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Arroyo Grande Valley Little League

Arroyo Grande Valley Little League

RULES PER DIVISION

Last Updated: 12-14-23

Note: The rules listed below do not make up the entire rules for a Division, but an overview of key rules.  Download the Official Little League Rulebook App on your smart phone for the complete rules. 

T-BALL RULES

  • Players League Age 4 - 6.
  • T-Ball is a non-competitive division. No game score or division standings are kept.

  • The team formation will be determined by the Tee Ball League Division representative. 

  • A Manager shall have two (2) designated coaches (approved volunteers) to assist during game days. 

  • Games will last sixty (60) minutes. Play must be stopped at 60 minutes! No exceptions! Managers of both teams should try their best to end the game at a “good” stopping point, before the 60 minute hard cut-off. 

  • The first half of the season, all players will hit the ball off of a tee. The second half of the season, a coach will pitch underhand to each batter. Coaches will pitch up to three (3) pitches to a batter and if batter does not put the ball in play, then the batter will hit off a tee. Each batter shall have enough swings to put the ball in play.

  • The batting order will consist of all players in the game. Once play begins, the lineup cannot be changed except to remove a player due to an injury. A late arrival shall be added to the end of the lineup. Throughout the season, it shall be a priority to rotate the batting order so that all players have an opportunity to bat from each position in the lineup. 

  • Every player bats each inning. An inning ends after the entire offensive team has batted. The last batter will continue advancing bases until either put out or the defensive team gets the ball to home plate.

  • The defense is composed of all players present. The infield positions shall consist of a traditional baseball infield with the remaining player(s) occupying space behind the infielders. It shall be a priority of the manager that each player spends equal time at all positions in the field.

  • The defensive team may have up to two (2) coaches in the field. 

  • Under the USA Bat standard, certified Tee Ball bats (26″ and shorter) will feature the USA Baseball mark and text which reads ONLY FOR USE WITH APPROVED TEE BALLS. All Tee Ball bats must feature the USA Baseball mark and accompanying text. 
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FARM RULES

  • Players League Age 7 and 8. If spots permit, some League Age 6-year-olds may be drafted to this division, if approved by Farm Division Representative and Player Agent. 

  • Teams will be formed up to 12 players. Each coach may choose one (1) assistant coach. All other players are added by age and skill. The team formation will be decided by the Farm Division Representative and Player Agent.

  • No score will be kept and Coaches will serve as umpires.

  • The bases will be set at sixty (60) feet. 

  • Coach pitch for the first half of the season. The coach will pitch overhand to his/her players from a distance of 35’. Each player will get 5 chances (pitches) to put the ball in play. If the 5th pitch is fouled off, then the player will receive an extra pitch. No walks. The League wants to encourage kids to swing the bat. The second half of the season kids will pitch. The pitcher will pitch to the batter until there are 4 balls called by the umpire, then at this point the coach will pitch three hittable pitches to the batter. 

  • Games will run a maximum of 75 minutes or 6 innings. Play will be stopped at 75 minutes regardless of how many outs are recorded OR where the offensive team is in their lineup. Managers of both teams should try their best to end the game at a “good” stopping point, before the 75 minute hard cut-off.

  • The defensive team will position six (6) players in the infield and four (4) players in the outfield. Players must play in the infield by the 3rd inning. All players cannot sit out back-to-back innings on the bench and cannot sit more than two (2) innings in a game. 

  • The defensive team may have up to two (2) coaches in the field. The offensive team may have up to two (2) adult base coaches and one coach near home plate.

  • There will be NO stealing of bases, and no head first sliding.

  • Continuous batting order.

  • Teams will change sides after three (3) outs or one time through the batting order.

  • A base runner may only advance one base on an overthrow.

  • Under the USA Bat standard, certified Tee Ball bats (26″ and shorter) shall feature the USA Baseball mark and text which reads ONLY FOR USE WITH APPROVED TEE BALLS. All Tee Ball bats must feature the USA Baseball mark and accompanying text. Approved Tee Ball bats may also be used for Coach Pitch/Machine Pitch Divisions only with the use of approved Tee Balls. 

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MINORS RULES

GENERAL 

  • Players League Age 8 - 10. (Players who are League Age 7 may play with special Board approval.)

  • Players who are League Age 8 may request to NOT be drafted to the Minor League Division prior to the draft. The request will be honored by the League EXCEPT when the Board decides that the player imposes a safety risk to other players.

  • All players shall attend a Skills Assessment to be considered for a Minors team.

  • This is a competitive division. Score and division standings will be kept. Teams will be chosen by coaches in a draft. Teams will be formed to eleven (11) or twelve (12) players.

  • The league has a shortage of umpires. The league will attempt to schedule umpires for all minors games. If no umpire can be found for a game the league will need to rely on a system of minor coach and minor parent volunteers (volunteer system still being created). These volunteers may call balls and strikes from behind the pitcher’s mound. It is desired that the volunteer umpire not be affiliated with the two teams playing.

FIELD / GAMEPLAY

  • For innings one (1), two (2) and three (3) the side is retired when three offensive players are legally put out, called out by an umpire, or when all players on the roster have batted one time in the half-inning, or when the offensive team scores (5) runs. The five-run rule will NOT be in effect for innings four (4), five (5) and six (6)

  • Official umpires will call the game. Dropped 3rd strike rule is NOT in effect. Infield fly rule is NOT in effect. No "Must Slide" rule.

  • The bases shall be set at sixty (60) feet. Pitching mound shall be set at forty four (44) feet (rear tip of home plate to the back of the pitching rubber). Outfield fence is set at a distance of 175 feet.

  • Each player must play at least one (1) inning in the infield before the end of the third (3rd) inning, and no player shall sit consecutive innings in a game.

  • No Balks – if an illegal pitch is called with runners on or not, it is counted as a ball. 

  • Any runner is out when the runner slides head first while advancing.

  • NO metal spikes allowed.

  • When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher's plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher's box ready to receive delivery of the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. 

  • Base runners are allowed to steal home when a pitched ball is not caught cleanly by the catcher and is fully outside of the catchers box area. Once the pitcher is in control of the ball, the runner is not allowed to steal home, unless an attempt to put the runner out at 3rd base is attempted. 

BATTING 

  • There will be a continuous batting order for each game.

  • Bat Standards: Non-wood and laminated bats used in the Little League (Majors) and below, shall bear the USA Baseball logo signifying that the bat meets the USA Bat – USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard.

  • Bats shall not be more than 33″ inches in length; nor more than 2⅝ inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30″) at its smallest part. Wood bats taped or fitted with a sleeve may not exceed eighteen (18) inches from the small end. Solid one-piece wood barrel bats do not require a USA Baseball logo.

PITCHING / CATCHING

  • A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher in the same day. 

  • Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. 

  • A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moved to the pitcher position, and delivered 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day. 

  • If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. 

  • Managers or coaches are permitted to warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at any time including in-game warm-up, pre-game warm-up, and in other instances. They may also stand by to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bullpen.

  • Pitchers are held to the following pitch count regulations. The manager shall remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position.

  • A pitcher’s pitch count for the purposes of day(s) rest threshold is determined by the first pitch thrown to a batter. The pitcher may not start a new batter once the pitch limit has been met.

GAME LENGTH

  • Game length is six (6) innings. No new inning may begin after two hours of play.

  • After four (4) complete innings, if a game is called by the umpire for any reason (ie, daylight, rain…ect), it is considered a "complete game" and will not be made up or replayed.

  • If after three (3) innings, two and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after four (4) innings, three and one-half innings, if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after five (5) innings, four and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of eight (8) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. NOTE: If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15), ten (10), or eight (8) runs or more respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning.

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MAJORS RULES

GENERAL

  • Players League Age 10 - 12. (Players who are League Age 9 may play with special Board approval.

  • Players who are League Age 10 may request to NOT be drafted to the Major League Division prior to the draft. The request will be honored by the League EXCEPT when the Board decides that the player imposes a safety risk to other players.

  • All players shall attend a Skills Assessment to be considered for a Majors team.

  • This is a competitive division. Score and division standings will be kept. Teams will be chosen by coaches in a draft. Teams will be formed to eleven (11) or twelve (12) players. 

FIELD / GAMEPLAY 

  • The side is retired when three offensive players are legally put out or called out by an umpire. The Majors division does NOT have a five-run rule per inning.

  • Official umpires will call the game. Dropped 3rd strike rule is in effect. Infield fly rule will be in effect and called by umpires. No "Must Slide" rule. 

  • The bases shall be set at sixty (60) feet. Pitching mound shall be set at forty six (46) feet (rear tip of home plate to the back of the pitching rubber). Outfield fence is set at a distance of 200 feet. 

  • All Players must play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs per game. 

  • No Balks – if an illegal pitch is called with runners on or not, it is counted as a ball. 

  • Any runner is out when the runner slides head first while advancing. 

  • NO metal spikes allowed. 

  • When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher's plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher's box ready to receive delivery of the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. 

BATTING

  • There will be a continuous batting order for each game. 

  • Bat Standards: Non-wood and laminated bats used in the Little League (Majors) and below, shall bear the USA Baseball logo signifying that the bat meets the USA Bat – USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard. All BPF – 1.15 bats shall be prohibited.

  • Bats shall not be more than 33″ inches in length; nor more than 2⅝ inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30″) at its smallest part. Wood bats taped or fitted with a sleeve may not exceed eighteen (18) inches from the small end. Solid one-piece wood barrel bats do not require a USA Baseball logo. 

PITCHING / CATCHING

  • Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.

  • A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher in the same day.

  • A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moved to the pitcher position, and delivered 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day.

  • If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

  • Managers or coaches are permitted to warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at any time including in-game warm-up, pre-game warm-up, and in other instances. They may also stand by to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bullpen. 

  • Pitchers are held to the following pitch count regulations. The manager shall remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position. 

  • A pitcher’s pitch count for the purposes of day(s) rest threshold is determined by the first pitch thrown to a batter. The pitcher may not start a new batter once the pitch limit has been met. 

GAME LENGTH

  • Game length is six (6) innings. No new inning may begin after two hours of play. 

  • After four (4) complete innings, if a game is called by the umpire for any reason (ie, daylight, rain…ect), it is considered a "complete game" and will not be made up or replayed. 

  • If after three (3) innings, two and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after four (4) innings, three and one-half innings, if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after five (5) innings, four and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of eight (8) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. 
    • NOTE: If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15), ten (10), or eight (8) runs or more respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning.  
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INTERMEDIATE RULES

GENERAL 

  • Players League Age 11 - 13. All players league age 13 that sign up and try out and shall drafted to an intermediate team. 11 and 12 year olds who sign up and tryout will be evaluated by the Board approved managers and the Player Agent. If deemed ready, they will be drafted to an Intermediate team. If it is decided, said player(s) will be held down to the next lower division offered.

  • Players who are League Age 11 & 12 may request to NOT be drafted to the Intermediate League Division prior to the draft. The request will be honored by the League EXCEPT when the Board decides that the player poses a safety risk to other players. 

  • A player shall attend an Intermediate Skills Assessment to be considered for an Intermediate team.

  • This is a competitive division. Score and division standings will be kept. Teams will be chosen by coaches in a draft. Teams will be formed to eleven (11) or twelve (12) players.

FIELD / GAMEPLAY

  • The side is retired when three offensive players are legally put out or called out by an umpire. The Intermediate division does NOT have a five-run rule per inning.

  • Official umpires will call the game. Dropped 3rd strike rule is in effect. Infield fly rule will be in effect and called by umpires. No "Must Slide" rule.

  • The bases shall be set at seventy (70) feet. Pitching mound shall be set at fifty (50) feet (rear tip of home plate to the back of the pitching rubber). Outfield fence shall be set at a distance of 225 feet. 

  • All Players must play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs per game. 

  • Balks will be enforced. 

BATTING

  • There will be a continuous batting order for each game.

  • Bat Standards: Non-wood and laminated bats used in the Intermediate Division shall bear the USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard logo. Also, permitted for the Intermediate Division are bats meeting the BBCOR performance standard, and so labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. All BPF – 1.15 bats shall be prohibited. 

  • Bats shall not be more than 34″ inches in length; nor more than 2⅝ inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30″) at its smallest part. Wood bats taped or fitted with a sleeve may not exceed eighteen (18) inches from the small end. Solid one-piece wood barrel bats do not require a USA Baseball logo. 

PITCHING / CATCHING

  • NO metal spikes allowed on synthetic pitching mounds. When possible, potential pitchers should already have their cleats changed before the pitching change is made. 

  • Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. 

  • A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moved to the pitcher position, and delivered 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day.

  • If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

  • A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different defensive position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game. 

  • Managers or coaches are permitted to warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at any time including in-game warm-up, pre-game warm-up, and in other instances. They may also stand by to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bullpen. 

  • Pitchers are held to the following pitch count regulations. The manager shall remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position.

  • A pitcher’s pitch count for the purposes of day(s) rest threshold is determined by the first pitch thrown to a batter. The pitcher may not start a new batter once the pitch limit has been met. 

GAME LENGTH

  • Game length is seven (7) innings. No new inning may begin after two hours and 15 minutes of play.

  • After four (4) complete innings, if a game is called by the umpire for any reason (ie, daylight, rain…ect), it is considered a "complete game" and will not be made up or replayed.

  • If after four (4) innings, three and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after (5) five innings, four and one-half innings, if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after six (6) innings, five and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of eight (8) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent.

    •  NOTE: If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15), ten (10), or eight (8) runs or more respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning. 
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JUNIORS RULES (NEW DIVISION!)

GENERAL

  • Players League Age 13- 14. All players league age 14 that sign up and try out and shall drafted to a Junior team. 13 year olds who sign up and tryout will be evaluated by the Board approved managers and the Player Agent. If deemed ready, they will be drafted to an Junior team. If it is decided, said player(s) will be held down to the next lower division offered.

  • Players who are League Age 13 may request to NOT be drafted to the Junior League Division prior to the draft. The request will be honored by the League EXCEPT when the Board decides that the player poses a safety risk to other players. 

  • A player shall attend a Junior Skills Assessment to be considered for a Junior team.

  • This is a competitive division. Score and division standings will be kept. Teams will be chosen by coaches in a draft. Teams will be formed to eleven (11) or twelve (12) players.

FIELD / GAMEPLAY

  • The side is retired when three offensive players are legally put out or called out by an umpire. The Intermediate division does NOT have a five-run rule per inning.

  • Official umpires will call the game. Dropped 3rd strike rule is in effect. Infield fly rule will be in effect and called by umpires. No "Must Slide" rule.

  • The bases shall be set at seventy (90) feet. Pitching mound shall be set at fifty (60.6) feet (rear tip of home plate to the back of the pitching rubber). Outfield fence shall be set at a distance of 325 feet. 

  • All Players must play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs per game. 

  • Balks will be enforced. 

BATTING

  • There will be a continuous batting order for each game.

  • Bat Standards: Non-wood and laminated bats used in the Intermediate Division shall bear the USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard logo. Also, permitted for the Intermediate Division are bats meeting the BBCOR performance standard, and so labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. All BPF – 1.15 bats shall be prohibited. 

  • Bats shall not be more than 34″ inches in length; nor more than 2⅝ inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30″) at its smallest part. Wood bats taped or fitted with a sleeve may not exceed eighteen (18) inches from the small end. Solid one-piece wood barrel bats do not require a USA Baseball logo. 

PITCHING / CATCHING

  • NO metal spikes allowed on synthetic pitching mounds. When possible, potential pitchers should already have their cleats changed before the pitching change is made. 

  • Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. 

  • A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moved to the pitcher position, and delivered 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day.

  • If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.

  • A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different defensive position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game. 

  • Managers or coaches are permitted to warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at any time including in-game warm-up, pre-game warm-up, and in other instances. They may also stand by to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bullpen. 

  • Pitchers are held to the following pitch count regulations. The manager shall remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position.

  • A pitcher’s pitch count for the purposes of day(s) rest threshold is determined by the first pitch thrown to a batter. The pitcher may not start a new batter once the pitch limit has been met. 

MORE TO COME with regards to game play and length


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Contact

Arroyo Grande Valley Little League
Arroyo Grande Valley Little League, P.O. Box 355
Arroyo Grande, California 93421

Email: [email protected]

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