2011 MINORS A DIVISION RULES
Unless otherwise noted below in our House Rules, the rules to be followed will be the latest rules
published by Little League Canada.
EQUIPMENT
Helmets and Gloves: Players must provide their own helmets and gloves. Little League Canada
does not require face masks on helmets but Jericho Little League (JLL) strongly encourages the
use of helmets with face masks.
Sport Cup: Boys are required to wear a sport cup. Catchers (boys) must wear a sport cup, no
exceptions.
Mouth Guards: Mouth Guards are not required by Little League Canada but JLL strongly
encourages the use of mouth guards when fielding or at bat if the helmet does not have a face
mask. Pitchers are strongly encouraged to wear a mouth guard.
Bats: JLL supplies bats. No bat made entirely of composite material is allowed during regular
season play. No bat with composite material in the shaft will be allowed during regular season
play. Bats with composite material only in the handle are allowed.
PRE-GAME WARM-UPS
JLL recommends that all Minors Level teams be on the field at least 30 minutes prior to each
game while designated parents assist with the field set-up.
PRE-GAME FIELD PREPARATION AND POST-GAME CLEANUP
The Home Team will prepare the field for the game. Details of Field Maintenance are on the
website www.jerichobaseball.com/uploadedFiles/1302067016953-5760.pdf.
The Team Manager will arrange a schedule to ensure the following tasks are completed:
 Sand Areas: The sand areas are to be raked and smoothed. Sand should be raked from
the edge of the grass back onto the sandy area to avoid the build up of a "lip" which will
cause the ball to bounce up.
 Lining: Once the sand area is raked the diamond should be lined. The lining machine
takes "lime." Only a small amount of lime should be added at a time as it is very hard to
push the liner when it is full of heavy lime. There is a plywood outline that is placed over
home plate. A line should be placed around this outline and then down to 1st & 3rd base.
 After Game:
Pitching Mound: At the end of the game the piching mound needs to have any
holes smoothed out and pounded down.
Sand: At the end of the game any sand kicked onto the grass should be raked
back onto the sand area.
Garbage: All garbage should be collected from the dugouts. Especially
noticeable are the little plastic cases the straws come in for juice boxes. There
always seem to be lots of these floating around the Minors A Diamond.
Equipment Lockup: Please be sure all equipment is away and the cage locked.
2011 Jericho Baseball Minors A Rules
Page 1 of 6
RAINOUTS
A game should be cancelled for one of two reasons: protection of the kids, or protection of the
field. For a game to be called there is standing water on the field and it is still raining. The
standing water is usually most easily seen on the infield or base paths. Coaches must agree on the
cancellation. The protocol for rainy days is as follows:
 Both teams should turn up to the field as if it is a regular game (45 – 60 minutes before
the game), even if it is raining really hard.
 Home Coach should be sure to bring the Umpire’s phone number (these will be available
on the umpiring webpage in May) in case the Ump needs to be phoned.
 Thirty minutes before game time the Coaches should decide if there is enough standing
water on the field or hard enough rain to call the game at this point. If the game is called
the Home coach is to call the Umpire immediately. This way we can save the $15
umpiring cost.
 If the weather is iffy, the coaches can wait until game time. At game time, in discussion
with the Umpire, they can decide if they want to go forward or if they want to call the
game. Be sure that a parent will get the Umpire home (if necessary) if the game is called
at this time.
 If the coaches decide to go forward with the game – 4 complete innings constitute a
game. The Ump can call the game after 4 innings if the weather continues to be bad.
 MAKE-UP GAMES are held on Sundays at Carnarvon, or wherever you can find a free
field. Saturday afternoons after 3:30 are also available at Carnarvon NW diamond after
the regular games. When you have a makeup game time confirmed, please book the space
by contacting the Division Coordinator who will post it to the schedule.
 Please be sure to notify the Division Coordinator of the scores of any makeup game.
CALL-UPS
Coaches in this division will be asked, when the season is first underway, to submit to the
Division Coordinator one or two players deemed capable of playing the occasional game at the
next level up (Majors B). No player will be pulled from his or her regular scheduled game to
play up if it would result in less than 9 players in the game for his team. Call-ups are an excellent
opportunity for able players to develop by playing up a division.
SCORE KEEPING
Teams may have assigned volunteer scorekeepers or the Team Manager will assign parents to do
scorekeeping. Scores must be kept in Minors A. At the end of the game, the winning team
should confirm the score with the other team. Coaches or team managers will submit the scores
to the Division Coordinator who will post the game results on the webpage.
GAME LENGTH
Four innings constitute a complete game, but games may have six innings maximum, time
permitting. Jericho Baseball Local Rule: game time limit is around 2 hours. Therefore, no inning
may start (i.e. top of an inning) after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the game start time. Both
coaches and the umpire should agree to the last inning prior to starting the inning. Whatever time
the final inning starts, the inning must be completed.
2011 Jericho Baseball Minors A Rules
Page 2 of 6
RUNS SCORED
Jericho Baseball Local Rule:
A ½ inning is over if the defensive team achieves three (3) outs; OR:
Innings 1 through 3: a ½ inning is over if the offensive team achieves two (2) runs;
Innings 4 and 5: a ½ inning is over if the offensive team achieves five (5) runs.
The 6th inning is an open inning. If the game must be shortened for time, the final inning will be
an open inning.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Jericho Baseball Local Rule:
Ten players on the field in defensive positions. The tenth player shall be positioned in the
outfield “Rover” position. The Rover must play on the outfield grass. A team may NOT position
more than 6 players in the infield (including the pitcher and catcher). All players are to be
included in the batting order for the entire game; defensive substitutions only. The batting order
will be set before the game and shared with the other team.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTIONS
Jericho Baseball Local Rule: Unlimited defensive substitutions allowed.
Jericho Baseball Local Rule: Mandatory Play Rule – all players must play the same number of
innings as all of the other players. All players must average the same number of infield innings
as the other players. All players must be distributed fairly over the course of the game; therefore,
the coach must attempt to sit out the players the same number of times as the rest of the players.
The Team Manager will ensure the format outlined in “Fielding/Batting Team Lists” in the Rules
Section is followed. The Coach will determine pitching and catcher positions during the game.
PLAYERS AND DUGOUT
 No one is allowed “on-deck” – next batter must remain in the dugout. (Safety rule
required by Little League Association.)
 All players must remain in the dugout except for base coaches and player at bat.
 No leaving the field or dugout without the Umpire’s permission.
 Players may not hold a bat within the dugout.
 The Team Manager will assign an adult to be in the dugout at all times to ensure safety.
PITCHING:
Jericho Baseball Local Rule: Pitching rubber will be set at a distance 42’0” from the back edge
of home plate. Pitching machine will be placed behind the pitching rubber.
Coaches are encouraged to develop pitchers in the first three weeks. Halfway into the season
(second weekend in May) games should start to use players to pitch some innings. Coaches will
determine if a player is ready to pitch. More than one player may pitch in an inning. No player
will throw more than 21 pitches in a game. Once all the players that the Coach has selected have
pitched, the pitching machine will be brought in to finish the game.
Coaches should avoid “walkathons” – if a pitcher is having a bad day move onto your next
pitcher or bring in the pitching machine.
2011 Jericho Baseball Minors A Rules
Page 3 of 6
BASE RUNNING, COLLISION RULES AND OUTS
No deliberate collisions with defensive players on the field. Any runner is out if:
 the runner runs more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being
tagged, UNLESS SUCH ACTION IS TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH A
DEFENSIVE PLAYER FIELDING THE BALL (i.e., a runner is to avoid colliding with
a player who is FIELDING the ball on the baseline or at the plate);
 after touching first base and turning towards second, the runner leaves the baseline,
obviously abandoning all effort to touch the second base;
 the runner deliberately collides with a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the
tag. In this instance, the runner is to slide feet first to the base; OR, stop and accept the
tag out; OR, attempt to return to the previous base (no football linebacker moves to try
and jar the ball out of the defensive players hands);
 the runner slides headfirst while advancing. This is extremely dangerous and is an
immediate out to discourage any player thinking of doing this.
BASE RUNNING, OVERTHROW RULES & RULES OF ADVANCEMENT
 JLL wishes to limit players advancing bases on errors and over-throws and, therefore,
encourage children to attempt to make the correct play in the field.
 In Minors A, the play is over when the ball is thrown to the pitcher, even if the pitcher
misses the ball. As long as it was clear to the Umpire that the ball was being thrown to
the Pitcher then the play is considered to be concluded.
 A runner may “lead off” from the base only after the pitched ball reaches the batter.
 On any hit balls that do not leave the infield, base runners may attempt to advance a
maximum of one base.
Example: A player hits the ball but it does not leave the infield. The Shortstop fields the
ball and throws to First. First does not catch the ball and it rolls past the base. The Shortstop attempted to make the correct play by fielding the ball and making the play to First.
Therefore, the defensive team is not to be penalized by having the runner advance to 2nd
base on the error. Instead, as the hit ball did not leave the infield, the runner may only
advance to first base no matter how many errors may be made.
 On any hit balls that leave the infield (either in the air or rolling on the ground) but do not
cross the home-run line (set at 150 ft.), base runners may attempt to advance a maximum
of 2 bases. This is true even if the ball glances off of a defensive players glove or foot and
then rolls out of the infield into the outfield.
Example 1: A player hits the ball and it rolls through the legs of the Shortstop into the
outfield. Left Field picks up the ball and throws the ball to First. First misses the ball. The
runner may attempt to advance to 2nd base because the hit ball originally rolled into the
outfield. If First picks up the ball and throws it to Second and Second catches the ball and
tags the runner out, the runner is out. If Second misses the ball and the runner makes it
to 2nd base, then the play ends there because the original hit only allowed a maximum of
two runs in the course of the play.
Example 2: A player hits the ball. Second tries to catch the ball but the ball glances off his
glove and goes into the outfield. The runner may attempt to run two bases only, as the
ball ended up in the outfield.
 On any hit balls that cross the home-run line (not in the air), base runners may attempt to
advance a maximum of 3 bases. This is true even if the ball glances off of a defensive
players glove or foot and then rolls from the outfield over the home-run line.
 On any hit balls that cross the home-run line in the air, base runners are given up to four
bases. There will be no “inside the park” home runs. There is no play to be made. The
umpire calls the ball a home run.
2011 Jericho Baseball Minors A Rules
Page 4 of 6
SLIDING
 Players must slide into home and any base (other than first) where a play is being made
- or they will be called out.
 Runners do not need to slide into 1st base. They should be encouraged to run through the
orange safety bag.
 If a play might be made at 2nd or 3rd, the runner must slide into the base or be called
out. If the runner fails to slide, they will be called out IF the Umpire believes a play was
being made at the base. Exception: the defensive player may not block the base when
they do not have the ball. This is considered obstruction and, if this occurs, then the
Umpire will call the runner safe even if they do not slide. Examples of obstruction are:
(1) A defensive player standing on the entire base, or (2) a defensive player stands just in
front of the base as the runner comes towards the base. Again, it is the Umpires decision.
A Coach may ask for clarification of the rule but not argue with what the Umpire sees
and calls.
 Players MUST slide feet first into home. Any player who does not slide is OUT. This is a
safety rule. There will be times when there is no play at the plate, but we must train our
young players to automatically slide into home and then jump up and run off the field.
STEALING
Base stealing will be allowed in Minors A. Stealing home is not allowed.
 Only one base can be stolen during a play, regardless of overthrows or errors. However, a
player could steal a base on the first pitch to a batter and steal another base on the second
pitch to the same batter.
 Stealing 2nd right after receiving a call of a walk is not allowed. For example, a batter is
told to take his base due to 4 thrown balls. The player is not allowed to run to first and
then immediately steal second before the catcher has thrown the ball back to the
pitcher. The runner must stay on first until the next batter comes up and receives a pitch.
 A player who reaches a base on a hit may not steal a base prior to the Pitcher facing the
next batter. (See Base Running, Overthrow Rules)
COACHES:
 No coaches on the field of play when team is in defensive role. A coach can enter the
field of play to consult with a pitcher or other player as long as the Ump has granted time.
 Two adult coaches may be on the field in coaching boxes when team is at bat. At least
one adult coach must remain in the dugout to ensure peace and safety.
 A maximum of three coaches will be allowed in the dugout and “involved with coaching
the team” during the game. One additional adult will be allowed in the dugout to maintain
order of the players.
 Coaches must, at all times, practice good sportsmanship when interacting with parents,
players, umpires and opposing coaches. It is important for coaches to be familiar with and
respectful of the rules that govern Little League and each of our divisions. It is expected
each coach will explain the rules to their players and parents to prevent misunderstanding
or confusion. Remember coaches do not make the rules. The rules are established by our
governing body and by our League Executive.
2011 Jericho Baseball Minors A Rules
Page 5 of 6
 Coaches should demonstrate respect to the Umpire by shaking their hand at the end of the
game. This courtesy will aid in demonstrating to players that the Umpire is to be
respected.
UMPIRES:
 Umpires shall be provided for Minors A if one is available. If an umpire is not provided
and a volunteer cannot be found, than the Team at Bat will provide a parent volunteer to
umpire the plate for that half of the inning and the defensive team will provide a parent
volunteer as a base umpire. By having the Team at Bat provide a parent volunteer, the
parent or coach can provide coaching as well as umpiring to the batter.
 In regard to umpires provided by the League:
Our umpires are attempting to do the best job possible. Some are in training and
will make mistakes just like players and coaches. They deserve to and must be
treated with respect.
If there is a question about a call, ask for time out, and then walk out to the home
plate umpire to calmly ask your question. Do not make comments from the
dugout. All umpire decisions (SAFE/OUT/STRIKE/BALL/FAIR/FOUL etc.) are
FINAL and under NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THESE JUDGMENT
DECISIONS BE QUESTIONED OR CHALLENGED BY A COACH. Only rule
interpretation decisions may be questioned, reversed or corrected.
Umpires are preparing players for Majors A and B Divisions. They have been
asked by the League to require respect from players in the dugout (quiet and
seated players), respect on the field (no catcalls, name calling or jeering), and for
players to be properly attired for baseball.
Umpires have been asked to create a large strike zone to encourage the players to
swing the bat. JLL wants the players to believe that they are more likely to strike
out than receive a walk.
2011 Jericho Baseball Minors A Rules
Page 6 of 6