2025 Torrance Little League

Playoff Ground Rules (Unified)

Playoffs will essentially be played “By the Book”, that book being the 2025 Little League Official Regulations and Playing Rules (LL Rulebook). The rules that we will be using for our playoffs will be the rules that apply for Regular Season, not the LL Rulebook that reference Tournament Play.

1. The playoffs are a double-elimination tournament. Once a team has lost two games during the playoffs, that team is then eliminated from the playoffs.
   
   
2. The Home team in the winners bracket is the higher seed.
   
   1. Home / Visitor will be determined by a coin toss in the loser bracket.
3. The game shall consist of 6 innings. There is no time limit. 
   1.  In the event, at the conclusion of the 6th inning, the game is tied; the game shall continue until a winner is reached.  California tie breaker will be the extra innings format.
   2. If the umpire calls game due to darkness, the game will resume the following day (or at a day/time specified by the Board of Directors).
4. Runs are unlimited each inning
   1. Minor: the 5/8 rule does not apply during playoffs.
   2. Training: the 5/8 rule does apply during playoffs. The 6th inning will be unlimited runs.
5. Mercy Rule: The game will end when there is a 10 run lead or greater after the completion of the 4th inning or a 15 run lead or greater after the 3rd inning. 
   1. Home teams still receive their at bats at the bottom of the half inning if they are down on the scoreboard.
6. Batting & Substitutions:
   1. All Divisions will use consecutive batting. (You bat the entire team, just like regular season).
   2. Training: bunting is allowed in the playoffs.
   3. Training: Coach Pitch will continue with the player assuming remaining strikes left in the count. 
7. Minimum Play:
   1. Major: Each player must play a minimum of two full defensive innings (does not need to be consecutive). Failure to comply before game’s end will result in a forfeit, unless the Mercy Rule applies.
   2. Minor / Training: Each player must play a minimum of three full defensive innings (does not need to be consecutive). Failure to comply before game’s end will result in a forfeit, unless the Mercy Rule applies.
   3.  There are no “infield play” requirements. Unlike Regular Season, a player is not required to play in the infield.
8. Base running:
   1. Training: Home plate is closed. Runners may score only when the ball is put in play (no steals, passed balls, wild pitch, bad throw to pitcher, etc.).
   2. Training: Batter and runner may advance only ONE additional base on one or more overthrows. No advancement on coach pitch overthrows.
   3. Mandatory Catcher Pinch Runner: Catchers must be replaced on the base pathes with 2 outs (last out recorded).  If a catcher is on the base and notified by the other manager and goes back into the game as catcher it is a protestable call and can result in a game forefeit.
      
9. Only three (3) Manager/Coaches are allowed in the dugout or on the field during play.
   1. Training: Only four (4) Manager/Coaches are allowed in the dugout or on the field during play.
   2. Two coaches are allowed in-front of the dugout are and the remaining must be in the dugout.
   3. Mangers are the only coach allowed to address the umpires.
10. All pitching violations are subject to game suspension(s), including (but not limited to); pitch/catch, catch/pitch, days of rest and total pitch count.
    1.  Managers are resonsible for tracking and managing pitch counts.
    2. If a violation is found during the game, substitutions must be made immediately.  If not, violating team will forefeit the game (as determined by the TLL Board of Directors).