Little League Lineup Generator
Plenty of tools make "fair" lineups. This one makes legal ones: it checks your rotation against the actual rules — six defensive outs for every player, pitchers who can't legally return, catchers who've caught too many innings to pitch — and tells you before the umpire does.
Batting order
Continuous batting order — everyone bats, every game. Late arrivals go to the bottom; a departing player's spot is skipped, no automatic out.
Fielding rotation
Every cell is editable — the rule checks below update live as you make changes.
Rule check
The rules this tool enforces
- Mandatory play — Regulation IV(i): every rostered player present at the start must get at least six defensive outs (two full innings) and at least one at-bat. Miss it, and that player must start the next game and receive the missed time plus the normal minimum.
- Continuous batting order: mandatory in Tee Ball and Minors, and the common local option above that. Everyone bats in a fixed order, so the at-bat half of mandatory play takes care of itself.
- Pitchers don't come back: at Majors and below, a pitcher removed from the mound may not pitch again in that game — so a pitcher's innings must be one consecutive block.
- The catcher trap: a player who catches four or more innings may not pitch that day. And a pitcher who throws 41+ pitches can't move to catcher — track counts on the eligibility board.
- Fairness beyond the rulebook: nobody sits twice before everyone sits once, and no player rides the bench two innings in a row.
Frequently asked questions
Does this replace the official lineup card?
No — print it and copy it onto whatever your league requires. It replaces the 10 p.m. spreadsheet session, not the scorekeeper's paperwork.
What about tournament (All-Star) rules?
Tournament mandatory play differs (it varies by roster size and is stricter about consecutive outs). This tool checks regular-season rules; for tournament play, use it as a starting point and verify against the current tournament rules chart.
Can I pin my pitcher or catcher?
Yes — generate first, then edit any cell. The generator gives pitchers consecutive-inning blocks automatically, and every edit re-runs the rule check, so you'll see immediately if a manual change breaks something.
My league plays 9 players and everyone fields every inning. Do I need this?
With exactly 9 present, there's no bench and mandatory play is automatic — you mostly get position variety and the pitcher/catcher legality checks. It earns its keep the first Saturday you have 12 kids and a doubleheader.
Sources
Little League Regulation IV(i), Rule 4.04 (continuous batting order), and the pitching/catching interaction rules, verified July 2026 — see littleleague.org. Local leagues may adopt stricter options; your league's rulebook wins.