2023 LL Rules changes

[ArchAngel72]

 

The actual document is attached the copy pasta did no work out so good eh..

 

2022 LITTLE LEAGUE® INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS VOTING RESULTS
RULE AND REGULATION CHANGES
Below are the voting results, synopsis, and year of implementation as voted on by the delegates and approved by the Little League International Board of Directors. More information, guidance, and implementation strategies, as well as potential additional rule and regulation updates, will be available in the months leading into the start of the 2023 season. Visit LittleLeague.org/Rules and LittleLeague.org/SeasonResources for the most up-to-date information. Please note that not all voting percentages may add to 100% based on a small number of abstentions.
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #1 – REGULATION I (A) (3), REGULATION III (C), AND REGULATION IV (A)
• Proposed Change: Permit leagues to operate a 3- to 4-year-old Tee Ball Program
• Proposed Wording Change
o Regulation I (a) (3) – The League
 (a) (3) The Tee Ball division is an extension of the local league to accommodate participants league ages 3-7 and may utilize the batting tee or the pitched ball (by a coach). The league may opt to deliver a designated number of pitches to all batters and then utilize a tee if necessary.
o Regulation III (3) (c) – The Teams
 (3) (c) Tee Ball: Local league must establish the age structure for the Tee Ball Division. Players league age 3 and 4 are eligible ONLY for Tee Ball, unless otherwise approved by the Charter Committee. Players league age 3 are only eligible to participate if the league structures a Tee Ball Division for players league age 3 and 4. EXCEPTION: Participants league age 5 and 6 are permitted to advance to Minor League Coach Pitch or Machine Pitch after participation in Tee Ball for one year. Participants league age 6 are permitted to advance to Minor League Player Pitch Division after participation in Tee Ball for one year, provided the maximum age limit in the division is league age ten (10). Players must be assessed by the league as capable of participation at that level. A player listed on a Tee Ball Roster shall not be permitted to play with a Minor League team.
o Regulation IV (a) – The Players
 Tee Ball Division: Any candidate with amateur status who will attain the age of 3 before September 1, 2022, and who will not attain the age of 8 on or before August 31, 2022 shall be eligible to compete in the Tee Ball Baseball Division (subject to the local league Board of Directors alignment of this division). This means that a participant who will be 8 years old on September 1 or later is eligible to play that year; a participant who will be 8 years old on August 31 or earlier will not be eligible at any time during the calendar year in question.
Synopsis: This allows local leagues the ability to offer a program for players as young as 3 without requiring a waiver from the Charter Committee. This change will also allow local leagues a chance to utilize alternate methods of play to support a more innovative way to operate this division to better serve younger players.
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #2 – REGULATION IV (F) – THE PLAYERS
• Proposed Change: Modify the requirement to attend 50% of player evaluations to attend one league-scheduled player evaluation event
• Proposed Wording:
o (f) Majors/Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: Any candidate failing to attend at least 50 percent one of the spring tryout sessions, shall forfeit league eligibility unless an excuse is presented which is accepted by a majority of the Board of Directors.
o All other parts of this regulation remain unchanged for the Tee Ball and Minor Leagues and the Note
• This change would be for all divisions of Baseball and Softball.
Rule and Regulation Item 1
Yes: 59% No: 39% Abstentions: 3 Y.O.I.*: N/A
2
2022 LITTLE LEAGUE® INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS VOTING RESULTS
Synopsis: This change would require players to attend one player evaluation event instead of 50% of the total number of events scheduled by the league.
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #3 - RULE 3.09
• Proposed Change: Permit coaches to warm-up a pitcher or to help aid in game administration and flow, amended to be for Regular Season only.
• Proposed Wording Change – Rule 3.09
o Managers or coaches must not are permitted to warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at any time.
o Important will also be to clarify this potential change to include not only in-game warm-ups, but pre-game warm-ups. As written, the rule does include “any time” to include both situations, but clear language identifying such may be beneficial.
• This change would be for Regular Season and Tournament Play for all divisions of Baseball and Softball.
Synopsis: This would aid in efforts to improve the pace of play by allowing adult coaches to warm up pitchers for regular season only.
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #4 – RULE 4.10 (E)
• Proposed Change: Expand the current run-rule into the 5th or 6th Innings based upon division:
o 15 after 3 Innings
o 10 after 4 Innings
o 8 after 5 Innings
• Proposed Wording Change – Rule 4.10 (e)
o If after (3) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: four innings], two and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: three and one-half innings] if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after four (4) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: five innings], three and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: four and one-half innings], if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after five (5) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: six innings], four and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: five and one-half innings], if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of eight (8) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent.
o NOTE: (1) If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15), ten (10), or eight (8) runs or more respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning. (2) The local league may adopt the option of not utilizing this rule. A game determined by the 15-run rule, the 10-run rule, or the 8-run rule shall be considered a regulation game.
• This change would be for Regular Season for all divisions of Baseball and Softball.
Synopsis: This would revise the run rule for all divisions of play during the regular season.
Rule and Regulation Item 3
Yes: 76% No: 22% Abstentions: 3 Y.O.I.*: 2023
Rule and Regulation Item 2
Yes: 88% No: 10% Abstentions: 3 Y.O.I.*: 2023
3
2022 LITTLE LEAGUE® INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS VOTING RESULTS
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #5A – RULE 6.08 (A) (2)
• Proposed Change: Expand the Intentional Walk from the Little League (Major) and Minor League Divisions into the Intermediate (50-70) /Junior League/Senior League Divisions
• Proposed Wording Change – Rule 6.08 (a) (2)
o Eliminate the specification of Little League (Major) and Minor League Divisions
o All remaining parts of the rule remain the same:
 The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided said runner advances to and touches first base) when –
• (a) (2) ALL DIVISIONS: the defense elects to “Intentionally Walk” the batter by announcing such decision to the plate umpire. The request may be made prior to or during the at-bat.
• NOTE 1: Such notification must be made by the defensive manager. The manager must request and be granted “time” by the umpire and then inform the umpire of the defense’s intent to walk the batter.
• NOTE 2: The ball is dead, and no other runners may advance unless forced by the batter’s award. The appropriate number of “balls” needed based on the count on the batter at the time of the manager’s request to complete the Intentional Walk will be added to the pitch count.
• This change would be for Regular Season and Tournament play for all divisions of Baseball.
• This change would not affect the current Intentional Walk for all divisions of Softball. Softball Rule 6.08(a)(2) will remain the same as written for both Regular Season and Tournament play.
Synopsis: This would revise the intentional walk rule to be consistent in all divisions of play for both baseball and softball.
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #5B – RULE 6.08 (A) (2)
• Proposed Change: Based on amendments submitted through the Congress discussions, restrict the intentional walk by announcement so that a player may only be intentionally walked by announcing such decision to the plate umpire one time during the course of the game. This would not restrict a team from throwing four balls outside of the strike zone to this batter at another time during the game.
• Proposed Wording Change – Rule 6.08 (a) (2)
 The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided said runner advances to and touches first base) when –
• (a) (2): the defense elects to “Intentionally Walk” the batter by announcing such decision to the plate umpire. The request may be made prior to or during the at-bat.
• A player may only be intentionally walked by announcement one time during a game.
• NOTE 1: Such notification must be made by the defensive manager. The manager must request and be granted “time” by the umpire and then inform the umpire of the defense’s intent to walk the batter.
• NOTE 2: The ball is dead, and no other runners may advance unless forced by the batter’s award. The appropriate number of “balls” needed based on the count on the batter at the time of the manager’s request to complete the Intentional Walk will be added to the pitch count.
Rule and Regulation Item 4
Yes: 68% No: 30% Abstentions: 2 Y.O.I.*: 2023
Rule and Regulation Item 5A
Yes: 90% No: 10% Y.O.I.*: 2023
4
2022 LITTLE LEAGUE® INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS VOTING RESULTS
• This change would be for Regular Season and Tournament play for all divisions of Baseball.
• This change would not affect the current Intentional Walk for all divisions of Softball. Softball Rule 6.08(a)(2) will remain the same as written for both Regular Season and Tournament play.
• A player may only be intentionally walked by announcing such decision to the plate umpire one time during the course of the game. This would not restrict a team from throwing four balls outside of the strike zone to this batter at another time during the game.
Synopsis: This would revise the intentional walk rule so that a player may only be intentional walked by announcement once per game.
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #6 – RULE 7.13
• Proposed Change: Runner out for leaving too soon (leaving early) in the Little League (Majors) and Minor League Baseball divisions
• Proposed Wording Change – Rule 7.13
o 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 the delivery of the ball, the base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and reached the batter. NOTE: Tee Ball: Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. When players have advanced as far as possible without being put out or having been retired, the umpire shall call “time” and place the ball on the tee.
o PENALTY: When a base runner leaves the base before the pitched ball has reached the batter and it is detected by the umpire, the ball is dead. “No Pitch” is declared and the runner is out.
o NOTE 1: When an umpire detects a base runner leaving the base too soon, that umpire shall call “time,” and the ball is dead. “No Pitch” is declared, and the umpire shall call the runner out for leaving the base too soon. This is not an appeal play.
o Eliminate all other parts of the rule including:
 Rule 7.13 (a)
 Rule 7.13 (b)
 Rule 7.13 (c)
 Rule 7.13 (c) Note
 Rule 7.13 (c) Exception
 Examples 1-16, including 16 Note 1 and Note 2
o NOTE 3: Remains as written -- Tee Ball: Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. When players have advanced as far as possible without being put out or having been retired, the umpire shall call “time” and place the ball on the tee.
• This change would be for Regular Season and Tournament Play in the Little League (Majors) and Minor League Divisions
Synopsis: This would revise the rule in baseball to an out for leaving the base too early.
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #7 – TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION – MANAGERS AND COACHES IN THE DUGOUT
Rule and Regulation Item 5B
Yes: 74% No: 24% Abstentions: 4 Y.O.I.*: 2023
Rule and Regulation Item 6
Yes: 62% No: 36% Abstentions: 2 Y.O.I.*: N/A
5
2022 LITTLE LEAGUE® INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS VOTING RESULTS
• Proposed Change: Eliminate the number of eligible coaches permitted to be in the dugout based on roster size
• Proposed Wording Change – Tournament Organization, Managers/Coaches in the Dugout
o If a tournament team has twelve (12) or more eligible players in uniform at the game site at the start of a game, then the A maximum of three (3) adults who are named on the affidavit (or authorized replacements as noted on the affidavit) will be permitted to act as manager/coaches for that game. However, if a tournament team has eleven (11) or fewer eligible players in uniform at the game site at the start of the game, then a maximum of two (2) adults must be named at the start of the game as manager and coach. The two named adults must be listed on the affidavit or must be authorized temporary replacements as noted on the affidavit. If there is a third adult listed on the affidavit, that adult is not permitted to be in the dugout or on the field during that game.
o NOTE: Base coaches may be adults and/or players provided at least one adult manager or coach remains in the dugout. See 4.05(b).
• This change would be for Tournament Play in all divisions of Baseball and Softball.
Synopsis: This would allow teams to have up to three eligible coaches permitted in the dugout regardless of tournament team roster size.
PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #8 – TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION – RELEASE OF NAMES
• Proposed Change: Remove the May 15 Tournament Team announcement date
• Proposed Wording Change
o The release of names of players for the tournament team shall not be made before May 15, and not until the availability and eligibility of all prospective team members have been established. (The AIG group accident insurance program for Little League tournament team try-out and practice will not go into effect until the tournament team has been announced by the league in accordance with the requirements outlined in this rule.)
• This change would be for Tournament Play in all divisions of Baseball and Softball
Synopsis: This would remove the date when leagues can announce tournament teams.
TACTICAL INSTITUTIONAL ITEMS
The voting on tactical changes (league boundaries, teenage divisions, and D.A. selection) will help guide the Little League International staff on progressing these important items for the future of our organization. The voting results will be fully reviewed and shared with the International Advisory Board, as well as the Operating Committee of the Board of Directors in November as part of our efforts in presenting actionable items on these topics. All tactical items will be presented with a suggested timeline for continued discussion, implementation, and education, and they will be communicated to you all in the late fall.
Rule and Regulation Item 8
Yes: 57% No: 38% Abstentions: 14 Y.O.I.*: N/A
Rule and Regulation Item 7
Yes: 85% No: 14% Abstentions: 1 Y.O.I.*: 2023

download.pdf

[Velho]

1 hour ago, ArchAngel72 said:

PROPOSED RULE AND REGULATION CHANGE #6 – RULE 7.13
• Proposed Change: Runner out for leaving too soon (leaving early) in the Little League (Majors) and Minor League Baseball divisions

Rule and Regulation Item 6
Yes: 62% No: 36% Abstentions: 2 Y.O.I.*: N/A

Oh snap. Did they just change the LL baseball rule to 'out' for leaving early? Is there a threshold to pass or majority rules? I'm a bit in disbelief.

[LRZ]

1 hour ago, ArchAngel72 said:

Any candidate with amateur status who will attain the age of 3

Good grief.

[834k3r]

16 minutes ago, Velho said:

Oh snap. Did they just change the LL baseball rule to 'out' for leaving early? Is there a threshold to pass or majority rules? I'm a bit in disbelief.

I think the threshold to pass is 67%. By my read, that means our jobs *didn't* get simpler.

[Velho]

4 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

I think the threshold to pass is 67%. By my read, that means our jobs *didn't* get simpler.

I think you're right since "Y.O.I." (Year of Implementation) is "N/A". Thanks, this is my first year exposed to the details.

[Velho]

If I read all this right, for LL Majors and below:

CHANGE #3 - Coaches warm-up pitchers, except Tournament Play.

My comment: Good for regular season (does Coach have to wear a mask?) but a regular vs postseason difference

 

CHANGE #4 - Expand the run-rule to 15 after 3 Innings, 10 after 4 Innings, and 8 after 5 Innings

My comment: End games that the outcome is 99% in the bag, all good.

CHANGE #5B - Can only issue IBB to a player once per game.

My comment: Personally, I've never understood the "it's ok to do but just once" concept. 

CHANGE #7 - Remove reduction of Tournament coaches for roster size.

My comment: I guess the minimum play difference of 14 players is enough incentive for larger rosters.

[ArchAngel72]

13 minutes ago, Velho said:

CHANGE #7 - Remove reduction of Tournament coaches for roster size.

My comment: I guess the minimum play difference of 14 players is enough incentive for larger rosters.

 

To me this was more about having more coaches available in a dugout with less kids ie 9,10 or 11 kids 

 

which is great I want more adults herding the cats themselves

 

[834k3r]

9 minutes ago, Velho said:

If I read all this right, for LL Majors and below:

CHANGE #3 - Coaches warm-up pitchers, except Tournament Play.

My comment: Good for regular season (does Coach have to wear a mask?) but a regular vs postseason difference

 

CHANGE #4 - Expand the run-rule to 15 after 3 Innings, 10 after 4 Innings, and 8 after 5 Innings

My comment: End games that the outcome is 99% in the bag, all good.

CHANGE #5B - Can only issue IBB to a player once per game.

My comment: Personally, I've never understood the "it's ok to do but just once" concept. 

CHANGE #7 - Remove reduction of Tournament coaches for roster size.

My comment: I guess the minimum play difference of 14 players is enough incentive for larger rosters.

Good summary. I really wish the "leaving base early" rule would've passed.

My take on the "Change 5B" is to force actually throwing the ball and creating the opportunity for offensive opportunity. If a coach has already issued an IBB to the other team's ringer, then they have to either pitch to him, or force the catcher to move to catch balls that are outside the strike zone. As any umpire with LL experience will tell you, when a catcher has to move to catch a ball, odds are 50/50 the backstop will stop the ball before the catcher will.

[Velho]

14 minutes ago, ArchAngel72 said:

To me this was more about having more coaches available in a dugout with less kids ie 9,10 or 11 kids 

 

which is great I want more adults herding the cats themselves

How so? You always had to have 1 adult in the dugout on offense and this won't change that (that I can see). This just mean a kid won't be a base coach.

When on defense, all coaches (whether 2 or 3) are in the dugout with 3-6 kids so that's not a big difference.

[Velho]

11 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

My take on the "Change 5B" is to force actually throwing the ball and creating the opportunity for offensive opportunity. If a coach has already issued an IBB to the other team's ringer, then they have to either pitch to him, or force the catcher to move to catch balls that are outside the strike zone. As any umpire with LL experience will tell you, when a catcher has to move to catch a ball, odds are 50/50 the backstop will stop the ball before the catcher will.

Agreed. They don't want the Barry Bonds treatment for a kid where they never get a chance to play.

My issue is the "it's a horrible idea, but you can do it once" offends my CPA sensibilities. Something is either good to go or it's not, imo.

[ArchAngel72]

18 minutes ago, Velho said:

How so? You always had to have 1 adult in the dugout on offense and this won't change that (that I can see). This just mean a kid won't be a base coach.

When on defense, all coaches (whether 2 or 3) are in the dugout with 3-6 kids so that's not a big difference.

 

Because with one coach on the bases the other one on the bench it herding 10 possible other kids as well as trying to do the book.

which is the same with 2 coaches on the bases but it would also keep another coach closer to the dugout whether it is 1st or 3rd for help with the poor soul on the bench alone 

I am glad for one they have made that change

 

[Rich Ives]

1 hour ago, 834k3r said:

Good summary. I really wish the "leaving base early" rule would've passed.

 

This isn't softball.

[ArchAngel72]

8 minutes ago, Rich Ives said:

This isn't softball.

No its not but they need to do something with the damn rule .. 

To me its baseball let it go and delete it.

Let there be leads, let there be pick offs etc etc 

 

[beerguy55]

1 hour ago, Velho said:

CHANGE #5B - Can only issue IBB to a player once per game.

My comment: Personally, I've never understood the "it's ok to do but just once" concept.

Well, IBB's are part of game strategy for various reasons.   I get that they're trying to ensure that the superstar kid just doesn't get walked four times...so, fine, if I'm a coach that is going to take the game so seriously as to IBB a 10-year old four times in a game, I'm going to take the game so seriously as to teach my kids either how to pitch around said batter, or to just plunk him.

If they really want to solve the problem, or get ahead of it, they should consider defining a set of conditions where an IBB can be issued...for example:

1. Bases cannot be empty

2. First base cannot be occupied

3. MAYBE require less than two out

Strategically, unless you're going to walk Barry Bonds with bases loaded, those are typically the times you're going to IBB someone (assuming at this age you're not hot and bothered about lefty/right matchups)

This ensures a ringer is never IBB'ed simply because he's a ringer...and ensures a player could be conceivably IBB'd twice in the same game if reasonable game strategy calls for it.

What you do want to avoid is a situation where you have a tie game in bottom of ninth with R2/R3 and you're not allowed to IBB the batter because you did so earlier in the game.

[beerguy55]

9 minutes ago, Rich Ives said:

This isn't softball.

It isn't backgammon either...what's your point?

You're not allowed to lead off in LL baseball for the exact same reason you're not allowed to lead off in LL softball (or any softball) - the short base paths.

It's easy to administer the rule by just calling the runner out, as softball seems to have figured out and be perfectly fine with it.  Why LL baseball can't handle it is unexplainable.

[Velho]

 

57 minutes ago, beerguy55 said:

Well, IBB's are part of game strategy for various reasons.   I get that they're trying to ensure that the superstar kid just doesn't get walked four times...

If they really want to solve the problem, or get ahead of it, they should consider defining a set of conditions where an IBB can be issued...

Right on. Cure the issue vs some half-pregnant approach.

I feel obligated to post this:

[Rich Ives]

3 hours ago, beerguy55 said:

It isn't backgammon either...what's your point?

 

Leaving early is NEVER an out in baseball. It is ALWAYS an out in softball. That's my point. 

And leaving early in LL is not always punished.  You can advance as far as pushed by the batter's legitimate hit/bb/hbp. 

[The Man in Blue]

4 hours ago, Rich Ives said:

Leaving early is NEVER an out in baseball. It is ALWAYS an out in softball. That's my point. 

And leaving early in LL is not always punished.  You can advance as far as pushed by the batter's legitimate hit/bb/hbp. 

 

I get such a kick out of the elitists in both sports.

Technically no, leaving early is not ALWAYS an out in softball.

[Rich Ives]

3 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

 

I get such a kick out of the elitists in both sports.

Technically no, leaving early is not ALWAYS an out in softball.

It's about introducing a concept that has never been in force at any level of baseball. Doesn't belong.  Having it in a similar sport doesn't justify it.  

[Jimurray]

8 hours ago, Rich Ives said:

It's about introducing a concept that has never been in force at any level of baseball. Doesn't belong.  Having it in a similar sport doesn't justify it.  

PONY baseball 10U has an option of closed bases. They penalize with an out if runner leaves before the pitch reaches the batter. I don’t know of any PONY orgs around me that use closed bases but it’s in the rulebook. 

[Vegas_Ump]

Basic comment for new umpires, managers, coaches, and parents on Rule 7.13 in LL:

Read the rule a few times.  Work out the examples in your mind.  It's an easy rule to apply if you know it!  (Like, how many people don't know the whole rule on IFF or a U3K?)

RTFRB!

Mike

Las Vegas

[The Man in Blue]

21 hours ago, Rich Ives said:

It's about introducing a concept that has never been in force at any level of baseball. Doesn't belong.  Having it in a similar sport doesn't justify it.  

Well, it's a damned good thing nobody has put a clock on the game or introduced instant replay.  Or coach challenges.  Or safety equipment.  

#NOTINMYGAME  #8UREC=MLB

[Mudisfun]

On 9/1/2022 at 6:25 AM, Jimurray said:

PONY baseball 10U has an option of closed bases. They penalize with an out if runner leaves before the pitch reaches the batter. I don’t know of any PONY orgs around me that use closed bases but it’s in the rulebook. 

Did a 10u Pony tournament a few years back that used this rule. Of course none of the kids understood, nor 1/2 the coaches. The pickings were so good that if the ball was even 1/2 way to the plate we would let it slide.

6 inning game, 36 total outs per game. No kidding, we grabbed at least 10 outs for the kid breaking the moment the pitcher started his motion. If we did not let the other slide we could have grabbed another 10 outs, easy.

Have not had another game using this rule in Pony since... and thankfully so. None of the Pony programs around me use it, so none of the players were experienced with having to stay on the base. 

[kylejt]

For those not familiar with implementing rule 7.13, it is, by far, the most entertaining rule to enforce. I mean, pulling runs off the board, and runners out of the dugout, as managers scratch their heads, and scorekeepers throw up their hands. 

Now, granted, it's a hair complicated, so many either don't bother, or worse, just don't care. That's a shame because they're missing a lot of fun. 

[Lou B]

POOF !!!