Shelburne Little League Majors Level Rules Clarifications
Dropped Third Strike On an uncaught third strike (the pitched ball touches the ground before it is caught or controlled) with (a) no runner on first base, or (b) a runner on first base and two outs, the batter immediately becomes a runner. A strike is called, but the umpire does not call the batter out. The umpire may also signal that there is “no catch” on the pitch. ● This can occur on a swinging or called third strike. ● If a dropped third strike occurs with two outs and the bases loaded, the catcher may step on home plate with the ball in hand to force the runner out at home. ● As with any third out, if a third strike is not caught cleanly and the batter / runner attempts to advance to first base but is thrown out, a run will not count even if the runner crosses home plate before the batter is thrown out at first base. ● If a runner occupies first base at the beginning of a play when there is a dropped third strike, that base is considered occupied even if the runner attempted to steal second base. Thus, with less than two outs and first base occupied, the batter may not attempt to advance on a dropped third strike. ● Play is still considered live until catcher throws to first for the out, batter is tagged, batter enters dugout, or batter reaches first safely.
Infield Fly The Infield Fly is defined as “a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or a bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first / second, or first / second / third bases are occupied with fewer than two out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder stationed in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.” It goes on to state that “the ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of being caught or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul ball.”
An umpire calling the Infield Fly during the play only calls the batter out; it does NOT create a dead-ball situation. Runners are allowed to advance at their own jeopardy the same as any other fly ball. If caught, the runners must re- touch the base or risk being called out on an appeal. If the ball is uncaught, the runners may run or choose to stay on their base, but if they run they have to be tagged out as they are no longer forced to run.
10-Run Mercy In a six-inning Little League baseball or softball game, rules call for the game to end if the winning team is ahead by 10 runs after four innings played by the trailing team.
Once a game is “official” (3 ½ innings), it can end by way of the 10-run rule in any of these ways: ● If the visiting team’s lead reaches 10 runs in the top half of the inning, and home team fails to score during its turn at-bat in the bottom of the same inning of an official game. ● If the home team establishes a 10-run lead (in the bottom of the inning) of an official game. ● When the home team takes a lead of 10 runs, the game ends immediately after the run that establishes the double-digit lead is scored, regardless of how many runs may have scored on the play, or the number of outs there are in the inning.