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Little League Rule Changes for 2025

2025 Little League's "Make The Right Call" Guide Link

Baseball Rules
Little League allows the local league(s) to make some rule adjustments for the benefit of play/players where it makes sense. It may be the number of innings played, additional minimum playing time, at bats, etc. Each division has specific local season rules (agreed upon by the local league and any other local leagues it will play with).

Below are the local rules for each division. If a topic is not covered by the local rules, then the requirements/rules listed in the official Little League Rule Book are to be used. Managers of both teams are responsible for meeting with the Umpire-In-Chief (UIC) before the start of each game to discuss the rules and any questions thereof. If a topic is not covered by either local rules or the Little League Rule Book, the umpire has the final say in his/her ruling(s).

D7 Interleague Baseball Rules 

NCLL Local Baseball Rules 2025 
ALL DIVISIONS JUNIORS and BELOW
Bat the continuous lineup. No player can sit consecutive innings on the bench. 5 runs
per inning (Juniors – 4 runs per inning). 6th /7th inning – no run limit. No forfeits allowed.
May start the game with 8; no penalty for the 9th batting position. Use player pool, or
defensive players from opponent if short players. Courtesy runner (last out) for the
catcher or pitcher at any time.

Pool Players:
Pool players cannot be added beyond the 10th player that day. Pool players cannot
pitch.

T-Ball
75-minute games. Bat the entire roster each half inning. There will be no outs. Ball must
travel 8 feet from home plate to be considered a hit. The last batter in the lineup shall be
announced, and upon hitting the ball will advance all runners including themselves until
they reach home plate. No score will be kept. No catchers allowed.

Coach Pitch
90-minute games. Infield positions will be filled and all other defensive players present
will play the outfield. Coaches pitch from a knee or sitting on a bucket. Pitch from 35’.
Five pitches per at-bat. Foul ball on 5th pitch does not count. No extra bases allowed on infield 
overthrows. Balls hit to the outfield, runners may advance until the ball is returned to the
infield dirt. No stealing. Catchers are optional (but highly encouraged).

Minors AA
No new inning 1:45. Drop dead 2:00. The pitching distance will be 40’. Until April 23 – 1
walk per inning. April 24-May 14 – 2 walks per inning. After May 14 – 3 walks per inning.
The coach will take over after ball four to the batter and assume the strike count. The
play has to be called dead by the umpire before the coach comes in to pitch. No bunting
or stealing while the coach is pitching. Max 50 pitches for any age pitcher. Play 10 on
defense (4 outfielders). Only one base can be stolen per pitch.

Minors AAA
No new inning 1:45. Drop dead 2:00. The pitching distance will be 46’. Play 10 on
defense (4 outfielders).

Majors
No new inning 1:45. Drop dead 2:00. The pitching distance will be 46'.

Juniors
No new inning 1:45. Drop dead 2:00. 4 runs per inning. Unlimited runs in the 7th.

NCLL Local Softball Rules 2025

Ponytails

Games will be limited to 90 minutes. Bases will be set 50 feet apart. Safety balls will be used for all games. Continuous batting order will be used.  All players must play defense. No more than six infielders. All the other players must be in the outfield. Catchers must be used if there are more than 8 players. Less than 8 players a catcher is optional but highly encouraged. Catchers must wear all protective gear. Players may enter and leave the field as needed, with the coach’s approval. Coaches will pitch underhand from approximately 30 feet. Coaches may either stand or kneel while pitching. Pitchers must be positioned to the left or right behind the coach—no players should be positioned in front of the coach. Each batter gets a maximum of five pitches. If the ball is not put into play after five pitches, the batter is out, fouls on fifth pitch do not count. No bunting, stealing, or walks are allowed.  

An infield hit can only result in a single, and runners cannot advance on overthrows. When a hit occurs, a fielder must attempt to make a “softball” play to record an out (See below). Runners may continue to advance on an outfield hit until the ball is returned to the infield dirt. Each team has a five-run limit per half inning.

Clarification “Softball Play”: When the ball is hit in the infield, the player who fields the ball must throw it in the air to another player to make the out. No chasing a runner to make a tag.

Example: If a player fields the ball at shortstop, they should throw the ball to first base or another player, rather than chasing the runner and tagging them.

Example: If the ball is hit to first base and the first baseman fields it, they can attempt a tag or force out, as this is considered a natural play.

Exception: If the pitcher fields the ball and there is no catcher, the pitcher can attempt to tag the runner at home.

Minor and Majors

Mandatory Play- Players should not play the same position for more than two innings. Rotate players from infield and outfield. No player should sit more than one inning per game unless there are discipline issues, injury, or natural player rotation. Repeated offense will be handled with disciplinary action in accordance with the league constitution. This can result in coach suspension. Does not apply to interleague play.