PLAYERS
The defensive team uses all of its players in the field.  Six infielders are used, including a pitcher and an extra player in front of second base.  All infielders should position themselves in front of the baseline to help avoid contact with base runners.  No catcher is used.  Batting team coach will catch. The remaining players play in the outfield, they should be spread evenly across the field and should be positioned in the outfield grass.
 
GAMES
Games consist of 3 innings.  Extra scrimmage innings may be played if time permits and both coaches agree.  The offensive team’s coach (pitcher) that is in the field serves as the base umpire.
 
UNIFORMS
Team shirts and long pants should be worn for all games.  Helmets must be worn by all base runners and batters, no face mask is required.  No jewelry, i.e. bracelets, necklaces, rings, or earrings is permitted.  If necessary pierced earrings that must be worn must have tape over same.
 
COACHES
Two defensive coaches may be positioned behind the infielders for instructional guidance.
 
BATTING ORDER
Every player present will be included in a consecutive batting order.  Girls arriving after the game starts will be inserted at the end of the batting order. Each team bats the entire order each inning.
 
PLAYING TIME
All players will play all innings in the field on defense.  No player may play the same position more than one inning during a game.
 
CANCELLATIONS
Home managers are responsible for canceling games due to inclement weather.  Games should not be rescheduled due to insufficient players.  Teams should have at least six players to play a game.
 
DIMENSIONS
Bases are 50 feet apart.  The pitching rubber is 35 feet from the rear of home plate.  Home team is responsible for preparing the field and supplying 2 game balls. A 10 foot arc in front of home plate will be used to determine a “playable” hit.
 
PITCHING
No pitching is allowed by players.  The pitcher must be positioned behind the rubber (next to the coach that is pitching) until the ball is hit.  The pitcher may not run to make an out at home plate; there are no outs at home.
 
BATTING
All girls will get a chance to hit the pitched ball from the offensive team’s coach. An approximate maximum of ten (10) pitches will be thrown to the batter. After the ten pitches have been thrown and the batter does not hit the ball into fair territory the tee must be used to help the girl hit the ball. Coaches should be sure to take a positive approach to using the tee. It should not be viewed as a failed attempt to hit but as a tool to teach proper technique and promote confidence. The tee is placed slightly in front of home plate to encourage the girls to hit the ball out in front of the plate with their arms extended. Batted balls must travel 10 feet in fair territory. The batter may not bunt or take a half swing to put the ball in play. There are no walks or strikeouts. Bat throwing will not be allowed, when it occurs, the coach should talk to the girl immediately. Girls should be taught to stand squarely in the batters box.
 
BASE RUNNING
Runners may not leave the base until the ball is hit.  No leads or stealing is allowed.
 
GENERAL
Runners advance only one base at a time, no further advance on overthrows or fielding errors.  Outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass; they must give the infielder an opportunity to make a play on the batted ball.  Infielders may not be positioned in front of the pitcher or the 35 foot arc from home plate; they should be in front of the baseline to avoid contact with base runners.  Encourage the girls to make double plays, but only one out is recorded – the batter on a fly or the lead runner on a force is the out recorded. If 3 outs are recorded the batting team will continue to bat. Remember this is an instructional league and all girls must be given equal opportunity to learn the mechanics of the game.

GAME
· A regulation game will consist of 6 innings. Scores can be kept but will not be utilized for standings as there are no playoffs in the Mustang Division.
· An inning is ended with 3 outs or 5 runs scored, whichever comes first. A maximum of five runs may be scored in any inning by each team. Again, if three outs are recorded by the defending team that half of the inning is over.
· Two coaches are allowed on the field during their defensive half of the inning. Coaches must be in the outfield grass.
· The offensive team's coach (pitcher) that is in the field serves as the base empire.

PLAYERS
· The defensive team uses all of its players in the field. Six infielders are used, including a pitcher and an extra player in front of second base. All infielders should position themselves in front of the baseline to help avoid contact with base runners. No catcher is used. The remaining players play in the outfield, they should be spread evenly across the field and should be positioned in the outfield grass.
· No infielder (except the pitcher) may be positioned closer to the batter than a radius of 45 feet from the batter. Outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass.
· Players must play 3 innings in the infield per game
· Managers may substitute freely at anytime during the game.

BATTING
· There are no walks. There are no called strikes.
· Three swinging strikes and the batter is out. Foul balls will be considered strikes except for the third strike on a batter. There must be a swing and miss on the third strike for a batter to strike out.
· Batted balls must travel 15 feet in fair territory. The batter may not bunt or take a half swing to put the ball in play.
· Bat throwing will not be allowed, when it occurs, the coach should talk to the girl immediately. Girls should be taught to stand squarely in the batter's box.

BASE RUNNING
· The runner may not leave a base until the ball is hit. No stealing or leading.
· No advancement on overthrows to a base.
· On balls hit to the outfield, runners may advance until the ball is returned to, and controlled by, an infielder. The infielder must be standing in the infield area marked by the dirt cutout. Runners advance at their own risk. Control is defined as “In the infielder’s hand or glove.” If a runner advances (begins to the next base) after control has been gained and that runner is less than half way to the next base, then that runner will be sent back to the previous base.
· Sliding is encouraged. Any intentional collisions will result in the runner being called out.

PITCHING
· Coaches will pitch to his/her players.
· Girls should be encouraged to swing at pitches in the strike zone. The strike zone will be roughly from the top of the shoulders to the knees.
· No walks will be issued. Batters can strike out by swinging only.
· No pitching is allowed by players. The pitcher must be positioned behind the rubber (next to the coach that is pitching with at least one foot in the pitcher's circle) until the ball is hit. The pitcher may not run to make an out at home plate; there are no outs at home.
· If any coach is hit by a batted ball, the ball will remain in play. If a coach catches a ball, the batter and all base runners will advance one base.

UNIFORMS
· Team shirts and long pants should be worn for all games. Helmets must be worn by all base runners and batters. No jewelry, i.e. bracelets, necklaces, rings, or earrings is permitted. If necessary pierced earrings that must be worn must have tape over the earring.

BATTING ORDER
· Every player present will be included in a consecutive batting order. Girls arriving after the game starts will be inserted at the end of the batting order.

PLAYING TIME
· All players will play all innings in the field on defense. No player may play the same position more than two innings during a game.

CANCELLATIONS
· Home managers are responsible for canceling games due to inclement weather. Games should not be rescheduled due to insufficient players. Teams should have at least six players to play a game.

FIELD DIMENSIONS
· Bases are 50 feet apart. The pitching rubber is 35 feet from the rear of home plate. Home team is responsible for preparing the field and supplying 2 game balls.

GENERAL
· Outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass; they must give the infielder an opportunity to make a play on the batted ball. Infielders may not be positioned in front of the pitcher or the 35 foot arc from home plate; they should be in front of the baseline to avoid contact with base runners. Encourage the girls to make double plays when possible. The double play should count.

· There are no protests – always remember, we are here for the children.

GAME

All Regular Season Games will be timed games.  One hour and thirty minutes time limit for games starting May 13 then they will be One Hour and Forty Five minutes.  You must finish the inning.  In an effort to speed up play the pitcher will have 5 warm-up pitches between innings.  Remember all teams make the playoffs.

Players should report to the field 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game.  A 15 minute grace period will be allowed before forfeiture. If neither team is able to field the minimum; number of players, a double forfeit will occur. These time limits apply to umpires as well as players.

Teams may begin a game with 7 players. In case of injury, teams may complete a game with 6 players.

If the score is tied at the time of discontinuation, the game will be resumed at a later date from that point with a fresh count on the batter if the coaches so desire. Otherwise, the game will end in a tie.

An inning is ended with 3 outs or 4 runs scored, whichever comes first. There are no limits on runs in the last inning of a 6 inning game. (In the case of a shortened game the last inning will be 3 outs or 4 runs scored.)

Only one coach is allowed on the field during their defensive half of the inning. You must be in the outfield grass.

PLAYERS

The defensive team will use 10 players including 4 players in the outfield. No infielder may be positioned closer to the batter than a radius of 45 feet from the batter. Outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass.

All players must play at least two full innings in the field in an unabbreviated game. We recommend 3 innings whenever possible. No pitcher may pitch more than three innings in a regulation game. There are no limits during extra innings. One pitch thrown in any inning shall count as a full inning.  No player is allowed to play more than 3 innings at any one infield position or more than 3 innings in the outfield during any regular season or playoff game.  Any player who does not want to play in the infield should discuss this with her coaches.

Managers may substitute freely at any time during the game.

BATTING

If the ball bounces on the ground and hits the batter, then the batter is considered “Hit by the Pitch” and the coach will come in and pitch.

If the ball hits the plate after being hit by the bat and goes into fair territory, then the ball is considered live.

BASE RUNNING

The runner may not leave a base until the ball is hit. No stealing or leading.

On overthrows to any base, the batter-runner may not advance automatically unless the ball goes past the fence or goes out of bounds. If this happens, the batter-runner will go to the next base.  On any other overthrow (to a base), the runner may advance only one base, but at her own risk of being thrown out. If a runner is on base when the overthrow occurs, she may advance to the base she is headed plus one. (i.e. a runner on first may advance to third.)

** There can be only one overthrow per play.

On balls hit to the outfield, runners may advance until the ball is returned to, and controlled by, an infielder.  The infielder must be standing in the infield area marked by the dirt cutout.  Runners advance at their own risk. If an overthrow occurs after the ball is in the control of an infielder the runner may not advance. Control is defined as “In the infielder’s hand or glove.” If a runner advances (begins to the next base) after control has been gained and that runner is less than half way to the next base, then that runner shall be sent back to the previous base.

Sliding is encouraged. Any intentional collisions will result in the runner being called out.

PITCHING

Pitchers must begin the motion with one foot on the rubber.  The foot should remain in contactwith the rubber until a pitch is delivered. Pitchers are not allowed to double pump.

The strike zone will be roughly from the top of the shoulders to the knees.

A pitcher will continue to pitch to the batter until a count of four balls is reached.  At this point, if the batter has not recorded an out or a hit, a coach will pitch to the batter. The strike count is continued; no walks will be issued.  Batters can strike out.

If a pitcher hits three batters in one inning, then she shall be removed from pitching for the rest of that inning. When the batter is hit by a pitch, the coach then comes in and pitches to the batter.

If any coach is hit by a batted ball, the ball will remain inplay. If a coach catches a ball,

the batter and all base runners will advance one base.

FIELD DIMENSIONS

Bases are 60 ft apart. The pitcher’s mound is 35 ft from home.

•           All Regular Season Games will be timed games.  One hour and thirty minutes time limit for games starting May 13 then they will be One Hour and Forty Five minutes.  You must finish the inning.  In an effort to speed up play the pitcher will have 5 warm-up pitches between innings.  Remember all teams make the playoffs.

•           Both teams must start the game with at least 7 players.

•           An inning is ended with 4 runs or three outs, whichever occurs first. The exception is the last inning (6^th) or extra innings. There is no limit to runs in the 6^th inning.   (In the case of a shortened game the last inning will be 3 outs or 4 runs scored.)

•           One warning per player for throwing her bat. After which it is the umpire’s discretion whether the batter will be called out for a second violation.

•           No coach or player shall stand behind the backstop during play.

•           Bases are 60 ft apart.

•           Pitchers’ mound is 40 ft from home.

•           Manager may substitute freely throughout the game.

•           Every player must play in the infield for no less than 3 innings in a complete game.

•           A player may not play more than 4 innings in the outfield per game with the exception of extra innings.

•           The batting order will run consecutively throughout the game. If a player arrives after ground rules, she is to be placed at the end of the lineup.

•           Bunting is allowed except with a runner on third base.

•           Runners may not leave the base until the ball crosses the plate.  If any runner leaves the base early the team will receive a warning. A team will receive two warnings, after which the runner will be ruled out.

•           Catchers may throw to first base to try to put a base runner out after they take a lead. If the ball is overthrown it is considered a live ball. The runner on first must tag up at first base, but may try to advance one base. No other runners may advance.

•           When a ball is dropped with the third strike, the batter is out. No advancing to first base.

•           Stealing of second and third is allowed. When stealing a base, a runner cannot advance any further than the base she is attempting to steal.  The runner must break toward the next base immediately after the ball crosses the plate, otherwise the runner must return to the original base.

•           The runner will be called out on an intentional collision. Runners must slide to avoid a collision.

•           If there is an overthrow, runner(s) may advance one base only at their own risk. Once they reached that base, the ball is dead.

•           On balls hit to the field of play, runners may advance until the ball is returned to, and controlled by the pitcher in the circle. Runners advance at their own risk.  If an overthrow occurs after the ball is in the control of the pitcher the runner may not advance. Control is defined as “In the pitcher’s hand or glove in the pitching circle.” If a runner is off the base (begins to the next base) after control has been gained by the pitcher the runner must immediately return to the previous base or attempt to advance to the next base at her own risk. We are encouraging the pitcher to make an attempt at play.  If an overthrow occurs after the pitcher has control then no runners may advance this includes additional runners on other bases.

•           The infield fly rule is not used.

•           Defensive teams are to use four outfielders.

•           Outfielders may not make a play by covering any base except in a bunting situation.

•           No player may line up inside the radius of the pitching rubber-home plate distance. A fielder may move within the radius if a batter shows bunt

•           Pitcher must have one foot on the rubber when the ball is released and no double pumping

•           When a batter is hit with a pitched ball, the batter will advance to first base. A pitcher who hits three batters in one inning must be removed from pitching for the remainder of the inning. It is considered one of the three innings per game that she may pitch.

The following exceptions to PONY Fast Pitch rules will be used:

PLAYERS
· Each player will play two complete defensive innings.
· The batting order will run consecutively with all players batting whether or not they are playing in the field. Late arrivals, after ground rules will be placed at the bottom of the batting order.
· Managers may substitute freely throughout the game.
· A single pitch thrown counts as an inning for a pitcher. No pitcher may pitch more than 4 innings in a 7 inning game. She may pitch some or all of any extra innings.
· A player who is scheduled to catch the next inning, ONLY, may have a pinch runner (the runner must be the player making the last recorded out). This is to speed up the transition between innings.
· A full defensive team consists of 10 players, four of whom must be stationed in the outfield when the ball is pitched.

BASERUNNERS
On any attempt to put out a baserunner, which originates with a throw from a catcher, immediately after the catcher receives a pitch, the following exceptions to ASA rules take effect. If the catcher's throw to a teammate results in an overthrow, all runners may advance only one base. Once all runners have advanced, the ball is dead. This rule also applies to dropped third strikes, i.e., the batter/runner cannot advance to second on an overthrow from the catcher.

Play - R 1 on first, attempts to steal second and the catcher's throw goes into centerfield. R1 stays at second and the ball is dead.

Play -R 1 on first, R2 on second. R 1 has large lead drawing throw from catcher. Throw goes into right field. R2 may advance to third only, R 1 may advance to second with liability to be thrown out by back-up throw by the right fielder. If the right fielder's throw ends up in left field, the ball is dead as both runners have advanced safely one base. The intent of this rule is to encourage managers to develop catcher's defensive skills without jeopardy of overthrows resulting in runners circling bases on one play.

GAME
1. Players should report 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the game. A 15 ­minute grace period will be allowed before a forfeit is declared. If a team has 7 players the game can start. If the 8th player does not show up after the 2nd inning, then an out will be recorded for that player each time she is due up at the plate.
2. The home team manager decides cancellations due to inclement weather if an ASA umpire is not yet involved. He must notify the visiting manager and the senior commissioner.
3. A game is complete if stopped for darkness or weather after 5 full innings (4 1/2 if home team is winning) except for play-off games which will be played to completion of 7 innings. If a team is up by 10 runs or more after 4 complete innings, then the game is over.
4. An interrupted incomplete game will start again at the same spot as it was when interrupted, i.e. same balls and strikes on batter. Any player not there the first portion may play in the second if she is placed at the bottom of the batting order.
5. An inning is over when 5 runs are scored or 3 outs registered. This rule does not apply to the last inning or to any extra inning.
6. Managers should attempt to obtain an umpire from the crowd if an umpire fails to show. Try to play your games rather than send girls home disappointed. The senior commissioner must be advised of any fields, which will not be used per the league schedule. Our future use of county fields could be hampered if we allow them to sit idle without notifying the county.

Talleyville-Claymont Rules
· Talleyville can steal home against Talleyville teams, but not against Claymont teams.
· A younger player can be brought up from the lower division, but may not pitch in the game.
· If a player is added to the roster after April 18th, then she can not play in the playoffs.