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1.01 (Includes:
Batters in Lineups)
Baseball is a game between two teams of nine fielders each, under
direction of a manager, played on an enclosed field in accordance with
these rules, under jurisdiction of one or more umpires.
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Jr.
Travel League Exception:
All players shall bat in the lineup.
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Major
League Exception:
(a) A tenth fielder is allowed; (b) All players shall bat in the
lineup.
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Minor
League Exception:
(a) A tenth fielder is allowed; (b) All players shall bat in the
lineup.
1.02 (Includes:
Object of Game)
The objective of each team is to win by scoring more runs than the
opponent.
1.03 (Includes:
Declaring Winner)
The winner of the game shall be that team which shall have scored, in
accordance with these rules, the greater number of runs at the
conclusion of a regulation game.
1.04 (Includes:
Field regulations)
THE PLAYING FIELD. The field shall be laid out according to the
instructions below. The infield shall be a 90 foot square.
The
outfield shall be the area beyond the infield between two foul lines
formed by extending two sides of the square. There are no league
requirements for distance from home base to the nearest fence, stand or
other obstruction on fair territory.
The
infield shall be graded so that the base lines and home plate are level.
It is recommended that the pitcher's plate shall be 10 inches above the
level of home plate and that the degree of slope from a point 6 inches
in front of the pitcher's plate to a point 6 feet toward home plate
shall be 1 inch to 1 foot, and such degree of slope shall be uniform.
The
infield and outfield, including the boundary lines, are fair territory
and all other area is foul territory. It is desirable that the line from
home base through the pitchers plate to second base shall run East
Northeast. For travel leagues, it is recommended that the
distance from home base to the backstop, and from the base lines to the
nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on foul territory shall be 60
feet when conditions allow. The catcher's box, the coaches' boxes, the
three foot first base lines and the next batter's boxes (often referred
to as the “on deck circle”) if laid out shall be done so according
to Major League Baseball guidelines.
The foul lines, if laid out, shall be marked with lime, chalk or
other white material.
1.05 (Includes:
Home base regulations)
Home base shall be marked by a five sided slab of whitened rubber. It
shall be a 17 inch square with two of the corners removed so that one
edge is 17 inches long, two adjacent sides are 8 1/2 inches and the
remaining two sides are 12 inches and set at an angle to make a point.
It shall be placed, (recommended to be set in the ground) with the point
at the intersection of the lines extending from home base to first base
and to third base; with the 17 inch edge facing the pitcher's plate, and
the two 12 inch edges coinciding with the first and third base lines.
The top edges of home base shall be beveled and the base shall be fixed
in the ground level with the ground surface.
1.06 (Includes:
Base regulations)
First, second and third bases shall be marked by white “bases”.
Break-away style bases are recommended to insure safety. The first and
third base bags shall be entirely within the fair territory of the
infield. The second base bag shall be centered on second base. The bases
shall be 15 inches square, not less than three nor more than five inches
thick, and filled with or made from soft material.
1.07 (Includes:
Pitcher’s plate regulations)
The pitcher's plate shall be a rectangular slab of whitened rubber, 24
inches by 6 inches. It shall be set in the ground so that the distance
between the pitcher's plate and home base (the rear point of home plate)
shall be 60 feet, 6 inches.
1.08 (Includes:
Providing team benches)
It is the responsibility of the
home club to furnish players' benches, one each for the home and
visiting teams. Such benches should preferably not be less than
twenty five feet from the base lines. If possible, they should be
roofed and enclosed at the back and ends.
1.09 (Includes:
Ball regulations)
The ball shall be a sphere formed by yarn wound around a small core of
cork, rubber or similar material, covered with two stripes of white
horsehide or cowhide, tightly stitched together. It shall weigh not less
than five nor more than 5 1/4 ounces avoirdupois and measure not less
than nine nor more than 9 1/4 inches in circumference. The individual
league directors shall approve all styles of balls to be used.
1.10
(Includes:
Bat regulations)
(a)
The bat shall be: Little League approved and bear visible manufacturer
inscribed evidence that it is “Little League approved”.
NOTE: If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to
the rules until a time during or after which the bat has been used in
play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out, or ejected
from the game. (b) No colored bat may be used in a professional game
unless approved by the Rules Committee. (c) All bats must be taped or
fitted with a sleeve for a minimum of 10 inches but not more that 18
inches from the handle end of the bat.
1.11 (Includes:
Uniform regulations)
(a) (1) It is preferred that all players on a team shall wear
uniforms identical in color, trim and style, and all players uniforms
shall include minimal six inch numbers on their backs. (2) It is
preferred that any part of an undershirt exposed to view shall be of
a uniform solid color for all players on a team. Any player other
than the pitcher may have numbers, letters, insignia attached to the
sleeve of the undershirt. (b) No player shall wear ragged, frayed or
slit sleeves. (c) No player shall attach to his uniform tape or other
material of a different color from his uniform. (d) No part of the
uniform shall include a pattern that imitates or suggests the shape of a
baseball. (e) Glass buttons and polished metal shall not be used on a
uniform. (g) No player shall attach anything to the heel or toe of his
shoe other than the ordinary shoe plate or toe plate. Shoes with metal
or pointed spikes shall not be worn. (f) At minimum with regard to the
preceding, Long pants,
shirt, rubber or molded cleats/sneakers and baseball hats are required
to participate in a game. It is expected that the player’s uniform be
worn. No steel cleats or leather sole shoes will be permitted on the
field during practices or games. Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
Managers, Umpires and Directors are to monitor and enforce this rule.
1.12 (Includes:
Catcher’s glove regulations)
There are no league requirements pertaining to the catcher’s glove,
however Catchers must
use a catcher’s glove. All male players are advised to wear athletic
supporters. Catchers (male) must wear the metal fiber or plastic type
cup. Any person catching must wear a mask during practice, pitcher
warm-up, and games.
1.13 (Includes:
First baseman’s glove regulations)
There are no league requirements pertaining to the first baseman’s
glove other than to have no abnormal additions to its original
condition..
1.14 (Includes:
Fielder’s glove regulations)
There are no league requirements pertaining to the fielder’s glove
other than to have no abnormal additions to its original
condition.
1.15
(Includes:
Pitcher’s glove regulations)
(a) The pitcher's glove shall be uniform in color, including all
stitching, lacing and webbing. The pitcher's glove may not be white or
gray. (b) No pitcher shall attach to his glove any foreign material of a
color different from the glove.
1.16
(Includes:
Protective helmet regulations)
(a) All players shall use
some type of protective helmet while at bat. (b) All players shall wear
a double ear flap helmet while at bat. (c) All catchers shall wear a
catcher's protective helmet, while fielding their position. (e) All
bat/ball boys or girls shall wear a protective helmet while performing
their duties. If the umpire observes any violation of these rules, he
shall direct the violation to be corrected. If the violation is not
corrected within a reasonable time, in the umpire's judgment, the umpire
shall eject the offender from the game, and disciplinary action, as
appropriate, will be recommended. |
