Often we get questions about why we do some of the things we do. The purpose of this page is to inform parents of the rules and guidelines we follow.
Below is the Coach Quick Reference Sheet |
Interleague Game Rules
Coach Quick Reference
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Although 90% of Umpire calls are Balls/Strikes on the batter & Safe/Out on the Runner, there are some less frequent yet common calls made. We will outline some of those here. Hoping that having a better understanding of some of these calls will allow you to enjoy the game more.
Infield FlyRoutine Pop Fly with less than 2 outs AND at least 2 force out opportunities. Batter is out and forces are off
Prevents fielder from intentionally dropping the ball and making a Double Play as runners must wait to tag if caught. Look Back Rule (Softball)Once the ball has been returned to the Pitcher in the Circle, any runner has to immediately either return to her base or attempt to advance. (No Playing Chicken with the Pitcher).
Further, Softball players (Majors & above) can leave the base once a pitch leaves the Pitcher's hand. (Baseball Maj & Below & Minor Softball must wait until the ball reaches home plate to leave their base) |
Strike ZoneSTRIKE ZONE is that space over home plate which is between the batter’s armpits and the top of the knees when the batter assumes a "natural" stance.
Please note that, in the Minor Division, the Strike Zone may be extended a ball inside/outside the plate to encourage batter swinging and flow of the game.
Balk vs Illegal PitchBalk- Runners Awarded Next Base
A balk is defined in the current edition of the Little League Baseball Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Operating Polices (Rule 2.00 – Definition of Terms) as an illegal act by a pitcher with a runner or runners on base entitling all batters to advance one base (Intermediate 50/70, Junior, and Senior baseball divisions). A balk is not called in the Little League Major Division and below or Softball (see Rule 8.05 – illegal pitch) because a base runner in these divisions is unable to lead off a base, therefore a situation does not exist whereby a pitcher may mislead a base runner. Illegal Pitch- Ball Awarded to Batter All Little League divisions are subject to Illegal Pitch violations. Baseball Intermediate (50/70) and higher applies with no runners on bases. 
BuntingA foul ball on a bunt attempt with two strikes is deemed a third strike, resulting in an out.
Note the difference between Softball & Baseball bunting when it comes to "Taking a Ball" Softball Batter must pull the bat back while Baseball Batter may maintain bunt stance 
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Interference vs ObstructionInterference
Generally speaking, interference is an infraction by the offense (at bat team) where a player interferes with the defense ability to make a play on a runner or the ball with or without intention. This is a Dead Ball Foul immediately stopping play. The individual committing the infraction is out and other runners returned to the previous base. 
Obstruction
Committed by a defender who without possession of the ball blocks a runner's access or impedes a runner's path to a base. This is a delayed dead ball in which the play is allowed to continue, if the runner makes the base safely, the infraction is basically nullified. If the runner is tagged out, the infraction is enforced, resulting in the runner getting the base achieved without the infraction. 
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