Rules Across All Divisions

All league and divisional rules found in the Little League International Rule Book are to be followed except where ILL has created modifications. The following items apply across all divisions unless otherwise addressed in divisional rules.

Refer to the pitching and catching requirements for all players each game.

Playing Equipment

• Bats
  • Baseball:
    • Rookie Ball, Single A: Tball bat or USABat
    • AA, AAA, Majors: USABat only
    • 50/70, 60/90: USABat, BBCOR, or specified wood bats
    • High School: Only BBCOR or specified wood bats
  • Softball:
    • Bats shall be no more than 33 inches (34 inches for 43/60 and High School divisions) in length, not more than two and one-quarter (2-1/4) inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenth (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8) inch for bats less than 30 inches) at its smallest part
• Cleats:
  • Baseball:
    • AA, AAA, Majors, 50/70: NO metal cleats
    • 60/90, High School: Metal cleats are allowed
  • Softball:
    • AA, AAA, Majors, 43/60: NO metal cleats
    • High School: Metal cleats are allowed
• Other:
  •  NO BATTING DONUTS - PVC sleeves are allowed.
  • Any player playing the position of catcher MUST wear a hockey style mask with dangling throat guard.
  • Any player warming up a pitcher MUST wear a catcher's mask with a dangling throat guard, including in the bullpen.
  • Any player who is acting as a base coach MUST wear a batting helmet.
  • NO pine tar.
• Softball Only:
  • AA, AAA, Majors Only: All pitchers and infielders MUST wear a protective face mask. All players are encouraged to wear a mask when in the outfield as well.
  • 43/60 and High School: Players are encouraged to wear a face mask but it is not required.       

Dugouts / Field Responsibilities

• Home teams take the 1st base dugout; visiting teams take the 3rd base dugout.
• If it is the first game of the night, home team is responsible for uncovering the mound and the visiting team is responsible for adjusting the bases for 50/70 BB games if it has not already been done.
• If it is the last game of the night, the home team is responsible for covering the mound and the visiting team is responsible for resetting the bases to 60' from 50/70 BB games.
• Refer to Scorekeeping concerning team responsibilities for keeping and reporting official scores.

Rosters

• Games can start with only 8 players and be considered a regulation game. The 9th batter is skipped and not counted as an out. If additional players arrive after the start of the game, they are added to the end of the batting order.
• Refer to Player Pool concerning any shortage of players for games.

Time Limits / Pace of Play

• Application of time limits depending on the division and season of play.
• Game Time Chart
• In between innings, hustle players on and off the field
• Pitchers are given up to one minute (or 8 pitches) to warmup on the field. Any delay in getting pitchers/catchers onto the field will result in less warmup time.
• Fall Season: 
  • Rookie Ball and Single A: 1 hour or 3 innings
  • AA, AAA, Majors, 50/70, 43/60, 60/90, High School: 1 hour 30 minutes or 6 innings. In the fall, a hard time limit is observed where you will finish the batter at the 90-minute mark.
• Spring Season: Time limits/innings dependent on division.
  • Rookie Ball and Single A: 1 hour or 3 innings
  • AA: 1 hour 30 minutes or 6 innings
  • AAA or Majors: 1 hour 45 minutes or 6 innings
  • 50/70, 43/60, and 60/90: 1 hour 45 minutes or 7 innings
  • High School: 1 hour 30 minutes or 7 innings

Run Rules

• For all Spring and Fall Regular Season games:
  •  AA, AAA, Majors: 15 after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5
  • 50/70, 43/60, 60/90, High School: 15 after 4, 10 after 5, 8 after 6
• For all Playoffs and Championship Games
  • AA, AAA, Majors: 15 after 3, 10 after 4
  • 50/70, 43/60, 60/90, High School: 15 after 4, 10 after 5
• Specific inning run rules are located under each division.

Field Layout

• For divisions with a pitching circle in play, on/touching the line is considered inside the circle.

Umpires

• Rookie Ball and Single A: No umpires.
• AA: Coaches will umpire their own games.
• AAA, Majors, 50/70 BB, 43/60 SB, 60/90 BB, High School: League-supplied umpire(s).
  • In the event a League-supplied umpire is NOT available for a game, the home team shall coordinate one or more umpires.
  • The umpire(s) can be either team's manager or coaches, or any other adult.
  • If the manager or coach umpires, an additional coach will be permitted on the field.
  • Note that volunteer forms must be submitted and background checks must be completed by the League for any non-player, before they are permitted on the field.

Mandatory Play

• All players present at the start of the game will participate in each game a minimum of 6 defensive outs. 
• If a player does NOT meet the mandatory play requirement, the player shall start the next game, play any previous requirement not completed, and the requirement for the current game.
• See Regulation IVi for further information.
• Regular Season (does not apply during seasonal playoffs):
  • No player shall be on the bench more than one (1) consecutive defensive inning.
  • Exceptions may be made for injury, illness, fatigue, bathroom, etc.
  • This defensive participation requirement does not apply for players arriving late to the game. However, players arriving late will still be added to the end of the batting line up.

Batting / Running

• A continuous batting line-up is used during regular season and playoffs, every player present will bat.
• Batters out of dugout:
  • Rookie Ball, Single A, AA, AAA, Majors: NO on deck batters. Only ONE batter is allowed out of dugout at all times in Majors division and younger.
  • 50/70, 43/60, 60/90, High School: On deck batter is allowed. Only TWO batters out of the dugout at a time.
  • These rules apply at all times, both before and during games.
  • No swinging of bats inside the bullpen area.
• After entering the batter's box, the batter must remain in the box with at least one foot throughout the at bat. (Refer to Rule 6.02c as a local league option).
  • Exceptions:
    • On a swing, slap or check swing.
    • When forced out of the box by a pitch.
    • When the batter attempts a "drag bunt" in Baseball (or attempts a "slap" or "slap bunt" in Softball).
    • When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball.
    • When a play has been attempted.
    • When time has been called.
    • BASEBALL: When the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher's plate after receiving the ball. OR the catcher leaves the catcher's box.
    • SOFTBALL: When the pitcher leaves the eight-foot circle or the catcher leaves the catcher's box.
    • One a three-ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.
  • Penalty: If the batter leaves the batter's box or delays play and none of the exceptions apply, the umpire shall warn the batter. After one warning on a batter, the umpire shall call a strike. Any number of strikes can be called on each batter.
• Courtesy Runner
  • A courtesy runner can be used for the pitcher or catcher if there are two outs when either is on base.
  • The courtesy runner will be the player who recorded the last out.
  • A player cannot be used as a courtesy runner more than one time per game, for either the pitcher or catcher.

Violations

• If a Manager or Coach violates a playing rule to gain a competitive advantage, such as a violation of pitch counts, use of an illegal pitcher, violation of pitcher/catcher limits, and allowing unsportsmanlike conduct from their team or coaches:
  • First offense results in Manager suspension of 1 game
  • Second offense results in Manager suspended for 1 week and is ineligible to be considered or appointed a Manager or Assistant Coach for a tournament team that year.
  • The game outcome of these violations will be handled as follows, in addition to the punishment for the Manager or Coaches listed above:
    • If violation occurs during the regular season and is pointed out by opposing team or League official after the game has ended, the game in question will result in a forfeit.
    • If violation occurs during the playoffs and is pointed out by opposing team or League official after the game has ended, the game will resume from the point that the illegal pitcher in question enters the game, and the game will proceed under the current pitching eligibility.
    • If violation is pointed out during the game, either regular season or playoffs, pitcher must be removed from the mound immediately and the game will continue. If the team does not agree to remove the ineligible pitcher, the game will result in a forfeit.
• If a rules violation occurs that could directly impact the safety of a player, such as illegal equipment being used:
  • First offense when pointed out is a warning and illegal equipment is immediately removed from the game.
  • Second offense, the Manager and player are both suspended for one game.

Protests

• There will be no protests on judgment calls by umpires. For any protest/question due to a rule's clarification, play should be stopped and addressed immediately with a League Officer on Duty present. If play continues, the protested issue will be considered resolved and will not be revisited.