* Rule 1.10 Note 2 (Baseball/Softball) – The use of Pine tar or any other similar adhesive substance may be applied to the handle or grip of the bat at all levels of Little League. Pine tar or any other foreign substance shall not be added to the surface of the barrel or taper of the bat and shall not cover the USA Baseball Logo, BBCOR for the teenage divisions or any other identifying marks or logos on the bat. o Penalty: If the bat has pine tar or a foreign substance on the barrel or taper of the bat or covers the identifying marks, the bat MUST be removed from the game and the player issued a warning. If that player repeats that infraction, the offending player and manager shall be ejected from the game. In such cases, all results from the use of the bat will stand, and this infraction is not cause for calling the batter out, nor should the bat be declared illegal.
* Rule 1.10 – A.R.2 (Baseball/Softball) – No bat, in any level is permitted to be altered. Products such as choke-knobs and choke-up assists are NOT permitted.
o Penalty: If a bat has such a product, that product must be removed from the bat, and the bat shall not be declared illegal.
The player shall be warned and any subsequent infraction would result in the offending player and manager being ejected from the
game. In such cases, all results from the use of the bat will stand, and this infraction is not cause for calling the batter out, nor should the
bat be declared illegal.
* Rule 1.11 (a) (3) (Baseball Only) – Sleeves Worn by the Pitcher: Removed the “neoprene” sleeve distinction in the rule to now include all sleeves. Sleeves worn past the elbow by the pitcher must be a SOLID Color that is not WHITE or GREY.
* Rule 3.17 (Baseball/Softball) – Malfunctioning One-Way Communication Device – One- Way Communication devices are permitted on DEFENSE between the dugout and catcher only. They are prohibited from using it to communicate with any other player on defense and MUST be used from the dugout/bench area.
o Penalty: If, in the umpire’s judgment, any player, manager, or coach uses a communications device in any way other than it’s approved
use, the penalty is ejection from the game.
o Note 2: A reasonable amount of time must be provided to a team to correct a malfunctioning one-way communication device.
* Rule 4.04 Note 2 (Baseball/Softball) – If a player is unable to complete a plate appearance due to injury, illness, or ejection, the next batter in the lineup shall take his/her place and assume the count of the original batter. If a batter becomes a runner by reaching base safely and is unable to run the bases due to injury, illness, or ejection, he/she shall be replaced by the player who recorded the last out or with a Courtesy Runner, if applicable.
* Rule 4.18 (Baseball/Softball) – Forfeited Games: Removes the requirement for the scorebook to be signed by the Umpire-in-Chief for forfeited games.
* Rule 7.14(b) A.R. 2 (Baseball/Softball) – If the pitcher and catcher of record are on base with 2 outs, the offense may use a courtesy runner for both pitcher and catcher at the same time. When assigning courtesy runners is such situations, the player who is scheduled to bat soonest shall be placed on the base closest to scoring.
o Example: With two outs, the pitcher is on second base and the catcher on third base. The offense elects to use courtesy runners for
both pitcher and catcher. The player who made the second out of the inning becomes the courtesy runner for the pitcher at 2nd base.
The player who made the first out of the inning (due up soonest) becomes the courtesy runner for the catcher at 3rd base.
* Rule 7.15 (g) (Baseball/Softball) – In Majors and Teenage divisions, when the batter becomes a runner on an uncaught third strike, the batter-runner and the defensive player may use either the colored or white base.
o NOTE: When the batter becomes a runner on an uncaught third strike, the batter-runner may run in fair territory when the throw is
coming from the foul side of the base and if hit by the thrown ball, it is NOT interference. However, if the interference is deemed
intentional, that runner will still be out.
* Rule 8.06(b) Note (Baseball) – Visits to the Pitcher and Returning as Pitcher (INT/JR/SR) – Clarifies that in the Intermediate 50/70, Junior League, and Senior League Divisions, the number of visits remaining does not prevent a pitcher once removed from the pitcher’s plate as pitcher from returning as pitcher. However, that pitcher removed from the mound, MUST remain on the field in a defensive position and may only return to the mound ONCE per game. Majors and below, a pitcher may not return to the mound once removed.
* Rule 8.06(b) Note (Softball) - Visits to the Pitcher and Returning as Pitcher – Clarifies that the number of visits remaining does not prevent a pitcher once removed from the pitcher’s plate as pitcher from returning as pitcher. However, that pitcher removed from the mound, MUST remain on the field in a defensive position and may only return to the mound ONCE per game.
* Tournament Rule 3(b) (Baseball/Softball) – Illegal Bats – Reworded to provide consistency with Rule 6.06(d). If the batter enters the batter’s box with one or both feet on the ground with an illegal bat or is discovered having used an illegal bat prior to the next batter entering the batter’s box.
o Penalty: The ball is dead and all runners must return if they advanced on the play. The bat is removed from the game upon discovery.
The manager is ejected. The player is ejected. The offensive team will lose one base coach. However, both 1st and 3rd base coach’s
boxes MUST be occupied. One adult will occupy one base coach box and a player with a helmet will occupy the other. An adult coach
MUST remain in the dugout at all times.