EDHLL AA Division Rules/Guidelines

The following is a list of AA rules that will be in effect for the season. These rules are in addition to all Official Little League Rules found in the Little league Rule Book. Remember that these may not be all of the rules and any questions should be directed to the AA Coordinator or Head Umpire.

1. Six-inning game or 1:45 minute time limit, whichever comes first.

2. Entire roster bats.

3. Five runs per inning, or three outs. This includes the last inning.

4. One base per overthrow per play.

5. No, balks, stealing, bunting or advancing on passed balls/wild pitches. Sliding is allowed.

6. Play is over when the pitcher has the ball, toes the pitching rubber and the catcher is ready to receive the ball, or if time out has been called, or if the baserunner has advanced one base on an overthrow (max.), or when the infielder is in possession of the ball and returning it to the pitcher.

7. All parents must complete a medical release form before the player is allowed on the field to play or practice. Medical release forms must be kept with the Manager/Coach at all games and practices.

8. All batters must use a helmet with faceguard for all games & practices. Helmets with faceguards need to be used all season so that players are used to the helmets once the kid-pitch portion of the season begins.

9. Each player must play an infield position for at least two innings. No player may play an infield position for more than two innings unless the game exceeds 4 innings. After 4 innings, each player must play an infield position for at least one inning.

10. If Pitching Machine is used then the following and Rule #11 will apply: The pitching machine will be used for the first five games of the season. All of the remaining games after the first five will be solely player pitch.

11. Pitching machine speed shall be set no lower than 3 for the top wheel and 5 for the lower bottom wheel. Umpires will call balls and strikes including the use of the pitching machine. The best, most consistent pitches the kids will see will come from the pitching machine. It is important to teach them where the strike zone is and the pitching machine is a good tool for this. Remember, the strike zone is the width of home plate and from the knees to the armpit of the batter in their natural batting stance. Pitcher taken out of the game can return to the game in any position except pitcher.

12. New pitching rules mandated by Little League will be in effect:
10 and under: 75 pitches per day max
61-75 pitches=3 calendar days of rest
41-60 pitches=2 calendar days of rest
21-40 pitches=1 calendar days of rest
1-20 pitches=0 calendar days of rest

Warmups are not considered as pitches, if a pitcher reaches 75 pitches (or max pitches) during a batter’s turn, he may finish pitching to that batter before retiring. No limit on the number of pitchers that can be used in a game.

13. Home Team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook. The home team must write down each pitcher’s jersey number, name, and total pitches. There are no standings in AA Division, therefore scores will not be kept except to enforce the 5 run rule.

14. Home team is responsible for getting the field ready to play. This includes setting-up the pitching machine when it is being used. Visiting team is responsible to put all equipment away at the end of the game and make sure it is locked in the storage shed. ALL teams are responsible to clean their dugouts and field areas at the end of the game and throw all trash in the garbage cans. Home team provides two new game balls to start the game.

15. Managers and coachers are not allowed on the field to talk to defensive players. Managers/coachers may talk to pitchers and catchers from the foul line. Limits apply on pitcher conferences; upon the third visit in one inning or four total visits that pitcher must be removed.

16. Only players, managers/coaches (total of three) are allowed in the dugouts during the game.

17. Free substitutions, other than pitchers.

18. Umpire calls will not be questioned. Remember these are young umpires and they are still learning. If the umpire’s call does not adhere to Little League rules, then time out should be called and both Managers and the Umpire can discuss the proper course of action. Under no circumstances are balls and strikes or close calls on the bases debatable. If a Manager/Coach is ejected for any reason they automatically sit out the next game and must meet with the AA Coordinator and League President prior to their next scheduled game. If they are ejected from a second game, they will be removed from the team for the rest of the season. (EDHLL Policy)

19. Parents are not allowed to coach players or to try to influence the umpires during games in any way. This is the responsibility of the managers to enforce.

20. No bats in the dugout. Use bat rack outside the dugout. Only the batter may have a bat and take practice swings before he is at bat.

21. No on deck circle. On deck batter waits in the dugout (without a bat) with helmet on, ready to go.

22. Managers/Coachers are not allowed to warm up pitchers at anytime, this includes bullpens and between inning warm-ups. If your catcher is not ready to go have an extra player ready for warm-up. This requires a cup and catchers mask.

23. ALL Players must wear a cup.

24. Managers/coaches and players (not in the game) are to remain in the dugout while their team is playing defense. One coach is allowed to coach first and third base in the proper coaches’ box while their team is at bat.

25. In the interest of keeping the game moving along, the time limit between innings is five warm-up pitches MAX or one minute (whichever comes first). Even if the pitcher is new, the five-pitch warm-up rule is still in effect. Only in the event of an injury is the pitcher entitled to use more warm-ups.

26. No Walk Rule, Player Pitch: During player pitch, after the pitcher has thrown four balls, a Coach from the batter's team, positioned no closer than the bottom of the mound, will throw a maximum of three strikes (including called strikes-as determined by the Umpire). If the batter does not put the ball in play after three strikes, he will be called out.

27. The key to keeping the game moving is dugout management. Have your batters ready with their helmets on and have your defense changes made and assigned before your half inning has expired. If you stick with one-minute intervals, you have an 11-minute delay built-in (11 changes of sides in a six inning game). If the time limit stretches to 4 to 5 minutes between innings, you’ve got an additional 33-44 minutes delay between innings. This is the difference in completing a game or not completing a game.

28. Outfielders must initiate play on the grass and not on the dirt infield.
Remember that we are all coaching for the kids and for the fun of the game. Make it fun and instructional for the players. Lead by example with a good attitude and respect for the fellow managers/coaches. Remember: The AA Level is primarily instructional; scores should not to be kept.