Calgary NorthWest Little League

T-Ball – Ages 5 & 6

Boys & Girls are introduced to the game of baseball/softball. An ‘incrediball’ is hit off a tee.
Games are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. SHOES WITH CLEATS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

NWLL has decided that some departure from the rules is in the best interest of the development of the boys and girls.
The exceptions and additions to the rules include:

1) The Fair Play Policy will be in effect. All players shall receive the same amount of playing time divided equally amongst infield and outfield positions.

2) Field Dimensions: The field will be constructed in the shape of a diamond with a distance of forty (40) feet between the bases. An arc must be marked on the ground before each game at a distance of nine (9) feet in front of home plate. The pitcher's rubber shall be twenty-eight (28) feet from the plate on the line between home and second base. A ten (10) foot circle should be marked around the pitching rubber.

3) Coaching: Parents, as designated by the team manager or coach are encouraged to go into the defensive field with the children (limit of 2). They may not touch the ball but may instruct the children where to throw the ball. Parents, as designated by the team manager or coach are encouraged to be at each base when their child's team is batting to instruct the children when and where to run.

4) No new inning shall commence after 8:00 PM.

5) Number of Players:

All players present must play the outfield and must all go through the batting line up.
NO minimum number of players is required to play a game. Common sense should prevail - if a team has less than eight (8) players we recommend that the other team give some of their players to the opponent. It should be noted that no standings are kept at the T-Ball level.

6) All defensive players must throw the ball (not roll) to any base to execute an out. The player in the pitcher position must;

a) Field the hit ball as per conventional baseball.
b) Must remain in the pitcher's circle until the ball has been thrown.
c) Must THROW (not roll) the ball to any base to execute an out rather than run to the base.
d) May not tag the batter-runner to execute an out.

No defensive player shall pass the pitchers mound to field the ball. A violation of this rule on a fair hit will entitle the batter to, if put out on the hit, advance to 1st base and all other base runners advance one base.

7) Fair Ball: When the ball is hit off the batting tee and lands in fair territory, the ball must go beyond an arc to be marked on the ground before each game at a distance of nine (9) feet in front of home plate. A hit is to be considered valid if the ball travels the required nine (9) feet and shall be considered a live ball with the batter being out if the ball is caught before it touches the ground. Batter shall swing until the ball is hit the required distance.

8) Dead Ball Rule: An infield ball thrown by any player to home plate will stop all runner advancement when the ball reaches the nine (9) foot home plate arc or the vicinity of the back stop, except runners advancing between bases may continue to the next base at their own risk (e.g., a player who has left one base may advance to the next at the risk of being put out).

9) Runner Advancement:
a) Outfield Ball: An outfield ball thrown to the infield will stop runner advancement when the ball crosses the baselines, except runners advancing between bases may continue to the next base at their own risk.
b) Overthrow: An overthrow is a ball thrown to a base that goes past the dead ball line into Out of Boundary territory (the dead ball line is a straight line from the back stop and parallel to the 1st or 3rd baseline of the field.) Should an overthrow occur, the base runner must stop at that base.

10) Throwing of Bats: A batter is encouraged not to throw the bat.

11) Batter: Two imaginary lines extending from each side of 2nd base to each side of home plate will constitute a Batter's Box". Batter must stand with both feet on the outside of either imaginary line.

12) Base Runner: There is no stealing of bases. Runner cannot leave the base until the ball is hit.

13) All players on the team must go through the batting order. The last batter must run around the bases and the offensive team must run the ball to home plate to end the inning.

14) Makeup Games: Games should only be cancelled due to weather. Any rescheduled games the coach/manager of the home team should contact the VP Minors as soon as possible, ideally, within the same week that the original game was scheduled. The games will not be rescheduled one week after the original game.

15) Tie Games shall be counted as Tie Games (i.e., no extra innings).

NOTE:
- No on-deck circle is permitted.
- No head first sliding; runner to be called out unless returning to a previously occupied base.

American League – Ages 7 & 8

A pitching ‘machine’ will be used to deliver the pitch at a calibrated speed. A maximun of 7 pitches will be used for each player, therefore the player has to try to make contact with the ball. If a player does not hit the ball after 7 pitches they shall be called out. Stealing bases and bunting will NOT BE PERMITTED, runners cannot advance once an infielder is in control of the ball. If ball hits pitching machine or "pitcher" it will be considered a dead ball. All basic little league rules will apply. Players will continue to develop their fundamental skills and learn the rules of baseball. A ‘volunteer’ umpire is introduced using a liberal strike zone. There will only be a maximum of 5 runs per inning. Games are scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays. SHOES WITH CLEATS ARE NOT PERMITTED
* Keep 7 balls behind the machine and make sure the player is ready
* Ask the catcher to leave the balls until the batter has either hit the ball or is called out, then return the balls to the pitcher
* There will be 3 outs per inning (as per little league rules)

The American Division is intended to be a recreational division and it is not the intention of the League to subject the children to fierce competition. It is intended to provide instruction in the fundamentals of baseball and stress sportsmanship and fair play.

In general the American Division rules will be consistent with the Minor League and Tee Ball 2004 Official Regulations and Playing Rules as published by Little League Baseball. NWLL has decided that some departure from the rules is in the best interest of the development of the boys and girls. The exceptions and additions to the rules include:

1) The Fair Play Policy will be in effect. All players shall receive the same amount of playing time, divided equally amongst infield and outfield positions.

2) Coaching: Adult coaches must coach the offensive team at 1st and 3rd bases.

3) No new inning shall commence after 8:00 PM.

4) Tie Games shall be counted as Tie Games (i.e., no extra innings).

5) Batting Order: The batting rotation shall consist of all players present at each game. Late players shall be added to the bottom of the batting order.

6) Number of Players:

a) Maximum of ten (10).players on the field, the extra player should be considered as a forth outfielder.
b) All players present at the game are inserted in the batting order. When players arrive late for the game they shall be entered at the end of the batting order.

Note: Teams must have a minimum of eight (8) players to start a game. If a team is only able to field eight (8) players at the start of the game, the ninth (9th) batter shall be declared out when it is the ninth (9th) batter's turn at bat. A team which cannot field at least eight (8) players shall forfeit the game. NWLL strongly recommends that the teams involved use their scheduled time to play a "fun game".

8) The player playing the pitcher's position must ;

a) stand beside the pitching machine depending the batter is right handed or left handed:
b)Field the hit ball as per conventional baseball.
c)Must remain within five (5) feet of the pitcher's circle until the ball has been thrown.
d)Must THROW (not roll) the ball to any base to execute an out rather than run to the base.

9) Batter: A batter can only advance to first (1st) base upon hitting the ball. The player cannot advance if they are hit by a pitch. Walks are not permitted.

10) Base Running: Runner(s) may advance to the next base at their own risk while the ball is in play. However, once the player-pitcher has the ball thrown to him/her and is within the ten (10) foot pitcher's circle, the play is dead and runners cannot advance. The runners must then go to their respective bases as designated by the umpire. In interpreting this regulation, if a player is less than half way to the next base, the player must go back to the base most recently occupied; if past the half way point, the runner may advance to the next base without risk of being put out. Runners may not advance on a pitched ball unless the ball is hit (i.e., no stealing of bases).

11) Throwing of Bats: A batter who throws a bat will be given a warning the first time and if he does this again he will be called out. The umpire shall instruct the scorekeeper to mark the player and remind the umpire the next time the player bats.

13) Umpires: The home team shall be responsible for recruiting a home plate umpire and visiting team shall be responsible for recruiting the base umpire.

14) Five-Run Rules: The maximum number of runs that can be scored by the offensive team in any inning is five (5). Scorekeepers MUST advise the Home Plate Umpire when five (5) runs have scored.

15) Scorekeepers: Each team shall provide a scorekeeper. The Home Team scorekeeper is the Official Scorekeeper. Scorekeepers are encouraged to consult frequently during the course of the game. Scorekeepers will have the Home Plate Umpire sign the scorebook after the game.

16) Bunting is not permitted.

17) Mandatory Playing Rule: Every player on a team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of 3 innings. Defensive submissions may be made each time the team takes the field.

Penalty: The player(s) involved shall start the next scheduled game and play any previous requirement not completed and the requirement for this current game before being removed.

The manager shall for the:
First Offense - receive a written warning
Second Offense - A suspension for the next scheduled game
Third Offense - A suspension for the remainder of the season.

Note: If the violation is determined to have been intentional, a more severe penalty may be assessed by the Board of Directors.

NWLL's objective is to ensure all players receive an equal opportunity to develop their skills. That said, it is recognized that each team manager must have the discretion to handle disciplinary and safety concerns.

18) Makeup Games: Should the game be unable to be played for any reason, the Manager of the Home team shall be responsible to call the Commissioner who will then reschedule the game. All make-up games should be rescheduled as soon as possible, ideally, within the same week that the original game was scheduled.

19) Reporting of Game Results: Game results must be forwarded by the home team to the league statisticians within twenty-four (24) hours via email on NWLL's website at www.nwll.ca

NOTE:
- No on-deck circle
- No head first sliding; runner to be called out unless returning to a previously occupied base

Minor League – Ages 9 & 10
At this level pitching by the players becomes part of the game and as many players as possible are encouraged to do so, at least in practice. At the minor league level, base stealing, sliding and bunting will also be introduced. Umpires in this division will allow a fairly liberal strike zone to encourage hitting. RUBBER CLEATS ARE OPTIONAL. All other little league rules apply.The object of the game is to get the ball into play as often as possible.

This is also the level where 10 year old players are asked to attend evaluations. Those players who demonstrate an advanced skill level could be drafted into the Major/National Divisions. This is the first age group (if enough players are willing to participate) that an All-Star team can continue with Tournament play till the end of July. Games will be scheduled on Monday and Wednesday plus one practice per week.

Majors and lower – no on deck batter (this includes the playing field and all areas outside the playing field)

- between innings and prior to game start, the 1^st batter is allowed to have a bat in hand.

National League (AA) – Ages 10, 11 & 12
Teams in this Division will be comprised of 12 year olds who request a less competitive league or have little baseball experience. 11 year olds not drafted onto a Major team. 10 year olds, providing there are roster spots available and they have sufficient skills. Pitching development continues and umpires have a strike zone more in line with baseball rules. All-Star teams, including players not on the Major All-Star team, can continue with Tournament play after the season ends (July-Aug. long weekend). Games are scheduled according to the District 3 (NW Calgary) interlock committee.

Major League (AAA) – Ages 10, 11 & 12
Teams in the Majors Division will comprise most 12 year olds that register. Those not wishing to play in this ‘competitive’ league will be drafted to a National team. The Division will also comprise some 11 and 10 year olds providing there are roster spots available and they have sufficient skills. Eligible returning players from Majors are encouraged to attend evaluations. This division uses advanced strategies and follows the rules and regulations of Little League precisely. An All-Star team is formed at the end of the season for Tournament play leading to Prairie and Canadian Championships and possibly the Little League World Series. Games are scheduled according to the District 3 (NW Calgary) interlock committee.

For MajorSchedules click here

Junior League – Ages 13 & 14
Teams in this Division are again evaluated for the purpose of drafting them onto teams. Depending on registration numbers, teams may be tiered based on skill level. The teams would then play a seeding round, as part of the regular playing schedule, to determine the appropriate competitive level. It is the only Division to do so. Leading-off and larger diamonds are two of the biggest changes. Again, All-Star teams can continue with Tournament play after regular season ends. Juniors play up to 3 interlocking games per week against other leagues in District 3 (NW Calgary)

Senior & Big League – Ages 15 to 18
NorthWest LL works in conjunction with other District Leagues to evaluate and assign players to teams that reflect appropriate age and skill levels. Teams play up to 3 interlocking games per week in a competitive city wide schedule.