AA division rules of play

This document provides guidelines for conducting games at the AA Division level of play for the 2024 season. As a developmental league, our primary goal is to prepare players to move up the Little League ladder and eventually play in the Majors.

Rules are non-negotiable and must be adhered to and come from either the official Little League Rule Book (a.k.a "The Green Book") or by NCLL board-approved policy.

Guidelines are nuances within the game agreed to by the Managers and League.

Pitching Rules Highlights

Pitch Counts

• Refer to the Baseball Pitch Count by League Age guidelines.

Pitcher Mandatory Rest

• Follow the Baseball Rest Day Thresholds for required rest days.

Pitching Position

• Pitchers must deliver pitches from the rubber.

Catcher Restrictions

• If a pitcher throws 41 or more pitches, they cannot play catcher.

Catcher to Pitcher Transition

• If a player plays catcher for more than 3 innings, they cannot pitch.

Standard Baseball Rules

• Apply standard rules for strikes, balls, etc.

No Balks

• Balks are not called in Tee Ball. 

Pitching Guidelines

Throwing Strikes

• Coach your pitchers with the mindset that we WANT the other team to hit the ball.
• Success is getting through the game without excessive walks.

Pitch Counts

• Managers are responsible for recording pitch counts (usually done by the scorekeeper).
• Pitch counts will be maintained for all pitchers on the team throughout the season.
• Managers should be prepared to share pitch count information with the Board upon request.

Coach Pitch

• To maintain the pace of play, if a team pitcher issues three consecutive walks or hits batters in an inning, a coach pitcher will finish that inning.
• If a player has not completed their two innings, they are allowed to return.

Coach as Pitcher

• The coach will pitch if no team pitchers are available until the end of the game, pitching to their own team.

When a Coach Is Pitching

• The coach who is pitching has two responsibilities
• Provide a hittable pitch to their batter.
• Help direct the player “pitcher” to the correct position.

Pitching Position:

• All pitchers (both players and coaches) will stand at the rubber 46 feet from home plate.
• This is the MIDDLE rubber at Lower Woodland.

Flight of the Ball

• Avoid the rainbow pitch.
• Find the right combination of speed and distance that allows a level swing through the strike zone for a likely successful hit.

Knee or No Knee

• All pitchers should throw from a standing position.
• Coaches have the option of pitching from a knee.

Catching

• Catching is provided by the defensive team.
• A youth catcher’s glove is provided in your equipment bag and must be used.

Catcher Rules Highlights

Pitching and Catching Limitation:

• A player who has played catcher for 3 innings cannot pitch in that same game.

Protective Gear for Male Catchers:

• All male catchers must wear a hard protective cup for safety.

Catcher’s Helmets:

• Catcher’s helmets must have a dangling throat protector (“dangler”) to ensure safety.

Catcher’s Mitt:

• Catchers must use a specialized catcher’s mitt (infielder’s mitts are not allowed).

Safety in the Crouch Position:

• Anytime a player is in the crouched catching position (including practices, warm-ups, sidelines, etc.), they must have a minimum of a mask, chest guard, and cup for safety.

Plate Access:

• The catcher cannot block access to the plate until the ball is in play to them.

Catcher Guidelines

Your catchers may not have the ability to throw out base runners, and that’s perfectly fine. Here are some essential points to emphasize:

Keep the Ball in Front**:

• The primary goal for catchers is to keep the ball in front of them.
• Encourage them to block any balls in the dirt or those that bounce unpredictably.

Quick Reaction to Balls in the Dirt**:

• Catchers should demonstrate quick reflexes when locating balls in the dirt.
• React promptly to prevent wild pitches or passed balls.

Understanding the Game Situation**:

• Help catchers understand the game context.
• Where are the outs? What’s the score? What inning is it?
• This awareness contributes to better decision-making.

Hitting/Offensive Rule Highlights

Balls and Strikes

• Follow the standard baseball 4/3 count.

Strikeouts

• Apply the standard baseball rule: 3 strikes and you’re out.

Dropped 3rd Strike

• A dropped 3rd strike is an out (no need to throw to 1B).

Innings

• Use standard baseball 3-out innings.

Foul Tips

• Foul tips do not count as a third strike; the player “stays alive.”
• However, if a foul tip is caught, it counts as a third strike.

Batting Order

• All teams will bat a straight lineup of ALL PLAYERS, regardless of whether players are in the field or not.
• No substitutions or pinch hitting allowed.
• If a player is injured and cannot bat, they are scratched from the lineup.

Number of At Bats

• Coaches should aim to get each player at least two at-bats.
• Understand that achieving this goal can be challenging in pitching duel-type games or shorter 4 or 5 inning games.

Late Arrivals

• If a player arrives late to a game, insert them at the end of the batting lineup, regardless of the team’s current position in the lineup.

Throwing of Bats

• Players who throw the bat following an at-bat receive one warning.
• If a player throws the bat again after the warning, they are removed from the game for safety precautions.
• Umpire discretion applies.

No Bats in Hands Unless Up to Bat

• No on-deck circle or warm-up on the sidelines—PERIOD.
• Bats should only be in players’ hands when they are up to bat.

Base Running Rule Highlights

Leading Off

• There are no lead-offs in Little League baseball for players aged 12 and under.

Base Runner Behavior

• Base runners cannot leave the bag until the ball reaches the batter.

Slides

• No headfirst slides are allowed.

Base Running Guidelines

Single or More

• In the 8/9ers division, we need to teach base running skills beyond the basics seen in younger leagues.
• Not every hit is a single; players who hit legitimate doubles should take two bases, and three on a triple.
• The main point to teach is to get out of the batter’s box quickly and look to your base coach for instructions.

Advancing on an Error

• In the AA Division, errors are common.
• Encourage players to take just one base on an error.
• Although a player may be able to advance more, limit this type of play.

Base Coaches

• Always have a 1st and 3rd base coach for player development.
• Parents in the stands can fill this role.
• If they haven’t participated in practices, teach them hand signals and how to instruct the players.

Stealing Bases

• For the first half of the season, players will NOT steal bases.
• This allows catchers and pitchers to develop skills without worrying about base runners.
• In the second half of the season, players can steal bases in specific situations:
• Passed balls or wild pitches that get by the catcher.
• Dropped balls on the return to the pitcher (1B to 2B and 2B to 3B).
• No stealing home for AA players due to safety reasons.

“Slow Down” Mode

• If your team is leading by 5 or more runs, teach the concept of slowing down.
• Players should only advance on a hit ball during “slow down” mode.

Sliding

• Proper sliding technique is crucial to reduce injuries.
• Incorporate sliding practice into your drills.

Home Plate Rule

• As a general rule, ALWAYS slide into home plate.

Fielding/Defense Rule Highlights

Defense

• Standard baseball: 9 defensive players with standard positioning.

Flexible Team Size

• A team may field a defense of 8 players.
• Alternatively, they can request a 9th player from the opponent for defensive purposes only (the player still represents their own team).
• If managers agree, a 10th player can play a 4th outfield position.
• This flexibility helps ensure that everyone gets even playing time, especially on larger teams.

Even Playing Time

• Managers are encouraged to strive for even playing time in the field during each game.
• Understand that with larger teams, inning parity may need to be spread out over a few games.

Position Rotation

• Players should have the opportunity to play all positions during the course of the season.
• Exceptions include catcher and pitcher positions.

The Umpire

• The AA Division provides our own Umpires.
• The home team will provide the Chief Umpire and will be behind home plate.
• The visiting team will provide the Field Umpire.
• If an umpire is not available at game time, the home team will provide an umpire. If this guest umpire does not have protective gear, they will call the game from behind the pitching rubber.
• The Chief Umpire has final say on ALL calls.

Game Rules

Inning Run Rule

• We play with a 5-run rule per inning.
• Once five runs are scored, the inning is over, and the batting team returns to the field.

Time Limit / Inning Limit

• Our games have a time limit of 90 minutes or 6 innings, whichever comes first.
• You will have 30 minutes of field time to share between teams before your game begins for warm-ups.
• For eager team members, encourage them to warm up in the deep outfield before your field becomes available.

Dugout Assignment

• For all games in NCLL, the home team takes the 3rd base dugout, and the visiting team takes the 1st base dugout.

Mercy Rule

• There is NO mercy rule in AA Division play.
• Play your game to the time limit.

Pre-Game Warm-Ups

• Pending field availability, each team receives 15 minutes to warm up before the 1st pitch.
• The visiting team warms up first, and the home team warms up second, staying on the field to begin the game.
• If 30 minutes is not available before the scheduled start time, teams will agree on a mutual number of minutes for warm-ups.
• The field is under the control of the umpire at the scheduled start time. If managers want to warm up after the scheduled start time, they should request permission from the umpire, who will have the final decision.
• A team that is not ready to warm up at their scheduled time will forfeit their warm-up.

Other Considerations

Ball

• We use an Official hardball.

Bats

• Bats must have a 2 ¼ inch barrel and be Little League approved.

Bat Storage

• During a game, keep bats under your control.
• There is no warm-up circle in Little League, so your on-deck batter needs to be in the dugout.

Bench Players

• Organize the dugout during warm-ups.
• Be the cheerleaders for your team.

Equipment Checks

Gloves

• Gloves for this level of player should be between 9-11 inches.
• Check your players’ gloves and ensure their names and phone numbers are on them.
• Advise the player’s parent if they are using equipment that is not appropriate.
• While specialty gloves (such as 1st base or catcher gloves) can be used at this level, try to discourage their use. Most of these gloves are too large for players in the 9ers division.

Bats

• Bats should be between 26-30 inches in length and weigh between 15-20 oz (this is just a rule of thumb).
• A batter should be able to hold the bat with only their left hand (if they are a right-handed batter) and move it slowly across their body on a level plane without dipping.
• Be on the lookout for bats that players picked because they look cool or the red one, but are completely too big for them. Limit the use of oversized bats to just the owner.

Helmets

• Check helmets for cracks or missing pads.
• In the past, there have been concerns regarding lice.
• If a player has those concerns, they can purchase their own helmet.
• Remember, as the manager or coach, you have the final authority on anything safety-related, so any “player-owned” equipment must meet your satisfaction.

Catchers Gear

• Your equipment bags will have a complete set of catchers gear, including a glove.
• Some players will love to catch, while others may want to avoid it. Try not to assign catching duties to a player who wants nothing to do with it during the first game.
• Encourage Mom or Dad to help their player get ready to catch while your team is up to bat.
• For safety, all catchers’ masks must have a “dangler” attached to be used in a Little League game. If you’re missing one, ask for a replacement or share the helmet with the dangler between teams until yours can be fixed.
• A hard cup is part of the catcher’s uniform.

Final Thoughts for AA Division

While the AA Division is non-competitive, game scores are kept, but there are no playoffs or standings. As with any sport, there will be individual and team successes and failures. Here are some key points to remember:

Positive Perspective

• At all times during the game, find the good in each play.
• Even if the ball sails over the first baseman’s head, acknowledge the effort—it’s still a “strong throw” from the player.
• Every strikeout has at least some number of “good cuts” in it.

Be an Advocate and Cheerleader

• Be your team’s advocate and head cheerleader.
• Encourage players, celebrate their efforts, and create a positive atmosphere.

Parent Participation

• Parents are welcome to participate in practices and game days at the AA level.
• However, anyone participating with the players on a regular basis must complete a background check and be cleared by NCLL to participate.
• Encourage willing parents to get involved; they are our future coaches.