Powhatan Little League – House Rules
All Little League® Rules and Regulations are in effect for every division.
The following Powhatan Little League (PLL) House Rules add requirements or clarifications where needed to ensure player safety, fairness, and consistent game operations.
Where PLL House Rules are more restrictive, PLL House Rules govern.
SECTION 1: Universal House Rules
(Applies to ALL divisions unless otherwise noted)
1. Sportsmanship, Conduct & Authority
Good sportsmanship is required at all times.
No arguing judgment calls. Only the Manager or Acting Manager may ask the umpire for rule clarification and challenge calls.
Abusive language, taunting, or unsportsmanlike behavior by players, coaches, or spectators is prohibited.
The umpire controls pace of play and game flow.
The umpire has final authority on weather delays, game suspensions, and rule enforcement.
Repeated or severe violations may result in warnings, removal from the game, ejection, or additional league discipline.
2. Player Safety & Equipment (Little League Baseline + PLL Add-Ons)
All batters and base runners must wear a NOCSAE-certified batting helmet (Little League rule).
Additional helmet requirements (face masks and/or chin straps) are PLL House Rules and are defined by division (see Division Matrix below).
Players must remain in the dugout when not on the field.
No bat swinging outside the batter’s box or designated warm-up areas.
Catchers must wear full protective gear (helmet/mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards).
No head-first sliding except when returning to a base.
Thrown bats or equipment may result in a warning or an out, at the umpire’s discretion.
Only league-approved equipment may be used.
3. On-Field Play & Contact
Slash bunting is prohibited (show bunt then swing = out).
Intentional collisions or malicious contact are prohibited.
Player’s pitch for Majors and below pitch from 46 feet (standard distance), 50/70 from 50 ft, and Seniors at 60 ft
Runners must slide or attempt to avoid contact when a play is being made.
Interference and obstruction will be enforced.
4. Pace of Play & Game Management
No stalling tactics.
Mound visits and delays are limited.
Teams must be ready to take the field promptly.
Defensive transitions must not exceed 2 minutes, except for catcher warm-up.
A new inning may not begin after the time limit unless permitted by division rules.
5. Player Participation
No player may sit more than one defensive inning until all players have sat once.
No player may sit consecutive defensive innings, unless due to illness, injury, or disciplinary action.
Pitchers and catchers do not need to sit in the middle of their active rotation, but will need to sit if all other players have sat when they are pulled from their active position. Players cannot switch from pitcher to catcher or catcher to pitcher without sitting if all other team players
Where applicable, each player must play at least two innings in the infield, unless deemed a safety issue and discussed with the Division Director and parent/guardian.(Pool Players, 50/70, and Seniors are exempt from this rule)
6. Rosters & Minimum Players
Games may begin with 8 players. (Exception Tee ball and Adv Tee Ball)
Missing batting positions are skipped with no penalty.
Late-arriving players are added to the bottom of the batting order.
7. Coaches, Adults & Dugouts
Only rostered players, approved coaches, and league-approved volunteers may be in dugouts or on the field.
One adult must remain in the dugout at all times.
All coaches, dugout parents, and practice helpers must have valid background checks.
Maximum 4 adults allowed in the dugout/field per game in all divisions.
Tball - Minors: PLL covers the jersey and hat for the Manager and three assistants; Additional adults will need to purchase their own jersey.
Majors and above, PLL covers the jersey and hat for the Manager and two assistants. Additional adults will need to purchase their own jersey.
8. Pitch Counts, Challenges & GameChanger
Manager challenges are limited to two per game where applicable.
Pitch counts must be verified at inning breaks where applicable.
Pitch counts must be communicated per division rules.
GameChanger will be used for scheduling and communication in all divisions; scoring, stats, and pitch counts where applicable.
SECTION 2: House Rules by Division
(Only PLL-specific additions or overrides are listed)
Tee Ball – Instructional
Game Length - Each team batting through the line up twice, Maximum of 1 hour
All players bat each inning; no outs or score kept
No catchers
Defensive pitcher and first baseman must wear helmet with face mask and chin strap
All batters and runners must wear helmet with face mask and chin strap
Batters advance one base at a time
10-foot fair ball arc in front of home plate (ball on line is fair)
All players play every inning on defense; no sitting
Defensive rotation every inning; each player must play infield at least once
Defensive pitcher must start with one foot inside the pitching circle
Two defensive coaches behind outfielders
Tee Ball – Advanced
Follows Tee Ball – Instructional rules except where modified below
3 innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first, no new inning starts after 50 mins
Every player should lead off at least one of the season games.
Coach pitches from 36–42 feet
Batter receives 3 pitches, then ball placed on tee
No strikeouts
Ball hitting pitching coach = dead ball, runners advance one base
Traditional 5-player infield
Each player must play 2 innings in the infield
Defensive pitcher and first baseman must wear helmet with face mask and chin strap
Two defensive coaches behind outfielders + one at backstop
No advancing on over throws
Minors – Coach Pitch
6 innings or 1:30
3 outs or 5 runs per inning
5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes
Halfway lines will be marked between 1st and 2nd & 2nd and 3rd & 3rd and home
Foul balls after 5th pitch extend at-bat
Coach Pitcher will pitch from 37-43 feet
No underhand pitching
10 defensive players (4 outfielders)
Defensive pitcher must wear helmet with face mask and chin strap
Runners stop when ball is controlled in the baseline (halfway rule applies)
Two defensive coaches behind outfielders + one at backstop
Each player must play 2 infield innings
One base on an overthrow per at bat
Minors – Rookies
6 innings or 1:30
3 outs or 5 runs per inning
Player pitch from 46 feet (standard distance)
Max 2 innings or 35 pitches per game
No pitching in consecutive games
Coach pitch after 4 balls; strike count carries (Coach Pitcher only has the remaining number of strikes to pitch)
No walks
Hit batter, by a kid pitcher only, awards first base
No stealing; no advancing on passed balls
9 defensive players
Helmet required; face mask/cheek guard strongly encouraged
Halfway lines will be marked between 1st and 2nd & 2nd and 3rd & 3rd and home
Runners stop when ball is controlled in the baseline (halfway rule applies)
Pitch counts verified and reported post-game
1 Coach will be at the backstop to guide and COACH the catcher; Coaches can not touch a ball,
Minors – Kid Pitch
6 innings; no new inning after 1:45
3 outs or 5 runs per inning
Walked batters stop at first (error exception)
Helmet required; face mask/cheek guard strongly encouraged
Pitch counts verified and reported
Majors
6 innings; no new inning after 1:45
3 outs or 7 runs per inning
Helmet required
Pitch counts verified and reported
Intermediate 50/70
7 innings; no new inning after 2:00
3 outs or 7 runs per inning
Helmet required
Metal spikes allowed, except on pitching mounds
One balk warning per pitcher per game
Seniors
7 innings; no new inning after 2:15
3 outs or 7 runs per inning
Helmet required
Metal spikes allowed, except on pitching mounds