FOUNDATION:
Ken Caryl Little League (KCLL) is a chartered Little League International program. We use the Little League rules and comply with the Little League requirements on playing time, pitch count limitations, and safe play.
PHILOSOPHY:
Beyond the Little League rules obligations, we urge all coaches to adhere to the following philosophy:
Equal bench time. We strive for approximately equal playing time for all players. This means that during the course of a game, all players will likely be on the bench at some point. The amount of time each player may spend on the bench varies depending on the roster size.
Recognize that all players and coaches on both teams are trying hard. The same respect that a coach or parent pays to players on their own team should be equally conveyed to the opposing team's players.
All players should get playing time in different positions, including both infield and outfield positions. While certain positions like pitcher, catcher, and first base may be somewhat limited to certain players, other positions should be rotated throughout the roster.
Coaches should strive to get pitching opportunities to all players. Each coach should have a goal to get at least two different pitching opportunities for each player on the roster.
Wins are fun. But losses provide the greatest learning opportunity. Winning should never be the first priority of any team, parent, coach, or player. Our first priority is to have fun and enjoy the game. This doesn't mean we don't try to win. Rather, it means in-game choices between having fun and winning should heavily lean to the fun side.
Batting orders should change from game to game. Through the course of a season, all players should have opportunities to bat at the top of the line-up, in the middle of the line-up, and at the bottom of the line-up.
It is recognized that talent and skill levels vary between players. However, it is important that all players at all skill levels be given opportunities to succeed and fail. This will mean using lower skill players in challenging positions during key situations and not just "playing for the win."
The Positive Coaching Alliance "Double Goal" approach to coaching is a significant part of the KCLL culture. While winning shall remain a goal of any team, teaching life lessons through sport will remain our primary goal.
Each coach has a primary responsibility of ensuring that each player on their team wants to play baseball next year!
IMPORTANT LITTLE LEAGUE RULES:
Lead-offsFor Majors, AAA, AA, and A base runners cannot leave the base until the pitched ball reaches the front edge of the plate. Without this rule, a youth baseball game can quickly turn in to a track meet - a walk is as good as a triple or double as runners/coaches take advantage of a pitcher's slow delivery and the catcher's inexperience. With the no-lead off constraint, young pitchers can concentrate on the batter and their delivery mechanics, not the runner, complicated pick-off move or balks (there will be plenty of time to master the pick-off later). The no-lead off rule also delays the runner attempting to steal and gives the defense a decent chance of picking off the runner at second or third. This in-turn forces the offense to duly consider their chances of stealing a base and are more likely to try and earn their runs through hitting and not through defensive errors. Coach Pitch and Tee Ball run on hits. Intermediates and Juniors/Seniors can lead off.
Pitch Counts
League Age (age as of Aug 31):
13-16 95 pitches per day
11-12 85 pitches per day
9-10 75 pitches per day
7-8 50 pitches per day
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
If a pitcher delivers 41 or more pitches in a game, the player cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
If a player position of catcher for more than 9 outs (i.e., receives a single pitch in the 4th inning having played catcher for the first three innings), the player may not pitch in the same day.
Any player to first play the position of catcher and then throws more than 20 pitches may not return to the position of catcher.
If the pitch threshold is reached while facing a batter, the pitcher may finish pitching to that batter until the at bat is resolved.
Juniors/Seniors may pitch 30 or fewer pitches in the first game of a double header and remain eligible for the second game. No other division may permit a player to pitch in two games in one day.
Bat Size and Performance Standards
As of the 2018 Spring Season, all bats must either be completely made of wood OR bear the "USA BASEBALL" logo. Intermediates and Seniors may additionally use bats with the BBCOR logo. Bats bearing the "Approved for Little League" stamp on the bat are NO LONGER legal. Neither are the USSSA BF 1.15 bats formerly permitted in Intermediates.
Bats may be up to 2 5/8" barrel size. There are no "drop weight" limitations or restrictions.
Game Rules
All teams should bat all players in the line-up. There is no "bat 9" used in KCLL. Note: Intermediate and Senior Division may use "bat 9" for inter league play.
All players MUST play a minimum of 6 consecutive outs on defense and get at least 1 at bat. Please see additional minimum play requirements in the "Philosophy" section.
There is a "courtesy runner" permitted for a pitcher or catcher when there are two outs. There is no use of the "special pinch runner" due to the "full line-up batting order" used.
Teams employ "free defensive substitution." That is, any team can switch any player to any defensive position at any time. There are restrictions regarding pitcher substitution and there are pitch and innings played limitations on the positions of pitcher and catcher that still apply.
The Infield Fly Rule applies to all "kid pitch" divisions.
The "dropped third strike" rule applies to the AAA and higher division levels.
Head first slides are NOT permitted in A, AA, AAA, or Majors. A head first slide in those divisions shall result in an "out" recorded for the offending runner. Players may head first dive back to a base already achieved. Head first slides are permitted in Intermediates and higher.
All males playing the position of catcher MUST wear a protective cup. ANY player assuming a crouch position ("catcher crouch") to receive throws from another player or coach MUST wear a catcher helmet and protective cup. All catchers MUST use a catcher's mitt (no field mitts permitted).
Both runner and fielder have an obligation to avoid collisions. In the event of a collision, the umpire may call defensive obstruction, offensive interference, or no penalty.
For Majors, AAA, AA, and A there is a 15 run mercy rule after 3 innings and a 10 run mercy rule after 4 innings. For Seniors and Intermediates, there is a 15 run mercy rule after 4 innings and 10 run mercy rule after 5 innings.
Seniors will play on a field configuration with a pitching distance of 60'6" and base paths of 90'.
Intermediates will play on a field configuration with a pitching distance of 50' and base paths of 70'.
Majors and AAA will play a field configuration with a pitching distance of 46' and base paths of 60'.
AA will play a field configuration with a pitching distance of 42' and base paths of 60'.
A will play a field configuration with a pitching distance of 38' and base paths of 50'.
Coach Pitch and Tee Ball will play a field configuration with base paths of 50'.
Game start time shall be the scheduled time UNLESS the prior game delays the game start OR an umpire is late OR an umpire approves an alternative start time. Game start time is NOT "first pitch" - it is the scheduled time.
Game duration is not a hard stop. The duration is a "no new inning may start after duration." When the third out of a full inning is recorded, if the duration is met or exceeded, then the game is over. If there are still 1 or more minutes remaining before duration is reached, you will play another full inning.
Juniors/Seniors - 2:15
Intermediates - 2:15
Majors - No time limit
AAA - 2:00
AA - 1:45
A - 1:30
Coach Pitch - approximately 1:15
Tee Ball - approximately 1:00
DIVISION QUICK GUIDES
A Division
PITCHING
The pitcher will begin each at bat versus the hitter of the opposing team. The pitcher will complete the at bat UNLESS:
1. They throw four balls before a strikeout or a ball in play, at which point the coach of the batter will throw pitches to the batter in order to resolve the at bat in either a strikeout or a ball in play. The pitching coach will call strikes looking.
2A. The batter is hit by a pitch, at which point the coach will resolve the at bat beginning with a no-strike count. (the idea here is to not punish a player who gets HBP on two strikes and then swings and misses at the next pitch. The reward for the HBP is a fresh start on strikes versus taking the base.)
Pitchers may throw a maximum of 1 inning per game.
BASERUNNING
There are no steals on a pitch in single A.
Runners may only advance one base on an overthrow of a ball in play. This includes home plate. (e.g. a player on their way to third may advance to home on an overthrown ball in play.)
If an infielder is in possession of the baseball, no runner may advance an additional base.
Players may not advance past second base (double) on a hit off of a coach pitch.
Maximum 4 runs scored per inning.
AA Division
No dropped 3rd strike.
Maximum 5 runs per inning.
No stealing on a throw back to the pitcher.
Can steal home on a past ball/overthrow.
AAA Division
Dropped 3rd strike in play.
Maximum 5 runs per inning.
Majors
No run limit per inning.
No time limit, play full 6 innings or to mercy rule. If game is called for weather/darkness, 4 completed innings constitutes a game of record.
Intermediates & Junior/Seniors
Leadoffs and Balks are in play.