Here is a brief summary of the 2016 Little League rule and regulation changes. Note that not all of these changes were listed in the front of the rulebook – Little League listed what they considered the “significant” rule changes there, but didn’t mention some less obvious ones.
The list of changes is substantially smaller than last year, because a significant portion of the 2015 changes were actually clarifications in the form of “Approved Rulings” (marked “A.R.”) in the rulebook. Approved Rulings essentially provide instruction on how the rules should be applied, interpreted and enforced.
Also note that there are downloadable versions of this information at the bottom of the page.
Regulation I – Baseball and Softball
The duration for which leagues are required to save Volunteer Applications has changed. Regulation I(c)(8) used to read, in part:
The “Little League Official Volunteer Application” must be maintained by the president of the local league Board of Directors for all persons named above, for a minimum of the duration of the applicant’s service to the league for that year.
The regulation now reads
The “Little League Official Volunteer Application” must be maintained by the president of the local league Board of Directors for all persons named above, for a minimum of at least two years after the volunteer is no longer in the league. When it comes time to dispose of these records, they should be destroyed as they contain sensitive information.
Regulation I(k) – Baseball and Softball
The rulebook used to stipulate that leagues that had joint programs had to alternate who was “senior vice president in charge of the program.” That requirement has been removed.
Regulation II(f) – Baseball and Softball
Clarifies that the District Administrator has only the authority to recommend league boundary changes, not adjust them.
Regulation III(a) – Baseball and Softball
Now includes an explicit recommendation that a roster size of 8-10 players is recommended at the Tee Ball and Minor League levels.
Regulation IV(a) – Baseball Only
The date as of which a baseball player’s league age is determined has been changed. The regulation includes details of the implementation plan, which involves grandfathering certain players. The rulebook also includes detailed charts in Appendix G to help leagues confirm a player’s proper league age.
Regulation VI – Softball Only
The rest requirements for softball pitchers have changed. The rule used to read
Minors/Little League (Majors): A player may pitch in a maximum of twelve (12) innings in a game.
It now reads
Minors/Little League (Majors): A player may pitch in a maximum of twelve (12) innings in a day.
Also note that the table in Regulation VI that shows examples of when a pitcher may pitch has been edited (probably in error). Five of the examples show one calendar day of rest (consistent with the wording of the rule), while two of them show two days of rest. It is believed that the latter was an inadvertent editing error.
Regulation VI – Softball Only
The underlined text was added to Regulation VI(c):
(c) A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game but only once in the same inning as he/she was removed. A pitcher, withdrawn from the game offensively or defensively for a substitute, may not re-enter the game as a pitcher. Exception: See Rule 3.03(c).
This clarifies what “remaining in the game” means. There are corresponding changes to 3.03 and the tournament rules – see below.
Regulation VII – Baseball and Softball
The underlined text has been added to Regulations VII(a) and VII(b):
(a) The schedule of games for the regular season shall be prepared by the Board of Directors of the league (or district, if the Senior/Big League is administered as a district operation) and must provide for not less than twelve (12) games per team per regular season against other Little League teams within their respective division, exclusive of playoff and tournament games. Tee Ball: It is recommended that no more than twelve (12) games be scheduled per team per season.
(b) The schedule should provide for not less than two (2) games per week per team. Any facility used for practices and/or games must be approved by the local league Board of Directors. Junior League: Interleague play is permitted provided the proper form is submitted to the District Administrator for approval. Senior/Big League: Interleague play is permitted within the district.
Regulation XIII – Baseball and Softball
The underlined text has been added to Regulation XIII(f):
Once a Tournament Team plays its first game in the International Tournament, a reference to a company, product, or service (including, but not limited to, a slogan or logo) shall not be added to, included on, or appear on any Tournament Team uniform, apparel, or equipment.
Rule 1.04 – Softball Only
The underlined text has been added to Rule 1.04:
The distance from home base to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction in fair territory should be 200 feet or more. A distance of 200 feet or more along the foul lines, and to center field is recommended. The outfield fence must be a minimum of 180 feet and a maximum of 225 feet from home plate.
Previously, the book recommended 200 feet, but had no required minimum or maximum values. A corresponding change was also made in the tournament section of the rules.
Rule 1.10 – Baseball Only
The following text has been added to the portion of Rule 1.10 governing Intermediate and Junior leagues:
If a 2-1/4″ barrel bat has no composite materials in the barrel, it may be used provided it is labeled with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less.
This brings the interpretation of what constitutes a “composite bat” in line with the interpretation for Majors. Note that the rule, as written, still does not allow a composite bat that is licensed and approved for Major play to be used in Intermediate or Junior play. As written, the rule still bans all 2¼-inch diameter composite barrel bats in these divisions unless the bat meets the BBCOR standard. What this changes does do is to allow non-composite-barrel bats that are legal in Majors to be used in Intermediate and Juniors without the BBCOR requirement. Previously, a bat that had a composite handle and alloy barrel could be legal in Majors, but not in Intermediate or Juniors.
Rule 1.10 – Baseball Only
The following text has been added to Rule 1.10:
NOTE: Beginning with the 2018 season, non-wood and laminated bats used in the Little League (league age 12 and below), Intermediate (50-70) Division, and Junior League shall bear the USA Baseball logo signifying that the bat meets the USA Baseball Performance Standard. All BPF – 1.15 bats will be prohibited beginning with the 2018 season. Additionally, starting in 2018, the bat diameter shall not exceed 2 5/8 for these divisions of play.
This provides advance warning that Little League will be moving away from the BPF standard in 2018.
Rule 3.03 – Softball Only
Related to the change in Regulation VI(c), the underlined text was added to Rule 3.03(c):
(c) a pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once in the same inning as he/she was removed. NOTE: A pitcher, withdrawn from the game for a substitute offensively or defensively, may not re-enter the game as a pitcher. This applies to continuous batting order. EXCEPTION: A pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher, if withdrawn for a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner, and then returned to the game at the beginning of the next half-inning.
A corresponding change is made in 3.03(b) in the Big League rules:
(b) A pitcher, withdrawn from the game for a substitute offensively or defensively, may not re-enter the game as a pitcher. (EXCEPTION: A pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher, if withdrawn for a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner, and then returned to the game at the beginning of the next half-inning.)
Rule 4.15 – Baseball and Softball
The following text has been added to Rule 4.15(6):
4.15 – A game may be forfeited by the Umpire-in-Chief of the game in progress to the opposing team when a team –
(6) employs tactics designed to delay, shorten, or make a travesty of the game.
Rule 8.01 – Softball Only
Several items in 8.01 have been rewritten slightly to make it clearly as to the exact sequence associated with a pitcher taking the rubber and beginning her delivery. The underlined text indicates where edits have been made:
(c) The shoulders shall be in line with first and third bases. When taking the pitching position, the pitcher must have his/her hands separated and must have the ball in either the glove or the pitching hand.
(d) Prior to pitching, the pitcher shall take a position with his/her pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate. This contact must be on or partially on the top surface of the pitcher’s plate. The non-pivot foot must be on or behind the pitcher’s plate.
(e) While on the pitching plate, the pitcher shall take the signal or appear to be taking a signal with the hands separated. The ball must remain in either the glove or pitching hand.
(f) After completing (e) above, the pitcher shall bring the hands together in front of the body for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before starting the delivery.
This reworking makes it quite clear that it is not legal for a pitcher to take her position on the rubber with her hands already together.
Tournament Eligibility – Baseball and Softball
The underlined text was inserted into portion of the tournament rules describing what a Tournament team is required to have in its possession:
2. a map, signed and dated by the league president and District Administrator, showing the actual boundaries of the league, with locations noted for the residences of the parent or legal guardian (court-appointed) or location of the school for every participant named on the affidavit;
The requirements for league schedules in the League Eligibility section have also changed. Previously, the rulebook said:
2) The league must have scheduled and played, at a minimum, a 12-game (per team) regular season exclusive of playoffs and tournament games for each division entering tournament. See Reg. VII. The schedule shall be arranged so that at least one-half of the games are scheduled prior to June 15.
Now it reads
2) The league must have scheduled and played, at a minimum, a 12-game (per team) regular season, exclusive of playoffs and tournament games, for each division entering tournament prior to the first game in their respective tournament. See Reg. VII.
Tournament Pitching – Softball Only
Consistent with the other clarifications made with respect to pitchers leaving the mound and then returning, the Junior/Senior/Big League pitching section has been amended as follows:
d. A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once in the same inning as he/she was removed. If a pitcher is removed from the game and is returned to the pitching position, it will be ruled as an improper substitution. Penalty: See Rule 10(f).
And, under the substitution section:
f. Improper substitution is a basis for protest. Protests involving improper substitution not resolved before the next pitch or play shall not be considered. Junior/Senior/Big League: Ineligible pitcher under 1) a Tournament pitcher pitches during the regular season or special games concurrently, 2) a Tournament pitcher is removed from the lineup and then is returned as pitcher later in the game, or 3) a Tournament pitcher moves to another defensive position twice and then returns as pitcher twice in the same inning, will be considered an improper substitution.
Other
Notably, this year the baseball and softball rulebooks also include a copy of Little League’s Operating Policies. This provides information on how Little League prefers that various aspects of a local league be operated. (Examples: draft methods, roles of the various officers, procedures for managers and coaches who have sons and/or daughters in the league, etc.) Some of this information was available through LittleLeague.org in the past, however including it in the rulebooks can only make it easier for Concerned Parents to find out how Little League would rather that certain things be done.
Downloadable Version of 2016 Little League Rule and Regulation Changes
To help you communicate these changes within your league or district, I have prepared PDF versions of the 2016 Little League Rule and Regulation Changes that you may hand out. These documents have a bit more detail on some of the regulation changes I glossed over on this page.
- All the changes – baseball and softball (5 pages)
- Just the baseball changes (3 pages)
- Just the softball changes (5 pages)
Here’s looking forward to a great 2016 season!
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