Local Rules
AI 8u Division
1.0 Game Length, Substitutions and Playing Time
1.1 Games are a maximum of six innings, and shall be official after 3.5 innings if the home team is ahead.
1.2 No new inning shall start after 1 hour and 50 minutes of playing time. When that deadline is reached, the game will conclude when the current inning is completed. If the score is tied at the conclusion of that final inning, then the game will be recorded as a tie. Playoff games that are tied in the final inning will be permitted to go beyond the time limit.
1.3 No player may sit for two consecutive innings.
1.4 No player may sit more than two total innings per regulation game.
1.5 There is no limit as to how many times a player enters or leaves the game. The time of substitution is not determined by position in the batting order.
2.0 Batting
2.1 The lineup consists of all players present whether playing in the field or not; thus, batting order will extend beyond TEN to include all players present.
2.2 If a player arrives late, he or she is added to the bottom of the lineup.
2.3 Three strikes and the batter is out. Three outs per inning.
2.4 There are no walks or HBP at this level.
2.5 Maximum of five runs per inning, except for the last inning. The last inning is uncapped. If the 1 hour and 50 minute “no new inning rule” is approaching and coaches/umpires call last inning prior to making it to the sixth inning, the last inning will be uncapped.
2.6 Any batted ball that hits the machine, power cord, ball bucket, or machine operator is a dead ball. All runners (including the batter) are awarded one base.
2.7 Bunting is not permitted.
3.0 Baserunning
3.1 Stealing is not permitted.
3.2 A base runner is not required to slide at any time. However, if a fielder clearly has possession of the ball and is waiting for the base runner, then it is the responsibility of the base runner to avoid contact with the fielder. If contact is made, it must be in an attempt to slide. Thus, no base runner can deliberately run into a defensive player, who has clear possession of the ball, with the intention of jarring the ball loose. The penalty is dead ball, runner is out.
3.3 On dropped third strike, batter is out and runners shall not advance.
3.4 Prior to the game, coaches shall line the fields and include a white chalk line, on the back of the infield dirt, approximately 1/3 of the way between the bases (excluding the path from home plate to first base). On balls hit to the outfield, once an infielder has possession of the ball in the infield dirt with his/her hands in the air, runners can only advance if they have already past that white line. The coach at the pitching machine is responsible for making this call. All calls shall be respected on the field.
3.5 No advancing on overthrows on balls thrown from one infielder to another; however, a ball thrown from the outfield is still live until an infielder has possession as outlined in Rule 3.4.
3.6 Players shall not leave the base until the ball is hit. First time is a warning, second time the runner is out.
4.0 Pitching
4.1 The pitching machine shall be used.
4.2 The manager or coach of the batting team is at the pitching machine delivering pitches to his or her own team.
4.3 The pitching machine must be set to 42 MPH. Any changes to this speed can only be approved by the commissioner of the 8u division. Coaches are not permitted to independently agree to adjust the speed before a game without prior approval from the commissioner, in order to maintain fairness across all teams.
4.4 Height and direction can be adjusted at any time to ensure a pitch is a strike. Coaches shall call “time” to adjust the machine. Both coaches are encouraged to work together to agree when the machine has been reset and are ready for the game to resume.
4.5 Each batter shall receive seven reasonable pitches to swing at. The coach at the machine should inform the batter when it’s their last pitch. If the batter does not swing at the 7th reasonable pitch, then it’s a strikeout. If the batter hits a foul ball on the 7th reasonable pitch, then they get another pitch.
4.6 During the season, the commissioner may elect to decrease the number of
reasonable pitches to five after the teams have become adjusted to hitting
off of the machine.
5.0 Fielding
5.1 If rosters have 13 players, then there shall be 10 fielders, including 4 outfielders; however, if each team has 11 players or less for a game, the home team may elect that each team uses 9 fielders, with only three outfielders.
5.2 If a player arrives late, he or she should be played within two innings of arriving.
5.3 The pitcher must wear a helmet and keep one foot in the dirt circle around the mound.
5.4 Players cannot play more than two innings at the same position during a game.
5.5 Each player shall play at least one inning in the infield each game.
5.6 There is no infield fly rule.
5.7 Outfielders must be positioned at least 10 feet beyond the infield until the ball is hit, and they may not cross into the infield at any point during the play. When any outfielder crosses into the infield the play will be called dead, and each base runner will be awarded the base they were headed to. Thus, the centerfielder is not permitted to pick up a ground ball and tag second base.
6.0 Game Responsibilities and Safety
6.1 Home team staff are responsible for lining and grooming the field. Both teams are encouraged to work together to accomplish this.
6.2 Adults will coach at first and third base, provided an approved third coach is in the dugout at all times. The dugout will not be left without adult supervision. All players, with the exception of the fielders, batter, and baserunners, are to remain under cover at all times.
6.3 All male catchers must wear a protective cup while catching. The chest protector is to be worn with the protective flap down and the catcher’s mask shall have a neck guard.
6.4 Home team is responsible for dragging the field after the game and putting tarps on the mound/plate if rain is expected. Both teams are encouraged to work together to accomplish this.
6.5 Both teams should clear the dugouts of all trash and debris.
7.0 Miscellaneous Rules
7.1 When situations arise that are not covered in this addendum, the little league rulebook will govern all play.
7.2 Score can be kept but regular season standings do not matter. A single elimination playoff will be held at completion of the regular season for competitive play. Seedings will be based on a random drawing.
7.3 These are the official house rules of Whitemarsh Little League AI 8u Division. Any other existing copy without the version and date listed below are deemed invalid.
8.0 Whitemarsh Little League Summer Travel and Tournament Teams
8.1 At the conclusion of the spring in-house season, Whitemarsh Little League encourages the formation of summer tournament and/or travel teams for each age group. Eligibility for these teams will adhere to the criteria outlined in Section 7.6.
8.2 Prior to the formation of the 8U teams, the Commissioner and Player Agent are encouraged, but not required, to organize a tryout, open to all players within the 8U division. If it is determined that a tryout will be held, the Commissioner will oversee the scheduling of the tryout, which will be conducted by the Player Agent or delegate. The Commissioner will be required to invite a minimum of two independent evaluators to assist in the evaluation process. These evaluators will provide feedback on every player’s skill level to the Commissioner, Player Agent and head coaches.
8.3 If a tryout is held, following the tryout, all head coaches within the 8U division will convene for a "ranking meeting” at a date and time scheduled by the Player Agent. If no tryout is held, the “ranking meeting” will be scheduled at a date and time scheduled by the Player Agent. In cases where a player is unable to attend the tryout, their performance during the regular season will be considered. Each head coach will provide an anonymous ranking of the top 10 players, ordered from 1 to 10, to the Player Agent prior to the start of the meeting. These rankings will be compiled by the Player Agent and will serve as the starting point for discussions among the coaches. After the top 10 players are ranked, all other players in the division shall be ranked in order as well.
8.4 A Team Formation: After the ranking meeting, the Player Agent will formally announce the head coach for the A team. The head coach shall have a child ranked between #1-5. An exception to this may be granted by the Player Agent. Players ranked 1 through 10 will automatically be invited to join the A team. The head coach will then select two additional players, regardless of their ranking, to complete the roster. The Player Agent retains the sole authority to veto a coach’s selection if the player’s ranking is deemed to be significantly outside a reasonable range. If a player declines their invitation, the head coach, in consultation with the Player Agent, may select an alternative player.
8.5 B Team Formation: Once the A team roster has been finalized, the formation of the B team may proceed. The Player Agent or Board will approve the head coach of the B team. The head coach of the B team shall use the player rankings as a reference, but they are not required to select players strictly according to the ranking order. The Player Agent must approve the roster of the B team.
8.6 Eligibility for Whitemarsh Summer Teams. To be eligible for selection to a Whitemarsh Summer Travel or Tournament team, players must meet the following criteria:
· Players must be registered in the Whitemarsh Little League spring recreational season.
· Players must have participated in at least 8 games during the season. In cases of injury or other extenuating circumstances, the Player Agent may, at their sole discretion, waive this requirement.