Embedded Files
San Lorenzo Little League is an ALL VOLUNTEER organization. Each team is required to supply umpires for other divisions throughout the season. None of us are being paid and none of us are professionals. We are there to try our best and create the best baseball experience for the players.
Umpiring 101
Behind the Plate - Start Here!
click to watch Little League's official video on the basic mechanics for umpiring behind the plate
Base Umpiring - Start Here!
click to watch Little League's official video on the basic base umpire mechanics
Helpful Rules to know
Game Limits
Saturday Games are limited to 2.5 hours for Minors and 2 hours for Farms from the START OF THE GAME (not when the game was scheduled to start). Any inning in progress will be completed, but no new inning can start after the time limit has been reached.
All Weekday games are limited to 10 minutes after the strict sunset time (based on the top Google search) for that day. It is always the Umpire's discretion of when to call a game if conditions become unsafe for play.
The umpire should inform both managers before the game starts of the cutoff time and call the game when the limit has been reached.
When are runners allowed to run and steal?
In all divisions when the pitcher has the ball and has placed his pivot foot (right foot for a right handed pitcher, left foot for a lefty) on the pitching rubber runners must immediate make an effort to find a base to occupy.
In Minors and Majors divisions runners are only allowed to leave their base once the ball has been pitched and the ball has reached the batter.
Runners do not have to be in contact with a base until the pitcher has his pivot foot on the pitching rubber with possession of the ball. Once the pitcher steps on the rubber with the ball the play is now over and runners must find and remain in contact with a base.
Runners may steal or advance bases any time the ball is LIVE and the pitcher is not standing on the rubber with the ball.
In the Farms division there is no Stealing, but runners MAY advance bases on "wild pitches" or "passed balls".
Infield Fly Rule see Rule 2.00 Definition of Terms
The purpose of this rule is to protect the RUNNERS, not give an easy out to the defense. With runners on first and second (or bases loaded) and less than two outs. The batter hits a fly ball that (in the Umpire's opinion) an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. The Umpire is to call "Infield Fly" ("infield fly if fair" if near the foul line). Again the rule is to protect the RUNNERS from the defense intentionally letting the ball land in order to turn an easy double or triple play on runners that were purposely not running because they have to stay close to their bases to tag up.
Click for the official Little League site with more in depth explanation and examples
Fair Territory and the Batter's Boxes
The two areas of the batter's boxes that extend outward in front of home plate are partially in fair territory. Any untouched batted ball that comes to rest in the area of the batters box that is between the first and third base line is a FAIR BALL.
Rule 2.0 defines Fair Territory as the "part of the playing field within, and including the first base and third base lines, from home base to the bottom of the playing field fence and perpendicularly upwards. Home plate, first base and third base and all foul lines are in fair territory."
Inning Limits for Minors and Farms Rule 5.07
The inning is retired when five (5) runs have been scored or when all players on the roster have batted one time in the half inning. The five (5) run limit is removed in the 6th inning and the umpire must remind both teams it is an "open inning" before the inning starts.
Mercy Rule Rule 4.10 (e)
If after 3 innings (2.5 if Home team is ahead) one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more
If after 4 innings (3.5 if Home team is ahead) one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more
If after 5 innings (4.5 if Home team is ahead) one team has a lead of eight (8) runs or more
Farm Division - Special Rules
The Farm Division is the SLZLL coach pitch division. There are several special rules and by-laws that are in place to protect the kids and speed up games.
There are NO WALKS in Farm. After 4 balls have been called on a batter a coach from the offensive team shall pitch to the batter. The coach will finish the number of STRIKES that are remaining in the at-bat. The player cannot strike out on a foul ball, they will receive another pitch until the at-bat results in a fair ball or strike out.
Example, the pitcher walks a batter with a 4 ball 1 strike count. The coach gets only two pitches (no matter where he throws them). If the batter does not put the ball in play or foul the second pitch the batter is out.
All League Age 6 year olds must only be coach pitched. They will receive up to five (5) coach pitches to put a ball in play. If they do not hit a fair or foul ball after the fifth pitch they are out. The player cannot strike out on a foul ball, they will receive another pitch until the at-bat results in a fair ball or strike out.
League Age 9 year olds cannot pitch in the Farms division.
There is no stealing in the Farm division, but runners may advance on wild pitches and passed balls.
Runners are only allowed to advance one base on an overthrow made during a live play.
There is no bunting in farms.
The pitching line shall be marked at 39ft from the point of home plate. Players may pitch from anywhere between the pitching rubber and the pitching line. It is the Umpire's sole discretion (not an opposing coach!) to determine if a pitcher must be moved closer or further away from the plate for batter and catcher safety.
There are no forfeits in Farm, 8 players is the minimum to start or continue a game. If a team cannot field 9 players they shall borrow a player from the opposing team.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse