2015 Bossier Little League

Summer Special Rules

The Summer program is meant to be a more laid back, fun, instructional season for our participants. Focus should be on teaching the fundamentals of the game, all the while incorporating a fun atmosphere, while learning the important lessons of Character, Courage, and Loyalty. We’ve listed some special rules incorporated into our Summer program to help achieve these goals. Other than these special Summer rules, Bossier Little League adheres to all Little League International rules, as published in the 2015 Little League Rulebook.

TeeBall:

  • All players present at a game will play on defense. After the basic 8 positions (there is no “catcher” position) are filled, it is encouraged to “fill in” with all other available players. It is recommended that the “outfielders” be positioned just beyond the infield dirt, upon the outfield grass.
  • All players in attendance of the game will bat in a “continuous” batting order. There will be no recorded outs in TeeBall. All batters will bat each inning.
  • Players are encouraged and to be taught to “throw” the ball to the designated base, rather than “chase” a base-runner.
  • Sliding at all bases, except 1st, is encouraged to avoid a collision with a defensive player.
  • “Time” will be called by the umpire and the ball considered dead when an infielder has position of the ball and has stopped the advancement of the lead runner.
  • Any batted ball that does not travel further than 3 feet from the Tee will be considered a foul ball. There is no bunting in TeeBall.
  • Base-runners are to remain in contact with the bag until the ball is batted in fair territory.
  • There is no mercy rule in Summer ball. Game time is 1 hour, drop dead time.

Machine Pitch:

  • All players present at the game will bat in a continuous batting order. An approved NOCSAE batting helmet with attached facemask is mandatory for all batters.
  • There will be 10 defensive player positions, with 4 in the outfield. All players should play on defense at least every other inning.
  • Machine speed will be set at 42mph, at a distance of 46 feet.
  • A batted ball that hits the machine shall be declared a dead ball, and all FORCED runners advance one base. If a thrown ball hits the machine, ALL runners will advance one base. There will be a 10’ diameter circle drawn around the pitching machine. Any batted OR thrown ball that comes to rest within this circle will be declared a dead ball and all FORCED runners advance one base.
  • The pitcher must remain no closer to home plate than the front legs of the machine until the ball is pitched clear of the machine.
  • No bunting during Summer ball, including slash, fake, or half swings. There will be no balls during Summer ball. There are no walks, including hit by pitch. Each batter will receive 5 pitches to put in play, upon the 5th pitch, if the ball is not put in play, the batter is called out. If the 5th pitch is hit foul, the batter may continue his/her at bat until either putting the ball in play, or missing the ball.
  • There will be NO “infield fly rule” in Summer ball.
  • All base-runners MUST remain in contact with the base until the ball is hit. There is no stealing in Machine Pitch, including past balls to the hitter. Base-runners may advance at their own risk on an overthrown ball to a base.
  • “Time” will be called by the umpire when an infielder is in possession of the ball and advancement of the lead runner has been stopped.
  • Catcher MUST wear a dangling throat protector affixed to the facemask. No “skull” caps allowed. Only a full coverage catcher mask is allowed. Males must wear a protective cup.
  • There is no “head-first” sliding allowed, unless the base-runner is “returning” to a base.
  • There will be a maximum of 5 runs per half-inning, regardless of the number of outs. When five (5) runs are scored, the offense/defense shall switch.
  • There is no mercy rule in Summer ball. Game time is 1:15 , drop dead time.

9-10 Minors:

  • All players present at the game will bat in a continuous batting order. An approved NOCSAE batting helmet with attached facemask is mandatory for all batters.
  • There will be 10 defensive player positions, with 4 in the outfield. All players should play on defense at least every other inning.
  • There will be NO “infield fly rule” in Summer ball.
  • All base-runners MUST remain in contact with the base until the ball is hit. There is no stealing, including past balls to the batter. A base-runner may advance, however, on an overthrown ball back to the pitcher, or any other base.
  • Catcher MUST wear a dangling throat protector affixed to the facemask. No “skull” caps allowed. Only a full coverage catcher mask/helmet is allowed. Males must wear a protective cup.
  • There is no “head-first” sliding allowed, unless the base-runner is “returning” to a base.
  • Sliding into a base is encouraged, and should be taught, in order to avoid contact with the defensive player.
  • Any player on the roster may pitch. A player may ONLY pitch in a maximum of two (2) innings per calendar week. Any player whom plays the position of catcher CANNOT play the position of pitcher if he has “caught” for more than four innings in a game.
  • There will be a maximum of 5 runs per half-inning, regardless of the number of outs. When five (5) runs are scored, the offense/defense shall switch.
  • There is no mercy rule in Summer ball. Game time is 1:30, drop dead time.

13-14 Junior:

  • All players present at the game will bat in a continuous batting order. An approved NOCSAE batting helmet is mandatory for all batters.
  • There will be 9 defensive player positions, with 3 in the outfield. All players should play on defense at least every other inning.
  • “Infield fly rule” SHALL be in play.
  • Catcher MUST wear a dangling throat protector affixed to the facemask. No “skull” caps allowed. Only a full coverage catcher mask/helmet is allowed. Males must wear a protective cup.
  • Sliding into a base is encouraged, and should be taught, in order to avoid contact with the defensive player.
  • A batter may advance, and the ball considered to be live, on a dropped third strike by the catcher.
  • Any player on the roster may pitch. A player may ONLY pitch in a maximum of two (2) innings per calendar week. Any player whom plays the position of catcher CANNOT play the position of pitcher if he has “caught” for more than four innings in a game.
  • There will be a maximum of 7 runs per half-inning, regardless of the number of outs. When seven (7) runs are scored, the offense/defense shall switch.
  • There will be NO mercy rule in Summer ball. Game time is 1:45, drop dead time.