"Local Rules" are those rules enacted annually by a local Little League referring to operations not covered in the Official Regulations and Playing Rules and the local league's constitution. A league's Local Rules include the local board's procedures for selection of Tournament Teams (All Stars), specific ground rules for various divisions (such as whether or not the 10-run rule will be used), and much more. A league's Local Rules document expires and must be renewed annually.

Mukilteo Little League's 2012 Local Rules for Softball/Rookie Division:

The Mukilteo Little League Rookie Softball Division will play by the official Little League Minor League rules and regulations, except as follows:

1. The age alignment for the Rookie Division is 6,7 & 8 years old. A player must meet these ages as set forth in the rules and regulations of the Little League rulebook.

2. A game will start no later than 15 minutes from its scheduled start time. No regular season game will last longer than 6 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes - whichever occurs first. No new inning shall start after 1 hour 20 minutes (unless coaches agree and there is no game immediately following). In any event no game shall ever last longer than 2 hours.

3. No scores will be reported and no standings are kept until post-season tournament play (if applicable).

4. The team batting will supply 1st and 3rd base coaches who also act as umpires for their respective bases. The team batting will also provide a coach to feed the pitching machine who will also serve as umpire at 2nd base.

5. 11" "soft-touch" softballs will be used for all games.

6. An offensive coach will pitch to their own batters. A pitching machine may be used as the source of pitched balls to the batter. Players are NOT permitted to feed balls into the pitching machine. In the event that the pitching machine does not work for whatever reason, the game will revert to coach pitch to avoid game cancellation. The offensive coach will pitch to their own batters.

7. Pitching shall be conducted from regulation Little League distance from home plate. The pitching circle should be 8 feet in diameter around the pitching machine. The pitching machine will be placed 35 feet from the back of the plate (measured to the front of the machine). The defensive team will provide a player to play the pitcher position. All live balls hit to the pitcher's position must be fielded by a player, not the coach. The coach is never to be involved in any live play! The defensive player must have one foot inside the pitching circle.

8. Ten (10) players are allowed on the field for defense. At least four of the players must play in the outfield. If only nine (9) players are on the field, at least three players must play in the outfield. The outfield is defined as 10 feet into the grass. A team may play with 11 defensive players. The additional players must play in the outfield.

9. No players should play outfield or infield more than the other. Goal is to have players balance time in the field between infield and outfield positions. A player may play up to two consecutive innings in the same position.

10. The Rookie Division will use the policy of a continuous batting order as described in the Little League rulebook.

11. Five runs or three outs, whichever occurs first, ends the half-inning. If the sixth inning is played and time remains, there will be no run limit. However, the game is over at the time limit and the score reverts to that of the last completed inning.

12. A defensive team is allowed to have two coaches in the field, providing there is another coach to sit with the players in the dugout or dugout area. The coach on the field is allowed to instruct their players during and between plays. However, the coach is never to physically become involved in a play, and is never allowed to interfere with the players during a live ball. If the coach touches a live ball or violates this rule in any way, all runners receive an extra base.

13. Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and willing parents from both teams should participate in preparing the field for play. This includes setting up the pitching machine, setting up the bases, raking, and chalking the field, if needed.

During the Game:

1. There shall be one coach in or near the dugout at all times. Only the offensive coach pitching or feeding the pitching machine, a first base coach and a third base coach shall be allowed on the field during play.

2. The offensive coach feeding the pitching machine may not direct any base runners. He/she may only instruct the batter regarding positioning in the batter's box, this coach is not to be coaching base runners. A warning will be issued for the first infraction. After the 1st warning, the lead runner will be automatically called out whether safe on the play or not.

3. Unlimited player substitutions will be allowed only between innings. The only exception is in the unfortunate event of an injury to a player.

4. No player may be on the bench for more than two consecutive defensive innings per game. With a game roster of eleven or more, each player must sit out at least one inning of a six-inning game. For those teams with expanded (for example 13 or 14 players) rosters, no player shall sit three innings unless every player has sat for at least two full innings. "Sitting out" does not affect the batting order. If a player is sitting on defense, he/she will take their turn in the batting order.

5. No player shall play the same position for more than two innings per game. The only exception to both rules is that a player may play a third inning at the same position of extra-inning games.

6. The radius rule will not apply. Any ball hit fair past home plate (including"dribblers") is a live ball.

7. No base stealing will be allowed. All base runners must stay on the base until the ball is put into play by the batter. There is no stealing or a "running" lead.

8. Bunting is not allowed. An attempted bunt shall be called an out.

9. Base runners may advance no more than one base on an overthrow, to any base.

10. If a batted ball hits the Pitching Coach or Machine, the play will be declared dead and all runners, including the batter, will advance only one base, if forced.

11. If a thrown ball hits the Pitching Coach or Machine, the play will be declared dead and all runners, including the batter, will advance no further than the base they are going to.

12. Coaches & teams should make every attempt to keep the game moving along at a good pace. Catchers should be identified in advance of their assigned inning and be ready to start or resume play. A substitute runner is permitted for a catcher on base in order to allow the catcher to have extra time to put equipment on prior to taking the field. All pitches are counted - not just the good pitches. The coach pitcher must be able to throw strikes consistently to keep the game moving.

13. A batter cannot be walked and will not be awarded first base when struck by a ball. A batter will be awarded first base when the catcher interferes with his or her swing. A maximum of eight (8) pitches shall be allowed to each batter. After the eighth pitch the batter shall be out unless he or she hits the eighth pitch.

14. There are no called strikes. However, a batter still gets a strike if he or she hits a foul ball or if he or she swings and misses a pitch. A batter can strike out if he or she swings and misses a third strike.

15. At 3 strikes (must be swinging strikes) the batter shall be called out.

16. After a batter has struck out - an out is recorded and the batter goes back to the dugout (please offer encouragement when they return to the dugout).

17. If a pitching machine is used, a player will receive five machine pitches to put the ball into play. If the 5th pitch is hit foul then the batter will be given one extra pitch. If the 5th pitch is deemed an "errant pitch" by the sole discretion of the umpire, the batter will be given one additional pitch. An "errant pitch" is defined as a pitch in the dirt or clearly over the batter's shoulders when the ball crosses the plate. If the player does not hit the ball after five pitches, a Tee will be used to allow the player to hit. The tee option shall be used only for the first 5 games of the season.

18. There is no on deck circle. No swinging bats except by the batter. The batter may take some warm-up swings at home plate prior to the first pitch. The batter must be aware of catcher prior to taking any warm-up swings.

19. During play of a batted ball, the ball is "live" and runners are subject to tag-out (at the next or prior base). Runners may be tagged out by a defensive player if they over-run, over-slide, or wander off the base.

20. When the ball is hit, the batter and runner may only advance a maximum of two bases if the ball is hit to the outfield (i.e. a hard hit ball that travels into the grass area on the fly or a grounder that is not touched by defensive infielders) or 1 base if the ball is hit in the infield.

21. No throwing bats. If a player throws a bat, the player is out.

22. Non-sportsmanlike behavior, including but not limited to verbal abuse, physical threat or intentional breach of any of these rules by any umpire, player, coach or fans will not be tolerated. Please report any instances to a MLL Board Member. Infractions of the above will be dealt with quickly and severely. Penalties may include dismissal from the game, the park or from the League.

After the Game:

1. Both teams shall demonstrate good sportsmanship by cheering and congratulating the other team.

2. Players and parents shall participate in making sure the dugouts, field and bleachers are free of all trash, and belongings.

3. If the last game of the day, all field equipment should be put away, making sure the equipment box is locked.

Adopted 12/12/2011 • Questions? Contact VP of Softball at softball@mukilteolittleleague.com.