Willow Glen Little League

Division Rules: AAA

2026 AAA Rules

2025 AAA Rules Update v1 (2/12/26)

V3 2024-04-05 Amended “End of Game” section

V2 2024-03-07: Added “Pitchers/Catchers” section

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WGLL AAA follows the Little League Rule Book (click here to learn more and download it). These supplemental “AAA” rules are made by Willow Glen Little League and are expected to be followed, just as are the rules from the Little League Rule Book

Important “AAA” Rule clarifications

Games Prior to March 8th

Any weekday game or the 330pm Saturday game, played before March 8th shall have a “hard stop” game end at the stated “Sunset Time” (as described below).

First Pitch / Time Announcement:

The home plate umpire shall announce the time (the official “Game Start”) to both Managers and the fans, immediately prior to the “first pitch” of the game.

Home Plate Umpire Announcement:

The “last inning” must be announced clearly to both managers & the fans in the bleachers by the home plate umpire.

End of Game Determination

Pre-Season (The “first game” played between each of the 7 AAA teams, will not count towards the regular season standings)

The first time every team plays each other will NOT count towards the AAA Division Playoff Standings. All games will end at the earlier of 6 innings or at the stated “Sunset Time” (as determined by entering a Google Search of “what time is sunset today in 95125”). The umpire shall clearly alert both Managers 15-minutes prior to the Stated Sunset time for that day and shall alert both Managers and fans behind home plate what time the game will end (ie…the Stated Sunset time for that day). At the Stated Sunset time, the umpire will end the game immediately (or at the conclusion of a play if the ball is in play at the Stated Sunset time), regardless of the situation/status, etc…of the current game being played.

During this Pre-Season period, there will be no “extra innings” in the event the game is tied after 6 complete innings.

Regular Season (From the point that all teams have played each other one time and are now playing a team for the 2nd time thru the End of Regular Season)

6 innings is the maximum amount of innings that may be played (unless the game is tied after 6 full innings and no time constraints (below) have been met. However, rain, lack of light or (on the weekend) a scheduled game proceeding the current game, may cause the game to end prior to 6 innings being played. At the time that is 90 minutes after the “first pitch”, both Managers shall meet at home plate and shall determine what inning shall be the last inning. This 105 minute mark will likely occur in the during an inning and Managers are expected to use their best judgement (along with the home plate umpire) and this conversation should be brief.

In the event the game is tied after the last inning has been determined or the 6 inning has been completed, both teams may continue to play until the earlier of the following occurs; (1) the stated sunset time occurs prior to the extra-inning game being fully complete or (2) the 130 time limit maximum (from “first pitch”) of a game, is met. Regardless of the score at either points above (item 1 or item 2), if the extra-inning game has not been completed, the game shall end in a “tie”.

Inclement Weather / Field Conditions during a game

The umpires shall have discretion (with consultation from both Managers), as to whether or not rain or field conditions have become an impediment sufficient enough to call the end of the game. In the event a game is called prior to 3 complete innings, IT DOESN’T COUNT. ATTEMPT TO RECHULES. that game shall end in a “tie”, regardless of the score at the time the game was determined to not be able to be completed due to inclement weather.

Extra Inning Games

The maximum length for a game that is tied after 6 full innings shall be 130 minutes from the stated time of the “first pitch” of that game. In no event shall a gae exceed 130 minutes.

Mercy Rule

The Mercy Rule shall be applied in any of the following scenarios. (1) a 15-run lead after 3 innings (or 2.5 if home team leads) or (2) a 10-run lead after 4 innings (or 3.5 if home team leads). If either of these two hurdles are met, the game shall end and the team leading shall be deemed the winner of the game.

Five Run Rule:

A team may only score five runs in an inning unless it is the last inning of the game. If it is the last inning, the team may bat through the lineup. No batter may have more than one plate appearance per inning. If the teams have uneven number of players, the team with lesser players may continue batting until it has matched the other team.

Playing Time

No eligible player may sit on the bench (while their team is in the field) for more than 1 consecutive inning

There is no infield play requirement

Warm-Up Pitches

Pitchers will be allowed 6 warm up pitches in-between innings, as will any pitcher who comes into the game in relief.

On-Deck Circle

Only the batter at the plate can be outside of the dugout. There is no “on deck circle” in AAA.

Adults in Dugout

The only adults allowed in the dugout/field are the Manager and the 2 assistant coaches.

Managers responsibility to know the LL Rule Book Rules

In addition to these AAA “league specific rules”, Managers & Assistant Coaches are responsible for knowing the LL Rule Book.

Conduct between Managers & Umpires

Only Managers can request to talk with the home plate umpire and the home plate umpire must call “time” and allow the Manager to approach. If a Manager would like to speak to the umpire on the bases, that Manager must first get permission from the home plate umpire to do so.

At no time should any adult (including Assistant Coaches) on the field (other than a Manager) speak to or request to speak to an umpire.

In the event the home plate umpire is not an adult, anytime a Manager speaks to a youth home plate umpire, both Managers must be present at the discussion. It is the responsibility of the home plate umpire to pause the conversation and ask the opposing Manager to join. No Managers can speak to a youth home plate umpire during the game without the other Manager present for the conversation

Dropped third strike:

There is no dropped 3rd strike rule in AAA.

Pitchers/Catchers: This rule is in effect for the PreSeason (2/24-3/24).

From the start of the regular season, through March 24th, ALL PLAYERS shall have a maximum pitch count of 50 pitches. “Pitch Count” is determined by the LL Rule Book definition. Beginning on March 25th refer to the Green Book for players pitch count max, as determined by the players Little League Age. *(Note: It is the Managers responsibility to know the LL Age of his players)
1. Pitch count is determined by a combination of (1) the Little League Age of the pitcher in question and (2) the number of calendar days that have elapsed since the pitcher in question last pitched in a game.
Catchers who catch 4 total innings in a game, are not eligible to pitch in that same game. *(Note: Per the LL Rule Book, a catcher that catches “one live pitch” in the 4th inning, will be deemed to have played the position of catcher for 4 innings)
Pitchers who throw more than 40 game pitches, are not eligible to catch in that same game.

Team On/Off Field

All Managers should make sure their teams are taking the field in a timely manner in between half innings. If your catcher has hit in the half inning and is back in the dugout prior to the half inning ending, they should be getting their gear on when they arrive back in the dugout.

Cage Use Prior to the Games

Neither team playing on a given day will be allowed to use the cages prior to or during that days game.

Warm Up Area’s on Saturday’s for games 2-4 on the Major Field

The team in the 1st base dugout will warm up in the grass area outside of the RF fence of the Majors Field. The team in the 3rd base dugout will warm up in the grass area outside of the LF fence of the Majors Field.