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AAA Rules 2012 All games will be played by the 2012 OFFICIAL REGULATIONS AND PLAYING RULES – DIVISIONS OF LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, except as noted below and in the “General Rules” section of this handbook.  If these rules are not being adhered to, please discuss the matter with the Chief Umpire or the Board so that discrepancies can be clarified.  All local rules will remain in effect throughout the season unless changed by the Board.  Managers can petition the Board for changes in the "local rules”.  Except in rare circumstances, changes will not be put into effect until the following season so that all Managers, Coaches, and players can be informed of and plan for changes, and to minimize unequal application of rules or policies.  SCLL has provided 2012 Official rulebooks to all Managers and Coaches. The following "Local Rules" will take precedence over those stated in the 2012 OFFICIAL REGULATIONS AND PLAYING RULES. There will be no limit to the number of AAA teams. Any pitch that “breaks” is not allowed. If a pitcher throws a breaking ball and the ball is not hit into play, the umpire shall call “no pitch” and instruct the pitcher to correct his technique. The umpire will continue to call “no pitch” for each breaking ball thrown. Once a player has pitched more than 41 pitches he can not catch in the game. 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. Pitchers can only pitch 3 innings in a game Pitchers can only pitch 6 innings in a week Maximum 60 pitches per day for 11s and 55 for 10s and 9’s 20 or less pitches, a pitcher can pitch with no rest 40 or less pitches, pitcher requires 1 day's rest   41 to 60 pitches, pitcher requires 2 days rest and can not pitch in the next game 61 pitches or more, pitcher requires 3 days rest and can not pitch in the next game If a player reaches his or her pitch count limit while facing a batter, that pitcher can continue to pitch until that batter reaches base or is put out.                                                                   All Pitchers must wear head savers. Each team will be required to maintain and present a pitching log to the umpire prior to each game. The adult umpire will review each team's pitching log and declare which pitchers' are not eligible to pitch in the game. At the end of the game the teams will present their completed pitching log to the umpire for his signature. In addition a representative from the opposing team will counter sign the log. Pitching Log Form   12 year olds are not allowed to pitch in AAA Roster batting of all players present will be used in all games. Once a batting order has been established, the order cannot be altered except required when a player is injured and cannot continue playing or when leaving the ballpark prior to the games completion. Such a player cannot be reinserted into the game. All players must play nine (9) defensive outs (three innings) when the game last three or more innings. Players that do not get their minimum number of innings in a game (IE – game was stopped after 5 innings) must start the next game. No player may sit a second inning until all players have sat out one inning. The only exception to this rule is for disciplining a player (e.g., for missing practices or misbehaving). If a player is kept out of the game for disciplinary reasons, the umpire and opposing Manager must be notified. Players may not be disciplined by being allowed to play defensively but not being allowed to bat. A player being removed from the game for disciplinary reasons may not be reinserted back into the game. Disciplinary action must be reported to the division coordinator. Teams anticipating 10 or fewer players may bring players up from the lower division to fill roster spots.   Players brought up from the lower division must bat at the end of the batting order and may not play more innings than any of the regular players.  All AA players given the opportunity to play on the upper division team will do so on a per game basis and will remain on the roster of their respective AA League teams for the remainder of the season.  Players brought up from the lower division may not pitch.  Players may not be brought up more than once to the same team.  Prior to games where replacement players will be participating, the team without the replacement player must be informed of the name and number of the replacement player.  Managers reporting the scores to the League Coordinator must inform the Coordinator of the names of the replacement players who participated in the game. Players may only be brought up from the lower division for post-season play with permission of the upper-division League Coordinator AND Player Agent.  There shall be no forced/intentional walks. There shall be no pitching around the batter. Batters may not fake a bunt in order to draw infielders out of position, only to pull back the bat and make a full swing (sometimes called a "slash", "slug bunt" and/or "butcher boy") Once a batter assumes a bunting posture, while the pitcher is preparing to deliver a pitch, that batter must either attempt to bunt or pull the bat back to take the pitch.  If an umpire deems that a batter has attempted a "slash", any ball struck will be deemed "dead" (base runners return to their starting bases) and a strike will be granted regardless of the result of the pitch.  If the batter already had a two strike count, that batter will be called out and recorded as a strikeout.  If an offensive player (batter or runner) is injured and must leave the game, the player who made the last out will replace the injured player.  If the injured player was batting, the player substituted will inherit the injured player's count and continue the at bat. Managers and Coaches shall remain within arms' length of the dugout and are not allowed on the field except:         A.    As base coach when their team is batting         B.    Between innings         C.    To give instructions to a pitcher (must be done at the foul line)         D.    To console an injured or distraught player Chatter may only be in a form that encourages your team.  No chatter may be directed at the opposing team.  There will be no chatter that is meant to disrupt the opposing team. It is the responsibility of both the offensive player (runner) and defensive player to avoid contact.  If the defensive player has possession of the ball or is playing the ball, the runner must slide or avoid contact.  If the runner does not slide and there is contact, then the offensive player is out.  If the runner does not slide and there is no play by the defensive player, then he is not out. The decision of running out of the baseline to avoid a collision with a fielder without the ball but playing the ball will be up to discretion of the umpire.  Any player, deemed by the umpire to be excessively rough, will be ejected.         (See Rule 7.08 for out of the baseline interpretation) The pitcher may not wear a long-sleeved white undershirt.  Pitchers also may not wear batting glove(s), wristbands or sweatbands, and shall not have batting gloves in pocket. If a player arrives late for a game, he is to be placed last in the batting order. A team must have 9 players to start a game, but if injury occurs you can continue with 8 players. AAA teams will be dissolved at the end of the season and rebuilt the following year in a balanced manner based upon player evaluations pursuant to league procedures.. No inning shall start more than 1 hour and 50 minutes from the time the game begins.  A new inning starts the moment the third out is made in the preceding inning.  In case of ties after six innings, extra innings may be started if within the 1 hour and 50 minute limit.  League pitching rules (maximum of 3 innings per game) still apply (i.e. no pitcher can go to a fourth inning).  When a team batting is ahead by 10 or more runs, all runners for the team that is ahead are “frozen” and may only advance on a batted ball or when forced by a walk.  Additionally, in   this situation runners may not advance on an overthrow. Any pitcher who hits three batters within the same inning or deemed unsafe by the umpire will be removed from his pitching position. Scoring from 3rd base on a pass ball, wild pitch, or returned throw from the catcher to the pitcher is not allowed unless it is to tie the game. All other runs scored from third base must be earned by a hit, force due to a walk, or a by the catcher making a play on a runner. An overthrow from the catcher to the pitcher after a pitched ball does not allow the runner on third base an opportunity to score. All players must play a minimum of one (1) inning (three consecutive outs) in the infield per game. A maximum of five (5) runs may be scored in the first five innings of play.  An unlimited number of runs may be scored in a team’s final at bat.  If a game is limited in length due to darkness or time, then if both teams agree the next inning is the last inning then an unlimited amount of runs may be scored. No inning shall start more than 1 hour and 50 minutes from the time the game begins.  A new inning starts the moment the third out is made in the preceding inning.  AAA Playoffs The AAA League will each be divided into two divisions; the National League and the American League.  All teams will make the playoffs.

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