In order to get games played (and not forfeited), ANSLL Local Rules (pg 4) permit “single game call-ups”.  It has worked well over the years.

 Summary of the Rule

1. Teams (AA-AAA-Majors) may use a “call-up” player for a single game, when necessary.
2. The player called up:

a.       Must be from one level below the game (AAA player called up to majors, AA to AAA, or A to AA).
b.      Including the call-up(s) the roster for that game NO MORE THAN 10 total players! 
c.       All the participation rules apply to the “call-up” player, EXCEPT the player may NOT throw a pitch! 

 Procedures

1. Each AA and AAA manager should submit to their Commissioner, a list of two (or three) names of players that would be good candidates to play a game a the next level.  (Combination of skills, interest and maturity should go into consideration.)  Please include best contact phone number and email for the player. (Yes, ANSLL has it on file, but get the best contact information).
2. Commissioners will forward this to the Player Agent. 
3. When a team knows they will be short of players for a game, they should submit request to the Player Agent (cc to commissioner).  The Player Agent will be responsible for securing player(s) to fill in.  If for some reason Player Agent is unavailable for a period of time, then Commissioners may step in and complete this task.
4. Managers needing a call-up player should NOT contact a player/parent directly to secure a call-up.  It is good practice for ANSLL to provide this opportunity to multiple players, not just the “most skilled” player repeatedly.  Also, other team’s schedules must be taken into account (for example, first choice would likely go to a team with a “bye” that day, or minimum time conflict.)

General Policy

1. The player does NOT have to be from same “league” (AL or NL).  While that is a general LL requirement, ANSLL already has permission to play “interleague games” (AL vs NL), so call-ups may be from any team in the level below. 
2. While AA-AAA may play a game with less than 7 or more players, it is good practice, when possible, to give an opportunity to a younger player to get the experience of playing “up”.
3. Majors teams MUST start (and finish) a game with 9 players.  Playing with only 9 carries a risk of injury/game cancellation and likely forfeiture.
4. Get DEFINTE ANSWERS from parents, instead of “we might be late” or “might be there”!  Example, if you “call-up” a player to make your “10^th”, and then a kid shows up unexpectedly before the game, you wouldn’t be able to use that “call-up” (making 11 for the game).  That’s a pretty brutal thing to do to a child, “hey we need you ---oops, no we don’t’!”  Please try to make sure you need them, and don’t allow “maybe’s” from a parent.
5. There is no maximum number of players called up for a single game.  (I can remember during school concert season sending 3 young AAA players to a majors game years ago!  It worked out fine.)
6. Fall Ball uses more restrictive participation rules (because in Fall the call-ups are from the SAME level of play not the level below).  Please make note of rule 2.c above! 
7. Have a uniform shirt for them to wear.

Any questions, please ask your Commissioners.

Dear ANSLL Families,

By now most of us have heard about the thunderstorm in Spotsylvania, VA which claimed the life of a 12 year old in 2009 who was struck by lightning when he remained on the field after the umpires had called the game. Story

As ANSLL's Safety Officer, I wanted to take a moment to share some of ANSLL's safety information with you.

Please review the attached lightning safety flyer sent to us by Little League's HQ -- the flier has important information on what to do in the event of a thunderstorm, and how to handle a victim struck by lightning.

In the case of a thunderstorm the Umpires have the authority to call the game, and delay the game for 20 minutes after they see lightning.  The clock re-sets after each lightning strike.  Once the umpires clear the field everyone must leave the field area, including the dugouts, and the batting cages.  As our chief umpire stated this morning -- the safest place to wait it out is in your vehicle.  The games without umpires should follow the policies outlined in the flyer and safety plan.

Lightning:  Facts and Safety Procedures (taken from the ANSLL SAFETY PLAN)

• The average lightning bolt is 6-8 miles long.
• The average thunderstorm is 6-10 miles wide and travels at a rate of 25 miles per hour.
• Once the leading edge of a thunderstorm approaches to within 10 miles, you are at immediate risk due to the possibility of lightning strokes coming from the storm¹s overhanging anvil cloud.  This is the reason that lightning deaths can occur with clear skies overhead.  The moral beingŠ pay attention, even with clear skies!
• On the average, thunder can only be heard over a distance of 3-4 miles, depending on humidity, terrain, and other factors including background  noise.  This means that by the time you hear the thunder, you are already in the risk zone for lightning strikes.
• The final truth about lightning is that it is unpredictable and cannot be prevented.  Therefore, a manager, coach, or umpire who feels threatened by an approaching storm should stop play and get the kids to safety‹regardless of whether or not the lighting detector alarms.  When in doubt the following rule should be applied: When you hear it clear it -- when you see it flee it!

Please review the ANSLL Safety Plan to better prepare yourself in the event of ANY emergency.

Thank you for your time.

Best,

Brian Canterbury
ANSLL SAFETY OFFICER