Pony Baseball Rules and Regulations

The Line Up

PONY Baseball is the administrative organization for a group of leagues providing baseball for players from 5 through 18 years of age. These are:

League Age

Diamond

50 feet 50 feet 60 feet 70 feet 80 feet 90 feet 90 feet

Pitching

— 38 feet 44 feet 48 feet 54 feet 60 1/2 feet 60 1/2 feet

Shetland
Pinto
Mustang
Bronco
Pony
Colt
Palomino 17,

6 and under 7 and 8 9 and 10 11 and 12 13 and 14 15 and 16 18 and 19

SHETLAND LEAGUE focuses totally on instruction of beginning players. Batting tee recommended.

PINTO LEAGUE teaches the basic fundamentals of baseball. Coach-pitch recommended.

MUSTANG LEAGUE begins the players’ training in the complete game of baseball. Tournament play is completed through World Series level.

BRONCO LEAGUE and PONY LEAGUE take the developing young play- ers into the full game of baseball, with no restrictions on base stealing, and tournament play complete through World Series level.

COLT and PALOMINO LEAGUES provide players an opportunity to com- pete against their peers in regulation baseball through the World Series level. GIRLS SOFTBALL leagues are also operated by PONY Baseball based

on the every two year and-under age concept. Copies of the PONY GIRLS SOFTBALL rule book may be obtained from PONY Baseball.

ADMINISTRATION

Volunteer Field Directors gather input from local league organizations for the Board of Directors and staff, and relay information based on such input back to the leagues. The Field Directors also serve as administrative and service agents to the leagues.

Flexibility is a key word in PONY Baseball philosophy, which provides a pattern of league operation that may be adapted to the needs of the com- munity, rather than asking the community to adapt to an arbitrary set of rules and regulations.

League Age is that age attained by a player prior to August 1 of the cur- rent year, and determines the player’s legality for a particular league.

League boundaries are established by the league, but are subject to the approval of the Division Director.

Membership application forms are filled out annually by each league and forwarded to PONY Baseball. The forms are processed at the headquarters and copies distributed to the Field Directors. A Membership Certificate is issued by the Division Director following his approval of league operating conditions.

League supplies, including rule books, supply catalog and other items, are mailed to each league upon receipt of the Membership Application at PONY Baseball.

7

Equipment: Conventional baseball uniforms are recommended in SHET- LAND, PINTO and MUSTANG leagues. They are required in all other leagues. Protective headgear for batters, baserunners, on deck batters, player coaches and catchers is required. Regulation size home plate, pitching plate and bases are recommended for all leagues. An official ball, bearing an emblem of PONY BASEBALL, is required in league and tournament play.

VICE PRESIDENTS

For purposes of administration and tournament elimination, PONY Baseball divides the contiguous United States into four zones, North, East, South and West. The volunteer force of Field Directors at the Division, Region, Section, District and Area are headed by a Vice President in each zone. There is also an Asia-Pacific Zone.

North – Steve Miller

1205 Montebello Drive Herrin, IL 62948 (H) 618-942-2789 s.miller@pony.org

South – Lynn Parnell

8903 Magnolia Vale Drive Granbury, TX 76049 (H) 817-578-3364 l.parnell@pony.org

East – Terry Faust

1067 Allison Avenue Washington, PA 15301 (H) 724-225-1891 t.faust@pony.org

West – Joe Gagliardi

2380 S. Bascom Ave. #200 Campbell, CA 95008 (B) 408-369-8095 Fax: 408-369-8096

Asia-Pacific — Shinsuke Itoh

New Kaeda Bldg.
3-4 Kanda Mitoshino-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 101
Phone: 81-033-295-9783
Fax: 81-033-295-9320

8

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

The following may be adopted by the league as a guide for the handling of player or adult discipline problems.

1. The league officers shall have the authority to suspend, discharge orotherwise discipline any player, manager, coach, umpire, league officer or other person whose conduct is in violation of the Rules and Regula- tions of PONY Baseball and/or is considered detrimental to the best interests of the league.
   1. (1)  Persons subject to such discipline shall have the right to a hearing before the league officers before such discipline is imposed.
   2. (2)  In the event of such a hearing involving a player, or other person under the age of 18, that person’s parents shall be invited to attend.
2. Persons, youth or adult, who refuse to comply with the rules of Baseball, PONY Baseball, or the League, may be considered for disciplinaryaction.
3. Recognizing the difficulty of establishing specific penalties for a varietyof violations of acceptable conduct, the following penalties are suggest- ed. League officers may impose the one which, in their opinion, appears to match the severity of the offense.
   1. (1)  Warning. The offending person is to be advised, in writing, of theoffense, and further advised that repetition of the offense shall

      result in a more severe penalty.

   2. (2)  Suspension. The offending person is to be advised in writing thathe or she has been suspended from all league activity for a specific

      number of games, or days

   3. (3)  Dismissal. The offending person is to be advised in writing that heor she has been dismissed from the league for the remainder of the

      current year.

   4. (4)  Barred. The offending person is to be advised in writing that he orshe has been barred from present and future participation in the league, permanently, or for a specific number of years.

9

PONY Baseball, Inc. Rules and Regulations

This book does not contain a complete set of rules governing play in Shetland, Pinto, Mustang, Bronco, Pony, Colt and Palomino League. Play is governed by Official Rules of Major League Baseball. This book contains only those exceptions to Official Baseball Rules which are necessary in a youth program, as well as regulations governing league organization and administration.

RULES and REGULATIONS
for SHETLAND, PINTO, MUSTANG, BRONCO,

PONY, COLT, and PALOMINO LEAGUES (Each rule is applicable to Shetland, Pinto, Mustang, Bronco, Pony, Colt, and Palomino Leagues unless specifically noted otherwise.)

1 – THE LEAGUE

1. PONY Baseball does not limit participants in its leagues on the basis of dis- ability. All leagues are required to comply with this policy and failure to do so shall be grounds for revocation of or refusal to renew a league’s annual membership. Any questions on this rule shall be referred to PONY Baseball Headquarters.
2. A request for reasonable modification to PONY (Baseball/Softball) Rules by an individual with a disability, or their representative, shall be accepted by any employee of PONY Headquarters and any PONY official with responsibility for organizing or supervising PONY games. PONY shall allow such a modifi- cation unless the modification would fundamentally alter an essential aspect of PONY’s (Baseball/Softball) program. If an official believes that a proposed modification would fundamentally alter an essential aspect of PONY’s (Baseball/Softball) program, the official should consult the PONY ADA Coordinator. The ADA Coordinator will, after an appropriate individualized inquiry that includes consideration of the player’s specific circumstances and the purpose of the rule, policy, or practice at issue, decide whether to allow the modification. Written notice shall be provided to the requestor of the modi- fication within four (4) business days of the request. Although PONY will respond appropriately and in a reasonable amount of time to a request for reasonable modification regardless of when it is received, it is highly recom- mended that players and their families provide notice of such a request in league registration materials prior to the start of the season and in tournament registration materials prior to the start of a tournament.
3. PONY (Baseball/Softball) Rules do not limit players’ rights to sign language interpreters, or other auxiliary aids, during regular season and tournament games. Rules limiting persons allowed in team dugouts shall not apply to sign language interpreters. In situations where PONY’s (Baseball/Softball) Rules allow coaches to be in areas other than the dugout, a sign language inter- preter shall be allowed to accompany coaches in order to provide communi- cation to a player. Any concerns with the selection of sign language inter- preters or the location of such interpreters during games shall be addressed to the PONY ADA Coordinator. Although PONY will respond appropriately and in a reasonable amount of time to a request for a qualified sign language interpreter or other auxiliary aid regardless of when it is received, it is highly recommended that players and their families provide notice of such a request in league registration materials prior to the start of the season and in tourna- ment registration materials prior to the start of a tournament.

10

4. PONY is a non-discriminatory organization, which prohibits actions against an individual or league on the basis of race, sex, creed, religion or national origin.
5. Leagues shall be composed of any number of teams.
6. The league shall apply annually, prior to April 15, for a ‘‘Membership Certificate,’’ using the ‘‘Membership Application Form’’ provided by PONY Baseball.
7. The Membership Certificate shall be issued annually to each league, by the Division Director, subject to the following conditions:
   1. (1)  The Division Director shall have the authority to withdraw or refusemembership for just cause, and shall give written notice to the presiding officers of the league, as indicated by the current Membership Application form on file. The league has the right to appeal such action to the Vice President in that Zone.
   2. (2)  The Membership Certificate does not imply that in future seasons a new league cannot make application for operation within a portion of the pre- sent boundaries of the league, but only that no other league shall be per- mitted to operate within the boundaries established for the current season.
   3. (3)  The Membership Certificate expires at the conclusion of the actual play of the season for which it has been granted and is subject to renewal upon application and re-examination the following year.
8. All leagues are required to send rosters, with address information, to PONY Headquarters, annually.2 – INSURANCE

1. Accidents and injuries can occur while participating in baseball games. To pro- tect our members, all leagues and teams must purchase accident insurance coverage and show proof by registration for the players, managers, coaches, official scorekeepers and volunteer umpires in their league with a policy provid- ed by the league. Such coverage is available through PONY Baseball, Inc.
2. All affiliated leagues and teams must purchase league liability insurance with minimum limits of one million dollars, on an occurrence policy basis, and naming PONY Baseball, Inc. as an additional insured. The liability policy must also include participant legal liability coverage of one million dollars. Such coverage is available through PONY Baseball, Inc.3 – TEAMS

1. SHETLAND, PINTO, MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY, COLT Teams shall con- sist of not more than 15, nor less than 12 players and should not exceed more than eight players of the older age. The names of these players shall be registered with the league player agent.PALOMINO teams shall consist of not more than 18, nor less than 12 players and should not exceed more than 12 players of the older age.
2. Age, for the league purposes, means “league age,” which is that age attained by a player prior to August 1 of the season in question.4 – LEGAL PLAYERS

A. Legal age of players shall be:

1. (1)  SHETLAND:PlayersbornafterApril30,2000.
2. (2)  PINTO: Players of league age 7 and 8 born on or betweenMay 1, 1998 and April 30, 2000. 11

3. (3)  MUSTANG: Players of league age 9 and 10 born on or between May 1, 1996 and April 30, 1998.
4. (4)  BRONCO: Players of league age 11 and 12 born on or between May 1, 1994 and April 30, 1996.
5. (5)  PONY: Players of league age 13 and 14, born on or between May 1, 1992 and April 30, 1994.
6. (6)  COLT: Players of league age 15 and 16, born on or between May 1, 1990 and April 30, 1992.
7. (7)  PALOMINO: Players of league age 17, 18 and 19 born on or between May 1, 1987 and April 30, 1990.
   NOTE: Where desired, players of league age 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 may be combined in one league during the regular season in a COLT-PALOMI- NO COMBINED league with the approval of the Division Director. No more than 3 league age 19 year old players are allowed on a roster.

2. SHETLAND, PINTO, MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY and COLT players of proper age whose residence, as determined by the residence of their parents or legal guardians (supported by school records), is within the approved league boundaries shall be considered ‘‘legal’’ players for league and tourna- ment competition.(1) Players shall not participate with more than one PONY Baseball and/or Softball league at the same time.

   (2) A player shall not move from one league to another within a common or overlapping boundary in the same season.

3. PALOMINO League players’ residence shall be determined by residence of parents or legal guardians, player’s residence while attending school or legal voting residence.
   1. (1)  Theintentofthisruleistoprohibittherecruitmentofplayerswhowouldnototherwise reside within the player selection area of the team.
   2. (2)  IntheeventofaquestionorprotestofteamplayerselectionareaswithinaPalomino league, the decision of the Division Director shall be final.
   3. (3)  Anyplayerwhoseparentsmoveandestablishanewpermanentresidence shall submit a written request to compete for the team recruiting in his pre- vious address or the team recruiting from his present address. This requestshall be received by the Division Director by June 1st.
4. Dates of birth of candidates shall be certified by birth certificates, hospital cer-tificates, baptismal certificates, driver’s licenses or equivalent religious or legal documents which shall be presented to a league officer prior to the league’s

first regularly scheduled game.

1. (1)  Exact copies of birth documents are acceptable and may be made byanyone on any copy machine or mechanical duplicating process.
2. (2)  Documents presented as proof of date of birth shall be legible and bearthe signature of an authorized official of the issuing agency.
3. (3)  Player identification cards are issued by PONY Baseball, Inc. upon receipt of the proper forms from league officials and verification by a PONY Baseball Field Director. These cards are acceptable as evidenceof birth. Photo copies of these cards are not acceptable.
4. (4)  Notarizedstatementsfromparentsarenotacceptable.

5. PALOMINO players shall not participate in a game unless the Player Contract has been approved by the Player Agent.
6. Players cannot receive money, favors or gratuities for playing baseball, accept money or favors for reimbursement for time lost at work while play- ing baseball, or expenses incurred while playing. Such acceptance shall not be direct or indirect, through parents, trustees or guardians, or for

12

future payment. Any player who has signed a professional baseball con- tract, or who has accepted remuneration for his services as a player shall not be legal.

7. League officers are given the option of prohibiting players from participating on teams in other non-scholastic baseball programs. Local League policy in this matter shall be adopted in written form and made a part of the Local League Bylaws.
8. Please refer to rule 1A concerning PONY’s policy on disabilities.5 – BOUNDARIES

1. League boundaries shall be determined by the officers and executive commit- tee of the league but are subject to annual approval by the Division Director.
2. A map clearly indicating the current boundaries of the league shall be sent to the Division Director and shall be replaced upon request.
   1. (1)  Unless specifically stated otherwise, the center of the street shall be con-sidered the actual dividing line when streets are used as boundaries.
   2. (2)  Maps shall indicate specific boundaries such as streets, railroad tracks, rivers, or school districts, postal zones, city limits or similarly specified areas. A definition of boundaries such as “five-mile radius” is notacceptable.
3. The Division Director, based upon the recommendations of the Field Directorsconcerned, reserves the right to adjust boundaries in the event of overlapping of territorial requests or because of inequitable conditions. Though bound- aries are not specifically restricted by population or geographic area, both shall be considered when boundaries are submitted to the Division Director for approval.
4. SHETLAND, PINTO, MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY, COLT, and PALOMINO League boundaries need not be identical.
5. Leagues shall identify to the Division Director the boundaries from which they intend to select their players, either on a school population basis, or on a geographical basis.6 – SELECTION OF PLAYERS

1. Selection of players shall be in accord with provisions set forth in the Player Selection Plan adopted by the league. It is expected that each legal player residing within the approved league boundaries shall be given an opportuni- ty to become a player candidate for the league.
2. The selection of players for league teams shall be under the direction of a Player Agent who shall be selected by the league officers.
3. PALOMINO League: The Division Director or his designated representative shall be responsible for determining player eligibility as to age, amateur sta- tus and residence, based upon documentation submitted by the team.
4. PALOMINO League: The Division Director, or his representative, shall approve all Player Contracts.
   1. (1)  League and team officials shall be expected to cooperate fully with theDivision Director, or his representative, in providing such documentation as shall be requested to verify the age, amateur status and residence of players.
   2. (2)  It shall be the duty of the team Business Managers to keep the Division Director, or his representative, advised of any changes in the players participating with his team.

13

(3) The original copy of each Player Contract is to be retained by the team. Two copies shall be provided to the Zone Palomino Director, not later than June 30. The Zone Palomino Director will forward copies to the commissioner’s office by July 15th.

5. PALOMINO League: Players voluntarily leaving the team, or those dropped for disciplinary reasons, before June 30, may be replaced with the approval of league officers, but such players shall not participate with any other Palomino team for the remainder of the current playing season.
6. PALOMINO League: After player contracts have been placed on file with the Division Director, by June 30, replacement of players shall require the approval of the Division Director. Replacement shall be approved only in the event a player becomes ill or injured, loses his amateur status, or because of a vacancy created by the signing of a player to a professional baseball contract. Players replaced under this rule shall be considered illegal for the remainder of that playing season.7 – PLAYING FIELDS

1. Distance between bases:
   SHETLAND & PINTO – 50 feet (15.24m) BRONCO – 70 feet (21.34m)
   COLT & PALOMINO – 90 feet (27.43m)
2. Pitching Distance:
   PINTO – 38 feet (11.58m)
   BRONCO – 48 feet (14.63m)
   COLT & PALOMINO – 60 feet, 6 in. (18.44m)

MUSTANG – 60 feet (18.29m) PONY – 80 feet (24.38m)

MUSTANG – 44 feet (13.41m) PONY – 54 feet (16.46m)

C. Home plate to center of second base: SHETLAND & PINTO – 70 feet 8 1/2 in (21.56m) MUSTANG – 84 feet 10 inches (25.85m) BRONCO – 99 feet (30.18m)
PONY – 113 feet, 2 in. (34.49m)
COLT & PALOMINO – 127 feet, 3 in. (38.78m)

D. The fair play area shall be within the first base and third base foul lines and a fence or marked line establishing the outfield limits of the playing area, referred to here as “Home Run Distances.”

SHETLAND PINTO MUSTANG BRONCO PONY COLT

P ALOMINO

(38.16m) (45.22m) (53.34m) (68.58m) (83.82m) (91.44m) (91.44m)

200 feet 200 feet 225 feet 275 feet 315 feet 350 feet 350 feet

(60.96m) (60.96m) (68.58m) (83.82m) (96.01m) (106.68m) (106.68m)

RECOMMENDED HOME RUN DISTANCES

Foul Line 125 feet 150 feet 175 feet 225 feet 275 feet 300 feet 300 feet

Centerfield

5. The height of the pitcher’s mound above the level of home plate and the base paths, raised by a gradual slope shall be:
   PINTO & MUSTANG — 4 inches (0.1m)
   BRONCO — 6 inches (0.15m) PONY — 8 inches (0.20m) COLT & PALOMINO — 10 inches (0.25m)
6. There shall be a restraining line, located along the first base line and exten- ding 3 feet (0.91m) beyond first base. This line, paralleling the first base foul

14

line and 3 feet (0.91m) into foul territory, shall be marked with chalk or other white material 2 inches (0.05m) wide. Point of origination for the restraining line from home base shall be one half the distance between home plate and first base.

7. The recommended distance from home plate to the backstop shall be: BRONCO — 30 feet (9.14m) PONY — 40 feet (12.19m) COLT & PALOMINO — 50 feet (15.24m)
8. Home plate, the pitcher’s plate and the bases shall be official size as used in regulation baseball. Portable pitching mounds, meeting the correct size requirements are also approved.
9. By local option the catcher’s box may be rectangular in shape, 43 inches (1.09m) wide and eight feet (2.44m) deep from the point of home plate or it may be triangular shape, extended eight feet (2.44m) from the rear of home plate, being a continuation of the foul lines in which case the line closest to the backstop shall be 16 feet (4.88m) in length.8 – EQUIPMENT

1. The ball shall weigh not less than five nor more than five and one-quarter ounces (142-149 gms.) avoirdupois, and measure not less than nine nor more than nine and one-quarter inches (22.9-23.5 cm) in circumference. Baseballs, specially manufactured and designed in such a way as to reduce injuries, or the seriousness of injuries, are approved for use in local league play. (NOT APPROVED FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY.)
2. Both leather and vinyl covered baseballs bearing the emblem of PONY Baseball are manufactured to specifications by several companies and are the baseballs required for league play and tournament play.
3. Wooden, metal, graphite or ceramic bats, manufactured specifically for baseball play, which are round and not more than two and three-fourths inches (7.0 cm) in diameter at the thickest part, nor more than 42 inches (106.7 cm) in length, are acceptable. Bats manufactured specifically for use in T-ball play, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player, coach or pitching machine.
4. Metal cleated baseball shoes, rubber soled or rubber cleated shoes are per- mitted. Alteration of metal cleats, such as sharpening, which might make them dangerous to participants, is specifically prohibited.
5. The batter, players in the on-deck batting area, baserunners and players coaching in the baseline coaching boxes shall be required to wear protective headgear which gives protection to the top of the head, temples, ears and base of the skull. These items shall be NOCSAE approved.(1) Use of face masks and properly fastened chin straps on protective head- gear is recommended.

   (2) No decal other than the player’s name, number, team name or logo shall be added to the protective headgear. Any headgear in violation of this rule shall be removed from play.

6. Catchers are required to wear proper protective equipment including a mask with throat guard, chest protector, shin guards and NOCSAE approved headgear which gives protection to the top of the head and both ears when catching behind the plate. Any player serving as a catcher to warm up a pitcher shall wear a mask, whether the pitcher is warming up from the mound, in the bullpen or elsewhere.

15

G. It is recommended that managers make every effort to encourage the wear- ing of athletic supporters by all male players.

H. SHETLAND, PINTO and MUSTANG: Conventional baseball uniforms are recommended. Baseball caps and t-shirts or conventional baseball uniforms may be worn.
BRONCO, PONY, COLT and PALOMINO: Conventional baseball uni- forms required in league AND TOURNAMENT PLAY include a shirt, pants, cap, and socks as used by teams in the Major Leagues, and shall be worn by all players.

1. (1)  This rule prohibits the wearing of shorts (defined as trousers which do not cover the knees of the wearer) or full length slacks by the players.
2. (2)  Any exception to the uniform rule shall have the specific written approval of the Headquarters Office.
3. (3)  Where commercial advertising is used on team uniforms it is strongly urged that the letters be limited to two inches or less.

9. The use of bases with safety features, such as those with tapered sides, those that release upon sufficient impact and the double bag at first base have been approved .
10. No jewelry shall be worn by any player, except for medical identification.
11. Cell phones, pagers or any other types of communication devices cannot be used on the field of play.

    9 – PLAYING RULES

1. The official playing rules, with the exceptions and variations contained in this book, shall be ‘‘Official Rules of Major League Baseball’’ completely revised, as released through the office of the Commissioner of Baseball.
2. No more than three players shall ‘‘huddle’’ on the playing field at any time during the game. Umpires shall discourage such gatherings when they tend to delay the game.
3. SHETLAND and PINTO: The entire roster of players present for the game shall bat in rotation.

D. SHETLAND: Ten players shall be used defensively. The four outfielders must be positioned 15 feet behind the baselines when the pitching motions is made.

5. SHETLAND: Batters are not permitted to bunt at the ball on batting tee. The batting tee shall be placed on home plate. The umpire is responsible for removal prior to any play at home plate. The batter will not be allowed to adjust the tee or take practice swings after the pitcher has made the pitching motion with one foot on the rubber. PENALTY: Strike. A 10-foot arc shall be inscribed in front of home plate, from the first to the third base foul line, and any batted ball which does not travel beyond that line will be considered a foul-strike for purposes of this rule.PINTO: Batters are not permitted to bunt or softswing at the ball. PENAL- TY: Pitch is a strike and the ball is dead.
6. SHETLAND: The batter shall be called out after failing to hit the ball after three swings at the ball on the tee. Batter is not out on a foul or foul tip unless it is a third swing.
   PINTO: A batter shall be declared out after failing to hit a fair ball after six pitches are delivered by a pitching machine or coach-pitcher. The batter is

16

out if there are three strikes before the sixth pitch. Missed swings are count- ed as strikes, as are foul balls and foul tips. A batter is not out on a foul ball or a foul tip unless it is also the sixth pitch.

7. SHETLAND: The catcher shall stand away from the plate until the batter swings, then field the position defensively. (There is no dropped third strike rule.)PINTO: The catcher may assume the catcher’s position or stand away until the batter swings, then field the position defensively. (There is no dropped third strike rule.)
8. SHETLAND and PINTO: Base runners are not permitted to steal bases and shall remain in contact with the base until ball is hit or crosses home plate. PENALTY: If a runner is off the base and the ball is hit, the runner is out and the ball is in play. If the ball is not hit, the runner must return to the base and the ball is dead.
9. SHETLAND and PINTO: There is no infield fly rule.
10. MUSTANG: It is recommended that each player on the team play in at leasttwo innings of each game.
11. SHETLAND and PINTO: No player participation rule applies. Free substitu-tion on defense including pitching position unless a Pinto player is being uti- lized. Once removed, a Pinto player may not return to the pitching position. MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY and COLT: Any player in the starting lineup who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game one time. (NOTE: This rule applies to STARTERS ONLY.)
    1. (1)  Players shall return to the line-up in their original place in the batting order. While more than one substitute may be used in that position before the starting player is returned, no substitutions shall be made that shall alter the original batting rotation of any of the starting or sub- stitute players. (See exception in 9L(2) below.)
    2. (2)  Once removed from the lineup a pitcher may return to the lineup but shall not pitch again in the same game.
12. MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY, COLT and PALOMINO: In any instance in which a team does not have an eligible substitute for a player who becomes ill, is injured, or ejected from the game by the umpire, the player last removed from the lineup by the manager or coach, who is otherwise eligible to play, shall be used as a substitute.
    1. (1)  When a team’s last available substitute enters the game as part of a multiple substitution, the manager shall advise the umpire and official scorekeeper which player is to be considered “the last player removed from the line-up.”
    2. (2)  In this instance only, the substitute player shall take the batting position of the player they replace, even though it may be a different batting position than the one he or she previously occupied.
    3. (3)  This rule applies to all players, including starters.

M. SHETLAND and PINTO: When the ball is in the possession of an infielder and, in the umpire’s judgement, all play on the runner or runners has ceased, the umpire shall call “Time”. The ball is dead and shall be returned to home plate, if the batting tee is used, or to the mound when the pitching machine or coach-pitcher is used.

(1) Appeal plays can be made, following the play that is to be appealed, at any time before the pitcher makes a pitching motion, when the batting

17

tee or coach-pitcher method is used, or before the ball is ejected from

the pitching machine.

2. (2)  When an appeal is requested after the ball has been returned to thepitching machine, the coach-pitcher or the batting tee, the umpire shall retrieve the ball and give it to the player-pitcher at the pitcher’s plate, and the player-pitcher may then proceed with the appeal.
3. (3)  PINTO only: If a batted ball hits the coach pitcher or the coach operat- ing the pitching machine, the ball is dead. The pitch is a foul strike and no runners may advance. If a live ball hits the coach pitcher or the coach operating the pitching machine, or in the umpire’s judgement the coach interferes in the fielder’s attempt to make a play, the ball is dead and lead runner is out.

N. MUSTANG leagues shall adopt one of the following three optional rules for league play.

RULE (1) SHALL GOVERN ALL MUSTANG LEAGUE TOURNAMENT PLAY.

1. (1)  Runnersmaylead-offandstealbases,asinOfficialBaseballRules.
2. (2)  Runners at first and second bases may lead off and steal bases, as inOfficial Baseball Rules, but runners at third base shall remain in contact with the base from the time the pitcher steps on the rubber with posses- sion of the ball until the pitched ball has been hit or has reached or passed the batter. Once the pitcher has stepped on the rubber, in pos- session of the ball, runners at third base who leave base before the pitched ball reaches or passes the batter shall be called out and the pitch shall be considered as a dead ball.
3. (3)  Runners may steal bases, but shall not leave the base they are occupy- ing at the time of the pitch until the pitched ball has reached or passed the catcher. Once the pitcher has stepped on the rubber with posses- sion of the ball, runners who leave base before the pitched ball reaches or passes the catcher shall be called out and the pitch shall be consid- ered as a dead ball.

O. PALOMINO: The designated hitter rule shall be as stated in the Official Rules of Major League Baseball.

16. The batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box at all times in order to speed up play. PENALTY: Umpire will call play ball and call the pitch a strike.
17. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROCEDURES
    While risk of one athlete infecting another with HIV/AIDS during competition is close to non-existent, there is a remote risk that other blood borne infectious diseases can be transmitted. For example, Hepatitis B can be present in blood as well as in other body fluids. Procedures for reducing potential for transmission of these infectious agents should include, but not be limited to, the following:
    1. (1)  The bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there isan excessive amount of blood on the uniform it must be changed before

       the athlete may participate.

    2. (2)  Routine use of gloves or other precautions to prevent skin and mucousmembrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is

       anticipated.

    3. (3)  Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces if contaminated (in con-tact) with blood or other body fluids. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves.

18

4. (4)  Cleanallcontaminatedsurfacesandequipmentwithanappropriatedisin- fectant before competition resumes.
5. (5)  Practice proper disposal procedures to prevent injuries caused by nee- dles, scalpels and other sharp instruments or devices.
6. (6)  Although saliva has not been implicated in HIV transmission, to minimize the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices should be available for use.
7. (7)  Athletic trainers/coaches with bleeding or oozing skin conditions should refrain from all direct athletic care until the condition resolves.
8. (8)  Contaminatedtowelsshouldbeproperlydisposedof/disinfected.
9. (9)  Follow acceptable guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and when handling bloody dressings, mouth guards and other articles con-taining body fluids.

   10 – PITCHING RULES

1. SHETLAND: Players are not permitted to pitch.
2. Any team member may pitch, subject to the restrictions of the pitching rules.

C: SHETLAND, PINTO and MUSTANG: Pitching options:

1. (1)  For use with batting tee:(a) The ball shall be hit off of a batting tee placed on home plate. The umpire is responsible for removal prior to any play at home plate. (b) The batter shall not swing at the ball until the pitcher has made a

   pitching motion from the pitcher’s plate.
   (c) The pitcher shall remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate until the

   ball is hit by the batter. PENALTY: A balk shall be called.

2. (2)  For use with pitching machine:(a) The pitching machine shall be located approximately 38 feet (44 feet in MUSTANG) from home plate.

   (b) The pitcher shall take position, ALWAYS TO THE REAR OF THE PITCHING MACHINE, and on the left or the right side with one foot on the dirt portion of the mound.

   (c) If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and remains in fair terri- tory, the ball is in play.

   (d) If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine and goes into foul terri- tory, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all run- ners advance one base.

   (e) The coach operating the pitching machine shall not direct or coach in any way on offense. PENALTY: The coach will receive one warning and the second time he/she must be removed.

3. (3)  For use with coach pitchers:
   (a) Coaches or managers shall pitch from a pitching plate 38 feet (44feet in MUSTANG) from the point of home plate.
   (b) The player fielding the pitcher’s position shall take position always

   to the rear of the pitching plate, and on the left or right side of the

   coach-pitcher with one foot on the dirt portion of the mound.
   (c) Coach-pitcher must remain in contact with the pitching rubber while pitching. He/she must throw the ball overhand. No kneeling or

   pitching from the knee is allowed.
   (d) The coach pitcher shall not direct or coach his team in any way on

   offense. PENALTY: The coach will receive one warning and the second time he must be removed.

19

4. PINTO: While PONY Baseball does not recommend pitching by players, the following may be used for player pitching at the league’s discretion:
   1. (1)  Pitchers shall not pitch in more than two innings in a calendar day.
   2. (2)  Pitchersshallnotpitchinmorethanfourinningsinacalendarweek.
   3. (3)  Pitchers shall have 40 hours rest after pitching in two innings on thesame calendar day.
   4. (4)  When pitchers are used, a third strike is an out even if the catcherdrops the ball.
5. MUSTANG pitchers shall not pitch in more than three and BRONCO,PONY and COLT age pitchers shall not pitch in more than seven innings on the same calendar day.
   PALOMINO (League age 17, 18 and 19): Pitchers shall not pitch in more than nine innings on the same calendar day
6. When pitching in more than one game on the same calendar day, pitchers may pitch any combination of innings in those games provided they do not exceed the above maximum number of innings in a calendar day.
7. MUSTANG pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than eight innings and BRONCO, PONY and COLT age pitchers shall be allowed to pitch in no more than 10 innings in any one calendar week. A calendar week is from 12:01 a.m. Monday to 12 midnight the following Sunday.
8. Pitchers shall have at least 40 hours rest after pitching on the same calen- dar day in:MUSTANG: Three innings.
   BRONCO, PONY, COLT: Four or more innings.
   PALOMINO (League age 17, 18 and 19): Five or more innings.
9. The 40 hours rest rule is computed from the scheduled starting time of the game in which the pitching occurred, or, in games which begin more than two hours after the scheduled starting time, the actual starting time of the game shall be used to interpret this rule.
10. As soon as a pitcher delivers one pitch to a batter the pitcher shall be con- sidered as having pitched in one inning.
11. A pitcher is charged with the number of innings pitched in the specific calen- dar day and week in which they are pitched, regardless of whether they are local league games, the playoff of postponed games or suspended games, tie games or exhibition games.
12. Any pitcher withdrawn from the mound and/or lineup, or a pitcher who is withdrawn from the mound and stays in the game at another position, shall not be permitted to pitch again in the same game.

M If a relief pitcher comes in ‘‘cold’’ the umpire shall allow the pitcher to warm up properly with at least ten warmup pitches.

14. Pitchers in violation of any of the pitching rules shall be considered ineligible players, subject to penalties outlined in Rule 18 – Penalties.
15. The pitcher named in the batting order turned in prior to the start of the game, shall pitch to the first batter or any substitute batter until such bat- ter is put out or reaches first base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or ill- ness which, in the judgment of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates him from pitching.

20

11 – LENGTH OF GAMES Regulation games shall be:

1. SHETLAND: Once play has begun in a game the game shall be played to regulation length (six innings) unless the home team is leading and does not need its half of the final inning. Teams shall not score more than five runs per inning except in the sixth or extra inning, where they may score ten runs. Games shall be considered over when it is mathematically impos- sible for one team to catch up in six innings.
2. PINTO: Once play has begun, the game shall be played to regulation length (six innings) or five and a fraction if the home team is leading unless called because of 10-run rule, or forfeited by the decision commit- tee. Maximum five runs per inning except in the sixth or extra inning which is open.
3. SHETLAND, PINTO and MUSTANG League games shall be six (6) innings and shall not exceed nine (9) innings. BRONCO, PONY, COLT and PALOMINO League games shall be seven (7) innings in duration. When a game is tied at the end of regulation length, it shall go into extra innings until a decision is reached or the game is called by the umpire.
4. If a game is called for any reason, it shall be a complete game if five innings (four in SHETLAND, PINTO and MUSTANG) have been completed, or if the home team has scored more runs in four (three in SHETLAND, PINTO and MUSTANG) innings or four (three in SHETLAND, PINTO and MUS- TANG) and a fraction innings, than the visiting team has scored in five (four in SHETLAND, PINTO and MUSTANG) completed innings.
5. If a game is called for any reason before it is a complete game, as described in Sections A, B, C, and D, or when the score is tied, it shall be considered a suspended game and shall be resumed from the point of cur- tailment at the time scheduled by league officials.
6. If a game is called for any reason in an uncompleted inning, after having reached complete-game length as described in Section A, B, C, and D and the visiting team ties the score or takes the lead in the uncompleted inning, and the home team does not tie the score or retake the lead in its portion of the uncompleted inning, the game shall be considered a suspended game and shall be continued from the point of curtailment at the time scheduled by league officials.
7. 10-Run Rule: If a team is leading an opponent by at least 10 runs after five (four in PINTO and MUSTANG) or more complete innings have been played or after four and one half innings if the home team shall have a 10 run lead at the end of its fourth inning, or before the completion of its fifth inning, the game shall be terminated and the team in the lead shall be declared the winner.12 – SCHEDULE

1. Scheduling and rescheduling of league games shall be the responsibility of the officers and executive committee, and shall provide not less than 12 regular season games for each team.
2. Leagues of the same age bracket, operated by the same set of officers or sponsors, or leagues from adjacent areas, may play an interlocking schedule.

21

C. SHETLAND, PINTO, MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY and COLT: Under no condition shall league officers set up a schedule of games which would require a team to play more than two (one for Shetland) games in one day.

PALOMINO: League officers may set up a schedule that requires teams to play in more than two games in one day. It is recommended that this be done only when scheduling problems require it, and should not be a com- mon practice.

(1) SHETLAND, PINTO and MUSTANG: No game shall begin after 7:30 p.m. local time. No inning should begin after 9 p.m. local time.

(2) BRONCO: No game shall begin after 8:30 p.m., and no inning should begin after 10 p.m. local time.

(3) PONY: No game shall begin after 9:30 p.m. and no inning should begin after 11 p.m. local time.

(4) COLT – PALOMINO: No game shall begin after 10:30 p.m. and no inning should begin after 12 midnight, local time.

4. It is recommended that Local League playing schedules continue into late June.
5. Night games are not recommended for Shetland and Pinto League.13 – UMPIRES

1. Assignment of umpires shall be the responsibility of the league officers. At any time the umpires assigned by the league fail to report, or are otherwise unavailable, any other umpires used in that game shall be agreed upon by the opposing managers, preferably in writing.
2. The use of tobacco in any form by umpires on the field is prohibited.14 – SCOREKEEPERS

1. The official scorekeeper shall record at-bats, hits, runs, errors, strikeouts, bases on balls, innings pitched in by each pitcher and scheduled starting time of games, or actual starting time if game is delayed more than two hours.
2. It is recommended that in order to be considered the winning pitcher, pitch- ers should complete at least three (two in MUSTANG) full innings and leave a lead that stands up for the remainder of the game.
3. The official scorer should notify the manager concerned if an ineligible play- er or an improper batter is about to be used in the game, but the failure of the scorer to do so has no effect upon the rules.15- SPONSORS

1. Teams or leagues shall be sponsored only by those organizations, firms or companies whose activities or products are not detrimental to the welfare of youth.
2. Specifically, no firm or company whose advertising reflects the sale of alco- holic beverages or tobacco products shall be permitted to sponsor the pro- gram or be permitted to display any form of such advertising in connection with the program.

22

16 – MANAGERS AND COACHES

1. Adult coaches, if properly dressed in a full baseball uniform, or in a uniform specified by a league, may be used in either or both the first and third base coaching boxes. Only players in baseball uniform and wearing helmets shall be used as base coaches when adult coaches are not used.SHETLAND:Two adult coaches may be stationed on the playing field, beyond the baselines, to provide verbal instructions to the defensive team. Players are not allowed to coach from the baseline coaching boxes.
2. A coach or coaches shall not switch coaching boxes during an inning.
3. Players, managers and coaches shall remain in the dugouts, on the bench- es or in the prescribed areas throughout the game.
4. PINTO, MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY, COLT and PALOMINO: If a man- ager or coach goes onto the playing field to talk to any player or players more than once (twice in Pinto) in a half inning, while the same player is pitching, a pitching change shall be made. The only exceptions to this rule shall be in case of injury, or if time is called by the opposing team or by an umpire.
5. PINTO, MUSTANG, BRONCO, PONY, COLT and PALOMINO: Umpires shall not permit more than one offensive time out in each inning to allow a manager or coach to talk with a batter.
6. The use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs in any form by players or adult leaders in the dugout, on the benches or on the playing field shall not be permitted.
7. PALOMINO team managers and coaches shall not be eligible to play. 17 – LEAGUE DECISIONS COMMITTEE

1. The League President shall appoint a Decisions Committee of not less than five persons to receive and resolve all protests lodged during the playing of league games. At least three members of the committee shall be present to render a decision.
2. The Decisions Committee shall concern itself only with game protests, leav- ing the resolution of other matters in the hands of league officers.
3. The Decisions Committee may solicit testimony and advice from any source it chooses, but actual decisions shall be based on majority vote of the mem- bers of the committee only.
   1. (1)  PONY Baseball Field Directors and the Headquarters staff shall giveverbal guidance on the intent and interpretation of a rule when request-

      ed to do so by a member of the Decisions Committee.

   2. (2)  Where it is deemed desirable, by majority vote of the Decisions Committee, an official written interpretation shall be provided by the Headquarters staff upon receipt of a written request from the DecisionsCommittee, outlining the protest under consideration.
4. When feasible, the Decisions Committee shall make every effort to render a decision on a protest within 48 hours of receipt of the protest in written form.
5. Decisions of the Decisions Committee shall be final and are not subject to appeal. Managers may request confirmation of a ruling by a Decisions Committee from Field Directors or the Headquarters staff. Such requests

23

shall be submitted in writing, and shall be answered for informational pur- poses only, and shall not affect the specific official decision of the Decisions Committee.

18 – PENALTIES

1. Violations of Rule 1, or general failure of the league to comply with the con- cept of league organization as defined in these Rules and Regulations, and as expressed in the Blue Book of PONY Baseball, may result in refusal to accept the league membership application, or a revoking of the membership status of the league if the violation occurs after membership for the current season has been granted. Please refer to rule 1A concerning PONY’s policy on disabilities.
2. A team failing to field at least nine (ten in SHETLAND) uniformed players within 15 minutes after scheduled starting time of a game, or at any time during the game, shall forfeit the game.
3. Penalty for use of illegal players shall be forfeiture of games in which illegal players participated, provided such games are protested by any of the league managers or officers in writing within 48 hours of the game or games in question. An illegal player is one who is not legally a member of the league because the player does not meet the requirements as to age and/or residence as stated in Rules 4, 5 and 6. Please refer to rule 1A concerning PONY’s policy on disabilities.
4. Penalty for use of an ineligible player, upon appeal by the opposing manag- er or notification by the official scorer or league officers, when the official scorebook or other league records verify the ineligibility of the player con- cerned, shall be immediate removal of the player from the lineup and ejec- tion of the team manager from the game. Both the player and the manager shall be ineligible to participate in the next scheduled game played by the team. Please refer to rule 1A concerning PONY’s policy on disabilities.
   1. (1)  An ineligible player is one who is legally a member of the league, but who is ineligible to play or to pitch in a particular game or games because of the limitations set forth in these Rules and Regulations, or as the result of a previous rules violation or disciplinary action.
   2. (2)  For purposes of interpreting this rule, a player shall not be considered in violation of the rules until at least one pitch has been thrown to the bat- ter after the point of violation.
   3. (3)  In the event the manager of an ineligible player refuses to remove the player from the lineup and the manager does not leave the field when the appeal is made, and verified, the game is subject to forfeit.
   4. (4)  When the ineligible status of a player is not established until after comple- tion of the game, the game shall stand as played, but the player and man- ager shall be ineligible to participate in the next game played by the team, or the next game played after the ineligible status has been determined.
5. Illegal equipment shall be removed from the game.
   1. (1)  Players are not permitted to use illegal headgear even if no other head-gear is available. When proper headgear is not available, the game shall be delayed until the equipment can be obtained, or postponed and rescheduled by the league officers.
   2. (2)  Penalty for use of illegal shoes shall be removal of the shoes from the game, and, if no other legal footwear is available, removal of the affect- ed player or players from the lineup.

24

3. (3)  Players who do not wear complete conventional uniforms, protective headgear and catching equipment as required by these rules, shall be removed from the lineup.
4. (4)  Players who intentionally, in the judgement of the umpire, throw bats or protective headgear, or discard protective headgear while batting or running the bases, shall be ejected from the game following completion of any play in progress at the time the violation occurs. Such action does not constitute an out and such players shall be replaced as batters or baserunners if appropriate.

F. Pitchers in violation of any of the pitching rules shall be considered ineligible players, subject to the penalties stated for use of an ineligible player in this rule.

19 – PROTESTS

1. A protest based on a play which involves an umpire’s judgment shall not be permitted.
2. When protests are based on an interpretation of the rules, the objecting manager shall, at the time the play occurs, notify the head umpire, the opposing manager and official scorer that the game is being played under protest, and submit the protest in writing to the league president or secre- tary, or to the Decisions Committee, within 48 hours of the completion of the game.
   1. (1)  When protests based on the interpretation of a rule are upheld by the Decisions Committee, the game concerned shall be replayed from the point of protest.
   2. (2)  Umpires should make a public announcement to the crowd when a game is being played under protest.
3. Any team manager or other adult leader who withdraws a team from the playing field under any circumstances prior to the official completion of the game shall forfeit all rights to protests as prescribed in this section.20 – GENERAL CONDUCT

1. PONY Baseball, Inc., through its headquarters staff and its designated Field Directors, shall reserve the right to withdraw membership from any league, team, player or adult volunteer whose conduct, on or off the playing field, reflects in a manner that is detrimental to the best interests of PONY Baseball, Inc. Please refer to rule 1A concerning PONY’s policy on disabili- ties.
2. Players or adult volunteers who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, such as fighting, abusive language or similarly derogatory activity, may be sus- pended for one or more games.
3. Teams, players or adult volunteers in violation of this General Conduct policy may be refused entry, OR MAY BE REMOVED FROM TOURNAMENT PLAY

25