Here's all the Little League Baseball Rules: http://www.theiowan.com/baseball/Diablos/MiscAndOther/Little%20League%20Baseball%20Rules.htm LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL(MAJORS) DIVISION, MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL,TEE BALL BASEBALL, JUNIOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, SENIOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL Here's what it says about pitchers: 8.00 - The Pitcher 8.01 - Legal pitching delivery. There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time. Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while standing on the pitcher's plate. (a) The Windup Position. The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, the entire pivot foot on, or in front of and touching and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with the delivery of the ball to the batter commits the pitcher to pitch without interruption or alteration. The pitcher shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in the actual delivery of the ball to the batter, said pitcher may take one step backward, and one step forward with the free foot. From this position the pitcher may: (1) deliver the ball to the batter, or (2) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick off a runner, or (3) disengage the pitcher's plate. In disengaging the pitcher's plate, the pitcher must step off with the pivot foot and not the free foot first. The pitcher may not go into a set or stretch position. If the pitcher does, it is an illegal pitch (A balk in Junior/Senior/Big League baseball.) NOTE: When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of the body, with the entire pivot foot on, or in front of and touching but not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and the other foot free, that pitcher will be considered in a Windup Position. (b) The Set Position. Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when that pitcher stands facing the batter with the entire pivot foot on, or in front of, and in contact with, and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and the other foot in front of the pitcher's plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of the body. From such Set Position the pitcher may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher's plate with the pivot foot. Before assuming Set Position, the pitcher may elect to make any natural preliminary motion such as that known as "the stretch." But if the pitcher so elects, that pitcher shall come to Set Position before delivering the ball to that batter. NOTE: The pitcher need not come to a complete stop. (in Junior/Senior/Big League baseball, the pitcher must come to a complete stop.) (c) At any time during the pitcher's preliminary movements and until the natural pitching motion commits that pitcher to the pitch, said pitcher may throw to any base provided the pitcher steps directly toward such base before making the throw. The pitcher shall step "ahead of the throw." A snap throw followed by the step toward the base is an illegal pitch (A balk in Junior/Senior/Big League baseball). (See Penalty for illegal pitch under Rule 8.05.) (d) If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied, it shall be called a ball unless the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise. A ball which Slips out of the pitcher's hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise it will be called "no pitch" without runners on base, and an illegal pitch (A balk in Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) with runners on base. (See Penalty for illegal pitch under Rule 8.05.) (e) If the pitcher removes the pivot foot from contact with the pitcher's plate by stepping backward with that foot, that pitcher thereby becomes an infielder and in the case of a wild throw from that position, it shall be considered the same as a wild throw by any other infielder. (f) Tee Ball: The pitcher shall keep both feet on the pitcher's plate until the ball is hit. 8.02 - The pitcher shall not - (a) (1) bring the pitching hand in contact with the mouth or lips while in the 10-foot circle (18-foot circle in Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) surrounding the pitcher's plate; PENALTY: For violation of this part of the rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball and warn the pitcher that repeated violation of any part of this rule can cause the pitcher to be removed from the game. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batter or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. (2) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball; (3) expectorate on the ball, either hand or the glove; (4) rub the ball on the glove, person or clothing; (5) deface the ball in any manner; (6) deliver what is called the "shine" ball, "spit" ball, "mud" ball or "emery" ball. The pitcher, of course is allowed to rub off the ball between the bare hands; PENALTY: For violation of any part of this rule 8.02 (a), (2 through 6) the umpire shall: Call pitch a ball and warn pitcher. If a play occurs on the violation, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire of acceptance of the play. (Such election must be made immediately at the end of play.) NOTE: A pitcher may use a rosin bag for the purpose of applying rosin to the bare hand or hands. Neither the pitcher nor any other player shall dust the ball with the rosin bag; neither shall the pitcher nor any other player be permitted to apply rosin from the bag to their glove or dust any part of the uniform with the rosin bag. (b) Intentionally delay the game by throwing the ball to players other than the catcher, when the batter is in position, except in an attempt to retire a runner or commit an illegal pitch for the purpose of not pitching to the batter (i.e. intentional walk, etc...) PENALTY: If, after warning by the umpire, such delaying action is repeated, the pitcher can be removed from the game. (c) Intentionally pitch at the batter. If in the umpire's judgment, such violation occurs, the umpire shall warn the pitcher and the manager of the defense that another such pitch will mean immediate expulsion of the pitcher. If such pitch is repeated during the game, the umpire shall eject the pitcher from the game. 8.03- When a pitcher takes a position at the beginning of each inning, that pitcher shall be permitted to pitch not to exceed eight preparatory pitches to the catcher, or other teammate acting in the capacity of catcher, during which play shall be suspended. Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one minute of time. If a sudden emergency causes a pitcher to be summoned into the game without any opportunity to warm up, the umpire-in-chief shall allow the pitcher as many pitches as the umpire deems necessary. 8.04 - When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 20 seconds after the pitcher receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call "Ball." NOTE: The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take a position on the pitcher's plate promptly. Big League Intentional Walk Rule: Before a ball is delivered to the batter, the catcher must inform the umpire-in-chief that the defensive team wishes to give the batter an intentional base-on-balls, The umpire-in-chief waves the batter to first base. The ball is dead. 8.05 - An illegal pitch (A balk in Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) when a runner or runners are on base is when - (a) the pitcher, while touching the plate, makes any motion naturally associated with the pitch and fails to make such delivery; (b) the pitcher, while touching the plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw; (c) the pitcher, while touching the plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base; (d) the pitcher, while touching the plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play; (e) the pitcher makes an illegal pitch; Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box. NOTE: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch (f) the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while not facing the batter; (g) the pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with the pitch while not touching the pitcher's plate; (h) the pitcher unnecessarily delays the game; (i) the pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher's plate or while off the plate feints a pitch; (j) the pitcher, while touching the plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball; (k) the pitcher, while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher's box. NOTE: There is no balk in Little League (Majors), Minor League or Tee Ball. PENALTY: The pitch shall be called a ball. If a play follows the illegal pitch the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire of a decision to decline the illegal pitch penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter hits the ball and reaches first base safely, and if all base-runners advance at least one base on the action resulting from the batted ball, the play proceeds without reference to the illegal pitch. NOTE: A batter hit by pitch shall be awarded first base without reference to the illegal pitch. (l) Junior/Senior/Big League only: The pitcher, after coming to a legal position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base; (m) The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a complete stop PENALTY: The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk. When a balk is called and the pitch is delivered it will be considered neither a ball nor strike unless the pitch is ball four (4) awarding the batter first base and forcing all runners on base to advance. (NOTE: Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire's mind, the "intent" of the pitcher should govern. However, certain specifics should be borne in mind: (1) Straddling the pitcher's plate without the ball is to be interpreted as intent to deceive and ruled a balk. (2) With a runner on first base, and the runner attempting to steal second, the pitcher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first, and throw to second. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to an unoccupied base. APPROVED RULING: If the pitcher violates (a) through (m) in this rule and throws wild to a base, the runner or runners may advance at their own risk. (Delayed dead ball.) 8.06 - This rule, which applies to each pitcher who enters a game, governs the visits of the manager or coach to the pitcher at the foul line (at the mound in Junior/Senior/Big League baseball). (a) A manager or coach may come out twice in one inning to visit with the pitcher, but the third time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher. Example: If a manager visits Pitcher A once in the first inning, then makes a pitching change in the same inning, Pitcher B would be allowed two visits in that inning before being removed on the third visit. (b) A manager or coach may come out three times in one game to visit with the pitcher, but the fourth time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher. Example: Ifs manager visits Pitcher A twice in the first three innings, then makes a pitching change in the fourth inning, Pitcher B would be allowed three visits in that game before being removed on the fourth visit, subject to the limits in (a) above. (c) The manager or coach is prohibited from making a third visit while the same batter is at bat. (d) A manager or coach may not confer with any other defensive player. The catcher may be included in the visit with the pitcher. APPROVED RULING 1: At the time a pitcher is removed, a visit shall not be charged to the new pitcher. APPROVED RULING 2: A conference with the pitcher or any other fielder to evaluate the player's condition after an injury shall not be considered a visit for the purposes of this rule. The manager or coach should advise the umpire of such a conference, and the umpire should monitor same.