HUTTO YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
Rules and Standards
Hutto Youth Baseball/Softball
operates its leagues under a membership certificate granted by Pony Baseball
and Softball. These leagues are known as, Shetland, Pinto, Mustang, Bronco, and
Pony for Baseball and Softball and are governed by one Board of Directors.
The league will
provide for the following divisions of play:
|
1. Shetland
(4, 5 & 6 years old) |
|
2. Pinto (7-8
years old) |
|
3. Mustang
(9-10 years old) |
|
4. Bronco
(11-12 years old) |
|
5. Pony (13-14
years old) |
All leagues
shall abide by the rules and regulations set forth by Official Baseball Rules: The Sporting News edition, as edited for
Pony Baseball (with certain modifications as allowed). Special rules and
exceptions also may be established for the leagues sponsored by Hutto Youth
Baseball and Softball and adopted by its Board of Directors.
The following pages contain the Pony Baseball rules and regulations that have
been modified by the Board of Directors. These are the special rules and exception
that have been established for the league of Hutto Youth Baseball/Softball.
GENERAL
ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, DRUG USE, ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES
The Board of Directors will not tolerate abusive language, use of drugs or use
of alcoholic beverages on the ball park grounds. The Hutto Police Department
will be contacted to aid in enforcement of all laws and city ordinances
pertaining to governing the use of drugs or consumption of alcoholic beverages
on park premises and practice fields. The “ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY” is in effect
at all times.
USE OF TOBACCO
There will be no use of tobacco in the dugout or field.
PROFANITY, LOSS OF TEMPER, ABUSE OF
EQUIPMENT
The use of profanity, loss of temper or abuse of equipment will NOT be
tolerated and will be grounds for immediate removal from the game by an umpire.
The “NO TOLERANCE POLICY” is in effect at all times. After receiving the
umpire’s report that a manager, coach or player has been disqualified, the
league president will turn over the report to the league decisions committee
who will handle the matter in accordance with Pony rules. The league decisions
committee shall be in accordance with the “Pony Rules and Regulations”.
SPORTSMANSHIP
The purpose of Hutto Youth Baseball/Softball is to help boys and girls to become
good, decent citizens. It strives to inspire them with a goal and enrich their
lives toward the day when they must take their place in society. It establishes
for them the fundamentals of teamwork and play. The Board of Directors will
look with utmost disfavor upon such activities by managers and coaches as
instructing unsportsman like behavior or to call time out to talk to players in
effort to affect the outcome of a game when time becomes a factor. The
principles of Hutto Youth Baseball/Softball involve much more than just
winning, and the Board expects those principles to be adhered to by all
managers, coaches, players and parents at all times.
TEAM DUTY and FIELD DUTY
It is the managers and coach’s responsibility to get helpers assigned to team
duty and field duty. If these duties are not covered, the manager will be
reported to the Vice President of that league and will face disciplinary
action, i.e. Manager being suspended or forfeiture of a game. Each Team is
responsible to set up the field prior to games (Home and visitor shall work
together) Managers must have at least one person to be at fields 30 minutes
prior to game to set up fields. Ie: putting out bases or moving base to correct
distance, raking if necessary, chalking field and ensuring field is safe for
play. The last Team’s playing shall put up bases and rake the field and turn
off lights during night games. All teams shall pick up trash after each game.
CANCELLED OR SUSPENDED GAMES
Any canceled or suspended game will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
Information concerning rescheduled games will be found on the web page: www.huttobaseball.org
or calling 622-1076
Talk to your
Vice President if you have questions.
EARLY AND LATE GAMES
Early games are scheduled to begin at 6:00PM. Late games are scheduled to begin
no later then 8:00PM. No reversion rule (revert back to inning of original
game).
INFIELD PRACTICES
Infield practice will consist of 10 minutes, if time allows, prior to the
beginning of each game; 5 minutes for each team. Infield practice is a
privilege and may be revoked or shortened (at the umpire’s discretion) if the
first game runs long.
UMPIRES
Umpires are in full charge of the game and are entitled to respect at all times
from managers, coaches, players, parents and visitors. Any disorderly conduct
from a manager, coach, player, parent or visitor that results in an ejection
must adhere to the umpires’ judgment for the ejection. Any person ejected must
leave the park immediately. Failure to
do so will result in the Hutto Police Department to be called.
If an umpire
ejects a manager or a coach, they may not be eligible to participate for the
next two games; this will be decided by the decisions committee.
The Board of
Directors may suspend any person who verbally or physically contacts an umpire
in an abusive fashion from attendance for the next two scheduled games /or
punishment as the board deems necessary.
A second
occurrence of umpire abuse will be cause for suspension from attendance for the
remainder of the season.
The ejected
person will have the opportunity to file an incident report with the Board of
Directors at a later date. Refer to the “NO TOLERANCE POLICY”.
Any
on field issues can only be resolved with the 2 Head coaches and the umpire.
Timeout has to be called and the issue will only be talked about and resolved.
Any yelling or Showing disrespect to the opposing coach or umpire will result
in an automatic ejection from the field.
ADDITONAL GROUND RULES
The Board of Directors may publish any additional ground rules for all leagues
at the beginning of each season.
RULE CHANGES
The Board of Directors reserves the right to add or change rules during the
year for the betterment and/or safety of the program. During interleague play,
interleague rule will supersede local rules.
COACHES
GENERAL
All
coaches are responsible for the parents. Head coaches are responsible for the
assistant coaches. Any parent or coach getting out of line will be asked to
leave the fields. Coaches may be
ejected from the game for not controlling the parents. Umpire will start with the head coach, then
move on to assistants.
Up
to 3 coaches from each team will be asked to meet with the umpire 10 minutes
prior to start of the game to go over all rules.
NUMBER OF MANAGERS/COACHES IN DUGOUT
Only managers and coaches approved by the Board of Directors shall be in the
dugout.
|
Shetland – Three Coaches & Team Mom |
|
Pinto – Three Coaches & Team Mom |
|
Mustang – Three Coaches Bronco – Three Coaches Pony – Three Coaches |
No Defensive
coaches are allowed on the field with the exception of 2 defensive coaches at
the Shetland level.
PRACTICE
Practice may not be held unless two adults are in charge.
PLAYER SELECTION
Player selection in the Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony Leagues will be in
accordance with the “Draft System”. The Board may increase the number of
players on teams to accommodate unexpected applications. No player shall play on a league team and a select team during the same
season.
PLAYER REPLACEMENT
The procedure for player replacement is when a player’s services are lost for
the season. The manager or coach shall notify the League Vice President within
24 hours. Failure to notify the V.P could result in the manager’s suspension.
The Vice President will verify the vacancy with the player’s parents. The
commissioner will then notify the manager if a replacement player is
available. Managers shall replace lost
players with eligible players not currently
on a league team, with notification to the League President. The Vice President of each League shall
handle league injuries on an individual basis.
PLAYER PROTECTIONS
Total protections will be six (6) for each League, including siblings and
coaches children. Under this Rule, the sibling or coaches child shall be
drafted in the next available round of the draft. The manager and parent, prior
to the draft must agree upon these protections. If one player is protected,
that player must be drafted in the first round. If two (2) players are
protected, those players must be drafted in the first and second rounds,
respectively. If three (3) players are protected, they must be drafted in the
first, second and third rounds, respectively. This process will continue to
descend through the sixth round, if applicable.
TEAMS DRAW FOR DRAFT
Teams will draw for draft positions.
PLAYER TRADES
one (1) player trade will be allowed per team after the draft, but must be
completed before leaving the draft room, on draft night. NO Hat picks are
tradable.
DRAFT PROCEDURE
All League teams will draft within the same draft.
BASE DISTANCES AND PITCHING DISTANCES
Division Base Distance Pitching Distance
Shetland 50’ 38’
Pinto 50’ 38’
Mustang 60’ 44’
Bronco 70’ 48’
Pony 80’ 54’
SHETLAND DIVISION
ASSIGNMENT OF PLAYERS
The Board of Directors has adopted a rule whereby the Selections Committee and
the player agents will conduct a draft to assign players to teams, placing
approximately the same number of players, by age, to each team.
AGE GROUP AND TEAMS
The Board of Directors has established the age structure as a candidate who
will attain the age of four (4) five (5) or six (6) prior to August 1 of the
given year.
REGULATION GAME
A regulation game shall consist of five (5) full innings, if time permits.
However, no new inning may start after 1 hour of play. If a game is tied after
five (5) full innings or time has expired, the game will end in a tie. Coaches
may concede the game at any time. No “ten run” rule applies.
Ball In Play
Once
a ball has been placed in play by the batter; runners may advance until one of
two defensive actions will stop a play. This does NOT
include umpire making a judgment call of dead ball for any reason
like an injured player, etc.
1. The closest base runner to home is stopped from advancing by
any defensive player.
2. The
ball is returned to the pitcher and the pitcher is in the pitching mound area
not trying to make a play.
Holding the
ball overhead by any defensive player does NOT stop play or cause a dead
ball situation.
MANDATORY PLAY RULE
The Board of Directors has adopted the rule whereby a player shall not remain
on the bench more than one defensive half inning. To encourage rotation of
players, no player shall remain at the same defensive position more than two
innings. Each team shall bat the roster.
UMPIRE JUDGEMENT CALLS
If in the umpire’s judgment, the defensive player, including the pitcher,
should have thrown the ball to create the out, the runner is safe. Teamwork and
baseball fundamentals should be emphasized.
All umpire
judgment calls are not
questionable or arguable.
CATCHERS
Will be outfitted with a
catcher’s helmet provided by the league or one that is equal in protection. The
catcher will stand back away from the batter (in close proximity to the umpire)
until the ball is hit and the batter has left the batters box. Full catcher’s attire is not permitted at the
Shetland level.
PITCHERS
Coach-Pitcher, 3 pitches from coach and 3 swings from the batting tee and the
tee shall be set atop home plate. The hit ball must travel five (5) feet in
fair territory.
The pitcher MUST attempt a
throw to first base on a batted ball.
(see definition of throw.) Pitcher can NOT run to first base
with the ball to get the force out on a batted ball, NOR can the pitcher run a
runner down between the batters box and first base. This will result in the runner to be called safe. If the
pitcher fields the ball at the baseline he may tag out the runner if the runner
is at the same spot as the pitcher and ball. He cannot turn to run the batter
down. This is a judgment call by the umpire.
Definition
of throw - An intentional roll of
the ball does NOT constitute a throw to any base.
Coach pitch:
Girls underhand, Boys overhand, standing or kneeling.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON DEFENSE
The defensive team will field ten (10) players, with the 10th player in an
outfield position. All outfield players shall be evenly spaced on the outfield
grass. A game can start with nine (9)
players with the 10th player not
counted as an out. If only 8 players
are present, the 9th spot is an automatic out. If only 7 players are present, this is a
forfeit. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME.
Infielders can play no closer than 38’ for safety reasons. (This includes the
pitcher)
All players
shall play, only five (5) players allowed on infield.
DEFENSIVE
COACHES
Coaches (2 Maximum) must remain on outfield grass, unless time has been
called. Other coaches must stay in the dugout entry or in the
dugout. If a third coach enters the playing field the coach will get two
warnings then will be asked to be in the dugout for the remainder of the game.
Coaches
may not touch fielders in the field of play to position them. There will be 2
warnings then the coach will be asked to leave the field.
OVERTHROW
Only one overthrow allowed by an infield player in the infield per batted ball.
All runners advance at their own risk, but may advance only as far as the base
they were approaching, plus one additional base. An overthrow is a throw past
one infielder by another infielder. It is not a throw from an outfielder to an
infielder.
One
of two defensive actions will stop a play. This does NOT
include umpire making a judgment call of dead ball for any reason
like an injured player, etc.
1. The
closest base to runner to home is stopped from advancing by any defensive
player.
2. The
ball is returned to the pitcher and the pitcher is in the pitching mound area
not trying to make a play.
Holding the
ball overhead by any defensive player does NOT stop play or cause a dead
ball situation.
SIDE RETIRED
The offensive side is retired when three (3) outs are made or when five (5)
runs have scored in an inning.
STRIKE OUTS
A batter shall be declared out after failing to hit a fair ball upon a total of
6 swings from the coaches’ pitch and or batting tee.
There are no walks in Shetland. There is no “on-deck” position for batters in
Shetland.
Each
team must call timeout and check with the official scorekeeper. 1st
time will be a warning – 2nd and each sub-sequent time is an
automatic out.
Only
3 coaches are allowed on the field at a time. Firstbase coach, thirdbase coach,
and a coach at the plate.
Coaches
may help set the batters feet and help measure up to the ball. Coaches may not
grab or pick up a player to position them at the tee. 1 warning then automatic
out.
Coaches
are not allowed to touch a baserunner at any time. This will result in an automatic out.
Players running
to first base must run on right side of baseline (With-in three (3) feet of
base line), otherwise will be called out.
Stay with-in
three (3) feet of baseline on either side from first to second, second to third
or third to home.
CONTACT AVOIDANCE
Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempts to get around a
fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.
PINTO DIVISION
ASSIGNMENT OF PLAYERS
The Board of Directors has adopted a rule whereby the Selections Committee will
conduct a draft to assign players to teams, placing approximately the same
number of players, by age, to each team.
AGE GROUP AND TEAMS
The Board of Directors has established the age structure as a candidate who
will attain the age of seven (7) or eight (8) prior to August 1 of the given
year.
REGULATION GAME
A regulation game shall consist of six (6) full innings, if time permits. No
new inning may start after 1 hour and 15 minutes of play. If the game is tied
after six (6) full innings or time has expired, the game will end in a tie. No
“ten run” rule shall apply.
MANDATORY PLAY RULE
No player will sit out two (2) consecutive innings. Each team shall bat the
roster. Late player can be added to the end of the roster provided the first
batter has not batted twice.
UMPIRE JUDGEMENT CALLS
If in the umpire’s judgment, the defensive player, including the pitcher,
should have thrown the ball to create the out, the runner is safe. Teamwork and
baseball fundamentals should be emphasized.
All umpire judgment calls are not
questionable or arguable.
PINTO DEFENSE
PITCHING
The Board of Directors has adopted the rule that provides that a coach must
pitch in an overhand motion from a standing position from least 38 feet away,
until a maximum of six (6) pitches have occurred. The coach must be in front of
the mound and beyond the 38-foot line when the ball is released.
Pitchers (coach)
will immediately leave the infield once the ball is hit. Failure to do so may
be ruled interference and the lead runner will be called out.
Pitcher –player
has to play 38’ or more away from the home plate and have both feet in the dirt
area at the pitching position. This means pitcher player has to be behind the
release point of the coach pitcher.
All other Pony coach-pitch
rules apply.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON DEFENSE
The defensive team will field ten (10) players, with the 10th player in an
outfield position. All outfield players shall be evenly spaced on the outfield
grass. A game can start with nine (9)
players with the 10th player not counted as an out. If only 8 players are present this is a
forfeit. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME.
Outfielders – 4
players must play in the outfield, unless short a player. They have to play
staggered not stacked in the field.
While on
offense, all coaches, other than the pitching coach must remain in the dugout
or in the coach’s boxes.
While on defense, no coaches are allowed out of the dugout.
All other Pony rules apply.
PINTO OFFENSE
SIDE RETIRED
The offensive side is retired when three (3) outs are made or when five (5)
runs have scored in an inning.
STRIKE OUTS
Strikeouts are permitted in Pinto. A batter shall be allowed six (6) pitches,
or three (3) strikes, whichever comes first. If on the sixth pitch, the ball is
not struck or is batted foul, the batter is retired.
There are no
walks in Pinto.
There is no “on-deck” position for batters in Pinto.
BALL HIT TO OUTFIELD
On a ball hit to the outfield, the runner may advance until the ball is in
control by an infield player in the infield, fair or foul. The runner may
advance to the base they are approaching, at their own risk or until the umpire
calls time. There is no overthrow rule on a ball hit to the outfield.
COURTESY RUNNER, CATCHER POSITION
A courtesy runner is allowed, at the coach’s option, for the catcher only,
after two outs are made. The courtesy runner will be the player that made the
second out of the current inning.
Catchers in Coach-Pitch will be outfitted in full catcher’s gear (a Mandatory
cup at catchers’ expense) and will be allowed to play the catcher’s position.
CONTACT AVOIDANCE
Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempts to get around a
fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.
All offensive
players must wear batting helmet until safely in dugout.
MUSTANG
DIVISION
AGE GROUP AND TEAMS
The Mustang League shall consist of players of league ages nine (9) and ten
(10) years of age prior to August 1 of the given year.
REGULATION GAME
A regulation game shall consist of six (6) full innings if time permits. No new
inning may start after 1 hour and 30 minutes of play. If the game is tied after
six (6) full innings or time has expired, the game shall remain a tie.
The 10 run rule
shall apply after 4 innings of play or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead.
The 15 run rule is MANDATORY under the above conditions.
MANDATORY PLAY RULE
The Board of Directors has adopted a mandatory play rule whereby each player
must play at least 2 innings and bat at least one time. In addition, each team
is to bat the roster. If a player does not get the mandatory play, that player
must start the next scheduled game. A starter may re-enter the game as long as
the substitutes play is not affected.
MUSTANG DEFENSE
PITCHERS
The Board of Directors has implemented a safety rule that calls for the removal
from the position, as a pitcher, a player that has hit four (4) legal batters
in a game.
Pony pitching rules apply.
PITCHING RULE:
Pitchers may pitch up to 3 innings a game, and then they MUST have 40
hours of rest. After their 40 hours of
rest, they may pitch 5 more innings that week, totaling NO MORE THAN 8 innings
in a week (one or more pitches shall count as an inning). (A
calendar week is from 12:01 am Monday to 12 midnight the following Sunday). On the scorebook, you need to put your pitchers names and
how many innings pitched, verify this at the end of each game, before signing
the scorebook.
**NOTE** During League play, the enforcement will
be left up to the integrity of each team’s coaching staff. Scorecards or a
pitching log will be available for all Managers to check on a weekly basis,
this information will be taken directly off the cards that have been turned in
and signed by the managers and is not up for dispute. This information will be
located at the concession stand. Violation of the pitching rules will result in
a forfeit of the game.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON DEFENSE
The defensive team will field nine (9) players. If you are short a player, the short player will be in the
outfield. (You will play with only 2
outfielders.) If
only 7 players are present this is a forfeit. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME.
DEFENSIVE COACHES
While on defense, no coaches are allowed out of the dugout. All other Pony rules apply.
MUSTANG OFFENSE
SIDE RETIRED
The offensive team is retired when three (3) outs are made or when five (5)
runs have been scored in an inning. The “five run” rule was adopted in lieu of
retiring the offensive team after batting through their batting order before
three (3) outs are recorded. Each team shall bat the roster. Late players can
be added to the bottom of the roster provided the first batter in the line-up
hasn’t batter twice.
COURTESY RUNNER
A courtesy runner is allowed, at the coach’s option, for the catcher only after
two outs are made. The courtesy runner will be the player that made the second
out of the current inning. This does not affect the Mandatory Play Rule.
CONTACT AVOIDANCE
Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempts to get around a
fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag.
ADDITIONAL
RULES
1)
Official rules will be
those of the MLB National league as published in the current edition of “The
Sporting News Edition”, with amendments and exceptions as listed below:
2)
All teams and players
must be registered and insured by their local league. Using an ineligible player (not registered, age conflict, etc…)
will result in forfeit of the game(s) that the player participated in.
3)
Managers are
responsible for the behavior of their players and fans watching the game. Disputes will arise. Tempers may flare.
Adults must always be aware that they should set a good example for
players. A manager may be removed from
a game as a consequence for inappropriate behavior exhibited by his teams’
fans.
4)
All decisions on the
field are final. There are no protests.
5)
Only the manager will
handle disputes or appeals with umpires.
6)
All umpire judgment
calls are not questionable or arguable.
7)
A manager or coach that
is ejected from the game will be ineligible for the next league game, to be
decided by HYBSL board.
8)
Metal Spikes are not
allowed.
9)
On a squeeze play the
batter must bunt or take the pitch. He
cannot swing the bat! The batter and
the head coach will be ejected from the game, the runner will be sent back to 3rd
base.
10) The recommended distances are following the Pony
standards:
·
·
The pitching rubber distance should be
set up for 44’ and bases at 60’.
11) All games will last six (6) innings unless shorten by time.
Time Limits are:
· · 1 hour 30 minutes
If time runs out during the inning, the complete inning will be finished unless the home team is ahead when it becomes their turn at bat.
12) Run Limits:
· · Will have a 5 run per inning rule.
13) 10 run rule. If a team is behind 10 or more runs after four (4) at bats, (or any inning after four (4), the game is over, 15 runs after three (3) innings.
14) A tiebreaker will be used only if regulation time remains. Umpire determines time remaining.
· · Tiebreaker rule: With time remaining, one (1) extra inning will be given to try to break the tie. Both teams will have an equal chance. Both teams will place the player whom made the last batted out on second base with two (2) outs. If after one (1) completed inning is played, the tie is not broken; the game will stand as a tie.
15) Courtesy runners are allowed for the catcher only when there are 2 out. The courtesy runner must be a player who has the last recorded out if batting roster). Courtesy runner is mandatory for the catcher with two (2) outs.
20) A pitcher may pitch a maximum three (3) innings per game and a maximum of eight (8) innings per calendar week (a calendar week is from 12:01 am Monday to 12 midnight the following Sunday).
21) No Pitcher re-entry will be allowed during a game.
22) If a manager or coach goes onto the playing field to talk to any player or players more than once in a half inning, while the same player is pitching, a pitching change shall be made. At the umpire’s discretion, this rule does not apply when a player is injured or there is an equipment issue.
23) 7U-8U – NO infield fly rule in effect. 5 runs per inning.
24) Slide Rule: Collision Avoidance Rule
· · Runners are instructed to slide or attempt to avoid making contact with a fielder. A player who maliciously runs into another player is to be declared out (unless he/she has already scored prior to committing the infraction) and is to be automatically ejected (whether or not declared safe).
· · Contact shall be considered malicious if: the contact is the result of intentional excessive force, and / or there is intent to injure.
· · Malicious contact is to be penalized whether committed by an offensive or defensive player. The umpire shall determine whether contact was avoidable or unavoidable.
NOTE: It should be noted that a fielder while NOT in possession of the ball and not attempting to field the ball might be guilty of obstruction if that fielder impedes the progress of a runner. It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of obstructing a runner.
Last
updated: 8/12/2008