Learn more about these rule adjustments and other updates by watching this helpful video:

While the full rule and regulation updates can be found at LittleLeague.org/Rules, as well as in the FREE Little League Rulebook App, below is an overview of what you need to know for the 2023 tournament season:

Continuous Batting Order

Starting with the 2023 season, the previous Tournament Mandatory Play regulation has been replaced by Continuous Batting Order (CBO) at all levels of play (excluding the Senior League Baseball and Senior League Softball Divisions). Use of CBO will allow managers to have free substitutions, whereby players can go in and out of the game more freely and have more opportunities to play defense and bat.

Managers and Coaches in the Dugout

Each tournament team will be required to have a minimum 12-player roster, and any team with fewer than 12 players will require a waiver from the District Administrator. Regardless of the roster size, each team is permitted to have up to three eligible managers and coaches in the dugout.

Courtesy Runner and Special Pinch Runner

Utilizing Continuous Batting Order identifies each player as a starter in the batting order and therefore eliminates the option to use a Special Pinch Runner. Instead, a Courtesy Runner may be used anytime there are two outs and the pitcher and/or catcher are on base. The Courtesy Runner must be the player in the batting order who made the last out. NOTE: Previous Tournament Special Pinch Runner rules will continue to apply at the Senior League divisions.

Reduction in Tournament Entry Fee

In an effort to minimize some of the barriers of entry at the younger levels of play, Little League International has lowered the tournament entry fee for all minor league baseball and softball levels (8-10 and 9-11 age divisions) to $150 per team.

Senior League Division Participation

To assist the players at the oldest division of play, there is no longer a regular-season games-played requirement for Senior League Baseball or Softball teams. As long as a player meets the eligibility requirements to participate in a local league, the league’s Senior Division team(s) will not have to play any regular season games to be eligible to enter a team into the Little League International Tournament. The team(s) are to be chartered with Little League International by June 1.

Diamond Leader Program Certification

Little League remains focused on providing education and resources to its coaches in order to support the wellbeing of all Little Leaguers®. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Starting with the 2023 season, completion of the Little League Diamond Leader Program is required for any coach and/or manager to be eligible to participate at any level of the Little League International Tournament. The District Administrator has the ability to request proof of completion.

For further access and additional explanation of all of the current tournament rules, download the free Little League Rules App. In addition, be sure to visit LittleLeague.org/Tournament and check out the 2023 Little League Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Operating Policies page on LittleLeague.org for more information.

The post 2023 Tournament Rule Adjustments Focus on Enhancing Player Experience appeared first on Little League.

As the 2022 calendar year comes to a close, Little League^® International has announced the updates and changes to its Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Operating Policies for the 2023 season. These changes were reviewed by the Little League International Board of Directors at its annual meeting on Friday, November 11, 2022, hosted by Major League Baseball at their offices in New York City, and approved by the Rules Committee and Tournament Committee.

“One of the most important factors we look at while evaluating our rules and regulations is the experience we are able to provide to our players, both on and off the field,” said Dan Velte, Little League Senior Operations Executive. “We are proud of the updates that were approved by the Board this past November and are committed to providing our volunteers with continued support, guidance, and education around these rule changes as we head into the 2023 season and beyond to ensure they can provide our players with a unique and memorable Little League experience.”

Below are just some of the key updates that will be seen starting with the 2023 season, which can be found as part of the full breakdown on LittleLeague.org/Rules:

• Continuing to Remove Financial Barriers: Through the continued support from its broadcast partner, ESPN, and the strong support from its official sponsors, Little League International continues to find new ways to remove financial barriers for its families, leagues, and volunteers. Effective with the 2023 season, the Little League Rulebook App will now be free to download. Additionally, Little League International will be reducing the 2023 tournament entry fee for the 8- to 10-Year-Old and 9- to 11-Year-Old Divisions by $50 per team.
• Tournament Mandatory Play/Continuous Batting Order: One of the significant rule changes starting in 2023 is focused on Tournament Rule 9, replacing the previous tournament mandatory play rule with a continuous batting order requirement for all divisions of tournament play except for the Senior League Baseball and Softball. Additionally, based on this change, Tournament Rule 3 (D, Baseball; E, Softball) has been updated to note that the previous tournament special pinch runner rule now applies for the Senior Division only, while providing a courtesy runner option for all other divisions of tournament play. For a full breakdown of the new Continuous Batting Order, please download the FREE Little League Rulebook App or visit LittleLeague.org/Rules. Little League International will continue to provide more information and education about this change, and all others, in the coming months closer to the start of the tournament season.

Learn More About Tournament Rule 9

• Senior League Tournament Eligibility: Another update that will be made starting with the 2023 season was made to provide flexibility to local leagues in the Senior Divisions of tournament play to place a player on a tournament team roster regardless of regular season participation, removing the previous six regular-season game requirement.

FULL SIGNIFICANT UPDATES

In addition to the significant updates above, Little League International will also be requiring all tournament managers and coaches to complete the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program in order to be eligible to participate in the Little League International Tournament. This free program, focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field must be completed prior to the individual being named a tournament team manager/coach and before participating in any practices or games. Tournament managers/coaches who have completed the program should be prepared to produce the Little League Diamond Leader completion certificate if requested by the District Administrator/Tournament Director. To learn more about the Little League Diamond Leader Program, and to take the course yourself, visit LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.

DIAMOND LEADER PROGRAM

The FREE Little League Rulebook App has been updated with the new rules and regulations for 2023, which also includes those updates that were passed at Congress earlier this year. After discussion with the Little League International Advisory Board, Operations Committee of the Board of Directors, as well as the Rules and Tournament Committees, Little League International believes all of the updates that have been made this year are aimed at making the program easier to administer for all its volunteers to ensure the best possible player experience on and off the field.

DOWNLOAD RULEBOOK APP

To stay up-to-date with all the latest rule and regulation changes, and see a full breakdown of all the significant updates for the 2023 season, visit LittleLeague.org/Rules.

The post Free Rulebook App, Tournament Mandatory Play Highlight Updates and Rule Changes for 2023 Little League® Season appeared first on Little League.

Following the unique, democratic process established by Little League International in the mid-1950s to help chart the future of the organization, the International Board of Directors officially approved six rule and regulation items to be implemented for the 2023 season, as voted on by District Administrators. These items were discussed and voted upon following the Little League International Congress event, which was held from June 11-13 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

“With the unique structure of this year’s Congress event, our attendees and District Administrators were presented not only with a number of rule and regulation updates, but also with three larger tactical items to innovatively move the Little League program forward,” said Patrick W. Wilson, Little League Chief Operating Officer. “Those tactical items will continue to be discussed and evaluated with our volunteers and membership, with the rule and regulation items that received enough support from our District Administrators being implemented for the 2023 season.”

Approved items include easing the implementation of the program at the local level by clarifying tryout participation for players; permitting coaches to warm up pitchers for regular season games; implementing a regular season, 8-run rule; updating the intentional walk rule; and expanding the number of coaches in the dugout for tournament games. Unapproved items, which failed to receive the required two third super majority votes to be referred to the board of directors, include expanding Tee Ball to three-year-olds, runners leaving the base too soon, and the release date of tournament team names.

Voting results and recommendations for the three tactical items (centering around league boundaries, the Little League teenage divisions, and selecting future District Administrators) will be prepared by Little League International Staff for future discussions with District Administrators, the International Advisory Board and the board of directors Operations Committee. Please be on the lookout for additional information and opportunities to continue discussing these tactical items.

“We thank all of those who joined us in Williamsport for Congress and especially all the District Administrators who voted for sharing their views on how to continue to enhance the Little League program,” said Mr. Wilson. “These updated rules and regulations will continue to make it easier for our adult volunteers to provide a meaningful experience for the Little Leaguers in their communities starting with the 2023 season. We look forward to continuing to assess the tactical items to make meaningful, strategic decisions to help expand and evolve the Little League program.”

The post Rule and Regulation Updates Beginning With the 2023 Little League® Season Announced Following Congress Voting appeared first on Little League.

Following the annual fall meeting of the Little League^® International Board of Directors, Little League International officially announced the rule and regulation changes that will take effect in 2019. The two most notable changes will take place in the International Tournament with a new tiebreaker structure in all divisions, as well as a regulation establishing the number of adults in the dugout or on the field play when a tournament team has 11 or fewer eligible players.

“Each year, we work with our volunteers to evaluate our official rules and regulations to determine how we can make our program the most effective and provide our members with the best possible Little League experience,” said Pat Wilson, Little League Senior Vice President and Chief Program Operations Officer. “Thanks to the valued input from our District Administrators, the Little League International Advisory Board, and the Operations Committee of the Little League International Board of Directors, we were able to determine these updates to our current rules. These two changes, specifically, are focused on providing tournament participants with an enjoyable and memorable experience and we are looking forward to another exciting Little League season in 2019.”

2019 Rule Changes and Clarifications

Tournament Rule 14 – Tie Game

When the completion of six innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/ Junior/Senior League: seven innings] and the score is tied, the following tie-breaker will be played to determine a winning team:

a. The seventh inning [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: eighth inning] will be played as normal.

b. Starting in the top of the eighth inning [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/ Senior League: ninth inning], and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base. EXAMPLE: If the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four batter in the batting order will be placed on second base. An eligible substitute or special pinch runner may be inserted for the runner.

“Widely used in many international baseball and softball organizations and tournaments, the decision to institute this tie-breaker structure was made in an effort to promote pace of play and parity, while also, easing the physical stress on players,” said Mr. Wilson. “By providing teams with more opportunities to score runs, while also adding an additional level of excitement to extra-inning games, this new structure will help to limit the strain on all players, including pitchers, while maintaining a fair and equal playing field for participants. It also helps tournaments remain on schedule by limiting the length of games that go into extra innings, and helping our tournament organizers in running a fun, efficient tournament.”

Tournament Regulation – Managers/Coaches in the Dugout

If a tournament team has twelve (12) or more eligible players in uniform at the game site at the start of a game, then the maximum of three (3) adults who are named on the affidavit (or authorized replacements as noted on the affidavit) will be permitted to act as manager/coaches for that game. However, if a tournament team has eleven (11) or fewer eligible players in uniform at the game site at the start of a game, then a maximum of two (2) adults must be named at the start of the game as manager and coach. The two named adults must be listed on the affidavit, or must be authorized temporary replacements as noted on the affidavit. If there is a third adult listed on the affidavit, that adult is not permitted to be in the dugout or on the field during that game. NOTE: Base coaches may be adults and/or players provided at least one adult manager or coach remains in the dugout. See 4.05(b).

“Little League Baseball and Softball is built on creating memorable experiences with other children from throughout their community, and when the opportunity is available to allow up to 14 children to participate in that experience, we encourage leagues to do so,” said Mr. Wilson. “By establishing the number of managers/coaches for those teams who carry 11 or fewer eligible players at two adults, we are hoping to encourage more leagues to increase their post-season roster sizes and allow more players to participate in tournament play,”

All of the rule and regulation changes and updates for 2019, which include changes to the pitcher-to-catcher threshold; guidance on when the pitcher’s hand can come in contact with the pitcher’s mouth/lips; as well as policy updates, can be found by visiting LittleLeague.org/Rules.

On Thursday, January 17, Little League International will also be hosting a live webinar on the new rules and regulations.

Register Now – January 17 RULES Webinar

The post New Tournament Tiebreaker Structure and Roster Guidelines Highlight 2019 Little League® Rule Changes appeared first on Little League.

The Little League® International Tournament is a fun and exciting time, but it’s also important for managers and coaches to know the rules. To assist tournament managers and coaches, the Little League Tournament Committee in Williamsport, Pa., has compiled a list of questions and provided answers to some of the more common situations and scenarios involving the new and adjusted tournament rules in effect for the 2018 tournament season.

Margie from Tennessee – Have there been any changes regarding player substitutions in tournament games?

Little League – There have been no revisions to the tournament’s substitution rule. Tournament Rule 10 states that in all divisions of Little League Baseball and Softball below the Senior Division, a player in the starting line-up who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game, in the SAME position in the batting order, provided: 1 — His or her substitute has met the mandatory play requirement of one completed time at bat and; 2 – playing defensive for a minimum of six (6) consecutive outs. Note that the Senior Division does not require Mandatory Play.

Junior Divisions and below: Note that a starter – on a team with 12 or fewer rostered players – when removed from the game before meeting mandatory play, must complete the required mandatory play [six (6) consecutive outs and one time at bat] when re-entered into the game. Review this rule and all of the other rule and regulation changes that are in effect for the 2018 tournament season on the Tournament Resources page on LittleLeague.org. Keep in mind that the substitution rule differs slightly by baseball and softball division, and if a player is a pitcher or position player at the time of removal or replacement. Keep in mind that any team that rosters 13 or more players is required to have only one at-bat per game to meet mandatory play.

Jim from Michigan – What are umpires looking for when checking baseball bats before a tournament game?

Little League – No matter what baseball division you’re coaching, it’s vital that you know which bats are permitted for use. For baseball, this means seeing how the new USABat Standard applies to your level of play. For example, either USABat Standard bats or BBCOR bats must be used at the Intermediate (50/70) Baseball and Junior League Baseball Divisions. At the Senior League Baseball Division, all non-wood bats must be meet the BBCOR standard. At the Little League level and below, all non-wood bats must be USABat compliant.

When reviewing your player’s bats, make sure they’re appropriately certified for play with either a USABat or BBCOR mark on the bat. Also, make sure that no bats are damaged, warped, or decertified.

In early May, Little League and other youth baseball organizations, were informed that the Easton Ghost X YBB18GX10 30/20 2 5/8″ (or the “Easton Ghost X 30/20 5/8” at retail) – previously approved by USA Baseball no longer meets the USA Baseball Bat Standard adopted by Little League Baseball®, and has been decertified. Any additional updates can be found on the Decertified Bat page on LittleLeague.org/BatInfo.

Any bats that aren’t approved for game use should not be brought into the dugout before or during a game.

Cory from New York – There is a new rule about “stealing signs,” how does that work during tournament games?

Little League – Per Tournament Rule 3, if in the judgement of the umpire a player/coach/manager/substitute is deemed to be stealing and relaying pitch selection or a location, it is considered unsportsmanlike, and said offender is to be ejected from the game.

Each umpire has the authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager, or substitute for objecting to judgement call, or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language. If an umpire disqualifies a player while a play is in progress, the disqualification shall not take effect until no further action is possible in that play. The stealing and relaying of signs to alert the batter of pitch selection and/or location is unsportsmanlike behavior. If, in the judgment of the umpire, this behavior is occurring, those responsible including any player(s), coach(es), and/or manager shall be ejected from the game.

Also, the Little League International Tournament Committee in Williamsport, has expanded it disciplinary powers to include imposing specific penalties if, in its judgment, any player, manager, coach, umpire, or other volunteer conducts him/herself in any manner, on or off the field, that does not positively reflect the high standard Little League holds for sportsmanship, citizenship, and decorum. This includes displays of unsportsmanlike conduct, “making a travesty of the game,” or violating any rules, regulations, or policies contained herein during the game, at the game site, at any other location or time related to the International Tournament. The Committee also reserves the right to impose any penalty the it deems appropriate if determining action is necessary to correct a situation brought to its attention, regardless of the source of that information. The decision of the Tournament Committee is final and binding.

Julie from Louisiana – Why do umpires inspect all player’s batting helmets, and the catcher’s mask and helmet?

Little League – Primarily, umpires are looking at the batter’s helmet and the catcher’s mask and helmet to make sure that each piece of equipment will properly protect the athlete wearing it. Per Rule 1.16, any modification of a batting helmet, including drill holes to attached additional equipment, makes it illegal for use in Little League games. For example, if a batting helmet is equipped with a cheek protector that was not packaged with the helmet when purchased, then the helmet has been modified and the manufacturer may void that helmet’s NOCSAE certification. Attaching a faceguard packaged with the helmet and affixed using pre-fabricated holes, does not nullify the helmet as long at the helmet and faceguard are NOCSAE certified and no additional modifications are made. To use a helmet affixed cheek protector during a Little League game, there must be manufacturer approval that the NOCSAE certification is still valid with the alteration. More information, including manufacturer letters, can be found at LittleLeague.org/HelmetAdditions.

Chet from Texas – I understand that umpires are now, in part, responsible for making sure tournament managers are notified during the game about potential mandatory play violations. Please explain when the plate umpire is required to act, and if violation of rule equals an automatic ejection?

Little League – According to Tournament Rule 9, Little League® Mandatory Play requires any player below Senior Division to participate in every game. This rule cannot be waived for any reason, unless the game is shortened in accordance with rules Tournament Rules 12 and 13 – Regulation game. Beginning with the 2018 Tournament, a manager’s failure/refusal to insert players into the line-up as outlined in the new rule shall result in immediate ejection of the manager and removal for the remainder of the International Tournament, without replacement. The umpire-in-chief or other individual designated by the Tournament Director in consultation with the official scorekeeper, shall advise both team managers, at the appropriate time as outlined in the new rule, of their obligation to insert all players who have not completed their mandatory play requirement.

Ultimately, managers are solely responsible for ensuring that all players fulfill the requirements of mandatory play, even if notification is not made.

Should there be additional issues, the Tournament Director should follow the appropriate Chain of Command.

Chelsea from Idaho – The local league I coached in during the regular season adopted a 15-run rule along with the 10-run rule. Which is going to be used during the tournament and in what divisions?

Little League – The 15-run rule was a local league option during the regular season, but during tournament games, it will be mandatory. Tournament Rule 12 states that if, at the end of three (3) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: four innings], two and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: three and one-half innings] if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If, at the end of a regulation game, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. NOTE: If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15) or ten (10) or more runs respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning.

Antonio from Nevada – Are there any changes to pitching regulations for tournament?

Little League – Yes, there are adjustments to the baseball tournament pitching rules. Baseball Tournament Rule 4 has been revised to state that no player can pitch on three consecutive days and must adhere to the Little League Pitch Count governing days of rest based on the number of pitches thrown. There are no changes to Tournament Rule 4 for Little League Softball divisions. Tournament Rule 11 addresses suspended games, stating any game in which a winner cannot be determined in accordance with the playing rules shall be resumed from the exact point at which it was suspended regardless of the number of innings played. A game called before the end of the first inning will no longer be disregarded or started over.

Tournament Rule 7 also impacts pitchers, as it reduces the number of visits a manager may make to twice in one inning or three times in a game for the 9-11-Year-Old Division and above for Baseball and Softball.

If you have additional tournament-specific rules and regulations questions, please email: support@LittleLeague.org.

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During their annual November meeting, the Little League^® International Board of Directors approved new rule and regulation changes to go into effect for the 2018 season.

Highlighting some of the changes in 2018 are: the establishment of a waiver for Regulation I(d) and III(c) to provide leagues flexibility to structure their Little League Baseball^® Major Division to allow teams to have more than eight league age 12-year-olds as well as accommodate more than 10 teams within the division; permission for leagues to stream/web-cast games through their league-owned website, official social media account, or other digital platforms granted they follow all Little League policies regarding commercialization and trademarks; and an update to the bat rule for all Baseball and Challenger divisions to comply with the USABat Standard.

To assist with understanding all of the newly approved changes, Little League has also created a full breakdown of all of the rule and regulation changes, including clarification on each. This page, found at LittleLeague.org/Rules, will be updated frequently with any new rule and regulation changes.

Below is a brief overview of some of the major changes coming in 2018. For information on all of the approved rule and regulation changes that will go in effect, visit LittleLeague.org/Rules.

Waiver for Regulation I(d) and III(c)

As Little League Baseball fully transitions to the new Age Determination Date of August 31, grandfathering the four months of children born between May 1 and August 31, 2005, for the 2018 season, leagues will have 16 months of league age 12-year-olds. To assist leagues in the placement of players league age 12 on Little League Baseball (Major) Division teams, the Little League International Charter Committee will waive both Regulation I(d) and Regulation III(c). This will provide leagues flexibility this season to structure their Little League (Major) Division to accommodate more than 10 teams; waiving Regulation I(d). Leagues that were previously required to operate in Divisional Format must maintain that format and will not have this regulation waived for the 2018 season. Leagues may also place more than eight league age 12-year-olds on a Little League (Major) Division team, waiving Regulation III(c). It is recommended that the local Little League set a maximum and/or minimum number of participants of a particular league age per team.

With the potential increase in the number of league age 12-year-olds, these waivers will give the flexibility to provide Little League (Major) League Division opportunities without changing the structure of their leagues. Leagues are encouraged to use these waivers to maintain or expand their Major Division offerings and continue to provide their current level or an increased level of opportunities for children to play in the Little League Baseball Major Division. Please note that these waivers are not intended for Little League Softball. Following the 2018 season, both Regulation I(d) and III(c) will be in full effect for the 2019 season.

Operating Policy – Communicating Through Online Media

With live-streaming becoming much easier to accomplish, local leagues may be interested in web-casting or live-streaming games through their own local league website, official social media account, or other digital platform. Leagues are permitted to stream/ web-cast games through these league-owned platforms granted they follow all Little League policies regarding commercialization and trademarks.

Little League International in South Williamsport, Pa., is the only body that can authorize or disallow the live streaming, webcasting, televising, or radio broadcasting of any game(s) for regular season or tournament play through any outlet that is not fully owned and/or operated by a local league. A contract (provided by Little League International) must originate with the local District Administrator, tournament director, or local Little League president.

USABat Standard Effective January 1, 2018

Beginning with the 2018 season, non-wood and laminated baseball bats used in the Little League Baseball (Majors) and below, Intermediate (50/70) Division, and Junior League Baseball divisions, as well as the Little League Challenger Divisions, shall bear the USA Baseball logo signifying that the bat meets the USABat – USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard. All BPF – 1.15 bats will be prohibited beginning with the 2018 season. Additionally, starting in 2018, the bat diameter shall not exceed 2-5/8 inches for these divisions of play. Additional information is available at LittleLeague.org/BatInfo.

The post Little League® International Announces Rule and Regulation Changes for 2018 Season appeared first on Little League.