Bat Information

2018 Minor B House League Rules

2018 Minor A House League Rules

2018 Majors House League Rules

2018 Junior/Senior House League Rules

Cornwall District Minor Baseball
2021 House League Rules
The initial sections apply to all divisions. Some local rules and rules specific to each division come
later.
All Divisions
Sportsmanship and Conduct
• Managers are responsible for the sportsmanship of their players, parents, and coaching staff.
• Be patient with all umpires.
• You may politely ask an umpire how he saw the events of a play but may not question his
judgment. Teach players respect for the officials through your actions.
 
Once a game is started, the Home Plate Umpire has the responsibility for delaying or postponing the
game. The umpire shall not call the game until at least 30 minutes have passed, and may continue
suspension as long as there is a chance to resume play. Safety for the players is the key factor in this
decision.
 
Play will be stopped immediately during a thunderstorm if lightning appears. Observe the 30-30 rule. If
thunder is heard 30 seconds or less after lightning is observed, the storm is less than 10 kilometers
away. Precautions should be taken. Do not resume play until 30 minutes after the last lightning
strike in the area. All players and spectators should move to safety and away from steel fences and
trees. Wait in your cars until the game restarts or is cancelled.
 
Rain out games will be mostly made up the first week of August.  Once they are booked, the division
convenor must inform the game scheduler and the UIC to ensure that Umpires are booked for the make up games.
Game Equipment
Each game the field will be set up by our resident field maintenance crew and they will clean it up as
well.  The umpire for the game will be providing a brand new ball .
 
The league entrusts each team Manager with the care and safekeeping of uniforms, bats, catching gear,
helmets, and baseballs. Care of uniforms is the responsibility of each individual and should be washed in
warm water and hung to dry.
Return all balls at the end of the season along with all other equipment. Previous year’s used balls are
used as practice balls for future seasons.
Broken helmets are dangerous and illegal and may affect insurance coverage if an injury is sustained
while using a broken helmet. Inspect helmets before each game and do not use a helmet if it is cracked.
Contact the Equipment Manager to arrange for a replacement. Share helmets with the other team when
necessary.
Catchers must wear a mask that includes the dangling throat protector.
Curfews
The key to completing a game prior to curfew is to start the game on time. The pre-game meeting of
umpires and coaches should take place 5 minutes before game time. Team warm-ups should be
completed before the meeting of umpires and coaches, and after this meeting, the home team should
take the field and be ready to throw the first pitch at the scheduled start time. Every effort will be made
to start the game on time. In the event that the game start is delayed, the coaches and the umpire
should note this time.
Teams that habitually cause games to start late will be reported by umpires to the league.
T-Ball – T-Ball is to be scheduled for one hour.  Do not start a new inning more than 50 minutes into
Training.
Rookie (Coach Pitch): no inning will commence after 1 hour and 25 minutes from the
announced start of the game (5 innings max).
Minor & Major: no inning will commence after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the announced start of the
game (regular season only, not playoffs, 6 innings max).
Junior & Senior: no inning will commence after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the announced start of the
game (regular season only, not playoffs, 6 innings max).
Pitching Limits
Little League International is very serious about pitching limits. Too many players have ruined their arms
while they are still teenagers. The rules require that someone count all pitches, including 2-strike foul
balls. Little League has created a pitch log form
The limits for Senior and below are as follows (see the rule book for Big League limits):
League age: 9-10 (Minor) 75 pitches per day
11-12 (Major) 85 pitches per day
13-16 (Junior, Senior) 95 pitches per day
Any player who plays up a division observes the age limits not those of his new division.
Rest requirements for players aged 14 and younger:
1-20 pitches no rest required If pitched Monday, wait until Tuesday
21-35 pitches 1 calendar day of rest If pitched Monday, wait until Wednesday
36-50 pitches 2 calendar days of rest If pitched Monday, wait until Thursday
51-65 pitches 3 calendar days of rest If pitched Monday, wait until Friday
66+ pitches 4 calendar days of rest If pitched Monday, wait until Saturday
Pitchers reaching a threshold may finish pitching to the current batter. This effectively means that
the last batter faced counts as only 1 pitch.
Significant Little League Rulebook Change for 2019: Regulation VI – Under no circumstance shall
a player pitch in three (3) consecutive days.
At Minor and Major, Cornwall also limits pitchers to 2 innings pitched per game.
All Managers shall have available a listing of the pitchers used and the number of pitches they threw on
each day. This is necessary to ensure that the pitching rest rules are followed.
• Any player on a team can and should be encouraged to pitch.
• Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning.
• A player, once removed as a pitcher, shall not pitch again in the same game.
A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the
Remainder of that day. Any player, who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in
a game, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
In levels where kids pitch, no adult may play catch with a child (even to warm up a pitcher).
 
Cell Phones
Electronic devices such as cell phones are permitted as long as they do not become a distraction and are
not used to communicate with others on the field (see green book rule 3.17). All electronic devices such
as, but not limited to, cellphones and tablets, are not allowed on the playing field.
 
Mercy Rule
For Rookie, Minor, and Major, if after four (or more) innings of play one team is ahead by 10 runs or
more the game is officially over (3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead). For Minor and Major there is
also a 5 run per inning maximum (including the last inning). If both team managers agree, teams may
continue to play a game even if it is no longer possible for one team to catch up because of the 5-run
limit (unless the 10-run rule applies). The umpires have agreed that they will only use the score to end a
game unilaterally based on the 10-run rule. For Rookie(Coach Pitch) there is a 10 batter maximum per
inning.  All players must try to reach home when last batter is called.  If the team fails to call last batter
before play, play will stop as per normal and runners will not be able to advance beyond the normal
amount allowed.
Scores
For Rookie (Coach Pitch) the home team is responsible for the game sheet and submitting it to the club
house for processing.  For Minors and above the game sheets must be signed and submitted to the
home plate umpire at the end of the game.  The umpire is responsible for submitting the signed score
sheet in the clubhouse.
Rule Book
CDMB is a chartered organization with Little League Canada, and uses the
official Little League Rule Book for all rules and regulations except for specific ‘local’ rules as outlined
in this document.  All Managers and Coaches are required to read, apply and respect the regulations and
rules as laid down in the rulebook. Take the time to read the book and apply the philosophy. Share the
rules with your players.
Local Rules
Dugouts
The home team shall occupy the 3rd base dugout and visiting team will occupy the 1st base dugout.
Number of Coaches
Teams may have one manager plus a maximum of 2 coaches (3 adults in all) in the dugout. One adult
coach is required to be on the bench at all times. For Rookie, 4 adults are permitted when including the
pitcher.
Number of Players
Cornwall places ten to thirteen players on each team. This is an optimum number for each team during
the regular season and playoffs. The league is aware that not all players can make all games or are
available for the start of each game. Normally, 9 players are required to play the game. However, 7
registered players is the minimum number required to start and continue all games.
All games are expected to start at the time on the schedule; however, to avoid protests and forfeited
games, a 15-minute grace period from the scheduled start is allowed for a team to ensure that 7 players
are available to start. In the event that a team is unable to field 7 registered players the Umpire shall
declare the game forfeited. The game score shall be registered as 6-0 for the team with 7 or more
registered players. In the event that both teams are unable to field 7 players, the game will be cancelled
and rescheduled. If a team is unable to continue the game with at least 7 players, the game shall be
forfeited.
When a game involving 2 Cornwall/Glengarry Teams is forfeited due to lack of players by one team, but
there are at least 14 players across both teams, one team will give the other team volunteer players
to balance the teams and have a game. The official standings will still show a forfeit, but in the
interest of playing the game, the umpires will stay and umpire a game.
Umpires are instructed not to stay and umpire exhibition play after a game has ended due to the mercy
Rule or a game involving a team that is not from Cornwall/Glengarry has been forfeited.
Call-Ups
Managers who know that players will not be available to play due to sickness, injury, school trips,
holidays, etc. are strongly encouraged to ‘call up’ players from a lower division to bring the playing roster
to at least 7 players, preferably more than 9. Called up players shall be used exactly like regular team
members subject to the rules listed below. Players may not be called up if they have a scheduled game
with their regular team.
Managers are not permitted to use a player from the same level.
Called up players cannot Pitch. More specifically,
• Senior may call up from Junior, Major may call up Minor
Important: Major players may NOT be called up to Junior. Doing so will make them ineligible for
the Major All-Star Team (see the last note in Regulation IV of the Little League rule book).
There are no call-downs. Players in an older division or a higher level of the same division may not play.
Batting
Every player is placed in the batting order. A player who arrives after the start of the game is placed last
on the batting order (even if the team is on the second time through the order). A player who is on the
batting order and arrives late and misses his turn is placed at the bottom of the batting order. No
automatic out is allowed. Example: 10 players on the batting order prior to the start of the game.
Tommy, scheduled to bat 6th does not arrive until after the 8th batter has been at bat. Tommy is
scratched from the 6^th position, bats after the last person in the order, and is not an automatic out
because he was not available to bat 6th. Joey, the 11th player, arrives in the second inning and is placed
11th after Tommy.
In major and younger there is no on-deck circle. Players may not handle a bat until it is their turn to bat.
Only the on-deck batter should be standing near the team’s collection of bats.
 
Defensive Positions (Player Rotation)
Cornwall promotes the principle of equal play throughout the House League season.
On defense, all players will share equally infield positions and outfield play except for skill and safety
positions such as pitcher, catcher and first base. This does not mean that there is a 50-50 rule for infield
and outfield. For all divisions expect Rookie, there are six infield and three outfield positions. All players’
defensive play must be two-thirds infield and one-third outfield over the innings that they are not
sitting.
For Rookie (Coach Pitch), the additional outfielder will change the ratio to 60/60 infield to outfield. All
players will share equally in sitting out.
Should a player not begin the season with the skills to pitch, catch or play first base, every effort must be
made to help the player develop the skills required to play those positions (if the player is willing) at
practice. Players who do not pitch or catch must still be given two-thirds of their play in the other infield
positions.
Coaches must strive to achieve the above objectives on a game-by-game basis, and not spread them out
over a week or a season. In addition, there is rarely a reason for a player to sit out two consecutive
innings, and a Coach should never plan this while doing a line up. It happens too often that you do not
get to finish all six innings.
**FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE RULES SHALL MAKE THE GAME SUBJECT TO
FORFEITURE ON CHALLENGE BY THE OPPOSING COACH**
- All such challenges should be brought to the convenor of the division after the game rather than to an
umpire during the game.
Volunteer Umpires
At Rookie during the regular season, both teams will supply one volunteer umpire for each game. The
league will supply umpires for playoff games.
Players Leaving the Game Early
If a player must leave the game early for any reason, injury or otherwise, his/her spot in the batting
Order is removed (no automatic out). If this happens while the player is batting, the at bat is cancelled
and the next batter takes the plate with a 0-0 count. If the player is on base, the last player to either get
out or score a run takes the leaving player’s place. The player may return later to take his/her original
position in the batting order. Teams may not abuse this rule to reduce the playing time of weaker
players.
Playoffs
The league will decide on a playoff structure for each division with the seeding based on the regular
season standings.
Regular Season Standings Tie-Breakers
Regular season standings shall be determined by total points based on 2 points for a win, and 1 point for
A tie, and 0 points for a loss. The first procedure for resolving ties is to apply the following tie-breaking
rules (in order):
• most wins
• best record in games involving only the tied teams
The second procedure if 2 or more teams are still tied is to apply the following criteria (in order) to
determine the top team among them:
• least number of runs allowed (in all games)
• greater number of runs scored (in all games)
• coin toss
Note: once the second procedure determines the top team from a tie among 3 or more teams, the
remaining tied teams go back to the first tie-breaking procedure again.
Specific Division Rules
Minor and Major Divisions [all Levels]: Game Coordinator
The Convenor and UIC is there to offer support to the Youth Umpires in the execution of their
duties and to protect them from the inappropriate conduct of players, coaches or spectators.
 
This Rule [9.03(d) 1-5] can be found under Rule 9.00 – The Umpire of the Little League
Baseball 2019 RULEBOOK.
 
Coach Pitch (Rookie) rules
Equipment
The catcher will wear full protective gear at all times.
The player designated as the pitcher will wear a helmet.
The batting player must wear a helmet.
It is recommended that all players wear a jock/jill with a cup. Not mandatory
Rules of Play
1.  5 Pitches per at bat. If the last pitch is fouled off, child gets another pitch.
2.  The pitcher will be given 5 balls before the batter hits.  The catcher will merely collect balls
during the at-bat, returning them to the pitcher for the start of the next at-bat.
3.  One base maximum on an infield hit.
4.  No advancing on over thrown ball
5.  When a ball is hit into the outfield the runners can advance until the ball is thrown back into the infield.
6.  Once it is in the infield runners can advance to the base they are going to at the risk of being tag out.
If standing on a base when ball is in infield, player may not advance.
7.  A run is scored by touching home plate
8.  Bunting is not permitted.
9.  One warning shall be given if a player throws a bat. On the second offense (same game), the player is
called out for that at bat. Further, the ball is dead and runners do not advance. The result of the thrown
bat is equivalent to a strikeout.
10.  There is no leading off or stealing. Runners can only leave their bases when the bat hits the ball,
leaving before contact will be considered an out for the base runner.
11.  If a batted ball touches the adult pitcher, the ball is dead, it counts as a pitch. If it is the 5th pitch the
batter will be given one more pitch. Every one returns to their base.
12.  3 outs or 10 batters per inning.  Last batter must be declared before arriving at the plate.  If not
Declared, then runners can’t advance beyond normal rules and inning is over.
13.  Players should rotate every inning. Max 2 innings per position per game
14.  Pitcher position is the only position allowed in middle of infield. All other players must start on the
base paths or farther.
15.  Game starts at 6pm sharp, No new innings starts after 7:25pm
16.  Max 5 inning games
17.  For safety, on-deck batter should not be taking practice swings – they should simply be waiting on
the bench or beside the bench for their turn
18.  Each team is to submit one coach to help umpire the game.  Umpires will be provided for playoffs.
19.  Home team coach will submit signed scoresheet (signed by both teams) to the clubhouse.
 
Minors Division Rules
1. Normal baseball rules apply, except in the modifications below.
2. Walks- After ball 4 the batter will hit off a tee. They will have 2 swings and be limited to a double
on their hit. Runners on the bases can only advance 2 bases as well. Any forward hit on the tee,
whether the tee is hit or not, will count, as long as the ball goes in fair territory, and as long as
the bat hits the ball. If the umpire sees a complete miss of the ball with the bat, then they shall
reset the tee for a second attempt only.
3. The pitcher must be on the pitcher’s mound with at least one foot on the pitching rubber when
a batter hits off the tee.
4. A batter hit by the pitch (whether it bounces or not) will advance directly to first.
5. Stealing bases- The runner can’t leave until the ball crosses the plate. There will be no advance
from an overthrow passed the base the runner was advancing to. You may steal on ball 4.
6. 5 runs max per at bat.
7. No stealing home.
8. A passed ball on the third strike, the batter is still out.
9. If there is an overthrow at a base from a hit ball(that was pitched), the runner(s) may advance 1
base only. Example: shortstop throws the ball past the second basemen into right field the
runner advances to 3rd base only.
10. Games will start at 6. An inning will not start after 7:45.
11. Have scorekeepers confirm scores after every inning. Use the score sheet to clarify disputes, like
“outs” if the umpires have lost track too.
12. Only the head coach can approach an umpire for a clarification/question only.
13. All players need to wear a protective cup.
14. Infield fly rule is in play when there is less than 2 out and a force is at 3rd base.
15. When the pitcher is on the mound with the ball the play is dead.
16. Pitchers can pitch a max of 2 consecutive innings only. They may not pitch an inning, play a
different positon, then come back and pitch.
17. You may play with 4 outfielders.
18. Rotation of players through the season is expected by all teams, pitching and catching will have
to be managed a bit differently, but if they want to try, then put them in.
19. The batter will get 1 warning per game for throwing their bat, after the warning they will be
called out.
20. The scoresheet signed by both teams will be submitted to the umpire at the end of the game.
House League Rules for Majors 2021
1- Games start at 6pm sharp. You do not start a new inning after 7:45pm and a maximum of 6
innings in a game.
2- You need at least 7 players to play the game. If you do not have 7 players, it is an automatic forfeit
and loss. However, keep in mind – both coaches should work together to still play a friendly
game/lending the other team a few players but again this will result in a loss for the team under 7
players. Maximum amount of players on the field is 9.
3- The inning will come to an end when; the team on defense gets 3 outs, or the offensive team gets
5 runs.
4- Each pitcher is only allowed to pitch a maximum of 2 consecutive innings. You can pull a pitcher
before their two innings are done but you cannot put them back in again as pitcher. I recommend
giving everyone a chance, however if they can’t throw near the plate, I would explain to them they
will need to practice before pitching again.
5- If the pitcher hits 3 batters within their 2 innings of pitching, they must be removed from play as a
pitcher, but is still allowed to play any other position.
6- You are allowed to steal any base including home. If the player chooses to steal, then he/she
cannot lead off. Their foot has to be touching the bag and can only leave the bag when the ball
crosses over home plate.
7- Runners cannot slide head first into any bags or home. They must slide feet first or they will be
called out.
8- The runner must slide at home if there is a play at home or they will be called out.
9- Batters on the third strike – dropped ball will be able to run to first provided first base is not
occupied.
10- Infield fly rule is in effect when there are runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded with less than 2
outs.
11- If the ball is hit out of the park, it is a homerun. If the ball rolls out of the park (at the 200 mark,
back fence) due to a hole/gap under the fence then that is a ground rule double.
 
 
District 7 House League Rules
Game Length
• Games are to be played to a maximum of 6 innings or a 2 hour time limit
• Games may finish before that (see Time Limit below)
• Coaches should make every attempt to not exceed the 2 hour limit. There may be another
game starting after this game or sunlight may be an issue
Time Limit
• No new inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes – example, if the game starts at
6:15pm, no new inning would start after 8:00pm
• If the top half of the inning is over at 1hr 45mins, the game completes as normal rules
• If the bottom half of an inning completes and the time is over 1hr 45mins, the game ends
Mercy Rule
• If after 4 complete innings the visiting team is ahead by more than 10 runs the game is over,
if the home team is ahead after 3 ½ innings the game is over as well.
• There is a 5 run mercy rule per inning
Players
• Each team must play with at least 7 players – Otherwise the game is a forfeit
• Every effort should be made to play the game
• Once a game has been declared a forfeit, players for the opposing team may lend players to
the other team so that the team can field a proper amount of players
• The game may then be played as normal
Automatic Out
• There are no automatic out rules (e.g. for having less than 9 players)
On Deck Circle
• There is no “on deck circle” for Minor and Major – all players must be ready in the dugout
• Junior/Senior: There is an on deck circle that on-deck batters may use. All other players
must remain in the dugout.
Helmets
• Helmets must be worn by all offensive players.
• Helmets without chin straps are allowed.
• Helmets must be worn by players acting as base coaches
Batting Order
• All players will bat.
• Any late players are added to the bottom of the batting order and may not be placed
randomly within the line-up. Unless the player’s batting position has not come up during
regular play. If so, they may bat where originally assigned.
Dropped Third Strike
• Minor: On a dropped third strike the batter is automatically out.
• Major/Junior/Senior: On a drop third strike the ball is still live the batter can run unless first
base is occupied
Fielding Substitution
• Players may be freely substituted any time between the bench and the field
Pitching Substitution
• A pitcher may only pitch two innings. If a pitcher only pitches a partial inning and is
substituted out for another pitcher, that inning still counts towards the maximum allowed
innings pitched.
• The innings pitched do not have to be consecutive
• Junior/Senior: The first inning must be pitched by a junior
• Junior/Senior: You cannot pitch senior pitchers consecutively, you must pitch a junior
between senior pitchers
Catchers
• Catchers may not pitch after catching 4 innings
• To increase the speed of play, if your catcher is on base with two outs, he can be substituted
for the last out of the inning
• Catchers must have a throat guard on their face mask
Lead-Off
• Minor/Major: There is no lead off until the ball crosses the plate.
• Junior/Senior: Lead-off is allowed
Stealing Restrictions
• If the ball is live – player on third can steal home plate
• If the catcher attempts to throw out a player at any base, the runner may steal home.
• Stealing home the runner must slide into the plate for safety reasons
Infield Fly Rule
• Runners on first and second and less than 2 out – if the ball lands in fair territory and the
ball is playable by an infielder the batter is out
Throwing of Bat
• The batter is automatically out and it is a dead ball.