Culver City National Little League
Rules

We encourage everyone to read the rules and by-laws that govern the operation of the league and the games played within it. If you have a question or a suggestion regarding any of the rules or by-laws under which the League operates, please don't hesitate to bring this up to a Board member or at a Board meeting. The rules and procedures are reviewed and updated at least once a year.

The overall mission and structure of the League is spelled out in the CCNLL Constitution. Please follow this link to read it.

The operations of the League are outlined in the League By-Laws. You can read these by following this link.

Standards of conduct are essential to the smooth operation of the League and the enjoyment and benefit of all concerned. You can view and download a copy of the Code of Conduct for Players and Parents here and a copy of the Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches here.

Play is governed by the rules of Little League Baseball except where amended or extended by Local Rules in each division. You can read the 2008 Pitch Count Rules adopted by Little League Baseball here.

Read below for the 2008 Local Rules in effect for Culver City National Little League:

MAJOR BASEBALL 2008

CONTINUOUS BATTING

During the regular season all eligible players will bat in turn regardless of whether they have played in the field that inning.

INTENTIONAL WALKS

Intentional walks will not be allowed.

NOISE

Noisemakers are prohibited at games: air horns, cow bells, drums, etc.

STANDINGS

All games will be counted in the final standings with the exception of Interleague Games.

PLAYOFFS

Playoffs will be conducted under Little League Tournament Rules.

Playoff format for 2008:

Round 1

First and second place teams receive a first round bye.

3rd and 6th place teams play in a one game playoff.

4th and 5th place teams play in a one game playoff.

Winners advance to:

Round 2

First place team plays winner of 4^th and 5^th place game in a best of 3 game series.

Second place team plays winner of 3^rd and 6^th place game in a best of 3 game series.

Winners advance to:

Championship Round

Best of 3 game series

MINOR BASEBALL 2008

Play shall be governed by the Official Regulations and Playing Rules as published by Little League Baseball, and by the following Local League Rules 2008:

LINEUPS REQUIREMENTS.

There will be continuous batting throughout the games during the regular season.
Any player that arrives at the game after the game has started is LATE and must be put at the bottom of the batting order. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.
All male players must wear an athletic support cup at ALL games. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.

MANAGERS AND COACHES.

The managers from both teams MUST meet with the umpire prior to game to discuss rules/guidelines.
Only one (1) manager and two (2) coaches are allowed in the dugout during the game, unless it is a Team Parent or other League-certified volunteer.
All managers, coaches, team parents and other volunteers that go in the dugout or on the field MUST be on the list of approved persons that is on display at the field.
The dugout gates must remain closed during play. If the dugout gate is opened prematurely the umpire will make the ruling.

PITCHING/CATCHING ON THE FIELD

Players may pitch a maximum of three (3) innings unless they exceed the pitch limit for an age group according to the Little League Pitching Rules for 2008.
No 12 year-olds may pitch.
Pitch count rule will be enforced by Little League Pitching Rules for 2008 and the pitch count record must be signed by both managers and turned in.
Only players may warm up the pitcher during game time. Managers and coaches cannot warm up a pitcher. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.

DEFENSE

Each team will play a maximum of 9 players on the field while on defense. If a team has fewer than 9 players available to play, the team may play with 8 players or pick up a player from another team. This pickup player cannot pitch. Less than eight players in uniform will be considered a forfeit of the game. If nine players are in the field, at least three of those players must be positioned on the outfield grass.
Manger/Coaches will instruct defensive fielders NOT to block any base, or otherwise impede the progress of a base runner when there is a play imminent at a particular base. Umpires will make the ruling.
No Player will sit out no more than two innings per game. If a player shows up late it will be considered sitting out an inning.
Any player who, upon swinging at a pitch, throws their bat, either purposefully or accidentally, will be issued a warning by the umpire; a 2^nd infraction will result in the player being called OUT; a 3^rd infraction will result in the player being called OUT and ejected from the game.
The Infield Fly Rule will be in effect at all times.

TIME/RUN LIMITS.

A five (5) run rule per inning will be in effect for all innings except 6^th inning. The five run rule shall be waived for the 6th inning.
The umpire will tell both managers when the last inning starts.
Games will be limited to TWO HOURS from the official start time
The umpire may call the game at any time due to darkness or other unsafe conditions.
If a game is called before the completion of a FULL inning, the score reverts back to the last completed inning.

DUGOUT RULES

No food, candy and/or sunflower seeds are allowed in the dugout during the game.
Parents are not allowed in the dugout during the games. Only the team parent can interact with the kids and coaches during the game.
Manager/Coaches and parents will help clean out the dugout after the game.
No bat-swinging is allowed on the field before a game or in the dugout during a game.

BASE RUNNERS/STEALING.

There will be NO touching of base runners by coaches while the ball is in play.
Base runners are required to slide at 2^ndbase, 3^rd base and home plate. When there is a play imminent at that particular base. If the runner does NOT slide, the Umpire will provide one (1) warning regarding this infraction to the player’s team; the 2^nd infraction will result in the player being called out for not sliding. EXCEPTION to this rule: if the field conditions are unsafe for sliding.
NO head-first slides (dives) are allowed. Base runners will be called OUT for head-first slides. No warnings will be given. NO EXCEPTIONS
Base runners shall not leave the base until the pitched ball reaches home plate.
For the first 15 Games there will be no stealing 2^nd base on a walk.
For the first 15 Games there will be no stealing home on a pitcher once he/she has possession of the ball.

** TOC RULES will be used for Playoffs. These rules will be implemented earlier upon consensus of the VP and the Managers.

MAJOR SOFTBALL 2008

INTERLEAGUE PLAY.

Interleague play will be governed by CA District 25 Rules. The 2008 Interleague Rules can be viewed here.

MINOR SOFTBALL 2008

Play shall be governed by the Official Regulations and Playing Rules as published by Little League Baseball, and by the following Local League Rules.

LINEUPS/MINIMUM PLAYING TIME REQUIREMENTS.

There will be continuous batting throughout the regular season. Every player present at the start of a game will participate for a minimum of two (2) defensive innings and at least one (1) turn at bat.
Any player that enters the game after the game has started is LATE and must be put at the bottom of the batting order. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.
Implementation of TOC rules will override these local rules, where applicable.

MANAGERS AND COACHES.

Each team may have two (2) coaches in addition to a manager.
The managers from both teams MUST meet with the umpire prior to game to discuss rules/guidelines.
One (1) coach is allowed on the field while their team is on defense (first half of the season only). Coaches must remain positioned on the outfield grass while play is in progress.
Only one (1) manager and two (2) coaches are allowed in the dugout during the game, unless it is a Team Parent or other league-approved volunteer.
All Managers, Coaches, Team Parents and other league-approved volunteers that go in the dugout or on the field MUST be on the list of approved persons that is on display at the field and/or display a league-issued ID badge. Any person not meeting this criteria is subject to removal from the field, by league officials, or by the umpire.
The dugout gates must remain closed during play. Premature opening of the dugout gate will result in a warning for the 1^st occurrence; excessive occurrences may subject the offending team to a penalty, up to and including forfeiture of the game, at the discretion of the umpire.

PITCHING/CATCHING

No player may pitch more than three (3) innings per game or six (6) innings per week (week runs from Sunday – Saturday).
No 12 year-olds may pitch.
No 12 year-old may play the Catcher position for more than three (3) innings in a single game.
No adult may catch while warming up the pitcher.
For the first half of the season, the coaches will pitch the first two (2) innings and for the second half of the season (after Spring Break) the girls will pitch the entire game. This arrangement may be modified upon consensus of the VP and Managers.
During coach pitch innings, the batter will get five (5) pitches only. If the ball is not hit into play by the 5^th pitch, the batter is OUT. A foul ball on the 5^th pitch will still result in an OUT.
During kid-pitch innings, after ball four, the coach (hitting team) will pitch three (3) pitches to his own batter. If the ball is not hit into play by the 3rd pitch, the batter is OUT. A foul ball on the 3rd pitch will continue the at-bat.
Coaches are REQUIRED to pitch from the 35-ft pitcher’s plate. Upon mutual agreement of the Managers, this rule may be modified for younger or more inexperienced players, whereby the coach will be allowed to move closer to the batter. At no time may the Coach pitcher move outside of the pitcher’s circle.

Each team will play a maximum of 10 players on the field while on defense. If a team has less than 10 players available in uniform to play, the team may play with the players that are available. If 10 players are in the field, at least 4 of those players must be positioned on the outfield grass.

Coaches will instruct defensive fielders to NOT block any base, or otherwise impede the progress of base runners, when there is no play imminent at a particular base. Offending teams may be penalized at the discretion of the umpire for excessive occurrences.
During the 1^st half of the season (prior to Spring Break), NO player may play the same position for more than two (2) innings of a game. This rule exists to encourage the rotation of players through the various infield and outfield positions.
The infield fly rule shall NOT be called.

OFFENSE AND TIME/RUN LIMITS.

A five (5) run rule per inning will be in effect.
The first new inning after 1 hour, 30 minutes from scheduled starting time shall be the last inning. The five run rule shall be waived for this final inning, if time allows.
Games will be limited to TWO HOURS from the official start time. This rule may be waived, at the discretion of the umpire, and if doing so will not delay the start of the next game on that field.
The umpire may call the game at any time due to darkness or other unsafe conditions.
When a game is called before the completion of a FULL inning, the score reverts back to the last completed FULL inning.
At any time, a Manager may declare the end of their team’s turn at bat.
Any player who, upon swinging at a pitch, throws their bat, either purposefully or accidentally, will be issued a warning by the umpire; a 2^nd infraction will result in the player being called OUT; a 3^rd infraction will result in the payer being called OUT, and will also result in the player being ejected from the game.
There will NO BUNTING of the ball allowed.

BASERUNNERS/STEALING.

For the first half of the season (prior to Spring Break), when the ball is thrown towards the pitching circle, and breaks the plane of the circle, the play will be called dead and the runners will be allowed to go to the next base if they were more than halfway, or back to the previous base if they were less than halfway.
For the second half of the season, the play will be called dead after the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle.
There will be NO touching of base runners by coaches while the ball is in play.
Base runners may slide but are NOT required to slide, especially at home plate. The runner will NOT be called out for not sliding at any base. It is too dangerous to make a runner slide when they are not confident or do not have the proper mechanics to slide.
NO head-first slides are allowed. Base runners will be called OUT for head-first slides. No warnings will be given.
During Coach Pitch, there will be NO base stealing.
Base runners shall not leave the base until the pitched ball is batted or reaches the plate. Violation of this rule may be penalized (by issuing of a warning, or by calling the offending base runner out) at the discretion of the umpire.
No runner shall advance more than one base on a steal during a single at-bat.
First half of season (before Spring Break) -- ball is dead when the catcher releases the throw back to the pitcher; second half of season – ball is dead when controlled by the Pitcher in the circle.
There is no stealing of home (regular season only).

** TOC RULES will be used for Playoffs. These rules will be implemented earlier upon consensus of the VP and the Managers. When in use, these rules supersede local rules described above, where conflicts are present.

AA 2008

In addition to the existing Little League Baseball Rules, the following is a list of local rules and guidelines for Culver City National Little League:

There will be a manager and a maximum of three coaches in the dugout and on the field of play for each team. In the event the team is short of coaches, the team parent may substitute in the dugout.
For the first half of the season, while on defense three (3) coaches shall be allowed on the field for instructional purposes while positioned in the field. During the second half of the season, one (1) coach shall be allowed on the field for instructional purposes while positioned in the field for defense. Coaches may be positioned only in the outfield grass while the ball is in play.
Each teams coach will pitch to their own batters and each batter will get 5 pitches. If the batter doesn’t hit the ball in fair territory in 5 pitches then the batter is out. If the 5^th pitch is fouled, then the batter will get another pitch until either (1) the ball is hit into the field of play, (2) a swing and miss at the ball (for an out) or (3) no swing at the ball is attempted (for an out).
During the first four (4) games of the schedule only, the games shall consist of innings of continuous batting through the batting order for each team. Each team will bat every player in each inning without regard to number of outs or runs scored. During these games, it is strongly encouraged that while on defense position players be continuously rotated during these innings to develop and evaluate each player’s skills at positions throughout the infield and outfield. After the 4^th game, games will be played in the traditional three (3) out format.

Rules for resting players: A player may be rested the following maximum number of innings while on defense based upon number of players physically able to play:

10 or fewer players	0 innings rest per player
11 or 12 players	1 inning rest per player
more than 12 players	2 innings rest per player

Every player will remain in their position in the batting order even if they are not playing the field on defense.
There is a 2 inning limit for each player at any one position on the field during a game. Coaches MUST rotate the players on defense. Everyone plays. Each player is required to play at least one inning in the infield per game. Teams will be required to track and report their players’ positioning on a game by game basis with the Position Reporting form supplied by the league. Infield positions are pitcher, catcher, 1^st base, 2^nd base, 3^rd base and shortstop. Outfield positions are left field, center field, right field and rover.
There is No stealing and No leading off. The runner must wait until the ball is hit to advance to the next base. If the runner leads off or leaves early, they will be called OUT. Each team will be issued ONE warning and then this rule will be enforced for all subsequent infractions.
There will be no touching of base runners by the coaches when the ball is in play.
There will be a 4 run limit for each inning except the 6^th inning, when it will be unlimited runs. If the visiting team batting in the 6^th inning has a lead of 12 or more runs, the 4 run limit will be in effect for that team. If the visiting team’s lead reaches 16 runs during the 6^th inning, their half of the innings will be complete and the home team will begin batting in their half of the inning. The visiting team may elect to end their at bat in the final inning in advance of three (3) outs.
The runner may proceed to the next base is he/she has passed the halfway point to the next base when the ball is ruled dead. If the runner has not reached the halfway point when the ball is ruled dead, the runner will be instructed to return to the previous base (to be determined by the umpire). When the field is lined a ½ way line 3 feet in length perpendicular to the base path should be chalked at the 30 foot (halfway) mark between 1^st and 2^nd, 2^nd and 3^rd and 3^rd and home plate.
Base runners may advance a maximum of one base on an overthrow to 1^st base at the base runner’s own risk. There is no limit to advancing on overthrows to 2^nd base, 3^rd base or home plate subject to Rule 11 above.
The ball must be hit at least past the ¼ circle arc in front of home plate to be fair ball, NO bunting allowed. When the field is lined, this arc should be 10 feet from home plate.
The managers from both teams MUST meet with the umpire prior to game to discuss rules/guidelines.
If there is a dispute, coaches should wait until play is over or between innings to discuss with umpire.
Any player that enters the game after the game is started is LATE and must be put at the bottom of the batting order. The EXCEPTIONS are (1) if the player is on the home team and the bottom of the inning has not started or (2) the player is on the visiting team and arrives before his/her turn in the batting order in the top of the 1^st inning.
The runner can slide but is NOT required to slide, especially at home plate. The runner will NOT be called out for not sliding at any base. It is too dangerous to make a runner slide when they are not confident or do not have the proper mechanics to slide.
A foul-tipped ball is defined as a ball that is tipped by a batter’s swing of the bat and that carries directly rearward toward the catcher at or below the level of the batters head. A batter will be declared out if a foul-tipped ball is caught before touching the ground only on the last pitch. A fouled ball that is tipped above the level of the batter’s head is considered a foul ball that is eligible to be caught before touching the ground to record an out at any time.

T-BALL 2008

The following is a list of rules/guidelines:

Players MUST bat off a tee.
There will be NO score or standings kept at this level.
There will be NO strikeouts, base stealing or base leading allowed. The runner must wait until the ball is hit to advance to the next base.
Game length will be no more than 75 minutes
The entire team shall take the field.
There is a 1 inning limit for each player at any one position on the field during a game. Coaches MUST rotate the players on defense.
Every inning will consist of 10 batters. Each time 3 outs is made, the runners will be reset. The team on offense will continue to bat until the rotation of 10 batters is complete.
It is a suggestion to keep the same line up for every game (by alphabetical order or jersey number). Also, that the batter after the last one who hits in one game be the first the next game. The players then will always be up after the same batter.
The ball must be hit past the arc in the infield to be fair, if it doesn’t it is a foul ball.
If a batter, having hit the ball, is thrown out at first, or a base runner is thrown out trying to advance, that player will be removed from the base and returned to the player's team dugout area.
There will be no forfeits in the T-Ball division.
There will be no touching (by coaches or other players) of runners when the ball is in play. If there is interference of the runner, the runner will be out.
The runner must go back to the previous base unless he/she is at least ½ way to the next base when the ball is ruled dead. (to be determined by the umpire)
The ball will be ruled dead when the ball is thrown into home plate area or to the pitcher’s mound. (to be determined by the umpire).
Managers and/or coaches will be on the playing field to explain to the players what they are doing wrong and to show them proper procedure or play.
The manager or coach from both teams MUST meet prior to game to discuss rules/guidelines.
The pitcher must be on the mound and the infielders cannot be any closer than the cut of the grass.
The offensive coach resetting the tee will be the umpire.
There will be a manager and a maximum of 2 coaches on the field and 1 coach and a team parent in the dugout and on the field of play for each team.
Base runners may advance a maximum of one base on an overthrow to 1^st base at the base runner’s own risk. There is no limit to advancing on overthrows to 2^nd base, or 3^rd base.

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