OREGON LITTLE LEAGUE DISTRICT 5 INTER-LEAGUE 2023
RULES/GUIDELINES
Interleague Rookies Sub-Division

***These rules are ONLY FOR the Rookie sub-division

RULES OF PLAY

•  Home team will provide parent or coach to act as the umpire.

• Teams are permitted to start a game with eight (8) players.  The ninth (9th) position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty.  Should a 9th player arrive after the start of the game, they may be added to the bottom of the batting order when they arrive, even if the team has already batted through the line-up. You are NOT allowed to start a game with less than eight (8) players.

• Teams will bat entire roster.

• You may substitute defensive players at any time in the game but each player must play at least 6 consecutive defensive outs at some time during the game.

• The Coach will pitch from the mound until the batter puts the ball into play or strikes out, or the Pitching Machine can be utilized.

• There are no walks.

• At the halfway point in the season (May 1st) players will attempt pitching the last three innings of each game.  When 4 called balls have occurred, coach comes into pitch until the ball is hit into play or a 3rd swinging strike occurs.

• Batter will be called out after three called strikes.

• An offensive inning is over once three outs are recorded or five runs are scored.

• No stealing bases

• Runner may advance only one base on an overthrow.

• Softball: play with an 11” softball

• Baseball: play with a 9”-9 ¼” baseball (printed with a designation of RS or RS-T)

• Pitchers pitch at 30-35’

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF / THOUGHTFUL OF:

• Players must play standard fielding positions: Pitcher, catcher, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Short Stop, Left Field, Center Field, Right Field. If Coaches agree, a 4th outfielder may be used.

• Appropriate base running, advance bases true to the game, not just because the other team struggles to throw the ball. Rule of thumb, ball in the outfield, runners advance and ball in the infield, stop at the next base.

OREGON LITTLE LEAGUE DISTRICT 5 INTER-LEAGUE 2023
RULES/GUIDELINES
Interleague Rookies Sub-Division 

INTERLEAGUE GAMES FOR DISTRICT 5 APPLIES TO ALL DIVISIONS OF BB & SB AND THESE INTERLEAGUE RULES NEED TO BE APPLIED, WHICH SUPERSEDES LOCAL LEAGUE PLAYING RULES.

ALL MANAGERS INVOLVED IN INTERLEAGUE PLAY ARE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THESE INTERLEAGUE RULES, AND TO BE REVIEWED BEFORE EACH GAME. 

THE UMPIRE/S NEED TO BE INFORMED OF THESE RULES IF THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THESE INTERLEAGUE RULES.

1.       Time limit for ALL DIVISIONS; Minor, Major, 50/70, JR, SR. Minor & Major division - NO new inning will start after 1 hour 45 min. 50/70-JR-SR division – NO new inning will start after 2 hours.

2.       On Deck Batter (50/70, JR, SR) The on-deck batter shall be positioned in the on-deck circle closest to their dugout.

3.       Minimum players to start a game.  Teams are permitted to start a game with eight (8) players.  The ninth (9^th) position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty.  Should a 9^th player arrive after the start of the game, they may be added to the bottom of the batting order when they arrive, even if the team has already batted through the line-up. You are NOT allowed to start a game with less than eight (8) players.

4.       Half Inning Timeline During each half inning there is only ONE (1) minute for transition at which time the Plate Umpire will put the ball into play to start the inning.

5.       Courtesy Runner.  A team may use a “courtesy runner” for the catcher and/or pitcher of record when there are two (2) outs.  The same courtesy runner may not run for both the pitcher and the catcher at any time during the game.  Exception: If the continuous batting order is used, the “courtesy runner” must be the player who made the last out. 

6.       Warm up Pitcher.  Managers or coaches are permitted to warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at any time including in-game warm-up, pre-game warm-up, and in other instances. They may also stand by to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bullpen.

7.       Intentional Walk (Minors/Majors Baseball and all Softball).  Expands the intentional walk from the Little League (Major) and Minor League Divisions into the Intermediate (50-70) /Junior League/Senior League Divisions.  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.

8.       Umpire.  The umpire is permitted to stand behind the catcher or pitcher during the Regular Season.

9.       Continuous Batting Order.  Batting line-up will include all players present at the game.  Players arriving late will be added to the bottom of the line-up.  In the continuous batting order each player is considered a starter.  You may substitute defensive players at any time in the game but each player must play at least 6 consecutive defensive outs at some time during the game.  Managers MUST report subs to the umpire when entering the game.

10.   5 run limit per inning.  Inning is over when the 5^th run scores.  If a play is in progress when the 5^th run scores, the play will be allowed to finish, but only 5 runs will be counted.  The last inning will be open (no run limit) only if 4 innings have been played for Minors & Majors or 5 innings have been played for Intermediate (50/70), Juniors, & Seniors.

11.  Run Rule
15 Run Rule. is in effect if at the end of 3 innings [Intermediate/Junior/Senior division: 4 innings], or 2 ½ innings [Intermediate/Junior/Senior: 3 ½ innings] if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of 15 runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent.

10 Run Rule. is in effect once a legal game has been officially met; 3 ½ innings for Minors & Majors and 4 ½ innings for Intermediate, Juniors, and Seniors if the home team is ahead.

8 Run Rule. If after 5 innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: 6 innings], 4 ½ innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: 5 ½ innings], if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of 8 runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent.

Note: (1) If the visiting team has a lead of 15, 10, or 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, 10-run rule, or 8-run rule shall be considered a regulation game.

12.   Pool Player.  When a team uses “Pool Player(s)” to allow for a sufficient number as the 9^th/10^th player to play a scheduled game, The “Pool Player(s)” shall wear the uniform of their regular season team so that they are identified as being from the POOL, be listed as the last batter in the lineup and NO PITCHING OR CATCHING.  Pool player played games DO NOT count as a regular season game for that pool player.  A pool player is assigned by the league’s Player Agent for the specific game and NOT selected by the team manager.  Each team is required to have their team roster available for the opposing team to verify rostered and non-rostered players to confirm the pool player has been appropriately assigned by the Player Agent.

                                                       **ALL OTHER REGULATIONS & RULES WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE RULE BOOK**

These guidelines are to help speed up the game and keep all the teams playing by the same rules and prepare us for Post Season Tournaments.

Any protests involving Inter-League games will NOT be referred to the Local Board of Directors.  Any protested game will go to the District 5 Protest Committee.  The protests should be reported within 24 hours to the following District 5 UIC’s; Central Oregon, Greg Anderman (714) 493-4929 or River; Paul Keefer at (541) 571-2587.

Depending on whether you’re in Central Oregon or River, contact either Greg or Paul who’ll receive, coordinate a review panel of the protest and provide a written decision to the two leagues.

This is the first step in the protest process, if the decision provided by the District Protest Committee is not acceptable, step two encompasses submitting the protest to the District Administrator for review and the decision provided is final.