Coach Carl

I concur. If a time limit is adopted, it must be at least 1:45 (it can be more) -- "minimum of 1 hour and 45-minute time limit" Machine/Coach pitch and T-ball are permitted to be shorter. I think the "or" logic is that a game is a "regulation" game if: 1. Six innings (or extra-innings) are completed OR 2. It is shortened, but still "regulation", according to 4.10 and 4.11 (called due to weather, darkness, etc after 4 innings) OR 3. Shortened by time limit (if adopted) OR 4. Conceded due to run rule (if adopted).

Rule 10-22 Earned Run a. An earned run shall be charged against a pitcher when a runner scores because of a safe hit, sacrifice hit, sacrifice fly, stolen base, putout, fielder’s choice, base on balls, hit batter, balk or wild pitch (even when the wild pitch is a third strike), provided that in each case it is before the defensive team has had an opportunity to make a third putout. Note: In determining earned runs, the scorer shall reconstruct the inning as if there were no errors or passed balls. Give the pitcher the benefit of the doubt in determining the advancement of runners, had the defensive team been errorless.

Doesn't the interference occur the moment R1 collides with F3?

Could work but I think the official limit is 15 players.

The rules don't allow for it. The section headed "Eligibility" is pretty clear: "Under NO circumstances does ANY person have the authority to grant a waiver that allows a child to play in a local Little League program IN ANY DIVISION, when that child does not qualify under (the residency or school location requirements). Thoughts, Juniors is a 12-14 year old division (possible 15). 1. Do you have a Senior division (13-16) that some players could play in? 2. Do you have an Intermediate division (11-13) that some players could play in? 3. Is it feasible to get another coach and go with 12 player teams? If that roster size feels too small, could you supplement the teams with call ups from Intermediate or Majors, as needed?

I agree with this sentiment and wish it could prevail. The problem you will run into is there will inevitably be some kids who become interested in post season play and now you have old promises not to play all-stars that were made in good faith but the parents or player no longer want to be held to them. Options: (1) as SeeingEyeDog mentioned, get a meeting with the other leagues and rather than seeking out waiver processes, see if boundaries can be re-drawn. If other leagues aren't getting players from that area then they may not care. (2) give up on the 8+ year olds and devote volunteer resources to developing a robust T-ball program for the 4-7 year olds. In a couple of years you'll have lots of those out of boundry kids legally participating in your league and you've accomplished your goal while leaving all-stars open for anyone. (3) Find out if your local parks and rec department truly wants you to stay in Little League. You may find that they use "Little League" generically. It may be that they would be just as satisfied with Cal Ripken or Pony. They may just want to have a national organization backing the program. Both of those orgs have boundary issues as well but in your local area they may already be drawn to allow your outreach of the nearby areas. Or they may be more amenable to changes, if the Little League folks are not. (Or you may be able to use the threat of leaving as motivation to change the LL boundaries).

Generally, a player is eligible for your league if he lives in your boundries or goes to school in your boundries. However, Little League has loosened it's boundry requirements. Carefully review Regulation II regarding League Age 4-7 players. Any player who is league age 7 or younger can "register in any Little League program without respect to any geography-related eligibility or school enrollment eligibility requirements." Since this is a written rule, if you are following it, there is no waiver required. For kids league age 8+ there may be eligibility based on a league age 4-7 sibling. It's hard to make blanket statements about that. Check it over on a case by case basis. Further, a player who lives in any territory outside your league boundry that is also NOT within the geographic boundry of another Little League is eligible to play in any league, regardless of age (again, with caveats that should be investigated on a case by case basis).

In your sitch (R1 stealing) he is a runner and the intent standard applies. In TopHat's sitch the player has scored and is no longer a runner. I think that changes his status in regards to being liable for interference (intent not required). I think he is now under the same interference standards as the base coaches and the on-deck batter. He has an obligation to get out (or stay out) of the way. In TopHat's sitch, I think you would call interference if, in your judgement as umpire, both of these conditions apply: (1) the member of the offense is able to get out of the way and (2) actual obstructing, hindring, etc. has been committed.

Maybe these will help. From the 2022 Rules. Rule 2 Definitions: SECTION 51. An act that hinders or prevents a player from making a play. a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. Rule 8-5 When Runners Are Out q. Any member of the offensive team does not vacate any live-ball area, thus interfering with a defensive player attempting to field a batted or thrown ball. This includes the batter, once the pitch has crossed the plate. I believe "thrown" ball is synonomous with "not batted". In other words, for the purposes of the rules, if it is not batted, it is thrown. There are no rules that I am aware of that use another descriptor besides thrown or batted. The Interference definition helps to see that the standard is interfering with a fielder "attempting to make a play." That means, I think, attempting to get a baserunner out. It also implies that contact with the ball or the fielder is not required. Obstructing, impeding, hindering or confusing can all happen without contact (based on umpire judgement, of course). 8-5-q helps to see that the interference (in your play) does not have to be intentional. The member of the offense has the obligation to get out of the way. This implies that intent is not required. I'm just a coach who likes to study the rules so some better experts should be along to confirm or refute.

Rule 2 SECTION 20 INNINGS ART. 2 . . . A half-inning is the interval during which one team is on offense (batting) and the other is on defense (fielding). A half-inning ends when there is a third out or when, in the last inning, the winning run is scored. In either case, if there is a delayed out declared by the umpire for a baserunning infraction, a possible fourth out may be recognized (9-1- 1d, e).

I have the 2018 version of the rules and it uses "an". (8-2-6-j) I also thought C was applicable as well (for the same reasons you note) and FWIW the 2018 rules uses "pitcher and all infielders". (8-2 penalty note on Arts. 1-5)

The LL ruleset does not address braces or other dental hardware so there is no rule that requires a player to have protection. See Appendix B for the "Safety Code". I've been a Safety Officer for my local league and it has never been brought up in our league. It would certainly be permitted for a player to choose to protect himself with a mouthguard (football syle) or a NOCSAE approved helmet cheek guard. If there are other ways, unless it poses a danger to others, I can't see any reason to restrict.

Where was the foot of F3? If F3 had stepped off the bag then the the runner would have visual evidence in front of him that the third baseman gave up on the play. Regardless, if your ruleset requires a play that is irrelevant. A play (or attempted play) requires a legitimate effort to retire a runner: tag attempt, running toward a base or runner to make a tag, throwing the ball to another player in an attempt to retire a runner. None of those conditions existed in your sitch.

Oops, I missed your "BR" reference. It doesn't surprise me that there wasn't any apparent impact since F3 is also about 3" closer to the fielder. In fact, I'd argue it would help the defense as an infielder can throw a ball about 4-5 times faster than a runner can run.

Actually, only 4.5" (between 1st and 2nd and between 2nd ans 3rd). https://www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/base-sizes