SFLL LOCAL GROUND RULES

AAA-BALL

Coach's Guidelines

(For boys and girls age 8 to 11 who have not been drafted onto a Majors Baseball roster.)

Our  AAA division is the stepping stone to the Majors division. At this level, the coach's responsibility is that of sharpening and fine tuning the player's techniques and skills in preparation for entry into the Majors division. We have developed the following general guidelines to assist them. 

All baseball games shall be played by the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC. as established for the current playing year. The priority of rules and regulations for this League shall be as follows:

1. Official Regulations and Playing Rules of LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC.

2. Operating Manual for LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC.

3. SFLL Local Ground Rules

No rule or policy may be adopted within the League that is or may be in direct conflict with any rule, regulation or policy contained in publications of a higher priority as listed above.

 Field Layout & Positions

·          Review and reinforce the player's knowledge in this area early in the season.

·          Give all players the opportunity to develop new skills by allowing them to play as many positions as possible, keeping in mind player safety at all times.

·          Only 9 players may be on the field at any one time. 

·         Playing time- Each player present at a game is required to get equal playing time as all other players. No player is allowed to sit more than one inning at a time. No player can sit two consecutive innings.

Batting

·          Use a continuous batting order; all players should be placed in the batting order. All late arrivals will be placed in the bottom of the batting order.

·         Strikes and balls are per normal baseball guidelines.

·          Stealing is allowed.

·          No leading - runners cannot leave the base until the ball reaches the batter.

·          There is no infield fly rule at this level.

·         Runners may advance one base (excluding home) on a passed ball from the pitcher to the catcher.  If the catcher overthrows any base in an attempt to put out the base runner, the runner MAY NOT advance to the next base.    

·          Helmets must be worn at all times.

·         Bunting is allowed but slash bunting is not allowed and the batter is out (slash bunting is when a batter squares to bunt to draw players in and then tries to hit the baseball).

·          No on-deck batters are to be on the field or out of the field (including outside of the fence behind the dugout) at any time.

·         Batters may not advance on a dropped third strike or passed ball.

·

Pitching

·          Must use a minimum of two (2) pitchers per game.

·          Each pitcher may not pitch more than four (4) innings per game.

·         Pitchers may “warm up” in designated area.  All catchers warming up a pitcher must wear mask and a cup.  Coaches are permitted to warm up pitchers.

·          The number of pitches will determine how long a pitcher may remain in the game and the number of days rest required between pitching performances. (See Little League pitching guidelines in handbook).

·          There are no balks.

·         No intentional walks. 

·         The ball shall be considered “In Play” until the pitcher has touched the “rubber” or the umpire calls “Time”.  example:  Runners may advance if pitcher has not touched/toed the rubber after receiving the ball from the catcher or umpire calls time.  

·        Coaches are allowed TWO mound visits per pitcher.  Pitcher must be removed on the 3^rd visit. 

Games

·          Games are six (6) innings long unless the score is tied; extra innings are permitted.

·          Games should not exceed 2 hours. Coaches should use discretion, especially early in the season when daylight is limited, and should not begin a new inning if it cannot be completed under the circumstances.

·          Teams must play four (4) innings (3 ½ if the home team is ahead) for the game to constitute a complete game.

·          There is a four (4) run maximum per half (1/2) inning or three (3) outs, whichever comes first.

·          Unlimited runs in the last inning but, if the inning in not completed, then the team who was leading at the end of the last completed inning are the winner.  Coaches may agree to begin the “Last inning”  with unlimited runs early if time is getting short or daylight is a concern. 

·         League approved adult coaches should be used as base coaches on the 1st and 3rd baselines.