RUTHERFORD LITTLE LEAGUE

Local Rules (Softball) – amended 6-Apr-2017

0.01 "The League" refers to Rutherford Little League, Inc.

0.02 "Leagues" refers to the charters of Rutherford American Little League (230-05-13) and Rutherford National Little League (230-05-14) as granted by Little League Baseball, Inc.

0.03 "Local Rule" refers to these rules.

0.04 "Playing Rule" refers to the Playing Rules of Little League Softball, as published by Little League Baseball, Inc., in "Official Regulations and Playing Rules".

0.05 "Regulation" refers to the Regulations of Little League Softball, as published by Little League Baseball, Inc., in "Official Regulations and Playing Rules".

1.01 The League shall jointly operate the Leagues, per annual approval from Little League headquarters.

1.02 The Leagues shall draw from a common pool, consisting of eligible girls living within the Borough of Rutherford, Bergen County, New Jersey, and those girls who may be included under the provisions of Regulation II (d) and/or IV (h), per annual approval from Little League headquarters. Per Rutherford Recreation Department policy, girls who attend school within the Borough of Rutherford are eligible to participate.

1.03 The League shall offer the following softball programs to eligible girls:

1. Junior League, for players of League Age 12 through 14.
2. Major League, for players of League Age 9 through 12.
3. Triple-A Minor League, for players of League Age 8 and players of League Age 9 and 10 who are not selected to Major League.
4. Double-A Minor League, for players of League Age 5 and 6 who have played at least one season of Tee Ball and players of League Age 7.
5. Tee Ball, for players of League Age 5 and 6. NOTE: Players of League Age 7 and 8 may be placed in Tee Ball upon recommendation of the child’s parent(s) and approval of the board of directors.

1.04 The League does not offer softball programs for players younger than League Age 5 or older than League Age 14. League Age is the player’s age, in full years, on December 31 of the previous year. (A player whose 12th birthday is December 31, 2010 is considered League Age 12 for 2011; a player whose 12th birthday is January 1, 2011, is considered League Age 11.) Local Rules for Baseball are described in a separate document.

1.05 Inter-league practice and official games are permitted, per annual approval from Little League headquarters. It is the intention of the League to run each softball program as a single league irrespective of American or National League assignment. NOTE: According to Don Soucy, Little League Baseball East Region director, players may not participate in a team practice or game unless they are on the roster of the specific team. For example, a rostered Minor League player may not participate in a Major League team practice.

1.06 Player Agent(s) and Vice President(s) will be permitted to manage or coach.

2.01 League membership is open to all interested parties. Coaching is not a requisite.

2.02 Prospective members must submit an application to the board of directors for review.

2.03 In order for a member to be eligible to vote at the annual September meeting, the member must be a member in good standing, and have attended any combination of at least three (3) work parties and monthly meetings, including the September meeting.

2.04 In order for a member to be eligible to manage, coach, or assist a team, a new member must attend a safety certification session (minimum 3 hours; no early departure permitted). The certification is effective for two (2) years. In order to be re-certified, a member must (a) attend at least 60 percent of league meetings (attendance at Minor/Tee Ball meetings will be counted toward the total) or (b) attend another certification session. All managers and coaches must be members in good standing.

2.05 All managers and coaches must be recommended by the Rutherford Recreation Department and approved annually by the board of directors.

2.06 Managers, coaches, and members who do not participate in League functions, such as meetings, work parties, committees, fund raisers, or other such functions designated by the board of directors, shall be subject to a change in status by the board of directors.

2.07 Parents of Junior and Major League players who become managers or coaches (meeting all coaching requirements) after their children have been selected by a Major League team may not automatically claim their child, but may trade for them at the proper time (see Local Rule 3.08). NOTE: This rule does not apply in 2011 as the Junior and Major levels are being drafted for the first time.

3.01 Each Major League team shall maintain a roster of 12 players. The draft shall be conducted using the Little League Draft Selection System, as modified by Local Rules 3.02 through 3.06. In case of the release of a player, selection of a replacement shall be governed by Local Rule 3.07.

3.02 The teams in each of the Leagues shall draft alternately, in reverse order of the previous season’s regular-season standing within their respective Leagues. American League teams shall make odd-numbered selections in odd-numbered years, and National League teams shall make odd-numbered selections in even-numbered years.

3.03 In cases where teams have identical records in the previous season, the tie-breaking method employed in Local Rule 10.01 to seed the playoffs shall be employed. The draft order is then established as follows:

The team that finishes behind as the result of the tie-breaker shall have the option of selecting ahead of the other team in odd or even rounds of the draft. The other team will then draft ahead in the opposite rounds.

For instance: Teams A and B are tied and will draft 3rd and 4th. Team A wins the toss and elects to draft ahead in odd rounds. Therefore, Team A drafts 3rd in rounds 1, 3, 5, 7, while Team B drafts 4th; Team B drafts 3rd in rounds 2, 4, 6, 8, while Team A drafts 4th.

The manager with highest preference (by virtue of lowest standing after the tie-breaker is employed) will choose first from among the available slots in the first round, and so forth in order of preference. In subsequent rounds, the teams shall rotate draft positions so that the team filling the second slot makes the first selection among the tied teams in the second round, etc.

For instance: Teams A, B, and C are tied and will draft 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Team A has first preference and chooses earliest pick in the first round, followed by Teams B and C. The order is as follows:

Draft Round    3rd pick  4th pick  5th pick
1, 4, 7        Team A    Team B    Team C
2, 5, 8        Team B    Team C    Team A
3, 6, 9        Team C    Team A    Team B

3.04 A team may exercise an option to select the manager’s child prior to teams with earlier picks. In case of multiple options on the same child, the manager option has preference.

3.05 A team may exercise an option to select a coach’s child prior to teams with earlier picks, provided:

1. The coach has been an active member of the League for four consecutive years with the Major League team seeking to draft the child; or
2. The coach has been an active member of the League for five consecutive years, the last season with the Major League team seeking to draft the child.

3.06 All options which may be exercised during the course of the draft (including options for siblings of returning players, as defined in the Little League Draft Selection System) must first be submitted in writing to the Player Agent prior to the draft. Any child covered by an option under Local Rules 3.04 or 3.05 may be selected as an optioned player only when the optioning manager states the intention to exercise that option prior to the start of a draft round. Options may only be exercised in the first three rounds of the draft. It is not mandatory that an option be the team’s first pick(s) in that season’s draft. A child for whom an option is declared prior to the draft, but not exercised prior to the start of a round, is available to be selected by any team in that round.

3.07 A team from which a player is removed after the draft must select a replacement player from among the eligible players in the Minor League as quickly as possible.

4.01 Make-up games shall be re-scheduled on the first available OPEN DATE. The list of OPEN dates will be verified and approved by the board of directors prior to the season. If multiple OPEN slots exist prior to a scheduled game on a given day, they will be filled in reverse order (latest to earliest).

4.02 For games in the last three weeks of the season, contending teams shall be given priority in the make-up schedule, and all such priorities must be approved by the League President.

4.03 No game shall be moved from a scheduled day or time without the consent of the board of directors.

4.04 No team shall be required to play more than three (3) games in a calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) or to play games on four (4) consecutive days, unless there is absolutely no other alternative.

1. No game shall be scheduled to start prior to 1:00 p.m. on a Sunday.
2. No regular-season game shall be scheduled to start later than 6:30 p.m. on any night when school is scheduled to be in session the following day.
3. On a night when school is scheduled to be in session the following day, a regular-season game must be called if the field cannot be made ready for play by 7:00 p.m. due to weather or field conditions. On any other night, a game must be called if it cannot be started by 8:00 p.m. The Little League curfew (Regulation X) will be strictly enforced. No inning may begin after 10:00 p.m. (Major League) or 10:30 p.m. (Junior League). An inning has begun the moment the third out is made by the home team ending the previous inning. Under no circumstances will an exception be made to the Little League curfew.
4. No team shall begin practice prior to 12:15 p.m. on a Sunday.
5. No team shall hold practice at a time announced by the League as conflicting with a major function, including but not limited to the Opening Day parade and the annual fund-raising canvass.
6. Unless delayed due to prior authorized use of the field, the scheduled time of a game is the time when the first pitch should be thrown. Teams should arrive thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled time in order to allow each team ten (10) minutes of infield/outfield warm-up. If field availability is delayed due to prior authorized use, each team shall be allowed five (5) minutes for infield/outfield warm-up and then the game shall begin promptly.

4.06 In the event a team cannot field nine players (Junior League; eight players at Major and Minor League) to start any game, the game will be forfeited; however, appeal to the board of directors is permitted. If an appeal is upheld, the game will be rescheduled at the earliest possible date. If the same team cannot field nine players (Junior League; eight players at Major and Minor League) at the start of the rescheduled game, it will then be considered a forfeit.
NOTE 1: This forfeiture procedure will apply to each scheduled game on an individual basis.
NOTE 2: If possible, the date of the rescheduled game will be during a week where the team not causing the delay has only one scheduled game.
NOTE 3: The Junior and Major levels will use the Alternate Player Pool described in Regulation V. If a team knows in advance that it cannot field nine players, a player will be contacted by the Player Agent using a random list. The Alternate Player Pool will consist of 9-year-olds in the same level of play as the team requesting the alternate player. If the assignment is declined, the Player Agent will contact the next player on the list. The player who accepts the assignment will play (but may not pitch) for the team that would otherwise be shorthanded.

4.07 If a player does not meet the mandatory play requirement of Regulation IV (i) because a game was shortened due to the Ten-Run Rule (Playing Rule 4.10 (e)), that player must start the team’s following game.

1. A ball passing the line between the end of the backstop and the protective fence is dead.
2. A ball passing the line constituting the extension of the protective fence toward the outfield is dead.
3. If a batted ball rolls into a dead-ball area (under a bleacher, into the trees, etc.), the batter is entitled to one base beyond the last base legally touched when the ball became dead (for instance, if she has rounded second, she is awarded third). All runners including the batter-runner are awarded at least two bases.

5.02 A fielder may stand in a live-ball area and lean into a dead-ball area to attempt to catch a fly ball. If, on the momentum of the catch, the fielder falls into a dead-ball area, the batter is out but each base runner is awarded one base (Playing Rule 7.04). If a fielder gains possession of a thrown or batted ball and then enters a dead-ball area but does not fall, the ball remains alive and in play (Playing Rule 5.10). A foul fly touched when the fielder has one or both feet completely within a dead-ball area is a foul ball.

NOTE: Unless covered within these Local Playing Rules, the Playing Rules of Little League Softball, as published by Little League Baseball Inc., shall prevail.

6a.01 The distance from the front side of the pitcher’s plate to the rear point of home plate shall be 43 feet. Regulation 12-inch softballs will be used.

6a.02 During the regular season but not during the playoffs, no inning may begin later than two hours (2:00) from the first pitch of the game (an inning has begun the moment the third out is made by the home team ending the previous inning); in addition, no pitch or play may occur later than two hours thirty minutes (2:30) from the first pitch of the game. Playoff games will be played to a seven-inning conclusion.

6a.03 A regulation game that is called for weather, darkness or curfew with a tie score shall be entered as a tie game. However, if conditions permit and the score is tied after seven (7) innings, as many extra innings as are necessary to break the tie shall be played (Playing Rule 4.10 (b)).

6a.01 The distance from the front side of the pitcher’s plate to the rear point of home plate shall be 40 feet. Regulation 12-inch softballs will be used.

6b.02 Each team may establish a batting order consisting of anywhere from nine (9) players to all members present. Any player in the batting order who is not in a fielding position is an “extra hitter”. Free fielding substitution of extra hitters for position players is permitted; however, each player in the starting lineup must play at least two (2) defensive innings over the first four (4) innings of the game. Substitutions for players not in the starting lineup must be made in accordance with Playing Rule 3.03. If the lineup includes all players present, a player not listed on the original batting order who arrives after the game starts is to be added at the bottom of the order; also, the Special Pinch Runner (Playing Rule 7.14) may not be utilized because there are no players who are not in the lineup.

6b.03 A batter shall be out (and does not become a runner) on any third strike, whether or not caught by the catcher.

6b.04 During the regular season but not during the playoffs, no inning may begin later than one hour forty-five minutes (1:45) from the first pitch of the game (an inning has begun the moment the third out is made by the home team ending the previous inning); in addition, no pitch or play may occur later than two hours fifteen minutes (2:15) from the first pitch of the game. Playoff games will be played to a six-inning conclusion.

6b.05 A regulation game that is called for weather, darkness or curfew with a tie score shall be entered as a tie game. However, if conditions permit and the score is tied after six (6) innings, as many extra innings as are necessary to break the tie shall be played (Playing Rule 4.10 (b)).

6a.01 The distance from the front side of the pitcher’s plate to the rear point of home plate shall be 35 feet. Regulation 11-inch softballs will be used.

6c.02 Each team may establish a batting order consisting of anywhere from nine (9) players to all members present. A team may utilize ten (10) players in the field, including a fourth outfielder; if used, all ten (10) players must be in the batting order. Any player in the batting order who is not in a fielding position is an “extra hitter”. Free fielding substitution of extra hitters for position players is permitted; however, each player in the starting lineup must play at least two (2) defensive innings over the first four (4) innings of the game. Substitutions for players not in the starting lineup must be made in accordance with Playing Rule 3.03. If the lineup includes all players present, a player not listed on the original batting order who arrives after the game starts is to be added at the bottom of the order; also, the Special Pinch Runner (Playing Rule 7.14) may not be utilized because there are no players who are not in the lineup.

6c.03 A batter shall be out (and does not become a runner) on any third strike, whether or not caught by the catcher.

6c.04The League has adopted the option in Playing Rule 7.08 that a runner will be called out for leaving the base to which she is entitled before the pitched ball has been batted or has reached the batter.

6c.05 In the event of an overthrow on a runner attempting to steal, no advance is permitted beyond the base being stolen. NOTE: A “steal” is defined as any base advance other than resulting from a batted ball (including overthrow to pitcher from catcher, pick-off attempt, taking an extra base on a walk, etc.). On a pick-off attempt, this rule shall be interpreted as permitting a one-base advance.

6c.06 A team will be limited to four (4) “steals” (as defined in Local Rule 6c.05 above) per inning.

6c.07 A team will be limited to five (5) runs in an inning. This limit will be removed during the sixth inning or later.

6c.08 During the regular season but not during the playoffs, no inning may begin later than one hour forty-five minutes (1:45) from the first pitch of the game (an inning has begun the moment the third out is made by the home team ending the previous inning); in addition, no pitch or play may occur later than two hours fifteen minutes (2:15) from the first pitch of the game. Playoff games will be played to a six-inning conclusion.

6c.09 A regulation game that is called for weather, darkness or curfew with a tie score shall be entered as a tie game. However, if conditions permit and the score is tied after six (6) innings, as many extra innings as are necessary to break the tie shall be played (Playing Rule 4.10 (b)).

6d.01 The distance from the front side of the pitcher’s plate to the rear point of home plate shall be 35 feet. Regulation 11-inch softballs will be used.

6d.02 Each team shall employ a “bat-around” batting order, consisting of the names of all members present. Ten (10) players shall take the field. Each player must play at least two (2) defensive innings over the first four (4) innings of the game. Free substitution of fielders is permitted. A player not listed on the original batting order who arrives after the game starts is to be added at the bottom of the order.

6d.03 The Infield Fly rule is not used in the Minor League.

6d.04 The advance of bases on other than a fair ball or a base on balls or hit batter forcing runners to advance is not permitted.

6d.05 Bunting is permitted.

6d.06 The rule regarding sliding (Playing Rule 7.08 (a) (3)) shall be enforced.

6d.07 A team shall be limited to three passes (walks or hit batters) in an inning (regardless of the number of pitchers used in the inning). After the limit is reached, the pitcher will continue to pitch and the count will be kept as usual. However, upon ball four or a hit batter, the manager or a coach of the offensive team will enter and pitch to the batter. Any strikes recorded while the pitcher was pitching will remain on the count. There will be no called balls and strikes while the coach pitches. The batter will stay at the plate until the batter becomes a runner (by hitting a fair ball) or swings and misses at strike three. If the batter hits a fair ball, the game pitcher is responsible for fielding the position. If another batter follows in the inning, the game pitcher then pitches to that batter subject to this rule. If a batter becomes incapacitated after the three-pass limit is reached, the batter is removed without an out being charged, and the next player in the batting order shall bat and be pitched to by the game pitcher, with a new count.

6d.08 A team will be limited to three (3) runs in an inning. This limit will be removed during the sixth inning or later.

6d.09 During the regular season but not during the playoffs, no inning may begin later than one hour thirty minutes (1:30) from the first pitch of the game (an inning has begun the moment the third out is made by the home team ending the previous inning); in addition, no pitch or play may occur later than two hours (2:00) from the first pitch of the game. Playoff games will be played to a six-inning conclusion.

6d.10 A regulation game that is called for weather, darkness or curfew with a tie score shall be entered as a tie game. However, if conditions permit and the score is tied after six (6) innings, as many extra innings as are necessary to break the tie shall be played (Playing Rule 4.10 (b)).

6d.11 One (1) coach of the defensive team is permitted to be in the field for instructional purposes during regular-season games. If utilized, this coach must be in the outfield (on the grass, not on the dirt). No coach is permitted in the field during playoff games.

6d.12 One (1) manager or coach may go directly from the outfield or bench to the mound to make a charged visit to the pitcher. A third charged visit to the same pitcher during an inning or a fourth charged visit to the same pitcher during a game mandates the removal of that player as pitcher.

6d.13 If a team’s catcher is on base with two out, the offensive team will substitute a “courtesy runner” in order to allow the catcher to don equipment and be ready to play the defensive position. It is encouraged that the player used as a “courtesy runner” be the player who batted last in the previous inning.

6d.14 The League may opt to utilize coach pitching for the first part of the season. No standings will be maintained for the portion of the season during which coach pitching is utilized. Additionally, a batter may receive a maximum of ten (10) pitches from the coach during a plate appearance. If the batter has not hit a fair ball after ten (10) pitches, the batter is removed without an out being charged and the next batter shall come to bat.

6e. Rookie League Rules (ages 4-6)

6e.01 No score or standings shall be kept in the Rookie League program.

6e.02 Each team shall employ a “bat-around” batting order, consisting of the names of all members present. All players shall take the field, but only five players shall take positions in the infield (first base, second base, shortstop, third base, and the pitcher’s position). No player may play in the infield (including the pitcher’s position) for more than two consecutive innings. The position of catcher is not used. A player not listed on the original batting order who arrives after the game starts is to be added at the bottom of the order. NOTE: A player who has played two consecutive innings in the infield and refuses to assume an outfield position shall be removed from the game until the player agrees to assume an outfield position. If it becomes such removed player’s turn to bat, the turn will be skipped.

6e.03 Each play will begin with the ball being pitched by an offensive coach or placed on the batting tee at home plate. If the ball is pitched, the defensive team shall station a coach to retrieve pitches not hit. The defense shall not use a player as catcher.

6e.04 A ball is “foul” if it does not pass an arc line 15 feet from the point of home plate.

6e.05 An inning shall consist of each player present on each team batting once.

6e.06 A game is limited to four (4) innings or one (1) hour and may be shortened due to weather or light conditions. Unless the game is stopped for sudden weather conditions, the visiting and home teams shall have an equal number of innings at bat.

6e.07 In no case, including the ball entering a dead-ball area, shall runners advance more than one (1) base as the result of a play.

6e.08 Each team will receive one (1) Tee Ball bat. No player or parent may bring a bat to a game.

6e.09 Two (2) adult base coaches will be permitted, provided at least one (1) coach remains on the bench.

6e.10 The Rookie League is a strictly instructional league. Players on defense shall be instructed to make realistic softball plays.

1. The position of catcher is not used; therefore, a fielder may not run to home base and make a force play.
2. An infielder may run to the nearest base to make a force play, or may throw the ball to a fielder at a base, but may not run to another base in order to make a play.
3. An outfielder may not run to a base in order to make a play.
PENALTY: The runner shall be called “Safe” even if such a play results in an apparent putout.

10.01 In the Junior, Major, and Minor softball leagues, the post-season playoffs will determine champions. There will be no playoffs in Double-A Minor League or in Tee Ball. All teams shall qualify for the playoffs, which will be seeded in standard single-elimination format in order of regular-season record. Ties for any playoff seed will be broken using the following criteria:

1. Head-to-head record among the tied teams.
2. Overall record in games played within the respective League.
3. Record played in games against teams that finished higher in the standings within the respective League.
4. If a tie still results between three or more teams, the managers shall cast lots to determine seedings.

10.02 During playoffs, there will be no more than two (2) games scheduled to be played by a given team at each level in each of the Leagues in any one calendar week. In case of inclement weather, playoff games will be played in the exact order listed on the schedule.

10.03 In any seeded playoff, the team with the higher seed shall have the right to choose to be the home or visiting team.

11.01 Protest committees shall consist of the president, the player agent, and at least one (1) member at large not affiliated with either team, or with the league of either team at the level at which the protest occurred. The protest must be reviewed and a decision made within one (1) week after the filing of the protest. Violation of any Regulation, Playing Rule, or Local Rule will not result in automatic forfeiture. All protests must be filed in accordance with Playing Rule 4.19 before any action will be taken. Notice of Playing Rule 4.19 (f), Note 2.

When a known violation of the rules is brought to a manager’s attention during a game by the official scorer or a League official, and the manager refuses to correct it, the game will be halted at that point, and the manager will be under penalty of suspension, pending a hearing by the board of directors.

Even if it is held that the protested decision violated the rules, no replay of a game will be ordered unless, in the opinion of the protest committee, the violation adversely affected the protesting team’s chances of winning the game.

11.02 The following rules supplement the protective equipment requirements of Playing Rule 1:

1. All players must wear batting helmets with face guards while batting, running the bases, or coaching the bases.
2. All pitchers must wear an approved form of heart protection while pitching to a batter in practice, a scrimmage, or a game.
3. All pitchers and infielders at Junior, Major, and Triple-A levels must wear face guards while playing on defense in a scrimmage or a game.

11.03 A player shall not be permitted to participate unless a Medical History and Release Form has been submitted to the League for the current season. The manager shall retain copies of the form for players on the team. All injuries must be reported to the League immediately (within 48 hours) and an injury report must be filed.

11.04 The Home Team must supply adults to conduct the hat collection or 50/50 drawing. All collection proceeds are to be brought to the concession stand, or to another designated collection point if no stand is operated, by the end of the game.

11.05 All scheduled post-season all-star games, if scheduled, shall be 6-inning contests using a bat-around order. (Exception: If a Junior League all-star game is scheduled, it shall be 7 innings.) All players shall play a minimum of three (3) innings on defense. Free defensive substitution is permitted, except that a pitcher once removed from the mound may not return to pitch. Pitchers may pitch a maximum of two (2) innings.

11.06 Selection of the travel or tournament teams will be made at such time as determined jointly by the Rutherford Recreation Department and the board of directors. The Recreation Department reserves the right to run travel teams independent of Little League.

11.07 Two (2) umpires will be assigned to all Junior League games. One (1) umpire will be assigned to Major League and Minor League games. The board of directors reserves the right to request that additional umpires be assigned to post-season playoff games. No umpires shall be assigned to Tee Ball games.

11.08 All Team uniforms (shirts, pants, etc.) must be collected by the team’s manager immediately following the team’s last game. (Exception: Players will wear their team uniforms in town All-Star games.) Managers failing to do so will be subject to disciplinary action.

11.09 All players on a tournament team must get any awards given to the rest of that team. If a player leaves a travel or tournament team voluntarily, the board of directors will rule on whether that player may receive or forfeit any or all awards given to the rest of that team.

11.10 If a concession stand is made available to the softball program, the board of directors, together with the Softball Committee, will set a policy for staffing the stand.

11.11 On all fields, each team is responsible for cleaning its own bench/dugout area and bleacher area after each game. If a concession stand is made available, the home team on the immediate nearest softball field is responsible for concession stand garbage, which must be brought over to the Dumpster behind the Recreation building.

11.12 A copy of the original birth certificate must be provided at a player’s initial registration. This will be retained by the League’s player agent. Original birth certificate is required for tournament players.

11.13 If any manager feels that disciplinary action is necessary toward a team member, that manager may submit in writing to the board of directors the actions, events or conditions leading to the need for action. The manager and/or the player may be requested to appear before the board. The board will then take any appropriate action it feels necessary to correct the problem.

11.14 No tobacco or alcohol in any form, including smokeless tobacco, will be allowed on any field during any game or practice. Any person disregarding this rule will face disciplinary action. No smoking is permitted in the clubhouse. Food and gum are not permitted on the field or in the dugout at any time. Water and soft drinks are permitted in the dugout.

11.15 No League member may wear a garment at any League game or practice that advertises, depicts, or promotes a substance or act contradictory to the ideals of Little League Baseball, including but not limited to the use of tobacco or alcoholic beverages. Garments that contain indecent or offensive pictures or slogans are also prohibited. An offender must leave the field immediately.

11.16 The Local Rules may be changed only by membership vote at the Annual Meeting, with the following exceptions:

1. For the 2011 season only, the League shall monitor Local Rule 7 and may mandate midseason changes if necessary.
2. Local Rules 8 and 9, Minor League and Tee Ball Rules, may be changed at any time by joint consent of the managers at the level in question and the board of directors.
3. Any Local Rules that are in conflict with the Rules or Regulations of Little League Baseball, Inc., or any Local Rules involving safety of members and spectators, may be changed at any time by the board of directors.