Since 1989, NWLL has been affiliated with Little League International. NWLL has general rules for all players and coaches, and division specific house rules. Additionally, Little League International maintains a listing of the latest changes, updates and clarifications to the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball. If you have any rules questions or concerns, please contact the appropriate Division Commissioner or President of NWLL (see Contact Us).

General Rules

1. All rules from the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball manual are in force unless modified or altered below.
2. It is the purpose of Northwest Washington Little League (NWLL) that all players and coaches learn and follow principles of good sportsmanship. These principles include but are not limited to:
   1. demonstrating respect for themselves, their teammates and opposing players, coaches, umpires and fans, as well as proper care and attention to the fields and equipment,
   2. complying with Little League and Northwest Washington Little League Rules,
   3. not engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, including:
      1. arguing balls and strikes*,
      2. shouting at or taunting players on opposing team,
      3. cursing or using abusive language,
      4. attempting to distract a player on the opposing team (e.g. the catcher may not speak to an opposing batter, coaches may not make derogatory comments about opposing players such as “no batter” etc.),
      5. standing behind the backstop, and
      6. generally disruptive behavior.

      To implement these rules, the Board of Directors of Northwest Washington Little League has requested the umpires to strictly enforce this policy. Enforcement may include the removal of any coach or player during a game. Before the game, each coach must identify his or her assistant coach who will assume coaching duties if the coach is ejected. If there is no assistant coach or if the assistant coach is also ejected, the game is forfeited by the team with the ejected coach(es). Both coaches are required to contact the Commissioner for their division and President of the NWLL as soon as possible after the game (see Contact Us).

      * Regarding balls and strikes, it is appropriate for coaches to ask umpires prior to the beginning of the game to describe the strike zone they will use during the course of the game and to communicate same to their players.

3. Batters, players acting as base coach, and base runners must wear helmets.
4. Teams will shake hands after the game.
5. At the first instance of lightning or thunder coaches shall halt the game or practice and remove their teams from the field.
6. Players may not sit out more than two innings from the field, if mathematically possible. Additionally, players may not sit out two innings in a row.
7. Throwing the bat is an automatic out. Play stops and runners must return to their bases.
8. Base runners may not "take out" a defensive player with the ball. The runner must either slide, feet first, or give himself up.
9. Catchers are required to wear a protective cup.
10. Headfirst sliding is not allowed. The penalty for sliding headfirst is the runner being called out. A headfirst dive to the base of origin during a rundown is permitted.
11. Ball over-throws at first or third base are out of play. One extra base is awarded to the runner(s).
12. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
13. Base runner must never remove helmet while on the field. Player is out if he does.
14. Each team is responsible for field preparation and field clean up.
15. All injuries must be reported to the appropriate Division Commissioner and NWLL President (see Contact Us)
16. Games are six innings long (except for TBall which is three innings long).
17. There is a two hour time limit for each game. The umpire will not allow a new inning to start later than 1 hour 45 minutes into the game. However, if there is no game following, the umpire may allow the game to continue past the 2-hour limit if both coaches agree to waive the two-hour limit. The game then continues at the umpire’s discretion and is over whenever the umpire says it is, but in no event longer than 2 1/2 hours.
18. The batting order shall contain the entire roster of players. Players arriving late are placed at the end of the batting order.

Majors Division House Rules

1. A game may be played when a team has only eight players. The game will count in the standings. If either team cannot field at least eight players by 15 minutes after game time, that team will forfeit the game.
2. Once a player is removed as pitcher, the player cannot pitch again in the same game.
3. A pitcher may only pitch 3 innings in a game.
4. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning
5. All players must play in one of the first three innings and at least three (3) innings per game.
6. Bunting is allowed.

AAA Division House Rules

1. The home team shall maintain the official score book. Coaches confer at the end of each inning to agree on the score. If there is a dispute, it is resolved by the umpire.
2. Nine players shall be on the field at one time. Free substitution in the field is allowed.
3. A minimum of eight players are needed to play an official game. The ninth and tenth spots in the batting order are skipped, they do not count as automatic outs.
4. There will be a fifteen (15) minute grace period, if necessary, to wait for the eighth player. This time will be subtracted from the two hour game time.
5. An inning ends after three outs.
6. If the home team is ahead by 10 runs after 3 1/2 innings, or if the visiting team is up by 10 runs after 4 innings, the umpire shall ask if the losing team wishes to continue the game.
7. No stealing is allowed in the first half of the season; players may advance when the ball remains "in play" during the second half.
8. Once a player is removed as pitcher, the player cannot pitch again in the same game.
9. A pitcher may only pitch 3 innings in a game.
10. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning.
11. No coaches are allowed on the field during play.

AA Division House Rules

1. Ten players shall be on the field at one time. Free substitution in the field is allowed.
2. The pitching machine shall be operated by the adult manager or coach of the team at bat. The operator of the machine is the only coach allowed between the lines during play.
3. In case of light rain or equipment problems, the adult manager or coach shall pitch to his team.
4. The coach operating the pitching machine will also serve as the umpire when his team is at bat unless both coaches agree to another arrangement prior to the start of the game.
5. There are no walks.
6. An inning ends after three outs or ten batters, whichever occurs first. The tenth batter shall continue to run until the catcher receives the ball and touches home plate, at which time the play stops.
7. Only RIF #10 baIls can be used in machine pitch games.
8. During a single at bat, play stops when the ball is returned to the pitcher and he is within ten feet of the pitching machine. When the pitcher receives the ball, runners who are less than halfway between bases must return to the previous base (unless there is a force play on).
9. There is no stealing and leading off. Runners may only advance at the moment the bat makes contact with the ball.

T-Ball Division House Rules

1. Teams will stick to the batting order that is in the score book.
2. Teams with 15 players or less should bat 10 batters per inning. Teams with more than 15 players should bat 11, 11, and 10.
3. Every player must bat at least twice in a game and play in the field.
4. No stealing or leading off.
5. Teams will play 3 innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes.
6. Play will be considered dead when the ball is near the pitcher’s mound (within 8 feet) or when the catcher gets the ball and touches home plate or when the umpire declares such.
7. Striking the tee stand shall constitute a foul ball.
8. Players must stay on the bench.
9. Ball must travel 15 feet before it is a live ball. (fields should be marked as such and 60-foot bases used).
10. The coach/umpire should remove the tee stand from the home plate when a player is running home.

Pitching Rules

1. NWLL follows and enforces all current pitching rules from Little League International. Additionally, NWLL Majors and AAA Divisions House Rules continue to limit pitchers to only pitch 3 innings in a game.
2. All coaches and umpires are expected to read, understand and follow "Protecting Young Pitching Arms" (Adobe PDF), updated for 2008. There is also a helpful Little League Pitch Count Questions and Answers (Adobe PDF). However, with regards to question 13 please remember NWLL Majors and AAA Divisions House Rules limit pitchers to only pitch 3 innings in a game. For those that want more information on pitch counts, please visit Little League Baseball Pitch Count Resource Page.
3. After each game, coaches will report to the Division Commissioner the final game score, along each game pitcher's name, league age and number of pitches thrown.

Infield Fly Rule

An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare "Infield Fly" for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare "Infield Fly, if Fair." The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly. On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire's judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately. When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L). The infield fly rule takes precedence. (from Major League Baseball Rules, Chapter 2.00: Definition of Terms, available online.)