Central Connecticut Fall Baseball League

This division will focus on training and development of skills and fundamentals with most attention to players’ achievements and fun with minimal attention to game scores. The guidelines below are set to help promote this philosophy.

• Home team is listed on the schedule.
• Six inning games with no inning to start after two hours unless there is no game on the field afterwards (in which case the coaches will decide whether to play on or not after two hours). An inning starts immediately upon the third out of the bottom of an inning.
• Games will be played under adverse conditions – be prepared.
• Maximum four runs per at bat/half inning unless last inning, in which case bat until there are three outs in top or bottom (if necessary) of the last inning. However, should a home run be hit over the fence in any inning, including the last, all runs driven in by the home run will count. No mercy/travesty rule.
• A team must have at least eight players or else the game will be forfeited.
• If a game is forfeited because one or both teams have less than eight players, the game should be played as a practice game if possible.
• 10 defensive positions.
• Free defensive substitutions except for the pitcher – no pitcher may re-enter the same game as a pitcher once he/she is removed from the mound.
• Players cannot sit out on defense more than one consecutive inning.
• Optional coaches (2 maximum at any one time) on field assisting defensive players (first eight games only).
• Continuous batting order. Everyone bats.
• No penalty for batting out of order.
• Coaches/parents preferred as base coaches.
• If kids must coach a base, they must wear helmets – maximum one kid coaching at any one time.
• Kids catching during a game or while warming up a pitcher on the mound or in the bullpen must wear a mask with a dangling throat protector at all times.
• “Big-barrel” bats are not allowed. Bats must conform to Little League Baseball specifications.
• 6 balls when bases are loaded (or 3 strikes).
• Little League Baseball’s Regular Season Pitch Count Rules will apply for all CCFBL regular season and playoff games (except for game of rest).
• Maximum 50 pitches per day (a pitcher may finish a batter if he/she started the batter with less than 50 pitches). If a player pitches 21-40 pitches in a day, one calendar day of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 41-60 pitches in a day, two calendar days of rest must be observed. A pitcher removed from the mound may not catch in that game.
• Managers must track pitch count for both teams, reconciling every half inning and when a pitcher is removed from the game. Managers are to declare ineligible pitchers to opposing manager before the game.
• Mound distance of 40 – 42 feet – the 40-foot distance may be used only if a pitcher cannot reach home plate from 42 feet.
• Pitcher must be removed if he walks and/or hits a combined five consecutive batters in any one inning.
• Pitcher must be removed if he hits three batters in a game.
• One steal/passed ball per inning.
• No stealing home or going home on a wild pitch or passed ball.
• No delayed steal.
• No advancement on an overthrow during a steal attempt – one base per play on a steal.
• Maximum one base on a wild pitch or a passed ball (except from third where no advancement home). After the first advancement on a wild pitch or passed ball, a coach may help retrieve further wild pitches/passed balls.
• No advance on an overthrow.
• Emphasis on slide OR avoid. It will be a judgment call by the umpire whether or not to call the runner out on plays the umpire deems warranted a slide or avoid.
• One base on a tag up.
• Outfielders must play on the outfield grass at least 10 feet beyond the infield dirt.
• No infield fly rule.
• No mercy rule.
• Play will be considered dead once the ball is in the control of the pitcher or any fielder on the pitcher’s mound and the base runner has stopped his/her forward progress.
• Bunting is allowed.
• No slashing (faking a bunt and then swinging away on same pitch) – slashing will result in the batter being automatically called out and any runner or runners being returned to the base or bases occupied prior to the slashing.
• No intentional headfirst sliding – automatic out for head first slides. Exception: going back to a base.
• Emphasis on hurry up on and off field.
• Coach option: “Hurry up” rule for catcher (if catcher is on base with two outs, a pinch runner may be used so the catcher can put on the catcher’s gear; the pinch runner shall be the batter who made the last out).
• No protests; all disagreements must be worked out on the field by the coaches and umpire.
• Only the head coach may discuss an umpire’s call (fair or foul, safe or out, etc.). There shall be no arguing balls and strikes or an umpire’s judgment calls.
• Unsportsmanlike behavior by players, coaches, parents, etc. will not be tolerated; head coaches are responsible for controlling the behavior of their assistant coaches, players, fans, players’ parents, etc.
• While chanting is allowed, there shall be no chanting or other actions that disrupt any pitcher, batter, fielder or base runner. Any other chanting must stop once the pitcher has the baseball and is in contact with the pitching rubber.
• An umpire may stop and/or forfeit a game for behavior that in the umpire’s belief constitutes unsportsmanlike behavior that either continues unabated after one warning or warrants no warning.
• Anyone ejected from a game must sit out the next game. (Both teams’ head coaches need to report an ejection to the age-division coordinator).
• Anyone ejected twice during the season is out for the season.
• Winning team reports the score to the 8U league commissioner.
• Team records and standings will be kept.
• Every team plays in the playoffs/post-season tournament.
• Playoff seedings/pairings will be determined via a random drawing upon completion of the final regular season game. (Regular season records do not count toward playoff seedings – give your kids many opportunities during the regular season, at least).
• Head coaches/managers are responsible for the actions of their players, coaches and fans.

With the exception of minimum playing time, continuous batting order, pitching and catching rules, adjustments to the above rules will be made as necessary by team managers/coaches (provided both teams agree) and/or league personnel.

Little League rulebook and common sense for other undeclared rulings.

This division will focus on the development of skills and fundamentals with most attention to players’ achievements and fun with minimal attention to game scores. The guidelines below are set to help promote this philosophy.

• Home team is listed on the schedule.
• Six inning games with no inning to start after two hours unless there is no game on the field. An inning starts immediately upon the third out of the bottom of an inning.
• Games will be played under adverse conditions – be prepared.
• Maximum five runs per at bat/half inning unless last inning, in which case bat until there are three outs in top or bottom (if necessary) of the last inning. However, should a home run be hit over the fence in any inning, including the last, all runs driven in by the home run will count (same for ground rule double). No mercy rule.
• If a game is forfeited because one or both teams have less than eight players, the game should be played as a practice game if possible. (No pitching for borrowed players).
• 9 defensive positions.
• Free defensive substitutions except for the pitcher – no pitcher may re-enter the same game as a pitcher once he/she is removed from the mound.
• Players cannot sit out on defense more than two consecutive innings and must play a minimum of 3 defensive innings.
• Continuous batting order. Everyone bats.
• No penalty for batting out of order.
• Coaches/parents preferred as base coaches.
• If kids must coach a base, they must wear helmets – maximum one kid coaching at any one time.
• Kids catching during a game or while warming up a pitcher on the mound or in the bullpen must wear a mask with a dangling throat protector at all times.
• “Big-barrel” bats are not allowed. Bats must conform to Little League Baseball specifications.
• Little League Baseball’s Regular Season Pitch Count Rules will apply for all CCFBL regular season and playoff games (except for game of rest). A pitcher removed from the mound may not catch in that game.
• A maximum of 2 runs will be allowed to score per inning on passed balls/wild pitches.
• Mound distance of 46 feet.
• Pitcher must be removed if he walks and/or hits a combined five consecutive batters in any one inning or in consecutive innings.
• Pitcher must be removed if he hits four batters in a game.
• Emphasis on slide OR avoid. It will be a judgment call by the umpire whether or not to call the runner out on plays the umpire deems warranted a slide or avoid.
• No mercy rule.
• Play will be considered dead once the ball is in the control of the pitcher in the mound area and the base runner has stopped his/her forward progress.
• Bunting is allowed.
• No slashing (faking a bunt and then swinging away on same pitch) – slashing will result in the batter being automatically called out and any runner or runners being returned to the base or bases occupied prior to the slashing.
• No intentional headfirst sliding – automatic out for head first slides. Exception: going back to a base.
• Emphasis on hurry up on and off field.
• Coach option: “Hurry up” rule for catcher (if catcher is on base with two outs, a pinch runner may be used so the catcher can put on the catcher’s gear; the pinch runner shall be the batter who made the last out).
• No protests: all disagreements must be worked out on the field by the coaches and umpire.
• Only manager or appointed manager may discuss an umpire’s call (fair or foul, safe or out, etc.). There shall be no arguing balls and strikes or an umpire’s judgment calls.
• Unsportsmanlike behavior by players, coaches, parents, etc. will not be tolerated; head coaches are responsible for controlling the behavior of their assistant coaches, players, fans, players’ parents, etc.
• While chanting is allowed, there shall be no chanting or other actions that disrupt any pitcher, batter, fielder or base runner. Any other chanting must stop once the pitcher has the baseball and is in contact with the pitching rubber.
• An umpire may stop and/or forfeit a game for behavior that in the umpire’s belief constitutes unsportsmanlike behavior that either continues unabated after one warning or at the umpire’s discretion warrants no warning.
• Anyone ejected from a game must sit out the next game. (Both teams’ head coaches must report an ejection to the age-division coordinator).
• Anyone ejected twice during the season is out for the season and playoffs.
• Winning team reports the score to the 10U league commissioner.
• Team records and standings will be kept.
• Every team plays in the playoffs/post-season tournament.
• Playoff seedings/pairings will be determined via a random drawing upon completion of the final regular season game. (Regular season records do not count toward playoff seedings – give your kids many opportunities during the regular season, at least).
• Head coaches/managers are responsible for the actions of their players, coaches and fans.

With the exception of minimum play time, continuous batting order, and pitching and catching rules, adjustments to the above rules will be made as necessary by team managers/coaches (provided both teams agree) and/or league personnel.

Little League rulebook and common sense for other undeclared rulings.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. At umpire’s discretion, violator may be ejected. First offense – one game suspension (game immediately following the action). Second offense – must be removed from the team and is not eligible for League play for the regular season and playoffs.
• Both teams’ head coaches must report an ejection to the age-division coordinator.
• Head coaches/managers are responsible for the actions of their players, coaches and fans.
• Home team is listed on the schedule.
• A team may start or finish a game with eight (8) players, but will be the visiting team. Other players who arrive late are to be added to the bottom of the batting order. Should a team have only 8 players, they may borrow a player from the team they are playing.
• No big-barrel bats – only approved little league.
• Continuous batting order. Everyone bats.
• No automatic outs for injuries or missing players.
• No pinch runners unless runner is injured.
• Free defensive substitution.
• Players to play a minimum of three innings in the field and no more than two consecutive innings on the bench.
• Slide or avoid. No head first sliding except back to the base from which they came.
• Batting out of order – fix it/no out.
• Six runs per inning – unlimited in last inning. If home run or ground rule double, all runs will count after home run over the fence or ground rule double. No mercy/travesty rule.
• Two-hour time limit if a team is waiting to play afterwards (can’t start an inning after two hours from the actual start of the game – an inning starts immediately upon the third out being made in the bottom of an inning).
• Pitching rules – Little League Baseball’s Regular Season Pitch Count Rules will apply for all CCFBL regular season and playoff games (except for game of rest). A pitcher removed from the mound may not catch in that game.
• If a pitcher hits three batters in a game, the pitcher must be removed from the mound.
• Coach option: “Hurry up” rule for catcher (if a catcher is on base with two outs, insert the batter who made the last out).
• No slashing (faking a bunt and then swinging away on same pitch) – slashing will result in the batter being automatically called out and any runner or runners being returned to the base or bases occupied prior to the slashing.
• An umpire may stop and/or forfeit a game for behavior that in the umpire’s belief constitutes unsportsmanlike behavior that either continues unabated after one warning or at the umpire’s discretion warrants no warning.
• Winning team reports the score to the 12U league commissioner.
• Team records and standings will be kept.
• Every team plays in the playoffs/post-season tournament.
• Playoff seedings/pairings will be determined via a random drawing upon completion of the final regular season game. (Regular season records do not count toward playoff seedings – give your kids many opportunities during the regular season, at least).
• No protests. Work out issues on the field between coaches and umpire.
• All other Little League Rules will apply.

Cal Ripken - National League Based Rules

• Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. At umpire’s discretion, violator may be ejected. First offense – one game suspension (game immediately following the action). Second offense – must be removed from the team and is not eligible for League play for the regular season and playoffs.
• The schedule will list home team before every game. Home team is to occupy first base dugout.
• A team may start a game with eight (8) players, but will be the visiting team. Other players who arrive late are to be added to the bottom of the batting order.
• No big-barrel bats – only approved little league, 2 ¼ max dia.
• Continuous batting order. Everyone bats.
• Free defensive substitution.
• Slide or avoid. No head first sliding. Except to return to a base when leading.
• Leading and stealing is permitted.
• Balks will be called after one warning per pitcher, umpire is to explain the reason for the call, this is an instructional recreational league, exception for games prior to Sept 10th 2007, two balks permitted before awarding the base.
• Batting out of order – fix it/no out.
• FIVE runs per inning – unlimited in last inning. If home run, all runs will count. No mercy/travesty rule.
• Six inning games, Two-hour time limit if a team is waiting to play afterwards (can’t start an inning after two hours from the actual start of the game – an inning starts immediately upon the third out being made in the bottom of an inning).
• Pitching rules – A max of six (6) innings per weekend/week (a week runs from Monday to Sunday) and a max of four innings per game.
  
  • Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched an inning.
  • A player may not pitch more than six (6) innings in a weekend.
  • If a pitcher hits three batters in a game, the pitcher must be removed from the mound. Or if a player hits two batters in one inning.
• “Hurry up” rule for catcher (if a catcher is on base with two outs, insert the player who made the last out). For injured player may also use the last out as the runner.
• No slashing (faking a bunt and then swinging away on same pitch) – slashing will result in the batter being automatically called out and any runner or runners being returned to the base or bases occupied prior to the slashing.
• On second trip to the mound in one inning the pitcher must be removed.
• No hit sticks allowed after start of game.
• On deck batters as determined by home field rules.
• No protests. Work out issues on the field between coaches and umpire.
• Playoff pairings to be random draws.
• Anyone ejected from a game must sit out the next game. (Both team’s coaches need to report any ejection from a game to the division age coordinator).
• Anyone ejected twice during the season is out for the rest of the season and for the playoffs.

All other Cal Ripken - National League Based Rules will apply.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. At umpire’s discretion, violator may be ejected. First offense – one game suspension (game immediately following the action). Second offense – must be removed from the team and is not eligible for League play for the regular season and playoffs.
• Both teams’ head coaches must report an ejection to the age-division coordinator.
• An umpire may stop and/or forfeit a game for behavior that in the umpire’s belief constitutes unsportsmanlike behavior that either continues unabated after one warning or at the umpire’s discretion warrants no warning.
• Head coaches/managers are responsible for the actions of their coaches, players and fans.
• Home team is listed on schedule.
• Players may use any Little League, Babe Ruth League, or similar bat with up to a maximum 2 ¾” barrel.
• Games are 7 innings with a 2 ¼-hr. time limit if there is a team waiting to play afterwards (can’t start an inning after 2 ¼ hours from the actual start of the game – an inning starts immediately upon the third out being made in the bottom of an inning).
• Twelve-run mercy rule after five innings. Losing team must have had at least five at bats.
• 4 innings constitutes a complete game when weather or darkness is an issue. Losing team must have had at least 4 at bats.
• No less than 8 players are required to start or continue a game. When the 9th slot in the batting order comes up it will constitute as an out (but only once per inning). Additional late players will get inserted consecutively at the end of the batting order.
• If injured player comes out of the game or a player leaves the game the batting order slides up. If player returns into the game he must go in at the end of the order.
• Coach Option: “Hurry Up Rule”. The catcher may have a pinch runner go in for him if there are two outs (must be the batter who made the last out) in order for the catcher to put his gear on in order to keep the game moving. Pinch runners for other players for injury only.
• Runner must slide or avoid contact.
• Batter can advance to first base on a dropped third strike.
• Free Defensive substitutions. Players must play a minimum of three innings on defense (except for shortened games).
• Continuous Batting Order. Everyone bats.
• Pitching rules – Little League Baseball’s Regular Season Pitch Count Rules will apply for all CCFBL regular season and playoff games. Exceptions/Clarifications:
  
  • A player may pitch a maximum of 95 pitches per day.
  • A pitcher removed from the mound may not return to the mound during a game.
  • A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.
  • If a player pitches 1 to 25 pitches in a day, no calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 26 to 45 pitches in a day, one calendar day of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 46 to 60 pitches in a game, two calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a game, three calendar days of rest must be observed.
• Two Balk warnings per pitcher per game without penalty.
• A pitcher removed from the mound may not catch in that game.
• Winning team reports the score to the 13U league commissioner.
• Team records and standings will be kept.
• Every team plays in the playoffs/post-season tournament.
• Playoff seedings/pairings will be determined via a random drawing upon completion of the final regular season game. (Regular season records do not count toward playoff seedings).
• No protests. Work out issues on the field between coaches and umpire.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. At umpire’s discretion, violator may be ejected. First offense – one game suspension (game immediately following the action). Second offense – must be removed from the team and is not eligible for League play for the regular season and playoffs.
• Both teams’ head coaches must report an ejection to the age-division coordinator.
• An umpire may stop and/or forfeit a game for behavior that in the umpire’s belief constitutes unsportsmanlike behavior that either continues unabated after one warning or at the umpire’s discretion warrants no warning.
• Head coaches/managers are responsible for the actions of their coaches, players and fans.
• Home team is listed on schedule.
• Players must use a big-barrel bat with up to a maximum 2 ¾” barrel and a minus 7 length-weight drop or heavier (for example, a minus 3, minus 5, or minus 7 would be OK; but a minus 8, minus 9, minus 10, minus 11, or minus 13 would not be allowed).
• Games are 7 innings with a 2 ¼-hr. time limit if there is a team waiting to play afterwards (can’t start an inning after 2 ¼ hours from the actual start of the game – an inning starts immediately upon the third out being made in the bottom of an inning).
• Twelve-run mercy rule after five innings. Losing team must have had at least five at bats.
• 4 innings constitutes a complete game when weather or darkness is an issue. Losing team must have had at least 4 at bats.
• No less than 8 players are required to start or continue a game. When the 9th slot in the batting order comes up it will constitute as an out (but only once per inning). Additional late players will get inserted consecutively at the end of the batting order.
• If injured player comes out of the game or a player leaves the game the batting order slides up. If player returns into the game he must go in at the end of the order.
• Coach option: “Hurry Up Rule”. The catcher may have a pinch runner go in for him if there are two outs (must be the batter who made the last out) in order for the catcher to put his gear on in order to keep the game moving. Pinch runners for other players for injury only.
• Runner must slide or avoid contact.
• Batter can advance to first base on a dropped third strike.
• Free Defensive substitutions. Players must play a minimum of three innings on defense (except for shortened games).
• Continuous Batting Order. Everyone bats.
• Pitching rules – Little League Baseball’s Regular Season Pitch Count Rules will apply for all CCFBL regular season and playoff games. Exceptions/Clarifications:
  
  • A player may pitch a maximum of 95 pitches per day.
  • A pitcher removed from the mound may not return to the mound during a game.
  • A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.
  • If a player pitches 1 to 25 pitches in a day, no calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 26 to 45 pitches in a day, one calendar day of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 46 to 60 pitches in a game, two calendar days of rest must be observed.
  • If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a game, three calendar days of rest must be observed.
• One Balk warning per pitcher per game without penalty for the first half of the season. No warnings thereafter.
• A pitcher removed from the mound may not catch in that game.
• Winning team reports the score to the 15U league commissioner.
• Team records and standings will be kept.
• Every team plays in the playoffs/post-season tournament.
• Playoff seedings/pairings will be determined via a random drawing upon completion of the final regular season game. (Regular season records do not count toward playoff seedings).
• No protests. Work out issues on the field between coaches and umpire.