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Hey, Blue! – Mandatory Play Uses Continuous Batting Order During Tournament Games

umpires talking

We will explain a situation regarding the application of the Mandatory Play Continuous Batting Order rule (Tournament Rule 9) during the Little League® International Tournament. The situation described below is applicable in all divisions of Little League Baseball® and Little League Softball® except for the Senior Division.

Situation

In the bottom of the first, the catcher of record hits a double with two outs to reach base for the first time.  The offensive manager requests time and wants to use a Courtesy Runner for the catcher of record. 

Ruling

This is legal.  The manager may use a Courtesy Runner for the catcher in this situation as the rule has now changed to permit the usage of a Courtesy Runner for the pitcher or catcher of record with two outs, regardless of whether or not it is the pitcher or catcher of record’s first at-bat. (NOTE: This situation applies only to International Tournament Play.) 

Explanation

  Rule 2.00 – At-Bat:  Clarifies that for the purposes of satisfying Mandatory Play, the following criteria for the definition of completing an At-Bat DO NOT apply for Tournament Play:

  • A player is retired as a batter;
  • A player is retired as a batter-runner;
  • A player reaches base and scores; or
  • A player reaches base and the inning/game ends.

NOTE: In using the Continuous Batting Order for Tournament Play, the above stipulations for completing an at-bat to satisfy Mandatory Play DO NOT apply during tournament play.  During Tournament Play only, this change now permits a Courtesy Runner to be used for the pitcher or catcher of record if the pitcher or catcher of record reaches base with two outs in his/her first at-bat.