Minor and Major Baseball

Pitch Counts and calendar rest days

• No Pitcher can pitch in 3 consecutive days

Pitch Count and current at-bat: 

If a player reaches a # of pitches milestone during an at bat he may finish the at-bat and consider ending his pitch count at that milestone without the extra pitches attributed to the rest days. Example - little johnny reaches pitch # 50 on the 2nd pitch of an at-bat, he may finish the current batter until that batter is retired or becomes a runner and be removed from pitcher with a pitch count of 50, yielding 2 days rest.

Pitcher-Catcher specific rules:

•  Any Player who has played the position of catcher in four or more innings, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. 

• A pitcher that delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of the day. 

• A player that catches for 3 or less innings, moves to pitcher and delivers 21 pitches in the same day may not return to the catcher's position on that same day. 

Good rule of thumb if you have a player that pitches and catches, swap him after 3 caught innings and then have him pitch, If he starts pitching you are responsible for pulling him at or under 20 pitches if you intend to have him catch again.

Catchers must use a catchers mitt, a standard fielding glove is not allowed.

Head First Sliding: 

Head first sliding is not allowed while advancing a base. Only if going back to a previously occupied base. Example - ball is hit to outfield, runner started at first base, touched 2nd and advanced 3 steps then decided to go back to 2nd, that runner could go head-first slide back into 2nd. 


There are several practice locations available in our community. Some are first come-first serve and others are owned and/or maintained by BNLL and are therefore reserved. 

Reserved Locations Casey’s – behind West Side Casey’s – 4 backstops, Grace Church - 1 backstop,  Batting Cages - 3 net enclosed cages/Tee Ball field 6,  Pre Season - BNLL fields 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 

First Come-First Serve Locations Playground at any public school Boone City Parks – Slow-pitch softball teams have priority on fields in McHose Park City of Boone – under the water tower at 1st & Clinton Sharing practice sites is your responsibility. Consider this rule of thumb: younger teams practice early and older teams practice later. The batting cage and scrimmages are recognized as good forms of practice and their use is encouraged. Practices and/or scrimmages shall not be conducted with other youth baseball/softball program teams. 

Other Private Property You must obtain permission before practicing on private property. 

Batting Cage Rules The batting cage rules are as follows: 1. Only adults may run the pitching machine. 2. Only two ball players allowed in the fenced in area at a time. 3. All ballplayers must have a helmet on at all times when in the fenced area. 4. Each team is only allowed to sign-up one time per week if signing up prior to that week. You may sign up for as many as three per week if you sign up during that current week.  Please reach out to [email protected] to ensure the shed is unlocked to access the pitch machine. 

Practice Restrictions You MAY NOT practice: before 4:30 PM on days when school is in session before 9AM on days when school is not in session. Memorial Day, during our Candy Sale, or days on which you have a game. More than three 1½-hr practices per calendar week OR two 2-hr practices per calendar week prior to Opening Day. More than two 1½-hr practices per calendar week OR one 2-hr practice per calendar week after Opening Day. You MUST practice at least: Two 1½-hr practices per calendar week OR one 2-hr practice per calendar week prior to Opening Day One 1½-hr practice per calendar week after Opening Day 

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES 

Use, possession or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances is strictly forbidden, violators will be asked to leave the ballpark immediately, and board members shall not hesitate to call the police. Use of tobacco products, abusive language and/or abusive behavior by Managers, assistants, or volunteers at practices, games, or any other activity associated with Little League is strictly prohibited. Gifts shall not be given to individual ballplayers for making good plays, hits or having good games. If you have questions concerning rewards, obtain prior approval from the Board of Directors. 

The following excerpt is taken from the Little League Baseball Operating Manual. It is the criteria that Little League Baseball Inc. recommends that local leagues consider, while selecting managers and coaches.

"The Little League Manager must be a leader. All managers must recognize that they hold a position of trust and responsibility in a program that deals with a sensitive and formative period of a youngsters development. It is required that the manager have understanding, patience and the managers must realize that they are helping to shape the physical, mental and emotional development of young people.

The Little League Manager must be something more than a coach. Knowledge of the game is essential, but it is not the only badge of a Little League coach or manager.

While an adult with training and background in the game is desirable in a candidate for manager or coach, league screening committees should look for other important qualities.

It is the manager more than any other individual who controls the situation in which the players may be benefited. Improving the level of leadership in this vital area must be a continuing effort.

Youngsters of Little League are strongly influenced by adults whose ideals and aspirations are similar to their own. The manager and player share a common interest in the game, a desire to excel, and determination to win. Youngsters often idolize their managers, not because the adult is the most successful coach or mentor, but because the manager is a source of inspiration.

Managers must be adults who are sensitive to the mental and physical limitations of children of Little League age and who recognize that the game is a vehicle of training and enjoyment, not and end in itself.

It has been stated many times that the program of Little League can only be as good as the quality of leadership in the managing personnel. New leagues particularly, should make a determined effort to enlist the best adults in the community to serve as managers."