Sunset Community Little League
Ground Rules
2023
All league play is to be in accordance with the current rules and regulations of Little League Baseball, incorporated, the Constitution and By-laws of Sunset Community Little League, and the local playing rules. The board will rule on any matter within the scope of its jurisdiction not specifically covered by one of the above. The board shall be deemed to have jurisdiction of local league members only during their own scheduled league activities and while at local league facilities.
Attention: All previous copies are obsolete
Article I: Boundaries (Eligibility) , Refunds and Late Application,
A. Boundaries
1. Serving the California High Desert Communities of Phelan, Pinon Hills, Wrightwood and Victorville. Sunset boundary Map is located on
District 49’s Website.
2. Any player candidate otherwise meeting eligibility requirements as specified in Little League Regulations who lives or attends school within the Local Little League boundaries shall be eligible for participation as a player in the local league.
3. Any player candidate who does not live or attend a school within the boundaries of the Local League shall not be accepted as a player in the local league.
4. Any player candidate who does not live or attend a school within the boundaries of the Local League shall not be accepted as a player candidate unless he/she is eligible under the exceptions listed in the Little League Regulations and upon Board Approval.
B. Refunds
1. All funds paid to or collected by the League are non-refundable in each instance except as otherwise stated in the policy. Refunds of registration fees will be considered by the Board of Directors on a case by case basis in accordance with the following:
a. Each request for a refund must be made in writing and/or emailed to the President of the Board of Directors of the Local League. The written request must include the reason why the affected player does not intend to participate.
b. Player must be unable to participate due to an injury/illness that prevents play.
c. If a refund is approved the League will refund any amount received over $50 of the registration fees.
d. No registration fees will be considered or processed after Opening Day of the current season.
C. Late Applications
1. After the draft, late applications will be placed on a waiting list maintained by the Player Agent until such time as an opening exists. Should a team need a player any time after the initial draft, players listed on the waiting list shall have priority.
2. Registration closes end of the Day after the 2nd try-out of the current season.
Article II: Tryouts
A. All player candidates league age 9-16 for baseball and softball tryout.
B. The tryouts will be conducted in a fair and equal manner under the direction of the Board of Directors.
C. All player candidates must attend one (1) of the two (2) tryout sessions or 50% of try-outs offered.
Article III: Player Selection and Draft
A. Player Selection
1. See Little League Rulebook Regulation V Selection of Players.
2. All non-competitive divisions the Player Agent will assign players to teams by random distribution with the assistance of the President and or the Vice-President or other designated Board Member appointed by the President or Vice-President of Sunset Community Little League.
a. Players that are League age 4-6 years old are eligible to play in the T- Ball - 6U Division.
b. Players that are League age 6-8 years old are eligible to play in the Minor B - 8U Division. Six year old players must have played one (1)
Season of T-Ball - 6U.
3. The draft system will be employed for Baseball and Softball ages 9-16, unless there are only enough players in said division for one team.
4. Only one representative of each team shall be allowed at the draft and that representative shall be the Manager or Coach WHO HAS BEEN approved by the Board of Directors and is in good standings.
5. If there are more Teams than Managers in Sunset Community Little League. A Board Member or approved Coach will be assigned to draft for the team and the Manager will be appointed at a later time.
6. At the beginning of the draft the Player Agent will have managers draw numbers for their draft order. Except for the Major Division -12U; The managers will draft in the order of last season’s standings. Last place teams first and etc.
7. Options must be in writing to the Player Agent 48 hrs. prior to the draft. See Little League Rulebook for more information.
8. Major teams may only draft two (2) 9-year-old players. Exception will be only if not enough to fill the Major teams and after all 10-12 year old players are drafted.
9. After all eligible players have been drafted, all eligible players who did not
tryout including returning players, will be assigned to an existing team using the “Hat Pick” model. No hat picks in the Major Division -12U
except for age restrictions.
10. When the draft is completed, each Team Manager will notify the Player and his or her family within 24 hrs of the draft.
11. A Player shall NEVER be told the order in which he/she was drafted.
Article IV: Trades and Player Replacements
A. Trades
1. The Little League Rulebook operating policies shall be followed for all player trades.
B. Player Replacements
1. If for any reason a Player refuses to play for a Competitive Division Team, the Manager must notify the Player Agent within 24 hours. The Player Agent shall then notify the League President.
2. Upon approval the Board of Directors , the Player Agent shall send a letter of release to the player and family, stating that he/she has been released from said team for the current season and postseason of play for Little League Baseball or Softball.
3. Managers shall follow the Little League Rulebook operating policies for a replacement player.
Article V: Team Personnel
A. Team Manager
1. Must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Must be approved by the Board of Directors and pass a background check.
3. Must know Little League playing rules.
4. Attend required meetings and trainings
5. Hold one or more team meetings to explain Little League Rules, local league ground rules, Parents Code of Conduct and your team policies.
6. Be responsible for the care of all equipment and keys throughout the
current season.
7. Return all equipment and keys within 5 days of the close of the current season to the Local League Equipment Officer.
8. Must report any injuries to the Safety Officer and Player Agent within 24 hours of the incident.
9. Must conduct themselves in a manner that is in accordance with Little League Rules and Regulations.
10. Must always have players’ Medical Releases available during practices and games. These forms are Confidential and are always to be kept secure.
11. Teach basic fundamentals of Baseball and/or Softball to ALL players.
12. Must reflect an understanding of the age group they supervise and provide encouragement.
13. Any violations of the above could result in forfeit of said team.
B. Team Coach
1. First Coach must be at least 18 years of age.
2. First Coach shall assume the duties of the Manager in their absence.
3. Assistance Coaches must be at least 14 years old and are under the
direction of the Manager or first Coach. 4. Must be approved by the Board of Directors and pass a background check.
5. Must familiarize themselves with the Little League playing rules.
6. Must conduct themselves in a manner that is in accordance with Little League Rules and Regulations.
7. Any violations of the above could result in their removal as a Coach.
Article VI: Uniforms
A. For the safety of all children and young adults no first names or initials will be allowed on their uniforms, caps or visors. Unless siblings on the same team an initial will be used. If the team agrees to add last names on the back of jerseys, caps or visors. First names or nicknames are not allowed.
B. All players will wear the uniform items supplied by the Local League. NO alterations will be made to any league issued uniform.
Article VII: Practice Sessions
A. No practice shall exceed one and one-half hours for T-Ball - 6U and two hours
for Minor B - 8U.
B. No Manager or Coach shall hold more than four (4) activities per week. An activity is defined as any gathering for any purpose consisting of any authorized team personnel and more than four players from a single team.
Article VIII: Game Cancellations
A. Any game cancellation can only be canceled by the League President, Player Agent and or Umpire-in-Chief within 24 hours. The rescheduling of said game will be presented to the Board of Directors for approval by the President or Player Agent.
1. Failure to notify the President, Player Agent or Umpire-in-Chief prior to at least 2 hours will result in the manager being billed for Umpires.
B. Managers do not have the authority to cancel a game.
C. Games that are halted shall follow rules 4.10, 4.11, 4.12
Article IX: Playing Time Restrictions
A. The Managers and/or Umpire determines the game starting time. That time shall be noted in the official scorebook. See times for each Division below:
1. T-Ball - 6U: One hour (1)
2. Minor B - 8U: One and one-half hour. (1 1/2)
3. Minor A - 10U Baseball: No new inning after 2 hours (2)
4. Softball Minors: Follow Interleague Ground Rules
5. Baseball Majors - 12U: No new inning after 2 hours (2)
6. Softball Majors -12U: Follow Interleague Ground Rules
7. Baseball Intermediate - 13U: Follow Interleague Ground Rules
8. Baseball/Softball Juniors and Seniors: Follow Interleague Ground Rules
Article X: Field Preparation and Pre/Post Requirements
A. The home team is responsible for field preparation and Sunset Community
Little League visiting teams assist when requested.
B. Both Managers of the last game of the day are responsible for securing all field equipment and supplies in the appropriate storage area and making sure all gates are locked. The visiting Manager, if a Sunset Community Little League Team, shall drag the field at the end of the game.
C. Both teams are responsible for trash pick up after each game.
D. Line-up sheets are to be prepared in duplicate form, one for each of the following; both Managers, Official Scorekeeper, and Plate Umpire.
First initial and last name of each player on the team shall be on the sheet. If not participating explain why; Absent, Injured etc.
E. Each team is responsible for supplying one new game ball per game. Also
need to have a supply of balls in good shape if more are needed.
F. The Official Scorebook shall be kept by the Home team. The Official Pitch count shall be kept by the visiting team. At no time shall either Official Scorekeeper be on the field, in the dugout and/or seated with spectators. A designated zone shall be established prior to the start of the game.
Article XI: General Compliance Rules / Game Play
A. ALL Managers, Coaches and Players must remain in the dugout whenever they are not on the playing field.
B. A Manager or Coach may not leave the dugout without notifying the Umpire first.
C. A Player may not leave the dugout without the permission of the Manager first and or the Umpire.
D. No more than 3 team personnel in dugouts during the game. (Must be approved Volunteers)
E. If no approved team personnel are available for a game, the Board of Directors shall send an Officer to substitute for the team personnel. The game will not be canceled because team personnel are not available for said game.
F. A female chaperone must be present, always during scheduled team events, when there are female players on the team.
G. No food or drinks are allowed in the dugouts during a game, Water and Sports Bottles are OK.
H. AT NO TIME shall any of the following be allowed on Snowline Joint
Unified School Grounds;
1. Pets
2. Alcohol
3. Unsportsmanlike conduct, profanity and/or fighting
4. Tobacco of any kind, E-Cigarettes and/or Vapor Cigarettes.
5. Please do not bring Sunflower Seeds or Peanuts on School Premises.
6. No gum, candy or sunflower or peanut shells shall be left behind. If so, the team personnel shall clean the area.
Article XII. Specific Playing Rules
A. T-Ball -6U
1. For the first half of the playing season, all players will utilize the batting tee.
2. In the second half of the playing season, all teams will utilize a Coach Pitch Policy.
a. Maximum of three (3) pitches will be allowed with the exception that foul balls on the 3rd pitch will extend the at-bat until the ball is put in play or the player strikes out.
b. Once the three (3) pitches have been reached without the player hitting the ball, the ball shall be placed on a tee.
3. During defensive play all players of a team will be allowed to participate and be on the field.
4. For the first half of the season, players will advance base by base, with no outs being recorded. In the second half of the season players will advance base by base but can be put out on a play.
5. Teams may have up to 2-3 approved coaches in the playing field for instruction.
6. Must follow current Little League Rules and Interleague Rules.
7. No Scorekeeping, this is a Non-Competitive Division
B. Minor-B - 8U
1. Coach pitch policy will be in effect during the first half of the season. One
of the offensive coaches will pitch to the batter. Maximum of five (5)
pitches will be allowed with the exception that foul balls on the 5th pitch
will extend the at-bat until the ball is put in play or the player strikes out.
Both the coach and the pitcher must remain: i. SOFTBALL: within the
pitching circle. ii. Baseball: ten feet from the pitching rubber.
2. Player pitch policy shall be in effect during the second half of the season.
The player shall be allowed to throw five pitches to the batter. If the ball is
not put in play, or if the batter does not strike out or is not hit by the pitch,
then an offensive coach shall take over the at-bat. A maximum of three
pitches will be allowed with the exception that foul balls on the 3rd pitch
will extend the at-bat until the ball is put in play or the player strikes out.
It will be deemed a strikeout if the player does not put the ball in play after
the maximum number of pitches.
3. During defensive play, all players of a team will be allowed to participate and be on the field. However, if the team has more than 9 players, the additional players will be in the outfield and one (1) infield rover may be used.
4. For the 1st through 5th inning, an inning will be determined by three (3) outs or five (5) runs; whichever comes first. After the 5th inning, an inning
will be determined by three (3) outs.
5. On an overthrow, wild pitch, or passed ball, players can only advance one
(1) base.
6. Must follow current Little League Rules and Interleague Rules.
7. Play stops when the pitcher has control of the ball on the pitching mound and there is no imminent play.
8. No infield fly rule, drop third strike or balks will be recognized.
Rule 4.04 1; Continuous batting order will be in effect.
9. NO SCOREKEEPING, THIS IS A NON-COMPETITIVE DIVISION. . C. Minor A Baseball
1. For the 1st through 5th inning, an inning will be determined by three (3) outs or five (5) runs, whichever comes first. After the 5th inning, an inning
will be determined by three (3) outs. Rule 4.04-Note 1: Continuous batting
order will be in effect.
2. Must follow current Little League Rules and Interleague Rules.
D. Minor Softball
1. Must follow current Little League Rules and Interleague Rules.
E. Major Baseball
1. Must follow current Little League Rules and Interleague Rules.
F. Major Softball, Junior Softball and Senior Softball
1. Must follow current Little League Rules and Interleague Rules.
G. Intermediate Baseball, Junior Baseball and Senior Baseball
1. Must follow current Little League Rules and Interleague Rules.
H. All Divisions No Fence
1. If there is no outfield fence, cones will be used to determine the outer fence
line.
a. If a batted ball rolls or bounds past any cone in fair territory, it's a ground rule double and is dead.
b. If a batted ball goes over a cone in the air in fair territory, it’s a Home Run.
c. If a batted ball hits a cone and bounces back into play the ball is a live ball, runners advance at their own risk.
Article XIII: Umpire
A. All umpires must be approved by the Board of Directors.
B. Must follow current Little League Rules and Inter-league Rules.
C. Must be at least thirteen (13) years old.
D. Both plate and base umpires shall sign the official scorebook at the conclusion of the game.
E. There shall be a rule book available for the umpire to consult. It is better to consult the rules and hold up the game long enough to solve a problem than to have a game protested and possibly replayed.
Article XIV: Determination of League Division Champions
A. There will be standings kept for Competitive Divisions.
B. The standings shall be between Sunset Community Little League Teams only.
C. If two (2) teams are tied the league champion shall be determined by a single playoff game which will be played before Closing Day at a date agreed upon by the Managers and President. If a team can not play they shall forfeit the game.
D. It shall be the responsibility of the President to collect the sheets from the official scorebook during the season.
Article XV: Tournament Team Selection (All Stars)
A. Sunset Community Little League and Wrightwood Little League reserve the right to combine leagues for tournament play.
B. Each team will be composed of a minimum of 13 players.
C. Tournament team candidates should be selected upon their playing ability and eligibility. The roster should include sufficient pitching strength to meet tournament schedule.
D. Player selection shall be by majority vote. Each of the following groups shall receive one (1) vote in their division of play. At no time shall anyone vote twice. (IE. Manager, Coach, Board of Directors)
1. Managers
2. First Coach
3. Board of Directors
E. The President and Player Agent shall prepare the ballot of eligible players for each group to vote. The ballots shall be presented to the players and Manager and First Coach prior or after their game. The Board of Directors shall vote under the direction of the President at the Board of Directors meeting.
F. The voting shall take place on the Saturday prior to closing day. The Board of Directors shall vote prior to that Saturday.
G. The Ballots shall be counted by the President and Player Agent and kept secret until Closing Day. Selections and Voting to be complete by the Wednesday before Memorial Weekend of the current season. All-Star teams/players will not start practicing until the regular season is completed.
H. All-Star teams must be kept confidential until May 15th.
I. The All-Star Manager and Coach shall be the League Division Champions. If either are unable to participate the Board of Directors shall select a replacement from that division.
Article XVI: Code of Conduct
A. The Sunset Community Little League Board of Directors has approved and adopted all Local, District, Regional and National Code of Conduct Policies from the National Little League Association. All Managers, Coaches, Parents, Players, Umpires, Spectators and Volunteers are required to adhere to these Code of Conduct Policies and Local Sunset Community Little League Mission Statement.
B. All volunteers and parents are required to sign a Code of Conduct prior to the season.
C. Any violations of this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action. Any violators will be entitled to receive due process per Sunset Community Little League Constitution.
D. ANY UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT BY ANYONE SHALL BE IMMEDIATE CAUSE FOR EJECTION.