November 5, 2009
Dear Little League Volunteer,
Below is a synopsis of the significant changes to the Rules and Regulations for
2010 in the divisions noted, as of this date.
The exact wording of the Rules and Regulations noted will be provided in the
coming weeks. It is expected that rule books will be available soon as well.
(Note: Unless noted otherwise, these
changes apply to all divisions)
REGULATIONS
Regulation I (c) 8 - Note 1:
Added a sentence stating that if a league elects to operate a Tee Ball baseball
program only, it must use the league age determination date that is noted in the
regulation. (Baseball only.)
Regulation IV (a) - Junior League:
Added language making it clear that when a 12-year-old player is found to be
ineligible under this regulation, that player and/or his/her team are subject to
removal from the International Tournament by action of the Tournament Committee.
Regulation VI - Note 4:
Added language making it clear that a resumed game or contest decided by forfeit
does not constitute a "game" for the purpose of this regulation, unless one
completed inning was played before the game ended or the game was forfeited.
Regulation XIV (e):
Added language making it clear that alcohol is prohibited at the game site.
PLAYING RULES
Rule 1.10:
Added language making it clear that any bat
that has been altered must be removed from play.
Rule 1.11 (h): Added
language making it acceptable for Junior, Senior and Big League players to wear
metal spikes or cleats. (Added for softball only. This rule already applies to
these divisions in baseball.)
Rule 1.11 (k): Added
language making it clear that casts may not be worn by players and umpires
during the game, and that persons wearing casts, including managers and coaches,
must remain in the dugout during the game.
Rule 1.14:
Standardized the limits on the size of fielders' gloves.
Rule 2.00 Definition of Pitch:
Added language making it clear that a balk or illegal pitch, whether or not a
pitch is actually delivered to a batter, counts as a pitch in determining the
pitch count for that pitcher. (Baseball only.)
Rule 3.03 - No. 6:
Added language making it clear defensive substitutions must be made while the
team is on defense, and offensive substitutions must be made at the time the
offensive player has her/his turn at bat or is on base. (Also added to Rule 3.03
for Big League.)
Rule 5.07, Minor League:
Added language providing that the five-run rule may be suspended in the last
half inning for either team, by option of the local league.
TOURNAMENT RULES
AND GUIDELINES
Responsibility and Chain of Command:
Added language making it clear that the Tournament Committee may impose
penalties it deems appropriate, or may take action to correct a situation,
regardless of the source of information.
Conditions of Tournament Play -
Protests - C. Use of an ineligible player: Added language making
it clear that any violation of Regulations may result in a team having an
ineligible player.
SAFETY
Appendix A: Added
Lightning Safety Guidelines.
Appendix D: Added Bat
Modifications and Alterations Policy.
NOTES
Various Regulations, Regular Season
Rules, and Tournament Rules: The deadline for submitting forms
that deal with Tournament Eligibility - i.e., regular season player roster
forms, Regulation II (d) and Regulation IV (h) forms, waiver requests,
chartering, fee payments, combined teams and interleague play forms, etc. - is
June 8, 2010.
Adults and Minors in Positions of
Authority: Changes were made to Rule 2.00, Rule 4.1, Rule 9.01,
Rule 9.03, Rule 9.04, and the Tournament Rules and Guidelines, making it clear
that Minors may serve as coach or umpire under specific and limited
circumstances as noted in each rule. (Summary: A coach who is 16 or 17 may only
serve as a coach if the adult manager and another adult coach are appointed. A
person who is not an adult may serve in a game as an umpire, including as plate
umpire, provided one or more other adults are also umpires for that game.
However, that non-adult umpire cannot be designated as umpire-in-chief for that
game. The umpire-in-chief is not required to be the plate umpire.)
Sincerely,
Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA 17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074