Kerrisdale Little League

2010 Kerrisdale Little League Rules

BlastBall Rules

For 4 – 5 year olds, this division provides an ideal entry level of play for the youngster who will go on to other advanced levels of the game.

BlastBall is meant to put FUN back in to the game of Baseball. It is designed to generate fast-paced action, provide recreation and exercise, create enthusiasm and thru simplicity, allow retention of youth participants in the game. BlastBall teaches all five basic fundamentals of baseball and softball…hitting, throwing, catching, running and fielding. It is also just a ton of fun with fast and continuous action and simple rules.

Objective

The defensive players take an infield or outfield position. A BlastBall is placed on the BlastTee and the first batter hits the ball and runs to the BlastBase. If the batter reaches the Base (the only base used) before a defensive player either catches the BlastBall in the air (an automatic out) or fields it and yells "BLAST ", he scores a run. If the ball is caught or fielded and "BLAST” is yelled before the runner gets to the BlastBase, then the runner is out. It’s just that simple!

You end the (half) inning by batting once around the line-up. No score is kept.

The BlastBase is audible, emitting a loud "H O N K " that the kids love whenever the runner stomps on the base. When fielded, the defensive player can throw the BlastBall back to another player, an adult or a SportsNet positioned near home plate (safely away from the Tee). Gloves/mitts are not needed because of the softness and size of the Ball. The fear factor of being hit is eliminated from the game all together. While batting helmets are not needed because the BlastBall is not being pitched or thrown to make the out, for optimum safety helmets are recommended

Tee Ball Rules

Tee Ball Kindergarten: For 5 – 6 year olds, this division introduces players to baseball, and the ball is hit off the tee rather than pitched from a pitching machine.

Tee Ball Grade 1: For 6 – 7 year olds, this division introduces players to more basic concepts of baseball such as outs and a pitched ball from a pitching machine.

• All players play defensively and hit.
• Maximum of 6 fielders in infield positions: Pitcher, First base, Second Base, Short Stop, Third Base & an extra “Short Stop” between 1st and 2nd base.
• Infielders are not to be positioned nearer to the plate than 3 feet from the base paths between 1st & 2nd and 2nd & 3rd.
• All other defensive players must be in the outfield.
• The Catcher must be positioned near the backstop fence while the opposing players are hitting.
• Fielders may throw or roll the ball based on ability at the discretion of their coaches. There is no requirement to roll the ball.
• Fielders are not to block the base runner’s progress by standing on the base paths.
• Coaches are not permitted in the infield during play. One coach is permitted in the outfield.
• Each batter must bat each inning and the last batter hits everyone home.
• All Hitters and base runners must wear helmets. Mouth-guards are recommended.
• There is NO “on deck” circle in Little League due to safety reasons. No players other that the batter should be swinging bats during the game. The “on deck” hitter is to remain on the bench waiting for their turn to hit.
• All equipment should be kept in the bench area away from the field of play.
• T-Ball Kindergarten Division: Coaches are to place the ball on the Tee in Kindergarten tee ball only.
• T-Ball Grade One Division: Players are introduced to more basic concepts of baseball such as outs. In the last 2 weeks of the season, coaches can pitch to the players to help transition them into Minor B where they will hit off a pitching machine. All players are in the batting order and in the field; however, the side is retired on three outs.
• Coaches should call “defense ready” before instructing their Batter to swing. Batters should not swing until instructed to do so by the Coach.
• Batted Balls must travel beyond 10 feet. Balls hit under 10 feet are considered “foul”, the batter is still up and re-hits.
• T-Ball Kindergarten - Coaches are not permitted to use the pitching machine before the Victoria Day Weekend. Coaches may choose to use the pitching machine after that date as long as it does not impede the pace of play. Safety to all players must be fully considered.
• Scores and standings are not kept and there are no playoffs. The focus is on players having fun and learning baseball fundamentals.

Minor B

For 7 and 8 year olds, this is relatively competitive and uses a pitching machine only (no coach pitching). This version of baseball is the next step towards real baseball.

• All Players hit.
• 5 pitches or 3 strikes, no walks
• No stealing, no lead offs.
• Runners may advance 1 base on an overthrow.
• The play is over when the ball breaks the plane of the infield. The plane of the infield is a line between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 3rd. To help make this call, you draw a chalk line on the field between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 3rd.
• 10 players on defense
• 4 innings with a max of 3, 3, 4 in the first 3 innings and once through the batting order in the final inning with unlimited runs or 3 outs, whichever comes first. If the teams have unequal numbers of players both teams will bat the higher number of players in the last inning.
• No new innings after 7:30pm
• Players must slide into home when there is a play at the plate, runners that do not slide will be called out. Coaches are encouraged to teach players to automatically slide home.
• No head first sliding.
• Fielders are not to block the base runner’s progress by standing on the base paths.
• Coaches are not permitted in the infield during play. One coach is permitted in the outfield.
• All Hitters and base runners must wear helmets. Mouth-guards are recommended. Catchers must wear a cup.
• There is NO “on deck” circle in Little League due to safety reasons. No players other that the batter should be swinging bats during the game. The “on deck” hitter is to remain on the bench waiting for their turn to hit. Umps have the authority to enforce these rules.
• All equipment should be kept in the bench area away from the field of play.
• All players are to remain on the bench when their team is batting.
• Adult base coaches are permitted at 1st and 3rd bases.
• Scores and standings are not kept and there are no playoffs. The focus is on players having fun and learning baseball fundamentals
• Arguing with Umpires will not be tolerated.

Minor A Rules

For 9 – 11 year olds, Minor A is a more competitive level but the focus remains on players having fun and developing baseball skills. Minor A is the division where players learn to pitch.

• Pitchers may pitch from 39 feet rather than the standard 46 feet.
• There is no coach pitching in this division at any time in the game.
• Games will begin with a 5:30 warm-up followed by a 6:00 start time. 6:00 start time will be enforced by umps and supported by coaches. The visitors shall have the infield for warm up from 5:30 - 5:45 and the home team shall have the infield for warm up from 5:45 - 6:00.
• Dugouts are chosen on a first come first serve basis.  There is no designated home or visitor dugout. 
• All Players hit.
• At KLL, "rookie" pitchers must pitch in the first two innings, which are limited to two runs. The third and fourth innings are limited to 4 runs each, and the final inning is once through the order or 3 outs, whichever comes first (5 innings in total). "Rookie" pitchers are defined as players who have not pitched in more than three games prior to the 2010 season.
• Equal defensive playing time for all players.
• As we continue to have the whole roster in the batting order, defensive substitutions are unlimited, and substituted players can re-enter the game. Pitchers who have pitched in earlier innings, and have been replaced, may later re-enter the game to pitch again in later innings.
• No lead offs. Runners cannot leave the base, be it to steal or otherwise, until the pitched ball has crossed the plate. Runners who leave early will be sent back.
• In the case of a steal, the runner can only advance one base, even if there is an overthrow and runners cannot in any circustances steal home; and, in the case of a hit, the base runners can only advance one base on an overthrow, even if the ball remains in the field of play (i.e. runners cannot continue to run around the bases on multiple overthrows).
• Only one base advance even on an overthrow.  One base for steal and /or over throw. In the case of a steal, the runner can only advance one base, even if there is a overthrow and runners cannot in any circumstances steal home; and in the case of a hit, the base runners can only advance one base on an overthrow, even if the ball remains in the field of play (i.e. runners cannot continue to run around the bases on multiple overthrows). This needs to be enforced by coaches and umps.
• Players must slide into home when there is a play at the plate, runners that do not slide will be called out. Coaches are encouraged to teach players to automatically slide home.
• No head first sliding.
• Fielders are not to block the base runner’s progress by standing on the base paths.
• All Hitters and base runners must wear helmets. Mouth-guards are recommended. Catchers must wear a cup, and we recommend all players wear cups for every game and practice, as once they are in Majors cups are mandatory for all players.
• There is NO “on deck” circle in Little League due to safety reasons. No players other that the batter should be swinging bats during the game. The “on deck” hitter is to remain on the bench waiting for their turn to hit.
• All equipment should be kept in the bench area away from the field of play.
• All players are to remain on the bench when their team is batting.
• Adult base coaches are permitted at 1st and 3rd bases.
• No new innings after 8:00pm.
• Arguing with Umpires will not be tolerated.

Majors Rules

For 10 – 12 year olds, Majors is the most competitive division in KLL and requires a high degree of commitment from players and coaches.

Changes to pitch count rules for 2010:

Below is a summary/comparison of the pitching rules for 2010 versus 2009.
 
Pitching rules for 2010 that are same as 2009
 
Maximum pitch count;
 
11-12 year olds; 85 per day
9-10 year olds; 75 per day
 
Pitching/catching regulations;
 
If a pitcher pitches 41 or more pitches in a game, the pitcher cannot go into the catching position.
 
Pitch count and days of rest;
 
1)       0-20 pitches, zero days of rest
 
Pitching rules for 2010 that are different from 2009;
 
2010 rules
 
2)      21-35 pitches, 1 calendar day of rest
3)      36-50 pitches, 2 calendar days of rest
4)      51-65 pitches, 3 calendar days of rest
5)      66 or more pitches, 4 calendar days of rest

6) 1 pitch constitutes an appearance in an inning (no fractional innings)

7) If a catcher catches for 4 or more innings, he/she cannot then go in as pitcher for that game 
 
       2009 rules
 
        2)   21-40 pitches, 1 calendar days of rest and 1 game
        3)   41-60 pitches, 2 calendar days of rest and 1 game
        4)   61 or more pitches, 3 calendar days of rest and 1 game
 
Differences
 
1)      Introduced narrower ranges for days of rest, going from 4 ranges to 5 ranges for pitch count.
2)      Eliminated the need to sit out  a game in addition to the days of rest for categories 2, 3 and 4.

Majors Rules

• All Players hit.
• Equal defensive playing time for all players during the regular season.
• Runners can steal any base. No lead offs.
• 5 runs scored maximum per team per inning or 3 outs. Final at bats are once through the batting order or 3 outs, at the coaches' discretion.
• No new innings after 8:00pm, or 2 hours after the start of the game.
• Players must slide into home when there is a play at the plate, runners that do not slide will be called out.
• No head first sliding, with the exception of back into the bag.
• Fielders are not to block the base runner’s progress by standing on the base paths.
• All Hitters and base runners must wear helmets. Mouth-guards are recommended. Catchers and all other players are expected to wear a cup.
• There is NO “on deck” circle in Little League due to safety reasons. No players other that the batter should be swinging bats during the game. The “on deck” hitter is to remain on the bench waiting for their turn to hit.
• All equipment should be kept in the bench area away from the field of play.
• All players are to remain on the bench when their team is batting.
• Adult base coaches are permitted at 1st and 3rd bases.
• Arguing with Umpires will not be tolerated.