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1. Player Eligibility

• Players are typically between the ages of 7 and 9.

2. Team Composition

• Teams typically have 9–12 players.

• Teams may start a game with 8 players. If a 9th player is unavailable, the game will proceed without penalty.

3. Field Dimensions

• Pitching Distance: 46 feet from the pitcher's mound to home plate.

• Base Path Length: 60 feet between bases.

4. Game Length

• Standard games are 5 innings.

• A game may end early due to time limits (no new inning after 2 hours) or the mercy rule.

5. Pitching Rules

• Rest Requirements:

  • 9-year-olds: 75 pitches per day.

    • 66+ pitches = 4 days’ rest

  • 7 & 8-year-olds: 50 pitches per day.

    • 51–65 pitches = 3 days’ rest

    • 36–50 pitches = 2 days’ rest

    • 21–35 pitches = 1 day’s rest

    • 1–20 pitches = 0 days’ rest

• Once a pitcher is removed, they may not return to pitch in that game.

• Pitching Limitations:

  • One game per day limit for all pitchers.

  • Catchers cannot pitch if they have caught 4 or more innings.

  • Pitchers cannot catch if they have thrown more than 40 pitches.

  • After 4 straight walks, the pitcher will be removed from the game and a coach of the hitting team will finish the inning.

    • This rule will not occur in the playoffs

6. Batting Rules

• Batting Order: Continuous lineup (all players bat).

• Minimum Play Requirement: No player may sit more than 3 innings.  Players can not sit in back to back innings.

• Bats: Must meet Little League standards (USA Baseball stamp required).

• On-Deck Batter: Not permitted; next batter waits in the dugout.

 

7. Stealing & Base Running

• Leadoffs: Not allowed; runners may leave the base only after the ball reaches the batter.

• Stealing: Allowed for third base and home (once per inning).

• Dropped Third Strike: Does not apply.

• Sliding Rule: Runners must slide or avoid contact; headfirst slides are not allowed 

8. Fielding Rules

• Infield Fly Rule: Does not apply.

• Substitutions: Free defensive substitutions allowed.

9. Scoring & Run Limit

• Run Limit: 5 runs per inning (except the 5th inning, which has no limit).

• Mercy Rule:

  • 15+ runs ahead after 3 innings.

  • 10+ runs ahead after 4 innings.

10. Game Cancellations

• Notification: Must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

• Rescheduling: Games must be rescheduled within 2 weeks.

  • If games are canceled within the last 2 weeks of the season, all efforts must be made to make up the game as soon as possible.  If not rescheduled it will revert to failure to schedule rule.  If the league cancels the games, a decision will be made by board to determine win/loss if it affects seeding for playoffs.

• Failure to Reschedule: If not rescheduled, both teams receive a loss, unless documentation is provided to the rules coordinator.

• Required Notifications: The scheduling coordinator, umpire coordinator, and field coordinator must be informed.

• Any coach who forfeits two (2) or more games in a single season, regardless of the reason, will be immediately removed from their coaching position and will be ineligible to coach in Stafford Little League for the remainder of the season, ineligible to coach in Little League All Stars, and any future seasons.  Appeals may be considered only under exceptional circumstances, subject to review by the Stafford Little League Board.

11. Rules & Rulings

• Any unaddressed rule follows Little League Baseball Rules.

• Final ruling disputes go to the Rules Coordinator.

12. Playoff Seeding

• Minimum of 12 games required.

• Teams with fewer than 12 games will have losses counted for missing games.

• Seeding Criteria:

  1. Winning percentage

  2. Head-to-head record

  3. Runs allowed

  4. Runs scored

  5. Coin flip

13. Playoff Format

• Bracket-style playoffs; no re-seeding.

• All teams qualify.

• #1 seed gets a bye if an odd number of teams exist.

• Higher seed is the home team.

• In a best-of-three championship, the higher seed is home in games 1 & 3.

• No rule changes during playoffs.

 14. Coach Requirements

• Certification & Safety:

  • Must pass a background by d check and complete Little League certifications.

  • Must complete the Rutgers Safety Course.

• Game & Player Management:

  • Prioritize player development and sportsmanship.

  • Ensure fair playing time and follow pitch count rules.

• Behavior Expectations:

  • Show respect to umpires, players, and parents.

  • No tobacco, alcohol, or drug use at league events.

  • Address concerns privately and professionally.

15. Coach Rules

• Certification & Safety

• Coaches must pass a background check and complete all Little League certifications.

• Must complete the Rutgers Safety Course.

• Player Development & Game Management

• Prioritize player development, sportsmanship, and safety.

• Teach fundamentals and provide fair playing time.

• Follow pitch count rules and submit lineups on time.

• Conduct & Sportsmanship

• Lead by example—show respect to players, umpires, and parents.

• No arguing with umpires; disputes must be handled professionally.

• Promote sportsmanship and positive team culture.

• Communication

  • Hold a preseason meeting to set expectations.

  • Provide timely updates on schedules and events.

  • Address parent concerns privately and professionally.

• Discipline & Accountability

  • Report any major behavioral issues to league officials.

  • No tobacco, alcohol, or drug use at any league event.

• Game Protest

  • If a coach disagrees with an umpire’s call and wishes to dispute it, they must continue playing the game under protest. The protesting coach must submit a written report detailing the dispute to the league board on the same day the game is played. Failure to follow this procedure will result in the protest being invalid. Judgment calls made by umpires (e.g., balls, strikes, and safe/out calls) are not subject to protest.

16. Sportsmanship & Conduct

• Helmet Requirement: Batters and base runners must wear helmets.

• Catchers' Gear: Must wear full protective gear, including a throat guard.

• No Arguing with Umpires, Coaches, and players:

  • Immediate ejection for arguing.

  • 2-game suspension for any ejected coach or player.

  • Ejected coaches are ineligible for All-Star coaching positions.

• Sportsmanship: Coaches, players, and spectators must uphold league standards.

17. Field Request Policy

• All field requests must be submitted using the designated Google Form. Requests made through any other method (e.g., email, text, or verbal communication) will not be accepted. Stafford Field Request

18. Batting Cage Rules

• Priority Use: Little League teams have priority over travel teams.

• Pre-Game Usage: Little League Teams playing that day have first rights to cages.

• Scheduling: Travel teams may only book cages when they do not conflict with Little League needs.

19. Draft Process

• Snake Draft Format (alternate round order).

• Draft Order: Determined randomly or by prior season standings.

• Trading Draft Picks: Allowed before and during the draft (board approval required).

• Post-Draft Trades: Allowed until the draft session ends (board approval required).

20. Player Evaluations

• Evaluation Criteria (Scale 1-5):

  • Hitting, Fielding, Throwing, Pitching, Base Running.

• Scoring System:

  • 1 = Needs improvement

  • 3 = Average

  • 5 = Advanced

• Evaluation Process: Scores are confidential and used for fair team placement.

21. Board Member Selection & Responsibilities