TLLL Minor House League Rules

Tenets of TL Minors

1. Development
2. Fun
3. Experience all facets of the game (pitching, stealing, hitting vs. a pitcher, fielding interactions, walks, etc.)
4. Collaboration as we are all “on the same team”

Fun and development is the focus for the Minors division. It is the first year that players are required to pitch and where base stealing is allowed. That means that this is very much a developmental division that allows for all to experience pitching, stealing and all infield positions in order to better understand the interactions necessary to defend in the field and begin to develop higher levels of understanding in the field. It is through this lens that the Trout Lake Minors Rules have been created for our House Teams.

Minors House Fair-Play Regular Season Rules:   

• Warm-up: If possible the teams will have the field 45 minutes prior to the game (if this is not possible the teams will be asked to warm-up on the outside so they are ready to start the game on time). The home team can opt for a 10 minute infield warm-up 25 mins prior to gametime and the away team can opt for an infield warm-up 15 mins prior to gametime for a 10 minute infield warm-up. During this 10 minute period the opposition team must leave the field and either go into their dugout or continue their warm-up outside the playing field. A team may choose not to have a infield warm-up and in this case there is no requirement for teams to move off the field.
• Team Minimums: A team minimum to play is eight players, however the 9th spot will be an automatic out. If a team has seven players or fewer – they may borrow players from the other team in order to play the game, however the game will be declared a forfeit.

• Coaches Meeting: The Head Coaches (and any of the coaches who wish to attend) will be asked to a “plate” meeting by the umpires. A copy of the Line-up forms are to be given to the Umpires, scorekeepers and opposition at this time. The Umpires will then go over the ground rules and it is at this time any clarifications are to be made. If there are players who are coming to the game, however they are late, please include them on the line-up sheet and if they come-up in the order they will be skipped without penalty during regular season league play.

• Coaches: There are only 3 official coaches for each game. Other parents/coaches can warm-up the team, however for the offensive game portion there will be only 1 dugout coach and two base coaches (who stand within the coaches box beside 1b & 3b). All defensive coaches must be in the dugout OR on the teams dugout-side on the grass and off the infield.

• Defensive Line Up: There can be up to 10 players in the field (maximum 6 in the infield and 4 in the outfield – with the outfield being designated as the grass).

• Batting Order: The batting order is set when the line-up is submitted and players are to bat in this order. If there is an injury or a player had to leave the umpires and opposition will be informed and that player will be skipped in the order without penalty. If a player is late this player will be skipped in the order without penalty.

• Run Limits: Run limits per inning are 3 for each inning with the last inning (5th or 6th depending on light) being 3 outs or once through the order.

• Mercy Rule: 10 run mercy rule after four innings (3 ½ if home team is ahead).

• Game Time Length: No inning shall start after 1 hour and 50 minutes of play. Please note that the time limit starts from the schedules start time and not the first pitch.

• Player Rotation: All players must play a minimum of two innings in the infield (each coach please keep track of their own teams rotation as this will be done on the honour system). If a player is deemed to not have the skill to protect themselves while playing in the infield it is recommended that coaches discuss the situation with the parents, player agents and head coach to determine the best course of action. No player can sit a 2nd inning until ALL players have sat at least one inning.

• Pitching: Players in their first season of Minors and are 9 and under may pitch from two feet in front of the pitching rubber. This is only an option and after the May long weekend ALL players must pitch from the pitching rubber. A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. Pitching changes must be announced to the Plate Umpire. Pitch counts as per the Little League rule book will be in effect. The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the pitch count limit for his/her league age as follows: 11 years old – 85 pitches per day; 9-10 years old – 75 pitches per day; 7-8 years old – 50 pitches per day. Exception: If a pitcher reaches the pitch limit for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1) That batter reaches base; 2) That batter is put out; 3) The third out is made to complete the half-inning. 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 4 or more innings in a game is NOT eligible to pitch on that calendar day. Pitchers must adhere to the following rest requirements: • If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed. • If a player pitches 51 – 65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. • If a player pitches 36 – 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. • If a player pitches 21 – 35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed. • If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required. The scorekeeper or another game official must be designated as the official pitch count recorder. A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day. 4) Pitchers who hit three batters in one inning or four times in one game will be removed as pitcher but not from the game.

• Base Running: If the pitcher has the ball while standing on the rubber and the catcher is in the receiving position, all runners must return to their bases. Stealing/advancing from first base to second base is permitted without a batted ball or walk. Stealing/advancing from second and third to the next base(s) is also permitted without a batted ball or walk. However, there is no stealing of homebase on passed balls or an erroneous throw to the pitcher during the regular season. To encourage making plays in order for defensive players to learn coverage – only one base is allowed to be stolen. For example: if a player is attempting to steal second base and there is an overthrow, that player will not be allowed to attempt to steal third base. These base running rules are for the regular season only and prior to the playoffs Head Coaches must agree to alternate rules if they wish (if there is not 100% agreement we shall revert to the regular season rules).

• Call-Ups: If a team is short players, they may only call-up 7 & 8 year olds from the Rookie division. A Rookie player may not be called-up more than 3 times to play on a Minor team. Coaches are to connect with the Rookies Coordinator who facilitates and determines the “call-up” so that the opportunities are equitable.

• Rainouts:  Umpire to make decision on start of game if weather is poor. If rained out before full three innings (2 ½ if Home team is ahead); the game is considered cancelled and does not register in the standings.

• Additional Game Rules: 1) Coaches may warm-up pitchers between innings. 2) An adult must be in the dugout at all times. 3) No food allowed in the dugouts unless a defined medical condition has been identified. 4) When a team is on defence, the coaches are to remain in the dugout or at minimum in the doorway or on the grass in foul territory. 5) In order to maximize the number of innings played per game coaches are encouraged to move quickly to set-up their teams between innings. This means that defensive positions for the next inning should be assigned in advance.