2023 Fall Majors Rules
1. Adult Coaches are allowed to warm up pitchers.
A. Once the catcher is ready and heading to the plate, the adult coach needs to return to the dugout. Pitchers may only pitch 2 innings per game (adhering to pitch count still).
2. Pitch Counts will be strictly adhered to.
A. Ages 9-10 75 Pitches per Day
B. Ages 11-12 85 Pitches per Day
3. Pitchers must adhere to the following rest requirements:
A. 1-20 pitches: 0 Days rest
B. 21-35 pitches: 1 Day rest
C. 36-50 pitches: 2 Days rest
D. 51-65 pitches: 3 Days rest
E. 66+ pitches: 4 Days rest
4. NO Balks will be called.
5. A Maximum of 3 Adult Coaches in the Dugout. Only those which have had a completed background check with Spring Hill Little League are allowed in the dugout or on the field at Spring Hill Little League.
6. No Defensive coaches outside the dugout. All Defensive coaches must remain in the dugout.
7. A player who played the position of catcher for 3 innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more MAY NOT return to the catcher position that calendar day.
8. If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, AND maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position until any one of the following conditions occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game; or (4) the pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter completing his/her at-bat.
9. A pitcher removed from the mound CANNOT return as pitcher.
10. A pitcher’s pitch count for the purposes of day(s) rest threshold is determined by the 1st pitch thrown to a batter.
11. Under no circumstances shall a player pitch in three (3) consecutive days.
12. Once a game starts, field conditions, including the pitcher’s mound, cannot be altered without approval from an Official from the League.
13. No Defensive coaches outside the dugout. All Defensive coaches must remain in the dugout.
14. There is NO on deck circle. Players must remain in the dugout until it is their turn to bat.
15. Teams will bat their entire roster. The continuous batting order will be set prior to the start of the game and cannot be changed during the game unless a player shows up late (added to bottom of batting order) or a player leaves the game due to injury/removal from game for any reason. No player may return to the game in any capacity unless approval is given by a league official. When a player is injured, becomes ill OR must leave the game site after the start of the game, the team will SKIP OVER him/her when his/her time at bat comes up WITHOUT PENALTY.
16. 15 run rule is in effect: If the home or visiting team is ahead by 15 runs or more after 3 complete innings, the team that is ahead is declared the winner. 10 run rule is in effect: If the home team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 3 ½ innings or the visiting team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 4 complete innings the team ahead is declared the winner. 8 run rule is in effect: If the home team is head by 8 runs or more after 4 ½ innings or the visiting team is ahead by 8 runs or more after 4 complete innings the team is declared the winner.
17. A maximum of 5 runs or 3 outs per inning will be in effect this Fall 2023 season.
18. Drop 3rd strike: A batter may run on a dropped 3rd strike provided 1st base is not occupied with less than 2 outs. A batter may also run on a dropped 3rd strike with 2 outs and 1st base occupied.
19. Players may steal any base but may not leave the base prior to the pitch crossing home plate.
20. Courtesy runner for catcher and pitcher only. A Courtesy runner may only be used when there are two (2) outs. With a continuous batting order, the courtesy runner must be the player in the batting order who made the last out.
21. A player may only be intentionally walked by announcing such decision to the plate umpire one (1) time during the game. This DOES NOT restrict a team from throwing four balls outside of the strike zone to this batter at another time during the game.
22. All games shall have a 1 hour 45-minute time limit or 6 innings, whichever comes 1st. No new inning may start after 1hr 30 minutes. A new inning begins as soon as the third out is recorded in the prior inning. The umpire will order the countdown clock to be started when ready, but play will not begin until rosters have been turned in. The clock will not be stopped for any reason other than “Serious Injury.” If we must call 911, it’s serious. The home team shall finish their at bat if losing at expiration of time or game ends if scoring winning run after expiration of time.
23. Games cannot end in a tie. If tied, the 7th inning would be played as normal. Beginning with the 8th inning, and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on 2nd base with 0 out.
24. No manager, coach, or player shall at any time, whether from the bench or the playing field, make any move calculated to cause a balk or illegal pitch. The ability for a team to cheer for their batter or runners should not be restricted unless there is a definite intent to gain an unfair advantage. The chanting/cheering must be in good taste and be directed solely at their own team. A good rule of thumb is the chants/cheers may be as loud as the team desires if there is no crescendo or shrieking when the pitcher is delivering the pitch. No artificial noise making (i.e.- pounding on buckets, or fences or air horns) is allowed.
25. There will be no forfeits in Majors. A team must have a minimum of nine (9) players to play the game or the game must be rescheduled. Substitute players are allowed. Players from the opposing team cannot be used to fill the field at that game. Substitute players will come from a pool of players that is run by the Player Agent. The Head Coach is to contact the Player Agent for their division as early as possible to let them know how many players they will have for their game. You may not request a specific player. The Player Agent will go in order down the list. *** Pool Players are only to be used to meet the 9-player requirement. *** Example: Team has 10 players now present at start of game, 2 of whom are Pool players. Only 1 pool player can be used.
26. Only those that have had a background check completed through Spring Hill Little League are allowed on any fields and/or dugouts at Spring Hill Little League.
27. Playing equipment:
A. ALL bats must be stamped with the USA stamp or can be wood.
B. Any player playing in the catcher position MUST wear a supportive cup.
28. Boths teams will run GameChanger.
29. The visiting team will run the scoreboard- REQUIRED for EVERY GAME. A Coach or parent must take a driver's license up to the concessions to check out the wireless controller. Please make sure to return this controller back to concessions to receive your driver's license back. If there is rain, we ask that you please keep it out of the rain by keeping it covered or using it in the press box.
30. The home team is responsible for pre-game and post-game field maintenance (first and last game of the day/night)- putting in and removal of bases/install foam inserts, turn off Teal Field lights (if last game make sure Farm Field lights get turned off too).
31. After each game, each team is responsible for cleaning up all trash on their side of the field (dug out and stands) and placing it in trash receptacles. This includes all bottles on the ground, wrappers, etc. Each team is responsible for making sure their side field gates are locked after the last game.
32. Games that need to be rescheduled for any reason must be rescheduled by the Information officer.