Objective
The Majors division is for children age 11 and 12 years old and is played in a competitive environment with slightly modified rules to keep the pace of the game.
Game Play
- Number of Players on Team (Callups)
- Goal is to have no more than 11 Players per team.
- A game can start with eight (8) players present. If the manager knows only eight (8) players will be available, the manager may contact the Player Agent to invoke the call-up protocol procedure.
- Prior to Opening Day, the Player Agent shall make a list of the players selected in the first round of the AAA draft who could be used as substitutes for Majors teams. Parental permission must be gained as a condition of calling up a player. In the event a Majors team will have only six (6) or seven (7) eligible players as of game time, Managers should contact the Player Agent to invoke the call-up protocol procedure.
- Any player called up must play one of the three outfield positions during the entire game and bat at the end of the lineup.
- If a team does not have eight (8) players by 15 minutes after the scheduled game time the game will be ruled a forfeit.
- If the number of players drops below eight (8) during play, the game is an automatic forfeit.
- Every player must play at least one inning in the infield in every game, with the following exceptions:
- The game is suspended or called by the umpire due to inclement weather or other conditions prior to being completed.
- If the coach believes the player should not play the infield due to safety reasons, it is the coach’s responsibility to inform the parent. If the parent disagrees, they may inform Player Agent, who will be the arbiter in each case.
- Number of Players in Field at a Time / Batting Order
- 9 Players (P, C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF, RF)
- Continuous batting order
- If additional players show up after the game starts, they will be placed at the end of the batting lineup.
- Minimum Playing Time
ALL has adopted a stricter requirement on the managers, with respect to playing time, than Regulation IV (i) of the Official Regulations Playing Rules and Policies (Green book).- Rosters with 12 or less players: Defensive subs must play a minimum of 3 innings in the field. If the visiting team does not play the bottom of the 6th inning, the third inning of play is waived.
- As a result of (a), no player shall sit more than 2 innings or 6 consecutive defensive outs.
- Rosters with 13 or more players: Minimum playing time is set to 2 innings.
- If player arrives after the 2nd inning has started, the manager will not be responsible for the minimum playing time.
- If a player is not given his/her minimum playing time, the matter will be referred to the board for resolution, and the player will play offensively and defensively the entire next game.
- If a Manager intentionally does not adhere to the rules of playing time will be suspended from the next game. If a Manager is found in violation of the rule a second time is subject to removal from the league.
- Pitching Rules
- Pitchers, Pitch Counters, and Pitching Logs:
Pitchers: Managers need to be familiar with Regulation IV of the Little League Official Regulations, Playing Rules and Policies (green book) which defines the pitching and pitcher/catcher rules for the AAA and Majors divisions. Amesbury Little League use Option 1.
- Note 1: Per Little League Official Regulations, Playing Rules and Policies, [VI (c)]: 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; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half inning or the game. 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.
- Pitching Logs: Managers must fill out the pitching log immediately following their game, when the pitch counter is turned in. Failure to comply with the completion of the logs will result in the board taking disciplinary action against the manager. Disciplinary action will include a warning for the first offense and a possible suspension for subsequent offenses.
- Pitch Count
- Pitch counters can be signed out at the concession stand and must be returned after each game.
- Each team manager is responsible for turning in the counter at the conclusion of the game.
- The count will be tracked every ½ inning and will be recorded in the scorebook, after an agreed upon count. Discrepancies in the count between two teams will be corrected as follows; a difference of one count – use the home teams count; a difference of more than one is split in half and rounded down if necessary.
- Each team must identify to the umpire who will track the pitch count for that team in that game. However, it is the manager who is responsible for the accuracy of the count and it is the manager who will announce the count to the opposing team or umpire when requested to do so.
- Pitchers are not allowed to throw a breaking ball during regular season or ALL playoffs.
- Intentional walks are not allowed.
- Base Running
- Runners advance at their own risk. Per Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules [7.13]: “When the pitcher is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher’s box ready to receive delivery of the ball, runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter.” Note: If the batter-runner has drawn a base on balls, as long as the batter is making one continuous movement to advance past first base, he/she is not frozen by the action of the pitcher and/or catcher (per 7.13 above). He/she may continue on to second base and the pitcher has the option to make a play on the batter / runner or disregard the advancement of the batter/runner and allow the base to be stolen.
- Steals
- Unlimited for all bases (including Home). No dancing off the base is permitted in Majors.
- Sliding
- Bunting
- Bunting is allowed.
- No fake bunting / swing away allowed.
- Coaches on Field
- Base Coaching:
- Base coaches are there to manage the base runners only. They may not question the umpire on a call. A base coach cannot physically touch a runner as to hold him/her back from proceeding on or push a runner on. This will result in the runner being called out for interference by the base coach. The dugout must always be manned by a manager or coach listed on the team roster.
- Base coaches can be coaches or players although adults are strongly preferred. If adults, they must be from the bench coaches involved with that game. At no time shall an adult from the spectators be allowed onto the field as base coach. Players must wear a helmet while coaching a base.
Majors Level: One coach can be utilized as a base coach, the second base coach has to come from players on the bench. Players must wear a helmet when coaching a base.
- Inning Ends When…
- The third out of an inning.
- When the completion of six innings and the score is tied, the following tie-breaker will be played to determine a winning team: a. The seventh inning will be played as normal. b. Starting in the top of the eighth inning, and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base. EXAMPLE: If the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four batter in the batting order will be placed on second base. An eligible substitute or special pinch runner may be inserted for the runner.
- Batter is Out when…
- Uncaught Third Strike.
- Per Little League Rules – Runners may advance at their own risk.
- Game Time or Innings
- Six (6) Innings
- A twelve (12) run spread at the end of an inning will automatically end regular season games once the game is official. An official game is three and a half (3-1/2) innings if the home team is winning and four (4) innings if the home team is losing.
- Field of Play
- Per Little League Rules.
- Turning on the lights will be at the discretion of the umpire or an available Board Member.
- Thrown Bat
- If a player accidentally throws a bat while swinging the following will apply:
- First time the player and both teams will receive a warning.
- Second time the same player from that team throws a bat during that game, that player will be removed from the batting order, and the team will take an out in the batting order, at his/her position.
Coach's Responsibilities/Helpful Hints
- Managers and coaches must remain in the dugout and must ask permission from the umpire to come onto the field for a conference with either a player or an umpire. Only the manager and up to two League-approved coaches are allowed in the dugout during a given game.
- Prior to the start of each game, managers must exchange their lineup cards with the opposing team. The information must include batting order and uniform numbers.
- The Home team is responsible for having game balls (2 per game only) on hand and scoreboard numbers for the game. Game balls are stored in the concession stand.
- Numbers are stored in the Joboxes in the first base dugout. The electronic scoring equipment is located in the Snack Shack.
- No game balls will be provided until a home team parent is present to work the concession stand.
- Each team must ensure all equipment (bases, numbers, rakes and helmets) is returned to storage either in the garage or Joboxes after the last game of the day.
- Each team is required to rake the mound and the plate area following the game.
- If teams want the field raked and lined for games it is their responsibility to arrive early enough to accomplish it. On field warmups begin 30 minutes before game time.
Umpires
- Assigned by Merrimack Valley Umpires Association.
Playoffs
There are rainouts in postseason play. In the event of rain, if the home team is winning after 3.5 innings, the game shall be considered concluded. All other games will be played to their conclusion, meaning 6 (six) innings must be completed. If games are suspended for any other reason they will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
The 12 run mercy rule is still effect for the playoffs. This applies anytime after the losing team has had 4 at bats and down my 12 or more runs.
- A single or double elimination tournament format consisting of all teams will be used.
- The higher seeded team will be the home team. The last team in the winner’s bracket will be the Home team in the finals.
- There are no player callups allowed in the Playoffs.
- There are no automatic outs in the Playoffs.
If teams end the season with identical records the following tie breakers will prevail for playoffs and draft order:
- Head-to-head competition between the teams.
- The fewest amount of runs allowed head to head.
- The fewest amount of runs allowed for the entire season.
Summer Teams
Amesbury Little League will enter the following list of teams into the tournament, if coaching staffs are available.
- Williamsport team – made up of 11- and 12-year-old players. (ALL does not allow 10-year-olds to participate on the Williamsport team.)
- 12 years old – District B team
- 11 years old – District team
- 11 years old – District B team
Selection of Managers:
The Board of Directors will select the managers via the following process:
- Solicit volunteers from current Majors managers and coaches.
- List is given to the board for ballot.
- Board votes approval of manager.
- Candidates under consideration for manager of the Williamsport team must agree to manage a second tournament, if ALL does not advance out of District play.
Selection of Coaches:
- Approved manager selects team coaches.
- Board votes approval of coaches.
Selection of Players for Williamsport team:
Selection of Players for Williamsport team:
1. Prior to June 1, the Majors managers, ALL president and Williamsport manager will meet to come to a consensus on the roster. The team will be named on or after June 1, in accordance with Little League rules. There are no formal tryouts. Any coach within ALL can assist.
2. The tournament manager submits the player list to the board for review and approval.
3. The tournament manager contacts each player to get an agreement on the commitment required, and that proof of age (a municipal birth certificate, stamped) and proof of residency (two proofs, only one can be a bill) are necessary.
4. The tournament manager (or tournament coordinator) collects the necessary paperwork, fills out the affidavit and submits it to the District Administrator for acceptance.
Selection of Players for 11-Year-Old District Team:
Each regular season team manager may submit recommendations. The manager of the district team is allowed to select any eligible player.
Selection of Players for Non-district (B) Teams:
The manager of the team is allowed to pick players at their discretion.
Note: If there becomes a need to change/add a manager/coach or player, the board votes approval of the amendment before play.
Tournament Play and player eligibility will be governed by the Little League Baseball Official Regulations, Playing Rules and Policies book.
Pitchers shall be allowed to throw breaking balls in Little League tournament play.