Local Rules

Washington Little League Baseball
League/Division Specific Rules

After each game the Coach needs to sweep the dugout and pick up any trash. Brooms are in the storage unit.

Home team is in charge of keeping the official book for the game and visiting team is in charge of keeping the official pitch count record. Both the score book and pitch count record needs to be signed by the umpire after the game.

MAJORS (primarily Little League age 12, and some 11 and 10 year olds that tryout and get drafted up)

All Major Division Official Little League rules apply, plus the following local rules:

There is NOT a “must slide” rule. However, any runner is out when the runner does not slide OR attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. A runner is out when the runner slides head first while advancing. (Rule 7.08).
All players bat in the line-up and must play 6 consecutive outs. Unlimited subs on defense are allowed as long as the player has played 6 consecutive outs in the field.
A batter may advance on an uncaught third strike if 1st base is unoccupied or if 1st base is occupied with two outs. A batter that motions toward his/her dugout on a uncaught third strike rule is said to be giving himself up and is therefore out (judgment call by umpire).
No time limit in Majors. 6 innings must be played (unless the 10-run rule after 4 innings applies). In the event of a tie game, extra innings are allowed with the international tie breaker rule in effect.
No leading off. Base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. Runners are not out if they leave early. (Rule 7.13 for additional details)
On-deck batters are NOT allowed. All players must be inside the dugout when their team is batting. Only the first batter of each half-inning will be permitted outside the dugout between half-innings. (Rule 1.08 – Note 1 & 2)

AAA (primarily Little League ages 11 and 10, and some 9 year olds that tryout and get drafted up)

All Minor Division Little League rules apply, plus the following local rules:

There is NOT a “must slide” rule. See first bullet under Majors division. That rule also applies to AAA.
All players bat in the line-up and must play 6 consecutive outs. Unlimited subs on defense are allowed as long as the player has played 6 consecutive outs in the field.
A batter may NOT advance on an uncaught third strike.
A half inning is complete after 3 outs or 5 runs have scored (see continuation rule below).
Continuation rule is in effect limited to a max of 3 continuation runs until ball is dead. All runs scored after the 5th run will count until ball is dead. This means that with continuation, a max of 8 runs can be scored per half inning. Ball is dead when pitcher returns to or defensive player has the ball at the base.
No new inning can begin after 1 hour 45 minutes, regardless of the score. Game can end in a tie.
When the last inning is determined by time or by being the 6th inning, the 5 run rule still applies, NOT unlimited runs, continuation still applies until the ball is dead.
In special circumstances 12 year olds can play AAA, but they are not allowed to pitch.
No leading off. Base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. Runners are out if they leave early. (Rule 7.13 for additional details)
On-deck batters are NOT allowed. All players must be inside the dugout when their team is batting. Only the first batter of each half-inning will be permitted outside the dugout between half-innings. (Rule 1.08 – Note 1 & 2)

AA (primarily Little League age 9, and some 8 and 7 year olds that tryout and get drafted up)

Minor Division Little League rules apply, plus the following local rules:

There is NOT a “must slide” rule. See first bullet under Majors division. That rule also applies to AA.
All players bat in the line-up and play at least 6 consecutive defensive outs. Unlimited subs on defense are allowed as long as the player has played 6 consecutive outs in the field.
A team may play with 4 outfielders (4th outfielder must be positioned at an equal depth to other outfielders).
There will be no stealing home. A player must score during the play after a hit or from being forced home on a walk.
The batter may NOT advance on an uncaught third strike.
A half inning is complete after 3 outs or 5 runs have scored (see continuation rule).
Continuation rule is in effect limited to a max of 3 continuation runs until ball is dead. All runs scored after the 5th run will count until ball is dead. This means that with continuation, a max of 8 runs can be scored per half inning. Ball is dead when pitcher returns to mound or defensive player has the ball at the base.
No new inning can begin after 1 hour 30 minutes, regardless of the score. Game can end in a tie.
When the last inning is determined by time or by being the 6th inning, the 5 run rule still applies, NOT unlimited runs, continuation rule still applies until the ball is dead.
No leading off. Base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. Runners are not out if they leave early. (Rule 7.13 for additional details)
On-deck batters are NOT allowed. All players must be inside the dugout when their team is batting. Only the first batter of each half-inning will be permitted outside the dugout between half-innings. (Rule 1.08 – Note 1 & 2)
In special circumstances 12 year olds can play AAA, but they are not allowed to pitch.

A – Machine Pitch (primarily Little League ages 7 and 8, and some 6 year olds depending on circumstance – no tryout – teams are created as much as possible by geographical area)

All Minor Division Little League rules apply, plus the following local rules:

A pitching machine will be used in place of a player pitcher.
All players bat in the line-up. All players play in the field.
Only one additional infielder is permitted. Infielders play normal positions with a pitcher on both sides of the pitching machine. All other extra players must play in the outfield.
A batter gets 6 pitches or 3 strikes (a strike is defined as a swing and miss). A batter is out on the 6th pitch even if it is fouled off.
Runners can only advance on a hit ball. No stealing bases.
Runners advance one base only on an overthrow.
A half inning is complete after 3 outs or 5 runs have scored. No continuation runs.
Game time is 1 hour 15 minutes which means new inning can begin after 1 hour 15 minutes, regardless of the score. Game can end in a tie.
When the last inning is determined by time or by being the 6th inning, the 5 run rule still applies – NOT unlimited runs.
Pitching machine to be set at speed 34 mph.
The home team or both teams need to set up the pitching machine before the game starts.
Final teams playing for the night need to “pick up” pitching machine and place in storage unit.
No leading off. Base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has been hit by the batter. Runners are not out if they leave early. (Rule 7.13 for additional details)
On-deck batters are NOT allowed. All players must be inside the dugout when their team is batting. Only the first batter of each half-inning will be permitted outside the dugout between half-innings. (Rule 1.08 – Note 1 & 2)

Pony– (Little League ages 13-16)

There is NOT a “Must Slide” rule. However, any runner is out when the runner does not slide OR attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. A runner is out when the runner slides head first while advancing. (Rule 7.08).
All players bat in the line-up and must play 6 consecutive outs. Unlimited subs on defense are allowed as long as the player has played 6 consecutive outs in the field.
A batter may advance on an uncaught third strike if 1st base is unoccupied or if 1st base is occupied with two outs. A batter that motions toward his/her dugout on a uncaught third strike rule is said to be giving himself up and is therefore out (judgment call by the umpire).
A half inning is complete after 3 outs or 10 runs have scored (see continuation rule below).
Continuation rule is in effect limited to a max of 3 continuation runs until ball is dead. All runs scored after the 10th run will count until ball is dead. This means that with continuation, a max of 8 runs can be scored per half inning. Ball is dead when pitcher returns to mound or defensive player has the ball at the base.
Game time is 1 hour 45 minutes which means no new inning can begin after 1 hour 45 minutes, regardless of the score. Game can end in a tie.
When the last inning is determined by time or by being the 7th inning, the 10 run rule still applies, NOT unlimited runs, continuation rule still applies until the ball is dead.