Pajaro Valley Little League

Local Rules Handbook – Modern Edition (2026)

SECTION 1: PLAYER REGISTRATION, TRYOUTS & DRAFT SYSTEM
A. Tryouts Requirements
- Per Regulation IV(f), the league will hold at least two tryouts, one week apart.
- All players league age 7+ must attend at least one tryout to be draft-eligible for Major, AAA, or AA.
- Returning Major players must also try out unless granted exemption.
- A second tryout will focus on late signups and missed evaluations.
B. Draft Eligibility
- All league-age 10–12 players who try out must be drafted to Majors or AAA/AA.
- Players who decline a Major selection forfeit Major eligibility for the season.
- Post-draft signups enter teams first-come-first-served and are not Majors-eligible unless approved.
C. Major Division Draft System
- The league uses Little League “Plan B – Redraft.”
- All Major players must be league age 10, 11, or 12.
- The league adopts Rule 6.09(b) for dropped third strikes.
D. Minor Division Structure
- AAA: League ages 8–11, full player pitch.
- AA: League ages 7–9. Continuous batting order; see AA Game Instructions.
- A Division: League ages 6–8, coach pitch.
- 7-year-olds must try out to be AA-eligible.
- Draft positions for AAA/AA are drawn randomly. A Division rosters are assigned by committee.
E. Tee Ball
- Ages 5–6 only. League-age 4 not permitted.

- A returning 6-year-old who has played Tee Ball may be drafted into A Division.
F. Replacement Players
- Managers must notify the Player Agent immediately upon losing a player.
- Replacement must be selected within 1 week or the PA will assign one.

SECTION 2: GAME SCHEDULES, TIME LIMITS & PLAYING TIME
A. Game Times
- Weekday games begin at 5:30 pm; Saturday times vary by site.
B. AAA & AA Flex Time Limit
- Standard limit: 2 hours.
- No new inning begins with 10 minutes or less remaining.
- Games may not start with fewer than 8 players per team.
- Per Regulation V(c), pool players may be used if short on players.
C. Playing with 8 Players
- If a team has 8 players, the 9th lineup spot is skipped per Rule 6.05.
D. Non-Enforced Rules (Regular Season Only)
- The “foot in box” rule (6.05b) is not enforced.
- Stealing signs rule (9.01d) is not enforced.
E. Majors Time Limit
- Majors have no time limit.
F. Mercy Rule
- The league adopts the official 15/10/8 mercy rule (Rule 4.10e).
- Courtesy runner rule 7.14(b) is allowed for Majors and AAA.

G. Regular Season & Tournaments
- Majors and AAA will play a full schedule followed by a double-elimination playoff.
- Standings determine seeding; ties resolved by head-to-head, then coin flip.
- AA & A have no standings and no playoffs.
H. AAA Five-Run Rule for Seeding
- Rule 5.07 (five-run limit) applies in AAA regular season.
I. Minimum Playing Requirements
- All Majors and AAA players must play six complete games per season.
- Violations may result in penalty games or coaching ineligibility.
J. Minimum In-Game Participation
- Any player not reaching 1 at-bat and 6 defensive outs in a 4+ inning game must play the entire next
game.
- Majors use Continuous Batting Order (Rule 4.04).
K. Additional Penalties
- Refer to Regulation IV(i).
L. Sportsmanship Rule
- Once pitcher is set on the rubber, all chanting from the opposing dugout is prohibited.
M. Double First Base Rule (Safety Base)
- The white base is for the defense; the orange safety base is for the runner on the initial play.
- Batter-runner must use the orange base when a play is being made.
- Runner may use white base when rounding, returning, or if no play is made.
- Defense must use the white portion.
- Blocking the orange base = obstruction.
- Runner using white on initial play may be called out if interfering.

- Errant throws allow use of either portion to avoid collision.

SECTION 3: GENERAL LEAGUE OPERATIONS
A. No food or drink on field or dugout except water/sports drinks. Seeds optional per manager.
B. Teams clean dugouts after each game.
C. Umpire complaints must be submitted in writing to the league.

SECTION 4: ALL-STAR SELECTION
A. Teams: 8–10, 11, and 12-year-olds.
B. Major players vote for top six in their age group (cannot vote for teammates). These form advisory
ballots.
C. Managers review ballots and select 12s roster; 11s may be added unanimously.
D. Managers then select 11s roster.
E. AAA managers choose 8/9/10 roster.
F. Coaching staffs appointed by board subcommittee.

SECTION 5: AA GAME INSTRUCTIONS
- Time limit: 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Pitchers must pitch from 46 ft; pitch count rules enforced.
- Player pitch begins each at-bat. After 3 balls, coach pitches up to 3 hittable pitches.
- 5-run or 3-out limit per inning.
- Continuous batting order; rotate defensive positions.
- Stealing 2nd and 3rd allowed; no stealing home.
- Nine defensive players only.

SECTION 6: A DIVISION GAME INSTRUCTIONS
- Primary goal: teaching and enjoyment.
- 1.5-hour limit.
- 5-run or 3-out limit.
- 5 pitches max; foul on 5th pitch continues.
- No scorekeeping.
- Continuous batting order and defensive rotation.
- Safety gear required (helmets, catcher's gear).
- Adult must escort players to restroom.

SECTION 7: TEE BALL GAME INSTRUCTIONS
- 1-hour limit; typically 3–4 innings.
- Every player plays defensively each inning; rotate positions.
- No scorekeeping.
- Each team bats entire lineup each inning.
- Helmets required; no on-deck batters.
- Coaches on field to assist.

SECTION 8: SELECTION & APPROVAL OF COACHES
- President nominates, board approves all coaches.
- Background checks mandatory.
- Returning coach-parents may remain with prior teams if approved.
- Coaches are expected to prioritize player development and safety.
- Discipline may include suspension or removal.