Inter-League Rules

Florida District 15

Inter-League Agreement and Rules

for Regular Season and Fall Ball

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

Jan 4th 2025

According to Little League Policies, the DISTRICT is responsible for Inter-League Play. This Agreement is

intended to be in compliance with all rules, regulations, and policies of Little League Baseball, Inc. If any

discrepancies are found, the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball shall govern.

Each league will assign a League Representative to be the Single Point of Contact for Inter-League play. A

league may assign One Person for Baseball and One for Softball or ONE for both Baseball and Softball. The

League Representative must have the authority to act on behalf of his/her league in all matters regarding

Inter-League Play.

The District Inter-League Representative is Amanda Sigwart.

If a major problem arises (team no-show, forfeits, ejection, etc) during Inter-League play please email

Amanda at dist15.fl@gmail.com / 727-919-5261 Ejections - please email. All others please contact via

phone.

Schedules

Schedules will be developed at an Inter-League Scheduling Meeting. Each League sets its own schedule, the

District does not assign leagues to play games, games are scheduled by the leagues.

Games not played due to weather, field conditions, schedule conflicts, or lack of players for both teams, will

be Re-Scheduled to a place/time agreeable to BOTH Managers and the applicable Field Coordinator. Games

Canceled by agreement of both Managers at least 24 hours prior to game time will be Re-Scheduled to a

time/place agreeable to BOTH Managers and the applicable Field Coordinator. The District does not

reschedule games.

Games

The Visiting Team manager shall call the Home Team manager at least 48 hours prior to the game to ensure

there are no problems. If the Home Team manager does not hear from the Visiting Team manager then the

Home Team manager should call the Visiting Team manager 24 hours prior to the game to ensure there are

no problems. It is imperative that the two managers “communicate” so there are not any problems with “no

shows”. ** Eye black is to be one solid line under the eyes. All other markings must be removed**

Team Rosters and POOL Players

The Manager (or Coach if the Manager is not in attendance) must have a copy of the Team Roster with

him/her at every Inter-League game. The use of players not listed on the Team Roster is prohibited

(Exception: Pool Players are allowed in ALL Divisions – subject to the restrictions described below).

Pool Players: Each League’s Player Agent is responsible for maintaining his/her League’s Pool Player List.

Pool Players are assigned by the League’s Player Agent on a game by game basis.

As of January 4, 2025

Exception: If the team is playing a double-header the same Pool Player(s) may be assigned for both games.

POOL Players are allowed when a team needs additional players for a game. No more than two (2)

Pool Players may be assigned to/used by a team in any game. The number of Pool Players plus

Rostered Players can-not exceed 10 players for any game.

Pool Players MAY NOT Pitch but they MAY Catch. (A local league may opt to adopt a local rule that

would prevent a pool player from catching for their team.)

Pool Players must meet the Minimum Play Requirement (MPR) of 9 consecutive defensive outs and bat at

least once OR the local league Pool Player MPR if the local league has an Approved Waiver.

Note: if a player becomes sick or injured or is ejected or if the game ends early due to the time limit, run rule,

weather, or any other reason, it is acceptable for the POOL Player to not meet MPR.

At the pre-game meeting at home plate, each Managers must inform the Home Plate Umpire and the

opposing team Manager of any POOL Players participating in the game. Pool Players should play in their

regular season team’s uniform (helps identify the Pool Players)

Field Preparation

Prior to the game, fields will be prepared (bases in place, foul lines marked, batter and coacher boxes

marked, infield groomed, grass cut, and dugouts cleaned) by the league on whose field the games are being

played.

If two games are scheduled, BOTH teams share field duties between games.

After each game, BOTH teams are required to clean their dugout and the spectator area of their fans if the

players and fans fail to do so. Failure to fulfill these duties may result in disciplinary action against the

manager of the team(s).

Curfews

Curfews are in accordance with Little League Rules unless otherwise established by the League/Park as set

by the governing County/City/Town.

Injuries

Injuries need to be documented on the LL Injury Form. The Form may be completed by the League where

the Injury occurred but must be filed by the League/Team of the player injured. A copy of the Injury Form

must be sent to the District Safety Officer.

As of January 4, 2025

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Little League Regular Season Rules Apply in All Games

In the event Umpires and/or Coaching Staffs fail to enforce the following rules, any League Official or

District Staff Member present is obligated to discuss the rule violation with an Umpire. Should the rule

violation continue the violator is to be reported to the District Inter-League Coordinator who in turn, will

contact the President(s) of the offending League(s) for appropriate disciplinary action.

1. GAME TIMES AND DURATION

Games will begin at the time set in the Inter-League Schedule. If two or more games are scheduled on

the same field, succeeding games will start 15 minutes after the previous game has ended, or at the

scheduled time, whichever is later (if both Managers and the Umpires agree, the game may start earlier).

NO LEAGUE SHALL IMPOSE GAME TIMES OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED BELOW.

Time Limits - No new inning shall start after (NOT DROP DEAD):

1. 1 hour and 15 minutes for T-Ball for All Games

2. 1 hour and 30 minutes for Rookie (eg: 7/8) Baseball and Softball for All Games

3. 1 hour and 30 minutes for Minor Baseball and Softball during Fall Ball

4. 1 hour and 45 minutes for Minor Baseball and Softball during the Regular Season

5. 1 hours and 45 minutes for Major Baseball and Softball for All Games

6. 2 hours for Intermediate (50/70) Baseball for All Games

7. 2 hours and 15 minutes for Junior and Senior Baseball and Junior and Senior Softball

for All Games. Exception: If a doubleheader is being played in Juniors or Seniors the

Time Limit shall be reduced to 2 hours for each game.

8. If a game is tied when the time limit is reached the game should continue until the

winner is determined or the curfew is reached (whichever comes first).

9. If another game is not scheduled on the same field following the game being played

BOTH Managers may agree to waive the time limit. The agreement must be made

PRIOR to the Start of the Game and the Home Plate Umpire must be notified that the

game is being played without a time limit.

Games ended by Time Limits are Regulation Games.

2. FORFEITS

In the event that neither team is able to field at least eight players to start the game, no Forfeit applies,

and the game should be Re-Scheduled.

If only one team is able to field eight or more players to start the game the game will initially be declared

a Forfeit in accordance with Rule 4.16. The potential Forfeit shall be reported to the District Inter-

League Representative via phone. A decision will subsequently be made as to whether the Forfeit shall

stand or the game rescheduled.

If the game is rescheduled, the site of the rescheduled game may be different than the original game. For

example, if a Visiting Team travels to another park and the Home Team does not show up, the

rescheduled game will, if possible, be scheduled at the original game’s Visiting Team’s Park.

As of January 4, 2025

If only one team is unable to field eight players and the other team has excess players, the teams may

decide to play a “practice game” in which case the team with excess players will loan the opposing team

enough players to be able to field a team. This was initially a scheduled Interleague Game so one of the

team has traveled to the location to play. Rather than going home without playing the teams might as

well have a practice game while they are there.

IMPORTANT: If a team/league consistently fails to show up/have enough players to play, it is up to the

other local league(s) to decide if they want to continue to play Interleague Games against that

team/league. If this is the case the District Inter-League Representative should be informed via phone.

3. HOME AND VISITING TEAMS

The designated “Home Team” on the schedule:

 Provides the “Official Scorekeeper” who will sit in the scorekeeper shed or the designated area if

there is no shed (if the Home Team does not provide the scorekeeper, the Visiting Team will

become the Home Team and will provide the scorekeeper)

 The Home League (Site where game is played) will provide a plate Umpire and one base Umpire.

 Provides the game balls.

 Is responsible for cleaning their own dugout and fan areas after completion of the game.

The designated “Visiting Team” on the schedule:

 May provide an individual to assist the scorekeeper by keeping the Official Pitch/Inning Count

(this individual must also sit in the scorer’s shed or the designated area)

 Is responsible for cleaning their own dugout and fan areas after completion of the game.

4. ROSTERS and SCOREBOOKS

Each Team must have a copy of the team’s Roster and the team’s Scorebook/GameChanger at each

game. These records must be made available for review by the opposing team and the Plate Umpire to

alleviate any questions/problems and to help avoid and/or resolve any potential protest situations (eg: use

of ineligible player/pitcher).

NOTE: If a team is missing its Roster or Scorebook the game should still be played. The Opposing

Manager may “Protest” the game in which case the Opposing Manager must, within 24 hours, inform

the District Interleague Representative of the situation for further investigation and resolution.

It is the responsibility of each Manager to know the eligibility of his/her pitchers and to assure ineligible

pitchers are not used. Monitoring of Pitchers “rest” requirements are the responsibility of each

Local League and disciplinary action taken against managers who use ineligible pitchers is also up

to the Local League. It is NOT the District’s responsibility to monitor pitching requirements.

Each team’s Pitchers of record and the official number of pitches (baseball)/innings (softball) by each

pitcher in the game are to be recorded by the game’s scorekeeper. Monitoring the number of

pitches/innings in a game/day to ensure pitchers do not violate their Maximum Pitch Count must be done.

If a pitcher is used in little league travel and regular season games – the pitch count continues

through both programs.

5. OPTIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE RULES IN INTER-LEAGUE GAMES

 Continuous Batting Order: in Majors and above, leagues have the Option to use Continuous

Batting (it is up to each league). The home team CANNOT force/mandate that a visiting team

from another league use Continuous Batting, nor may it force them not to use Continuous Batting.

As of January 4, 2025

 All “Run Rules” are in effect for All Games.

 “The Batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box” is in effect for ALL Games

 A local league rule may allow a team to start and play games with eight (8) players. For Inter-

League Play, teams are allowed to start/play games with eight (8) players. When the missing

player’s spot in the batting order is due up it will be simply skipped over, no out will be

charged/assessed.

 Courtesy Runners are allowed for pitchers and/or catchers who are on base when there are two

outs. The Courtesy Runner must be the player who made the last out.

6. SPECIAL RULES for Rookies (Machine/Coach Pitch) and Minors

 Continuous Batting is in effect for ALL Teams, defensive substitutions can be made freely.

 At the time of the pitch, ALL outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass.

 For Minors, the first three (3) innings, teams will change sides after 3 outs or 5 runs, whichever

comes first. From inning four (4) on, teams will change sides after 3 outs.

 For Rookies, the first five (5) innings, teams will change sides after 3 outs or 5 runs, whichever

comes first. From inning six (6) on, teams will change sides after 3 outs.

 For Rookies, a team may play with less than 9 players, but it must field at least 6 defensive infield

players (pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and a shortstop).

 For Rookies, four (4) outfielders are permitted (maximum total of 10 defensive players) but not

mandated (provides more playing time for the players). Again, at the time of the pitch, all

outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass.

 Rookies Baseball games will use a pitching machine.

 Rookie Softball will utilize Coach Pitch. The Coach will pitch to his/her own team.

 In Rookies (Machine or Coach Pitch), the defensive pitcher must stand to the left OR right side of

the pitching plate with one foot approximately 4 feet away from the pitching plate.

 In Rookies, a player is out on strike 3 OR 5 pitches, whichever comes first. (Exception if the 5 th

pitch his fouled off the batter remains batting until a fair ball is hit OR third strike is made.

 In Rookies, for Safety Reasons, if a batted ball hits the pitching machine (baseball) or the coach

pitcher (softball) the ball is immediately ruled dead, the batter is awarded first base, and any

runner forced to advance will advance one base. Runners not forced to advance will return to their

previous bases. If a thrown ball hits the pitching machine/coach pitcher, the ball is immediately

ruled dead, and each runner will be awarded one base from the time of the throw.

 In Rookies, bunting and stealing are NOT permitted.

 In Rookies, the play is over (ball is dead), when the ball is returned to, and in the possession of,

the player pitcher with one foot approximately four (4) feet from pitching plate (within the

pitcher’s circle for softball).

However, players should be encouraged to “make the play” on the runner and not simply throw

the ball back to the pitcher. We need to be teaching these players how to play baseball/softball.

If a play is being made on a runner and there is an OVERTHROW, “TIME” (by the umpire) will

be called and the runner (and any other runner on the bases) will be given One Base. An

OVERTHROW is defined as a ball thrown towards a defensive player in an attempt to make a

play which is outside of the defensive recipients catching arm distance and continues on past the

defensive player. A ball that is thrown in an attempt to make a defensive play and is

CATCHABLE (either within catching arms distance in flight OR missed within catching arms

distance rolling passed) is ruled a live ball (THIS IS NOT AN OVERTHROW) and the runner

may advance at their own risk of being put out.

 Pitching Machines may be mechanical or electrical and should be set to throw the ball over the

plate with a slight arc. The speed shall be agreed to by both managers. If the managers cannot

As of January 4, 2025

agree the Home Plate Umpire’s decision on the speed is final. The pitching machine should be

placed straddling the pitcher’s plate.

 Coach Pitch Softball should be pitched from a distance of 35 feet.

7. PROTESTS

When there is a Protest the District Inter-League Representative must be notified via phone. The District

Inter-League Representative is responsible for ensuring that the Protest is properly investigated and ruled

upon in a timely manner.

Protests are NOT allowed in Minor Leagues; the issue must be resolved by the Manager(s) and

Umpire(s) at the field prior to the next pitch/play.

8. ALTERCATIONS

Any Manager, Coach, or Player initiating or engaging in a verbal or physical altercation at the park

before, during, or after a game, is AUTOMATICALLY EJECTED from that game and is Suspended for

the team’s next physically played game. The Head Umpire will report the Ejection to the District Inter-

League Representative via email for review and potential additional disciplinary action.

For serious and/or multiple offenses, the individual may be required to appear before a Committee of

District Staff and League Officials to discuss the event(s) prior to participation in any further games.

If the individual is a Player, the team’s Manager must accompany the Player to the hearing (the player’s

parents/guardians may also attend). Depending on the severity of the incident, the Committee may

impose additional disciplinary action up to and including suspension from Inter-League Play.

9. LOCAL RULES/GROUND RULES

Individual League “Local Rules” DO NOT APPLY in Inter-League Games.

Exception: A curfew does apply if it is stipulated by the local Parks and Recreation Department.

Visiting teams potentially affected by curfews should be informed of this stipulation prior to the start of

the game.

10. CONCESSION STAND and COOLERS (Outside Food and Drink)

Many leagues need the profits from their Concession Stands as a major source of income. As such,

bringing outside food or drinks into a park is NOT permitted.

Visiting teams MUST inform their players family and friends of this rule.

Leagues have the right to enforce this rule to include forcing violators to return outside items back to

their vehicles or parking lot.

Exception: Teams are allowed to have ONE Cooler (drinks, wet towels, ice packs, etc…) in the dugout

for the players and coaches.

11. UNIFORMS

Since some leagues register and start later than others so early in the Regular Season and during Fall Ball

teams may participate in Inter-League Games without team uniforms. It is more important for the

players to play the games than it is to have the players in uniform.