Little League Baseball organization serving Menlo Park, CA and Atherton CA. Volunteer run organization. Majors, Minors, Triple A (AAA), Double A (AA), Single A, T-Ball, Coach Pitch and Challenger Divisions.
While "Little League Baseball Official Regulations and Playing Rules" form the basis for conducting games at each level, there are standard procedures and some key playing rules at each level that warrant mention. Please note the following applies to all divisions.
The home team is responsible for setting out the bases and dragging, watering and lining the field and the visiting team cleans up the field, including dragging, and trash pickups in the dugouts after the game.
When there are multiple games in one day (i.e., Saturdays) the home team of the first game will be responsible for setting up the field and the visiting team for the last game will be responsible for putting away bases and other field equipment and dragging the field.
The home team takes the dugout on the first-base side of the field, the visiting team takes the dugout on the third base side.
Players, managers, and coaches of the participating teams shall not mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands during the game.
All players, managers and coaches shall remain in their respective dugouts unless they are batters, base runners, base coaches, or defensive players. No practice swings in or around dugouts are allowed.
Each team should be given the same amount of time to warm up prior to the beginning of the game. Visiting team takes the field 20 minutes before the game followed by the home team for 10 minutes.
All catchers must wear a catcher's mask with dangling throat protectors, chest pad, and leg protectors.
Pitchers shall not wear under shirts with long white sleeves, nor use a glove that is white or gray or non-uniform in stitching.
Team chatter is permissible; however, using abusive language, chiding an individual, and excessive haranguing will not be tolerated. This includes coaches, parents and other spectators. The lead umpire will issue a warning to the offending team on the first incident. Any additional warning may, at the discretion of the lead umpire, result in a forfeiture by the offending team.
Batting line ups are exchanged before the game begins. Ground rules are covered with coaches and umpires before the game.
Each team will provide a scorekeeper (except in T-Ball, A, and AA). Scorekeepers are to meet at the end of each inning to compare scores. Home teams are responsible for reporting scores to the Commissioner.
The umpire has the final word on all judgment calls. Coaches, players, and parents may not argue with the umpire over judgment calls, but managers may ask for clarification about the rules of the game, or an interpretation of a rule.
Rule clarifications are to be discussed by managers and umpires in a moderate and neutral environment and not in a public forum.
Managers, coaches, and players ejected from a game shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in the game, even as a spectator. Parents and other spectators can be asked to leave the field if they are considered disruptive or abusive. Failure of parents to leave the field when asked by the lead umpire may result in a forfeit of the team they support.
All players, managers, and coaches of each team are to line up and shake hands with the other team after the game.