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The Downtown Little League is an instructional league that emphasizes good sportsmanship and skills above all else. Little League Baseball, Incorporated, publishes the Official Regulations and Playing Rules, which governs the conduct and operation of our chartered league. Each team has a copy of this book, and it is the responsibility of every manager and coach to be familiar with the regulations and rules contained within. Additionally, we have added some modifications to the official Little League rules in an effort to make the experience as positive as possible for all children, regardless of their skill level, and to address specific safety concerns at the Battery Park City Ballfields. Any disputes should be addressed to the Division Coordinator fir the relevant division after the game by the manager(s) involved.
As an instructional league, we cannot tolerate abusive conduct toward opposing Coaches', players, parents, mangers, or umpires. If a player, parent, manager or coach engages in such inappropriate conduct, the umpires will instruct the manager of the team with whom the person is affiliated to ask the person to leave the field. If the person does not leave the field promptly, the umpires will then declare a forfeit against the team with which the person is affiliated. Upon the declaration of forfeit, both teams will leave the field.
The following is a list of the most common rules and modifications that affect regular season play in the different divisions:
(If a rule is mentioned for the Major and Minor Divisions, it will apply to the lower divisions unless otherwise specified.)
Major and Minor Divisions
1. There is a five (5) run per inning limit, except that a play in progress may finish. The last
inning of a game will have no limit to the number of runs that may be scored.
2. Ten-run Mercy Rule. A team that is down by ten (10) runs or more will concede the game
after 3 ½ or 4 innings of play. The game may continue, if time will allow, but the team that
was up by the 10 runs, wins the game regardless of the final score.
3. Every player must play at least two (2) FULL consecutive innings per game and bat
at least once. Any failure to rotate players, whether intentional or not, should be
reported to the field director for appropriate corrective action.
4. Pitch count restrictions, based on age:
For pitchers 17-18: 105 pitches
For pitchers 13-16: 95 pitches
For pitchers 11-12: 85 pitches
For pitchers 9-10: 75 pitches
For pitchers 7-8: 50 pitches
5.Pitchers league ages 7 through 16 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest plus one game must be
observed.
If a player pitches 41-60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest plus one game must be observed.
If a player pitches 21-40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed. The pitcher may pitch in the next game.
If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before
pitching again and the pitcher may pitch in the next game..
Pitchers league age 17-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest and one game must be
observed.
If a player pitches 51-75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest and one game must be observed.
If a player pitches 26-50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 1-25 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before
pitching again.
6. If a pitcher hits three (3) batters in a game, that player can no longer pitch in that game.
7. Two (2) adult base Coaches' are permitted, provided one (1) adult coach is in the dugout.
8. Games will last 6 innings or will end at the appointed time 2 hours, 15 minutes). No inning
will start with 20 minutes or less left in the game.
9. No “head first” sliding when advancing a base---runner will be called out. This Rule does
not apply when a runner is returning to a base from a run down or pick-off situation.
10. On close plays runners must slide or they will be called out. No intentional contact is
permitted.
11. No “on deck” batting circle.
12. A courtesy runner (who shall be the batter that made the second out) is required to run for
the catcher where there are two (2) outs and the catcher is on base.
13. All male players in the Major Division MUST wear a cup. All male pitchers and catchers in
the Minor Division must wear a cup.
14. Standing outside the dugout fence is not allowed.
15. No taunting, profanity, throwing of equipment or charging the umpire. Also, no yelling or
screaming from the dugout at players and umpires.
16. If a manager, coach, scorekeeper or player is ejected from a game, he or she is suspended
from the team’s next game.
17. If there is a protest on a rule interpretation, it must be lodged before the next pitch.
18. If you feel a player is safe or out, you can only appeal to the umpire who made the call
before the next pitch; that umpire will consult with their partner to see who had the better
angle.
19. If a player throws a bat while batting they are automatically out, and the play continues.
20. No player will be allowed to play without a full uniform – team hat, pants, and shirt.
21. Only one (1) offensive timeout per inning. If you ask for another timeout, it will be charged
against the pitcher next inning.
22. Each game will start on time. If a team has less than nine (9) players at game time, then they
become the visiting team and bat first. If after their at bat and 15 minutes after game start
time they still do not have nine (9) players, then the game will be called a forfeit. Forfeited
games can be played as a scrimmage.
23. One base on overthrows to first or third base. An overthrow is defined as a throw which
goes beyond the Coaches' box at first and third bases. A throw which does not go beyond
the Coaches' box is still until play and runners may advance at will.
24. Balls lost in the outfield shrubbery will be considered ground rule doubles. Balls hit into the
trees in centerfield on the south field, will be considered ground rule triples.
25 There is no stealing home on a wild pitch or passed ball
26 There is no stealing home on double steals even if the catcher throws to second and the ball is loose
27 There is no advancing to a base once a catcher has the ball,even on throws back to the pitcher
Junior Minor Division
1. All the above rules apply for Junior Minors, except that a pitching machine will be used and
that a game will last six (6) innings or 1 ½ hours, whichever comes first.
2. 7 pitch mercy rule: If a player does not strike or is not put out, they will be allowed seven
(7) pitches to help speed up play. The player will not be counted out, but must return to the
bench.
3. You may have ten (10) players in the field – one (1) catcher, four (4) outfielders, and five
(5) infielders, including pitcher’s mound.
4. Players MUST change field positions every two (2) innings. It is suggested that all players
switch from the outfield to the infield or vice-versa every two innings. Players MAY NOT
play more than 3 consecutive innings in either the outfield or infield.
5. All players on the roster MUST be in the batting line-up, even if they are not playing in the
field. The batting order can only be altered after every player has had an at bat.
6. Instruct runners to slide at 2nd and 3rd bases, and home plate when a play is being made.
Failure to slide will NOT result in an automatic out.
Rookie Division
1. Games will last three (3) innings or one (1) hour, whichever comes first.
2. All players bat AND play in the field each inning. Players must switch fielding positions at
least once during the game, and we recommend altering the batting order every inning to
allow different players to bat lead-off during the game.
3. If a player in the field catches a fly ball, tags a runner, or throws out a runner, it counts as an
out and the runner returns to the bench. You do not change sides after three (3) outs, but
we do instruct the players on whether they are “safe” or “out.”
4. Only one (1) player may be positioned at, or in front, of pitchers mound. The remainder
should be distributed around the infield and outfield.
5. The ball must travel at least five (5) feet from the “T” for it to be in play.
6. A thrown bat results in an automatic out.
7. One (1) base on an overthrow, even if the ball remains in the playing field. (This helps
speed up the game and makes it less frantic.)
8. Instruct fielders that they cannot block basepaths. Encourage runners to slide at home plate
when a play is being made.