All play shall be governed by the current Official Regulations and Playing Rules as published by Little League Baseball, Inc., and the following Ground Rules adopted by the EMNLL Board of Directors:

1. An inning may not begin after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the scheduled start of the game unless the field was not playable due to weather or available due to a previous game. No inning may be started after 9:45 p.m.

2. The number of coaches on a field during a game is as follows:
-Two (2) adults in dugout when batting.
-One (1) or two (2) adult base coaches. The EMNLL Board adopted the Little League option of allowing two adult base coaches.
-One (1) eligible player in uniform and wearing a batting helmet may serve as a base coach if the option is not chosen.
-Three (3) adults in dugout when fielding.

3. There will be a four (4) run limit per inning. If after 4 innings (3 and 1/2 if the Home team is ahead) a team has a lead of fifteen (15) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede victory to the opponent. If after 5 innings (4 and 1/2 if the Home team is ahead) a team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede victory to the opponent.

4. In the 6th inning, if the Away team is behind by more than four (4) runs, they may score as many runs as needed to tie. If the Home team is behind by more than four (4) runs, they may score as many runs as needed to tie, but no more.

5. Base coaches must remain in the coaching box. After one (1) warning, the base coach may be removed from the field.

6. Refer to the Little League rule book regarding pitchers, the number of innings a player can pitch during a week, and the required rest periods.

7. League age 12 year old players cannot pitch. League age is defined as obtaining the age of 12 by April 30, 2006.

8. All players will bat throughout the game; players may leave and re-enter the game provided that each player is in the field a minimum of two consecutive innings.

9. A player removed from the field as a pitcher may not re-enter the game as a pitcher.

10. A runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make tag (see rule 7.08a).

11. Headfirst slides are not allowed (exception: returning to a base).

12. Managers or coaches may not warm up a pitcher at home plate, in the bullpen, or anywhere else at anytime (see rule 3.09). They may, however, stand by to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bullpen.

13. Keep the game moving. At the beginning of each inning, the pitcher shall be permitted to throw no more than eight (8) preparatory pitches to the catcher. Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one (1) minute of time (rule 8.03). If the catcher is not ready to take warm up pitches, another player wearing a protective cup and a catcher’s face mask may warm up the pitcher.

14. During a team’s offensive half of the inning, if the catcher is a base runner and there are two (2) outs, then a pinch runner shall be sent in for the catcher to allow him time to get ready for the defensive half. The pinch runner will be the last offensive player to be put out in the inning.

15. Manager, coaches, and players shall remain in the dugout when not on the field during the entire game.

16. There is no “on deck” position for batters during any game. The next batter must remain in the dugout until his time at bat. Players may not have a bat in hand unless leaving the dugout to bat and may not swing a bat until in or next to the batter’s box. Players are not allowed to enter the field between half innings or others times during the game to swing his bat prior to his time at bat.

17. Each player can play only two (2) innings per game at any position, with the exception of pitcher.

Other:
1. Field maintenance is every manager’s and coach’s responsibility.
2. Each team is responsible for cleaning out the dugout and stands after the game.
3. The last team(s) to play or practice on Thursday night should repair damage to the field such as filing holes in the pitching mound and batter’s box so the field is ready for Saturday play. Also, players should not be digging holes at the pitcher’s mound.
4. Food is not allowed in the dugouts. Drinks other than water should be in closed containers.
5. If it has been a rainy day, it is the managers' and coaches' responsibility to arrive at the field early to get it ready for play.
6. Each team will provide a game ball at every game.
7. The home team provides a scorekeeper for the game.

Approved for 2007 by East Marietta National Little League Board of Directors