The Pinto Division is under the jurisdiction of the Junior Division and the main Board of Directors of Fremont Baseball, Inc. “Pony Baseball, Rules and Regulations” govern play. These rules contain only those exceptions voted on by Fremont Baseball, Inc. to better provide for our local players. All Rules and Amendments are subject to board interpretation. Rules not covered in this book will be decided by the Board of Directors based on the spirit of the game and the best interest of Fremont Baseball Incorporated.
1. GENERAL RULES
A. Distance between bases: 50 feet.
B. Pitching Distance: 40 feet.
C. Protective headgear will have chinstraps. Heart-Guard® chest protection is highly recommended.
D. Each team must have at least Eight (8) players to start the game no later than fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled starting time. If a team does not have Eight (8) players to start a game, they forfeit the game.
E. Each team will be equally allowed a minimum of eight (8) minutes and a maximum of ten (10) minutes of infield practice before each game (visiting team first, home team second).
F. Teams will use a continuous batting order; that is, the batting lineup will contain all active team members and will not be changed during the course of a game.
G. All players must play at least two (2) defensive innings, except in the case of illness, injury and/or disciplinary action, by the end of the fourth (4) inning.
H. A tenth (10th) fielder will play a roving outfield position.
2. INNING/TIME RULES
A. All weekday games will be played to completion or until it becomes too dark to continue, whichever comes first.
B. All Saturday games will be played to completion or a two (2) hour and fifteen (15) minute time limit, whichever occurs first.
C. The two- (2) hour and fifteen (15) minute time limit is defined that no new inning may begin more that two (2) hours and fifteen (15) minutes after the start of the game. The inning in progress will be completed.
D. Games that are tied at the end of six (6) innings and under the two (2) hour and fifteen (15) minute time duration shall be continued up to eight (8) innings.
E. If, in the judgment of the plate umpire and one (1) manager or the judgment of both managers it becomes too dark to continue, the score will revert to the score of the last completed inning.
F. Four (4) innings shall constitute an official game. Three and one-half (3-1/2) innings if the home team is ahead.
G. Games called due to weather: If a game is called before three and one-half (3-1/2) innings for the home team or four (4) innings for the visiting team, the game will be rescheduled and start as a new game. All pitching stats from the called game will remain in affect for the remainder of that week.
H. If a team at bat scores six (6) runs in a single inning before three (3) outs have been made, that team’s at bat is over and they will take the field.
I. In the last inning of a game, there is no run limit for either team.
J. Ten (10) Run Rule Extension: Should a game be decided by the Pony ten (10) run rule, it will be considered over after three and a half (3 ½) innings for the home team and four (4) for the visiting team. If the visiting team is 10 runs or more behind, the last inning rule will be in effect (unlimited runs). Home team will be unlimited runs also (see example). After completion of game, the game will continue through to the completion of six (6) innings. It is mandatory that all (6) innings, or 2 hour and 15 minute games, which ever comes first, are completed, with umpire(s) in their entirety. Unlimited substitutions and a three (3) run maximum per inning rule will go into effect. The purpose of this rule is to provide the player more game time in which to practice their skills, when the conditions allow.
i. Example: If visiting team, after 4 complete innings is less than 9 runs behind, the 5th inning will revert back to the 6 run rule. After 5 innings, the game is over if a team is ahead by 10 or more runs
3. PITCHING RULES
A. Any player whose name appears on the official team roster is permitted to pitch for his/her team.
B. Any pitcher who is replaced, as the pitcher is not permitted to pitch again in the same game.
C. When a manager or coach informs the umpire that he is changing pitchers and a new player takes the mound, after his allotted warm-up pitches that player must pitch to at least one (1) batter before another change can be made, and that batter must either reach base or be retired.
D. No more than two (2)-pitching changes are allowed by a manager per inning (not including the pitcher who starts the inning).
E. Not more than five (5) pitchers are permitted to pitch in any one- (1) game.
F. No pitcher is permitted to pitch more than three (3) innings in any one- (1) game, or more than six (6) innings in any one- (1) calendar week.
G. The delivery of one (1) pitch to a batter is considered pitching one (1) complete inning of eligibility for a pitcher, whether or not the inning is considered completed and/or official.
H. Pitchers are NOT allowed to pitch more that (50) pitches in one game except to finish the batter that he/she is pitching to at the time he/she reaches (50) pitches. Penalty: Pitcher will be removed as soon as opposing manager proves pitcher has reached the limit.
I. Any pitcher having pitched less than three (3) innings in one (1) game must have twenty-four (24) hours’ rest. Any pitcher having pitched three (3) innings must have a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours’ rest. Hour’s rest starts at 12:01 a.m. of the day following the day pitched.
J. A new pitcher entering the game is allowed a maximum of ten (10) warm-up pitches. A pitcher returning for a second (2nd) inning is allowed a maximum of eight (8) warm-up pitches. The manager is allowed to request fewer warm-up pitches by his own pitcher if there are time constraints in a close game.
K. Pinto pitchers will not snap, roll, rotate, or break their wrist or elbow during the act of delivering a pitch. Upon observing the snap, roll, rotation, or breaking of the wrist, the umpire will warn the pitcher and his/her manager after such illegal pitch. A second (2nd) illegal pitch will result in removal of that player from the pitcher position for the duration of the game.
L. The slowball or changeup pitch, which permits a pitcher to vary the velocity of his pitches, is a legal pitch so long as the pitcher does not snap, roll, rotate, or break his wrist or elbow during the act of delivering the pitch.
M. Any pitcher hitting three (3) batters in one (1) inning, or a maximum of four (4) during the game, the pitcher must be replaced with a new pitcher. The pitcher may not return for the remainder of the game as pitcher.
3.1 RULES WHILE COACHES PITCH
A. Six (6) pitches will be allowed to each batter, after Six (6) pitches if the batter has not gotten a hit he/she is out unless there is a foul tip on the Sixth (6) pitch. Foul tips after Six (6) pitches allow another pitch.
B. The coach/manager pitching from within the pitching circle WILL NOT be allowed to say anything to the active batter. Other coaches on the field or in the dugout may instruct as required.
C. The coach/manager should make every effort to get out of the way of the batted ball or play.
D. The coach/manager must pitch from inside the circle with one foot in direct contact with the pitching rubber.
E. The player that is playing pitcher must have control of the ball and be inside the circle to end the play.
F. The player pitcher must remain in the circle while the coach/manager pitches.
G. If a ball hits a coach/manager who is pitching, the play will be called dead and the batter will advance to first (1st) base. All runners will also advance one (1) base. A runner on third (3rd) base will advance home.
H. The coach pitching must pitch overhand.
J. The coach pitching may pitch from one (1) knee.
4. BATTING RULES
A. The strike zone shall be defined as a rectangular area between the batter’s shoulders and his/her kneecaps (when the batter is in a natural batting stance) and above home plate with an additional two (2) inches added on each side of the plate (inside and outside).
B. Bunting is allowed except on coach pitching. There will be not bunting with the coach pitching.
C. A batted ball which reaches the black top on the fly is ruled an automatic home run. A ball which reaches the black top on a bounce or roll is ruled a double. If there is a runner on first (1st) base he/she is not allowed to advance past third (3rd) base.
D. There will be a maximum of five (5) pitches to an individual batter. If the batter has not struck out after the fifth (5th) pitch, the coach/manager will come in to pitch the remainder of the count or until the batter strikes out or puts the ball into play.
E. When the coach/manager comes into the game to pitch, any strikes on the batter will continue in force.
5. BASE-RUNNING RULES
A. “Control” is hereby defined as a pitcher of catcher who has the ball in his/her glove or bare hand without bobbling or the assistance of the ground (trapping).
B. A circle ten (10) feet in diameter (5-foot radius) will be chalked around the pitching rubber. Any pitched or batted ball will be considered “in play” until the ball is returned to the pitcher, who must gain full control of the baseball while standing within the circle. When the pitcher has established control and is in the circle, the umpire will stop play. No base runners may advance if they have not reached the halfway point in the base path and they will be sent back to the previous base. Any runner who has passed the halfway point is awarded the base he/she was approaching, including home plate. Exception: When a ball is batted directly back to the pitcher and he/she attains control within the circle, the ball is considered live. Any runners on base may advance without being halfway.
C. Base stealing is allowed, but is restricted to when the pitched ball crosses the plate . If the runner leaves prior to that time, he/she places himself in “jeopardy” and may be thrown out. If the runner advances safely and the ball is not hit, umpire will return the runner to the base occupied prior to the attempted steal and a warning will be issued. A second (2nd) warning will result in the runner being called out.
D. If a runner leaves early and the ball is hit, play will continue. The out(s) made will stand, but if the offending runner is not put out he must be returned to the original base or, if occupied, to the unoccupied base nearest the original base.
E. “Hovering” is not permitted by the catcher. DELETE
F. A runner is allowed to advance while attempting to steal a base provided that he/she has left the base after the ball crosses the plate.
G. Base stealing will be allowed on the fifth (5th) pitch.
H. A runner on third (3rd) base may not steal home. A runner can only score by a ball put into play with a hit ball. (IE…A runner on 1st base attempts to steal 2nd base and the ball is overthrown. The runner then advances to 3rd base and the ball is overthrown at 3rd base. The runner may not advance home).
I. Runners may not advance on an overthrow from the catcher to the pitcher unless a steal is in progress.
J. Fake steals are not allowed. If a base runner attempts to draw a throw by faking a steal, he/she will be warned by the umpire. A second (2nd) fake or warning will result in the runner being called out by the umpire.
6. LINEUP CARDS/SCOREBOOKS
A. All pitching changes must be reported to the home plate umpire, and both teams’ scorekeepers.
B. Managers are to sign the umpire’s scorecard at the end of six (6) innings or if the game is called early due to weather or darkness only. If the umpire leaves before the game is completed, he/she will not receive payment for that game.
7. CONDUCT
Managers Responsibilities: All managers are responsible for the conduct of their players, coaches, and fans. Any misconduct by the players, coaches, or fans that requires the umpire to eject them from the game will result in the manager being suspended for one game and players and coaches for two games. Fans will be ejected for four (4) games. All incidents will be subjected to board review.
Example for Ejection:
A. SWEARING
B. THROWING EQUIPMENT
C. FIGHTING
D. TRYING TO HURT ANOTHER PLAYER
E. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
Last
Updated 11/08
