Fall Ball Rules 2021

This Local League Rules is designed only to list the VLL local rules and regulations. All other

rules and regulations governing the operation of VLL and the playing of the games are in

accordance with two books published by the worldwide governing body of Little League

baseball - the 2021 Official Little League Rulebook, Official Regulations, Playing Rules and

Operating Policies. Copies of this manual are available to all VLL Board Members and

Managers. This VLL Local League Rules does not supersede anything contained in the official

Little League publication.

We strongly encourage all managers and coaches to read and become familiar

with all Little League Rules and Regulations, especially all new Rules for the 2021

season.

We also strongly encourage all parents, managers and coaches to remember that

Little League is just a step - an important step - in the development of your child

as an athlete and as a person. Please keep this in perspective in your treatment of,

and attitude toward both the players on the field and the volunteers - the

managers, coaches, Board members, team parents, snack bar help, scorekeepers

and umpires, who give their time, efforts to make this League a source of pride

for your family and for our community.

Duties and Responsibilities of Managers and Coaches

1. The Manager has total responsibility for the operation and conduct of the team in

accordance with Little League Rules and local rules established by the Board. Failure

to comply with these objectives and the rules described herein can result in up to,

but not limited to:

a. Written warning.

b. Suspension from games.

c. Termination of position.

2. The team Manager or Coach is responsible for staying with players until they are

picked up by a parent or guardian from any team function.

3. The Manager must teach both good baseball and good sportsmanship. The Manager

is accountable for the game behavior of the team's players and Team Coaches. Good

sportsmanship and positive comments toward the players and umpires is required.

4. Profanity on the field is not permitted and is grounds for suspension.

5. Both team Managers and coaches are responsible for maintenance of the field both

before and after the game.

6. For AAA, Majors, Intermediate and Juniors only the Manager and 2 previously

approved coaches (or adult volunteers with a background check) are allowed in the

dugout or on the field during games. One adult must be in the dugout at all times

during games.

7. The coach's main duty is to assist and support the Manager. The coach has the same

responsibility as the Manager concerning treatment of players. The Manager, in

cooperation with the President, may discharge a coach from his duties.

8. Home team Manager or coach (or VLL Manager or coach if an interleague game) of

the last game played must stay until the Board Member on Duty secures the fields.

This is to ensure everyone’s safety.

9. All Managers must contact their Division Representative in person and in writing

concerning issues before approaching the Board.

10. Only Managers may talk to Umpires during a game

11. Team members (player or staff) shall not communicate with persons in the stands

once taking the field prior to a scheduled game. This includes during allowed

excursions off the field.

12. Once a game has begun, the Umpire is in charge of the field. The Scorekeeper works

for the Umpire and should not intervene in the game but only respond to the umpire

when asked a question (i.e. the scorekeeper should not tell the umpire when a batter

has batted out of order unless asked). Managers are not to engage the Board

Member on Duty (BMOD) to get involved in disputes. The Manager may suggest that

the Umpire request assistance from the BMOD, but it is the Umpire's decision on

whether to do so.

13. Upon completion of the game, both Managers are required to sign the Official Pitcher

Eligibility Form to verify the accuracy of the pitch counts recorded during the game.

14. During games, BMOD has the right to remove any Manager for actions considered

detrimental to Little League; the violation would then be brought to the Board for

final action on the removal. At any time, the President has the right to remove and

suspend any Manager for actions considered detrimental to Little League pending

final action by the board. For objectionable actions occurring outside of Little League

activities or functions, the President shall bring the matter to the Board, which will

consider suspension of the offending Manager.

15. Should a disciplinary problem arise with a player, the Player Agent and Division

Representative shall be notified within 24 hours of the issue/problem. The parents of

the player shall be notified as soon as possible.

16. Should a player require discipline resulting in suspension, the Player Agent and

Division Representative must be notified prior to the game, preferably 24 hours in

advance of the scheduled start time.

17. Should a player be removed from the game for disciplinary reasons during a game,

the board member on duty, the Division Representative, and the parents shall be

notified upon completion of the game as to the reason.

18. Should a player, team staff member, or spectator be ejected from the game, they

shall immediately leave the playing and viewing area (i.e., must be at or beyond the

handicapped parking area). Players without supervision will be required to remain in

the dugout until supervision arrives. The Board will review the offense and the party

may be subject to further discipline as determined by the board. Any Manager,

coach, player ejected from a game is suspended for his or her team’s next physically

played game, per Little League rule 4.07

19. Managers of AA, AAA and Majors divisions are each strongly encouraged to umpire

one game per half season (2 games total). They may only umpire a game in a

different division other than what they manage and their child may not be playing in

the game.

7. Games

1. It is the policy of the VLL board that only games called due to weather and/or facility

problems be rescheduled. “A”, “AA”, and “AAA” games terminated due to time

limitations are final. Major Division games suspended due to curfew may be

scheduled for completion. See Division Rules for specifics.

2. Any required make-up games (or suspended games) will be rescheduled by the

league scheduler. Games will be rescheduled in the first available time slot on a “first

canceled, first rescheduled basis.” If the rescheduled games forces a team to play

three consecutive days, this rule will be waived and the rescheduled game will be

moved to the next available date.

3. It is the responsibility of BOTH team managers to prepare the field prior to taking

infield warm-ups. The field preparations include the watering of dirt areas, raking the

infield, chalking the lines and placement of bases. These preparations should be

completed 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.

4. Teams will not be allowed on the infield until all of the field prep is completed and

both managers and the Board member on duty have approved the field. The field will

be used for infield warm-ups, if time allows, in the following manner and will be

enforced by BMOD: visitors will take the field 30 minutes before the game for a

maximum of 10 minutes, followed by the home team for a maximum of 10 minutes.

Both teams will have the same opportunity (time) on the field for warm-ups. Should

the full 30 minutes prior to start time be unavailable, the time will be divided

equally. Warm-up time is not guaranteed. No team will be on the field 5 minutes prior

to the start of the game.

5. Pre-Game Hitting- No cages allocated for pre-game hitting.

6. Pool Players in Majors and AAA Divisions can only be brought into a game to cap a

team at 10 players. The league’s player agent will manage the pool.

A.Intermediate 

1. The VLL Intermediate division will include player’s league age 13, 12 and 11 years only. 

2. Games are to be 7 innings and there is a two hour time limit in the Intermediate Division. 

3. A Maximum of 3 approved coaches, (1 Manager, and 2 Coaches), (16 years old and up), one (18 years or older) of which must remain in the dugout at all times, are allowed. Players, managers and coaches must receive permission from the umpire to leave the dugout at any time during the game. 

4. The VLL Intermediate teams will play under the agreed to interleague rules

established by the participating leagues presidents. 

Interleague rules:

• 7 innings or 2-hour dead stop time limit(if time limit is reached the batter shall finish his/her a bat and the game will end).
• All pitchers may pitch a maximum of two (2) consecutive innings per game.
• Each player MUST play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs per game, and continuous bat around will apply.   Fall ball is designed to be instructional.  The objective is to play each player in all the position(s) where the player has expressed an interest
• The maximum of five (5) runs per inning rule is in effect.  Scoreboard and Gamechanger will be used for the use of training of parents and volunteers for the Spring Season.

B. Majors

1. 6 innings or 2-hour dead stop time limit(if time limit is reached the batter shall finish his/her a bat and the game will end).
2. Per LL 4.10 (e), if one team has a lead of 10 runs or more at the end of an inning, and at least four innings have been completed (three and one-half if the home team is ahead), the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede victory to the opponent.All pitchers may pitch a maximum of two (2) consecutive innings per game.

1. Each player MUST play a minimum of six (6) defensive outs per game, and continuous bat around will apply.   Fall ball is designed to be instructional.  The objective is to play each player in all the position(s) where the player has expressed an interest
2. The maximum of five (5) runs per inning rule is in effect.  
3. Courtesy runner shall be allowed with two outs for the pitcher and catcher. The runner shall be the player who was the last recorded out.

AAA Division

1. During Fall Ball AAA games are 90 minutes.

2. Minimum Play Rule (MPR): During regular season play, every player must play a

minimum of two defensive innings (6 outs) in games that last five defensive innings

or more. Any player who fails to meet the MPR requirements will start the next

game and complete the current game MPR before being replaced. (as per LL

Regulations IV (i))

3. Teams may score a maximum of 5 runs per inning, including the final inning of the

game.

4. If one team has a lead of 15 runs or more at the end of an inning, and at least four

innings have been completed (three and one-half if the home team is ahead), the

manager of the team with the least runs shall concede victory to the opponent..

5. Courtesy runner shall be allowed with two outs for the pitcher and catcher. The

runner shall be the player who was the last recorded out.

AA Division

1. All games will end one hour and thirty minutes after the scheduled start

time.

2. No player may sit out more than two innings per game. No player shall sit a second

time in a season until all players have sat once. This extends to sitting the second

time, third time, fourth time, and so on. No player may sit on the bench in excess

of one time more than any other player, throughout the entire season.

3. Players shall have the opportunity to play all positions, consistent with any safety

concerns. Players shall be rotated among infield and outfield positions at least every

two innings, consistent with any safety concerns.

4. Pitching machines will be used until the completion of the 3rd inning. Thereafter

player or coach pitch is used for the remainder of the game.

5. During the first half of the season, defensive coaches may be on the field but must

be positioned on the outfield grass unless one is required to call balls and strikes.

During the second half of the season, all defensive coaches must remain in the

dugout except to call balls and strikes as necessary.

6. Innings will end when three outs are made, or when the entire batting order has

had one at bat. The number of players in the batter order is not relevant during

regular season games. All baserunners will stop advancing when an infielder is in

possession of the ball, play is relaxed, and the infielder is attempting to return the

ball to the pitching mound area. Infielder is in possession of the ball anywhere on

the field.

7. Ten players are allowed on the field. The tenth player must play in the outfield.

8. There are no walks.

9. There will be no base stealing.

10. Bunts are allowed. No fake bunt swings allowed.

11. Protests are not allowed.

12. A manager, coach, or approved staff member will operate a pitching machine. No

bunting off of a coach pitch.

13. Each batter is allowed a maximum of 5 pitches (strikes) off the machine. If the ball

is not put into play the batter is declared out. If the 5th pitch is fouled off, the

player continues their at-bat (as they would with 2 strikes in live pitching).

14. The ball is dead if the batted ball hits the pitching machine. Players will advance

one base and the batter is awarded first base.

15. Courtesy runners may be used for catchers at any time. The runner shall be the

player who made the last batted out.

16. During live pitching, after ball four, the batter will hit off a coach’s pitch and be

limited to a maximum of three pitches total.

17. If a pitched ball hits a player, they shall be given the choice of taking their base or

receiving three pitches from the coach.

18. During live pitching, a coach on the defensive team shall umpire.

19. Pitchers are limited to 50 pitches per game or one inning per game, but may exceed

50 pitches to complete a player’s at bat.

20. Pitchers shall be removed as pitchers after walking 5 hitters or hitting 3 hitters in an

inning.

21. Players shall not act as first or third base coaches.

22. Rained out games may not be rescheduled. The scheduler may attempt to schedule

makeup games, depending on field availability.

23. Scores and divisional standings shall not be kept.

24. Pitching machines will be set between 38-42MPH.

A Division

1. All A division games will be limited to one hour.
2. No new inning shall start within five minutes of the end time.
3. Innings will end when three outs are made, or when the entire batting order has had one at bat. The number of players in the batting lineup is not relevant.
4. There will be no base stealing.
5. Each batter is allowed a maximum of 5 pitches (strikes) off the machine. If the ball is not put into play the batter is declared out. If the 5th pitch is fouled off, the player continues their at-bat (as they would with 2 strikes in live pitching).
6. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball is dead. Players will advance one base and the batter is awarded first.
7. All play stops when the defensive team returns the ball to the pitching area. The pitching area is defined as (roughly) a ten-foot radius around the mound.
8. A manager, coach, or approved staff member will operate the pitching machine.
9. An approved adult must remain in the dugout when children are present.
10. Players shall not act as first or third base coaches.
11. All players take the field, with standard infield positions being filled. All others will play in  the outfield.
12. Players shall have the opportunity to play all positions, consistent with any safety concerns. Players shall be rotated between infield and outfield positions every inning, consistent with any safety concerns.
13. Protests are not allowed.
14. Rained out games are not subject to being rescheduled. The Division Representative may attempt to schedule makeup games depending on field availability.
15. Scores and divisional standings shall not be kept.
16. Defensive coaches on the field must be positioned on the outfield grass.
17. Pitching machine will be set between 38-42MPH at coaches discretion
18. Teams must be able to field nine (9) players.  If a team fails to place nine players the managers of both teams can elect to use players from the opposing team so that the game can be played.

The coach/umpire feeding the machine may elect to call a “no pitch” if the ball is over the head of the batter, in the dirt or otherwise unhittable if and only if the batter does not swing.

T-Ball

1. T-ball playing time will be one hour.

2. Teams will bat the entire roster. All players shall bat each inning. There are no outs.

Every hit is a single. Runners will advance one base. No advancing on overthrows.

Final batter of the inning gets to hit a grand slam clearing all bases. Please rotate a

different lead off and last batter every game.

3. The batters will hit off the tee only until the final two weeks of the season. During

the last two weeks of the season ”coach pitch” can be used for up to a maximum of

5 pitches. Thereafter the batter will return to hitting off the tee.

4. All players take the field, with standard infield positions being filled. All others will

play in the outfield.

5. The defensive team will umpire the calls on the field.

6. Players shall be rotated between infield and outfield positions every inning

consistent with any safety concerns.

7. No catchers should be used.

Player Replacement 

1. All Managers will notify the Player Agent once a player misses a combination of six consecutive practices or games, regardless of the reason, providing all available information as to the cause for the absence. It is the responsibility of the Player Agent and the Board to determine if the reason is justified and/or if disciplinary action is warranted. 

2. If player replacement is deemed appropriate, players will be replaced based on the eligibility list provided by the Player Agent. 

3. The Manager must fill the opening within seven days of being notified by the Board that the player must be replaced. If the Manager fails to fill the vacancy in the allotted time the Player Agent and/or the Board shall appoint a player to fill the vacancy. 

4. Any player selected to fill a vacancy who decides not to accept the appointment, shall not be eligible to fill a subsequent vacancy.