The rules of the game follow the book rules of Little League Baseball. However, our district has their own overlays that dictate interleague play and we have other local agreements on rules. Please visit the District 2 website for the rules specific to the season and time of year in which you're playing. Here are the direct links as best as we've been able to gather them all:
District 2 Fall Ball
Frederick City Minors Rules
Frederick City Coach Pitch Rules
Fogle Tournament rules will mirror those of the Gregg Quedeweit Tournament of Champions with the following exceptions and clarifications
- Player Pools are allowed so long as they follow the book and the District is involved in the random selection process
Below is a high level overview of the general rules for each division.
Majors
- Same as Minors except
- Dropped 3rd strike rule applies
- Pinch runners are allowed 1/inning and only once for the same player in a game
Minors
- Balks will not be called
- Infield fly rule applies
- Pitching
- 5-8 warm up pitches between each half inning. More pitches may be given to new pitchers summoned into the position during the inning.
- Pitch count limits by age are in the rule book. If the pitcher hits their limit while facing a batter they may continue to pitch to that batter until the batter is called out or reaches base.
- The rule book should be reviewed regarding players who serve as both pitchers and catchers as the number of pitches thrown or innings caught are directly related to one another in terms of limitations.
- The rule book includes the days of rest required based on the number of pitches thrown.
- Any part of the pitcher’s undershirt or T-shirt exposed to view shall be of a solid color. The pitcher’s undershirt sleeves, if exposed, shall not be white or gray. Neoprene sleeves, if worn by a pitcher, must be covered by an undershirt.
- Managers or coaches are permitted to warm-up a pitcher prior to the start of the inning.
- Players in the Minors who are League Age 12 are not permitted to pitch. Those players will also have league approved waivers to be in the Minors.
- A manager or coach may visit the mound twice per inning without making a substitution. On the third visit, the pitcher must be removed.
- Stealing
- No leading off
- Runners must avoid collisions at all bases. If a player doesn't slide on a close play, the runner will be considered out.
- unlimited stealing
- Play stops when the pitcher has control of the ball in the pitcher's circle. If a runner has already left the base prior to this occurring the play remains live.
- No pinch runners
- Courtesy runners are only allowed for the catcher when there are 2 outs or 4 runs. The last player out is to be the runner.
- 8 player minimum to play. Can borrow 1 or 2 players from the opposing team if agreed upon by players and coaches.
- 4 outfielders are allowed if agreed upon by the coaches
- Continuous Batting Order
- Minimum defensive playing time
- ≤ 3 inning game = 3 outs
- ≥ 4 inning game = 6 outs
- unlimited substitutions
- 5 run/inning limit.
- 10-run rule after the 4th
- 150 minutes or 6 inning games, whichever is reached first. No new inning will start after 120 minutes. If the last full inning is not completed prior to the 150th minute or if it is called for darkness or weather, the score reverts back to the end of the previous inning.
- ties are permitted
Coach Pitch
- 8 good pitches only allowing additionally for an egregious last pitch where the better doesn't swing
- 3 outs of 5 runs max/half inning, whichever is reached first
- 2 coaches on the field for defense + 1 to assist the catcher if applicable
- base coaches determine if a player is out or safe and if a ball is fair or foul
- No base stealing or lead offs
- No extra bases on overthrows, however, players may continue to run on a ball hit into the outfield until it is returned to the infield. Players that had not advanced at least halfway to the next base by the time the ball is returned to the infield must go back to the previous base.
- No more than 5 infielders, 1 catcher, and 4 outfielders. Outfielders must be placed on the outfield grass. It is common for coaches to agree in advance to playing more kids in the outfield or 2 pitchers in order to avoid anyone sitting the bench.
- All players must be included in and cycled through the batting lineup.
- Sliding is permitted
- 90 minute or 6 inning games, whichever is reached first
Tee Ball
- Every batter is safe regardless of any made defensive plays
- The last batter in the order runs all the bases therefore pushing all base runners home
- It is permissible to pitch to a batter. If doing so, it's suggested that the batter get 3 pitches and if they don't get a hit, then they hit off the tee.
- 60 minute maximum