E-Training 18-2: Continuous Batting Order

Sources: 2017 LL Rules 4.04; 2017 Rules Instruction Manual;

The Rule:

“A league may adopt a policy of continuous batting order that will include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order. If this option is adopted, each player would be required to bat in his/her respective spot in the batting order. However, a player may be entered/re-entered defensively into the game anytime provided he/she meets the requirements of mandatory play.”

Continuous Batting Order is required in Minors Divisions and below.

When a player is injured or must leave after the start of the game, the team will skip over that spot in the batting order without penalty. If the player returns to the game from injury or absence from the game, that player will be returned to their original spot in the batting order and the game continues.

If a player arrives late to a game that player will be added to the end of the batting order.

Important things to note:

More on Meeting Minimum Play

All players still need to meet Mandatory Play Requirements of six defensive outs and one at bat. However, CBO simplifies matters. The one at bat is easy to achieve as everyone bats throughout the game. The defensive substitutions may be made at “anytime” and so the defensive requirement of six outs is no longer “consecutive” as in the standard format. Players can go in and out as long as every player gets their mandatory play.

Batter Gets Injured

If a player gets injured during their at bat, the next batter in the order will take their place and assume their count. If that batter is still injured when his/her turn comes up again, that spot is skipped over without penalty. If the player returns from injury, the player returns to their original spot in the batting order.

Runner Gets Injured

If the player gets injured while on base, the last out of the current or previous inning will take their place.

Playing a Late Arriving Player

Just as in standard Little League 9-person batting format, in a Continuous Batting Order format, if a player shows up late, the manager has the option of playing him/her. If the player arrives very late in the game the manager may be at risk of not meeting Mandatory Play Requirement for that player.