WGLL Local Ground Rules
SPRING 2023
Winter Garden Little League adheres to the Rules, Regulations and Policies of Little League Baseball, Incorporated (the “green book” or “rulebook”) with the exception of the Local Ground Rules as outlined in this document. The Local Ground Rules pertain to particular situations or field conditions that are not specifically covered in the rulebook.
Tee-Ball Division
Tee-ball is instructional in purpose to teach young (3-5 year olds) player’s fundamentals of baseball in a fun learning environment.
1. Each team is allowed One (1) Manager, Three (3) Coaches.
2. Runs scored and defensive outs are not to be counted.
3. Teams shall bat an equal number of times.
4. In each half inning, teams shall bat the entire roster one (1) time.
5. Little League approved Tee-ball baseballs are used for practices and games.
6. Batter shall have five (5) swings to put the ball in play.
7. Bunting is NOT permitted in T-Ball.
8. A foul ball on the fifth swing allows for additional swings until the ball is in play or the batter misses the ball. (A foul ball is a ball not reaching the infield grass or into foul territory)
9. All players shall play on the field with no players on the bench.
a. Each player must play an infield position at least one inning, with six (6) players in the infield, including pitcher and catcher. Infield positions may be positioned along the front edge of the infield clay. Remaining players positioned in the outfield may be positioned at the back edge of the infield clay.
b. The catcher will be equipped with a facemask and a catcher's glove.
c. Pitcher shall remain in the pitcher circle until ball is in play.
10. Runners may only advance one base at a time per live ball.
11. Games shall not start until the Concession Stand is staffed per league schedule.
TIME LIMITS:
1. A complete game consists of Three (3) innings or sixty (60) minutes.
2. A new inning may not begin 45 minutes after the start of the game.
A Division
The “A” division is instructional in purpose to teach young (5-6 year old) players the fundamentals of baseball in a fun learning environment. Skill Development, Teamwork and Fair Play are emphasized rather than a competitive game environment. All five, and six -year-old players may play in the A Division after one (1) season of Spring Tee Ball.
* Single-A games may start with 8 players on a team. There will be no penalty (no out) for a missing player in the lineup. (Voted on and passed by WGLL BOD 2/11/2021.)
1. Each team is allowed One (1) Manager, Three (3) Coaches.
2. A complete half inning is when three (3) outs are recorded or three (3) runs score.
3. In the fifth inning ONLY, teams shall:
a. Bat an equal number of players one (1) time, or until Three (3) outs are recorded.
b. The team with the greater number of players determines the number of at bats.
4. Little League approved Minor Division Baseballs are used.
5. Infield Fly Rule is NOT in affect for the Single A Division.
6. Bunting is NOT permitted in Single A Division.
7. A continuous batting order is used meaning all players present for the game shall bat.
a. Batter shall have five (5) pitches to put the ball in play. The batter may swing at all 5 pitches and will not be called out on strikes but will be declared out on the fifth pitch unless that pitch is fouled off.
b. A player who fouls off the fifth pitch and any subsequent pitch remain at bat until: Swing and Hit (ball in play). Swing and Miss (Out). No Swing (Out). (There will be no base awarded for walks)
8. A maximum of (13) defensive players and two coaches shall be on the field.
c. Six (6) players in the infield, including pitcher and catcher. All infielders (other than pitcher and catcher) are required to be positioned in the infield clay until the ball reaches home plate. (Voted on and approved by WGLL Board of Directors on March 10, 2019.) The remaining players are positioned in the outfield, minimum of twenty (20) feet back from infield clay. If a team has 9 players, they must utilize a catcher and 3 outfielders. If a team has 8 or fewer players, a manager may discuss with the other manager about removing your catcher for a 3rd outfielder or 2nd outfielder if you have 7.
d. All players must play at least two innings (6 defensive outs) in the infield prior to the start of the 5th inning. Failure to do could result in the manager being suspended from their next game played. Catcher does not count as an infield position of the 2 innings that must be played by each player.
e. Players may NOT play the same position for more than 2 innings in a game
f. Catcher shall be properly equipped.
g. Pitcher shall remain in the pitcher circle until ball is in play.
h. The Coach Pitcher shall not receive or touch the ball until the ball is no longer live.
9. A ball remains live until the ball is thrown into the infield and an infielder has control of the ball. (For this rule, ask yourself this: would the runner advance if a Major League player were controlling the ball? This rule is intended to prevent abuse of base running when under normal circumstance the runner would not advance)
10. Runners may not advance to the next base once the umpire calls time.
i. Runner is awarded the next base only if more than halfway to the next base.
j. Runners who stop or return to a base are not awarded the next base and may be thrown out
k. Each runner is allowed to advance at their own risk one (1) base on an overthrow and no extra bases on any subsequent throw.
11. Games shall not start until Concession Stand is staffed per league schedule.
TIME LIMITS:
1. A complete game consists of five (5) innings or one hour and thirty minutes.
2. A new inning may not begin one hour and thirty minutes after the start of the game.
MANAGERS/COACHES:
1. Managers and coaches shall follow the direction of the field umpire if present.
2. Two adult base coaches are allowed. Two defensive coaches are allowed in the outfield. An approved coach must remain in the dugout with any other players. Managers and coaches are also responsible for keeping their kids safe. No player may have a bat in their hand unless they have a helmet on their head and are headed to the batter's box. One coach may be positioned behind home plate to help with pace of play. The coach can retrieve the ball only when it doesn't interfere with play.
3. The home team shall prep the field before the game and the visiting team will be responsible to rework the pitching mound and area around home plate after the game. Failure to do so may result in the team's manager suspended from their next scheduled game.
4. Both team managers and coaches shall cleanup dugouts and bleachers after the game and encourage their parents and fans to keep their area clean.
5. There are no protests in the A Division.
6. Games are played in accordance with Little League Rules and Regulations unless stated in these ground rules.
PITCHING MACHINE:
PITCHING MACHINE:
1. A pitching machine will be used to pitch the entire game, set up at 40ft, with the back of the machine at the front of the artificial mound. No player is allowed to use or touch the machine.
2. The settings used in the A Division shall be speed setting 3.
3. Players are not allowed within 3 feet of the pitching machine at any time while on the field.
4. A manager, coach or umpire shall remain with the machine between innings.
5. Both Managers are responsible for setting and testing the unit before the game.
GAME OFFICIALS:
1. An umpire may or may not be present and are not required. The A Division umpires may be either a volunteer from the stands whom has completed a volunteer application form, a league approved umpire scheduled by the league, a player from either the Senior or Junior Divisions or a volunteer from a local High School, or any other person appointed by WGLL to officiate the game.
2. The coach for the defensive team (team on the field) if an umpire is not present, shall
a. Keep count of number of pitches thrown
b. Call bases, (safe and out), for the duration of the game No Coach or Player will be allowed to harass, insult or otherwise demean the umpire(s) present on the field. In extreme cases the player or coach involved may be suspended from their next game played even if they were not formerly ejected from the game. All situations pertaining to umpire harassment shall be immediately reported to the Umpire in Chief and President for WGLL and suspensions, if any will be decided after discussion of the event with the league’s Disciplinary Committee. Coaches are also responsible for their fans and parent's behavior. If there is an unruly parent or fan it is the responsibility of the coach to ask them to refrain from their behavior. Unruly spectators may cause the game to be suspended until the Board Member on Duty removes them from the facility.
Rookies Division
(Voted on and passed by WGLL BOD 2/15/2023)
The AA Division is instructional in purpose to teach young (7&8 year old) players the fundamentals of baseball in a fun learning environment.
* AA games may start with 8 players on a team. There will be no penalty (no out) for a missing player in the lineup. (Voted on and passed by WGLL BOD 2/11/2021.)
1. Each team is allowed One (1) Manager, Three (3) Coaches.
2. A complete half inning is when three (3) outs are recorded or three (3) runs score.
3. Each game will be played for a maximum of five (5) innings regardless of if there is a tied score.
4. In the fifth inning ONLY, teams shall:
a. Bat an equal number of players one (1) time, or until three (3) outs are recorded.
b. The team with the greater number of players determines the number of at bats
5. Little League approved Minor Division Baseballs are used.
6. Infield Fly Rule is NOT in affect for the Double AA Division.
7. Bunting is NOT permitted in Double AA Division.
8. A player/pitcher will pitch the first two innings of the game along with coach pitch, however coach pitch will only be used in the first 2 innings once the count gets to 3 balls. In the 3rd inning coach pitch will be used for the remainder of the game.
When a player/pitcher is on the mound the rules are as follows:
a. Each player is allowed to pitch a maximum of one (1) inning per week.
b. The player/pitcher will throw from a removable pitching rubber/mound placed at 40ft.
c. In the first two innings, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter until:
i. The ball is put into play
ii. The batter strikes out
iii. The batter is hit by a pitch (1st base is awarded to the batter)
iv. The pitcher runs the count to 3 balls. Once the pitcher runs the count to 3 balls, the remainder of the at bat shall be delivered by coach pitch, operated by the offensive team’s coach.
d) Coach Pitch will assume the count of the batter at the time it is brought into play.
e) The batter is allowed to view or “take” the pitch in the batter’s box in order to adjust to the speed.
f) If the coach does not deliver a pitch within the strike zone, it will be considered a “no pitch” as determined by the umpire (usually the coach pitching.) Note: This should not occur more than once per at bat.
g) There are no walks and a batter is not awarded first base if hit by a pitch from the coach pitch.
9. If a batted ball strikes the coach, it is a dead ball, the batter is awarded a single, and runners will advance one base
10. Base stealing will not be allowed in the AA Division.
11. When Coach Pitching is used (innings 3-5), the offensive team’s coach shall pitch. The batter shall have (4) pitches to put the ball in play. There will be no walks while coach pitching is used and the batter will be out after three (3) misses or four (4) pitches provided the fourth and subsequent pitches are not fouled off. Foul balls count as a miss on pitches 1-3. A foul ball on a 3rd swing will result in another pitch. A player who fouls off the fourth pitch and any subsequent pitch remains at bat until; Swing and Hit (ball in play); Swing and Miss (Out); No Swing (Out). No at bat shall end on a foul ball.
12. No player shall be allowed to sit more than one inning in a row.
13. A Maximum of ten (10) defensive players and two (2) coaches shall be present on the field.
a. Six (6) players in the infield, including pitcher and catcher. All infielders (other than pitcher and catcher) are required to be positioned in the infield clay until the ball reaches home plate. Remaining players are positioned in the outfield, minimum of twenty (20) feet back from infield clay.
b. All players must play at least two innings (6 defensive outs) in the infield. Failure to do so will result in the manager being suspended from their next game played. Catcher will only be considered a position and count towards the two innings of mandatory play in innings 1 and 2 while a player is pitching. Catcher does not count as an infield position in innings 3-5 while coach pitching is being used.
c. Players may NOT play the same position for more than 2 innings in a game.
d. Pitcher shall remain in the pitcher circle until ball is in play.
14. A ball remains live until the ball is thrown into the infield and an infielder has control of the ball (For this rule, ask yourself this: would the runner advance if a Major League player were controlling the ball? This rule is intended to prevent abuse of base running when under normal circumstance the runner would not advance)
a. The “Coach Pitcher” shall not receive or touch the ball until the ball is no longer live.
15. Runners may not advance to the next base once the umpire calls time.
a. Runner is awarded the next base if more than halfway to the next base.
b. Runners who stop or return to a base are not awarded the next base.
c. Runners are allowed to advance at their own risk one (1) base on an overthrow; no extra bases are rewarded on any subsequent throw.
16. Games shall not start until Concession Stand is staffed per league schedule
TIME LIMITS:
1. A new inning may not begin one hour and thirty minutes after the start of the game.
MANAGERS/ COACHES:
1. Two adult base coaches are allowed. Only two defensive coaches are allowed on the field. These two coaches may be positioned only in the outfield foul area of first and third base. An approved coach must remain in the dugout with any other players. Managers and coaches are also responsible for keeping their kids safe. No player may have a bat in their hand unless they have a helmet on their head and are headed to the batter's box.
2. There are no protests in the AA Division.
GAME OFFICIALS:
1. An umpire may or may not be present and are not required. The AA Division umpires may be either a volunteer from the stands who has completed a volunteer application form, a league approved umpire scheduled by the league, a player from either the Senior or Junior Divisions, a volunteer from a local High School or any person appointed by the league to officiate the game.
2. The coach for the defensive team (team on the field) shall call balls and strikes during the first two innings if an umpire is not present. (Batters are encouraged to swing and put the ball in play, coaches should encourage this by fairly calling balls and strikes)
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Minors Division
The Minors (formerly AAA) Division is an extension of the Majors Division consisting of 8-10 year old players.
* Minors games may start with 8 players on a team. “Teams will be allowed to start a game with 8 players; however, the missing player in the lineup will count as an out until a 9th player arrives, regardless of where the player is in the lineup. (Voted on and passed by WGLL BOD 2/11/2021.)
1. Each team is allowed One (1) Manager, Two (2) Coaches.
2. A complete half inning is when three (3) outs are recorded or five (5) runs score.
3. In the sixth inning ONLY, teams shall:
a. Bat an equal number of players one time, or until 3 outs are recorded.
b. The team with the greater number of players determines the number of at bats.
4. Minors division shall adopt a policy of a continuous batting order that will include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order.
5. Uncaught (“Dropped”) third strike is not in effect for Minors Division.
6. Pitcher shall not pitch more than the maximum of 55 pitches in a calendar week beginning on Monday, while also adhering to any Green Book days of rest. (Weekly pitch limits are subject to change).
7. All players MUST play at least one inning (3 defensive outs) in the infield. Failure to do so may result in the manager being suspended for the next game. Voted on and passed by WGLL Board of Directors on 8/5/2018.
8. No player shall be allowed to sit more than one inning in a row.
9. Games shall not start until Concession Stand is staffed per league schedule.
TIME LIMITS:
A new inning may not begin one hour and forty-five minutes after the start of the game.
At 7:15pm, if either team cannot mathematically match the opponents score, the game will be considered complete and a hard stop will occur at 7:15pm. For this rule, it doesn’t matter if the home or visiting team is at bat. Voted on and passed by WGLL Board of Directors on 2/13/2020.
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Major Division
The Major Division is the core division of Little League Baseball consisting of 10-12 year old players.
1. Each team is allowed One (1) Manager, Two (2) Coaches.
2. Majors division shall adopt a policy of a continuous batting order that will include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order.
3. Pitcher shall not pitch more than the maximum of 65 pitches in a calendar week, beginning on Monday, while also adhering to any Green Book days of rest. (Weekly pitch limits are subject to change).
4. No player shall be allowed to sit more than one inning in a row.
5. It is encouraged to have all players play at least one inning (3 defensive outs) in the infield.
6. Games shall not start until Concession Stand is staffed per league schedule.
TIME LIMITS:
1. A new inning may not begin one hour and forty-five minutes after the start of the game.