FAQs > Rules
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- What rules do we play by?
- As a Little League charter we are required to play by
their rules. These rules have been carefully crafted over
many decades and are designed to be consistent for every
league and have the player's safety as a primary concern.
While Little League's rules have as a foundation the
general guidelines of the game, they are different in many
respects to the game played by Major League Baseball. The
MLB-style game is for adults, while this game is for young people.
- What's the difference between Little League rules and
LCB's Local Rules?
- Little League publishes their rules each year in what's known as the "green book".
They also understand that it is impossible to make
"one-size-fits-all" rules that work for every league's
situation worldwide, therefore they permit limited
variations of the rules that must be approved by the local
league's board of directors and are carefully monitored by
Little League for appropriateness. LCB publishes their
local rules yearly in a booklet titled "Local Rules" and
is known as the "white book". Every manager is given a
printed copy of each of these rule books and is expected
to become familiar with them prior to the start of the
season, plus have them available at games for reference.
For parents, Little League's "green book" is available
for purchase and the LCB's "white book", or Local Rules,
can be download as a .pdf document on this website prior
to the beginning of each season.
- Why do we use a pitching machine in Training League and not coach-pitch?
- We use pitching machines because they deliver a more consistent pitch to the batter than a coach could. The "coach-pitch" option is allowed by Little League for those leagues who prefer it for whatever reason or who cannot afford to purchase pitching machines.
- Are big-barrel bats allowed?
- Big-barrel bats (those bats with a diameter greater than 2-1/4") are NOT permitted for use in Tee Ball through Major League.
- Are wood bats permitted?
- Yes, wood bats are permitted at all age levels provided they meet the conditions of rule 1.10 in the Little League rule book.
- Is base-stealing permitted?
- Base-stealing is NOT permitted by rule in Tee Ball and
Training League. Base-stealing in Minor and Major League
IS permitted only after the pitched ball has reached the
batter. Base-stealing is permitted at any time during
time-in play in Junior League.
- Are runners permitted to "lead off" a base prior to the ball being pitched?
- In Tee Ball through Major League runners must remain in contact with the bag until the ball has been pitched and reaches the batter. Leading off is permitted in Junior League.
- Does my child have to use baseball cleats?
- Baseball cleats are not required but are strongly recommended.
- What's so bad about coaching at the fence?
- "Coaching at the fence", which could also be called "coaching from the stands" is where a parent or fan is actually calling out advice to the players during a game. At LCB we strongly discourage this practice and the board member on duty will address the issue with whoever engages in this
behavior. The team manager is responsible for coaching the players during the game. Hearing a parent or fan give instructions from across the fence is distracting to the player and diminishes the authority and effectiveness of the manager and coaches. It is also a major safety concern since a player will
naturally turn to hear the voice of his or her parent, and should that happen while a ball is headed in their direction injuries may occur. Parents and fans are there to cheer, not coach. Please let the managers and coaches do their job on the field, and if as a parent you want to coach, do it at home
in your backyard. Your kids will love you for it.
- What is the tobacco and illegal substance use policy at LCB?
- In LCB's Local Rules, under Conduct, it is clearly stated that all participants in the league, from managers to players, board members to parents and fans should be good examples of conduct, integrity and sportsmanship at all times. This includes a ban on the possession and use of alcohol and illegal drugs anywhere in the park complexes. In addition, managers and coaches are prohibited from the use of any tobacco products during any game or practice. In addition, the
City of Lakeland, who owns the properties we play on, bans the use of these substances within the park complexes. Penalties can range from the person's removal from the park complex to suspension.
- Explain the overthrow rule
- The overthrow rule applies to Tee Ball and Training League. The rule is designed to stop play if an overthrow or an infield error occurs. For more detailed information see the Rules page
on this website.
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