Major League Rules

Majors League Guidelines

While the score will be kept, winning and losing should not be emphasized. It is not one of the main purposes of the program. Games will be played under the rules of the 2023 Little League Baseball Rulebook
Games last 6 innings, subject to the following;
1. When a game is scheduled consecutively, meaning there is a game to be played after the current game on the same field;
  - No inning may start after 1:45 hours of play
  - The current game must immediately be suspended after 2:00 hours of play
2. When there is no game to be played after the current game on the same field;
  - Game last 6 innings or until the umpire calls the game for darkness
Home team plays the field first.
Each team is responsible for picking up litter on their side of the field after the game.
Players must wear long pants when playing (shorts are not permitted).
The infield fly and dropped third strike rules will be used at this level.
The nine regular defensive positions are used.
Players will pitch and pitch counts should be strictly enforced. 11 & 12 year olds are allowed no more than 85 pitches in a game, but may finish the current batter if they reach 85 during an at bat. In addition a pitcher must observe a number of days rest based on pitches thrown as follows:
- 1 – 20 pitches: May pitch the next day
- 21 – 35 pitches: 1 calendar day rest
- 36 – 50 pitches: 2 calendar days rest
- 51 – 66 pitches: 3 calendar days rest
- 66+ pitches: 4 calendar days rest
- Pitch counts should be updated in the league website after each game.
A pitcher must be removed from the game if he hits 3 batters in one inning or 4 batters in a game
No pitcher may wear white long sleeves or any wristbands
Once a pitcher has been removed from the mound he may not return as a pitcher that game
Any player who has thrown more than 40 pitches cannot play the position of catcher in that game. Any player who has caught 4 innings or more can not enter the game as a pitcher.
All players present bat in the batting order. A player bats when it’s his/her turn even if they did not play in the field that inning.
Mercy rule: Ten (10) runs after Four (4) innings and Eight (8) runs after Five (5) innings will be enforced.
Leading is not allowed. The runner can’t leave the base until the ball has reached the batter or is hit.
Stealing is allowed but a runner may not leave the base until the ball has reached the batter. Delayed steals will be allowed, but will be limited to 3 per team per game.
THERE ARE NO ON DECK BATTERS SWINGING BATS!!! The next batter does not pick up the bat until the previous play is completed.
No player picks up a bat until they have a batting helmet on. No exceptions.
If lightning is seen or thunder is heard, the game stops immediately and the players take cover!!! The game does not continue until ½ hour has passed free of lightning and/or thunder!
All catchers must wear a cup
Head first sliding is not permitted unless going back into a base.
Managers are required to provide each player with a minimum of three innings (9 defensive outs) during each game.
If a team will have less than 9 players the league director should be contacted for a call up. A called up player is not allowed to pitch or catch and should generally be limited to playing the outfield.
All teams make the playoffs. Playoff format will be a sinlg elimination tournament (UPDATED: Single elimination due to weather delayed season). Playoff games cannot end in a tie and must go a complete 6 innings, if game is called due to darkness or weather, the game will resume in the exact spot where it was PPD.
Each team is responsible for one day during the year to clean/field maintenance.

Website Manager

Welcome to Salem New Hampshire Youth Baseball

Majors League Guidelines

Local Sponsors

Salem Youth Baseball

LITTLE LEAGUE® International