Little League rules are, first and foremost, meant to create an environment of sportsmanship, fairness and safety. That means how kids play the game becomes more important than anything else--even the technical rules of play, advises Vincent M. Fortanasce, a member of Little League's Operating Board and lead author of "Life Lessons From Little League: Revisited: A Guide for Parents and Coaches." Safety rules help prevent injury and keep Little Leaguers from harm.
Parents and Coaches
Parents are required to accompany their Little Leaguers to games, practices, tryouts, clinics and other Little League events when the player is 13 or younger, advises West Side Little League in New York. This parent needs to stay at the event, or arrange for another adult to stay at the event with the player, unless otherwise cleared by the coach. Also, the coach is not allowed to conduct a practice without at least one other adult present. At least one adult present must have a working cell phone. Coaches and other Little League volunteers are required to undergo background checks.
Disallowed Items
Players cannot wear metal spikes or cleats onto the field. Players also need to remove pins, watches, jewelry, rings and other metal items before coming onto the field. Medical Alert Identification Tags are the exception to this rule, according to Pacific Little League of Edmonds, Washington. Coaches are required to remove players from the field when wind conditions or lightning makes playing dangerous, according to WSLL.
Equipment Requirements
All catchers are required to wear protective cups and athletic supporters at practices and games. Required catchers' gear also includes a helmet that has a face mask and throat guard, a chest protector and shin guards. Batters need to wear helmets, both for games and practices. Those in certain divisions, like Hardball 9s, have to wear helmets that also have face masks, which they can trade for helmets without masks after reaching first base. Players must keep their helmets on while running the bases. Little League rules also disallow on-deck batters, and players are not allowed to handle bats until they are up to bat. At the Junior and Senior level, the next batter can be in the on-deck circle. In younger divisions, the batter waits in the dugout, advises PLL. Also, coaches and managers are never allowed to bat during practices or games.
Field Rules
Dogs cannot come onto the field, even if leashed, and neither can spectators. Coaches need to inspect the field before players are allowed onto it. Bikes cannot be chained inside the fence to the field, and siblings cannot enter the team's dugout, advises WSLL.
First Aid
Coaches, managers, umpires and other volunteers are required to attend a first-aid lecture and gain a copy of the local Little League safety manual. Coaches must bring a first-aid kit and two additional ice packs to games and practices, or must know where the first-aid kits are available, such as at the field's concession stand.
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