Cedar Mill Little League Baseball AAA Rules
Revised: February 2026
NOTE: Rules not explicitly stated here will follow the Little League International rules, which will
be used to settle any questions or issues during games. Page numbers based on LLI Rule Book
2024 edition.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A regulation game consists of six innings unless it is extended because of a tie score,
or shortened (1) because the home team is leading to start the bottom half of the sixth
inning or takes the lead during that inning or (2) because the umpire calls the game
(page 119, rule 4.10a).
If a game is called, it is a regulation game if four innings have been completed or if the
home team has scored more runs after 3.5 innings or if the home team scores one or
more runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game (rule 4.10c). Local league option:
An Upper Division CMLL game is considered complete if it ends because of the hard
stop.
Any inning started within one (1) hour and forty-five (45) minutes from the game start
time must be completed. No inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the start
time. If it is exactly 1 hour and 45 minutes, a new inning starts. If it is 1 hour and 46
minutes, no new inning starts and the game is over. A new inning is considered to have
started at the last out of the previous inning. Start time is determined by the home team
scorebook and will be provided to the umpire. Note: If a game has passed the 1 hour
and 45 minute mark, the game ends when the visiting team completes their half of the
inning if the home team is ahead or if the home team takes the lead in their half of the
inning. Game time is limited to 2 hours and 15 minutes from the start time in the home
book. If the inning in process has not been completed, revert back to the previous
inning’s score to determine a winner, if the visitor team has scored one or more runs to
tie or take the lead and the home team has not scored to tie or retake the lead (see
page 122, rule 4.11d).
A five-run limit is to be imposed on each half-inning. Reaching five-runs therefore
completes the half-inning (see Rule 2.0 – Inning and Rule 5.07). Exception: The
five-run limit will be suspended in the last inning (Rule 5.07 Local League Option). If
due to time constraints, the last inning is not the 6th inning, each team’s manager must
verbally confirm with the umpire that this will be the last inning, prior to the first pitch of
the top half of that inning.
The “15 Run, 10 Run, and 8 Run Rule” will be followed per LLI Rule Book (page 120,
rule 4.10e). 15 run applies after 3 innings (or 2.5 if home leading), 10 run applies after 4
innings (or 3.5 if home leading, and 8 run applies after 5 innings (or 4.5 if home
leading).
Ties are allowed in preseason and regular season play.a. 7. For Playoff games, no new innings will start after 1 hr and 45 minutes, but any inning
that has been started will be finished regardless of time.
8. If the score is tied at the end of six innings of a playoff game, the game will go into
extra innings. Play will continue until one team is ahead at the end of an inning.
Tournament rule 14 will go into effect in the 7th inning of a tied playoff game. See LLI
Rule Book (page 201, rule 14).
9. Eight players on a team are the minimum for the game to be played. If playing with
eight players, the ninth position in the batting order will NOT incur an out each turn in
the batting order (rule 4.04, local league option). You may not borrow players from the
opposing team. You may “call up” players from AA for a game to meet the minimum
number of players. A pool of eligible call-up players will be generated by the Player
Agent and pool players randomly assigned. Pool players cannot pitch and must play a
minimum of 9 consecutive defensive outs (page 63, Regulation Vc). Any permanent
move of a player between divisions must be approved by the Player Agent.
10. 2025 Little League International Baseball Regular Season and Tournament
Pitching Rules for pitchers age twelve and under are printed below for your
reference (see page 65, Regulation VI)
(http://www.littleleague.org/learn/rules/pitch-count.htm):
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four calendar days of rest
must be observed.
If a player pitches 51-65 pitchers a day, three calendar days of rest
must be observed.
If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two calendar days of rest
must be observed.
If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one calendar day of rest must be
observed. Ex. Pitcher throws 35 pitches on Monday. Calendar rest day is
Tuesday. They may pitch again on Wednesday or after.
If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no days of rest is required (pitcher
may pitch next day).
For determining required rest, the pitch count of the FIRST pitch to the LAST
batter faced is used (see page 66, Regulation VId Note 2). Ex: the 35th pitch is
the first pitch to the batter. The pitcher can finish that batter and will only require
1 calendar day of rest. If the pitcher throws one pitch to the next batter that
pitcher will now need 2 calendar days rest.
A pitcher cannot pitch in two games in one day regardless of pitch count (page
68, Regulation VIk).
b. c. d. e. f. g. h. Under no circumstance shall a player pitch in three (3) consecutive days.
11. A pitcher must be removed from the mound who reaches the pitch limit for his/her age
group (http://www.littleleague.org/learn/rules/pitch-count.htm):
a. League Ages 11-12 may pitch up to 85 pitches per day
b. League Ages 9-10 may pitch up to 75 pitches per day
c. League Ages 6-8 may pitch up to 50 pitches per day
d. Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit while facing a batter, the pitcher
may continue to pitch to that batter until the batter is retired, reaches base
safely, or the third out is made to end the half-inning.
12. If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch,
and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day,
until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that
batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game.
The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is
moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If
a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception,
the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
13. Any player who has played the position of catcher for four or more innings in a game
is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. This rule becomes effective if the catcher
catches any part of a fourth inning.
14. A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moved to the
pitcher position, and delivered 21 pitches or more in the same day, may not return to
the catcher position on that calendar day. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the
20-pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their
eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions
occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made
to complete the half-inning or the game.
15. A player who has attained the league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in
the AAA Division (LLI Regulation VIj).
16. Any violation of the pitching regulations can result in protest of the game in
which it occurs.
17. Rule change implemented in 2023 season. Managers or coaches are permitted to warm
up a pitcher at home plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at any time including in-game
warm-up, pre-game warm-up, and in other instances. They may also stand by to observe
a pitcher during warm-up in the bullpen. Catchers warming up pitchers must be in full
protective gear.18. Warm-ups for pitchers: Keep the game moving
a. A new pitcher entering the game gets eight warm-up pitches.
b. A returning pitcher gets five warm-up pitchers at the start of each inning.
c. The umpire has the discretion to start a new half inning after three minutes of
turnover (after third out) regardless if the pitcher has not completed his
maximum number of pitches allowed.
19. Pitchers removed may not re-enter the game as a pitcher.
20. Managers, coaches, and players (players must wear batting helmet) may coach the
bases.
21. The manager and coach are responsible for players’ and fans’ behavior toward
other team’s players or the umpires.
22. Check or slash bunting is not allowed in CMLL due to safety concerns. This means
that if the batter shows bunt, he/she may not then take a full swing at the pitched ball.
23. Illegal Pitch: Per LLI Rule Book (page 160, rule 8.05), illegal pitches with runners
on base result in the pitch being called a ball. There is no “balk” in Little League
AAA/Minors/Majors divisions.
24. Stealing: Per LLI Rule Book (page 152, rule 7.13) Runners must remain in contact
with their base until pitch has been delivered and has reached the batter.
25. Infield Fly Rule: Per LLI Rule Book (page 105) the Infield Fly Rule is in effect, but called
at the umpires discretion.
26. Every effort will be made to make-up rainouts. The League Coordinator will
schedule rainouts and arrange for umpires.
27. Managers may go to the mound to consult with the pitcher (once they have asked for
and been granted permission from the home plate umpire) two times in the same inning
(remove pitcher on the third visit) or four visits per pitcher per game (pitcher must be
replaced upon the fourth visit) (Page 163, rule 8.06).
28. The Home team will keep the official score book. They will be responsible for reporting
the score of the game and both teams pitch counts.
29. The Home team will occupy the third base dugout and can use left field for warm-ups.
30. The Visiting team will occupy the first base dugout and can use right field for warm-ups.
31. Pregame Etiquette: No team should be occupying the infield prior to 25 minutes before
the first pitch. Teams should be warming up in the outfield prior to their infield time.32. Each team gets 10 minutes of infield time (visiting team first), and there should be 5
minutes reserved for the plate talk and for the home team pitcher to get warmed up.
a. 25 minutes before the game – visiting team takes infield
b. 15 minutes before the game – home team takes infield
c. 5 minutes before the game – Coaches and umpires have the plate talk
while the home team takes the field and the visiting team prepares to bat
33. Home team will provide two leather game balls to the home plate umpire prior to the
game.
34. CMLL policy follows the continuous batting order rule option (page 117, 4.04). All
available players must be included in the batting order and must hit. If you have 11
players, your batting order is 11 players, and all players must hit in order before the 1st
batter hits again. If a rostered player arrives late, they may be added to the last
position in the batting order.
35. Playoff Seeding Tie Breakers:
a. Record as calculated by GB. Basically, a tie counts as 1/2 win and 1/2 loss.
Ignore the winning percentage on the webpage, as it isn't calculating
correctly. For example, if a team is 8-4-2, the winning percentage should be
0.643. GB is calculating correctly.
b. Head to head
c. Runs against
d. Run differential
e. Coin flip
Implemented for the 2026 AAA Spring season:
36. The “Cold Home Plate” Rule: Runners may only score on a batted ball, a hit-by-pitch
(with bases loaded), or a bases-loaded walk. Stealing home on a passed ball, wild pitch,
or return throw to the pitcher is prohibited.
37. The “Dead Ball Exchange” Rule: The ball is considered “dead” once the catcher has
secured the pitch and begins the return throw to the pitcher, provided the pitcher is within
the proximity of the mound (the “Circle). No delayed steals are permitted during the
exchange (steals when the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher).
38. Stealing 2nd base & 3rd base is permitted.
NOTE: The goal of Rules 36, 37 & 38 is to aid in the development of pitchers and catchers in a
lower stress environment, allowing them to focus on pitching and catching, while graduallyexposing them to base stealing and eventually phasing in delayed steals and steals of home at
a point later in the season. This approach will give both players and coaches more time to
prepare for aggressive baserunning. These 3 rules will be reviewed later in the season by the
CMLL BOD in collaboration with the AAA coaching staffs, to determine the appropriate time to
“phase-in” delayed steals and more aggressive baserunning overall.