FIVE-PITCH RULES

5-pitch Local Rules

  1. Each game will be five (5) innings long with a time limit of one (1) hour. No inning shall start after 55 minutes of play, but inning will be completed if started.  A new inning begins with the last out of the previous inning. Tie games will be played until one team wins, not to exceed one (1) hour, 15 minutes. If there is no winner after one (1) hour, 15 minutes, the ball game will be rescheduled for a later date and players will resume positions and batting order where game stopped.  We will enforce the Little League Mercy Rule: if the team that is behind can no longer mathematically catch up to the team that is ahead, the game will be officially over and the score at that time will be written in the scorebook. If time has not expired and both coaches agree to continue playing, the scoreboard will be unplugged and “unofficial” play will continue until time expires.  Any outs or runs scored during the unofficial part of the game will NOT be recorded in the scorebook.  If either coach does not want to continue with unofficial play, then both teams will be instructed to leave the field.
  2. Home team shall occupy the first base dugout and visiting team shall occupy the third base dugout. 
  3. Run limit is five (5) runs, per inning and then the team batting takes the field. 
  4. There can be only two (2) offensive coaches on the field (first and third bases). 
  5. Two (2) defensive coaches may position themselves in outfield foul territory, one on each foul line. 
  6. Each manager must provide a complete batting line-up to the scorekeeper and the opposing manager, 15 minutes prior to game start. 

7.      Every player bats and batting orders remain the same throughout the game.

8.      There will be ten (10) defensive players on the field at one time.  There must be four (4) players on the outfield grass.

9.      Any coach physically assisting an offensive player on the field will constitute interference and that player will be called out. 

10.  Every offensive player must wear a helmet when batting or running the bases. The defensive catcher must wear a protective mask, a chest protector, and a helmet. 

11.  Each team must furnish one (1) new baseball per game. This game ball will be given to the umpire before game starts and will be returned after the game. 

12.  A batter slinging their bat will be a judgment call by the umpire. The first offense per batter will only be a warning. The judgment call on the second and any subsequent offense committed by the same batter shall constitute an out. 

13.  The Little League Pledge will be said prior to game start with the players and managers lining up on the first and third base lines. The home team captain will lead the pledge. 

14.  The overthrow rule will apply as follows: There is no automatic free base for overthrown balls that are playable inside the fenced field. If player-runner elects to take the next base after a ball is overthrown into foul territory, he shall only be allowed to take one base at his own risk. Overthrows to the defensive pitcher are treated the same as overthrows to a base. The runner may advance at his own risk and is limited to one base. Compound overthrows shall not occur. Overthrows to the defensive pitcher are considered to be compound.  

  1. Runners cannot advance when the ball is in the controlled possession of the designated pitcher with both feet inside the pitcher's circle. The exception being a forced play. 
  2. Each player must play at least six (6) consecutive defensive outs. After all players have qualified, free substitution is allowed.
  3. All players arriving after the start of the game must be added to the end of the lineup. 
  4. Each player gets five (5) balls pitched to him or her by their coach. The batter gets three (3) strikes to hit the ball. Foul ball on the third strike is strike two, etc. 
  5. A foul ball on the 5th pitch will constitute one additional pitch. 
  6. The defensive pitcher will position himself/herself in the pitcher's circle, with at least one foot in the circle, to either side of the manager-pitcher. The manager-pitcher may then pitch from anywhere in the circle as long as he pitches on a direct line from home plate to second base. This allows the manager-pitcher to pitch from a distance of 30 to 40 feet. The pitcher's plate is placed at 35 feet and is the recommended distance. 
  7. If the batted ball hits the manager-pitcher or the manager-pitcher interferes with the defensive pitcher and it is judged unintentional by the umpire, the ball is dead and the batter gets the swing over. If the ball hits the manager-pitcher or the manager-pitcher interferes with the defensive pitcher and it is judged intentional by the umpire, the batter is out. 
  8. The manager pitcher cannot interfere with the ball or any player while pitching the ball. The manager-pitcher must make every effort not to interfere with the play of the ball by the defensive players. The manager-pitcher must leave fair territory on the first base side of the infield as soon as the ball is put into play, avoiding any contact with the ball, runner and/or defensive player(s). First offense will warrant a warning. Second and any subsequent offense will result in an automatic out. Runner(s) will remain on base.
  9. There will be no infield fly rule in 5-Pitch.
  10. New "5 Pitch" Tie-Breaker as of 2/1/09 per RCWLL Board Rule Amendment:

1.  Head to Head

2.  If Two Teams are tied at the end of the regular season and a play-off spot is in question, a one game playoff will be played ASAP upon conclusion of regular season to determine playoff team.  If Two Teams are tied and playoff seeding only is in question then a "Coin Toss" shall determine "Seeding of Tied Teams".