Granite Falls Little League Rules of Participation

Minor/Major, Intermediate, Junior/Senior Softball & Baseball Little League playing rules will follow the official Little League Rule Book and the following local rules that are set forth here.

General

1. NO PLAYER WILL PRACTICE OR PLAY UNTIL REGISTRATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND ACCEPTED.
2. All Players must play in accordance with Little League Rules.
3. A Roster of the team must be turned in prior to the first game of the season, including the name of the team parent.
4. Baseball teams may be co-ed.  They will be drafted by the Managers, Player Agent and President after tryouts.
5. Managers, Assistants, and Team Parents must have a valid Background check on file with the League.
6. Alcohol, Tobacco (including smokeless tobacco) and Drug use is prohibited on all public school facilities and Little League Property.
7. There will be NO profane language or gestures allowed on the field by either Coaches or Players.
8. Coaches of the Home Team at Perrigoue Field will assign two (2) Parents each game to help cover the concession stand. One for the first half of the game and another for the second half.
9. Coaches are required to attend at least one work party and participate in all League meetings and functions with their team.
10. It is highly recommended that all coaches umpire 2 games per season.
11. Spectator seating in designated areas only.
12. Players shall wear the Jersey and Hats which are provided by the League.  Jerseys will be tucked in at all times and hats will be worn properly at all times.  Managers and Coaches will wear hats provided by the League.  If it is not a scheduled regulation game Jerseys must be turned inside out. (Majors & Below).
13. Shorts, Sandals and Tank Tops are not allowed at practice or during games.  This is for the Player’s safety and players dressed as such will not be allowed on the field.  Shorts are permitted for Softball and Sliding shorts MUST be worn underneath the shorts.
14. NO throwing equipment down in anger or throwing of equipment from one player at another. The umpire will issue a warning for the first offense, a second offense will, at the umpire’s discretion; result in that player(s) removal from the game.
15. Discipline of players shall be referred to the Player Agent in written form within 24 hours of any infraction that is deemed to warrant some type of action.  The GFLL Board of Directors will address the matter and respond in writing.
16. There must be an ADULT (18 and over) that is rostered to the team, with a current background check completed in the dugout at all times.
17. NO PARENTS OR VOLUNTEERS ARE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD OR IN DUGOUTS WITHOUT A COMPLETED AND ACCEPTED BACKGROUND CHECK FOR THE CURRENT YEAR WITH GRANITE FALLS LITTLE LEAGUE.

Practice and Fields

1. There will be no unscheduled games or practices allowed. They must be scheduled with the League for fairness, organization and Insurance Liability reasons.
2. Practices are limited to a maximum of 2 per week (if field availability allows), not to exceed 2 hrs in length.
3. Home team Manager and assistants will prepare the fields to ensure safe playing conditions.  The field will be lined, including the batter’s box, and the base coach’s boxes.  Each team will clean their dugout and stand areas after each game.  Garbage will also be emptied.
4. The visiting team Manager and assistants will rake out the field after each game. 
5. During extreme field conditions, both Managers and assistants will prepare the field for safe play.  The plate umpire will have the last word as to whether the game will be played or not.
6. The visitors will bat first and be in the first base dugout.  The home team provides the game ball, will use the third base dugout and taken the field first.
7. Rain-Outs will be rescheduled, if possible, by League Officials according to field availability at the end of the regular season.

Rules of Play

1. Every Player will play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs and one (1) at bat.  Reg. lV-.1.
2. Minors will use a continuous batting order regardless of defensive changes.
3. There will be a time limit for Minors on all Saturday games of 2 hours (except for interleague).  Minors may not start an inning after 8pm.  NOTE: If last team playing there is no time limit.
4. Each team will have equal time for warm-ups, but the game will start at the scheduled time. No game started after scheduled time will interfere with the game following. NO FORFEITURES.
5. Minor Baseball & Softball: The side is retired when (3) three outs have been recorded or (5) five runs have been attained.  Five run rules will be waived by both teams during the last inning and will consist of (3) outs per side.
6. NO ON DECK BATTER FOR THE MAJOR AND MINOR DIVISIONS.

T-BALL LEAGUE RULES

 T-Ball Playing Rules will follow the Official Little League rule Book and the following

Local Rules that are set forth here:

General

1.     The purpose of T-Ball is to introduce the game of Baseball to children ages 4/5/6 and to begin developing skills and learning the fundamentals of Baseball.

2.     NO PLAYER WILL PRACTICE OR PLAY UNTIL REGISTRATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND ACCEPTED.

3.     A roster of the team must be turned in prior to the first game of the season, including the name of the Team Parent.

4.    Teams may be Co-ed. They will be drafted by the Coaches, Player Agent and President.

5.     Managers, Assistants, and Team Parents must have a valid Background check on file with the League – THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

6.     Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug use is prohibited on all public school facilities and Little League Property.

7.     There will be NO profane language or gestures allowed on the field by either Coaches or Players.

8.     NO PARENTS OR VOLUNTEERS ARE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD OR IN DUGOUTS WITHOUT A COMPLETED AND ACCEPTED BACKGROUND CHECK FOR THE CURRENT YEAR WITH GRANITE FALLS LITTLE LEAGUE.

Rules of Play

9.     No score will be kept during games- everybody plays, everybody wins.

10.  As this league is intended to be primarily instructional, players should be rotated to different positions each game (both infield and outfield).

11.  Games will be one hour in length

12.  Players shall wear the Jersey and Hats which are provided by the League.  Jerseys will be tucked in at all times and hats will be worn properly at all times.  Managers and Coaches will wear hats provided by the League.  If it is not a scheduled regulation game Jerseys must be turned inside out.

13.  Shorts, sandals and tank tops are not allowed at practice or during games.  This is for the Player’s safety and players dressed as such will not be allowed on the field.

14.  All players take the field defensively as well as being at bat offensively each inning.

15.  The ball will be batted from the Tee, no pitching is allowed. All Players may swing until they hit the Ball.

16.  No Base stealing allowed.

17.  If a defensive player tags or throws out a runner at any base, that runner is out and must leave the field.

18.  No throwing equipment down in anger or throwing of equipment from one player to another. The coach will issue a warning for the first offense, a second offense will, at the coach’s discretion; result in that player’s removal from the game.

19.  A game may be played with as little as 6 players on the field

20.  The visitors will bat first and be in the first base dugout. The home team provides the game ball, will use the third base dugout and taken the field first.

21.  Rain-Outs will be rescheduled, if possible, by League Officials according to field availability at the end of the regular season.

22.  Each team will have equal time for warm-ups, but the game will start at the scheduled time.  No game started after scheduled time will interfere with the game following.  NO FORFEITURES.

Practices and Fields

23.  There will be no unscheduled games or practices allowed.  They must be scheduled with the League for fairness, Organization and Insurance Liability reasons

24.  Home team Manager and assistants will prepare the fields to ensure safe playing conditions.  The playing field will be lined, including the batter’s box and the base coach’s boxes.  Both teams will also clean their dugout and stand areas after each game.  Garbage will also be emptied.

25.  The visiting team Manager and assistants will rake out the field after each game. The team will also clean out their dugout and stand area after each game.  Garbage will also be emptied.

26.  During extreme field conditions, both Managers and assistants will prepare the field for safe play.  The Home team Manager will have the last word as to whether the game will be played or not.

27.  Practices are limited to a maximum of 2 per week (if field availability allows), not to exceed 1 hour in length.                                                   

ROOKIE LEAGUE RULES

  Minor League Playing rules will follow the official Little League Rule Book and the

following Local Rules that are set forth here:

General

1.     The purpose of the Rookie League is to provide a program bridging the gap between T-Ball and Minor League where League age 6 thru 8-year olds continue developing skills and learning the fundamentals of Baseball.

2.     NO PLAYER WILL PRACTICE OR PLAY UNTIL A PERMISSION SLIP IS REGISTERED AT THE LEAGUE OFFICE.

3.     All Players must play in accordance with Little League Rule lV (l).

4.     A roster of the team must be turned in prior to the first game of the season, including the name of the Team Parent.

5.     Baseball teams may be Co-ed. They will be drafted by the Coaches, Player Agent and President without Tryouts.

6.     Managers, Assistants, and Team Parents must have a valid Background check on file with the League.

7.     Alcohol, Tobacco and drug use is prohibited on all public school facilities and Little League Property.

8.     There will be NO profane language or gestures allowed on the field by either Coaches or Players.

9.     Each team is required to provide at least one parent umpire. The name(s) of the team umpire(s) is to be provided to the Umpire in Chief. Said persons should attend an umpiring clinic provided by the Umpire in Chief. All games   

are required to have an Umpire. Umpiring by Youths under High School age is prohibited.  Umpires are required to dress accordingly (no sandals, shorts, etc.). Home Team covers the plate and visitor’s team covers the bases.  The

       plate Umpire is in complete control of the game.

10.  Games will be coach pitch only (Coach pitches while standing) no closer than 30’ from home plate.

11.  It is highly recommended that all coaches umpire 2 games per season.

12.  There will be no unscheduled games or practices allowed.  They must be scheduled with the League for fairness, organization and Insurance Liability reasons

13.  NO PARENTS OR VOLUNTEERS ARE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD OR IN DUGOUTS WITHOUT A COMPLETED AND ACCEPTED BACKGROUND CHECK FOR THE CURRENT YEAR WITH GRANITE FALLS LITTLE LEAGUE.

Rules for Players

14.  Players shall wear the Jersey and Hats which are provided by the League. Jerseys will be tucked in at all times and hats will be worn properly at all times. Managers and Coaches will wear hats provided by the League. If it is not a scheduled regulation game Jerseys must be turned inside out. (Majors & Below)

15.  Shorts, Sandals and tank tops are not allowed at practice or during games. This is for the Player’s safety and players dressed as such will not be allowed on the field.

16.  NO throwing equipment down in anger or throwing of equipment from one player at another. The umpire will issue a warning for the first offense, a second offense will, at the umpire’s discretion; result in that player(s) removal from the game.

17.  Discipline of players shall be referred to the Player Agent in written form within 24hrs of any infraction that is deemed to warrant some type of action. The GFLL Board of Directors will address the matter and respond in writing.

18.  Practices are limited to a maximum of 2 per week (if field availability allows), not to exceed 1.5 hrs in length.

19.  Home team Manager and assistants will prepare the fields to ensure safe playing conditions.  The field will be lined, to include the batter’s box and the base coach’s boxes. Each team will clean their dugout and stand areas after each game. Garbage will also be emptied.

20.  The visiting team Manager and assistants will rake out the field after each game.

21.  During extreme weather conditions, both Managers and assistants will prepare the field for safe play.  The plate umpire will have the last word as to whether the game will be played or not.

22.  The visitors will bat first and be in the first base dugout.  The home team provides the game ball, will use the third base dugout and take the field first.

23.  Rain-Outs will be rescheduled, if possible, by League Officials according to field availability at the end of the regular season.

Rules of Play

24.  As this league is intended to be primarily instructional, players should be rotated to different positions each game (both infield and outfield).

25.  Only Safety Balls will be used at all times.

26.  Games will be 6 innings in length.  There will be a time limit on all Saturday games of 1.5 hours.  You may not start an inning after 8pm.  NOTE: If last team playing there is no time limit.

27.  Each team will have equal time for warm-ups, but the game will start at the scheduled time.  No game started after scheduled time will interfere with the game following.  NO FORFEITURES.

28.  All hits to the infield warrant a single base; all hits to the outfield warrant a double base.

29.  Only 1 base will be awarded on the first overthrow &/or base and considered a DEAD BALL. An overthrow to the pitcher’s mound does not advance the runners.

30.  Catchers will be limited to no more than three (3) innings per game.

31.  The side is retired when three (3) outs have been recorded or all players have batted. There will be no 5 run rule at this level of play.

32.  Teams will use a continuous batting order regardless of defensive changes. Every player will play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs and one (1) at bat.  Reg. lV-.1

33.  Each Batter will have seven (7) pitches if contact is made on the 7^{th pitch}, the batter will be allowed up to a maximum of three (3) more pitches (contact with the ball must be made on each pitch in order for the batter to stay at the plate after the 7^th pitch- a strike or a failure to swing will retire the batter).  If at the end of seven (7) pitches (or 10 in the case of batted fouls) the batter has not attained a base or struck out, the batter will be registered as an out and the next batter will come to bat.

34.  No Base stealing is allowed.

35.  A play where an infielder has control of the ball for approximately 5 or more seconds and for all intents and purposes stops the play, shall be called as if the pitcher had control at the mound. This rule is not intended to stop a play in progress, or if the player throws the ball to any other player than the pitcher the play may continue.

36.  Coaches are not permitted on the field during play with the exception of the coach pitching to his/her team.