Little League Batting Rules

In divisions below Majors, Little League requires a continuous batting order, often called roster batting: every player on the roster bats, regardless of whether they're currently playing defense. In the Majors division, continuous batting is a local league option under Rule 4.04 (many local leagues adopt it), and it is not used in Majors tournament play. In Intermediate (50/70) and above, the traditional 9-player batting order applies. These rules affect how you build your lineup, when you can substitute, and how playing time is distributed.

In continuous batting order games, if you have 12 players, all 12 bat. The batting order rotates through all 12 each time through the lineup. Players who aren't currently playing defense still bat in their order position. Check with your local league on whether your Majors division has adopted the continuous order.

With continuous batting order, every player hits, but the order still matters. Your best hitters should still be in high-leverage spots (leadoff, 3-4-5), and your developing hitters benefit from lower-pressure positions later in the order.

Rizzler's AI batting order, available on Pro and Club plans, builds lineups that account for continuous batting order rules. It optimizes the full 12-13 player lineup, not just the top 9. The free plan includes manual lineup building with the same rule checks. For age-specific lineup strategies, see the batting order guide for 11U-12U.