2026 Minors Division Amended Rules

All Official Little League Regulations and Minor League Division Playing Rules apply except as modified below.

During the game only the manager and two coaches are allowed in the dugout.
A coach or manager must be in the dugout at all times during a game.
All managers and coaches must wear close-toed shoes on fields at all times.
Only the manager may discuss the game with the umpire, and only when time has been called and permission to approach has been granted.
Arguing judgment calls will not be tolerated.
No food or snacks are allowed in the dugout.

No inning shall start after 2 hours of play has elapsed.
A 5-run rule applies to innings 1 through 5.
Unlimited runs may be scored beginning in the 6th inning, unless the game ends due to time before reaching the 6th inning.

There is no on-deck circle in Minors. Batters must remain in the dugout without a bat until called to the plate.

Games will not result in a forfeit if a team arrives with 8 players or fewer.
During regular season, the short-handed team will borrow the batting team’s last out to play left or right field defensively.
During the tournament, no players will be borrowed.

Little League 10 and 15-run rules apply during tournament and seeding games.
2-hour time limit does not apply during tournament.
Teams seeded based on last (n-1) games of the season.
Higher seed chooses home/away in winner’s bracket.
Loser’s bracket home/away determined by coin flip.
Winner’s bracket team chooses home/away for championship.

Continuous batting order is used.
Free defensive substitutions allowed each inning.
All players must play a minimum of 3 defensive innings per game.
All players must play at least 2 defensive innings in the infield, except for injury, absence, or Code of Conduct violations.
Players must rotate positions.
Players beginning as reserves must start the following game.

League Age 9–11 pitchers: 65 pitch limit first 6 games; 75 pitch limit thereafter.
League Age 8 pitchers: 50 pitch limit at all times.
Pitchers may finish pitching to a batter if pitch limit is reached mid at-bat.
Managers must use at least three pitchers per game during first five games.
All calendar rest requirements and pitching/catching rules per Little League must be followed.
Rule 8.05(a) (balks) will not be enforced.
Violation of pitching rules will result in manager suspension and disciplinary action.

Downloadable File