2025 SAN RAFAEL LITTLE LEAGUE RULES – ROOKIE 

Division Commissioner: Erik Bianchi - [email protected]

1. ELIGIBILITY: Players must be 6 or 7 years old little league age and have played one year of tee ball. 

2. PLAYER ASSIGNMENTS: It is mandatory for every player on a team to be scheduled to play and rotate  through every position on the field throughout the season. Players should alternate between infield  and outfield positions each inning whenever possible. 

3. INFIELD PLAYER SAFETY: Should a player be scheduled to play an infield position (i.e., 1st base,  pitcher), and the player is uncomfortable with that position, the Manager/Coach may replace that player  with an alternate infielder for that inning. However, the player chosen to play that position must not  have played that position in the game already and may not play that position after that inning. 

4. COACH PITCH: Pitching can be from any position within the pitching circle. Each player will be given 6  pitches. After 6 pitches, the player will hit from the tee. Each coach may make occasional exceptions to  this rule, if the player is making great attempts and hitting foul balls. 

3. 3-OUT RULE or OUTS: No 3 Out Rule! This rule is meant to provide an opportunity for each player to  bat at least 3 times in a 3-inning game. Should the base runner get caught in a forced out, tagged out, or  did not tag up on a fly ball, that player will be considered as an out and return to his/her dugout. Make it  a learning experience! 

4. BATTER SAFETY: Offensive team’s players may not be outside the dugout at any time or “on deck.”  Only the at-bat hitter may hold a bat in the batter’s box. There is no batting practice before games. 

5. PLAYERS’ BATS: If a player brings their own bat to a game, the bat must be shared with all players on  the team. Bats must comply with the USA Bat Standard and certified with a USA Bat sticker/symbol. 

6. BATTERS PER INNING: Each team may only bat though the batting order once per inning. Every player  bat through the line-up. 

7. PITCHER'S CIRCLE: To stop a play or advancement of a runner, the defensive team must throw the ball  to the pitcher’s circle. The ball need not be caught, but the ball must simply pass through the circle to  cease play. If the runner is not more than half-way to the next base, the runner needs to return to the  previous base. Two players may be assigned inside the pitcher circle located on opposite sides of the  Pitching Coach.

8. SHORT OUTFIELDER: The short outfielder or SHORT CENTER is located directly behind 2nd base. This  player, when involved with a ground ball, may not make an unassisted force out at second base. It is  required the short outfielder toss, flip or throw the ball to another player for a force out at 2nd base.  Should the short outfielder make a force out at second by him/herself on 2nd base, the runner will be  considered safe. 

9. BASEBALL TYPE: The Lower Rookies will use the “SOFT” little league baseballs. No teams may play or  practice with the Little League hard baseballs. 

10. AUTHORIZED COACHES - “OFFENSE”: Each batting team may have a Coach Pitcher, Coach behind  home plate, a 1st base coach and a 3rd base coach – for a total of 4 coaches on the field.  

11. AUTHORIZED COACHES - "DEFENSE": Each defensive team may have only two coaches on the  perimeter of the outfield. 

12. CLOSE CALLS: A collective judgment between the Managers, and a favorable benefit given to the  runner. 

13. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Any player exhibiting, displaying, verbalizing unsportsmanlike  conduct will receive ONE warning. If the conduct continues, for the best interest of the team and  individual, the Manager will remove the player from that game/practice. Should abusive language be  used anytime, the player will be removed from the activity immediately and notify the Rookie  Commissioner. 

“Types of unfavorable behavior”
• Deliberately throwing a bat or glove, batting helmet
• Talking back or challenging a call made by the umpire or parent
• Bullying, teasing, touching, harassing or intimidating other players
• Climbing the dugout fence
• Standing on the dugout bench 

14. DUGOUTS: The dugout is reserved for players of the team only. No exceptions. Each team is  required to have one adult in the dugout each inning. 

15. PROTECTIVE CUPS: Required for all male players 

16. FIRST AID: Basic first aid medical supplies and ice packs are in the shed. There is an AED in the Glenwood Snack Shack at the Majors Field.

17. PLAYER INJURY: Should a player appear to require medical attention of any kind the team  manager / head coach is required to: 

• Fill out the player injury form located on SRLL.net immediately.
• Notify the Rookie Commissioner 

18. PLAYER APPEARANCE: Players will present a full uniform appearance. The uniform shirts should be  tucked in and caps worn properly (facing forward).