Table of Contents

Article I - Manager / Coach Selection

Article II - Player Membership

Article III - Player Selection

Article IV - General Rules

Local Rules

      • Tee Ball (T-Ball)

      • Minors

      • Triple A (AAA)

      • Majors

      • Seniors

Appendix I - Big Flats Little League Umpires and Announcers

Appendix II - Assessment and Draft Procedures

Article I - Manager / Coach Selection • Back to Table of Contents

1. Regular Season Manager Selection
   
   
   1. All candidates for a manager position at any division level will be considered. A board member or appointed designee will gather relevant background and experience-related information prior to a manager candidate review to be conducted by the Board of Directors. Each Board member will cast a ballot with the number of manager candidate names equal to the number of teams for the applicable division. In casting their ballots, each Board member will also ascribe a given weight to each candidate identified in his/her ballot. The weight ascribed will be determined by reference to the number of teams for the applicable division (see example below). All ballots will be tallied and the manager candidates receiving the highest weighted scores will be approved as managers of the teams within the applicable division. The approval process can be conducted through one or more meetings held in person, telephonically, or through such other means, including electronic means such as email, as the Board determines to be reasonable and expeditious. The Secretary of the Board will maintain a record of the scores attributable to each manager candidate in the event of a conflict or controversy in the selection process.
      
      By way of example, if there are going to be five teams in a division, each Board member will write the name of five manager candidates on his/her ballot for that division. Each nominated candidates on each ballot will be weighted by the Board member submitting the ballot as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (five being the total number of teams in the division). Each Board member's first choice for a manager position will be given a score of 5, and his/her last choice on the ballot will be given a score of 1. In this example, the five candidates receiving the highest total weighted score will be approved as managers of the five teams within the division.
      
      
   2. All candidates for an assistant coaching position at any division level will be considered. A board member or appointed designee will gather relevant background and experience-related information prior to an assistant coach candidate review to be conducted by the Board of Directors. All candidates for an assistant coach position must be approved by the Board of Directors. Assistant coach review and approval may take place at any time during the season.
      
      
   3. The managers of each team (except Tee-ball teams) will be responsible for the selection of their teams through an assessment and draft procedure to be conducted prior to the start of each season. At least two of the following Board members must be present at any meeting at which a draft is to take place: President, Vice President, Player Agent, or a board appointed designee.
      
      
   4. Managers may only manage one team in one division during the regular season and playoffs. Managers are allowed to assistant coach one or more teams outside the division in which they are a manager.
      
      
2. Tournament Team Manager Selection
   
   
   1. Nominations for managerial positions with the tournament teams must be submitted to the Board by June 1st each year. Managers for the tournament teams will be selected according to the following process: The applicable division Director will interview all potential manager candidates who express an interest in managing a tournament team. The division Director will inform the Board of the identity of interested candidates. The same processes and procedures as outlined in Article I.A.1 above will then apply to the selection of tournament team managers.
      
      
   2. Tournament team managers will select up to two coaches from the pool of eligible coaches who participated in the League (at any level) during the regular season. The Board must approve all coaches selected by a tournament team manager.
      
      

Article II - Player Membership • Back to Table of Contents

1. Eligibility. Any child meeting the requirements as to age, residence, and registration requirements as set forth in the rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. will be eligible to compete for participation in the Big Flats Little League, so long as a registration form has been submitted prior to the applicable division draft (except in the case of Tee-ball, where the Tee-ball division director will accept registration forms until all teams have the desired number of players). The Board of Directors may choose to allow additional players, after the draft, at its discretion, but only upon a majority vote of the Board.
   
   
2. Suspension. Members of the Board of Directors shall, upon evidence of league-related misconduct of any child, notify the manager of the relevant team, unless the manager calls the matter to the attention of the Board. The child's parent(s) or guardian will appear before the Board as a condition if so notified. The manager may also appear. The Board will have full power to suspend or revoke any child's right to future participation, although any suspension or revocation must be approved by at least two-thirds of all Board members present at a meeting called for the purpose of considering the suspension or revocation of a child's right to participate.
   
   
3. Registration Fee Refund. Refunds of registration fees will be handled by the League President, are at his discretion, and are limited to 50% of the actual fee paid.

Article III - Player Selection • Back to Table of Contents

1. Draft. Selection of players for the Minor, Triple-A, Major, and Senior Division teams will be accomplished by the player draft system appended to these bylaws.
   
   
2. Tee-Ball. Selection of players for the Tee-Ball Division teams will be done by the Tee-Ball division Director and presented to the board.
   
   
3. Tournament Team Player Selections For the AAA and Major Divisions - Ballot System
   
   The Managers of each team in the Triple A and Majors Divisions will participate in the selection of the Tournament Teams.
   
   
   1. By June 1st, each Manager will identify all players on their team who are available and meet the Tournament team criteria. An evaluation may be used for consideration for tournament teams.
      
      
   2. The applicable division Director is responsible for the collection and dissemination of this information to the managers.
      
      
   3. By June 5th each manager and the Player Agent will rank the top 10 evaluated players, as determined by him or her. The player rated highest by a manager will receive a score of 10. The player rated tenth by a manager will receive a score of 1. The eight players between them will receive a score of 2-9, based upon where the manager ranked him or her. A manager may not include a player on his or her ballot who played on said manager's team during the regular season.
      
      
   4. The total points for each nominated player will be tallied by the applicable division Director and Player Agent with the nine players receiving the highest total number of points being awarded the right to a position on the applicable tournament team. The tournament team manager will contact the selected players to determine their continued interest in playing. If one or more of the nine highest rated players informs the manager that s/he is not interested in playing on the tournament team, the next highest rated player who was not among the top nine will be awarded a position. This process will be repeated until nine interested players are selected. The tournament team manager will then make two to five additional discretionary selections. There will be a minimum of eleven players on each tournament team.
      
      
   5. The managers in both divsions and the Player Agent will decide whether the Major division interested 10 year old players need to attend an assessment with the AAA players or if they will be placed on the All Star team and the AAA players will rated on their year performance only by those managers.
      
      
   6. Those names of the players selected for each tournament team will be posted no sooner than the earliest date allowed according to the Little League rule book by division.
      
      
   7. In the event of any "B" tournament team at any division level, those players who received a vote during the evaluation from one or more of the managers but did not make the "A" tournament team will be selected first. The "B" tournament team manager will make one to four discretionary picks. There will be a minimum of eleven players on the tournament team if interest permits.
      
      
4. Tournament Team Player Selections for the Senior Division
   
   
   The Senior Division Director will determine the number of players needed to field a tournament team prior to the end of the regular season. (For example, if there are two teams in the division, the Director will look for up to six players from each team to create a Tournament team roster.)
   
   
   • Managers, coaches and players will participate in the selection of the tournament team.
     
     
   • Each team manager will prepare a simple ballot that includes the name of all players on his/her team. The players will vote for the five players on the ballot whom they believe should make the tournament team. All ballots are to remain in confidence and players should be advised to make an honest appraisal. Players can simply place a check mark next to their top five picks. (It is recommended that this be done quickly before or after a game and the ballots issued and collected within 5 minutes, to avoid discussion amongst players.)
     
     
   • Similarly, each team manager and assistant coach will also cast their vote for the top five picks from their team. The team manager will collect all ballots, tally the results, and submit the top five vote-getters, as well the names of two discretionary picks, to the Director of the Senior division. The Director will combine the results from each team to finalize the tournament team roster. The manager of the tournament team will select at least two (and up to four) of the discretionary picks submitted by the managers.
     
     

Article IV - General Rules • Back to Table of Contents

1. Official Playing Rules. The official Playing Rules and Regulations as published by Little League Baseball, Inc., Williamsport, PA, will be binding on The Big Flats Little League.
   
   All league age 12 year-old candidates must be drafted to a Little League Major Division team. The only exception is by waiver executed by the District Administrator with approval by the local Board of Directors and the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the candidate. - Reference Little League Regulation V.1. 
   
   
2. Local Rules. The local rules of this League will be adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting to be held prior to the first scheduled game of the season. Local rules are intended to improve, but in no way conflict with, the rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. In the event of a conflict with the rules of Little League Baseball, Inc., the rules of Little League Baseball, Inc. will prevail.
   
   
3. Age Groups. The League age groupings represented below are general guidelines only, except as noted above in Article IV.A above. Participation outside these age groups is permitted based on special consideration, safety, ability and/or skill level. Parental input will be considered. The Player Agent will make the final decision (taking into consideration the recommendation from the two division Directors involved and individual circumstances, e.g. grade level). Each division Director will work closely with the managers from their respective divisions. The following provisions need to take place for an athlete to play in a division above that recommended through the general guidelines:
   
   
   • The parents need to make the request to the Player Agent prior to the date set for assessments. The Player Agent will let involved division Directors know of the request.
     
     
   • The Player Agent will inform the Board of the request.
     
     
   • The Player Agent alone will have the right to approve the request after making an assessment.
     
     
4. Sportsmanship. The Big Flats Little League Code of Conduct applies to all players, parents, managers and coaches. A copy will be given to all parents and players who must acknowledge that they have reviewed and understood the same.
   
   
5. Rain-Outs. The League has adopted a game cancellation policy that will be reviewed periodically by the Board. If a game is rained out, it will be made up on the first open rain date. The division Directors will keep track of rainouts and schedule them in order on consecutive rain dates. Sunday make up games may be an option for the divisional Directors to consider depending on the number of rainouts within a season and field availability.
   
   
6. Pitchers. Big Flats Little League will follow the rules for pitchers from the Official Regulations and Playing Rules (the green book).
   
   

Local Rules

Local Rules for Tee Ball (T-Ball) • Back to Table of Contents

The T-Ball division is an instructional division. No scores or standings are maintained. The following local rules apply to this division:


1. Age. League guideline age will be 4, 5 or 6 years of age.
   
   
2. Dress. Conventional play clothing and sneakers, along with a League provided uniform should be worn. Approved safety equipment, protective helmets, etc. must be used. No shorts are permitted.
   
   
3. Number of Players. Teams should be small and all players should play offense and defense and be included in every game.
   
   
4. Continuous Batting Order. All players on the team roster present for the game will be required to bat in his or her respective spot in the batting order.
   
   
5. Defensive Play. Each player present for the game must be given a position on the field for each inning of play. Defensive players should always attempt to make a throw to a base (usually first) for a force out unless they are in such a position where as they can step on a base for the out. The pitcher should not attempt to field the ball and outrun the batter to first base. One the final batter the play should be a throw to first base attempting to get the force and then a throw home where the catcher will attempt to tag all subsequent runners at home.
   
   
6. Pitching. Thee ball shall be hit off of a tee (which will be placed on home plate) for the first half of the season. It will be the offensive coach's responsibility to remove the tee from the plate area should a play involve a player scoring. The player who occupies the position of the pitcher must stay in contact with the pitching mound until the ball is hit. Coach pitch to one or more players is optional in the second half of the season. Each player may have up to four pitched balls. Failure to put the ball in play will require the batter to use the tee.
   
   
7. Base Running. Runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. When a player has advanced as far as possible without being put out, the offensive coach will call "time" and place the ball on the tee at the plate. When a runner is legally put out they must be retired back to the bench. When all defensive players are in the proper position, the defensive coach will call "play ball" and the next batter takes his/her turn at bat. Extra bases are not allowed with the exception of the last batter who will run all the bases for a homerun.
   
   
8. Side-retired. When all players have batted.
   
   
9. Foul. Same as conventional baseball except the ball that travels less than 15 feet in fair territory from home plate is called a foul. (An arc of 15 feet from home plate will be drawn from the first base line to the third base line).
   
   
10. No Strike-outs. A batter will be allowed to swing as many times as necessary to hit the ball.
    
    
11. Umpires. The "Umpire" will be the offensive coach who will stand close to the home plate area and, on behalf of both teams, provide decisions as the "Umpire" as needed. As the sides change, so does the "Umpire" from one offensive coach to the other team's offensive coach. The intent is to have decisions made that are fair, reasonable, impartial, and consistent to allow the players full enjoyment of the game.
    
    
12. Hitting. The batter will not be allowed to bunt and may not take a half-swing or swinging bunt.
    
    
13. Coaching. Managers and coaches may stand near the batter or defensive players to give advice but must not interfere with play. The manager or coach must request "time" from the umpire before attempting to demonstrate a technique or explain a play to the players during the progress of the game.
    
    
14. Regulation Game. The games will typically be three or four innings with a maximum of six innings. No new inning will begin after 7:00 p.m. No school night game will progress past 7:30 p.m. and no new inning will start after one hour of play. All times are cell phone times and start at the moment of the last out in any particular inning.
    
    

Local Rules for Minors • Back to Table of Contents

The Minors division is an instructional division. Scores for each game are maintained by the coaches in a scorebook, but divisional standings are not maintained. The following local rules apply to this division:


1. Team Selection. Player selection for teams will be made using the draft system referenced above and outlined in Appendix II. The Minors division guideline age is 7 to 8 years old. A 6 year old who has played at least one year of Tee-Ball and has been determined by the Player Agent to be eligible for the Minors division may play. In a case where a player is felt to be at an inappropriate league level, the division Directors of the affected divisions with the Player Agent will confer, then discuss the situation with the player and his parent(s) or guardians. The Player Agent alone will make the final eligibility decision.
   
   
2. The Five Run Rule. In all innings, sides will change upon the earlier to occur of (i) five runs being scored, or (ii) three outs being recorded.
   
   
3. Continuous Batting Order. All players on the team roster present for the game will be required to bat in his or her respective spot in the batting order. During the course of the season, managers should make every effort to provide each player with the opportunity to bat in every spot of the batter order
   
   
4. Pitching. The Minors division will be coach-pitch for the duration of the regular season. A manager or coach will pitch from the pitching mound, although certain accommodations may be made at the discretion of the manager. The defensive manager or coach will be stand behind home plate at the fence or backstop to call balls and strikes.
   
   

1. Each batter will get any combination of 3 swinging or thrown strikes (as determined by the defensive manager or coach), which will be an out.
   
   
2. There are no walks.
   
   
3. There is no bunting or half swings allowed.
   
   

5. Defensive Play.
   
   
   1. No player will be required to play more than two consecutive defensive innings in the outfield in any single game. Each player should be on a rotation with the objective of playing as many positions as safety will permit. Everyone gets similar turns in the outfield. The best player should not always be at first base.
   2. Ten players may be on the field for defensive play.
   3. All players must play at least three innings per game. If a game is shortened due to time limits, those players who did not play at least one-half of the shortened game will start the next game.
   4. Players who cannot catch should not be on first.
      
      
   5. Players who cannot stay focused should not be on the mound.
      
      
6. Offensive Play.
   
   
   1. Players should not advance past first base on player errors. The League's goal is to get as many at-bats as possible NOT score as many runs as possible.
      
      
   2. Players who hit legitimate base hits (hard grounder to the outfield or fly ball to the outfield) may advance at own risk.
      
      
   3. Stolen bases are NOT permitted.
      
      
7. Regulation Game. Each game should be six innings, provided, however, (i) no new inning may start after 7:30 PM on any school night and no school night game may go beyond 8:00 PM, and (ii) no new inning may be started more than 1-1/2 hours from the start of a weekend game and may not go on beyond 2 hours. When the game ends in the middle of an incomplete inning, the game reverts back to the score at the last completed inning if it is considered a regulation game by the Little League Rule Book. All times are cell phone times and start at the moment of the last out made in any particular inning.
   
   

Local Rules for Triple A (AAA) • Back to Table of Contents

The Triple A division is an instructional and competitive division. Scores for each game are maintained by the coaches in a scorebook, and divisional standings are maintained by the division Director. The following local rules apply to this division:


1. Eligibility. The Triple A guideline age is 9 to 10 years old. An 8 year old who has played at least one year at the Minors level and has been determined by the Player Agent to be eligible for the Triple A division may play. The Player Agent alone will make the final eligibility decision.
   
   
2. Regulation Game. Each game should be six innings, provided, however, (i) no new inning may start after 8:00 PM on any school night and no school night game may go beyond 8:30 PM, and (ii) no new inning may be started more than two hours and one-half hours of play from the start of a weekend game. When the game ends in the middle of an incomplete inning, the game reverts back to the score at the last completed inning if it is considered a regulation game by the Little League Rule Book. All times are cell phone times and start at the moment of the last out made in any particular inning.
   
   
3. Defensive Play.
   
   
   1. Each player just play at least one inning of infield per game. If there is a safety concern about a child playing in the infield, that concern may be brought to the Player Agent and President for consideration. The President and Player Agent will make the final decision after speaking with the manager, parent and player.
      
      
   2. All players must play at least three innings per game. If a game is shortened due to time limits, those players who did not play at least one-half time of the shortened game will start the next game and will not be removed from the game until they have met their three defensive innings of play.
      
      
4. The Five Run Rule. With the exception of any inning after the fifth inning, sides will change upon the earlier to occur of (i) five runs being scored, or (ii) three outs being recorded.
   
   
5. Other Rules. All other rules will follow local rules for Majors.
   
   
6. No Intentional Walks. No batter may be intentionally walked by a pitcher in a game.
   
   

Local Rules for Majors • Back to Table of Contents

The Majors division is an instructional and competitive division. Scores for each game are maintained by the coaches in a scorebook, and divisional standings are maintained by the division Director. The following local rules apply to this division:


1. Eligibility. All player ages 10 to 12 will participate in the draft as outlined in Appendix II. After the assessments, the Player Agent along with the division Director will determine the number of players needed for team equalization
   
   
2. Minimum Play. Every player must play at least six defensive outs and bat at least one time each game. Each player must, at a minimum, be a named starter in every other game (assuming s/he is present).
   
   
3. Continuous Batting Order. All players on the team roster present for the game will be required to bat in his or her respective spot in the batting order. However, a player may be entered and/or re-entered defensively in the game anytime, provided he or she meets the requirement of mandatory play. This rule will apply to regular season games only. Regular baseball rules will apply for all playoff and championship games.
   
   *Note- Continuous batting order is an option in Williamsport rules and inter-league play will depend on league official decisions.
   
   
4. Regulation Game. Little League does not allow for any time limits on Major's games. The umpire-in-chief shall have the sole responsibility of calling a game due to darkness and all regulation game rules apply. The 10-run mercy rule is in effect for all regular season games as spelled out in the Little League rule book.
   
   
5. Cell Phone Communication. As per rule 3.17, no coach or manager may use any cellular and or communication devices to communicate with another person during the game. Manager or coach may be ejected for such use.
   
   

Local Rules for Seniors • Back to Table of Contents

The Seniors division is an instructional and competitive division where players continue to develop both individual and team skills at the highest levels. Players in the senior league division enjoy a variety of local opponents, with home games on our senior league division field and away games at various nearby fields. The rules for this division are governed under the current Little League rule book. Scores for each game are maintained by the coaches in a scorebook, and divisional standings are maintained by the division Director. The following local rules apply to this division:


1. Eligibility. All player ages 13 to 16 will participate in the draft as outlined in Appendix II. After the assessments, the Player Agent along with the division Director will determine the number of players needed for team equalization
   
   
2. Cell Phone Communication. As per rule 3.17, no coach or manager may use any cellular and or communication devices to communicate with another person during the game. Manager or coach may be ejected for such use.
   
   

Appendix I - Big Flats Little League Umpires and Announcers • Back to Table of Contents

1. Umpires assigned to a game must be at least two years older than maximum division league age to work in that division. For example, umpires assigned to a Triple A game must be at least 12 years of age. Umpires assigned to a Majors game must at least 14 years of age.
   
   
2. Umpires and Announcers may be volunteers or may be paid by the league. The Board of Directors will establish all payment rates and other appropriate covered expenses for umpires and announcers. The Director of Umpires and the League Treasurer shall establish all procedures for the payment of Umpires and Announcers, such as documentation required, and payment scheduling.
   
   
3. Big Flats Little League will provide umpire training each season. Fees for additional training courses or seminars may be paid by the League, subject to the prior approval of the Director of Umpires; within budget guidelines approved by the Board of Directors
   
   
4. Umpires will purchase their own shirts, slacks, and safety shoes. The League will provide standard umpiring equipment meeting Little League requirements.
   
   
5. No more than 2 umpires will be paid for any regular season game. The Director of Umpires may approve an additional umpire for divisional playoff and championship games. Two umpires will be scheduled for each AAA game when possible. If not enough umpires show up for scheduled games then Major games will take priority over AAA games.

Appendix II - Assessment and Draft Procedures • Back to Table of Contents

1. Assessments. An assessment or player evaluation will be held for all players between the ages of 7 and 12. Six year olds who played Tee-ball and have their parent's permission may also try out for Minors. No player will be drafted until they have participated in an assessment without League Director permission. Assessments will be held in order to:
   
   
   1. Assess and evaluate each player's ability.
      
      
   2. Establish team skill level parity within all teams before the start of each season.
      
      
2. Standards. The number of teams in each league and team roster size will be determined prior to the draft. Managers must draft a sufficient number of players to meet the established team roster size requirements.
   
   
   1. All new and returning players will be evaluated through an assessment process on a scale of A through C, with (A) equal to 'highly skilled' and (C) equal to 'in need of further instruction', using the following skills as a guideline: Throwing, Fielding, Batting, and the Specialty Position of Pitcher. Based upon the evaluation, players will be assigned a letter A, B, or C that indicates their overall skill level. Following the assessments, the managers and Player Agent will meet to tally the evaluation points and establish a letter score for each player. The goal of the drafting process is to insure that an evenly distributed number of A, B, and C level players are on all teams.
      
      
   2. During assessments, the children of managers and coaches must be evaluated and assigned a skill score. At the draft, those players will be selected first or second within their specific skill level, with agreement of all drafting parties, in order to assure equal distribution of skills across all teams.
      
      
   3. A certain number of players are highly skilled in pitching. The league Director will use reasonable efforts to ensure that all (A) level pitchers are evenly distributed over all teams. Those players will be designated as an A-pitcher. If a manager's child/relative is considered an (A) level pitcher he may not select another (A) level pitcher unless all teams have been allowed to select an (A) level pitcher.
      
      
   4. The order of player selection for the draft will be determined by a chance drawing. The first team will be given the first opportunity of selecting a player, then the second team and so forth, using reverse order process (1,2,3,4 then 4,3,2,1). As a guideline, managers will start the draft by selecting (A) level pitchers followed by the rest of (A) level players. Once the (A) level pool is diminished, the managers may then select (B) level players. Once the (B) level pool is diminished (C) level players will be selected.
      
      
   5. Sibling Rule. Prior to the draft, all siblings will be identified and noted on the draft roster. Siblings must be on the same team. The players that are noted must be drafted in the following way:
      
      
      1. Scenario #1 assumes the siblings are in the same skill level (B). If one sibling is drafted, the next pick by that manager must be the other sibling.
         
         
      2. Scenario #2 assumes the siblings are in different skill levels (B and C). If one sibling is drafted, the first pick by the manager in the round where the other sibling has been evaluated must be the other sibling.