Manager's Guide to Little League Majors Baseball League Age 9-12 2026

Under the mandatory play rule, every rostered player who is at the game when it starts must:

• play at least six defensive outs, and
• bat at least once.

A defensive out only counts while the player is in one of the nine fielding positions. Plan substitutions early: if a game ends after four innings, there's little time left to get everyone in.

The daily pitch limit depends on the pitcher's league age:

Required rest depends on how many pitches they threw:

A player may never pitch on three consecutive days, and in Majors a player may not pitch in more than one game in a day.

Yes. If a pitcher reaches their limit while facing a batter, they may keep pitching until:

• the batter reaches base,
• the batter is put out, or
• the third out ends the half-inning or the game.

They can't start a new batter once they've reached the limit.

For rest days, the pitch count is taken at the first pitch to each batter. So if a pitcher starts a batter on pitch 64 and finishes them on pitch 67, their rest is based on 64 (three days, not four), as long as they don't pitch to another batter.

Only within these limits:

• A player who catches four or more innings can't pitch that calendar day. Catching a single pitch in the fourth inning counts as catching four innings; warm-up pitches don't count.
• A player who catches three innings or fewer and then throws 21 or more pitches can't go back to catching that day.
• A pitcher who throws 41 or more pitches can't catch for the rest of the day. If they reach 40 while facing a batter, they keep their catching eligibility only if they're moved, removed or the game ends before they pitch to another batter.

In Majors, a manager or coach may visit the pitcher:

• once per inning. On the second visit in the same inning, the player must be removed as pitcher.
• twice per game. On the third visit in the game, the player must be removed as pitcher.

A time out to talk to any defensive player counts as a visit to the pitcher, so calling the infield together uses one. Checking on an injured player doesn't count, but tell the umpire that's why you're going out.

Yes, once. A starter who has been replaced may re-enter the game in the same spot in the batting order, but only after their substitute has met mandatory play (six defensive outs and one at-bat).

A starter and their substitute can never be in the lineup at the same time. A substitute who is removed can't re-enter.

Special pinch-runner (only when you're not using a continuous batting order):

• Once each inning, you may run for a player using a player who isn't in the batting order.
• Each player can be replaced by a special pinch-runner only once per game.

Courtesy runner (when you are using a continuous batting order):

• You may use a courtesy runner for your pitcher and/or catcher of record, even if that player hasn't yet met mandatory play.

Not a judgment call. Balls and strikes, safe or out, and fair or foul are the umpire's judgment, and no one may object to them.

As manager, you may calmly ask the umpire about a decision you believe misapplied a rule, before the next pitch. Ask for time, speak to the umpire who made the call, and keep it between you and the umpires. Model the behavior you want from players and parents.

• Have someone count every pitch, separate from the scorebook, and compare totals with the official pitch counter at the end of each half-inning.
• Record each pitcher's total for the day and the date they can pitch again.
• Before each game, list who is eligible to pitch and who is eligible to catch, so you aren't working it out mid-inning.
• Warn your pitcher and catcher when a pitcher is approaching 20, 35, 40, 50 and 65 pitches, the counts where rest days or catching eligibility change.

Yes. At least one adult manager or coach must be on the bench with the team at all times. If you're coaching a base, make sure another adult stays in the dugout.