Rules, Policies and Procedures

Click here for the 2008 Fall ANSLL Local Rules Summary Chart

Click here for the 2008 Spring ANSLL Local Rules and Regulations
Please note some Local Rules may vary from Spring to Fall.

Highlights from the Little League Rules and ANSLL Local Rules and Regulations for the current season

Thes highlights are intended to serve as a quick reference guide and shall not override the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball and the ANSLL Local Rules and Regulations.

1. Weather Conditions
In accordance with rule 3.10 of the Official Regulations and Playing Rules, prior to the start of a game, the two managers decide whether a field is playable. If the managers do not agree then the decision shall be made by the umpire. Whenever there is a reasonable chance that the game may be played, this decision shall be made at the playing field not more than 30 minutes prior to game time. Managers and players shall report to the field or risk a forfeit.

A designated ANSLL representative will survey each of the fields for playability, and the final determination for each field will then be posted on the ANSLL website prior to game time WHEN POSSIBLE. Sometimes it is too close to game time or the volunteer who runs this website might not be available and in that case phone calls would be made.
Fields will be posted as either:
1.) Closed by ANSLL
2.) Open, but in need of field preparation
3.) Open for games only

Please pay close attention to the specific fields, as one field could be closed while another field is deemed playable. We are only able to do this since we are on an adopt-a-field program. The county personnel may still come by and overrule our decision. In that case remind them we are an adopt-a-field. If that does not work please listen to the county official.
Should weather impact the fields during the game, please defer to the regular process in which the umpires (during the game) and managers (before the game) consult on the situation.

2. Safety
All players in the coaches box, batters box, and base runners must wear protective headgear. Catchers must wear helmets, masks, chest protectors, throat protectors, and shin guards whenever catching during practice or games. Male catchers must wear athletic supporters with protective cup. Catchers must wear masks whenever warming up a pitcher.

3. Time Outs
Offensive timeouts and only one per inning is permitted to speak to an offensive player.

Defensive timeouts, Manager (or coach) may visit the pitcher twice per inning. On the 3rd trip, the pitcher must be removed from the game. Only 3 visits per pitcher per game are permitted. On the 4th visit, the pitcher must be removed from the game. Time out to talk to any other defensive player will count as a visit to the pitcher.

Injuries are not counted as timeouts, but may not be used to discuss strategy. It is to tend to the injured player only.

4. Pitching Rules
 2007 Pitch Count Publication

2008 Pitching Rule Changes

See summary chart for pitching requirements.

Suspended game rulings:
(Suspended game is a game which completes at least one inning and is "suspended" due to light, weather and did not reach a (local rule) time limit or 3.5 innings.

"What if" the suspended game was the game of rest for a pitcher that pitched in Game (1)?

1) - What If - Game (1) is played Saturday, no game is played in between start and finish of suspended game. Would they be able to pitch in the next new game? Yes, the suspended game is a recorded game so it would count as a rested game and they can pitch in the new game.

2) - What If - Game (1) is played Saturday, Suspended game (2) begins Tuesday and a "normal" game (3) is played Thursday, and then finish Suspended game Saturday. Would they be eligible for 2nd half of Suspended game? (Granted they didn't go over 40 pitches in the "normal" game and they met the days rest). - No, even if the "normal" game was their rest.

3) - What If - Game (1) is played Saturday, Suspended game (2) begins Tuesday and a "normal" game (3) is played Thursday, in between start and finish of Suspended game, would they then be eligible for the "normal" game? - Yes, With one inning being completed on Tuesday, the game is considered to be "registered" so it would count as a game of rest for Game (1) pitchers and they would be eligible to pitch in the games after the Suspended game. However, they are not eligible to pitch in the suspended game (if they needed the game rest) whether it resumes that week or sometime next week. The eligiblity rule that was in effect at the start of the game on Tuesday remains whether played tomorrow or after game (3).

5. Batting  All players present will be listed in, and take their turn in the batting order.

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