Baseball Rules by League: Little League to MLB
- Rulebook and regulations, Little League Baseball Rulebook (2026 edition)
- Rules Book, NFHS Baseball Rules Book (2026 edition)
- Official Baseball Rules, Official Baseball Rules
- Last checked Nov 1, 2026
- By Julien Levadoux
The biggest differences: in Little League's Major Division and younger, runners can't lead off, so there are no balks, every player must play and bat in the regular season, and pitchers follow strict pitch counts. From the 50/70 Division up, runners lead off and balks are called. High school leaves run rules, pitch counts and courtesy runners to each state.
On the bases
- Leading off: No: runners wait until pitch reaches batter Base runners may not leave their bases until the pitch has been delivered and reached the batter; the same applies in Minors. (Rule 7.13)
- Head-first slides: Banned while advancing A runner who slides head-first while advancing is out (ball stays live); diving back head-first to a base is allowed. Applies in Minors too. (Rule 7.08(a)(4))
- Courtesy runner: League option: pitcher or catcher, two outs A league may allow a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher of record with two outs (the last-out player under continuous batting); a separate special pinch runner may run for anyone once an inning when not using continuous batting. (Rule 3.04; Rule 7.14)
Pitching
- Balks: No: an illegal pitch, a ball to the batter Runners can't lead off, so an illegal move is an illegal pitch: the batter gets a ball and runners don't advance. Same in Minors. (Rule 8.05)
- Pitch count limit: 85 a day at 11–12; 75 at 9–10 Rest of 1 to 4 calendar days after 21, 36, 51 and 66 pitches, and no one pitches three days in a row. Minors use the same limits. (Regulation VI)
- Mound visits: Pitcher out on 2nd visit/inning, 3rd/game Since 2018 in Majors and above, the pitcher must come out as pitcher on the manager/coach's second trip in an inning or third in a game; Minors allow one more of each. (Rule 8.06)
- Intentional walk without pitches: Yes: tell the plate umpire The defense can intentionally walk a batter by telling the plate umpire, without throwing the pitches. (Rule 6.08(a)(1) Note 1)
Calls
- Dropped third strike: Yes in Majors; not in Minors The batter may run if first base is empty or there are two outs. Minors and Tee Ball do not use the rule. (Rule 6.05(b))
- Infield fly rule: Yes in Majors; not in Minors Used in the Major Division and above; not used in Minors or Tee Ball. (Rule 2.00 (definition))
Lineups
- Continuous batting order: Local option; required in tournament A league may use a continuous batting order in the regular season (courtesy and special pinch runner rules adjust for it); tournament teams at Junior and below must bat everyone present. (Rule 4.04; Tournament Rule 9)
- Mandatory play: Yes: 6 defensive outs and one at-bat In the regular season, every player present at the start of a game must play at least six defensive outs and bat at least once. Tournament play uses a continuous batting order instead. (Regulation IV(i); Tournament Rule 9)
- Re-entry: Yes: starters once, same batting spot A removed starter may re-enter once in the same batting-order spot after the substitute meets mandatory play; a pitcher removed from the mound can't pitch again that game. (Rule 3.03)
- Designated hitter: Being checked.
The game
- Game length: Being checked.
- Run rule (mercy rule): 15 runs (3 inn.), 10 (4), 8 (5) Half an inning sooner if the home team leads; the trailing manager concedes; local leagues may opt out in the regular season; in tournament the 15- and 10-run rules are mandatory and the 8-run rule isn't used. (Rule 4.10(e); Tournament Rule 12)
- Field size: 60-ft bases, 46-ft pitching Same in Minors; Tee Ball may use a 50-ft diamond. (Field specifications)
Equipment
- Bats: USABat; 33 in, 2⅝ in barrel Non-wood bats need the USA Baseball mark; no drop limit; solid one-piece wood bats need no mark. (Rule 1.10)
- Metal cleats: No: molded cleats only Shoes with metal spikes or cleats are not permitted in the Major Division and below; removable spikes are okay only if no metal remains exposed. (Rule 1.11(h))
On the bases
- Leading off: Yes: runners may lead off Runners may lead off and be picked off in Intermediate (50/70), Junior and Senior League, which is why balks are called there. (Rule 7.13 (Major and below only))
- Head-first slides: No ban Little League's head-first prohibition applies only in the Major Division and below. (Rule 7.08(a)(4))
- Courtesy runner: League option: pitcher or catcher, two outs Same courtesy runner rule as the Major Division; special pinch runner rules differ by division and between the regular season and tournaments. (Rule 3.04; Rule 7.14; Tournament rules)
Pitching
- Balks: Yes, with runners on base In Intermediate (50/70) and above, an illegal move with runners on base is a balk and each runner advances one base. (Rule 8.05)
- Pitch count limit: 95 a day (ages 13–16) Rest thresholds are 21/36/51/66 pitches at 14 and under, 31/46/61/76 at 15–16; Junior/Senior pitchers may pitch two games in a day under limits. (Regulation VI)
- Mound visits: Pitcher out on 2nd visit/inning, 3rd/game The 2018 Rule 8.06 limits apply in the Major Division and above. (Rule 8.06)
- Intentional walk without pitches: No: the pitches must be thrown Little League says the no-pitch intentional walk doesn't apply in its upper divisions. (Rule 6.08(a)(1) Note 1)
Calls
- Dropped third strike: Yes: batter may run Applies in Intermediate (50/70), Junior and Senior League when first is empty or there are two outs. (Rule 6.05(b))
- Infield fly rule: Yes Used in Intermediate (50/70), Junior and Senior League. (Rule 2.00 (definition))
Lineups
- Continuous batting order: Local option; tournament: required except Senior Intermediate and Junior tournament teams must use a continuous batting order; Senior League is excluded from that tournament rule. (Rule 4.04; Tournament Rule 9)
- Mandatory play: Being checked.
- Re-entry: Yes: starters once, same batting spot Rule 3.03 applies; pitchers in Intermediate, Junior and Senior League may return to the mound once in a game. (Rule 3.03)
- Designated hitter: Being checked.
The game
- Game length: Being checked.
- Run rule (mercy rule): Same margins, one inning later 15 after 4, 10 after 5, 8 after 6 innings (3½, 4½, 5½ if the home team leads). (Rule 4.10(e))
- Field size: 50/70: 70/50; Junior, Senior: 90/60'6" Intermediate plays 70-ft bases and 50 ft; Junior and Senior 90 ft and 60 ft 6 in, with a regular-season Junior option of 75 ft and 54 ft. (Field specifications)
Equipment
- Bats: 50/70, Junior: USABat or BBCOR; Senior: BBCOR Intermediate and Junior allow USABat or BBCOR up to 34 in (no BPF 1.15 bats); Senior requires BBCOR (-3) up to 36 in. (Rule 1.10)
- Metal cleats: Yes Metal spikes or cleats are permitted in Intermediate (50/70), Junior and Senior League. (Rule 1.11(h))
On the bases
- Leading off: Yes: runners may lead off and steal No rule holds runners on base until the pitch; the balk rule exists to protect runners who lead off. (Rule 6-2-4 (balk))
- Head-first slides: No ban; must be a legal slide A legal slide may be feet-first or head-first; the force-play slide rule still applies. (Rules 2-32, 8-4-2b)
- Courtesy runner: State association option An optional speed-up rule: courtesy runners may run for the pitcher and/or catcher if the state adopts it; a courtesy runner can never be used for the DH. (NFHS speed-up rules)
Pitching
- Balks: Yes: dead ball, runners advance one base The ball is dead immediately, the pitch does not count, and each runner advances one base. (Rule 6-2-4)
- Pitch count limit: Set by each state association Since 2017 every state association must have a pitch count policy; the limits and rest days come from the state. (Rule 6-2-6)
- Mound visits: 3 charged conferences per 7 innings One more per extra inning; the pitcher must be removed on the fourth charged defensive conference. It's a team limit, not per pitcher. (Rule 3-4-1)
- Intentional walk without pitches: Yes: awarded without pitches The defense can award an intentional walk without throwing the pitches. (Rule 2-4-1)
Calls
- Dropped third strike: Yes: first base empty or two outs The batter becomes a runner on an uncaught third strike unless first is occupied with fewer than two outs; may try until entering a dead-ball area. (Rules 7-4-1b, 8-1-1b)
- Infield fly rule: Yes Fewer than two outs, runners on first and second or bases loaded, fair fly catchable with ordinary effort; not a line drive or attempted bunt. (Rule 2-19)
Lineups
- Continuous batting order: No: nine batters, plus an optional DH The batting order has nine players, or ten with a designated hitter; some states or leagues allow batting everyone below varsity. (Rule 3-1)
- Mandatory play: No High school has no playing-time rule; it is the coach's call. (NFHS Baseball Rules Book)
- Re-entry: Yes: starters once, same batting spot Any starter may be withdrawn and re-enter once, in the same batting-order position; a substitute who leaves may not re-enter. (Rule 3-1-3)
- Designated hitter: Optional: DH for any one starter The DH may bat for any one starter, not just the pitcher; since 2020 a starter can also be listed as Player/DH, and the DH role ends when anyone substitutes offensively for the DH. (Rule 3-1-4)
The game
- Game length: 7 innings High school regulation games are seven innings; the charged-conference rule is framed as 3 per 7-inning game. (Rule 4-2)
- Run rule (mercy rule): Set by each state association NFHS lets state associations adopt game-ending procedures, so whether there is a run rule, and its margins, vary by state. From 2027 states may also adopt an extra-inning tiebreaker. (Rule 4-2-2)
- Field size: 90-ft bases, 60 ft 6 in The standard full-size field, with the pitcher's plate raised on a mound. (Rule 1-1)
Equipment
- Bats: BBCOR (-3); -4/-5/-6 class from 2028 Non-wood bats must be BBCOR .50; effective 2028 USA Baseball takes over BBCOR and a new USA Baseball -4/-5/-6 class is permitted. (Rule 1-3-2)
- Metal cleats: Yes Metal cleats are allowed in high school baseball. (Rule 1-5-1)
On the bases
- Leading off: Yes: runners may lead off and steal Runners may leave at any time; since 2023 a pitcher's third pickoff or step-off in a plate appearance is a balk unless the runner is out. (Rule 6.02(a))
- Head-first slides: No ban Slides into bases must be bona fide under the slide rule; head-first slides are legal. (Rule 6.01(j))
- Courtesy runner: None A pinch runner is an ordinary substitution, and the replaced player is out of the game. (Rule 5.10)
Pitching
- Balks: Yes: delayed dead ball, runners advance one base Play continues; if the batter and all runners advance at least one base the balk is ignored, otherwise each runner gets one base. (Rule 6.02(a))
- Pitch count limit: No pitch limit The Official Baseball Rules have no pitch count limit; workload is up to each team. (MLB Official Baseball Rules)
- Mound visits: 4 mound visits per 9 innings One extra visit per extra inning; any manager, coach or player visit counts, with exceptions such as injury checks. (Rule 5.10(m))
- Intentional walk without pitches: Yes: manager signals from dugout Since 2017 the manager can signal an intentional walk at any point in a plate appearance; no pitches are thrown. (Rule 5.05(b)(1))
Calls
- Dropped third strike: Yes: first base empty or two outs Same condition; a batter who doesn't try for first is out once leaving the dirt circle around home plate. (Rule 5.09(a)(2))
- Infield fly rule: Yes Same conditions; not a line drive or bunt. (Rule 5.09(a)(5); definition in Definitions of Terms)
Lineups
- Continuous batting order: No: nine batters, with the DH Nine batters; the designated hitter bats in place of the pitcher. (Rule 5.04)
- Mandatory play: No No playing-time rule. (MLB Official Baseball Rules)
- Re-entry: No Once removed, a player may not return to the game in any capacity. (Rule 5.10(d))
- Designated hitter: Universal DH bats for the pitcher Adopted in the NL with the 2022–26 CBA; a two-way player is treated as two people and can stay in as DH after leaving the mound. (Rule 5.11)
The game
- Game length: 9 innings A game lasts until the trailing team has had the chance to make 27 outs; it is official after 5 innings (4½ if the home team leads). (Rule 7.01)
- Run rule (mercy rule): None MLB's regulation-game rule ends a game only after 27 outs for the trailing team (or weather); there is no run rule. (Rule 7.01)
- Field size: 90-ft bases, 60 ft 6 in The pitcher's plate is 10 inches above home plate. (Rule 2.01)
Equipment
| Rule | LL Majors | LL 50/70 & up | High school | MLB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On the bases | ||||
| Leading off | No: runners wait until pitch reaches batter | Yes: runners may lead off | Yes: runners may lead off and steal | Yes: runners may lead off and steal |
| Head-first slides | Banned while advancing | No ban | No ban; must be a legal slide | No ban |
| Courtesy runner | League option: pitcher or catcher, two outs | League option: pitcher or catcher, two outs | State association option | None |
| Pitching | ||||
| Balks | No: an illegal pitch, a ball to the batter | Yes, with runners on base | Yes: dead ball, runners advance one base | Yes: delayed dead ball, runners advance one base |
| Pitch count limit | 85 a day at 11–12; 75 at 9–10 | 95 a day (ages 13–16) | Set by each state association | No pitch limit |
| Mound visits | Pitcher out on 2nd visit/inning, 3rd/game | Pitcher out on 2nd visit/inning, 3rd/game | 3 charged conferences per 7 innings | 4 mound visits per 9 innings |
| Intentional walk without pitches | Yes: tell the plate umpire | No: the pitches must be thrown | Yes: awarded without pitches | Yes: manager signals from dugout |
| Calls | ||||
| Dropped third strike | Yes in Majors; not in Minors | Yes: batter may run | Yes: first base empty or two outs | Yes: first base empty or two outs |
| Infield fly rule | Yes in Majors; not in Minors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lineups | ||||
| Continuous batting order | Local option; required in tournament | Local option; tournament: required except Senior | No: nine batters, plus an optional DH | No: nine batters, with the DH |
| Mandatory play | Yes: 6 defensive outs and one at-bat | Being checked | No | No |
| Re-entry | Yes: starters once, same batting spot | Yes: starters once, same batting spot | Yes: starters once, same batting spot | No |
| Designated hitter | Being checked | Being checked | Optional: DH for any one starter | Universal DH bats for the pitcher |
| The game | ||||
| Game length | Being checked | Being checked | 7 innings | 9 innings |
| Run rule (mercy rule) | 15 runs (3 inn.), 10 (4), 8 (5) | Same margins, one inning later | Set by each state association | None |
| Field size | 60-ft bases, 46-ft pitching | 50/70: 70/50; Junior, Senior: 90/60'6" | 90-ft bases, 60 ft 6 in | 90-ft bases, 60 ft 6 in |
| Equipment | ||||
| Bats | USABat; 33 in, 2⅝ in barrel | 50/70, Junior: USABat or BBCOR; Senior: BBCOR | BBCOR (-3); -4/-5/-6 class from 2028 | Wood only |
| Metal cleats | No: molded cleats only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
67 of 72 answers confirmed against each league's own documents; checked Nov 1, 2026. Local leagues and state associations can change some of these, so check your league's own rules too.
All sources (30)
- Little League Baseball: By the Rules (download, c. 2018)
- Little League University: Common Little League Rules Misconceptions (modified 2022-12-12)
- NFHS Baseball Rules Book
- MLB Glossary: Balk
- Little League Help Center: Rule 7.00 The Runner FAQs
- MLB Glossary: Rules
- Little League: Regular Season to Tournament Rule Differences (modified 2024-05-07)
- 2020 NFHS Baseball Rules PowerPoint (DIAA, Delaware)
- MLB Glossary: Substitutions
- Little League: Pitch Count (Regulation VI)
- PIAA Baseball Pitching Restriction 6-2-6 (PIAA District III 2026 memo)
- MLB Official Baseball Rules
- Little League University: Hey Blue, Two Trips and You're Out (Rule 8.06; modified 2020-08-03)
- WIAA (Wisconsin): Charged Conference - Pitcher Replacement (2017-05-30)
- MLB Glossary: Mound Visit
- Little League Help Center: Rule 6.00 The Batter FAQs
- MLB Glossary: Intentional Walk
- Little League Playing Rules
- Little League University: Explanation of the Infield Fly Rule
- MLB Glossary: Infield Fly
- MLB Glossary: Designated Hitter Rule
- Little League University: Rules Spotlight: Player Re-Entry, Special Pinch-Runner, Pitch Count, Mandatory Play (modified 2024-04-15)
- MLB Glossary: Regulation Game
- Little League University: The 10-Run Rule, What Parents Need to Know
- Little League 2023 Rulebook Significant Changes
- NFHS 2027 Baseball Comments on the Rules
- Little League Field Specifications
- MLB Glossary: Field Dimensions
- Little League Bat Rules (Rule 1.10)
- Little League Help Center: Are cleats with metal spikes permitted?
Pick your child’s league above to see every rule in one list, with the details and where each one comes from. The table shows them all side by side.
Why the rules change as kids get older
Youth baseball adds the “adult” rules a few at a time, as the field gets bigger and the players get stronger:
- Leading off and balks start when runners are allowed to leave the base early, in Little League’s 50/70 Division and up. Before that, a pitcher’s illegal move is just a ball. See the balk.
- The dropped third strike and the infield fly start in the Major Division. See the dropped third strike and the infield fly rule.
- Playing time stops being guaranteed. Little League’s regular season requires every player to field and bat; high school and up leave it to the coach.
- The field grows from 60-foot bases to 90 feet. See field dimensions.
Rules your league can change
Some rules are deliberately left open:
- Little League lets each local league choose a few things for the regular season, such as a continuous batting order or whether to use the run rule. Tournament play is stricter.
- High school leaves the run rule, pitch count limits and courtesy runners to each state association. See the pitch count rules by state and the run rule.
So when a rule matters in a game, check your league’s or state’s own rules too.
Coming next
PONY, Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth, and USSSA travel ball. Their rulebooks are being checked, and they’ll be added once every answer is confirmed.
Bats are covered league by league on UsedBatFinder.
Explained in our own words, not an official ruling: in a competition, the committee, league or umpire decides, and local rules apply.
Sources
- Little League Baseball Rulebook, Little League International (2026 edition)
- NFHS Baseball Rules Book, NFHS (2026 edition)
- Official Baseball Rules, MLB