Cactus Foothills North Farm Division Local League Rules

Introduction

This page contains the local league rules for Cactus Foothills North Little League. The local rules do not replace or supersede Little League Incorporated rules, regulations, and/or policies.

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On this page:

Section 1: General
Section 2: Age
Section 3: Pitching
Section 4: Field Positions and Minimum Play Rules
Section 5: Play
Section 6: Field Preparation
Section 7: Snack Bar
Section 8: Black Mountain Ballpark
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Section 1: General

1.01:	The rules stated herein compliment Little League’s official regulations and playing rules for baseball. Little League Incorporated rules over-ride local rules. All rules and regulations from Little League Baseball(from the Little League International Official Regulations and Playing Rules for Baseball) apply.
1.02:	The purpose of this division is developmental--managers/coaches are encouraged to educate the players during play as long as it does not slow the pace of play.
1.03:	Farm division players will play on a standard Little League Field and follow the current Official Regulations and Playing Rules for Little League International.
1.04:	Both teams are responsible for preparing the field before and after the game. The home team provides game baseballs and is responsible for opening and staffing the snack bar.

Section 2: Age

2.01:

The Farm Division is comprised of a group of youngsters ages 7 - 8 in accordance with the current league age requirements.

Section 3: Pitching

3.01:

A pitching machine will be used instead of a live pitcher. The pitching machine will be operated by an adult who will also act as the umpire (typically a coach from the offense). The pitching machine will be set to operate at a speed of 35-40 which allows the ball to cross the plate with a slight arc. Both teams will approve the settings of the machine prior to the start of the game, and adjustments are only allowed for malfunctioning machine.

The pitching machine should be placed behind the pitcher's rubber to allow the child the maximum time to see the ball coming at them.

Section 4: Field Positions and Minimum Play Rules

4.01:	The home team shall occupy the 3rd base dugout and visitors shall occupy the 1st base dugout.
4.02:	A player will occupy the position of pitcher to field hit balls and receive throws.
4.03:	2010 LOCAL RULE CHANGE - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY There shall be a maximum of 10 players on the field when a team is on defense. When on defense, players will occupy the following positions: Infield: Catcher, Pitcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base, 3rd Base, and Shortstop Outfield - 4 Positions Only: Left Field, Left Center Field, Right Field, and Right Center Field (only 4 outfielders at any one time). NOTE: Outfield players must be a reasonable distance behind the infield. IMPORTANT: Players not participating on defense will remain on the bench and in the dugout (Local Rule 4.10). See rules 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, and 4.07 for rules regarding player participation. Players on the bench are to be rotated into the game (Local Rule 4.07).
4.04:	Little League Regulation IV(i): Every rostered player present at the start of the game will participate in each game for a minimum of 6 (six) defensive outs. PENALTY: If minimum play requirements are not achieved, the penalties as detailed in the Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules under Regulation IV(i) will be imposed.
4.05:	2010 LOCAL RULE CHANGE - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY A player shall spend no more than 1 consecutive inning on the bench.
4.06:	2010 LOCAL RULE CHANGE - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY A player shall spend a maximum of 2 innings on the bench.
4.07:	2010 LOCAL RULE CHANGE - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY ROTATING PLAYERS ON DEFENSE Since players may end up sitting on the bench, it is expected that players are rotated frequently so that every player has an opportunity to participate in the game per Little League regulations and Cactus Foothills North local league rules. Games are only 75 minutes long. In the event that an inning is "running long" and players on the bench are not having an opportunity to play as much, managers are permitted to call a defensive timeout to rotate players that may be on the bench into the game.
4.08:	One adult coach must always be in the dugout when any remaining players are in the dugout
4.09:	Two defensive coaches are allowed on the field but can't interfere with the game. Two adult base coaches (offense) are allowed.
4.10:	Players are to remain in the dug out if not on the field. No visits to snack bar or stands.

Section 5: Play

5.01:	Scheduled start time is official game time. No new inning after 1 hour from game time. An inning begins the moment the final out is recorded in the previous inning. Game ends after 1 hour 15 minutes.
5.02:	The batter will be given a maximum of seven pitches, after which the batter is out (it is the umpire's discretion to grant additional balls for a malfunctioning machine). If the batter reaches 3 strikes before the 7th pitch, he will be out. A batter who fouls off pitches after the second strike may continue batting, A batter who fouls off on the seventh pitch may continue batting, but must continue swinging at each additional pitch until 3 strikes are recorded or the ball is put into play. No walks. No bunting, stealing or leading off base before the ball is hit.
5.03:	If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the batter is awarded 1st base. All other runners shall NOT advance unless forced to do so because of the batter being awarded 1st base
5.04:	No on deck circle. No player is allowed to warm up with a bat either inside or outside of the dugout. The only exception is the 1st batter of a new inning is allowed outside the dugout with a bat, but can't take a position within the home plate area until told to do so by the umpire.
5.05:	All players will be placed in the batting line-up.
5.06:	Runners may advance only one base on overthrows to any part of the field. If the runner is on third base, this means that the runner may advance to home. Both offensive and defensive teams assume risks when either advancing from third to home or attempting to throw out a runner on third base, respectively.
5.07:	On ground balls hit through the infield and past outfielders, the batter and base runners may "take" as many bases they can reach safely. Base runners may not advance once the ball is returned to the pitcher's mound and controlled by the defensive team.The ground rule double rule will only be in effect if the ball travels outside the field of play (for ex, under a fence, over the fence, through an opening in a gate or fence). This local rule also applies to any fly ball that that is hit to the outfield.
5.08:	On fly balls that land in the outfield grass, the batter may continue to advance to as many bases that he/she can reach safely. Base runners may not advance once the ball is returned to the pitcher's mound and controlled by the defensive team. The ground rule double rule will only be in effect if the ball travels outside the field of play (for ex, under a fence, over the fence, through an opening in a gate or fence). This local rule also applies to any fly ball that that is hit to the outfield.
5.09:	All players are required to wear the league provided team uniform. Catchers must wear Little League required catchers equipment, including face mask with a throat protector and chest protector with hang down groin protector (the short chest protector is not LL Approved). CFLL North will provide all required catcher gear. However, a player may use their own catcher's equipment if the equipment meets Little League requirements. Male catchers must also wear a hard cup type athletic supporter. This protective equipment is strongly recommended for all male players.
5.10:	Both managers must agree to call the game due to time limit, weather or darkness.
5.11:	Game time is limited to 75 minutes.
5.12:	Scores and standings will not be kept. NOTE: The scoreboard is not to be used on fields with scoreboards (Black Mountain Ballpark).
5.13:	A "side" is retired in accordance with Little League Rule 5.07 for Minor League divisions, which are divisions between Tee Ball and Majors. A side is retired when: Three offensive players are legally put out - OR - All players on the roster have batted one time in the half-inning - OR - Five (5) runs are scored IMPORTANT NOTE: Only 5 runs count at any time in any inning. Extra runs scored as a result of any ongoing play are NOT counted - - just the 5 runs that have scored only.

Section 6: Field Preparation

6.01:	The home team is responsible for preparing the field for play before the game and provides 2 new game baseballs. Note: This includes dragging the infield, putting up the outfield fence, installing bases, chalking the foul lines and batters box.
6.02:	The home team is responsible for providing the official scorer and pitch count recording for the game.
6.03:	The visiting team is responsible for running the score board (Black Mountain Ballpark) and helping the home team prepare the field for the next game, including dragging, watering, or taking down fence if last game of the night (removing bases, drag field, watering, clean up around the bench and bleachers and emptying the trash cans).
6.04:	The home team provides game baseballs.
6.05:	The baseball field is to be prepared after each practice for future use – includes dragging, watering the infield, cleaning up/removing trash.
6.06:	The baseball field is to prepared after each game for future use – includes dragging, watering the infield, cleaning up/removing trash . After the game, visiting and home teams are responsible for preparing the field for either the next game or shutting the field down for the day (if it’s the late game).
6.07:	If the dugouts have doors, the doors are to be closed after every practice and/or game. The dugout doors are to remain closed during games and practices to avoid accidents.
6.08:	Water hoses are to be placed neatly near the quick couplers on either the left or right field side of the field. The covers to the quick coupler valves are to be put back in place over the valves after watering of the field has completed. Quick couplers valves are along the left and right field fence lines and behind the pitcher’s mound (Black Mountain Ballpark only).
6.09:	Do not remove the breakaway bases on the field (Black Mountain Ballpark).
6.10:	If the batting cages have doors (Black Mountain Ballpark), the doors are to be closed after practice or warm-ups before games.
6.11:	The L-screen is to remain in the batting cage.

Section 7: Snack Bar

7.01:

The home team is responsible for opening and staffing the snack bar.

Contact snacks@cfll-north.com with questions on snack bar operating procedures.

Operating Procedures:

Black Mountain Ballpark Snack Bar Opening and Close Procedures

Section 8: Black Mountain Ballpark

8.01:	The 1st and 3rd base field entry gates are to be locked after every practice.
8.02:	The 1st and 3rd base field entry gates are to be locked after the last game of the day.
8.03:	The entry gate south of the batting cages is to be closed after every practice and the last game of the day.
8.04:	The inner and outer large gates in the northeast side of the field (far right field corner) are to remain locked at all times.
8.05:	The equipment room is to be kept neat and free of debris.
8.06:	The deadbolt for the equipment room is to be locked after every practice and game.
8.07:	The scoreboard is to be turned off after the last game of the day. NOTE: The scoreboard is not to be used in FARM baseball games. Scores and standings are not kept.
8.08:	The visiting team is responsible for operating the scoreboard during games.
8.09:	The scoreboard remote is to be placed back in the Diamond Diner Snack Bar (in the top center drawer in the white cabinet along the back wall in the snack bar)

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