News and Announcements

Post Author Picture

Bright Futures

Posted by Joe Hornstein at Mar 6, 2013 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
Are you looking for a fun way to earn COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS?

BRIGHT FUTURES

If you are 13 or older, you may earn volunteer hours here at LLLL as a Jr. Umpire

Sign up today or call 352-205-1628 or email:

Jr Umpires - Joe at LLLLUIC@gmail.com 

o
r 15-18 years old as a concession worker.

Concession - Stacey at surban7771@hotmail.com

At LLLL we need High School Students to work as Umpires, Scorekeepers, Snack Bar workers, Field Crew and Maintenance people. We will train you in the volunteer job that you desire to help in.

We need your help and you need the hours

What could be better than to earn hours at a Baseball Game?

Post Author Picture

57 Little League Rule Myths

Posted by Joe Hornstein at Mar 6, 2013 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
Many misunderstandings on the field are the result of "Everybody Knows That..." rules myths. Listed below are a collection of common mis-beliefs about Little League baseball rules. Each of these statements are false.
  1. The ball is dead on a foul tip.
  2. A batted ball that hits the plate is a foul ball.
  3. The base coach can't leave the coach's box during play or he/she will be guilty of interference.
  4. A batter-runner cannot overrun first base on a base-on-balls.
  5. A fly ball that is deflected over the fence is a ground rule double.
  6. A base runner cannot be guilty of interference on a ground ball if he or she doesn't touch the fielder.
  7. A batter who bats of order is out.
  8. The pitcher gets eight warm-up pitches between innings.
  9. If a pitch hits a player's hands it's considered a foul ball, since hands are considered part of the bat.
  10. When the catcher blocks the plate without the ball, it should be called interference.
  11. The runner must always slide when the play is close.
  12. In order to be called out on a caught foul ball, the batted ball must go higher than the batter's head.
  13. On an overthrow out of play, the runners get 1 plus 1; the base he/she is going to plus one base.
  14. If a fielder holds a fly ball for two seconds it's a legal catch, even if he/she drops it thereafter.
  15. A runner who runs more the three feet away from a direct line between bases is out of the baseline and should be called out.
  16. In order to satisfy the mandatory playing rule, players must play six consecutive defensive outs.
  17. If a batter is batting out of turn, the scorekeeper should let the umpire know.
  18. When it's getting dark, the league president or safety officer can order the game halted.
  19. On a double play ball, it's mandatory for the runner going into second to slide or get out of the way.
  20. The runner is out if tagged when he/she turns to the left after crossing first base.
  21. It can't be an Infield Fly if the infielder is standing on the outfield grass.
  22. In order for a runner to be called out for interference, it must be intentional.
  23. The home plate umpire can over-rule another umpire if he/she has more experience or a better look at the play.
  24. When the batter backs out of the box when a pitch is delivered, it's an automatic strike.
  25. The batter is out when he/she hits the ball when he/she is touching home plate.
  26. A base coach cannot touch a runner. If he/she does, the runner is out.
  27. A runner cannot be called out if hit by a batted ball while standing on a base.
  28. In order to make a proper appeal play, the pitcher must first take the ball back to the mound.
  29. A batter cannot change from the left-handed to the right-handed batter's box after two strikes.
  30. A pitch that bounces as it comes in cannot be hit.
  31. The batter is not out for interference with the catcher if he/she stays in the batter's box.
  32. All appeals must be made verbally.
  33. Tagging the runner running from first on a ground ball is a tag play, not a force out.
  34. Judgment calls can be appealed if the manager feels that the umpire missed the call.
  35. When a relief pitcher replaces an injured pitcher, he/she gets as many warm-up pitches as he/she wants.
  36. Contact must occur for interference or obstruction to be called.
  37. If a fielder runs into an umpire while chasing a fly ball, this is interference and the batter should be called out.
  38. The batter-runner is always out if he runs outside the running lane after a bunted ball.
  39. Any Little League player who slides headfirst at any time is out.
  40. If the batter breaks his wrists when swinging, it's a strike.
  41. If the batter does not pull the bat out of the strike zone while in the bunting position, it's an automatic strike.
  42. Tie goes to the runner.
  43. Runners may not run the bases in reverse order.
  44. A runner may not steal on a foul tip.
  45. It is a force out when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball.
  46. An appeal on a runner who missed a base cannot be a force out.
  47. Runners may not advance when an infield fly is called.
  48. The batter does not get first base if hit by a pitch after it bounces.
  49. You must tag the base with your foot on a force out or appeal.
  50. The ball is always immediately dead on a balk.
  51. If a player's feet are in fair territory when the ball is touched, it is a fair ball.
  52. If a fielder catches a fly ball and then falls over the fence it is a home run.
  53. The ball is dead anytime the ball hits an umpire.
  54. Runners must stay on their bases until the pitcher releases the ball.
  55. The batter is out if he starts for the dugout before going to first after a dropped third strike.
  56. The pitcher must come to a set position and stop before a pick-off throw.
  57. The pitcher must step off the rubber before a pick-off throw.
Post Author Picture

Ejections

Posted by Joe Hornstein at Mar 6, 2013 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
Ejection from a game is totally avoidable.
  • In most cases a clear understanding of the rule book will prevent a coach from getting upset and losing control over the enforcement of the rules.
  • Mangers must understand they are the leader of their team and when they yell and scream at the umpire the children see that behavior and think it is acceptable. IT IS NOT!
  • If you as a manager feel you need to speak to an umpire ask for time-out and talk to (not yell at) the umpire. Speak to the umpire in the way you would like to be spoken to and do not try to show up or degrade him. That type of behavior will not only get you ejected but also makes the coach/manager look bad in the eyes of the spectators.
  • Umpires are not infallible and do make mistakes just like coaches do when they send a runner home when there is little chance of him scoring safely.
  • If you feel the umpire has misapplied the rules you may ask him to get help. The keyword here is ASK. In most cases, but not all, the umpire will discuss the situation with his partner and then make a final call. This does not mean he will change his call. It will depend on what his partner had seen as well as their combined knowledge of the rules as it pertains to this situation.
  • Managers/coaches that are ejected may not be replaced during the term of their suspension. The remaining manager/coach must remain in the dugout to supervise the players and will not be able to coach the bases. A Player will be utilized at that time to coach bases. The ejected manager/coach must leave the park and not return until after the game is completed.
  • According to Little League rules the manger is suspended from his/her next played game and may not be in attendance. Any manger/coach who refuses to leave the park or stays in the area of the game will have to report to the LLLL discipline committee prior to returning to his/her coaching duty.
  • The umpire does not care who wins the game. His only concern is that the game is played fairly and as safe as possible.
  • The umpire is a volunteer just like everyone involved with LLLL.
  • In many cases the umpire does not have any children in the league and there to help the children of the community.

    REMEMBER, IT'S A GAME FOR THE KIDS,
    not a personal battle between coaches.

    PLEASE READ YOUR RULE BOOK AND ATTEND THE RULES CLINICS OFFERED SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR.

    RESPECT EVERYONE!
Post Author Picture

Top 40 Baseball Rule Myths

Posted by Joe Hornstein at Mar 6, 2013 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
1. The hands are considered part of the bat.
2. The batter-runner must turn to his right after over-running first base.
3. If the batter breaks his wrists when swinging, it's a strike.
4. If a batted ball hits the plate first it's a foul ball.
5. The batter cannot be called out for interference if he is in the batter's box.
6. The ball is dead on a foul-tip.
7. The batter may not switch batter's boxes after two strikes.
8. The batter who batted out of order is the person declared out.
9. The batter may not overrun first base when he gets a base-on-balls.
10. The batter is out if he starts for the dugout before going to first after a dropped third strike.
11. If the batter does not pull the bat out of the strike zone while in the bunting position, it's an automatic strike.
12. The batter is out if a bunted ball hits the ground and bounces back up and hits the bat while the batter is holding the bat.
13. The batter is out if his foot touches the plate.
14. The batter-runner is always out if he runs outside the running lane after a bunted ball.
15. A runner is out if he slaps hands or high-fives other players, after a homerun is hit over the fence.
16. Tie goes to the runner.
17. The runner gets the base he's going to, plus one on a ball thrown out-of-play.
18. Anytime a coach touches a runner, the runner is out.
19. Runners may never run the bases in reverse order.
20. The runner must always slide when the play is close.
21. The runner is always safe when hit by a batted ball while touching a base.
22. A runner may not steal on a foul-tip.
23. It is a force out when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball.
24. An appeal on a runner who missed a base cannot be a force out.
25. A runner is out if he runs out of the baseline to avoid a fielder who is fielding a batted ball.
26. Runners may not advance when an infield fly is called.
27. No run can score when a runner is called out for the third out for not tagging up.
28. A pitch that bounces to the plate cannot be hit.
29. The batter does not get first base if hit by a pitch after it bounces.
30. If a fielder holds a fly ball for 2 seconds it's a catch.
31. You must tag the base with your foot on a force out or appeal.
32. The ball is always immediately dead on a balk.
33. If a player's feet are in fair territory when the ball is touched, it is a fair ball.
34. The ball must always be returned to the pitcher before an appeal can be made.
35. With no runners on base, it is a ball if the pitcher starts his windup and then stops.
36. The pitcher must come to a set position before a pick-off throw.
37. The pitcher must step off the rubber before a pick-off throw.
38. If a fielder catches a fly ball and then falls over the fence it is a homerun.
39. The ball is dead anytime an umpire is hit by the ball.
40. The home plate umpire can overrule the other umps at anytime.
Post Author Picture

Volunteers

Posted by Joe Hornstein at Mar 6, 2013 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
WE NEED YOUR HELP

Volunteers play an exciting, decisive and challenging role within Little League and they are vitally important to the success of every local league organization.

Though the responsibility of being a volunteer is challenging, the personal rewards, friendships and experience can be very satisfying.