Pool Player Rules and Regulations

To aid teams who may be having difficulty getting enough players or missing multiple players for any scheduled game, Rio Linda Little League is offering a Pool Player option to all of its players in both the Softball and Baseball divisions. This means that any player can play extra games in their assigned division and in an upper division if they are of league age and deemed capable of playing in an upper division. Players cannot play down a division at any time. Requests should be made as soon as Managers are aware that a player(s) will be missing.

1. Managers needing a “pool player” must notify Brooke Riley-Sowles or Michelle Swafford of their request for a player. Managers are NOT allowed to contact players from other teams for assistance.
2. Rio Linda Little League has a list of players who have registered as “pool players”. A board member will contact the list of players in the order that they registered and confirm if they are available to play. If a player is available, the manager will be notified.
3. Pool players are assigned from the pool on a rotation basis, not by managers or coaches.
4. With 9 or fewer players available, Managers are required to make a pool player request. With 10 or more a request should not be made. Pool players will not be requested in a “just in case” situation.
5. Managers/Coaches will not provide preference to pool players over rostered players, even if the pool players have more skill.
6. Pool players cannot pitch during the game at any time.
7. Pool players must play at least nine consecutive defensive outs and bat at least once. Pool players will be placed at the end of the batting lineup.
8. All assigned pool players will wear their own uniform during the game.
9. If more than one pool player is needed, they can be used but their positions may be limited (Outfield etc.)
10. Any team that has 9 players to start the game and request a pool player(as the 10th player)  may not start the pool player over the rostered players to start the game. The pool player must sit out defensively 1 inning.
11. The manager will inform the opposing teams manager and umpires before the game that a pool player is being used.
12. Once the pool player request has been made and filled, the pool player must be used-no cancellations can be made even if the player(s) missing arrives at the game.
13. Pool players cannot be from another league. All pool players must be registered with Rio Linda Little League.
14. If a manager/coach obtains a pool player improperly, that manager will be suspended from his/her next regularly scheduled game.
15. Any pool player obtained improperly is considered an ineligible player. Use of an ineligible player is cause for protesting a game in divisions where protests are allowed. (See rule 4.19)
16. Pool Players are allowed only during the regular season and are not allowed in any end of season tournaments.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support. We look forward to having a great season!