LOCAL RULES – AA DIVISION – 2008-9

The rules below are listed for emphasis, and have been approved by the Davis Little League Board of Directors. They have been added to reflect the needs and philosophy of Davis Little League and take precedence over the AA Playing Rules for league games.  If a rule question cannot be answered after reviewing this document, the current Playing Rules should then be consulted.

Managers and Coaches are expected to be aware of and abide by the national rules found in the current Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules. The most important have been listed here within the Local Rules for emphasis and convenience, with the national rule number cited in parentheses.

If a rule question cannot be answered upon reviewing the following, please refer to the AA Player Representative who will take whatever action is necessary to obtain a definitive answer. This may require consulting with the Director of Baseball, Chief Umpire, President or full Board, if needed.

A Resolution by the Board of Directors of Davis Little League: The primary function of the league is to be one of training and preparation of Little Leaguers in the mechanics, skills, knowledge, and sportsmanship of baseball.

Therefore, Davis Little League resolves that team managers should provide for an "adequate number" of team practices during the course of a season. An "adequate number" is defined as an average minimum of three (3) "contacts" (games and practices) per week or a minimum of thirty (30) practices/games during the course of a season (which includes the pre-season period).

GAME TIMES:

1. ALL GAMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO (2) HOURS (120 minutes).
2. After 1 hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes) into the official game time, any new innings started will be limited to three (3) runs maximum per team. No new inning may begin after 1 hour and 50 minutes (110 minutes) from the official start time of the game. Note: once begun, an inning MUST be completed even if it goes beyond the two-hour time limit.
3. All regular season games are limited to six (6) innings.
4. A 7th inning is allowed in tied games if time permits. An 8th inning is NOT allowed.
5. During tournament play no game shall end in a tie score and extra innings are allowed, as applicable to complete the game.
6. The visiting team Umpire is the official timekeeper.
7. The visiting team Umpire will note the official start time to the scorekeeper, who will record that start time in scorebook.

THE HOME TEAM:

1. Listed second on the schedule.
2. Uses the first (1st) base dugout.
3. Takes infield/outfield practice ten (10) minutes prior to game time.
4. Provides the official scorekeeper.
5. Provides the volunteer base umpire.

THE VISITING TEAM:

1. Listed first on the schedule.
2. Uses the third (3rd) base dugout.
3. Takes infield/outfield practice twenty (20) minutes prior to game time.
4. Provides the home plate umpire for the game.

THOSE PERMITTED ON FIELD:

1. All players on the official rosters of the two participating teams.
2. Maximum one (1) manager and two (2) coaches in the dugout and/or coaching boxes per team.  Note: managers/coaches may not manage or observe from stands or behind backstop during game.
3. One dugout helper (a parent volunteer or sibling of player) in the dugout - not on field.
4. Umpires (must be on field - may not be in either team's dugout during game).
   Note: umpires have authority to approve or disapprove photographers. 
5. Manager/coaches must remain in dugout or coaching box unless time has been requested and granted by an umpire.
6. Managers or coaches may warm up a pitcher at home plate.
7. Once time is granted, manager or coach can visit the mound for a pitcher conference. The manager may confer with any other player at the same time. Refer to National Rule 8.06 for complete description and maximum number of visits per pitcher.
8. Two (2) adult base coaches are permitted (managers are encouraged to use at least one player coach on the offense). Team player base coaches MUST wear protective helmets. Coaches physically assisting a base runner during game play will result in the base runner being called out.

UMPIRES:

1. If team provided umpires are not available to umpire their own scheduled AA game, the team Manager or Coach will umpire the game.
2. The Umpire-in-Chief is stationed behind the plate, to the rear of the catcher.
3. The base umpire makes calls at 1st and 2nd base and keeps track of runner’s positions at the conclusion of each play.
4. Umpires are NOT to coach while on the field umpiring.

PLAYING TIME:

1. Equal playing time for ALL AA players is a priority. The National Little League rules dictate that every player shall participate in each game defensively for a minimum of six (6) consecutive outs and bat at least one (1) time each game.  Davis Little League modified rules require that every player participate defensively for a minimum of 50% of total team innings played at games at which they were present during the entire season. More specifically, every player will participate in each game defensively for a minimum of nine (9) outs (three innings). Once this has occurred, unlimited substitution is allowed. [Exception: Item 15 following.]
2. All players must start at least 50% of the games at which they were present during the regular season. Note: this rule does not apply to playoff games.
3. Players will bat through the roster consecutively, game after game during the regular season. For example: if batter no. 6 is last up in a game, batter no. 7 will lead off the next game. The batting order may be changed prior to a team’s first game each calendar month. Late arriving players will bat in their regular place if that position, in the order has not yet been passed; if a player arrives so tardy as to miss their initial scheduled at bat, they shall bat at their next scheduled turn when it occurs in the game. Managers are responsible for notifying the scorekeeper of absences and late arrivals. Note: during the playoffs the batting order may be changed each game.

GAME RULES:

1. There must be a minimum of seven (7) players per team to play a AA game.
2. There may be a maximum of nine (9) players on the field for defense.
3. FIVE (5) RUNS, OR THREE (3) OUTS, whichever comes first, constitutes one half-inning. A maximum of five runs are allowed in any half-inning.
4. The fielding pitcher may stand no closer to home plate than the pitching rubber at the start of their delivery, and must also be within the pitchers mound circle prior to the batter swinging.
5. One delivered pitch shall constitute an "inning".
6. A pitcher once "removed" as a pitcher (i.e., replaced by another player being brought in to pitch) may not pitch again in the same game.
7. Any single pitcher who hits three batters in a game must immediately be removed from pitching (they may move to any other position on the field, or go to the dugout). Hit batters MUST be awarded a base.
8. Special Rules After 4 Balls: There are no walks in AA. If a pitcher pitches a fourth ball, the batter's manager/coach will pitch to the batter. The catcher and umpire will remain in position behind the plate.  The batter’s strike count remains with the batter when the manager/coach begins to pitch and the umpire will continue to call balls and strikes for pitches thrown by the manager/coach. [see ball/strike count rules below].  The manager/coach will position him/herself from the front of the pitchers mound circle to the pitching rubber.  The manager/coach will throw overhand from a knee or standing position, depending on the skill level of the batter.    After 3 strikes (including previous count) or 3 pitches, whichever comes first, the batter is called out if they have not put the ball in play.  The batter does not get extra pitches if the manager/coach does not hit the strike zone.  If the 3rd and any subsequent pitches are fouled off, the batter will continue to receive additional pitches.  The batter will not be awarded a base if hit by a manager/coach pitch. If the ball is hit and subsequently hits the manager/coach, the batter will be awarded first base.  Other runners will only advance if forced.  If a manager/coach is not comfortable pitching they may request that the opposing manager/coach pitch on their behalf.

Ball/Strike Count rules (when manager/coach begins to pitch):

• Count is 4-0; Manager/coach has 3 pitches, unless 3rd pitch is fouled off.  Umpire continues to call balls and strikes.
• Count is 4-1; Manager/coach has 3 pitches, batter has 2 remaining strikes, unless 3rd pitch is fouled off.  Umpire continues to call balls and strikes.
• Count is 4-2; Manager/Coach has 3 pitches, batter has 1 remaining strike, unless 3rd pitch is fouled of.  Umpire continues to call balls and strikes.

9. The infield fly rule is waived for AA division.
10. All base runners are subject to rule 7.13 - leaving the base early.
11. Base runners MUST attempt to avoid collision by either sliding or going around a defensive player in possession of, or making a legitimate play on, the ball. Failure to make such an attempt WILL result in the runner being called out.
12. Bunting is no allowed.
13. Base Stealing: permitted only with 2 outs and on "swinging strikes" only.  The runner may advance only to the base attempted to be stolen.  Runners will NOT be allowed to advance on an overthrow.  A bunt is considered to be a "swinging strike".
14. Stealing home is not allowed, even if a play is made on a runner attempting to steal 3rd base. Runner may advance home only on a play that begins with a batted ball (exception: runners forced home by hit batter).
15. A play ends when the ball is in the possession of a defensive player within the "pitching area" (i.e., within ten [10] feet of the pitching rubber) and the umpire has signaled "time". The defensive player must refrain from making a "demonstration" with the ball that may normally be interpreted as an attempt to make a play. In such situations the umpire will withhold judgment until the umpire is certain that the defense is not "threatening" to make a play. Note: a runner may only advance to the next base if they are more than half-way to that base when the defensive player gained possession of the ball in the "pitching area". Unavoidably, this is a judgment call on the part of the umpire.
16. A batted ball, which goes over the outfield fence on the fly, is a home run, unless a defensive player catches it before it is grounded. However, a batted ball which goes over the outfield fence "on the hop", or rolls under the fence, or is deflected through the fence is counted as a ground rule double, in which case the ball is "dead" and all runners advance two bases from their position when the ball was hit.
17. Thrown Bat: If a batter throws a bat, both teams will receive a warning from the umpire. Any subsequent batter who throws a bat will be called OUT by the umpire (as if the batter had been struck out).

SPORTSMANSHIP and PARTICIPATION:
DLL has adopted the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) program for purposes of training and certifying managers, coaches, umpires, etc.  The PCA principles of Honoring the Game are to be modeled by all those involved in DLL.

1. A player may lose his/her privilege to play in one or more future games for disciplinary reasons provided that.
1. The Director of Baseball approves such action in advance,
2. The opposing manager is notified prior to start of game, and
3. The action is recorded in the scorebook as player being absent.
4. Before such action is taken, every effort should be made to resolve the problem by talking with the parents, Director of Baseball, etc.
2. Poor sportsmanship (by managers, coaches, players, or spectators) can result in ejection from the game and/or removal from the park. Examples of poor sportsmanship include: throwing equipment, using illegal equipment, bad language, arguing with an umpire's judgment call or harassing an umpire, opposing players or spectators.
3. Individual team rules, which identify player and family participation and cooperation guidelines, exist for each AA team. For disciplinary purposes, failure to recognize or comply with the team rules may result in reduced playing time.
4. Any player who misses more than four (4) consecutive games may be dropped from the roster. This action must be initiated by the manager to the Director of Baseball and approved by the Board.
5. Any player who misses 4 consecutive practices must be benched for the next game.