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2010 Regulation and Rule Changes
November 5, 2009
Below is a synopsis of the significant changes to the Rules and
Regulations for 2010 in the divisions noted, as of this date.
The exact wording of the Rules and Regulations noted will be provided in
the coming weeks. It is expected that rule books will be available soon
as well.
(Note: Unless noted otherwise, these changes apply to all divisions)
REGULATIONS
Regulation I (c) 8 - Note 1: Added a sentence stating that if a league
elects to operate a Tee Ball baseball program only, it must use the
league age determination date that is noted in the regulation. (Baseball
only.)
Regulation IV (a) - Junior League: Added language making it clear that
when a 12-year-old player is found to be ineligible under this
regulation, that player and/or his/her team are subject to removal from
the International Tournament by action of the Tournament Committee.
Regulation VI - Note 4: Added language making it clear that a resumed
game or contest decided by forfeit does not constitute a "game" for the
purpose of this regulation, unless one completed inning was played
before the game ended or the game was forfeited.
Regulation XIV (e): Added language making it clear that alcohol is
prohibited at the game site.
PLAYING RULES
Rule 1.10: Added language making it clear that any bat that has been
altered must be removed from play.
Rule 1.11 (h): Added language making it acceptable for Junior, Senior
and Big League players to wear metal spikes or cleats. (Added for
softball only. This rule already applies to these divisions in
baseball.)
Rule 1.11 (k): Added language making it clear that casts may not be worn
by players and umpires during the game, and that persons wearing casts,
including managers and coaches, must remain in the dugout during the
game.
Rule 1.14: Standardized the limits on the size of fielders' gloves.
Rule 2.00 Definition of Pitch: Added language making it clear that a
balk or illegal pitch, whether or not a pitch is actually delivered to a
batter, counts as a pitch in determining the pitch count for that
pitcher. (Baseball only.)
Rule 3.03 - No. 6: Added language making it clear defensive
substitutions must be made while the team is on defense, and offensive
substitutions must be made at the time the offensive player has her/his
turn at bat or is on base. (Also added to Rule 3.03 for Big League.)
Rule 5.07, Minor League: Added language providing that the five-run rule
may be suspended in the last half inning for either team, by option of
the local league.
TOURNAMENT RULES AND GUIDELINES
Responsibility and Chain of Command: Added language making it clear that
the Tournament Committee may impose penalties it deems appropriate, or
may take action to correct a situation, regardless of the source of
information.
Conditions of Tournament Play - Protests - C. Use of an ineligible
player: Added language making it clear that any violation of Regulations
may result in a team having an ineligible player.
SAFETY
Appendix A: Added Lightning Safety Guidelines.
Appendix D: Added Bat Modifications and Alterations Policy.
NOTES
Various Regulations, Regular Season Rules, and Tournament Rules: The
deadline for submitting forms that deal with Tournament Eligibility -
i.e., regular season player roster forms, Regulation II (d) and
Regulation IV (h) forms, waiver requests, chartering, fee payments,
combined teams and interleague play forms, etc. - is June 8, 2010.
Adults and Minors in Positions of Authority: Changes were made to Rule
2.00, Rule 4.1, Rule 9.01, Rule 9.03, Rule 9.04, and the Tournament
Rules and Guidelines, making it clear that Minors may serve as coach or
umpire under specific and limited circumstances as noted in each rule.
(Summary: A coach who is 16 or 17 may only serve as a coach if the adult
manager and another adult coach are appointed. A person who is not an
adult may serve in a game as an umpire, including as plate umpire,
provided one or more other adults are also umpires for that game.
However, that non-adult umpire cannot be designated as umpire-in-chief
for that game. The umpire-in-chief is not required to be the plate
umpire.)
Sincerely,
Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA 17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074
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