Little League & Softball Returning Training

Jeff Johnson, Umpire in chief, Redmond West [email protected] Jeff Cobb, Umpire in chief, Redmond North [email protected] Mike Walzak, Umpire in chief, Kirkland American [email protected] Steven Kehrli, Umpire in chief, Kirkland National [email protected] What is changing right off the Bat Not so Normal Year Base Umpire Positioning

• Base Umpire Behind and to the side of the calling balls and strikes • Home plate Umpire to the batters back and to the side of the batter more the 6’ away. Think baseline extended. • Base Umpire be in modified B with no runners or runner on 1B. Be in modified C if anything else. • Base umpire most of all find a place you can see the plate and are comfortable.

3 • and at 1st, 2nd and 3rd • Runners touching 1st and 2nd • Runners retouching 1st and 2nd (fly ball) • Batted balls that touch batter in the box (foul!) • Runner leaving early at 1st, 2nd and 3rd (use Normal Base peripheral vision; eyes toward batter) Umpire • Keep an eye on the dugouts for an adult in the Responsibilities • (by the runner on the primary fielder) • (by a defense player on a runner/batter-runner)

Our 2021 points of emphasis • Balls and Strikes • Putting the Ball in “Play” • Dropped 3rd strike • By (see it call it) • Safe and out at 1st, 2nd and 3rd Not so Normal • Runners touching 1st and 2nd Year Base • Runners retouching 1st and 2nd (fly ball) • Batted balls that touch batter in the box (foul!) Umpire • Runner leaving early at 1st, 2nd and 3rd (use peripheral vision; eyes toward batter) Responsibilities • Keep an eye on the dugouts for an adult in the dugout • Interference (by the runner on the primary fielder) • Obstruction (by a defense player on a runner/batter- runner)

Our 2021 points of emphasis • Lineup card, pitching changes, work with scorekeeper • Balls and strikes • / no catch on fly balls Normal Year • Fair / foul • Ensure base coaches in position before first pitch Home Plate • Runner touching 3rd base on way to home plate (HP) Umpire • fly • Game management (pace of warm-up pitches; play; Responsibilities visits) • Interference • Obstruction • Managing Game Balls

Our 2021 points of emphasis • Lineup card, pitching changes, work with scorekeeper • Balls and strikes • Catch / no catch on fly balls • Fair / foul • Ensure base coaches in position before first pitch • Runner touching 3rd base on way to home plate Not so Normal • Infield fly Year Home • Runners leaving early • Game management (pace of warm-up pitches; play; Plate (HP) manager visits) • Interference Umpire • Obstruction • Managing Game Balls (Defensive team will manage Responsibilities their own game balls) • Check swing appeal • (see it call it) • hitting batter in box • Keep eyes on catch no catch by Our 2021 points of emphasis • Bats • Baseball: USA Bat logo for aluminum or composite only, or a wood bat; 2 5/8" diameter or less; 33” or less in length Pregame: • Softball: wood or BPF 1.20, 2 1/4" diameter, 33” or less in length Visually • No dents or splits in bats • Illegal bat must be removed from play Check player • No bat rings (aka, bat donuts)! equipment • helmets: look for cracks • Catcher’s gear 15 minutes • Mask with dangling throat guard prior to start • Uniforms • Baseball can’t have white sleeves showing; Softball pitchers can’t have yellow sleeves showing • Jewelry: no watches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc. Please tape down religious and medical jewelry.

8 Pregame: Plate meeting

• Umpires and 2 managers only. • Use managers’ first names • Start 5 minutes before game time • Provide heads-up to managers 5 minutes prior to plate meeting (aka, 10 minutes for start of game) • Collect lineups (Managers will NOT exchange line ups 2021) • Umpires control the game starting at this point • Time limits if in use • Get game balls (2 normally; 3 on a wet day) (Teams will supply their own game balls in 2021 and we aren’t to handle them) • Confirm that all players are legal and properly equipped • Confirm which players aren’t eligible to pitch

9 What happens if the Field Ump gets Hit with the ball: Umpire Interference • If an Umpire gets touched by a batted all BEFORE it passes a Fielder NOT the pitcher and hasn’t been deflected the following happens: • It is an immediate . • Batter Runner is awarded 1B and all other runners advance if forced to. • If the ball has been thrown, deflected, or passed another fielder then you are part of the environment and it is play on.

10 New Rules affecting Play 2021 (Rest are administrative) • BB/SB – Rule 1.01, 4.04, 4.16, 4.17 & 6.05 – Eight players Permits a local league to start and play games with eight (8) players on each team. If implemented, the local league will determine if teams will be charged an out for the ninth (9th) position or skip over the ninth (9th) position without penalty. • BB/SB – Rule 2.00, 3.04 & 7.14 – Courtesy runner For the Regular Season, allows a local league to implement a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or catcher of record when there are two (2) outs during the Regular Season. • BB – Rule 6.08 (a) – Intentional walk Allows a defensive team to “intentionally walk” a batter at any time during the at-bat in the Minor and Major Divisions of Baseball. • SB – Rule 6.08 (a) – Intentional walk Permits a defensive team to “intentionally walk” a batter in all divisions of softball. • SB – Rule 8.01 (9) A.R. 2 – Disengaging the pitcher’s plate Permits the pitcher to remove him/herself from the pitcher’s plate with either foot first prior to the hands being brought together. • SB - Rule 8.01 and 8.05 Penalty – Illegal pitch Revises the penalty for an illegal pitch within the Junior and Senior Softball Divisions to be a ball on the batter and no effect on any base runners. Balls and Strikes The Pitch

• It’s a strike if: • The batter attempts to hit the ball and misses. • The batter hits a foul with less than two strikes. • Any part of the ball crosses any part of the before hitting the ground. • Otherwise, it’s a ball

13 3-dimensional zone Top and Bottom edges

Very visible from the dugout

Top • Batter’s wheelhouse • Tired pitcher

Bottom • Easy to ridicule • Hard to catch 2D Strike zone plots

• Easy to call a circle • Pitchers want those corners

• Zone doesn’t changes with 3 balls or 2 strikes Working the slot

• Set up with head between the batter and the catcher • Slot foot (batter’s side): toe even with batter’s heels AND catcher’s heels • Drop foot: toe even with slot foot heel • Head: chin no lower than catcher’s helmet • Back: straight—be sitting on a stool, not leaning over • Nose: pointed at the strike zone • Chin: pointed toward opposite front of plate • Eyes: are the only things to move

18 How to call balls and strikes

• Be completely still during the pitch • Track the ball with your eyes only into the mitt • Evaluate the trajectory and the zone • Decide what you’re going to call • Stay down to call balls, come up to call strikes • Provide pitcher the on odd numbers (2- 1, 1-2, 3-2, 3-0)

19 Foul tips: don’t confuse this with a foul ball

Only occurs when… • Bat hits the ball and the ball travels sharp and direct into the catcher’s hand or glove, and catcher catches the ball. It’s a • Runners can steal bases • It’s as if the batter missed the ball • It’s a strike • It can be strike 3

21 End of an at-bat

• Three strikes: an out • Majors and above: when’s there’s an uncaught 3rd strike, BR can advance to 1B, and other runners if forced. Only occurs when there’s… • 2 outs, or • Less than 2 outs and 1B unoccupied at time of pitch • Four balls: a walk • Hit by pitch (then awarded 1st base) • Batter interferes with play at plate or throw by catcher: batter is out • Defensive interference: batter is awarded 1st base • Hits the ball into play

22 Game management

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA • Control the time • Returning pitcher only needs 5 warm-up pitches • By rule, teams have 1 minute to get ready. • An extra 2 minutes between is more than 20 minutes per game. This is a full ! • If a ball goes foul or out of play, throw another ball to the pitcher and ask the catcher to get the Keep it moving! foul ball. • Do not let batter leave batter’s box • How much time for visits to pitcher? • HP umpire - write down visit on lineup card, then • brush off plate, then • Slow walk to mound, then • You reach the mound, say “visit is over” • Hustle back behind HP with catcher Pitching substitutions

• A new pitcher gets 8 warm-up pitches, or 1+ minutes. • Returning pitchers only need 5, depending on hustle. • Each pitcher must face at least one batter before being removed, including the starting pitcher on the lineup. • The pitcher must be replaced after the [Coast = 3rd visit; Majors = 2nd visit] by the manager to the same pitcher in an inning or the [Coast = 4th visit; Majors = 3rd visit] in a game. A visit is a time-out granted for the manager or a coach to confer with any defensive player. • In case of injury, the umpire should monitor the discussion and not charge a visit as long as the only topic is the injury.

25 26 Live ball/Dead ball

• Ball becomes live when the umpire points at the pitcher and says “Play!” • Wait until the pitcher has the ball on the rubber. • Wait until fielders are in fair territory. • Wait until runners are on the correct bases. • Usually wait for a batter to be ready. • Ball becomes dead when the umpire says “Time” or “Foul.”

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND • Sometimes it’s implied or obvious. • Nothing can happen when the ball is dead. • No one except the umpire can call time. • The offense will not be granted time-out to confer with a player more than once per inning (except for injury). Only umpires call time

• A manager or player requests time. The umpire may or may not grant the request. • Wait until all action is complete (unless for safety) and there is a reason to do so. • When judging safety, use common sense. Does the player need an ice pack or an ambulance. For the latter, call time right away. • Remember, time creates a dead ball

27 Obstruction and Interference

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC Type A Obstruction Play is being made on runner trying to score, and defensive player doesn’t have the ball. • Fielder, not in possession of the ball or act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of a runner • Type A: play is being made on obstructed runner. Example: Catcher waiting for throw as runner trying to score. • Action: immediate dead ball – “time, that’s obstruction.” • Penalty: at least 1 base beyond the last base touched

• Type B: play isn’t being made on obstructed Type B runner. Example: 1B gets in the way of batter- Catcher attempts to throw out runner at 3B, but ball gets past fielder and runner going to 2nd base into left field. The defensive player obstructs R3 from running to home. • Action: delayed dead ball; yell “that’s obstruction” Base umpire yells “that’s obstruction” and lets play continue. and pointer to offender When R3 is thrown out at home plate, the HP umpire points to base umpire • Penalty: umpire judgement to place runner who made the call, and that umpire makes the call – R3 is safe at home. at advanced base or not Interference Offensive interference

• Offensive interference: an act by the team that interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. • Example: base runner hit by • Example: base runner impedes defense from fielding a ball • Example: base coach interference • Action: immediate dead ball – “time, that’s interference” • Penalty: runner is out, and move other runners back to previous base • Batter’s interference • Interfere with a catcher’s throw, play at the plate, hits catcher with Defensive (catcher’s) interference backswing • Defensive (catcher’s) interference • Catcher’s mitt interferes with swing • If dead ball, delayed dead ball – “time, that’s interference” and batter is awarded 1B • If ball put in play, wait to see what happens. Call time after play ends, and offensive coach chooses to accept play or penalty http://www.littleleagueumpiring101.com/obstruction-and-interference/ Normal Year Mechanics and positioning

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC Normal Base Umpire Positioning

• “A” position • Behind first base, in foul territory • No runners • “B” position • Behind second baseman • R1 only • “C” position • Behind shortstop • The rest of the time

32 Base Umpire Rotation • Inside-out: • When the ball stays in the infield, the umpire stays outside the diamond • Outside-in: • When the ball goes to the , the umpire moves inside the diamond • 2021—Always use the working area. No going out!

33 Angle over distance! • Being “straight-lined” to the play is bad; get 45-degree angle • Being too far away is bad, but not very bad. • If you have to choose between them, opt for angle

34 Plays on the Batter- Runner (BR) at 1st

• She’s out if she’s tagged before reaching 1st base. • With ball securely held in a hand • With a glove securely holding the ball • He’s out if 1st is tagged before he reaches it. • With any part of the fielder’s body with the ball securely held in the fielder’s hand or glove. • He’s protected if he runs straight through 1st and returns. • He can turn either way!

st • He loses protection if he makes a move Note: batter-runner is past 1 base and the umpire toward 2nd still hasn’t made a call. That’s good timing!

35 Catch or No-Catch?

• It’s a catch when the ball is and the fielder shows: • Secure possession of the ball in the hand or glove. • Complete control of the ball. • Voluntary release of the ball. • It’s a no-catch once the ball is no longer in flight: • It has hit the ground. • It has hit the fence or any other object. • It has touched any person other than a fielder. • When it’s a catch, the batter is out. • It can be a catch in foul territory (ball stays live).

36 Tag plays

• Unless forced, runners can only be put out by being tagged when off a bag. • A tag requires control of the ball by the fielder. • A tag may be made with the ball itself or with the glove when the ball is inside the glove. • If the ball comes out during the tag, the fielder didn’t have control.

37 Fair or Foul? Where is the ball when… • It is touched or settles before 1st/3rd • “Touched” means by a person. • It first touches a person, an object or the ground after passing 1st/3rd in the air • It passes the front edge of 1st/3rd after bouncing

40 Fair or Foul?

• When it’s not obvious a foul, say “foul” and push the door open to signal foul • When it is an obvious foul ball (e.g., hits the fence, goes out of play), just push the door open • Never say “fair” – just point.

41 Appeals Appeals it’s an “unmistakable action” and must be specific Runner Non-runner • The ball must be “live” to make an appeal • Batting out of order (appeal by the on a runner. defense) • Failed to tag-up on a fly ball • Checked-swing by batter (appeal can be • Failed to touch a base made by catcher or manager) • After overrunning or over sliding first base, • Umpire’s improper application of the rule. the batter-runner fails to return The affected team's manager (and only immediately to the base the manager) may request time and • At home plate an advancing runner approach the umpire to appeal the (running or sliding) fails to touch home base decision. This does not apply to and makes no attempt to return to touch judgement calls. the base; the fielder can appeal by touching either the runner or home plate

http://umpirebible.com/rules/appeals.htm 43 The defense loses their right to appeal when any of the following actions occur 1. When the throw made in an appeal attempt goes into dead ball territory. When this occurs, no more appeals may be made on any runner at any base. This is an "err" on an appeal and is interpreted to be the same as a play. 2. A pitch is made to the batter. 3. After the next pitch, a play, attempted play. If the fielder makes an appeal after "time" has been called, the umpire should say "put the ball in play and appeal again." Since no runner may advance or be put out while the ball is dead, this is not a play and the defense has not lost their right to appeal after the ball is put in play. 4. After the defensive team leaves the field (Exception: Batting out of order – before the next pitch). 5. A is committed before or as part of an appeal attempt. (It is not a balk if the pitcher throws to an unoccupied base from the rubber, for the purpose of making an appeal.) Arbiter Online portal to self-assign and assign umpires, and track umpires, for District 9 Little League baseball and softball games Arbiter system – home page

#1: District 9

#2: self-assign and review your schedule

#3: Contact info for other umps

#4: Insert mobile and recognizable photo

#5: check box

#6: message from D9 umps Arbiter: self-assign

#1: Self-assign

#2: Filter by site: RWLL uses Hartman Park; KNLL uses Big Finn Hill, Juanita Beach, 132nd Square

#3: Can also filter by date

#4: Tournaments only Arbiter: see your schedule with calendar

#1: Filter: next 30 days

#2: click apply Arbiter: see your schedule, partner

#1: Filter: show all

#2: Each game has a #

#3: choose plate (HP) or bases

See field, home (3rd base dugout) and away (1st base dugout) teams Complete volunteer form, background check by your first game

Field training Saturday, March 20th • Bring water • Noon-2 at Hartman 6 (new) • Stretch • 2pm-4pm at Hartman 6 (returning) • Bring umpire hat (and mask if you have it) • You’ll receive umpire shirt Download and read your League’s local rules

• If your League is playing interlock games (all softball games are interlock), ask your UIC for the interlock rules. These rules supplement the Little League rule book and replace League’s local rules. Appendix and Extras

Jeff Johnson, Umpire in chief, Redmond West [email protected] Mike Walzak, Umpire in chief, Kirkland American [email protected] Steven Kehrli, Umpire in chief, Kirkland National [email protected] Softball: 8 rules that are different than baseball

• Bats, rule 1.10: wood or BPF 1.20, 2 1/4" diameter, 34” or less in length • Batter’s box: it’s longer and extends closer to pitcher than in baseball. • : once offering to bunt, the batter must pull the bat back before the ball reaches the plate • Ball: yellow and 3 different sizes based on level of play. • first base: • When there’s a play on the BR at 1st base, the BR must use the colored side. • When there’s not a play on the BR, she may use either side. • Delivery of pitch, rule 8.01: pitcher must show the ball, and cannot hop (back foot should drag on the ground). • Runner’s leaving base early, rule 7.08 (a) (5) • AAA-Coast, the ball must be batted or reach the batter; Majors and above, when the pitcher release the ball • If BR leaves early, immediate deal ball (no pitch), call “time.” The runner is out. • Runners commit to a base, rule 7.08 (a): Runners must commit to a direction (advance or retreat). If they commit to advance, they do not need to stop at the next base as long as they do not stop. Stopping or changing direction in the absence of a play being attempted on the runner is indecision and the runner is out. Double first base

• Allowed but not required at any level • Typically used in softball only • Most of the time, the colored side doesn’t exist • Fielder forcing out the BR • Runner returning to 1st • Runner touching the base before the pitch • When there’s a play on the BR at 1st base, the BR must use the colored side. • When there’s not a play on the BR, he may use either side.

54 The Manager Appeal on a non-runner appeal

• If there is reasonable doubt, a manager can appeal the decision. Rule 9.02(b). • Ask for help from another umpire. Rule 9.02(c). • You cannot be overruled or criticized by This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA another umpire. Rule 9.02(c). • No one can object to a judgement by an umpire. Rule 9.02(a). Start with “In my judgement…” • You have the authority to rule on any point not covered. Rule 9.01(c).

55 Batting Out of Order

• This is an appeal play. The umpires and scorekeeper never call attention to this situation. • Question 1: Who is the proper batter? • Question 2: When did the appeal happen? • While the improper batter is still at bat? The proper batter takes his place in the batter’s box with the current count • After a first pitch (or other play) to another batter? Too late • After the improper batter has completed the at-bat but before the next pitch (or play)? The proper batter is out. Whatever happened on the final pitch is nullified. The batter after the proper batter (who is now out) is due up.

56 Batting Out of Order – Examples

Example 1: is Abe-Bill-Chris-Dan-Ed-Fred. Abe on 3rd. Bill on 1st. No outs. • Chris is the proper batter. But Dan bats instead. • If appealed, Chris becomes batter. • Dan flies out. No runners advance. Chris is at-bat, 0-0 count. • If defense appeals: Chris is out. Dan’s out is erased. Dan bats next. • Dan flies out. No runners advance. Chris swings and misses at first pitch, count 0-1. Bill steals 2nd. • If appealed, Ed becomes batter with 0-1 count. Dan was legalized.

57 Leaving Early

• On 60’ diamonds, runners must maintain contact with their bases during a pitch. • Requirement starts when ALL of these are true: • Pitcher has ball and is in contact with the rubber (softball: in the circle, not threatening) • Catcher has his mask on and is behind the plate facing the pitcher • The runner is not currently advancing. • Requirement ends when EITHER: • The pitcher disengages the mound • The pitch reaches the batter (baseball, AAA and Coast softball) • The ball leaves the pitcher’s hand (Majors softball)

58 Leaving Early: Softball

• Immediate dead ball (no pitch) – call “time” • The runner is out. • If two or more runners left early, you can only call one out. • Pick the most advanced runner. • Majors and higher: • Runners may leave when the pitcher releases the ball

59 Leaving Early: Baseball

• If any runner leaves early, all runners left early. • When the play is over and nothing else is going to happen, call time. • If the batter hit the ball, the plate umpire judges the base value of the hit. • Don’t give the batter extra bases because of errant throws or because he advanced while a play happened. • Be guided by where the batter was when the ball was thrown back to the infield. • All outs stand. • Return all runners to their starting bases unless this would push the batter further back than the value of his hit.

60 How to call safe and out

Order is important! 1. Move into position [angle more important than distance] 2. Play is about to happen: stop moving. 3. Play happens: watch. 4. Think about what you saw. 5. Find the ball. Make sure it’s where you think it is. 6. Decide what your call is going to be. 7. Announce + signal the result to everybody (if not obvious)

61 Hit by a pitch

• The ball is always dead (“Time!”) • Usually, the batter goes to first • If the batter swung, it’s a strike • If the ball was in the strike zone, it’s a strike • The batter was born with hands. The bat wasn’t.

62 • Runner is tagged while off a base. • Runner or next base is tagged when runner is forced. • Runner passes a preceding runner. • With a fielder attempting to make a tag, runner goes more than 3-feet to the side of a line from the runner to the base. How a Runner • Runner slides headfirst while advancing a base. • Runner fails to either or attempt to get around Can Be Put Out a fielder waiting to make a tag. • Runner abandons the bases. • Missed touching a base (appeal play: later). • Failing to retouch after a catch (appeal play: later). • Batter-runner touches the ball outside of the batter’s box (usually running to 1B) • Interference (see later slide). The Pitcher

• Two legal pitching positions: set and windup. • Softball has one legal position/motion. • Illegal pitches: • Quick pitch (batter not reasonably ready) • Pitching while not in contact with the rubber • SOFTBALL ONLY: back foot comes off the ground; ball not shown to batter; crow hop

64 Thrown balls out of play • Thrown by a fielder (or a batted ball intentionally deflected): two bases from Time-of-Throw. • First play by an infielder, Time-of-Pitch. Unless the batter and all runners have advanced a base. • Pitched: one base from Time-of-Pitch. If it’s ball four, the batter gets 1st only. • A fielder with the ball falls in dead-ball territory: one base

65 Examples of thrown balls out of play

• R1 and R2. Ground ball to shortstop/F6, who swipes at R2 and misses, then throws beyond 1B into the stands. • The swipe by F6 is an attempted play; so the throw to 1B is not the first play by an infielder (though it is the first throw). The awarding of bases is from the time of the throw. • R1. Ground ball to second baseman/F4, who flips ball to F6 to tag R1, but R1 if ruled safe. F6 then throws beyond 1B into the stands. • The flip by F4 to F6 is an attempted play, though unsuccessful. The throw to 1B is not then the first play by an infielder, thus runner is placed from the time of the throw. R1 (and successfully reached 2B at the time of the wild throw) scores and batter-runner is placed at 2B. • R1 and R3. R1 is stealing when ground ball is hit to the shortstop/F6. F6 feints a throw home, but instead throws to 1B and into the stands. Meanwhile, R1 rounds 2B. • The feint by F6 towards home is not considered a play or attempted play, thus his throw beyond 1B is the first play by an infielder and awards are made from the time of the pitch. R3 scores, R1 is awarded 3B, and the batter-runner is awarded 2B. Batted balls out of play

• When a ball enters dead ball territory or becomes lodged (in catcher’s or umpire’s gear), the umpire calls “Time” and moves runners depending on how the ball got there. • Foul ball: runners return to their base from time-of-pitch. • and it goes over the home fence before touching anything except a fielder: four bases. • Any other batted, fair ball: two bases from time-of-pitch

67 New regular season rules for 2020

https://www.littleleague.org/playi ng-rules/rule-changes/ New rules for 2019 Baseball Catcher/pitcher eligibility: in order to protect young arms, • A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more (15-and 16-year-olds: 31 pitches or more) in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit (15-and 16-year-olds: 30-pitch limit) while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. • If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. Provided guidance on when a pitcher’s hand may come in contact with the pitchers mouth or lips. Baseball: (1) bring the pitching hand in contact with the mouth or lips while in contact with the pitcher’s plate. EXCEPTION: The pitcher may bring the hand in contact with the mouth or lips while in the 10-foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s plate provided he/she distinctly wipes off the pitching hand before contacting the ball. https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/rule-changes/ New rules for 2019 Softball and Baseball 2.00-Defines Dead Ball Territory. DEAD BALL AREA is the area beyond any intended physical boundary, such as a fence, rope, chalk line, any stands, bleachers, dugouts, player’s benches, or designated media areas, or any other boundary line as determined in the pregame conference. If a ball becomes lodged in a fence, backstop, umpire’s equipment, or catcher’s equipment, it is considered to be in a dead ball area.

Provides guidance on what is considered a visit to the pitcher. Baseball: A.R. 1 -When a manager requests timeout to make a pitching change, it shall not be considered a visit to the pitcher provided the manager makes the pitching substitution prior to speaking to any defensive player. A manager can visit the same pitcher, for non-injury, 2x in an inning or 3x in a game, but the pitcher must be removed from that position on the last visit. Softball: A.R 1 -When a manager requests timeout to make a pitching change, it shall not be considered a visit to the pitcher provided the manager makes the pitching substitution prior to speaking to any defensive player. This applies when a pitcher moves to another position, Junior/Senior: or removed from the game, and returns as a pitcher later in the same game. https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/rule-changes/ New rules for 2019 Softball Provided guidance on how a pitcher may remove herself/himself from the pitcher’s plate after the hands have been brought together while in contact with the pitcher’s plate. A.R. 2 –For the pitcher to remove himself/herself from the after the hands have been brought together but prior to the start of the pitch as noted in 8.01(k), the pitcher must legally step back from the pitcher’s plate with the pivot foot first.

Provides guidance on when a pitcher’s hand may come in contact with the pitcher’s mouth or lips. Softball: (1) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball, pitching hand, or fingers. The pitcher may bring the hand in contact with the mouth or lips provided he/she distinctly wipes off the pitching hand before contacting the ball. Under the supervision of the umpire, powder rosin may be used to dry the hands; NOTE: A pitcher may use a rosin bag for the purpose of applying rosin to the bare hand or hands. Neither the pitcher nor any other player shall dust the ball with the rosin bag; neither shall the pitcher nor any other player be permitted to apply rosin from the bag to their glove or dust any part of the uniform with the rosin bag.

A.R 1 -When a manager requests timeout to make a pitching change, it shall not be considered a visit to the pitcher provided the manager makes the pitching substitution prior to speaking to any defensive player. This applies when a pitcher moves to another position, Junior/Senior: or removed from the game, and returns as a pitcher later in the same game. https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/rule-changes/