2025 SAN RAFAEL LITTLE LEAGUE RULES - MAJORS
All National Little League rules are in effect per 2024 “Official Regulations and Playing Rules” which can be downloaded from Little League, except as noted below. All managers and coaches are responsible for knowing the Official Regulations and Playing Rules and for following those rules without need for reminder or correction.
The Majors level is NOT an instructional league and therefore must adhere faithfully to the Little League Rulebook. Local rules can only be incorporated if they are specifically permitted in the rulebook or have been submitted and approved by Western Region Headquarters.
Managers and coaches must remember that you are stewards of a child’s game. While Majors is a competitive division, that competitiveness cannot trump good judgment, fair play and common sense.
Majors Commissioner: Ryan Hutto - Email [email protected]
Recording of Players, Fans, and Games:
In order to maintain compliance with applicable California state laws, Little League International rules, and San Rafael City Schools rules the San Rafael Little League board has resolved:
- All audio and video game recordings must be made exclusively through the GameChanger app, and posted on the app for all family members of recorded teams to access, with unauthorized recordings prohibited and may be subject to disciplinary action.
- An exception is made for photos and short video recordings taken by family members for personal use.
- No video or audio can be used to influence or decide umpire calls during a game.
Game Responsibilities
1. Home Team: Responsible for setting up the field, keeping score, and operating the snack shack. An adult must be in the snack shack at all times. The field must be fully prepared 30 minutes before each game and one hour before any interleague game.
2. Away Team: Responsible for taking down the field and providing the Adult Game Coordinator (see Rule 10 below).
Game Rules
1. Batting Practice: No batting practice by any team at its scheduled game site prior to or during the game. Batting practice means any player swinging a bat at a ball of any type. No soft toss or pepper. Game site means any area adjacent to or within sight of the field. Batting sticks are permitted, as long as they are held by an approved coach, players are wearing helmets and all players/coaches are clear of the field of play and not disrupting the opposing team’s infield or outfield warmups. The batting cages may be used during games by teams not playing that day, subject to the schedule set by the Majors Commissioner.
2. Infield/Outfield: The home team may take infield/outfield from 25 minutes before the game until 15 minutes before the game. The away team may take infield/outfield from 15 minutes before the game until 5 minutes before the game. When one team is taking infield/outfield, the other team must be either completely off the field, including foul territory, or in the dugout. 3. Batting Order: A continuous batting order shall be used.
4. Playing Time: All players present at the start of a game must play at least 12 defensive outs (can be non-consecutive).
5. Courtesy Runners Prohibited: When a runner cannot run the bases due to injury their replacement shall be the most recent previous batter who is not on base.
6. Dropped Third Strike: A batter can attempt to advance to first on a dropped third strike if (i) the batter has not left the field of play (e.g., entered the dugout – see below), (ii) first base is not occupied at the time of the third strike, or (ii) first base is occupied at the time of the third strike and the dropped third strike would otherwise have been the third out (this is treated as if there was a force play for the batter and any other base runners).
7. The batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box. The batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box unless the following apply:
a. On a swing, slap, or check swing.
b. When forced out of the box by a pitch.
c. When the batter attempts a “drag bunt”.
d. When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball.
e. When a play has been attempted.
f. When time has been called.
g. When the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitching rubber after receiving the ball or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box. 12. Adult Game Coordinator (AGC): In any game where both umpires are minors, the Away team shall appoint an AGC. If youth umps are used, NO GAME WILL BE PLAYED WITHOUT AN AGC. The AGC may NOT overrule an umpire’s call or remove any umpire from the game. The AGC will apply Rule 9.03:
h. On a three-ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.
8. 10-Run Rule: If after 4 innings (3.5 innings if home team ahead) one team has a lead of 10 or more runs, the losing team shall concede the victory to the opponent.
9. Managers/Coaches: All manager and coaches must be approved by the SRLL board, have passed all background checks and SRLL requirements. A minimum of (2) approved coaches must be present at all practices and games. No more than (3) adults (manager and 2 coaches) are permitted in the dugout/field, and non- players are not otherwise permitted in the dugout (i.e., no siblings and friends). Managers and coaches should be in the dugout if they are not coaching a base. There must be an adult in the dugout at all times.
10. Warming up Players: Managers and coaches may warm up pitchers both before and during the game. Otherwise, adults are not permitted to warm up other players or play catch at any time during games (including pre-game warm-ups). There can only be one coach for infield and one for outfield warm-ups, and the person catching, if used, must be a player.
11. No Questioning Umpire Judgment Calls: Questioning, objecting to or appealing judgment calls by umpires is not permitted. This includes calls such as ball, strike, fair ball, foul ball, catch/control, safe/out, etc. This behavior, whether direct or indirect, will not be tolerated. SRLL has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy in this regard and there are no exceptions.
a. Appeal: A manager can only appeal a call in the event of the umpire’s misapplication of a rule, in which case the issue must be raised in a courteous manner only with the umpire that made the call at issue. The manager must call for time, and once granted must approach the umpire and cite the specific Little League rule the manager believes was misapplied. Managers should bring their rulebook to this discussion. That umpire may, but is not obligated to, discuss the appealed call with the other umpire. Subject to a manager making a formal protest, the umpire’s final call shall be respected.
b. Protest: Must be resolved before the next pitch or play (Local Rule 4.19). Call SRLL President, Doug Sprague (719) 289-1124 or Vice President, Travis McCray (415) 716-5088.
12. Adult Game Coordinator (AGC): In any game where both umpires are minors, the Away team shall appoint an AGC. If youth umps are used, NO GAME WILL BE PLAYED WITHOUT AN AGC. The AGC may NOT overrule an umpire’s call or remove any umpire from the game. The AGC will apply Rule 9.03:12. Adult Game Coordinator (AGC): In any game where both umpires are minors, the Away team shall appoint an AGC. If youth umps are used, NO GAME WILL BE PLAYED WITHOUT AN AGC. The AGC may NOT overrule an umpire’s call or remove any umpire from the game. The AGC will apply Rule 9.03:
a.If no adult umpire is available for a game, and non-adult umpires are used exclusively for that game, the local Little League must assign an AGC, or the game cannot be played. The AGC must not be a manager or coach of either team in the game and cannot be assigned as AGC for more than one game at a time. AGC duties shall include:
a.If no adult umpire is available for a game, and non-adult umpires are used exclusively for that game, the local Little League must assign an AGC, or the game cannot be played. The AGC must not be a manager or coach of either team in the game and cannot be assigned as AGC for more than one game at a time. AGC duties shall include:
i. Included in the pre-game meeting as noted in Rule 4.01.
ii. Must remain at the game at all times, including between half-innings, in a position to see all actions on the field and in close proximity to the field (not in any enclosure). If, for some reason, the AGC is not present or is unable to perform his/her duties for any reason, the game must be suspended until the AGC returns, or until a new AGC is present and assumes the duties of AGC for the remainder of the game.
iii. Oversee the conduct of all players, managers, coaches and umpires in the game.
iv. Has the authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to the decisions of an umpire, for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, or for any reasons enumerated in these Playing Rules, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field. If the AGC disqualifies a player while a play is in progress, the disqualification shall not take effect until no further action is possible in that play. v. Has the sole ability to judge as to whether and when play shall be suspended during a game because of inclement weather conditions or the unfit condition of the playing field. Whether and when play shall be resumed after such suspension and as to whether and when a game shall be terminated after such suspension. AGC shall not call the game until at least thirty minutes after play is suspended. AGC may continue suspension if there is any chance to resume play.
13. Intentional Walks: Intentional Walks are NOT allowed. Pitchers must make a competitive attempt to pitch to all hitters.
14. Glenwood Ground Rule: A fair ball hit down the 3rd base line continuing beyond the outfield fence, is a ground rule double and a dead ball. The “hill” outside the left field foul line is out of play. A fair ball hit down the 1st base line continuing through the opening in the fence (near batting cage), is considered a ground rule double and a dead ball.
15. Scorekeeping/Pitch count: The home team is the official scorer and keeper of pitch counts (for both teams). However, scorekeepers from both teams should reconcile pitch count between innings. If there is a discrepancy that prevents the game from continuing, notify the Majors Commissioner or President immediately. Pitch counts shall be maintained in electronic format and fully accessible to all managers, coaches and league officials. A Google spreadsheet is acceptable. Each team manager is responsible for entering the appropriate information and must do so within 24 hours of each game.
Pitcher & Catcher Specific Rules
1. Pitcher to Catcher: A pitcher who pitches 41 or more pitches cannot thereafter play catcher. 2. Catcher to Pitcher: A catcher that has caught in any part of 4 innings (including 1 pitch in the 4th inning) cannot pitch in the remainder of the game.
a. NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs:(1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; (3) the third out is made to complete the half inning or the game; or (4) the pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing his/her at-bat. The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
3. Maximum pitch counts:
a. LL10 – 75 pitches
b. LL11/LL12 – 85 pitches
i. Note: A pitcher can finish pitching to a batter then hitting when the pitch count max is reached)
4. Pitcher Rest Rules: Applies to LL10s, LL11s and LL12s.
a. 66 or more pitches = 4 full calendar days of rest
b. 51-65 pitches = 3 full calendar days of rest
c. 36-50 pitches = 2 full calendar days of rest
d. 21-35 pitches = 1 full calendar day of rest
e. 1-20 pitches = no required rest
5. No Excessive Cheering and Synchronized Clapping: No cheering or synchronized clapping or similar noise or activity will be permitted when the opposing pitcher is on the rubber with the intent to deliver a pitch, or in the process of delivering a pitch.
Player Pool Rules (Optional – Season by Season):
1. For the 2025 season, Majors may choose to use a player pool. The following player pool rules apply:
a. If a team chooses not to utilize the player pool, and only has 8 players in the lineup, they MUST take an out in the 9th spot of the batting order. If a team attempts to use the player pool in accordance with the rules, and a player is not available, then the team does NOT take an out in the 9th spot.
b) A pool player request is made by the manager or coach of the team directly to the Player Agent NO LESS THAN 24 HOURS before the game. Please email David Sierra, the Player Agent, at [email protected].
c) The Player Agent will make the decision as to which player from the pool is selected to play on any given day.
d) Managers may not request specific players and should never reach out to players from other teams seeking pool players.
e) With 8 or fewer players available, Managers are required to make a Pool Player request. With 10 or more, no request should be made.
f) All requests are final.
g) Pool players are required to meet play 12 defensive outs and bat in the continuous batting order
h) Pool players may not pitch and must bat at the end of the batting order.
i) No more than three pool players may be requested for any one game.
j) Pool players must wear their own team’s uniforms.
k) Pool play helps SRLL run smoothly and provides a great opportunity for the player. If you are asked to be a pool player, the expectation is that you will accept.
l) Pool players may not play more innings than any rostered players present during a game.