News and Announcements
The 2012 district meeting will be held Sunday April 29th 10:00 a.m. at the Houlton Elks lodge. Leagues are reminded that they must be present at the meeting or their leagues team will travel for the first round of the district 11&12 baseball tournament. Leagues should know what teams they will be placing in the district tournaments.
If there has been a change in League president please e-mail d3umpires@gmail.com with the updated information.
Little League International has been advised that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has provided official notice that the BBCOR decertification process has been implemented for the Reebok Vector-TLS 33-inch model bat.
Effectively immediately and until notified otherwise, this bat (Reebok Vector-TLS 33-inch length) should be considered non-compliant and subject to Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Rules 1.10 and 6.06(d).
It should be noted that the National Federation of State High School Associations has taken similar action.
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DATE: March 9, 2012
TO: All District and Local League Personnel
FROM: Patrick Wilson
Senior Vice President, Operations and Program Development
SUBJECT: Non-Compliance of Nike Bat Model #Aero CX2-BT0636
Little League Baseball, Incorporated has been informed that Nike Bat Model #Aero CX2-BT0636 has failed recent performance standard compliance testing.
Effective immediately, Nike Bat Model #Aero CX2-BT0636, including all graphic variations, is not eligible, or approved, for use in any Little League program or activity.
To view photos of the bats, Click Here. http://www.littleleague.org/media/Non-ComplianceofNikeBatModel_AeroCX2-BT0636Photos.htm
Concussion Information Provided for Little League Volunteers
Little League Baseball and Softball has always been at the forefront regarding the safety and well-being of children.
In an effort to provide all Little League personnel with the most current information on concussions, the youth baseball organization has created an informational page on its website that also includes links to training information and ways to recognize signs and symptoms of a concussion.
As the assessment and treatment of concussions and concussion-like symptoms has evolved, many states have enacted laws designed to educate people about concussions, and protect the health and safety of young athletes.
Little League International has compiled a summary of all currently-existing and proposed state laws regarding concussions. The summary of concussion-related state laws can be found at: http://www.littleleague.org/learn/programs/childprotection/concussions.htm.
Some state laws are only applicable to school-sponsored athletics, or to activities taking place on school-owned property. Other laws are applicable to all youth sports organizations, whether, or not, they are affiliated with a school district.
It is strongly-recommended that local leagues consult with legal counsel in their jurisdiction to determine the applicability of state laws regarding concussions occurring while children are participating in the Little League program.
Not every state has adopted concussion laws and not every state's concussion law is applicable to a local Little League program. Nevertheless, in keeping with its focus on protecting the health, safety and welfare of children, Little League Baseball and Softball strongly encourages all leagues and teams to not only comply with any applicable state laws, but also to review the information and training materials on concussions which is available (free of charge) on the Centers For Disease Control website. The latest concussion information from the Centers for Disease control can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html.
It is essential that each league review this material in order to understand its responsibilities regarding when and how to address concussions.
Little League’s 2012 Rulebooks Now Available for Purchase
The 2012 Little League rulebooks have arrived and are available for purchase. As in previous years, the retail price for each of the three books (Baseball, Softball and Challenger Division) is $7 each.
As always, local leagues will receive a supply of free rulebooks (one per team) when applying for their annual charter. The support of our National Sponsors allows us to provide these to you.
Orders can be made in person; by phone (1-800-874-2852); or through the Little League On-Line Store, at: www.LittleLeagueStore.net. Shipping and additional charges will apply for all phone or Internet sales.
If a League President or District Administrator wishes to order more rulebooks at a discounted rate, he or she may do so by:
- Presenting their League or District ID Number in person at the Little League Store on the Little League International Complex in South Williamsport, Pa. (price reduced to $2).
- Presenting their League or District ID Number by telephone when calling the Little League Store (price reduced to $2).
- Presenting their League or District ID Number in person at one of Little League’s five region headquarters in the United States (Eastern - Bristol, Conn.; Southeastern - Warner Robins, Ga.; Central - Indianapolis; Southwestern - Waco, Texas; Western - San Bernardino, Calif. - price reduced to $2).
The rules also are available electronically. The Little League E-Rules may be ordered by anyone for $20, and allows the purchaser to place a copy of the Baseball, Softball and Challenger Rule Books on any two computers.
Those League Presidents or District Administrators who present a League/District ID Number by one of the three methods listed above will receive a discount of $10 for every additional E-Rules subscription ordered. (District Administrators receive one free copy each.)
In the coming weeks, the 2012 Little League Baseball, Little League Softball and Little League Challenger Division rules and regulations also will be available through a mobile phone application created by FunMobility, a licensee of Little League Baseball and Softball. The app will be available for purchase on the Android marketplace and on iTunes.
2012 Note Worthy Baseball Playing Rule Changes
Note Worthy 2012 Rule Changes
Dropped Third Strike
One of the biggest rule changes coming for baseball in 2012 is the dropped third strike rule coming to Little League majors. Local leagues will have the opportunity to make a league rule not to use this rule. It will apply for 11-12 and 10-11 baseball tournaments.
Rule 6.05(b) in the Baseball Rule Book has been amended to read:
6.05 - A batter is out when -
(b) Little League (Majors)/Junior/Senior/Big League –
(1) a third strike is legally caught by the catcher;
(2) a third strike is not caught by the catcher when first base is occupied before two are out. Minor League and Tee Ball: A third strike is caught or not caught by the catcher. Option: A local league may elect to apply the Minor League and Tee Ball rule for the Little League (Major Division) for the regular season.
Summary and Implementation: During the 2012 season, for the Major Baseball Division, players may advance on a third strike that is not caught in flight by the catcher. However, local leagues may opt to use the Minor League and Tee Ball rule noted above, for the Major Baseball Division, instead. This option applies only for the regular season. In Tournament play, the rule will be implemented as noted above for the Majors Division. The rule for tournament play in 10-11 is noted below.
Tournament Rule 3 in the Baseball Rule Book has been amended to read, in part:
NOTE: In the 10-11 Tournament Division, the batter may advance on a dropped third strike (6.09(b)). These rules will not apply for the 9-10 Tournament Division.
Summary and Implementation: For the 2012 International Tournament, the 10-11 Year Old Tournament Division players may advance on a dropped third strike.
Use of an Illegal Bat
With all the changes to the bat rules for the baseball divisions Little League Baseball Inc. has now implemented penalties for use of an illegal bat during a game.
Rule 6.06(d) in the Baseball Rule Book has been amended to read:
A batter is out for illegal action when -
(d) The batter enters the batter’s box with one or both feet entirely on the ground with an illegal bat (see bat specifications rule 1.10) or is discovered having used an illegal bat prior to the next player entering the batter’s box.
Note: If the infraction is discovered before the next player enters the batter’s box following the turn at bat of the player who used an illegal bat:
1) The manager of the defense may advise the plate umpire of a decision to decline the penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play.
2) For the first violation, the offensive team will lose one eligible adult base coach for the duration of the game.
3) For the second violation, the manager of the team will be ejected from the game. Any subsequent violation will result in the newly designated manager being ejected.
Summary and Implementation: For the 2012 season, this imposes penalties for the use of an illegal bat in a game.
