In an effort to strengthen the player experience and provide additional guidance to the local league volunteers who operate the program, a number of clarifications and enhancements have been made to the Little League® Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Operating Policies for the 2026 season.
Along with the evolution of Little League’s safety efforts with the launch of Little League SAFE and Safe to Play, below are some of the notable rule adjustments and clarifications that leagues can expect in 2026:
- Mandatory Play: Clarifies that during tournament play and anytime the continuous batting order is used, a courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher and/or catcher of record before that pitcher and/or catcher of record completes the requirements of mandatory play.
- Use of Pine Tar: Permits the use of pine tar or any other similar adhesive substance at all levels of Little League Baseball and Softball.
- Products to Assist the Batter: Updates wording to permit the use of thumb protectors and clarifies that products such as, but not limited to, choke-knobs and choke-up assists are not permitted.
- Sleeves Worn by the Pitcher: Removed the “neoprene” sleeve distinction in the rule to now include all sleeves.
- Courtesy Runner: Clarifies the placement of runners when a team courtesy runs for the pitcher and/or catcher of record with 2 outs at the same time.
- Malfunctioning One-Way Communication Device: Clarifies that a reasonable amount of time must be provided to a team to correct a malfunctioning one-way communication device.
- When a Player is Injured, Becomes Ill, or Must Leave the Game Site: Provides guidance for situations when a player is unable to complete a plate appearance or run after reaching base safely due to injury, illness, or ejection while using the continuous batting order during the regular season.
- Forfeited Games: Removed the requirement for the scorebook to be signed by the Umpire-in-Chief for forfeited games.
- Procedures for Use of a Double First Base: Clarifies that on an uncaught third strike, the fielder and the runner can use either part of the base.
- Visits to the Pitcher and Returning as Pitcher (Softball/Teenage Baseball): Clarifies that the number of visits remaining does not prevent a pitcher once removed from the pitcher’s plate/mound as pitcher from returning as pitcher.
Along with the updates outlined above, the following regulations also have minor edits and clarifications as noted in Little League’s Official Regulations, Playing Rules, and Operating Policies:
- Regulation I – The League (c)(5)
- Regulation V – Selection of Players (b)
- Regulation IX – Special Games (4)
- Regulation XIII – Commercialization (b)
All of the significant changes, including full details on which rules are specifically impacted, can be found at LittleLeague.org/Rules and through the free Little League Rulebook App.