MAJORS
The "Major" division is for players who are league age 9 - 12 only. Spring rosters have 12 players per team. In the fall season rosters range from 10-13 players per team, typically. This division is more competitive but still fun and instructional. This is a kid pitch exclusive division. A continuous batting order is mandatory throughout District 12.
One of the biggest changes for players and parents to adjust to is that from the Major Division upward playing time rules change for players. Please see little league international blue book rules. Players will play no less than 6 defensive outs and no less than 1 at bat per standard 6 inning game.
Games are played on weeknights primarily with the possibility of a weekend game. There will also be an opportunity for the teams to travel and play teams from other leagues (may be Saturday games for tournaments or inter league play).
Coach / Friend requests are not granted in this division. In fall players must be drafted onto a team. Fall Ball rosters are kept together from the Spring season(s) teams and new players to the division are evaluated and then added to existing team rosters.
In the fall season there is a tryout that players must attend to be eligible for the draft by a major division team. All players who register for the spring season who are league ages 9, 10, 11, or 12 are assigned a tryout time by the league to be evaluated by the major managers to be considered for their team’s draft. All league age 12 players will be drafted to a major team’s roster.
Playing Rules:
https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/
Rules and Regulations:
https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/rules-regulations-policies/
MAJOR DIVISION RULES
1) Regular season and tournament games are 2 hours or six (6) innings, whichever is first. New inning
begins immediately following the recorded 3rd out.
2) All teams must use the Game Changer Team Manager app.
3) Managers must exchange line up cards prior to the game. Line up cards are to include full first name,
last name, and jersey number. Any changes to the line up card must be communicated to the umpire.
Managers must also announce ineligible pitchers during plate meeting - discrepancies to be discussed at
the plate meeting. Failure to declare an ineligible pitcher may result in a protest, and if confirmed, the game
will be ruled a forfeit.
4) No more than 3 coaches during regular season games are allowed in the dugout at one time. No more
than 3 coaches during tournament games are allowed in the dugout at one time.
5) In regular season & tournament games there are no per inning run limits.
6) In regular season games consecutive batting order is in effect. If a player is not playing in the field that
inning that player will still bat their position in the batting order. Tournament games will be per Little
League International Tournament blue book rules. Blue Book Rules
7) In regular season games substitutions are to be rotated. Every rostered player present at the start of
the game must participate in each game for a minimum of 6 defensive outs. If, within a game, a player does
not meet those requirements, he/she will start the next scheduled game, play any previous requirement
not completed in the prior game, as well as the requirement for the current game before being removed.
Tournament games substitutions are per blue book rules. Teams must suit 8 players in a tournament game
or forfeit.
8) All other rules are per blue book.
9) Please remind players to clean out dugouts and bleachers prior to leaving the field.
10) Remember Starkey Little League is a NO SMOKING park. We do not allow the use of tobacco
products during practices and/or games. The designated smoking areas are located past the bullpens on
all fields.
11) A new pitcher gets 8 warm-up pitches when entering the game initially. A returning pitcher gets 5
warm-up pitches.
12) Regular season mercy rule is 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings.
Tournament mercy rule of 8 runs after 5 innings DOES NOT apply.
13) 7.13 - Little League (Major) and Minor League: When a pitcher is in contact with the
pitcher’s plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher’s box ready to
receive delivery of the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been
delivered and has reached the batter.
14) 3rd Dropped Strike and Infield fly rule WILL apply to the Majors division. Infield Fly rule is decided by
umpire discretion.
Little League
Little League Rules, Regulations, and Policies
Little League provides its leagues with current little league rules, regulations, and policies that outline and
define the operation of the program.
https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/rules-regulations-policies/
Pitcher rest days will follow the “ Pitch Smart” rules abide by Little League International.
- 1-20 Pitches= 0 Days Rest
- 21-35 Pitches= 1 Day Rest
- 36-50 Pitches= 2 Days Rest
- 51-65 Pitches= 3 Days Rest
- 66+ Pitches= 4 Days Rest
Pitches Per Day
- 6-8 Years Old: 50 Pitches
- 9-10 Years Old: 75 Pitches
- 11-12 Years Old: 85 Pitches
- 13-16 Years Old: 95 Pitches
Regular Season Baseball Pitching Rules
(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch.
Exception: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not
eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and
delivers 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar
day. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue
to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following
conditions occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; (3) the third out is made to
complete the half-inning or the game; or (4) the pitcher is removed from the mound prior to the batter
completing his/her at-bat.
Approved Ruling: The catcher receiving one pitch to a batter in the fourth inning constitutes having caught
four (4) innings. Warm-up pitches do not count, only when the ball is live will the pitches count toward
innings caught.
(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher in that calendar day.