Little League Questions?

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by jackthyref

1. Is there courtesy runners in little league?

No, in regular season league play courtesy runners are not permitted in Little League.

Rule 3.04 – Courtesy Runners
A player whose name is on the team’s batting order may not become a substitute runner for another member of the team. “Courtesy runner” not permitted.

COMMENTS

This rule is intended to eliminate the practice of using so called courtesy runners. No player in the game shall be permitted to act as a courtesy runner for a teammate. No player who has been in the game and has been taken out for a substitute shall return as a courtesy runner. Any player not in the lineup, if used as a runner, shall be considered as a special pinch runner. (See Rule 7.14) Otherwise, treat it as a substitution and the previous batter must stay on the bench until the sub play six (6) defensive outs and bats once.

Originally Posted by jackthyref

2. If so how many times can the same person run for the pitcher or catcher and can they still come into the game as a batter or fielder after being a courtesy runner?

See above.

Originally Posted by jackthyref

3. Let's say you are pinch runner. You come into the game for the batter that just got on base. The batter re-enters the game. What are pinch runners options now? How many times can you pinch run before you are not aloud to re-enter the game as a fulltime player?

This can get confusing. If the pinch runner was a substitute then the starter he entered for cannot re-enter until the substitute has met MPR. However, if the pinch runner was a starter who had been previously removed he can re-enter once for another starter, or a sub who has met MPR. If he enters for another starter he then must fullfill the MPR of a sub.

Rule 3.03 – Substitutions

A player in the starting line-up who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game once, in any position in the batting order, provided:

1. His substitute has completed one time at bat and;
2. Has played defensively for a minimum of six (6) consecutive outs.
3. Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers.

JR/SR/BL: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher any time in the remainder of the game, but only once in the same inning as he was removed.

4. Only a player in the starting line-up may re-enter the game.
5. A starter, (Sl) re-entering the game as a substitute for another starter (S2) must then fulfill all conditions of a substitute (one at-bat and six defensive outs) before starter (S2) can re-enter the game.

Originally Posted by jackthyref

4. Do you have to slide at Home Plate in Little League?

No, a runner is never required to slide. There is no such thing as a "must slide rule" in Little League baseball. They have the option of either sliding or attempting to go around the fielder. Notice that I said attempt to go around. One of the common myths is that they have to avoid contact with the fielder if they choose not to slide. That's another myth. All they have to do is make an attempt to go around the fielder to be removed from a possible interference call.

7.08 A runner is out when

(a)(3)The runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag;

COMMENTS

This rule is easily the most misunderstood rule in the book. It is easily broken down as follows:

1. The fielder must have the ball in his possession; AND
2. The fielder must be WAITING to make the tag;

If BOTH of those criteria are satisfied, then the runner must EITHER
1. Slide; OR
2. ATTEMPT to get around the fielder.

Notice that the rule says, “attempt to get around,” not “avoid.” Contact may occur with no penalty assessed.

Hurdling or going over the defensive player that has the ball and is waiting to make a tag is a legal maneuver. Rule 7.08(a)(3) does not prevent hurdling nor makes it illegal.

There is no “Must Slide” rule and no league may create one. No league may modify Rule 7.08(a)(3).

Originally Posted by jackthyref

5. What is the correct call when a pitch lodges into a fence after a pass ball from the catcher with a runner on first base? Count is 1-0.

Dead ball, one base award for all runners, pitch is called on it's own merits.

7.05

(h) One base, if a ball, pitched to the batter, or thrown by the pitcher from the position on the pitcher’s plate to a base to catch a runner goes into a stand or a bench, or over or through a field fence or backstop. The ball is dead.


Tim.