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A common complaint in past years from our AAA League Managers is that players entering the AAA are still unable to execute certain basic skills of the game. This year, each Manager and Coach in our junior leagues is being challenged to ensure that players are being taught the necessary skills, techniques and understanding of the game of baseball so that when they enter the Major League level through the draft they possess and will have demonstrated sufficient performance of the fundamentals to allow for a truly competitive environment. With respect to teaching your AAA players, your focus should be towards refining the skills and talents of individual players with a strong emphasis on consistency. Often the difference between an average player and a good player is the ability to consistently execute the required fundamentals. A few basic examples of this are: Player consistently being in the "ready position" just prior to the pitcher's delivery. Outfielders consistently backing up the infield and each other. Making sure infielders consistently break towards their respective bags after the pitch has been delivered and caught by the catcher. While many of your players will have been taught these basic skills, what they often lack is the discipline to consistently execute them. As a AAA League Manager and Coach, developing your players to the point where they consistently execute the fundamentals should be on the top of your priority list. Accomplishing this will without question provide you with a more competitive team. As a final point of reference, it is an objective of the Great Falls Little League Board to provide a training session to all Manager's and Coaches prior to the start of the season for each of our levels of play (Tee Ball through Majors) which will provide a basis for - What and How - to teach the numerous skills, techniques and fundamentals of the game. Our goal is to ensure that in our role as "Instructors" we are all delivering the same message to our players. This is not intended to restrict the individual contributions of our talented Managers and Coaches. It is however, intended to serve as a baseline for providing a consistent reinforcement of the necessary fundamentals.
1. Hitting
2. Base Running
3. Fielding
4. Throwing
5. Catching
6. Pitching
Number of Players There will be nine (9) defensive players on the field. Regular Season Time Limit Last Inning Two Hours/Full Game Two-Hour-Twenty-five-Minute Time Limits. (Applies to all weekend and weeknight games) For the regular season, no full inning will begin after two hours (2:00) have elapsed from the scheduled start time of the game unless, in the sole judgment of the umpire-in-charge, a delay in the start of the game is unavoidable. In the case of a delay in the start of the game, this time limit is extended to two hours and fifteen minutes (2:15) from the scheduled "START TIME." A new inning begins immediately after the third out in the bottom of the previous inning. Any inning starting prior to this time limit will be played in full subject to darkness or weather as determined by the umpire in charge. Once the game reaches two hours and twenty-five minutes (2:25), the game will be halted by the umpires and be considered completed at that time. If the teams have not completed the current inning, the final score reverts back to the last full inning completed. If that score is a tie, then a tie is recorded for both teams in their records. This limit will apply to all weekend and weeknight games regardless of whether there is a game following. Playoffs Time Limit Two Hour-Fifteen Minute Time Limit. (Applies to all weekend games). For playoff games, no full inning will begin after two hours and fifteen minutes (2:15) have elapsed from the scheduled start time of the game unless, in the sole judgment of the umpire in charge, a delay is unavoidable. In the case of a delay in the start of the game, this time limit is extended to two hours and thirty minutes (2:30) from the official "START TIME." A new inning begins immediately after the third out in the bottom of an inning occurs. Any inning starting prior to this time limit will be played in full subject to darkness or weather as determined by the umpire in charge. Five Run Innings Limit (Innings one thru four only) For innings one through four, each half inning will end after the third recorded out or after five runs have scored, whichever occurs first. For the 5th, 6th, and any subsequent inning of each game this practice does not apply. Face Protection All Batting helmets (including personal helmets) MUST bear the NOCSAE stamp and be equipped with face protection of the cage type, and worn at all times while batting, on the base paths and by players coaching bases. The NOCSAE requirements of Rule 1.16 are explicitly associated with helmets provided by the league while this rule, for sound safety reasons, also includes and applies to "personal" helmets. Pitching Week The pitching week will be Monday thru Sunday. Batting Order The players will bat through the entire lineup (all players in attendance) before returning to the lead-off batter. A player who arrives after the start of the game shall be placed at the end of the batting order as presented to the opposing manager prior to the start of the game. Four Inning Minimum All attending players MUST play at least three (4) defensive innings. However, if a player is removed from the game by the team’s Manager for disciplinary reasons, it is the sole decision of the team’s Manager as to whether that player shall re-enter the game. If a game is terminated prior to the 6th inning as a result of darkness, inclement weather, or the slaughter rule, the 4 inning minimum will be reduced for each inning not played. If a player is absent at the start of the game, the 4 inning minimum will be reduced for each inning started before the arrival of the player. Late arriving players shall be placed at the bottom of the batting order. No player will "sit out" on defense more than one inning in a row. Two Different Defensive Positions Each player must play at least 2 different defensive positions for a minimum of one inning each. If a game is terminated prior to the 6th inning as a result of darkness, inclement weather, or the slaughter rule, this rule is waived. This rule does not apply to a player who pitches 4 innings in the game. Pitcher's Three Inning Maximum In addition to the pitchers rest requirements prescribed by the Little League Official Playing Rules, pitchers in this level of Minor League (ages 9-11) are limited to a maximum of THREE (3) innings pitched in any single game. (Note: a player 12 years old is ineligible to pitch in the Minor League, see Official Regulation VI(a).) Base Stealing These rules will apply during the first half of the season. Base runners may steal 2nd and/or 3rd base. However, the base stealer may not advance from the stolen base on an overthrow by the catcher. Other runners may advance at their own risk. Under no circumstances may a base runner steal home. A base runner on third base may only advance to home under three conditions:
Overthrows by the Catcher to the Pitcher or mishandled balls by the Pitcher from the Catcher do not permit a runner on third to advance / steal home. In the second half of the season (beginning with the 7th game), runners may steal home. Managers must follow these rules as written. Slaughter Rule - 10 Runs This rule is in force in our league as described in Rule 4.10(e). In the event the slaughter rule takes effect, the 3 inning minimum participation rule will be reduced for each inning not played. On-field Coaches The offensive team shall station two base coaches on the field during its time at bat, one occupying the first base coach’s box and one occupying the third base coach’s box. One or both coaches may be roster team members, or they may be the manager and/or roster coaches – as long as one roster adult is in the dugout at all times. On-field coaches will not leave the dugout and occupy their positions until all warm-ups are fully completed. The defensive team’s manager and coaches must remain in the dugout at all times unless time is out and they are invited to leave the dugout by an umpire. No defensive team coaches will be on the field while the ball is in play. Base Coaches Making "Safe" Call on a Play A Base Coach (adult or player) making a "safe" call in an attempt to influence the outcome of a play is considered by Little League Rules to be in violation of the Unsportsmanlike Conduct rule and therefore is subject to ejection. It is the objective this local rule modification to create awareness among the Coaches, so that this behavior is eliminated. An Umpire witnessing this act will provide one warning to that Base Coach. On the second offense during that game, the Umpire will require that Coach be replaced. The offending Coach must perform his or her coaching responsibilities from the bench for the remainder of that game. All 2nd offenses will be reported to the Board of Directors for review. Field Preparation Diligence in field maintenance by all those involved with Little League is critical to the safety of the children and playability of the fields. The home team is responsible for pre-game field preparation. This consists of raking the dirt portions of the infield, filling in any holes (especially the pitcher's rubber, mound, and batters box areas), and lining the batters box and foul lines. Following the game, the visiting team is responsible for filling in any holes (especially the pitcher's rubber, mound, and batters box areas) and raking the dirt off the grass lip of the infield back onto the infield. Official Scorebook The scorebook kept by the designated home team shall be the official book. Exchange of Pitching Information Prior to the start of the game, Managers will exchange pitcher information, detailing who has used eligible innings in that pitching week and who has eligible innings remaining. Catcher Head/Face Protection on Field At any time a Catcher is practicing or playing their defensive position (including during pre-game warm-ups and Bull-pen) the Catcher must wear his or her Helmet/Mask, to include the "dangling" type throat protector. Pitching Bull-Pen Warm-ups During Game If a Pitcher is to warm up in the Bull-Pen during a game, only another Roster player wearing proper protection may catch. Additionally, a Roster Player with a glove and wearing a Batting Helmut must be stationed as a "protector" to prevent batted or thrown balls from accidentally hitting the Pitcher/Catcher in the Bull-Pen. On-Deck Batters Between Innings, the offensive team is allowed only ONE Batter with a Bat to be outside the dugout preparing to Bat. Operation of Field Lights In the event, the Timer is not functioning properly at Nike Field and the field lights do not come on, it is the responsibility of the Home Team to turn on the Lights and the Visiting Team to turn the lights off.
 © 2006 Great Falls Little League, All Rights Reserved
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