This Just Seemed Odd...from rule aficionado/lurker

[CVLLBlue]

[QUOTE=More Cowbell;926817]It's been a few years but I still love this site, and I come with a question.

AAA Little League (10-11 year olds), 5th run in the inning scores as trail runner reaches third base. Everyone on both teams starts to run in towards the dugouts thinking the "5 Run Max" rule was in effect, not realizing in the last two innings you can bat the lineup. Coaches were out of dugouts trying to get players attention and send them back out.

Umpire (one man crew) runs down third base line and does a "circly" motion with his hand which looked like it was a "change sides" motion--sort of like a home run signal. He said he was verbalizing (and motioning) to both sides that we needed to bat the lineup. After the instruction from the ump, the defense threw to third and tagged out the runner who had started toward his dugout.


So...does his communication to the teams constitute "time out?" It was clear that both teams thought one rule was in effect when in fact it wasn't. It was pretty chaotic with players, parents, and coaches yelling, "We are still batting, get back out there" or "We are still on the field, get out there."

The actual 5 run rule for Little League is that the inning ends with 3 outs or 5 runs scored, whichever comes first. Only in the 6th inning can more runs be scored. If a time limit shortens the game, there is no "unlimited run inning" unless it is the 6th inning. There are no local rules that can change this.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by CVLLBlue

The actual 5 run rule for Little League is that the inning ends with 3 outs or 5 runs scored, whichever comes first. Only in the 6th inning can more runs be scored.

But it is still limited, by LL rule 5.07. The rule states that an inning ends when 5 runs are scored OR when the team bats the roster. The 5-run limit goes away in the last inning if the BOD exercises the option in the rule, but the roster limit does not.

Originally Posted by CVLLBlue

If a time limit shortens the game, there is no "unlimited run inning" unless it is the 6th inning.

I disagree. The option in rule 5.07 to do away with the 5-run limit says, with my emphasis, "The local league board of directors may suspend the five-run rule in the LAST half-inning for either team." It doesn't say in the 6th inning. So, IMO, if the local BOD decides to exercise this option, it goes into effect whenver the umpire declares a final inning, whether it be due to time limits or other game-shortenening situation.