The Majors division of Alpine Little League is generally for players league age 11 and 12 (with rare exception 10) who have met all player evaluation eligibility requirements. All playing rules described in the Little League Official Rules apply to the Majors Division unless otherwise amended below.
As a Manager/Coach you should be sure to also be familiar with the Little League Official Rules. We cannot possibly include all rules here.
ATTENDANCE/FORFEITS
Please review the Player Pool Policy & Procedures for detailed rules and procedures regarding minimum players required to play to avoid a forfeit and minimum roster rules and how to obtain replacement players.
COMPLETE GAME
No time limit - Rule 4.10(a) & (c)
A regulation game consists of 6 innings. There will be no time limit imposed on games. If a game is called by the umpire (e.g., for darkness, weather etc.), it shall count as a regulation game if four innings have been played. If a game is called by an umpire before four innings have been played, it shall resume exactly where it left off when it can be rescheduled.
Game Rescheduling
The decision whether or not to reschedule games called before they are complete rests with the Majors Division Commissioner and the Vice President, who assists with scheduling. More details are in the Alpine LL Local Rules.
No tie games - Rule 4.10(b)
A tie game goes into extra innings until the tie is broken. Tie games called because of darkness, weather or other reasons are to be continued as soon as feasible and before playoffs begin, subject to approval from the Majors Commissioner and Vice President who handles re-scheduling.
Mercy Rule - Rule 4.10(e)
Rule 4.10(e) is in effect meaning there will be a mercy rule that applies if one team is ahead by 8 runs after five innings, 10 runs after four innings or 15 runs after three innings. When Rule 4.10(e) has been declared, the game of record officially ends. After which, play can be extended up to six (6) complete innings at the sole discretion of the losing manager. Pitching rules remain in effect. Umpires shall remain on duty. The intention of this rule is to assure that Mandatory Play requirements are achieved for all players. New pitchers are encouraged during “extended play.”
Suspensions - Rule 3.11(b) and 4.01(d)
As soon as the plate meeting concludes, the head umpire becomes the sole judge as to whether and when play shall be suspended during a game because of unsuitable weather conditions or the unfit condition of the playing field; as to whether and when play shall be resumed; and as to whether and when a game shall be terminated after suspension.
MANDATORY PLAY
Defense
All players present at the start of the game must play a minimum 3 complete defensive innings or 9 outs. If the visiting team could have complied with this rule had it played defense in the bottom of the 6th inning (i.e., the home team won the game before it batted in the 6th inning), the visiting team will not be considered to have violated this rule. The 3 defensive inning or 9 out requirement is reduced by the number of full or partial innings of defense a late arriving or early leaving player missed.
The manager or coach shall inform the Player Agent of any player who fails to play a minimum of 3 innings for any reason (including injury/illness or disciplinary). Such notification shall be made prior to the next scheduled game for that team.
Offense/Continuous Batting Order - Rule 4.04
All players must bat throughout the game (continuous batting order).
PLAYING RULES
Adults on the Field - Rules 3.09, 3.17 & 4.05
No one except eligible players in uniform, manager and not more than two coaches shall occupy the bench or dugout. Only two base coaches are allowed on the field when their team is batting. All other managers/coaches should remain in the dugout. Rule 3.09 provides that managers/coaches must not warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bull pen or elsewhere at any time. And that, while warming up in the bullpen, no adult, even a coach, is permitted to serve as the safety or backup for the session. The manager should appoint an unused player for this purpose. Consistent with the updated Little League Rule 3.09, Alpine LL permits a coach to assist by catching a pitcher warming up either in the bullpen or on the mound. As soon as the catcher is in his/her gear, the catcher shall take over.
Players During Warm-Up and On-Deck
Any player at home plate during warm ups while a coach is hitting must have a catching helmet on during this time. This is for the safety of the player and not open to interpretation.
There is no on-deck position allowed. The only player allowed to swing a bat during a game is the batter. Other players cannot practice swinging anywhere else on or off the field during the game.
Slash Bunting Prohibited
If a batter indicates he will be bunting at the time before the pitcher delivers the pitch, he must either complete the bunt attempt or withdraw the bat for a no swing. He cannot attempt a full swing after any physical indication of his intent to bunt. If the batter does attempt a swing, the pitch is a called strike, the ball shall be called dead, and a warning shall be issued to the batter and his manager. Bases cannot be stolen. The batter will be called out for any repeat violations.
Sliding - Rule 7.08
A runner will be considered out if they slide head-first to advance a base. Head first sliding is only allowed going back to a base.
“Dropped” third strike - Rule 6.05(b)
In the Majors division, a third strike that is not caught by the catcher is not an out until the batter is put out at first base. The exception to this rule is if first base is occupied with less than two outs.
Infield Fly Rule - The infield fly rule is in effect in the Majors division.
No Courtesy Runner - Modification to Rule 7.14(b) - Alpine LL does not permit courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers in the Majors Division.