Lowell Lawson League Rules

Spring 2026

1. All games will be played with a 55 minute time limit.
   
   
2. When the clock has expired the inning in progress will be completed, and then ONE OPEN INNING will be played after the time limit.
   
   
3. Outfielders must remain behind the designated line in the outfield until the pitch is hit by the batter.
   
   
4. Pinch Runners may be used at any time for any player that has safely reached first base or beyond. THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF TIMES ANYONE CAN PINCH RUN.
   
   
5. No substitute player may be used as a substitute runner.
   
   
6. Substitute players must come from the LLL, and the CSSA guidelines must be followed as far as position and batting order.
   
   
7. Players may only be replaced by a player with equal or lower rating. Exceptions may be allowed during scheduled doubleheader games by the director.
   
   
8. A team with no pitcher can pickup a pitcher.
   
   
9. If you have to play with 10 players, when the 11th batter is suppose to hit it is an out.
   
   
10. BASE DISTANCE  WILL BE 60’
    
    
11. Any player who is starting in the outfield grass at the time of the pitch may not throw the batter/runner out at first base.
    
    
12. Each team will be allowed THREE RUNNERS FROM HOME PLATE for three PRE-Designated players. The players being run for must be designated by the manager before the start of the game.
    Penalty for failure to Designate the Players being run for is the loss of that COURTESY RUNNER FOR THE GAME.
    
    
13. Designated runners must start 10 feet BEHIND home plate, a line from pitcher pound to homeplate.
    
    
14. Designated runners (DR) may not advance beyond first base AT ANY TIME, unless the ball goes out of play and the umpire awards bases to the offense
    
    
15. DR who makes a move toward 2nd base with intent to continue will be called out. Umpire’s judgement!!
    
    
16. If a DR makes a move towards second base but the umpire doesn’t see it, the runner is not out but must return to first base.
    
    
17. If a DR is called out following a move towards second base and keeps running to confuse the defense, not only is the DR out but also the base runner closest to home will also be called out (Double play) and any other base runners will be returned to the base last touched at the time of the interference.
    
    
18. Like every other discussion about rule interpretation only the manager or a designated player may discuss it with the umpire.
    In most cases any violation will be ruled a judgement call and will not be protest-able, if it is a rule interpretation only question it must be protested to the umpire and noted in the scorebook before the next pitch, and then CSSA protest rules must be followed.