Little League Baseball is one of the most popular youth sports organizations in the United States. The program sponsors instructional and competitive baseball leagues for players from the ages of 7 through 17. Little League has several rules for its junior divisions that are designed to give players opportunities and reduce injuries.
Mandatory Play
Little League baseball requires its managers and coaches to give all players a chance to play. In Little League baseball, players at the junior level must play on the field for at least two full innings and get at least one plate appearance. If a game is rain-shortened or ends early to because of the mercy rule--one team is ahead by 15 runs after four innings or 10 runs after five--the mandatory play rule is not enforced. If a manager does not give a youngster the opportunity to play the required minimum, the manager is suspended for the next two games.
Protective Equipment
All batters must wear hard plastic helmets that cover both ears every time the player comes to the plate. If the player reaches base, the helmet must be worn. The helmet has to be worn as soon as the player comes out of the dugout and goes into the on-deck circle. Face masks are not required on the helmet but they are allowed and encouraged. All catchers must wear a catcher's mask, a chest protector and shin guards. The catcher's mask needs to have a throat protector attached to the bottom rung.
Pitching Rules
The arms of young pitchers have to be protected from overuse. Little League rules require rest periods after a pitcher has thrown in a game. No pitcher can throw in consecutive games if they have thrown 16 pitches or more in a game. Pitchers in the junior division of Little League cannot throw more than 75 pitches in a game. Pitchers must rest three calendar days if they throw between 51 and 75 pitches. They must rest two calendar days if they throw between 31 and 50 pitches. They must rest one calendar day if they throw between 16 and 30 pitches. Pitchers can pitch the next day if they throw 15 pitches or less.
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