A. Play is governed by Official Baseball Rules with exceptions as noted in the PONY Baseball Mustang Rules & Regulations as well as this document. Rules not appropriate for regular season youth baseball have been waived by the Board of Directors.
1. See attached draft rules
1.
Games shall consist of six innings, but a game will not
exceed nine innings. If the score is
tied after nine innings, it will be called a tie.
2.
No inning shall start after two hours from the start of the
game. When the time limit is reached,
the current inning will be completed and the game will be called, except in the
case of a tie, when there is no time limit.
3.
If a game is called for any reason, it is a complete game
if four innings have been completed, or if the home team is leading after three
and one half innings.
a.
If a game is called with a tie score, it will be considered
a suspended game and will be completed from the point it was called at a later
date.
4.
15 RUN RULE: If a
team is leading its opponent by at least fifteen runs after four or more
completed innings, three and one half innings if the home team is leading, the
game shall be ended and the leading team declared the winner.
5.
Each team may field a maximum of nine players
a.
Eight players must be available to start the game or the
team will be forced to forfeit the game.
b.
A team has 15 minutes from the scheduled start time to
field the minimum number of players or a forfeit will be called.
c.
The ninth player to arrive after the game has started will
be placed in the ninth batting slot and will be considered a substitute (see
rules on substitution).
d.
If a player comes out of the game due to illness or injury
and no substitute is available, the lineup will be condensed and an out will
NOT be imposed each time that player should have batted. However, a team must have 8 players to
continue the game.
e.
If a player is ejected and there is no substitute
available, an out will be called each time that player is supposed to bat.
1.
Each player must play at least 2 defensive innings in a
game, and he/she must bat at least once in a game, if they are available to
play (injury, ejection, arriving late, leaving early are exceptions). This rule is waived for games that end
prematurely due to run rule, time limit, weather, etc. However, the player affected must start
the next game.
2.
Any player in the starting lineup who has been removed for
a substitute may re-enter the game one time – this rule applies to starters only.
a. When the
starter returns to the lineup, he/she must be placed in his/her original place
in the batting order. No substitutions
shall be allowed that alters the original batting rotation of any of the
starting or substitute players.
b. Once
removed from the lineup, a pitcher may return to the lineup but may not pitch
again in the same game.
3.
When all substitutes are ineligible to reenter the game and
a player leaves due to illness, injury, or ejection, the substitute who was
last removed from the game may reenter the game in the place in the lineup of
the ill/injured/ejected player.
a. An
ejected player may not re-enter the game under any circumstances.
E. THE BATTER/RUNNER
1. Teams may have 10 players in the batting order with one of the players designated as the “extra hitter”. The 10 players in the lineup can have free defensive substitution as long as the pitching rules (see F.) are followed. All players must fulfill the minimum play requirements for defense and offense.
2. Runners may lead off and steal as in official baseball rules.
3. Umpires shall not permit more than one offensive time out per one half inning.
1.
Pitchers
shall not pitch in more than three innings on the same calendar day.
2.
Pitchers
shall not pitch in more than eight innings in the same calendar week (12:01 AM
Monday to 12 Midnight the following Sunday).
3.
Pitchers
shall have at least 40 hours rest after pitching 3 innings on the same day.
a.
Forty
hours is computed from the scheduled starting time of the game.
b.
As
soon as the pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter, the pitcher shall be
considered as having pitched in one inning.
4.
Any
pitcher withdrawn from the mound and/or lineup, or any pitcher withdrawn from
the mound who stays in the game at another position, shall not be permitted to
pitch again in the same game.
5.
If
a relief pitcher comes in cold, the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm up
properly with at least ten warm-up pitches.
6.
The
pitcher’s name in the batting order turned in prior to the start of the game
shall pitch to the first batter until such batter is put out or reaches first
base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or illness which incapacitates him/her
from pitching.
7.
In
order to be considered the winning pitcher, pitchers should complete at least
two full innings (retire six batters) and have a lead that stands up for the
rest of the game.
8.
If
a manager/coach calls time and talks to his defensive players two times while the same player is
pitching, a pitching change must be made.
9.
Balks
will be called and penalties assessed according to Official Baseball Rules.
10.
Batters
may advance on a dropped 3rd strike as per official baseball rules.
1.
The
first and third base coaches must stay in the coaching boxes.
2.
Base
coaches will not touch baserunners. If
runners are touched, the runner will be called out. It is the discretion of the umpire if the coach is
pushing/holding a player or congratulating him/her.
3.
Players
are not permitted to be base coaches.
1.
The
home team must supply an official scorekeeper who is familiar with baseball and
scorekeeping and who should use the team’s official scorebook.
2.
The
official scorekeeper shall record innings pitched by each player and the
starting time of the game.
3.
The
umpire will be responsible for keeping an official lineup card.
1.
Please
report any injuries to a Board Member as soon as possible.
2.
In
case of any injuries deemed serious by the umpire, all play will cease
immediately.
1.
It
is the responsibility of the home team of the final game of the day to make
sure the field/dugouts/concession areas are free of any trash or debris after
the game.
2.
It
will be up to the Umpire and the Board to determine when a game will be called
due to weather.
3.
Both
teams’ coaches and managers should arrive at the field early if it has been
raining to help prepare the field for play.
4.
It
is the HOME TEAMS responsibility to line the field, place the bases, remove the
bases, provide baseballs, and turn the lights on and off.
1.
Protests
may be filed for $50.00, which is non-refundable if the protest is lost. Judgment calls by the umpire are not
protestable.
2.
The
HOME TEAM must supply at least one (two on weekends) adult(s) (over age 16) to
work in the concession stand during the game.
Failure to supply a worker will result in a forfeit. The team mom should assign games to the
parent volunteers so there is no confusion when the game arrives.
3.
Equipment
should be kept inside the dugout so it does not interfere with play.
4.
No
tobacco or alcohol will be allowed on the field or in the dugouts at any time.
5.
The
Board will choose an All-star manager.
He/She, with the approval of The Board, will select the remaining two
All-star coaches. The coaches will
determine the player composition of the All-star team, with the manager having
the final say.