[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6099202,"mediaKeyId","2820607-4b30fab535412950fd603d5519f5301b","parentId",2820607,"title","Broadcasters, umpires outline Little League rules and equipment standards during Amador County opening night","audioSeconds",3067,"startMs",423000,"endMs",3490000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820607-4b30fab535412950fd603d5519f5301b&start=423&end=3490","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820607-4b30fab535412950fd603d5519f5301b/thumbnail_423000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099202/Amador-County/California/Broadcasters-umpires-outline-Little-League-rules-and-equipment-standards-during-Amador-County-opening-night","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099202-746e632f8c59124bddea07df8a7e3db2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150988&Signature=Oa1nv6Vddzq5p3NXEOyj10IvExD6daobMeOFEOXZp3JBx7I1Hv--avq0tFq25gqkargySaOb7KL1Z1y9w8rvud2z3iIocNd-UxJWWJrbSdjHUk6W2FkZ3lHtmwrqxgqPvazKe48OxjFlN-L7GDawFFd~hXWhCDB7AGAulN63pyCoePsIlyzyJUbT~4ijX2uG3weqUp8WMb4uqLd09vWb0GJNmMitJ8DmMHrGySZ9-rZ6kzKqIUwstDLdpDbYzXISSYOXToDD8mpYMZ5pn5JvszSGWaNBk-eJvJm8G4iDs-gKPk7vNVPfb3ik2CbJhP~EwzsAOJ~obje4pe0X6Lt9-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Amador County CA","date","2025-03-30T04:20:24.823Z","article","During the Amador County Little League East opening-night broadcast, play-by-play announcers and the umpire crew discussed a set of playing rules and equipment standards that affect game management at the majors division level.

Why it matters: Those rules—about batting order, when runners may leave base, allowable bats and pitcher workload—directly shape coaches’ lineups, roster decisions and player safety across the Little League season.

Key points discussed during the broadcast:

- Continuous batting order: Commentators explained that Little League’s majors-division games now often use a continuous batting order, meaning all rostered players bat (the broadcast noted Jackson used a full 11-player batting order and the Dirt Devils listed 12). The announcers said the change reduces substitution complexity and ensures mandatory playing time is met.

- No lead-offs: Broadcasters and the umpire clarified that, at the Little League majors level, runners must remain on base until the pitch ‘‘reaches the batter’’ (the broadcast framed this as the rule that prevents early leads common at higher levels). This alters base-running and pickoff strategy.

- Pitch-count limits and rest: The broadcast discussed Little League pitch-count limits generally used for 11–12-year-old pitchers and the associated rest-day requirements. The announcers explained that thresholds exist that trigger mandatory rest (for example, a pitcher who throws a high number of pitches must sit a prescribed number of days). Specific numeric limits were discussed on-air in approximate terms.

- Bat certification: The on-air umpire noted Little League requires non-wood bats to carry the USA Baseball certification mark; wooden bats were also allowed. The crew emphasized there is zero tolerance for foreign substances on a bat grip and that umpires will remove or require cleaning of any bat that appears to have pine tar or a similar substance.

- Coach warm-ups and drop third strike: Changes and local practice were described on-air: coaches are permitted to warm a pitcher between innings (a change discussed as relatively recent), and catchers and pitchers were reminded of the drop third-strike rule (batter out only if first base is occupied at the time of the third strike, otherwise the batter can attempt to reach first).

These items were discussed by KVGC broadcasters (Joey Gidi and Steve Nash), by Scott Smith (chief umpire) and by coaches at the field. The on-air explanations were framed as practical guidance for coaches and parents and were interwoven with game play-by-play throughout the broadcast.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ACLLE Opening Day 2025: Jackson Lions vs. Dirt Devils","oneSentenceSummary","During the opening-night broadcast at John Ime Field, KVGC commentators and the umpiring crew explained several Little League playing rules and equipment standards relevant to the majors division, including continuous batting, lead-off restrictions, pitch-counts, bat certification and coach warm-ups.","taxTitle","Amador County, California","taxId",26727,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099207,"Jackson Lions beat Dirt Devils 6-1 in Amador County Little League East opener",7458,300000,7758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820607-4b30fab535412950fd603d5519f5301b&start=300&end=7758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820607-4b30fab535412950fd603d5519f5301b/thumbnail_300000.jpg","/articles/6099207/Amador-County/California/Jackson-Lions-beat-Dirt-Devils-6-1-in-Amador-County-Little-League-East-opener","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099207-c55801fe9c5d024724a864fd91afa6a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150988&Signature=WHis0s~iatDj4dlwr8fEEEaTyLsG8W~o9Qr-lT5rW-wrsKvQ4V6fMm1PMI4I2otPk3RHacIGoStyV1dEZ9NT2Ry4Wci-LyRCFTKMcrE0yESVvSZUOGyBzNGnD3RIJr1~F-zAFO1DKsmvljb7yiufINUq3jp7OCw~nKk~B5l4aJeOS7ZNo9bwP-RawLzK1HcGYrvQOM90RGwcl6FaZXk-AO9CiS82bQyHlRx~76YA~DO5tnnzCWXVsTIa~PhbMrP3dlsenzuTafujvojOzcvED328xe7YeFwIuNTllaVQHNrw1gm06yUK5VaD2rXAM~m9E73ssUuyXXNqbb02QBqlBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jackson Lions defeated the Dirt Devils 6-1 on opening night of Amador County Little League East at John Ime Field at Dieter Park in Jackson, extending an early-season lead with timely hitting and steady pitching.

The win began with an early rally: the Lions scored two runs in the first inning and added two more in the third to build a 4-0 advantage. The Dirt Devils answered with a run in the fourth, but the Lions pushed across two additional runs later in the game to reach the final 6-1 margin. Broadcasters Joey Gidi (play-by-play announcer) and Steve Nash (color analyst) described the game as a well-pitched, quickly-played contest with several standout defensive plays and a handful of miscues that produced runs for the Lions.

Why it matters: opening-day results set the tone for the Little League season and draw local attention to youth sports, volunteers and sponsors that support Amador County programs.

Game details and turning points:
- First inning: The Lions produced an early two-run rally. Jax White’s line-drive to center helped spark the offense; the Lions left the Devils with runners in scoring position but converted enough opportunities to score two.
- Third inning: The Lions added two more runs to extend the lead to 4-0. A misplayed throw by the Dirt Devils on an infield play allowed extra bases and produced runs, according to the game broadcast.
- Fourth inning: The Dirt Devils scored to get on the board, trimming the deficit to 4-1.
- Fifth inning: The Lions added insurance runs; Jax White had a key base hit in the sequence that led to additional scoring, and the Lions ultimately led 6-1.
- Defense and pitching: Jackson’s staff (starting with Jace Denari and later Milos Maggi) worked efficiently, recording multiple strikeouts and keeping the Dirt Devils from stringing together rallies. Denari generated several multi-pitch at-bats and was credited by the broadcasters with effective command early in the game. The Dirt Devils’ starter (Chuck Wellman’s team) also mixed off-speed pitches and worked quickly but was charged with runs after a throwing miscue into the right-field corner.

Postgame honors and logistics: The broadcast named Jason Neri the William Peterson Financial Planning player of the game (starting pitcher for the Lions) and chose Jax White’s hit up the middle as the “Clutch Play of the Game.” The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Owen Varwig. The broadcast thanked local sponsors including Ramco, the Amador Community Foundation and the Amador County Chamber of Commerce.

Context and next steps: The game was the Amador County Little League East opening-night matchup; Amador West had a separate opening-day schedule the following day at Howard Park in Ione. Both clubs are beginning regular-season play; Little League season rules such as continuous batting and pitch-count limits were discussed on-air by the broadcasters and umpires during the broadcast.","The Jackson Lions defeated the Dirt Devils 6-1 at John Ime Field on opening night of Amador County Little League East, with a multi-inning offensive push and strong pitching from the Lions' staff. Game sponsors and a ceremonial first pitch were part of the evening.","actionData","errors"]

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Broadcasters, umpires outline Little League rules and equipment standards during Amador County opening night

Jackson Lions beat Dirt Devils 6-1 in Amador County Little League East opener