Strange Rule in Little League Baseball

What happens when a runner on base leaves early? In Little League, the runner on base may not leave that base until the ball reaches the batter. So what happens if they do leave early? Are they called out?

In this video we visit one of the most unique rules for a baseball league. The complete rule is listed below...it's a long one!

RULE 7.13
Little League (Major) and Minor League: When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher’s box ready to receive delivery of the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter.

The violation by one base runner shall affect all other base runners –
(a) when a base runner leaves the base before the pitched ball has reached the batter and the batter does not hit the ball, the runner is permitted to continue. If a play is made on the runner and the runner is out, the out stands. If said runner reaches safely the base to which the runner is advancing, that runner must be returned to the base occupied before the pitch was made, and no out results;
(b) when a base runner leaves the base before the pitched ball has reached the batter and the batter hits the ball, the base runner or runners are permitted to continue. If a play is made and the runner or runners are put out, the out or outs will stand. If not put out, the runner or runners must return to the original base or bases or to the unoccupied base nearest the one that was left; In no event shall the batter advance beyond first base on a single or error, second base on a double or third base on a triple. The Umpire-in-Chief shall determine the base value of the hit ball.
(c) when any base runner leaves the base before the pitched ball has reached the batter and the batter bunts, hits a ball within the infield or advances on an uncaught third strike, no run shall be allowed to score. If three runners were on the bases and the batter reaches first base safely, each runner shall advance to the base beyond the one they occupied at the start of the play except the runner who occupied third base, that runner shall be removed from the base without a run being scored.
NOTE: See exceptions following this rule.
EXCEPTION: If at the conclusion of the play there is an open base, paragraphs (a) and (b) will apply.
EXAMPLES:
1. Runner on first leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner goes to second.
2. Runner on second leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner returns to second.
3. Runner on third leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner returns to third.
4. Runner on first leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runner goes to third only.
5. Runner on second leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runner goes to third only.
6. Runner on third leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runner returns to third.
7. All runners on base will be allowed to score when the batter hits a clean triple or home run, regardless of whether any runner left too soon.
8. Runners on first and second, either leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runners go to second and third.
9. Runners on first and second, either leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runner on first goes to third, runner on second scores.
10. Runners on first and third, either leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner on first goes to second, runner on third remains there.
11. Runners on first and third, either leaves too soon, batter hits a clean double, runner on first goes to third, runner on third scores.
12. Runners on second and third, either leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, neither runner can advance.
13. Runners on second and third, either leaves too soon, batter hits a clean double, runner on third scores, runner on second goes to third.
14. Runners on first, second, and third, any runner leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runners on second, third score, runner on first goes to third.
15. Bases full, any runner leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely on any ball bunted or hit within the infield, all runners advance one base except runner advancing from third. Runner advancing from third is removed, no run is scored and no out charged. If on the play, a putout at any base results in an open base, runner who occupied third base returns to third base.
16. Bases full, any runner leaves too soon, batter received a base on balls or is hit by a pitch, each runner will advance one base and a run will score.
NOTE 1: When an umpire detects a base runner leaving the base too soon, that umpire shall drop a signal flag or handkerchief immediately to indicate the violation.
NOTE 2: For purpose of these examples, it is assumed that the batter-runner remains at the base last acquired safely.

[davej]

also, while on the subject of leaving early in LL, two important reminders:

1) Leaving early cannot be undone by re-tagging the base. Once a runner leaves early, all runners remain guilty until the play is completed and the next play begins (i.e. the batter is in the box, the catcher is ready to receive the pitch, the pitcher has engaged the rubber, and all runners are again in contact with their bases)

2) If one runner is guilty of leaving early, ALL are guilty INCLUDING the batter. On a hit when a runner leaves early, all runners, including the batter runner, may advance no farther than the clean value of the hit without regard to playing errors, overthrows, throwing choices made by the defense. So if bases are loaded, R1 leaves early, the batter hits a clean single into the outfield that the defense misplays into a "little league homerun", BR is placed on 1B, and all other runners are put back on the bases as close as possible to the bases they occupied at time of pitch (if none were put out, then R3 is forced to score).

7.13 is meant to be a punishment and should be enforced as such.

[davej]

I've called many runners back for leaving early, even taken runs off the board, but I've only had to call 7.13c twice. The crowd goes temporarily insane, there's always at least one loud voice "you're just making shit up now!:".

[jameschun]

Why would the run count as safe on a force play?

[SirAidynSage]

Try this one the runner on second leaves early and it looks like the short stop also obstructed the runner that was on second.. it is close and looks like he did obstruct

[keithling]

This rule was changed. When I played Little League, the rule was the base runner could not leave the base until the ball left the pitcher's hand.

[robertgallentine]

That kids out. We need to stop ruining baseball with these horrible rules.

[brentvance]

Not allowed to lead off. Glad my kid play real baseball not this bullshit.

[tubehound]

It's just a bonus that the home plate ump totally blew the call on the force out at home.

[charleshoops]

i must have missed something. runner at home is a force out?

[thomasnaeger]

Did the ball hit the bat? It looked like ball ran in and went off his hands....

The umpire should never has his mask on while a batted ball is in play. Just amazing...

[jeffreyfarwell]

I might be missing something but the runner called safe at home wouldn't it be a force out ty Stay safe and healthy everyone

[chescabler]

Why was the runner at home called safe? Clearly the fathers foot was on the plate.

[TheCurrentRacerReal]

Are we not gonna talk about the other team being up 10 runs?

[nativebutnotofthisworld]

wait... how is the kid called safe at home... this is a force out. He should have been called out by a mile.

[rj]

Outstanding MJH! Now THAT'S what I call breaking it down and getting into the Rulebook. Love that your viewers (probably umpires) are helping you out with the missed details and nuances of LL Baseball. Keep it up.

[gregbrown]

Thanks to travel ball, this is something I look for a lot when I umpire Little League Majors and Minors. I would guess that around a third of the kids on our Major teams play travel ball. These players are used to leading off, and then taking a secondary lead as the pitcher releases in their weekend travel ball tournaments. When they're on base in Tuesday evening's Little League game, sometimes they forget about the different rule set.

[davej]

U2 is not in the position I prefer for a runner on 2nd in 4-man. I'm always going to be in C: the 3rd base side of 2B, probably 10 or so feet from the bag, right on the edge of the grass. U2 is in B, and too deep; it's not a good place to watch the runner for leaving early, and really not a good place to see a pick-off play. Also not a good place to see the obstruction by F6, though U3 might have it. That'd position would be ok with no one on, though I prefer to be deeper than that unless the outfield is playing shallow since I have all fly balls in the cone to the fence. Basically R2 gets away with murder because U2 is nowhere to be seen.

[VTCOINJEWELRY]

I have an off topic question.:

I am a little league majors level coach.

Last game we had a home plate umpire calling the typical strike on batters who square at the plate to push a bunt out but failed to pull bat back if the ball was outside of the strike zone, the umpire called a strike on a batter who failed to pull back on a bunt attempt when the ball was in the dirt… after the strike was called the opposing coach came to the field and asked for time, his team was pitching or defensive in this instance and he (the coach) stood to gain a strike, the coach then told the umpire that in little league a squared batter attempting to bunt was not an automatic strike if the batter stays squared with bat in bunt attempt position, if the ball is outside of the zone and the batter doesn’t vacate that position or pull back the bat from the zone, he also added “I will take the strike but if I’m being honest this isn’t a automatic strike, that ball wasn’t in the zone and in little league per the official rules, a batter doesn’t have to pull the bat back, if the ball is a ball it’s still a ball, that is not a strike like a swing”

Is that coach correct or was he just interpreting rules incorrectly or just plain wrong? In my entire career coaching this is the first guy I have heard say such a thing and I have had every ump and coach on the planet tell me to make sure hunters pulll back if it’s not in the zone otherwise it’s a strike

[pork]

Bases loaded ground ball to pitcher throws home catcher catches ball steps on home plate. Why does umpire call runner safe?

[tannhauser]

Why isn't anyone talking about how the ump missed the force out at home.