FLLL Double Elimination Games

Minors – 5070 Rules

The rules will very much mimic our regular season (subtle changes do exist) rules except their will be no run limits or time limits and must have a written pitch log. Also, we will be using Consecutive Batting Order as we have throughout the regular season.

*** SEE #8 about pitch count logs. Very Important.

1. This is double elimination game play.
   
   

2. Consecutive Batting Order “CBO”
   
   

3. Every player must be assigned defensive position for 6 consecutive outs. If you are home team, you must assign those players a defensive position no later then the top of the 5th. If you are visitor team, you must assign those players field positions no later then the bottom of the 4th. IF the game ends in MERCY rule, any player that did not play a defensive role or whom did not fullfill the complete 6 consecutive out requirement in that game MUST play 6 consecutive outs in the next game or risk game forfeiture by the league if a protest is made and your team is in violation of the rule.

   
   * NOTE : Simply put, if a player cannot complete the full consecutive out rule because of mercy rule, YOU SHOULD SMARTLY play any of those players early in the next game to avoid potential forfeiture if another mercy rule is encountered.
   
   

4. Home team is determined by a coin toss prior to each game. Winner of the coin toss gets to choose home or away. The home dugout is on the first base side at all fields.
   
   

5. BAT CHECKS: We would encourage each team to place bats that will be used during a game just outside the dugout for easier bat check pregame. Each team manager or representative should check the other team's bats. PLACE ILLEGAL bats outside of the game field. EVERY COACH should request a bat check BEFORE the game starts and during plate meeting with umpires.
   
   

6. There is no limit on runs per inning / no time limit.
   
   

7. Mercy rule is fifteen (15) runs after three (3) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: four innings] , ten (10) runs after four (4) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: five innings] or eight (8) runs after (5) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: six innings]

   1. NOTE: (1) If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15), ten (10), or eight (8) runs or more respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning.
      
      

8. The Pitcher (REMINDER)

   • Pitch count cap by age limits as follows:

   1. Pitching age limits, cap limits and required rest

   2. i. 13-16 yrs = 95 pitchers per day

   3. ii. 11-12 yrs. = 85 pitchers per day

   4. iii. 9-10 yrs. = 75 pitchers per day

   5. iv. 7-8 yrs. = 50 pitchers per day
      
      

   • Pitch counts / rest requirements (14 and under). Pitch counts and days of rest remain as they were during the regular season:

   1. i. 66 or more = 4 calendar days of rest

   2. ii. b. 51 to 65 = 3 calendar days of rest

   3. iii. c. 36 to 50 = 2 calendar days of rest

   4. iv. d. 21 to 35 = 1 calendar days of rest e. 1 to 20 = 0 calendar days of rest
      
      

   • Pitch threshold log will revert to the previous cap on the max count for specific rest day. (i.e. – Pitcher starts his last batter at 32 pitches and finishes that batter on pitches and gets pulled, the pitch count reverts to 35 as his log count, and applicable rest shall apply)
     
     

   • Pitch Count Log : https://www.littleleague.org/downloads/baseball-pitching-log/
     

     1. This is a must. If you do not have this sheet and your pitch count is challenged, requested by another team after a game or before your next game, you could lose the availability of a pitcher or all pitchers and forcing a forfeit.YOU MUST RECORD YOUR PITCH COUNTS for each pitcher.

     2. We suggest after each inning coaches check pitch counts with each other.

     3. GAME CHANGER PITCH COUNTS DO NOT COUNT. Only this sheet.

     4. If you are bumping up against a rest maximum - example (35 pitches so your player is available in 3 days) and your pitcher pitches over the limit while starting the batter at 34 pitches; add a checkmark to the pitch number when they started the last batter. So everyone understands the availability.

     5. After each game take a picture with your phone and send it to [email protected]. COACHES are allowed to request pitch counts from you or from us.

     6. Both teams shall sign each other forms preferably in the presence of an umpire.

     
     

   • Days of rest does not count the day the games are played, only days in between games (i.e. – Monday and Thursday game days means 2 days of rest)
     
     

   • Pitchers cannot pitch in three (3) consecutive days, regardless of pitch count. Mostly will apply to rescheduled games and playoff formats.
     
     

   • If a player reaches the threshold of a rest limit while in progress with a batter, they may finish pitching to that batter and the pitch count will revert back to that previous threshold.
     
     

   • BALKS (Minors / Majors) Rule 8.05 are not called but illegal pitch maybe called
     Typically this will result in Bunt situations - If a pitcher in windup fails to deliver the pitch IF A BATTER shows bunt, the batter shall receive a “Ball” and a pitch count penalty towards the pitcher. This can also fall under Umpire Judgement.
     
     

   • PITCHER / CATCHER (REMINDER) Rule 6a-6c.
     
     

   1. Pitchers who have not previously played the catcher position who deliver 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the catcher position from that point on, 40 pitches is the threshold (Pitcher may retire the last batter if the first pitch begins at 40). 40 or less pitches, a pitcher can be moved to the catcher position.
      
      

   2. A pitcher who has previously played the position of catcher (3 innings or less) cannot return to the catcher position if they have pitched 21 or more pitches (Pitcher may retire the last batter if the first pitch begins at 20)
      
      

   3. Catchers who catch (4) or more innings cannot pitch that same day (or catch 3 or less innings, may be able to pitch). Catcher starts an inning it will count as a full inning for that position.
      
      

   • PITCHER / RUNNER (REMINDER - Minors / Majors - Leading) 7.13
     
     

     • Runners cannot leave their bases until the pitched ball has been delivered and has reached the batter. This means that if the pitcher has their foot on the rubber and in possession of the ball AND the catcher is in the catchers box ready to receive the ball, a runner cannot take a lead until the ball crosses home plate. If a runner leaves the base early, before the pitch reaches the batter, they are in violation of Rule 7.13 in the Little League Rulebook and runner must return to base, if the runner is thrown out stealing on an early lead the runner is ruled out otherwise they must return to the previously occupied base.
       
       

     • A coach allowing his players to lead before the pitch should be warned by the umpire. Coaches should understand that continuing to break or bend the spirit of this rule could potentially be facing “Travesty of Game” and could face ejection.

   
   

9. PINCH RUNNING. RULES WERE ADDED IN 2023. THE EASY EXPLANATION : Only pinch running if there is 2 outs for a pitcher or catcher of record. The runner will be the player who made the last out. (We use CBO)
   
   

   (a) - Once each inning a team may utilize a player who is not in the batting order as a special pinch-runner for any offensive player. A player may only be removed for a special pinch-runner one time during a game. The player for whom the pinch-runner runs is not subject to removal from the lineup. If the pinch-runner remains in the game as a substitute defensive or offensive player, the player may not be used again as a pinch-runner while in the batting order. However, if removed for another substitute that player or any player not in the line-up, is again eligible to be used as a pinch-runner. A local league may adopt Tournament Rule 3(d) for 7.14. NOTE: Does not apply if the local league adopts the continuous batting order. See Rule 4.04.

   
   (b) - Courtesy Runner: A local league may permit a “courtesy runner” for the catcher and/or pitcher of record when there are two (2) outs. A player whose name is on the team’s batting order may not become a substitute runner for another member of the team. Neither the pitcher or the catcher is subject to removal from the line-up. The same courtesy runner may not run for both the pitcher and the catcher at any time during the game. A courtesy runner must be reported to the plate umpire. Exception: If the continuous batting order is used, the “courtesy runner” may be in the team’s batting order and must be the player in the batting order who made the last out.
   
   

    

10. This rule does not apply to batter out of order (See Rule book for Batter out of order). Any batter that does not bat will be ruled out (Example went to bathroom). EXCEPTION - If a batter is injured during an AT-BAT, that batter will be replaced with the last batter PUT OUT or last batter from previous inning – the count will remain from the injured batter. If a batter is removed during the game due to illness, that batter will be ruled out during next @ bat and must be removed from the dugout. Any player whom is removed due to injury and cannot bat must be removed (benched) for the entirety of the game. * If batter was injured in previous at-bat and can bat during next at-bat, that player may resume.
    
    

11. Protest Rule 4.19

    Protests must be avoided at all costs. Protests are not allowed for an umpire ruling on a play (Umpires Judgement). Typically protests are made for the use of an ineligible pitcher or player. Protests must be made first to the umpire (umpire can reject a protest) before end of game and then in writing to the League President.
    
    Deviation of the rule (Score Keepers):
    During Fort Lauderdale Little League Play Offs, coaches become in effect official scorers for their team and the opposing team. If score keepers (coaches) become aware of a potential situation that could lead to a protest, it is the managers responsibility on both teams to bring the item to the umpire. If an ineligible catcher or pitcher is moving into one of those positions, managers on either team with knowledge should bring this to the umpires attention BEFORE it happens. Games must be completed regardless of protest.
    
    Deviation of the rule (Results of Protest)
    You understand that if a protest is acknowledged and acted upon, all pitch counts during the game entirety regardless of protest will stand for both teams. A committee of the board comprised of the League President, Player Agent and League Umpire in Chief will review the protest. The President may appoint a replacement or an additional committee member WHO WAS NOT involved in the game and WHO MAY NOT benefit from the outcome. The committee may judge the severity and/or outcome and either A. Resume the game the following day at the point of infraction (ALL PITCH COUNTS / REST PERIODS STAND FOR BOTH TEAMS) B. Manager Suspension C. Game Forfeit by offending team D. Coach Warning E. Rejection of Protest. F. Other reasonable punitive measures depending on the situation. All outcomes by the committee are final.
    
    

12. Simple Things you can do to prevent issues on the fields.

    1. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A JOB ON THE FIELD, stay in the dugout WITH THE GATE CLOSED.
       
       

    2. Base Coaches - STAY IN THE BASE COACH BOX. Since we do not paint that box, the position is behind the base.
       
       

    3. You have one group of coaches (3 TOTAL). YOU ARE NOT rotating new coaches from the dugout to the outside fence. ONLY coaches that start the game can be in the dugout throughout the game. If someone is ejected, THAT COACH CANNOT BE REPLACED.
       
       

    4. Watching the next pitcher. YOU DO NOT allow your kids to come onto the field to watch the pitcher. YOU DO IT from the dugout. UNLESS someone has a job on the field, stay off the field including players.
       
       

    5. YES, the head coach can be ejected for breaking these rules. Usually it will be a warning. Most of this is simple respect of the game and of the opposing team.
       
       

    6. If you have an issue on the field - TALK TO THE UMPIRE not the other team.
       
       

    7. If you are ejected remove yourself from the general vicinity of the field. DO NOT communicate with ANYONE on your team until the game is over. Do NOT give the impression that you continued to coach post-ejection. Staying away from the dugout and the other coaches is the best way to accomplish this.
       
       

    8. Coaches coach from inside the playing field not outside of the fence
       
       

    9. Music on the fields : FLLL does not have a dedicated DJ that represents BOTH teams. Keep the music clean and free of profane language, drug use or sexual content. If your team has music and the other team does not, DO NOT BLARE the radio in between innings disrupting the defensive team ability to communicate. Be respectful. If teams/parents want to blare music, have them turn the speakers around so it is facing the stands or there teams dugout so they can understand what it is like for the umpires or the coaches trying to communicate with the teams. Keep the volume reasonable.
       
       

13. You should have the "LL APP" on your phone which should be free on your phone store. The LL APP is the complete rulebook. This is a list of important rules / local play off rules (Example - 6 Consecutive outs is a local league rule #3).
    
    
14. In Little League, "making a travesty of the game" refers to actions by a coach or manager that significantly disrupt or diminish the game's fairness and spirit, potentially leading to a game forfeiture. This can involve tactics like delaying the game, shortening it, or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct. This CAN BE also viewed by the league as a coach who allows his team parents to berate the other team players or team coaches. If you see or hear the parents of your team mocking / berating the other team or coaches, SHUT THEM DOWN.
    
    Allowing players in your dugout to scream and intentionally trying to balk or disrupt the pitcher during the wind up, THIS IS ILLEGAL.
    
    

    Play it fair, play it clean. If you need to employ tactics that are beyond the spirit of the rules and you win, we will all know who really won. Don't be that team.
    
    

    The rules make the game fun, not the opposite. Do not lower the standards for your team, raise them.
    
    

TIE GAME

COACH PITCH / MINORS : If after the 6th inning and score is tied, the 7th inning will be played in Tie Breaker Style. See the underlined section in 14b Below.

MAJORS: If after the 6th inning and score is tied (Regulation Game), the 7th inning will be played as normal to resolve the tie. If after the 7th inning and score is still tied, game will be played (8th inning) in Tie Breaker Style. See the underlined section in 14b Below.

50/70: If after the 7th inning and score is tied (Regulation Game), the 8th inning will be played as normal to resolve the tie. If after the 8th inning and score is still tied, game will be played (9th inning) in Tie Breaker Style. See the underlined section in 14b Below.

RULE 14B - HARD TO READ VERSION FROM THE BOOK

When the completion of six innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division/ Junior/Senior League: seven innings] and the score is tied, the following tie-breaker will be played to determine a winning team:

a. The seventh inning [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: eighth inning] will be played as normal.

b. Starting in the top of the eighth inning [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/ Senior League:
ninth inning], and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base.
EXAMPLE: If the number five batter is the lead-off batter, the number four batter in the batting order will be placed on second base. An eligible substitute or special pinch runner may be inserted for the runner