⚖️ General Rules

North Metro Little League (NMLL) follows the Official Little League Rulebook, with a few local modifications. Below are the specific guidelines for baseball and softball games:

⚾ Baseball Rules

• District 2 Interlock Games
  (One team is NMLL, the other is from another league)
  → Follow Colorado District 2 Baseball Interlock Bylaw Rules for:

  • Minors Player Pitch

  • Majors Division

  • Intermediate Division

  • Juniors Division

  
  

🥎 Softball Rules

• District 2 Interlock Games
  (One team is NMLL, the other is from another league)
  → Follow Little League Colorado District 2 Interlock Bylaw Rules

• IPGSA Games
  (Recreational-level games played under IPGSA)
  → Follow IPGSA Recreational Level Rules

⚾ Umpire Training

North Metro Little League provides several resources to help new and returning umpires learn the rules, mechanics, and responsibilities needed to confidently officiate games.

📘 Training Documentation

• Little League International Umpire Clinic
  Produced by Little League International. Focuses on field mechanics, rule enforcement, and tricky situations like obstruction vs. interference, catcher’s interference, illegal pitches, and infield fly rule.

• Little League Umpire Rules Instruction Manual
  Reviewed each year during the District 2 Spring Umpire Clinic.

• Umpire Positioning Diagram
  Visual guide for where umpires should position themselves on the field for the best angle to make calls.

• Little League Umpiring 101 (Visual Training for Beginners)
  Helpful visual introduction for new umpires.

• Umpire Bible on Baseball Rules
  Comprehensive reference for understanding baseball rules.

• Little League Rule Myths
  Breaks down common misunderstandings and “myths” about Little League rules.

📑 Forms & Resources for Umpires

Below are quick links to the most important documents every Monarch Little League umpire should have on hand:

• LL Umpire Registry – Official Little League Umpire registration portal.

• Rules Cheat Sheet – Baseball (by division) – Division-specific baseball rules at a glance.

• Rules Cheat Sheet – Softball (by division) – Division-specific softball rules at a glance.

⚾ Umpire Pre-Game Reminders

These reminders are designed to help North Metro Little League umpires ensure games run safely, fairly, and smoothly.

✅ Coaches & Dugout Rules

• All coaches, assistants, and adults on the field must have passed the MLL background check.

• Maximum of 3 coaches per team on the field (1 must remain in the dugout).

• Players must remain in the dugout during games (no trips to stands, no wandering without umpire approval).

• On-deck circle is not allowed (except Intermediate/Junior/Senior). No practice swings behind dugouts.

• Only team players allowed in dugout/on field — bat boys prohibited.

• Coaches, parents, or siblings may not warm up pitchers. Only players can warm up pitchers, and they must wear a catcher’s mask.

✅ Player Safety

• Helmets must be worn at all times while on the field.

• Catchers must wear full protective gear: mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, and cup.

• On close plays at home: runner should slide or avoid contact but it is not mandatory per LL.

• No head-first sliding into bases (except when returning).

• Minors & Majors: runners may not leave the base until the pitch crosses home plate.

✅ Game Duration

• Minors & Majors: 6 innings; no new inning after 1 hr 50 min.

• Majors Interlock: 6 innings; no new inning after 2 hrs (unless tied).

  • Legal game: 3.5 innings (home team winning) / 4 innings (visitors winning).

• Intermediate & Juniors Interlock: 7 innings; no new inning after 2 hrs (unless tied).

  • Legal game: 4.5 innings (home winning) / 5 innings (visitors winning).

✅ Equipment Checklist

• Bats: ≤ 2.25” barrel, 32” length max.

• Catcher’s gear: throat guard + shin guards + mask.

• No metal cleats allowed.

• Helmets on at all times.

• Pitch count & log must be signed at end of game.

✅ Weather & Safety

• Umpire decides if conditions are safe for play.

• Lightning: 6/30 Rule → if lightning is within 6 miles, fields cleared.

  • Delay: 30 min before resuming; clock resets at each strike

  • If still storming after 30 min → game called.

  • All players must seek shelter (not dugouts).

✅ Umpire Tips

• Walk the field before every game to check for safety.

• Calls must be loud and authoritative — confidence matters.

• Stand by your call unless your partner saw something clearly different.

• First infraction (dugout/parents on field) = warning. Second infraction = out.

• Most important: Have fun!