The following is a summary of some of the rules in the AA Division in Foster City Little League Baseball. A full explanation of all the rules can be found in the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball.

GAMES

There will be two games per week (one weekday and one Saturday). Games are six (6) innings long. No inning may start after one hour and forty-five minutes of playing time and the game must end after two hours of playing time.

All male players must be properly equipped with an athletic supporter and cup. The home team will occupy the 3rd base dugout. Teams will play with ten players (four outfielders). The outfielders must start each play at least thirty (30) feet behind the bases or ninety (90) feet from home plate. If one team does not have ten (10) players, the other team will loan a player for defensive purposes only. That "loaned" player will still hit with his/her own team, and not the team they are playing defense for.

If a batter throws a bat, he/she will receive a warning on the first occasion. On the second occasion, the manager will not allow the player to bat for the balance of the game, but may play in the field.

There will be a maximum of four (4) adults in the dugout during games. There will be NO bat boys or bat girls and for safety reasons, children of managers/coaches will not be allowed in the dugout during games. There will be no on-deck circle and the gate to the dugouts must remain closed at ALL times! No exceptions.

GAME PLAY

Each team will get three outs or go through their entire lineup, whichever comes first. The Dugout Coach will announce "Last Batter". The defensive team will play it like a routine at bat.

A play is ruled dead when the pitcher has control of the ball while near the pitcher's mound with the intent of stopping the play. The defensive pitcher must start each play with at least one foot on or in a 5-foot circle around the pitcher's rubber, known as the pitcher's circle. He/she must also stand equal to or behind the pitcher's rubber when the ball is pitched.

The infield fly rule is NOT observed.

PLAYING TIME

All players will play a minimum of four (4) innings per game, two (2) in the infield and two (2) in the outfield unless the game is shortened due to darkness or time limit. Failure of a Manager to comply with this rule will result in a warning and then possible suspension by the Board of Directors. The game must be fair to all players and each player shall be given an equal opportunity to play all positions. The Manager may however, for safety reasons and with a parent's prior approval, prohibit some players from playing some key positions such as pitcher, catcher or first base.

All players will bat even if they didn't play defense that inning. A continuous batting order will be used throughout the season to ensure all players get an equal opportunity to hit. Stealing is prohibited, but sliding is allowed and encouraged on close plays. Sliding head first is not allowed.

PITCHING 

During the 1st half of the season

An adult coach will pitch exclusively during games. There will be no walks or hit-by-pitch base awards. Each batter will get five pitches. If the 5th pitch is not hittable, the batter will get one additional pitch. If the 6th pitch is not hit, the batter will be retired (but not counted as an out). Should the 6th pitch be hit foul, the batter will continue his/her at bat until a play is made or a missed swing. An out can occur only when a batter-runner is successfully put out by a defensive player.

During the 2nd half of the season

• Kids will pitch the first three innings, with one new pitcher per inning

  • Coaches will pitch the last three innings.

• Kid pitchers will get five pitches per batter (maximum of six batters faced) 

• Kid pitchers can strike batters out with three strikes, only if the third strike is a called strike, and not a swinging strike. 

  • If a batter swings at the third strike, they get three coach pitches. 

• Defensive team’s coach acts as umpire from behind the pitcher

• One inning maximum per pitcher

Note 1: There is a limit of one inning per pitcher per game, or 30 pitches, whichever comes first. If a pitcher is removed, the coach will finish the inning and the rules revert back to coach pitch rules.

Note 2: a pitcher who throws 21-30 pitches must observe one day of rest.

UMPIRING

During the first half of the season when coaches are pitching, the coach who pitches will call the plays at home and 1st. The defensive team will supply an umpire to call plays at 2nd and 3rd. If there is a question regarding an umpire's ruling (not a judgment call), both managers will discuss the problem and come to a decision. Since wins and losses are not counted, an umpire's ruling is not very critical.

During the second half of the season when the players are pitching, the defensive coach will call pitches from behind the pitching mound.

The defensive coach located behind the mound may also assist his own pitcher..

To encourage hitting and to help build our new pitcher's confidence, we will use an expanded strike zone in AA. The AA strike zone will be one ball width on each side of the plate, and from the top of the front shoulder to mid-calf. No exceptions without board approval.