Norwalk Little League Minor League Division Rules 2008

·        Prior to the game the hitting tee shall be placed inside the batting cage to eliminate the stigma a player might feel when he/she is unable to hit a pitched ball

·        Each player shall get 7 swings and misses before using the tee.  There are no strikeouts.

·        For the first half of the season (Saturday May 16th), all managers/coaches shall use a running batting order where all players on the at-bat team have a plate appearance.  Batting around is not allowed.  Once all players have batted, the half-inning is over.

·        Beginning in the second half of the season (Saturday May 23rd), Saturday games will be augmented with player pitching and catching.  This requirement has arisen due to the fact that many other leagues from surrounding towns have players of the same ages pitching and catching.  This puts Norwalk at a disadvantage during post-season play.

·        Pitchers are required to pitch from the official 46 foot distance.  This is by Little League rule and is necessary to ensure player safety.

·        Managers and coaches should use their discretion if their pitchers are having a difficult time getting the ball over the plate.  The goal here is to keep the game moving and ensuring the batter’s safety.

·        Catchers need to wear a cup

·        Managers and coaches need to assign an adult to backup the catcher in order to retrieve missed balls and to keep the game moving.

·        Catchers may be used during weekday games given that a team has sufficient adult resources to provide a backup and to help the catcher in/out of the gear.

·        On a ball hit to the outfield, runners may advance until the ball is thrown into the infield.  Once the ball reaches the infield, runners must stop.

·        On a ball hit the infield, runners may advance until the ball is fielded and controlled.  No advances on overthrows or missed balls.

·        Managers and coaches should make every effort to play as long as possible.  In other words, “give the kids their money’s worth.”  It is suggested that 1 ½ hour games be played during the week and 2 hour games on the weekends (due to the additional time spent with pitching and catching).

·        During the second half of the season (May Monday 18th), managers/coaches shall effectively play a variation (based on time) of a three inning game.  In all but the last inning, the half inning will end when the defensive team gets three outs.  The batting order will resume from the spot in the order where the third out was made.  For the final inning, a running batting order shall be used.  In all but the last inning, the maximum number of batters is limited to the number of players in the lineup (no batting around).

·        This year we will be attempting to have Minor League write-ups placed in the Norwalk Hour coaches should keep track of which players are mentioned so that all players are mentioned equally.  More details to follow.