Vista Little League
Fall Ball Local Rules – 2025
This Local League Rules document 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 the 2025 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 document 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 the new rules for the 2025 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 and effort to make this League a source of pride for your family and for our community.
Duties & Responsibilities of Managers and Coaches
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 can result in:
Written warning
Suspension from games
Termination of position
Managers/coaches must stay with players until they are picked up by a parent/guardian after any team function.
Managers must teach both good baseball and good sportsmanship. They are accountable for the game behavior of players and coaches. Positive comments toward players and umpires are required.
Profanity is prohibited and may result in suspension.
Both teams are responsible for field maintenance before and after games.
For AAA, Majors, Intermediate, and Juniors: only the Manager and 2 approved coaches (with background checks) are allowed in the dugout/on the field. One adult must remain in the dugout at all times.
Coaches support the Manager and have the same responsibility regarding treatment of players. The President, with the Manager’s input, may discharge a coach.
The home team Manager/coach of the last game (or VLL rep in interleague) must stay until the Board Member on Duty (BMOD) secures the fields.
All Managers must contact their Division Rep (in person and in writing) before approaching the Board with issues.
Only Managers may speak to Umpires during games.
Players and staff may not communicate with the stands once the game has started.
Once a game begins, the Umpire is in charge of the field. The scorekeeper works for the Umpire and only provides information when asked. Managers may not use the BMOD to intervene in disputes (the Umpire may choose to consult the BMOD).
The BMOD or President may remove a Manager for actions considered detrimental to Little League, subject to Board review.
Disciplinary Issues with players must be reported to the Player Agent and Division Rep within 24 hours. Parents should be notified promptly.
If a player will be suspended, the Player Agent and Division Rep must be notified before the game (preferably 24 hours in advance).
If a player is removed for disciplinary reasons during a game, the BMOD, Division Rep, and parents must be informed after the game.
Any player, staff member, or spectator ejected must leave the playing/viewing area immediately (beyond the handicapped parking area). Players without supervision must remain in the dugout until supervision arrives. Ejected Managers/coaches/players are suspended for their team’s next physically played game (per LL Rule 4.07).
Managers of AA, AAA, and Majors divisions are strongly encouraged to umpire one game per half-season (two total), in a different division and not involving their own child
Games
Only games canceled due to weather/facility issues will be rescheduled. “A,” “AA,” and “AAA” games stopped for time limits are final. Major Division games suspended due to curfew may be rescheduled.
Make-up games will be rescheduled by the league scheduler on a first-canceled, first-rescheduled basis. If rescheduling forces a team to play three consecutive days, this rule may be waived.
Teams will not take the infield until field prep is complete and approved by both managers and the BMOD. Warm-ups: Visitors (10 min), Home (10 min). No team may be on the field in the 5 minutes before game time. Warm-up time is not guaranteed.
No cages are allocated for pre-game hitting.
Pool players (Intermediate, Majors, AAA): may only be used to cap a team at 10 players. Pool is managed by the Player Agent.
Continuous Batting Order (CBO) will be in effect for all divisions and for all games. Every rostered player will be placed in the batting lineup and will bat in order, regardless of whether they are playing defense that inning. The order remains fixed for the duration of the game.
Lineup Rotation Between Games will be in effect for all divisions. To ensure fairness over the course of the season, the batting order must rotate between games:
The player who batted first in the previous game will bat last in the following game.
All other players will move up one spot in the order.
This process repeats each game so all players rotate through leadoff and bottom of the order over the season.
Jewelry is allowed.
Player Replacement
Managers must notify the Player Agent if a player misses 6 consecutive practices/games.
The Board will decide if replacement is needed.
If replacement is required, the Manager must fill the opening within 7 days or the Board will appoint a replacement.
Any player who declines a replacement spot is not eligible for another.
Division Rules
Intermediate - Interleague rules as set by league presidents.
6 innings or 2 hours, whichever comes first.
Unlimited Substitution. Managers are encouraged to rotate players to different positions, hopefully every inning.
Courtesy runner with 2 outs for pitcher/catcher (last out).
Innings will end when three outs are recorded or all rostered batters have completed a time at bat, whichever comes first.
Pitchers: Max 2 innings or 6 outs (whichever comes first). To move from pitcher → catcher, the pitcher must not exceed 40 pitches, unless the 40th pitch ends the at-bat. Managers are responsible for keeping track of pitchers pitch counts to ensure they stay within the LL guidelines.
For the first 3 games the umpires will be calling balks but will not be rewarding bases. After the first 3 games, there will be one warning before awarding a base. When an umpire does call a Balk, a coach will be allowed a brief 90 second visit to instruct the pitcher in proper movements.
Majors
6 innings, 2-hour dead stop (batter finishes AB).
Innings will end when three outs are recorded or nine rostered batters have completed a time at bat, whichever comes first. For the final batter of every inning, the “logical” play should be made to complete the inning and the ball returned to the mound.
Each player must play a mandatory of 6 defensive outs, no player sits twice until all sit once
Pitchers: Max 2 innings or 6 outs (whichever comes first). If the defensive half-inning ends due to the 5-run rule, that inning counts as 3 outs toward the pitcher’s limit. To move from pitcher → catcher, the pitcher must not exceed 40 pitches, unless the 40th pitch ends the at-bat.
Courtesy runner with 2 outs for pitcher/catcher (last out).
AAA
90-minute games.
Innings will end when three outs are recorded or nine rostered batters have completed a time at bat, whichever comes first. For the final batter of every inning, the “logical” play should be made to complete the inning and the ball returned to the mound.
Each player must play a mandatory of 6 defensive outs, no player sits twice until all sit once.
Pitchers: Max 2 innings or 6 outs (whichever comes first). If the defensive half-inning ends due to the 5-run rule, that inning counts as 3 outs toward the pitcher’s limit. To move from pitcher → catcher, the pitcher must not exceed 40 pitches, unless the 40th pitch ends the at-bat.
Courtesy runner with 2 outs for pitcher/catcher (last out).
AA
90-minute games.
Minimum 8 players required. If fewer, teams may borrow to complete the game.
No player may sit more than 2 innings. Players must rotate between infield/outfield at least every 2 innings (safety permitting).
Inning ends at 3 outs or once lineup bats through.
Pitching machine used for the first 3 innings, then player/coach pitch.
Pitching machine set 38–42 MPH, both managers must agree pre-game, and remain consistent for full game.
Batters get max 5 pitches on the pitching machine; foul on last continues AB.
Pitchers: max 50 pitches or 1 inning, whichever comes first. For this rule, “one inning” means a single defensive half-inning appearance. Once a pitcher enters for any portion of a half-inning, that appearance counts as their one inning limit — even if:
They only throw a few pitches,
They only record less than 3 outs,
They are brought in to face the final batter of the inning, or
The inning ends due to the other team batting around.
A pitcher who is removed may not return to pitch in another inning in that game.
Pitchers must be removed after 5 walks or 3 HBPs in an inning.
After ball four, the batter will receive up to 3 coach-pitch deliveries (regardless of fouls on the last pitch).
HBP: player may take base or get 3 pitches from coach.
On a defensive play at a base, if the ball is overthrown, runners may advance one base at their own risk.
Once the ball is in the infield the play is considered relaxed and runners must stop advancing.
Overthrows to the pitchers are not considered a play and runners should not advance.
Outfielders must be positioned in grass before pitch.
No walks. No stealing.
Bunts allowed, no fake bunt swings.
Courtesy runner allowed for catcher.
Scores not kept.
A Division
60-minute games. No new inning within 5 minutes of end.
Minimum 8 players required. If fewer, teams may borrow to complete the game.
All players take the field; rotate infield/outfield every inning (safety permitting).
Inning ends at 3 outs or once lineup bats through.
No walks. No stealing.
Batters get max 5 pitches; foul on last continues AB.
Play stops once the ball is returned to the mound.
Outfielders must be positioned in grass before pitch.
Pitching machine set 38–42 MPH, managers agree pre-game, setting remains consistent the entire game.
Scores not kept.
T-Ball
60-minute games.
All roster bats each inning. Every hit = single, advance 1 base.
No advancing on overthrows.
The last batter each inning hits a grand slam. Rotate leadoff/last batter each game.
Tee only until the last 2 weeks → coach pitch (5 pitches max), then tee.
All players on the field rotate positions each inning (no catchers).
The defensive team makes calls.