Susquhanna Area Little League Bylaws and Rules
Last update: November 2022
1.) Ages for each Division, based on player's League Age:
● Instructional Tee Ball: 4-year olds using the Little League age charts
● Tee Ball: 5 & 6-year olds using the Little League age charts
● Coach Pitch: 6-year olds with a minimum of 2 years in the Tee Ball program & 7&8 year olds using the Little League age charts *Participation in leagues outside Susquehanna Area Little League will be subject to documentation validation. 8-yr. olds will be evaluated by skill to determine appropriate placement
● Boys Baseball and Girls Softball: Ages 8-12 using the Little League age charts *All League age 8-12 year olds are required to attend an evaluation for open positions. Any league-age 12 year old that has played at least 1 full previous year will be placed on a major team. Our rosters will consist of the minimum number of players per team as required by Little League with no less than 10.
Note: Your child will not play at any level lower than what he/she played in last season.
2.) Players will be drafted to a team annually.
3.) All Tee Ball and Coach Pitch players will be assigned to a team by the player agent and finalized with approval from the board.
4.) Players from the same household will be assigned to the same team for all appropriate divisions based upon league age. *Exception applies to majors division, both baseball and softball.
5.) All Players for the Minors and Majors division will be drafted by the team managers using the Little League “Plan B” draft method:
This draft takes place in three separate parts:
- First part includes those players who are:
● Returning from a Major team in the same division, AND;
● Have registered for the current season
- Second part includes those players who are:
● 12 years old AND
● Completed at least 1 season in their respective division (baseball or softball)
- Third part of the draft includes:
● All players who are eligible for selection and have attended the required number of player evaluations.
The first draft of returning players must be completed before the second part of the draft, the second part of the draft must be completed before the third part of the draft and all returning players who qualify under all conditions above must be drafted. Managers are not permitted to waive a draft choice.
The draft order will be determined immediately before the draft by each manager drawing a number from a hat, led by the Player Agent or his/her designee.
6.) Rain-outs and game cancellations will be called by the home team in all divisions and will require approval from the League President, Vice President and Player Agent. Home team manager is responsible for notifying visiting manager at least one hour before game time when possible. Teams must vacate the field immediately if lightening is visible from the field, and shall remain off the field for at least 15 minutes after the lightening and until such time both managers agree to retake the field. Games shall be called if the weather delay is longer than twenty minutes. If a manager or coach is forfeiting a game for any reason, he or she must get approval from the League President, Vice President and Player Agent.
7.) In the event a game cannot be completed because of weather, a completion date shall be tentatively scheduled by the managers and confirmed with the board (for field availability) by the home team manager.
8.) Advancement on bases:
● Tee Ball: no stealing.
● Coach Pitch: No stealing home.
● Minor: Boys and Girls; follow Little League Playing Rules
● Major: Boys and Girls; follow Little League Playing Rules
9.) Coach Pitch Rules: Rules will be determined at County level each
Spring.
10.) Tee Ball and Coach Pitch Divisions: Outs count and players go back to the dugout. Teams will not switch sides after 3 outs. Both divisions will bat through their entire order, regardless of out count.
11.) Tee Ball and Coach Pitch Positions:
● Tee Ball: Two players allowed on either side of pitcher’s mound
● Coach Pitch: One player allowed on pitcher’s mound
● All other players for Minors and Majors divisions should play in a regular position with 4 outfielders permitted for the Minors division (3 for Majors Division). No stacking players in the grass for a weaker hitter. This will give all hitters a chance to get on base. Player should be rotated through the different positions. Catcher’s helmets and gear must be worn at all times.
12.) Uniforms- All players will receive a game jersey and a pair of socks.
Coach Pitch and Majors/Minors Boys will receive a hat as well. Parents will be responsible for providing all players with the color of pants chosen by the team coaches.
13.) Protective wear (athletic cup) is mandatory for all minor and major boys.
14.) Parent/guardian participation is needed to make this league successful. Concession shifts will be assigned to each child's family and they are responsible for making sure it is covered. Failure to do so can result in a meeting with the board to discuss remediation.
