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2008 Fall Ball Rules for All Participating Leagues.These rules have been reviewed and agreed upon by all leagues enrolled in the Irvine PONY Fall Ball season.All local rules will be superceded by the following rules:
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Divisions |
Innings |
No New Inning |
Drop Dead |
Shetland |
5 |
1:15 |
1:30 |
Pinto-Machine Pinto-Kid Pitch 6 |
5 |
MP-1:20 KP-1:45 |
1:35 2:00 |
Mustang |
6 |
2:00 |
2:15 |
Bronco |
7 |
2:00 |
2:15 |
Pony |
7 |
2:00 |
2:15 |
If drop dead is called and the visiting team has the lead, the score reverts back to the last complete inning. If it appears to the umpire that a team is purposely delaying the game to reach drop dead status, the umpire can speed up the game by calling players out or declaring a forfeit after issuing one warning.
If your game starts late, and there is another game following on that field, you must be off the field at least 5 minutes before the next scheduled game time, even if that means a shorter game. There will be no extra inning games (Except for the SEMI FINAL and CHAMPIONSHIP games and/or games annouced by the tournament director), a tie at the end of regulation play will be recorded as such.
Field Dimensions
Division |
Pitching |
Base |
Shetland |
20 ' |
60' |
Pinto Machine |
38' |
60' |
Pinto Kid Pitch |
38' |
60' |
Mustang |
44' |
60' |
Bronco |
48' |
70' |
PONY 13U |
54' |
80' |
PONY 14U |
60'6" |
90' |
Ready Play Rules
To expedite play, a batter may not step more than one foot out of the batters box to take signals. One warning will be given per batter. Thereafter, each infraction will result in the umpire calling time and the batter will be issued a strike.
A courtesy runner will be allowed for the pitcher or the catcher, regardless of the number of outs. If all players are batting, then the last out is the courtesy runner. If less than all players are batting, then a player who is not then in the lineup shall be the courtesy runner.
No more than one offensive time out is allowed per inning per team, other than to check an injury or repair equipment.
No more than one defensive time out is allowed per inning, except to check an injury or repair equipment. On the second defensive time out, the pitcher must be changed.
While batting, have your catcher getting ready for the next inning. Most delays are caused by catchers not being suited up.
Exception: In the Pinto Kid Pitch Division, two offensive and two defensive timeouts per team per inning shall be allowed without penalty. On the third time out the pitcher must be changed.
Slide or Avoid Rule
Players MUST slide or AVOID contact to injure or disrupt a defensive player. If the runner elects to slide the slide must be legal. The runner must slide directly to the base or away from the play. A slide with the spikes above the fielder’s knee or the umpire determines that a player intended to harm the defensive player is considered malicious contact. The player will be recorded as an out and ejected from the game. The catcher or other defensive player may not block any base or home plate without possession of the ball or be in the act of receiving the ball. The fielder will be guilty of obstruction as in “Official Baseball Rules.”
Pitching Rules
The 40 hour rest rule is not in effect. Despite this modification, please take care of your pitchers arms and don't over extend them. Remember, one pitch to a batter in an inning constitutes an inning pitched.
Pitching Limits
Division |
Per Game Limit |
Per Day Limit |
Pinto |
2 Innings |
3 Innings |
Mustang |
4 Innings |
6 Innings |
Bronco |
5 Innings |
6 Innings |
Pony |
7 Innings |
7 Innings |
Mercy Rule
10 Runs after 5 innings (home team leading) or 5 complete innings (visiting team winning).
There is NO 5 run maximum rule in effect. It is unlimited scoring in all innings played. (This rule is modified for tball, shetland, pinto machine pitch and pinto kid pitch--see those sections for further details)
Warm Ups
Plan on throwing warm-ups only. In-field practice will not be available between games. Please do not push this rule. We have a lot of teams playing, help us save our infields.
Protests
There are NOT ANY! Don't even try...you have a problem with a call, an interpretation or anything what-so-ever, you need to call time and the Head Coach may quietly discuss it with the umpire. HIS DECISION IS FINAL...PERIOD!
KEEP YOUR FANS IN CONTROL - If a fan becomes unruly the head coach will be warned one time. The second warning will be the removal of the head coach, the next warning will be the removal of the asst. coach. If the problem persists, the game will be forfeited by the team which is causing the problem.
Equipment: All PONY and Little League approved baseball bats are allowed. Big Barrel and wood bats are accepted.
We use real baseballs in Shetland-PONY.
Footwear
Metal cleats are allowed in the Bronco and PONY divisions only.
Score Reporting Procedures
Keep your own score books, but the score keepers must confer with each other after each half inning to make sure there are no disagreements. If a disagreement arises, the umpire is the final arbiter.
The winning team is responsible for reporting scores. Any scores which are not registered will be considered incomplete and not recorded. The Winning team must report all scores and report all pitchers for both teams by number, last name and how many innings pitched.
Tie-Breaker Priority
Win-loss record
Head to head record
Least runs allowed
Coin toss
Note: Most Runs Scored will NOT be used as a determination for WIN/LOSS-(it is competive season but be kind if you are winning by an astronomical amount)
Other Stuff
Parking at some of the parks may be a nightmare. Arrive in plenty of time.
Fields and Dugouts
Only players, coaches and team moms will be allowed in the dugout or on the field during play. No siblings or parents shall be there. Please clean up your trash after each game.
ADDITIONAL MUSTANG DIVISION RULES:
3rd Strike Drop Balls
The batter is out on a 3rd strike either called or swung at. The ball is not dead so other runners may advance
Base Running
Base stealing of 2nd or 3rd base is allowed. Base runners may not steal home or advance home on a attempt by the catcher to throw the runner out at 3rd base on a steal or a pick off attempt
Scoring
There is no 5 run maximum rule in effect. It is unlimited scoring in all innings played.
Pitching
Balks are governed by Major League rules. Each pitcher will be issued one warning per game. Thereafter balks will be enforced.
ADDITIONAL PINTO KID PITCH DIVISION RULES:
Defensive Fielders:
We will be playing with 4 outfielders all season.
Pitching
There are no balks. There is no dropped third strike rule. A third strike is recorded as an out even if the catcher drops the ball. The strike zone will be expanded at the discretion of the umpire.
Base Running
Base stealing of 2nd or 3rd base is allowed. Base runners may not steal home or advance home on a attempt by the catcher to throw the runner out at 3rd base on a steal or a pick off attempt. Base runners are not permitted to lead off and must remain in contact with the base until the ball has been hit or the pitch crosses home plate. A player who leaves a base before then shall be called out.
All runners may advance on a hit ball at their own risk. Once the ball is under the control of an infielder and the forward progress of the lead base runner has been stopped, the umpire shall call “time out.” Players may ask for a time out at any time, but the umpire shall not call a time out until the progress of the lead base runner has been halted. If the fielding team attempts to make a play on a runner before time out is called, then the umpire shall not call time out until active pursuit of a baserunner has stopped. (Example: Baserunners are advancing to second and third. The throw goes to the third baseman, but he is too late in trying to tag the sliding runner. Before time out is called, the third baseman tries to throw out the runner advancing to second. Time out will not be called by the umpire because the defensive player kept the ball in play, rather than letting the umpire call time out.) Once time out is called by the umpire, play is “dead” and no play can be made on any baserunner. The lead baserunner shall return to the base from which his forward progress has been stopped. All other baserunners shall proceed or return to the base to which they were nearest when time out was called, unless that base is occupied by the lead base runner.
Scoring
An inning is complete when (a) three outs are recorded or (b) the offensive team has scored 5 runs. There is no run limit in the final inning. The final inning may be determined based on time limitations and is frequently not the 6th inning. Managers and umpire shall agree on the final inning. If managers can not agree, then umpire shall decide. All players are eligible to bat each inning regardless of whether they played in the field that inning.
ADDITIONAL PINTO MACHINE PITCH RULES
The pitching machine will be throwing the below mentioned baseballs from 38 feet at approximately 40 miles per hour.
A.Each half inning will end when the offensive team scores five (5) runs or the defensive team records three (3) outs except as listed below.
B.Each team will be allowed to score unlimited runs in the last inning only. Their half inning at bat will end upon the completion of one of the following:
1.The defensive team records three (3) outs.
2.The offensive team bats their entire lineup as described below:
C. Each team will bat the same number of players in the last inning (i.e. if Team A has 12 players and Team B has 10 players. Team B will bat once through the line up and then 2 additional batters will hit in order). This only occurs if the defensive team does not record 3 outs.
D.Catchers must wear full protective gear: protective cup, shin guards, chest protector and helmet with face protector. Catchers must be in the correct position behind the plate while the ball is being pitched.
E.Players are NOT ALLOWED to operate the pitching machine in any manner.
F.Each player will be given 5 pitches from the machine.If on the 5th pitch the ball is swung on and not fouled off or hit into play the batter is out.If it is fouled off in any fashion and not caught by the catcher, the batter continues to hit until he either hits or misses the ball. This could be many pitches.
F.Bunting is not allowed.A batter must take a full swing.
G.There is a minimum distance that a batted ball must travel in order to be a fair ball, this area will be marked with a 10 foot arc in front of home plate.(Remember, home plate is in fair territory so any batted ball that hits home plate first, is considered a fair ball unless it subsequently rolls untouched into foul territory prior to reaching first base or third base.)
H.No lead offs. Players cannot break contact with the base until the batter hits the ball. PENALTY…the first illegal lead off shall result in a warning to the team of the runner. The second illegal lead off by the team, the runner shall be called out.
I.Base stealing is not allowed.
J.A play is over once the ball is in complete possession by the pitcher in the 15-20 foot circle around the pitcher’s mound.The player with the ball must have control of it and have both feet in the circle to make the play dead. If the player is juggling the ball, the play is still alive.
K.One base on an overthrow does not apply.You may advance until the ball is dead as described in the above paragraph.
L.There will be chalked 5-foot hash marks between 1st and 2nd base, 2nd and 3rdbase, and 3rd and Home plate.These hash marks will be the guidelines for base advancements. If a player passes the hash mark in the middle of the base path before the ball has been declared dead in one of the two circles, that player is allowed to advance to the next base. If the player has not reached the hash mark, they must go back to the previous base.
M.A batted ball that hits the pitching machine, generator, ball bucket or pitching coach is declared dead.The batter is awarded first base and all other runners advance one (1) base.N.A batted ball that hits a defensive coach, before a defensive player touches it, is declared dead.The batter deemed out.
O.Infielders (excluding the pitcher) may not play more than three feet in front of the base line.The pitcher shall be positioned next to the pitching machine and not directly in front of the machine, with one foot in the circle until the ball is hit. Updated: 9/1/2008---the 3 foot rule has been eliminated.
P.Teams are limited to six (6) players in the infield: pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, third base and short stop. Updated 9/21/2008 All players must play 1 inning in the infield before the 4th inning. All players must sit out before one player sits out twice.
Q.Teams are limited to four (4) players in the outfield: left field, left-center field, right-center field and right field.
R.Outfielders are able to make plays in the infield.
S.Outfielders must remain at least fifteen (15) feet behind the baseline (or on the outfield grass on most fields) until a ball is put in play.
T.While at bat, a team shall have a pitching coach (to feed balls into the machine), a first-base coach, a third-base coach and a batting coach (to collect the pass balls and put them into a bucket behind home plate next to the backstop).
U.A maximum of two (2) defensive coaches are allowed ; other coaches must remain in the dugout.Defensive coaches should be positioned along the outfield foul lines, so as not to visually impede defensive players or base runners.Defensive coaches are not allowed in the playing field.
V.When the ball is put in play, the pitching coach will often need to duck to become inconspicuous, especially on plays in the infield.Players can neither see over a tall adult, nor should they be required to throw a ball over the pitching coach’s head to the intended target. If an umpire feels that a coach did not move, the batter or runner may be called out.
W.When on defense, coaches are not allowed in the field of play.Rather, one coach may be positioned on the left field and right field foul lines.Coaches must be on the grass and not near the 1st or 3rd offensive base coaches.Only one coach per foul line is allowed.
X. The pitching machine may at times throw bad pitches.It is up to the umpire to call a “NO PITCH” if they feel the batter could not hit the ball due to it being wild.
Y. If at anytime during the game a throw from a defensive player hits the pitching machine, the ball is dead and the runners advance one base.
Z. Umpires will be present for most games. In the case that an umpire is not available, the coach on the mound serves as the umpire for that half inning--He calls the entire game for fair/foul/outs. In regards to high/low pitches on the machine BOTH COACHES must agree before it is removed from the pitch count.
ADDITIONAL SHETLAND COACH PITCH RULES
A.Each half inning will end when the offensive team scores five (5) runs or the defensive team records three (3) outs except as listed below.
B.Each team will be allowed to score unlimited runs in the last inning only. Their half inning at bat will end upon the completion of one of the following:
1.The defensive team records three (3) outs.
2.The offensive team bats their entire lineup as described below:
C. Each team will bat the same number of players in the last inning (i.e. if Team A has 12 players and Team B has 10 players. Team B will bat once through the line up and then 2 additional batters will hit in order). This only occurs if the defensive team does not record 3 outs.
D.Catchers must wear full protective gear: protective cup, shin guards, chest protector and helmet with face protector. Catchers must be in the correct position behind the plate while the ball is being pitched.
E.Players are NOT ALLOWED to pitch to other players.
F.Each player will be given up to 5 attempts from the pitching coach.-(the pitching coach may stand or kneel to pitch the baseballs-the pitches must be overhand-underhand pitches are not allowed)-(the pitching distance is 20 feet from home plate-the must be on or behind the 20 foot line). After 3 pitches the batter may hit off of the tee or continue to receive pitched balls. If after the 5th pitch the ball is not put into play-even if it is hit into foul territory or completely missed, the batter is out. Rules for the tee: The tee is placed directly on top of home plate when being used. If the batter is in the batters box and swings at the ball, regardless if he hits the ball or the tee or completely misses everything, it is counted as a swing and one of the 5 attempts.If using the tee, it is the pitching coach’s job to remove it and the bat from the home plate area immediately after the ball is hit. If not removed and it interferes with a play, the umpire may call the runner out. Coaches must have a glove to wear and store all 5 baseballs at once. Baseballs are not to be layed on the ground during play. Buckets are not permitted out by the pitching coach. Coaches must wear any knee pad that they would like to use. No extra pads are allowed on the field-this includes gloves, bucket tops or other items.
F.Bunting is not allowed.A batter must take a full swing.
G.There is a minimum distance that a batted ball must travel in order to be a fair ball, this area will be marked with a 10 foot arc in front of home plate.(Remember, home plate is in fair territory so any batted ball that hits home plate first, is considered a fair ball unless it subsequently rolls untouched into foul territory prior to reaching first base or third base.)
H.No lead offs. Players cannot break contact with the base until the batter hits the ball. PENALTY…the first illegal lead off shall result in a warning to the team of the runner. The second illegal lead off by the team, the runner shall be called out.
I.Base stealing is not allowed.
J.A play is over once the ball is in complete possession by the pitcher in the 15-20 foot circle around the pitcher’s mound.The player with the ball must have control of it and have both feet in the circle to make the play dead. If the player is juggling the ball, the play is still alive.
K.One base on an overthrow does not apply.You may advance until the ball is dead as described in the above paragraph.
L.There will be chalked 5-foot hash marks between 1st and 2nd base, 2nd and 3rdbase, and 3rd and Home plate.These hash marks will be the guidelines for base advancements. If a player passes the hash mark in the middle of the base path before the ball has been declared dead in one of the two circles, that player is allowed to advance to the next base. If the player has not reached the hash mark, they must go back to the previous base.
M.A batted ball that hits the pitching coach is declared dead.The batter declared out. The base runners must not advance.
Update: 9/17/2007: A batted ball that hits the pitching coach is declared dead. The pitch counts as one of the 5 pitches. If it was the 5th pitch another pitch is given. The base runners must not advance.
N.A batted ball that hits a defensive coach, before a defensive player touches it, is declared dead.The batter deemed out.
Update: 9/17/2007: A batted ball that hits a defensive coach, before a defensive player touches it, is declared dead. The pitch counts as one of the 5 pitches. If it is the 5th pitch 1 more pitch is given.
O.Infielders (excluding the pitcher) may not play more than three feet in front of the base line.The pitcher shall have at least one foot in the pitching circle until the ball is hit.
Updated: 9/1/2008---the 3 foot rule has been eliminated.
P.Teams are limited to six (6) players in the infield: pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, third base and short stop. Updated 9/21/2008 All players must play 1 inning in the infield before the 1st inning. All players must sit out before one player sits out twice.
Q.Teams are limited to four (4) players in the outfield: left field, left-center field, right-center field and right field.
R.Outfielders are able to make plays in the infield.
S.Outfielders must remain at least fifteen (15) feet behind the baseline (or on the outfield grass on most fields) until a ball is put in play.
T.While at bat, a team shall have a pitching coach (to pitch to the batters), a first-base coach, a third-base coach and a batting coach (to collect the pass balls and put them into a bucket behind home plate next to the backstop).
U.A maximum of two (2) defensive coaches are allowed ; other coaches must remain in the dugout.Defensive coaches should be positioned along the outfield foul lines, so as not to visually impede defensive players or base runners.Defensive coaches are not allowed in the playing field.
V.When the ball is put in play, the pitching coach will often need to duck to become inconspicuous, especially on plays in the infield.Players can neither see over a tall adult, nor should they be required to throw a ball over the pitching coach’s head to the intended target. If an umpire feels that a coach did not move, the batter or runner may be called out.
W.When on defense, coaches are not allowed in the field of play.Rather, one coach may be positioned on the left field and right field foul lines.Coaches must be on the grass and not near the 1st or 3rd offensive base coaches.Only one coach per foul line is allowed.
X. The pitching coach may at times throw bad pitches.Sorry, these pitches do count.
Y. If at anytime during the game a throw from a defensive player hits the pitching coach, the ball is dead and the runners advance one base.
Miteball and TBall Rules
Please refer to the rules section of www.IrvinePONY.com
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