the 5 run per inning rule shall be enforced, but scoring runs in the final inning shall be unlimited (or until the winning run is scored) to accommodate any team that may be trailing by more than 5 runs going into such final inning.

Stealing

1. 1       Advancing on an overthrow to the pitcher is allowed all season.  Stealing, advancing on a pitched ball, is allowed after week 3.

1. 2.      Runners may advance if the defensive team overthrows the pitcher if the ball is play.

1. 3.      Once the pitcher has the ball, the runner must return to the base immediately.

AA LEVEL

Game Length/Run Scoring

1. 1.     Time limit for games shall not exceed 2 hours as judged solely by the umpire-in-chief.  No new inning shall start after such time. 

1. 2.      No new inning should be started after 8 p.m. or dark which ever is first as judged solely by the umpire-in-chief.  If a lighted field is used, no new inning should be started after 10:00 p.m.

1. 3.      In accordance with Little League Rule 2.0 and the definition of “inning”, the 5 run per inning rule shall be enforced, but scoring runs in the final inning shall be unlimited (or until the winning run is scored) to accommodate any team that may be trailing by more than 5 runs going into such final inning.

Batting Order/Substitution

1. 1.     There is free substitution in the field, but only nine (9) players are allowed on the field during the time the team is on defense.  In light of the new Little League Rule 4.04 mandating a continuous batting order for all Minor League divisions, all players will play at least half (1/2) of the game in a defensive position.  Regardless of this ability for free substitution in the field, the Pitching Rules as set forth in Rule VI shall be strictly enforced, particularly Rule VI(b) which states “Players once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers” and Rule VI(c) which prohibits a player from playing catcher after they have delivered 41 or more pitches during a game.  Due to early season limitations on the amount of daylight, managers are encouraged to adjust their lineup so that such rule can be applied.

Stealing

1. 1.     Stealing/Advancing on any pitched ball shall not be allowed.
2. .1    Runners may advance if the defensive team overthrows the pitcher if the ball is in play, but this shall not be allowed until the games beginning during the 4 week of regular play. 
3. 3.     Once the pitcher has the ball, the runner must return to the base immediately.

COACH PITCH (A) LEVEL

Pitching Rules

1.     Coaches will pitch for the whole season.
2.     Coaches may pitch from on a knee or standing and from approximately 30-35 ft.
3.      Each batter will see no more than 8 pitches unless there is a foul ball on the 8th pitch.  After 8 pitches, the batter shall be awarded 1^st base.
4.      There shall be no strikeouts.

Batting Order/Substitution

1.    Teams must use a continuous batting order and each team shall bat though its order once each inning.
2.      There is free substitution in the field, but only ten (10) players are allowed on the field during the time the team is on defense. (4 outfielders are allowed).  All players will play at least half of the game in a defensive position.
3.      Recording of Outs: Runners that have been put out must leave the bases.\No official score it to be kept.

Additional Playing Rules:

1.     Games shall be limited to 1 ½  hours.
2.     There will be no umpire for any game, managers/coaches will determine the outcome of every play.
3.     Following any attempt to make a play at any base and if there is an overthrow or other error, runners may advance at their own risk, but only one additional base after the attempt was made.  No stealing shall be permitted.
4.      Safety baseballs shall be used for all practices and games.
5.     Base Length: Bases shall be measured at fifty (50) feet.

T-BALL LEVEL

Batting/Substitution/Outs

1.      Teams must use a continuous batting order and each team shall bat though its order once each inning.  There shall be no strikeouts.  No player other that the current batter shall be holding a bat.
2.     The “T” will be used at all times. Absolutely no coach pitch shall be allowed at any time during the season.
3.      There is free substitution in the field, and ten (10) players are allowed on the field during the time the team is on defense.  However, only the proper infield positions will be allowed with any extra players in the OUTFIELD only.  All players will play at least half (1/2) of the game in a defensive position.
4.     Players MUST rotate positions and no player shall play any one position more than one defensive inning per game.
5.     No outs are to be recorded and runners that have been put out may stay on the bases.
6.      Players should generally advance one base per hit. 

Additional Playing Rules

1.      Games shall be limited to a maximum of 3 innings whichever occurs first.

1. 2.     There will be no umpire for any game, managers will determine the outcome of every play.
2. 3.     No stealing or advancing on overthrows shall be permitted.
3. 4.     Safety baseballs shall be used for all practices and games.
4. 5.     No official score is to be kept.
5. 6.     Base Length: Bases shall be measured at forty five (45) feet.