SWLL Coaching Notes
All coaches should download the free Little League Official Rulebook app and familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations. The use of cell phones or other electronic devices in the dugout is permitted ONLY for checking rules and keeping score via GameChanger.
Weeknight field reservations at Steve Cox are limited to 5-7PM. Pre-game warmups will need to happen off to the side if there is no available space prior to 5PM.
Pre-Game- The home team is responsible for field prep and ensuring the bases and pitching rubber are properly located.
Managers will need a minimum of four copies of the lineup (scorekeeper, umpire, opposing manager, yourself). Ensure that a copy of your lineup card is provided to the scorekeeper at least 15 minutes prior to the designated start time. Lineups MUST include names, jersey numbers and the positions of your starting defense. Ineligible pitchers (see pitching notes) should be noted with an “i” or asterisk. Any player(s) who may be arriving late must be placed at the end of the batting order.
The home team is responsible for providing two new game balls and one decent alternate ball.
Have your players place all bats, helmets and catcher’s gear along the outside of the dugout approximately 15 minutes before first pitch for the umpire to examine.
The umpire will call for a plate meeting approximately 5 minutes prior to first pitch; all players should be in the dugouts at this time. Bring the three remaining copies of your lineup card and give them to the umpire when asked. The coach of the home team will be responsible for communicating any site-specific ground rules for the field (i.e. “the concrete walkway is out of play” or “a ball hitting that overhanging tree branch is in play”).
In-Game- All teams are allowed three coaches regardless of roster size. At least one coach must be present in the dugout at all times. This means that if you have fewer than three coaches you will need to use players as base coaches.
Do your best to discourage communication between parents/spectators and your team during games. Having additional coaches outside the dugout is not allowed.
Communicating with scorekeepers in-game must be done in the presence of the umpire, either between innings or upon being granted time out. Utilizing any personnel outside of the dugout to assist you in any way is not allowed.
If you have any questions for the umpire regarding a call or anything else during play, you must request and be granted time out BEFORE stepping out of the dugout. Only the manager is permitted to address the umpire in these situations. DO NOT argue balls/strikes or judgment calls (safe/out, check swing, etc); if there are multiple umpires on the field you are permitted to ask them to confer if you believe that an umpire who did not make the call may have had a better view of the play.
Only one batter may be outside the dugout at a time; the on deck batter must remain inside the dugout until it is their turn to bat (except Juniors). Helmets are required for all offensive players outside of the dugout (batter, runners, base coaches, bat retrievers) at ALL TIMES.
Have your players ready- by rule, between inning time is supposed to be limited to 60 seconds. Communicate defensive substitutions to players prior to the start of the half-inning. When possible, have your catcher in their gear and ready with two outs.
Courtesy runners are allowed for pitchers and catchers when there are two outs (runners must be the player last put out).
If your catcher is not ready you are permitted to have a coach warm up your pitcher.
The on-deck and in-the-hole batters should have helmets on and be waiting. The i-t-h batter should be responsible for retrieving bats when necessary.
Be prepared to present your defensive substitutions to the umpire and scorekeeper prior to your team completing its offensive half-inning.
The three-tiered mercy rule is in effect for all levels:
• If after (3) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: four innings], two and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: three and one-half innings] if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after four (4) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: five innings], three and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: four and one-half innings], if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If after five (5) innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: six innings], four and one-half innings [Intermediate (50-70) Division / Junior / Senior League: five and one-half innings], if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of eight (8) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent.
• NOTE: (1) If the visiting team has a lead of fifteen (15), ten (10), or eight (8) runs or more respectively, the home team must bat in its half of the inning. (2) The local league may adopt the option of not utilizing this rule. A game determined by the 15-run rule, 10-run rule, or 8-run rule shall be considered a regulation game.
Managers of the home team are responsible for communicating limits on field time to umpires and opposing teams. You must not start a new inning once you are within 15 minutes of the designated stopping time. For example, weeknight games at Steve Cox fields 2 & 3 must be completed by 7 PM so you should not start a new inning after 6:45.
Playing Time- All teams will be using a continuous batting order, meaning all rostered players present will bat in the same order throughout the game. In addition, all players must play a minimum of six defensive outs (9 for Juniors) unless the game is shortened (less than 6 innings, or less than 7 for Juniors) for any reason (mercy rule, time limit, weather, etc). Failure to comply with these minimums could result in the opposing team protesting the outcome of the game and suspension of the manager.
Any player(s) who do(es) not reach minimum playing time due to a shortened game shall start the following game and not be removed until they have played both the remainder of the last game’s minimum time in addition to the six defensive outs for the current game.
*NOTE: Minimum playing time is just that, a minimum expectation. SWLL strongly encourages managers to strive for equal playing time for all players. While we understand the natural inclination to be as competitive as possible by giving the best players the most playing time, we believe that the Little League experience should be about inclusivity and having fun rather than winning at all costs. We also believe that players improve more with every game played and teams will become more competitive as all of their players gain experience.
Pitching (Baseball only)- Managers must familiarize themselves with Little League Baseball pitching rules as written in Regulation VI of the rulebook and strictly adhere to them. This requires that managers know the league age (the age they will be on August 31st of the CURRENT year) of all pitchers and the daily pitch limit for each age group.
Managers must also ensure that pitchers are provided the requisite number of “rest days” designated based on the number of pitches thrown. One “rest day” is a full calendar day, for example a player who throws between 21 and 35 pitches on Monday is not eligible to pitch until Wednesday as they require one day of rest. Throwing 36-50 pitches requires two days of rest, meaning they would not be eligible until Thursday.
*NOTE: When reaching any of these limits, the pitcher may complete the current at-bat without being considered to have exceeded the current threshold.
You are responsible for tracking the number of pitches your players throw. If you need verification you may ask the home scorekeeper between innings or after being granted time out by the umpire.
Do not allow pitchers to throw curve balls, sliders, knucklers or other “junk” pitches! Young players risk serious damage to their arms by attempting these pitches without very specific training regimens. For advanced pitchers we recommend teaching 2-seam and 4-seam fastballs and a standard changeup.
Catching (baseball only)- All catchers must be properly equipped with catcher’s mitt, helmet, mask w/dangling throat guard, chest protector, leg guards and athletic cup. A player warming up a pitcher must at least wear the mask/helmet and catcher’s mitt.
Any player who plays the position of catcher in parts or all of 4 innings is not eligible to pitch in that game. If a player plays the position of catcher, then moves to pitcher and throws 21 or more pitches, they may not return to the catcher position in that game.
SWLL encourages managers to limit the time any one player plays the catcher position to 4 innings or 95 pitches per game to avoid arm strain/injury.
Post-game- Once the game has ended both teams should huddle and give a cheer for their opponent. Then teams should exchange handshakes/fives/fist bumps, thank the spectators and umpires, then quickly retrieve all gear from the dugout and vacate the field so the next teams can set up.
Any meeting/coach’s speech should only happen after the dugout has been cleared.
Managers should check the final pitch count for all players that pitched in the game and take note of the required rest days for each. Be sure to record any player(s) who will not be eligible to pitch in your next game.
If there were any injuries be sure to email the incident report form(s) to the league.
Report any possible game protests or other issues that may have occurred to the league (ejections, fights, spectator/coach conduct, officiating problems, etc).
Please complete Little League’s Diamond Leader program if you have not already done so. As of 2023 this is required for all managers and coaches participating in tournament play.