Since 1989, NWLL has been affiliated with Little League International and follows their rules and regulations. NWLL has general rules for all players and coaches, and division specific house rules. Additionally, NWLL requires all players, coaches and parents to adhere to a code of conduct. If you have any rules questions or concerns regarding rules or conduct, 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All rules from the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball manual are in force unless modified or superseded below.
2. Sportsmanship Rules

   Good sportsmanship is one of the core values of NWLL. All players, coaches, and parents will follow the code of conduct, and learn and follow principles of good sportsmanship, which include respecting umpires, teammates, coaches, the fields, and especially players and coaches on the opposing team. For example,

   1. Teams will shake hands after each game.
   2. Each team is responsible for cleaning up the field and bench areas after the game.
   3. Players and coaches will encourage teammates.
   4. Players, coaches, and parents will recognize good play by the opposing team and, in all instances, refrain from shouting at, taunting, attempting to distract (e.g., the catcher may not speak to an opposing batter), or making disparaging comments (such as “no batter”) directed at players on the opposing team.
   5. Players, coaches, and parents are not to sit behind the backstop because doing so distracts the players, especially the pitcher.
   6. When a batter is hit by a pitch, the batter and pitcher will shake hands.
   7. At no time will any player, coach, or parent curse or use abusive language.
   8. Players, coaches, and parents are not to question the umpire’s call of balls and strikes, fair and foul, or safe and out. Coaches may ask umpires before the start of a game to describe the strike zone that will be used during the game and communicate the answer to the players.
   9. Players will not to argue with an umpire. A coach who has a question about an umpire’s call may ask for time and in a calm and respectful tone ask the umpire to explain the call. At no time is a coach to raise his or her voice and argue. If a coach believes that an umpire has improperly interpreted the rules, the coach has the right to continue to play a game under protest and/or report the matter to the Commissioner.

   The Board of Directors of Northwest Washington Little League has requested the umpires to enforce its policy of good sportsmanship. Enforcement may include the removal of any coach or player during a game or a request that a parent leave the field. If a coach is ejected, he or she is required to leave the premises immediately (i.e., the coach is not to hang around in the crowd or remain within visual or verbal proximity to the field), the assistant coach will assume the coaching duties and the game will proceed. 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). If a player is ejected, the player is considered out and player's spot in the batting order shall be considered an automatic out for the rest of the game.

   If there is an ejection, the coaches of both teams are required to contact the Commissioner for their division and President of the NWLL as soon as possible after the game. If a player or coach is ejected from a game by the umpire, the full circumstances must be reported by the coaches, in writing, to the Commissioner and President immediately thereafter. The President and Division Commissioner, in consultation with the NWLL Board, will promptly determine if the coach or player shall continue to participate in NWLL.

3. Game Rules
   1. All games are six innings long, except T-Ball Division games which are three innings long. A game is declared official if the home team is ahead after 3 1/2 innings or the visiting team is ahead after 4 innings.
   2. Starting the Game
      1. A minimum of eight players are needed to play an official game. Teams unable to field the minimum of eight players within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time will automatically forfeit the game. If both teams are unable to field eight players, the game may be rescheduled at the Commissioner's discretion. If only eight players are present on a team, the ninth spot in the batting order is skipped and does not count as an out.
      2. The batting order will shall contain the entire roster of players present at the start of the game.
      3. Players arriving late, after the game has started, are placed at the end of the batting order.
      4. Umpires will review the boundaries of the field of play with the coaches prior to the start of the game.
   3. Playing the Game
      1. A player may not sit out from the field for two innings in a row.
      2. On overthrows to first and third base that go out-of-bounds, play stops and the base runner(s) may progress one base from the base last touched at the moment the ball leaves the field of play.
      3. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
      4. If a player leaves a game early, their turn at bat will be skipped for the remainder of the game and does not count as an automatic out.
   4. Time Limits
      1. The home plate umpire will be the official timekeeper of the game.
      2. If there is a following game scheduled, there is a 2 hour time limit from the scheduled start time. The umpire may not allow a new inning to commence more than 1 hour 45 minutes after the start of the game.
      3. If the game has not ended 2 hours after its start and, in the opinion of the umpire, an inning can be completed with little additional time, the umpire may allow play to continue after the 2 hour time limit provided the two coaches of the game in progress and the two coaches of the game to follow agree.
      4. If there is no following game scheduled, there is a 2 hour 30 minute time limit from the scheduled start time. The umpire may not allow a new inning to commence more than 2 hours 15 minutes after the start of the game.
      5. If the start of a game is delayed by the late arrival of an umpire, the time limits discussed above are to be determined from the actual start time of the game rather than from the scheduled start time.
      6. Coaches will make every effort to move the game along. In order to do so:
         1. Players should run on and off the field.
         2. Coaches should ready the team to take the field once there are two outs in an inning.
         3. Coaches should use the last player to make an out as a courtesy runner for the catcher once there are two outs in an inning.
   5. Suspended or Tie Games
      1. At the first instance of lightning or thunder, umpires (or coaches for non-umpired games) shall halt the game or practice and remove the players from the field. Umpires will wait 20 minutes after the most recent instance of lightning before restarting the game. Once players and coaches are at the field, the umpires are responsible for calling games due to unsafe conditions in conjunction with the Chief of Umpires and either the NWLL President or Division Commissioner.
      2. A game is to be suspended if the umpire determines that darkness prevents the game from being completed safely.
      3. Every effort will be made to complete games that are suspended due to weather, darkness, or time limits, preferably prior to the next time the teams meet, or at the teams’ next meeting. If, in the opinion of the Division Commissioner, the game cannot be rescheduled, the score will revert to the score at the end of the last completed inning. If an official game, the suspended game will count in standings calculations.
      4. All players are eligible to participate in a continued game regardless of whether they participated in the start of the game or whether they departed the game before it was suspended. These additional players will be inserted at the bottom of the lineup. There is no automatic out for players who are not in the lineup for a continued game.
   6. Ten Run Rule
      1. 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.
      2. Continued games involving the ten run rule are subject to a 2 hour time limit.
   7. Scrimmaging
      1. The coaches of both teams may agree to scrimmage during the time slot of a game that has been forfeited or that has ended prematurely. If the umpires elect not to participate with the scrimmage, the coaches shall umpire and, for safety reasons, shall call balls and strikes from behind the pitcher.
      2. No child who is not currently registered to play with NWLL may participate in an NWLL-sponsored scrimmage.
4. Safety Rules
   (In AAA and Majors Divisions, penalties are enforced solely by the umpires.)
   1. Other than the on-deck batter and players acting as base coach, all players must remain in th dugout when not in the field, on base, batting or warming up in a designated bullpen area. The on-deck batter should remain in a designated area outside the field of play.
   2. Throwing the bat is an automatic out. Play stops and runners must return to their bases. Umpires have the option of providing a player with one warning for a thrown bat.
   3. Batters, players acting as base coach, and base runners must wear helmets.
   4. Base runner must never purposefully remove helmet while on the field. Penalty: Player is out.
   5. Base runners may not "take out" a defensive player with the ball. The runner must either slide, feet first, or give up. Penalty: Player is out, play dead.
   6. A defensive player without the ball may not fake a tag to induce a runner to slide unnecessarily or to return to previous base. Penalty: Once play stops, all base runners are awarded one extra base.
   7. 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.
   8. A base runner advancing from third base to home plate must slide whenever a play at home plate is occurring or likely to occur. A runner failing to slide will be called out by the umpire.
   9. Catchers will not block with plate without possession of the ball.
   10. Male catchers are required to wear a protective cup.
   11. A player wearing a hard cast will not be allowed to play.
   12. All injuries must be reported to the appropriate Division Commissioner and NWLL President (see Contact Us)

Majors 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. Free defensive substitution in the field is allowed.
3. All players must play in one of the first three innings and at least three innings per game.
4. No coaches are allowed on the field during play.
5. An inning ends after three outs.
6. Stealing is allowed.
7. No leading off. Runners may only advance after the pitched ball crosses home plate.
8. A pitcher may only pitch 3 innings in a game.
9. Once a player is removed as pitcher, the player cannot pitch again in the same game.
10. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning.
11. Pitchers shall not throw curveballs or other breaking pitches.
12. 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. Free substitution in the field is allowed.
3. All players must play in one of the first three innings and at least three innings per game.
4. No coaches are allowed on the field during play.
5. An inning ends after three outs.
6. No stealing is allowed in the first half of the season; During the second half, Runners may only advance after the pitched ball crosses home plate.
7. No leading off.
8. A pitcher may only pitch 3 innings in a game.
9. Once a player is removed as pitcher, the player cannot pitch again in the same game.
10. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning.
11. Pitchers shall not throw curveballs or other breaking pitches.
12. Bunting is allowed.

AA Division House Rules

1. Home team is determined by flip of coin before start of game.
2. Ten players shall be on the field at one time. Free substitution in the field is allowed.
3. The pitching machine shall be operated by the coach or adult manager of the team at bat. The operator of the machine is the only coach allowed between the lines during play.
4. A coach may not play position of catcher during the game.
5. Only RIF #10 balls can be used in machine pitch games.
6. 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.
7. Coaches will review the boundaries of the field of play prior to the start of the game.
8. In case of wet weather or equipment problems, the adult manager or coach shall pitch to his team.
9. There are no walks.
10. 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.
11. 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).
12. 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 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 and pitchers shall not throw curveballs or other breaking pitches.
2. All coaches and umpires are expected to read, understand and follow "Protecting Young Pitching Arms" (Adobe PDF). 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. (This pitching log is helpful in tracking 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.)

Version

Last Verified: March 2, 2009
Last Updated: March 2, 2009