CASA GRANDE LITTLE LEAGUE

RULES AND REGULATIONS

TEE-BALL

Casa Grande Little League aspires to be an outstanding educational-athletic organization that provides a high-quality experience, in which every athlete:

• Is coached to learn the fundamentals of the game and the importance of sportsmanship
• Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance
• Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the playing field
• Learns the skills, tactics, and strategies of the game and improves as a player; and
• Has fun playing the game.

Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork, and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage, and loyalty, the Little League Baseball and Softball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than simply create superior athletes.

To meet these objectives, Casa Grande Little League provides a supervised program under the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball (the “Official Rules”).  In addition to the Official Rules, Casa Grande Little League uses the following local rules, which are meant to complement and augment the Official Rules.  In the event of any conflict between these local rules and the Official Rules, the Official Rules will control.

Please read and familiarize yourself with the local rules and regulations of Casa Grande Little League.  If you have any questions, please contact a Board Member

 PRACTICES

• The Casa Grande Little League will try to schedule times for teams to practice at the Little League fields at the best of their ability and tentatively.
• Teams may also practice in public open space areas.  Many teams also choose to practice in HOA owned or maintained parks.  If you are practicing in a private park, it is your responsibility to obtain any permission necessary from the HOA.
• Teams may not practice at the O’Neil Softball Complex, Kiwanis Field, or the Paul Mason Sportsplex without reserving through the City of Casa Grande. 

COACHES AND MANAGERS

Each team will have a manager and may have additional assistant coaches or volunteers to help with practices and games.  Any person who will have player contact - whether a manager, a coach, a parent, or a friend – MUST HAVE COMPLETED A VOLUNTEER FORM AND SUBMITTED ONLINE at www.CasaGrandeLittleLeague.com  No adult may have any player interaction until the President has conducted the appropriate background check and approved his/her volunteer application.  Please give us the names of any persons asking to be an assistant coach as soon as possible.

Any manager, coach, or volunteer that displays poor life skills or inappropriate behavior on the practice or game field in front of players may be suspended or removed from duty by the Board.  Profanity of any kind will not be tolerated. Please understand and help remind others that these rules are in place in order to help promote the safety and well-being of all players.

At this age, managers, coaches, and other volunteers should collectively encourage the constructive development of players’ sportsmanship, baseball knowledge, and skills.  You may stop playing for instructional purposes when appropriate - and for safety purposes at any time - keeping in mind the level of play.  It is the League’s policy, however, that such stoppages should not unduly slow play.

Managers are expected to ensure that any handouts, materials, or information given to the Manager is passed along to all parents.  Managers are expected to ensure that they, and their team, are at all scheduled League events, including but not limited to opening day, games, pictures, and the League’s annual celebration (which serves as “Closing Ceremonies” for these divisions).

FIELD AND GAME GUIDELINES

• The team designated as the VISITING TEAM on the schedule will use the 1^st base dugout and will be responsible for setting out bases and pitching rubber for the game if needed, as well as picking up the game balls from the concession stand.
• The team designated as the HOME TEAM on the schedule will use the 3^rd base dugout and will be responsible for picking up and returning the bases (and pitching rubber, if any) to the clubhouse at the end of the final game of the day for that field.
• Sports drinks and water are allowed in the dugout to help ensure players remain hydrated during games.  At the discretion of the manager, players may be permitted to have snacks in the dugout, but clean-up of the dugout at the end of the game is the responsibility of the manager and coaches of that team.
• Please remember that, except for water and sports drinks for players, Casa Grande Little League does not allow outside food or drink to be brought into the Little League complex.  Our League relies heavily on concession stands to help provide funds to support the League so your help in reminding families of this rule is important.
• Hitting a baseball into the chain link screens at any time, such as by “soft toss” or off a batting tee, is prohibited except if using plastic balls.
• Each team will be provided with a new game ball for each scheduled game, which must be picked up from the concession stand by the Visiting Team.  Teams should also have additional balls on hand to help speed up play. Game balls should be returned to teams at the end of each game to use as practice balls or handed out as a “Game Ball” to a player. The most effective way to give a player a game ball is to go through players alphabetically or by jersey numbers.
• Persons on the field of play or in the dugout will not use cell phones or electronic devices.
• Any time limits on game times (on weekday nights) are measured from the scheduled start time.  Managers and coaches should arrive early to ensure the field is ready for play and that the game can start on time.  Children should be at the fields at the time set by the Manager but should always be at the field at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time (most Managers will ask their children to arrive earlier in order to properly warm up).

UNIFORMS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• Each player should wear a complete uniform, including a hat, jersey/shirt, socks, and appropriate pants.  Players are not permitted to use metal cleats.  Please have your players look like baseball players while wearing their uniforms: Caps will not be worn backwards or tilted to the side, and players shirts will be always tucked in.

• Any player with a bat in his/her hand MUST have a batting helmet on his/her head.
  •  Helmets may not have decals applied or be painted by someone other than the manufacturer unless accompanied by written certification from the helmet manufacturer that the decal or paint does not affect the playability of the helmet.
• All bats need to have the USA Baseball marking and will be 26’’ and shorter.
  • Players are not permitted to swing a bat in the dugout or dugout area. 
  • Little League also does not use an “on-deck” circle and hitters shall remain in the dugout area until it is their turn to bat.
• Other than using the restroom, all players shall remain in the dugout when not otherwise engaged in play on the field.
• No child may be left unattended in the dugout.  If you are short a coach or coaches for a game, please ask a Board Member for help in finding a qualified volunteer (who has filled out a form) for help.

Game play Guidelines

• Score will not be kept during regular season.
• Games will be 4 innings or 1 hour; whichever comes first.
  

• Coaches should change the batting order every game to ensure that each player has the opportunity to bat first.
  • All players will take a turn to bat every inning.
  • The ball must travel 15 feet from the plate to be considered a fair ball in fair territory.
  • A ball hit less than 15 feet away from the plate will be considered foul.
  • A batter will be given 5 swings to hit the ball.
  • If a fair ball is not hit after 5 swings the batter will be considered out.
  • The bat needs to contact the ball and not the tee in order to be considered a hit.

• No player, other than the player at bat, may hold a bat in his or her hands. 
• Runners will advance no more than one base on a ball hit in the infield.
  • Runners may advance more than one base on a ball hit into the outfield but shall not advance more than two bases at bat and shall not advance on overthrows (even if thrown into the outfield). 
  • Coaches, please be aware of the possibility of collisions at home plate between runners and a defensive player waiting to make the tag.

• A player who is “out” shall be removed from base. Outs will not be tracked for the purpose of changing sides. 
  • If a player, however, consistently is unable to reach base without making an out, the managers and coaches should discuss this with the opposing team and allow that player the opportunity to run the bases as well. 

• There still must be at least one adult in the dugout.
• Up to 2 defensive coaches on the outfield grass to give instructions to the players but must not interfere with the players or have any contact while the ball is in play.

• On defense, each player will take the field each inning, regardless of the number of players on the team.
• An extra infielder may be used at 2ⁿbase (5 player infield). Any player used as 5^thinfielder must be behind second base only. All infielders should start on the infield dirt, and outfielders must start the play on the outfield grass.
• EVERY PLAYER MUST PLAY AN INFIELD POSITION IN EACH GAME.  No player should play an outfield position for more than 1 inning, and coaches should ensure that all players receive equal time in the outfield positions.