2026 Intermediate Division Amended Rules
All Official Little League Regulations and Intermediate Division Playing Rules apply except as modified below.
Rules for Managers
- 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.
- 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.
- Metal cleats (“spikes”) are not allowed.
Game Time Limit
No inning shall start after 2 hours and 15 minutes of play has elapsed.
An inning is deemed to have started immediately on the final out of the previous inning.
Exhibition Games
- A 5-run rule applies to all innings during exhibition games.
Minimum Players – Regular Season
- Games will not result in a forfeit if a team arrives with fewer than 9 players.
- Teams unable to field 9 players will borrow player(s) from the batting team in last-out order.
- Borrowed players will be placed first in the outfield (left/right), then center field, then infield at manager’s discretion.
Minimum Players – Tournament
- No game may start or continue if a team cannot field at least 8 players.
- No borrowed players during tournament.
- If a team cannot field 8 players, the decision is delegated per league hierarchy (Umpire-in-Chief, President, Vice-President, or field umpire).
- Possible outcomes include:
- Forfeiture, or
- Postponement up to 20 minutes to allow players to arrive.
Run Rules
- Little League 10 and 15-run rules apply during tournament and seeding games.
- Run rules are not used during exhibition games.
End of Season Tournament
- 2 hour 15 minute time limit does not apply during tournament.
- Teams seeded based on records from the last 2 × (n-1) games.
- 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.
Batting Order, Substitutions & Playing Time
- Continuous batting order is used.
- Free substitution adopted; managers may alternate defensive players every other inning.
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Players must play:
- 3 defensive innings if game reaches regulation 7 innings.
- 2 defensive innings if game is shortened.
- Exceptions: injury, absence/late arrival, Code of Conduct violations.
Pitching & Catching
- All calendar rest requirements and pitching/catching rules per Little League must be followed.
- During exhibition games, a balk may be called for instruction, but it will not be enforced (runners do not advance).
Downloadable File